Louis Sapia’s book, ‘Don’t Sit The Bench’, is a must-read for anyone who has big dreams and wants to turn them into realities. In an exclusive interview with Louis, he shares his insights on the power of pursuing your goals relentlessly and why it takes hard work and dedication to make those ambitions come true. According to Louis, “If you don’t believe in yourself or take action towards success, then you will never reach your goals.” He provides tips on staying motivated during difficult times and how to break through barriers that may seem impossible at first glance. Additionally, he stresses the importance of developing a strong support system around you who can lift you up and provide advice when needed. With his words of wisdom and inspiring stories, Louis Sapia proves that no dream is too big to pursue.
What is the PRIMARY benefit, above all others, that your potential reader will gain from reading this book?
The primary purpose of my book is to help young people build self-esteem and confidence so that they feel secure about making the right decisions towards living independent and successful lives.
Leaving high school and entering college or the workforce is, quite often, a confusing and insecure time for young adults, especially for those that lack support at home. This book provides much needed advice on getting through the insecurities and indecisiveness often experienced on the path to adulthood.
If you had to compare this book to any other book out there, which book would it be?
I don’t know if I can compare my book to others, but rather, I would like to mention a few of the books that contributed to my knowledge in life and inspired me to write the book as follows:
- Mandela’s Way by Richard Stegel – Nelson Mandela accomplished the transition from prisoner to becoming the president of South Africa. He did this using patience, strategy, and emotional intelligence. This short book shares the wisdom of Nelson Mandela to change from violence against his enemies to unity of all people in South Africa.
- Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins – Author and speaker, Tony Robbins, gives advice on taking charge of your life and thinking positively. I found his work to be very inspirational towards reaching goals.
- Emotional Intelligence by David Clark – A book that provide guidance towards managing your emotions and improving social skills.
Hundreds of thousands of books come out every year. Why should someone buy THIS book?
First, I wrote the book as if I’m talking to my students so the reader, I think, will feel as if I’m talking to them. It’s purposely an easy read to ensure I reach readers from middle school and on. It’s a relatively short book yet it’s packed with a great deal of information that is helpful for planning one’s path forward.
Second, as a college professor, I know that I have only so much time to hold a student’s attention so I lecture with the most comprehensive material I can create to make my point and then allow the students to absorb that information. The book is written in the same manner. It, purposely, does not go on and on explaining my message. I bring up topics and then provide clear examples for the reader to easily digest.
Third, I use my personal experience as a lost young man as well as my experience mentoring young adults to address common issues facing our youth. I know, firsthand, what it’s like to feel insecure and unsure of what to do with no one to turn to for guidance. Sharing my feelings and experience will help readers avoid the mistakes I made and guide them towards a more successful path.
Who is your target audience?
The book was primarily written to address issues facing high school and college aged students from all genders and ethnic backgrounds all over the world. However, it is not too early for middle schoolers to start thinking about the topics covered in the book as well.
Parents would find the book helpful as well because it provides understanding of the issues facing their children with helpful advice to guide their children towards success.
Did your environment or upbringing play a major role in your writing and did you use it to your advantage?
My environment and upbringing, certainly, played a major role in writing the book along with my work mentoring college students. I grew up as a second generation American and first-generation college student. My parents knew that hard work was necessary to survive but they did not value education or understand strategy to succeed in life. So, I had to learn by trial and error. It is my goal that the book will save young people from the mistakes I made for a more stress-free path forward to adulthood.
Tell us your most rewarding experience since publishing your work?
I’ve been hearing from those who have read the book that they feel as if it was them, I was talking about in the book. Struggles towards adulthood are experienced by all adolescents and young adults in one form or another. It is wonderful to hear people of all ages connect with the book. One woman said she was passing the book on to her kids and said she found it “cathartic.”
How would you describe your writing style?
For this book, I use a persuasive writing style as I am trying to persuade adolescents and young adults to be mindful of their behaviors and take action to build self-esteem and confidence towards success. I talk about the importance of having a strategy and making the right choices that will best serve their future.
Are your characters pure fiction, or did you draw from people you know?
This book is completely non-fiction using myself and people I know but I use made up names to protect their identity in the examples I use.
Are you more of a character artist or a plot-driven writer?
This question does not apply to the book.
What do you hope to accomplish with your book other than selling it?
My main reason for writing the book is to reach more people than I can mentoring students. I know my advice has helped many people I came to meet. The book will allow me to reach a larger audience.
In addition, I hope to speak on the subject matter at middle schools, high schools and colleges so that I can help our youth understand the importance of developing strategy for success.
How can our readers get in touch with you?
I have a website at www.dontsitthebench.com and I can be emailed as lousapia@dontsitthebench.com.
Where can our readers purchase your book?
The book at be found at the following outlets:
- Amazon – https://amzn.to/3pS0e21
- Barnes and Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dont-sit-the-bench-louis-s-sapia/1143220936?ean=9781958729380
Walmart – https://www.walmart.com/ip/Don-t-Sit-the-Bench-Paperback-9781958729380/3256516472?from=searchResults
