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Karan’s Book Notes: Build Don’t Talk by Raj Shamani


Author: Raj Shamani

Publisher: Penguin Books
Genre: Non-Fiction, Self-Help, Entrepreneurship
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)


Why I Picked Up Build Don’t Talk by Raj Shamani

When a friend handed me Build Don’t Talk, I wasn’t sure if I even wanted to read it. Raj Shamani is a well-known influencer, and honestly, I thought this would just be another way to promote himself. I expected clichés, reels in book form, and biased views.

But curiosity won. I started reading—and here’s what I found.


First Impressions of Build Don’t Talk

This book is easy to read, conversational, and direct. It’s not research-heavy like some business classics. Instead, Raj draws from his personal experiences and podcast learnings.

That’s its strength—it feels real and relatable.
That’s its weakness—it often feels like “I already know this.”

For readers who enjoy influencer-style content, this will feel natural. But if you expect deep analysis or groundbreaking ideas, you might feel underwhelmed.


Key Lessons from Build Don’t Talk

Here are the main takeaways Raj emphasizes:

  • Life is not fair—there are no rewards just for showing up.

  • Execution is more important than hoarding knowledge.

  • Daily habits > lofty goals.

  • Admit your weaknesses—it’s okay to quit things you’re bad at.

  • Build networks by adding value, not by asking for favors.

  • Be a producer, not just a consumer.

These ideas aren’t new, but they are presented in a very practical, no-nonsense tone.


What I Really Felt While Reading

To be honest, Build Don’t Talk didn’t feel extraordinary. Many lessons seemed general, even impractical at times. A lot of it sounded like things I’ve already heard in other self-help books or motivational talks.

But one lesson did stay with me:
👉 “You won’t be able to achieve your goals if you only focus on them. Instead, focus on your daily habits.”

That line reminded me of my own blogging journey. I often overthink instead of publishing. Since reading this, I’ve started writing more consistently—because the process matters more than perfection.


Who Should Read Build Don’t Talk?

This book is ideal for:

  • Students frustrated with the education system.

  • Young entrepreneurs just starting out.

  • Readers new to self-help and business books.

  • Anyone who wants quick motivation in simple language.

Skip it if you’re expecting deep research, case studies, or entirely new frameworks.


My Favorite Quotes

  • “If you waste all your time thinking, when will you get the time to live?”

  • “The only thing stopping you from growing is your fear of looking stupid in front of people.”

  • Invest your time before you invest your money.”

  • “People are not scared of failure; they are scared of being embarrassed.”


Final Verdict – Build Don’t Talk Book Review

Raj Shamani’s Build Don’t Talk is not extraordinary, but it’s not useless either. Think of it as a reminder, not a revelation. It’s motivational, straightforward, and works best for beginners in personal growth.

For me, it didn’t change everything—but it did push me to act faster and overthink less.

📌 Verdict: A light, influencer-style self-help book. Worth a read if you want motivation, skip if you’re looking for deep research.


Final Note to Readers

I didn’t intend to read this book, but it found me through a friend. Sometimes books do that—they enter your life not to teach you something new, but to remind you of what you already know, but aren’t applying.

👉 What about you? Do you enjoy books by influencers, or do you prefer research-heavy non-fiction? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.

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