Review of "The Golden Blueprint" by Mark Parrish

Score: 96/100 (9.6 out of 10)

The Golden Blueprint by Mark Parrish is one of our favorite books of the year so far!
And it sure is timely.

We often feel the way the book describes: like our best days are behind us, like we've lost what made us great, and that all that awaits us in the future are challenges and setbacks. This book is here to remind us that nothing could be further from the truth. We are reminded that the future, while full of challenges and difficulties, is also full of opportunities for growth, success, happiness, fulfillment, and joy.

This book argues that one person in a family line can change everything by becoming intentional about vision, discipline, culture, and legacy. Parrish calls that person “the chosen one,” meaning the one willing to break cycles, build something lasting, and create a life that future generations can benefit from. His central leadership formula keeps resurfacing in different forms: say no to distractions, invest in people, lead by example, build strong systems, and think in generations instead of quick wins.

In a world of social media, instant gratification, and a rush to be noticed and get rich quick, this message is extremely important. The author uses the analogy of wells, which often take long to build/dig and often aren't built/dug by one person or even in one generation. Sometimes, we figuratively dig wells for water that future generations can drink from and enjoy: our children and grandchildren. Our legacy. Similarly, the author uses the analogy of the olive tree, which often takes many years to bear fruit.

We don't need everything now. Great things take time. They compound. They build on each other.

This book is extremely encouraging, uplifting, inspirational, and motivational without being excessively idealistic and unrealistic. It is actually very grounded, practical, and applicable, which we greatly appreciated.

One aspect of this book that we absolutely loved was how it doesn't play into a victim mindset. It doesn't blame priviledge (or lack thereof). It doesn't blame race or color or ethnicity or nationality for challenges and setbacks. We've seen that in so many self-help and business books recently. How is that helpful? Instead, the author propogates the idea that we all have CHOICES and OPPORTUNITIES. They might not be exactly the same. They might not be exactly equal. But we all have them. And we can all make the best of them.

Mark Parrish is a fascinating man who has walked the talk. He is now the owner of at least 19 McDonald's locations with over 5,000 employees! But he did his time serving in the military and working under his father including on a farm and in a McDonald's. All of this was challenging, but it provided compounding opportunities for growth, learning, self-improvement, and advancement.

They taught him things like discipline, responsibility, accountability, the importance of clarity in vision/reason/purpose, and developing/holding to a code of honor.

By the way, it is kinda funny that his drill sergeant kept calling him "Brigham" because he was from Utah (where Brigham Young brought the LDS Church).

Anyway...

Parrish repeatedly gives examples of how excuses and a victim mindset only hold us back and hold us down without solving the problem or advancing us. For example, he helped his teenage daughter—an eventual National Champion in soccer—to understand that there were things she could do to improve her performance and standing on the team such as practicing an hour longer than everyone else.

The author reminds us that there's always something we can do to improve ourselves and our situations instead of blaming the world, the referees, our coaches, our employers, our spouses, etc. We can always ask ourselves: what can I do to make my situation better?

His father, by the way, was not handed an easy life either, and serves as a paramount example. Parrish explains that his dad came from extremely humble beginnings, born to a 15 year old who was ill-prepared to raise and take care of him. He grew up doing hard farm work from childhood. That helps explain both his grit and some of the worldview that shaped Mark himself. That matters because one of the strongest points in this book is that it does not come from some detached ivory tower. It comes from people who had to work, sacrifice, adapt, and build. Parrish uses that background to make one of the book’s boldest arguments: life is not equal, but that does not remove our responsibility to act with urgency, discipline, courage, and vision. That is a hard message for some people to hear, but honestly, it is also a refreshing one.

This book just hits something deep down inside. It hits home. No, it's not just because the author attended college here in Utah. It's that he draws from personal experiences from his military, business, and family lives. He presents these really practical, easily-appliable ideas like having rule lists for your household to refer to and follow, writing goals down, being clear about your vision and direction. This sounds like common sense, but common sense isn't so common.

We were also impressed by some of the powerful passages, quotes, and lessons in this book. These aren't just full of buzz words/terms and flowery language. They pack a punch and are easy to understand and apply to one's life and/or situation:

"When you live by your own values consistently, quietly, and without applause, you don’t just earn success. You become the kind of person success is drawn to."

“An individual who has vision will create a life of purpose and meaning designed around that vision.”

“The answer informs who they are, what they dream about, and their level of courage.”

“People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.”

“To say life is equal would be like saying we all start running the same distance from the finish line, travel the same path, and reach the destination in the same amount of time. That’s just not reality. Some of us move fast, others slow. Some fly; others drive. Some take the long way, others find shortcuts. Some mosey through, enjoying the scenery, while others walk with urgency.”

"My military experience taught me that fairness doesn’t equal everyone getting the same treatment. It’s about being given opportunities to rise and then being expected to rise. Fairness is found in expectations that stretch us. The people who hold us to higher standards are often the ones who change our lives. "

“Fairness means that, while our paths may start differently, each of us is given opportunities to choose, grow, and change.”

“The fairness comes in the form of choice. Everybody gets the same opportunity based on who they are that day, who they decide to be, what type of effort they want to put in. Do they want to be obedient? Do they want to be friendly? Do they want to have a positive mindset? Everybody gets the choice of who they want to be...It’s about being given opportunities to rise and then being expected to rise.”

“Clarity creates accountability.”
(Like with the household rules, code of honor in the military, and mission statement in business)

“Without reinvention, you end up living the same year on repeat. Same excuses. Same regrets. Same ceiling... Here are some signs it might be time to reinvent yourself. You’re living more in your past than your future. You’ve stopped being challenged by your daily life. Your excuses sound louder than your possibilities. You keep hitting the same wall in family, business, or personal growth. You feel stuck, like you’re coasting without any upward momentum.”
(Reminded us of Uncle Rico!)

"...complacency erodes connection. When you stop being intentional, relationships start to drift. They never remain in a neutral state for very long. Complacency leads to partners growing apart, parents losing emotional connection with kids, and routines replacing real communication. People assume family ties are unbreakable, but love, respect, and trust must be nurtured. Complacency makes you ignore the daily maintenance strong families need.”

Despite being focused and serious, this book isn't absent of humor. The author is very personable and actually uses humor sparingly and effectively, like when he shares the cringeworthy "Lose Yourself" parody jingle he used for a McDonald's advertisement, saying, "Want to hear the lyrics? Of course you do!"

Check it out on Amazon!