Rebounders

Let'sface it: Setbacks happen, and failure is always a possibility. But here's thegood news: Amazing success has been achieved by people who once fell flat ontheir faces. The secret lies in how we respond to life's bumps and pot holesand unwelcome detours-from getting fired or losing a business to enduring aprofessional rejection or pursuing a passion that fails to pan out. Misfortune,it turns out, can be a springboard to success.

In Rebounders, U.S. News & World Report journalist Rick Newmanexamines the rise and fall-and rise again-of some of our most prolific andproductive figures in order to demystify the anatomy of resilience. Heidentifies nine key traits found in people who bounce back that can transform asetback into the first step toward great accomplishment. Newman turns manywell-worn axioms on their head as he shows how virtually anybody can improvetheir resilience and get better at turning adversity into personal andprofessional achievement.

• Setbacks can be a secret weapon: They often teach vital things you'llnever learn in school, on the job, or from others.
• There are smart ways to fail: Once familiar with them, you'll be morecomfortable taking risks and less discouraged if they don't pan out.
• "Defensive pessimism" trumps optimism: Planning for what could gowrong is often the best way to ensure that it doesn't.
• Know when to quit: Walking away at the right time can free theresources you need to exploit better opportunities.
• "Own the suck": When faced with true hardship, taking command of thepain and sorrow-rather than letting it command you-lays the groundwork forultimately rising above it.

Each lesson is highlighted by candid and inspiring stories from notable people,including musician Lucinda Williams, tennis champ James Blake, inventor ThomasEdison, army veteran and double-amputee Tammy Duckworth, and Joe Torre, formermanager of the New York Yankees.

In this uncertain and unstable time, Rebounders lays out the new rulesfor success and equips you with the tools you need to get ahead and thrive.

RickNewman ischief business correspondent for U.S. News & World Report as well asa frequent commentator on MSNBC, CNN, Fox, NPR, and other TV and radionetworks. He is the co-author of Firefight: Inside the Battle to Save thePentagon on 9/11 and Bury Us Upside Down: The Misty Pilots and theSecret Battle for the Ho Chi Minh Trail. He lives outside New York City.

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