Azim’s message of SPARK celebrates the potential within all of us regardless of our circumstances — Harvey Mackay, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Swim With The Sharks
Simerg’s series entitled “Books by Ismaili Authors” continues with Azim Jamal’s “SPARK: Journey from Success to Significance.” We follow the same Q/A format as our earlier presentations of books written by Rozina Ramji (Edmonton), Shamim Murji (Brampton), Mahmoud Hirji (Toronto), Zul Premji (Calgary), Azim Jiwani (Vancouver), Naznin Rahemtulla Hébert (Montreal), Shairoz Lakhani (London, UK), Shelina Shariff Zia (New York), Ali Lakhani (Vancouver), Nizar Sultan (Toronto), Nargis Fazal (Vancouver), Nazlin Rahemtulla (Vancouver), Azmina Suleman (Calgary), Alnasir Rajan (Mississauga), Shafeen Ali (USA), Mansoor Ladha (Calgary), Zeni Shariff (Toronto) and Shamas Nanji (Edmonton). We encourage Ismaili authors from around the world to participate in this series, regardless of when their books were published. See details of the series HERE and submit your responses accordingly to Simerg’s editor, Malik, at mmerchant@simerg.com.
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Simerg’s Interview with Azim Jamal
Simerg: What is behind the naming of the title of the book?
Azim Jamal: In our all-out pursuit for success, we lose touch of what deeply ignites that drive. I refer to that ignition as the SPARK. Through the book, I share how the end game is not as much about Success, but more so about Significance. Hence, the title SPARK: Journey from Success to Significance. In some way, the motivation for the protagonist’s journey resembles my own personal journey when I made the shift from “accounting for business (Success)” to “accounting for life (Significance)”. This journey led to three powerful discoveries:
— How my vocation became my vacation
— The more I aspired, the more the universe conspired
— On my path to transforming other lives, my own life transformed
Simerg: Why would you want me or my family members to read the book, and what will we all learn from it?
Jamal: This book will offer all readers a visionary yet practical pathway to discovering an unwavering significance to life. SPARK is a beginner’s guide to finding the sense of purpose and passion which lives inside all of us.
Simerg: What inspired you to write SPARK: Journey from Success to Significance?
Jamal: During the pandemic being locked down for 2-3 years resulted in physical and mental fatigue. However, the pandemic pause made us question whether our pursuit for bigger and better was in fact what defined our happiness. It was clear to me really our desire for meaning (Significance), and not our motivation for profit (Success) that brought us the most fulfillment!
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PRAISE FOR SPARK
All the elements Azim shares in his inspiring book are time tested, proven and indeed foundational principles that can ignite the SPARK within you — Dr. Nido Qubein, President of High Point University
This is a book for those who dare to search for answers, and who are unafraid to SPARK a change in their lives — Brian Tracy, author of # 1 international bestseller Eat That Frog
If you would love to make a significant difference on the planet, doing exactly what you truly love, then Spark is the book to read — Dr. John Demartini, International bestselling author of The Values Factor
Designed for our increasingly uncertain world, SPARK is a reassuring guide to discover your purpose — Marshall Goldsmith, New York Times #1 bestselling author of Mojo
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Simerg: How can I purchase the book and what are its available formats?
The book is sold through Amazon Canada, Chapters-Indigo, Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. May I note that some of my other works are summarized at Amazon HERE.
Simerg: How did you find a publisher for the book?
Jamal: Over the years, I have self-published a few books and also worked with several publishers. For this book, I am taking a hybrid approach (partly self-published, and partly through selected foreign publishers). I’m hoping this will result in a win-win-win outcome for all parties — author, publisher and reader. My experience working with a major publisher began in 2005 when I co-authored The Power of Giving, which topped the Amazon charts. It was at that time Penguin showed interest. Soon after, the book went on to win the Nautilus Gold Award for books that inspire social change. The Power of Giving was translated in ten languages, which in turn triggered work with other foreign publishers. Overall, however the experience of working with publishers has been a difficult one and despite writing ten books, am still figuring out the book publishing journey!
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Simerg: Did you hire an editor, an illustrator or did you do all the work by yourself?
Jamal: Yes, I did have lots of help in writing this book. From creating the fable to hiring copy editors and proofreaders. My family and team helped me tremendously in my journey. Writing a book is rarely, if ever, a one-person endeavour!
Simerg: Which was your first book and how many have you written?
Jamal: My first book, called 7 Steps to Lasting Happiness, was published on July 13, 1999. As mentioned above, SPARK: Journey from Success to Significance is my tenth book. All my ten books revolve around the synergy of Business, Balance & Beyond.
I hope to introduce the remaining of my earlier publications through this very useful and informative series that you have launched. It encourages Ismaili authors tremendously and informs the Jamat as well as members outside the Jamat about the literary scene in the community.
However, I would wish that books by authors you have featured so far as well as books by other Ismaili authors are made available at Jamati literature counters here in Canada and around the world. The Ismaili literary scene has become rich in the last two decades and Ismaili authors, established as well as new ones, deserve to be promoted within the community, just as there is so much institutional encouragement for artists in the community.
Simerg: I sincerely hope the situation will change and that a regular literary forum is created where Ismaili authors can engage with community members. Reading your profile, your own personal story about how you became involved in writing is fascinating in itself.
How long did it take you to write “SPARK: Journey from Success to Significance from start to finish and to begin marketing it?
Jamal: From concept to creation, it took me approximately 2 years. In comparison, the first book I ever wrote, 7 Steps to Lasting Happiness, took me 5+ years to complete. With every book I write, the timing and process gets better!
Simerg: Tell us something more about your book.
Jamal: In this inspiring fable you will meet Steve, a hotshot lawyer fighting to climb the corporate ladder. His life transforms seemingly overnight when he is sent to India for a task he considers pointless. Things quickly fall apart. Steve, forced to reconsider his path, realizes that the curveball life has thrown him is an opportunity to find his true purpose. This spiritual odyssey is about to transform him beyond his wildest dreams. A powerful lesson follows each chapter, making up the SPARK that transforms Steve’s life.
Date posted: July 17, 2023.
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We welcome feedback from our readers. Please click Leave a comment. Your letter may be edited for length and brevity and is subject to moderation.
Buy Azim Jamal’s book at one of the following on-line booksellers: Amazon Canada, Chapters-Indigo, Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.
PROFILE
Azim Jamal is the founder of Corporate Sufi, a company dedicated to inspiring and empowering leaders at all levels to achieve material success, blended with a deep sense of purpose, passion, and fulfillment. Author of several highly-acclaimed books including, “What You Seek is Seeking You”, co-authored with Brian Tracy, Azim twice was a # 1 Amazon bestselling author, and in 2005 topped Harry Potter. He has also been a # 1 bestseller with Barnes & Noble with his co-authored book — “The Power of Giving”, which won the Nautilus Gold Award in May 2009 for books that change lives.
Once a highly successful accountant, he was moved by the plight and inner strength of refugees he went to serve; he was inspired to make a life-altering decision that transformed his mission from “accounting for business” to “accounting for life”. His dynamic, inspiring and thought-provoking message has been heard live by over 1 million people in more than 100 cities in five continents. His media message has reached more than 5 million people around the world. We invite our readers to listen to one of his podcasts HERE and watch his TEDx talk Live to Give.
Read more about Azim Jamal at his official website, Corporate Sufi.
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Calling all Ismaili Authors
We encourage Ismaili writers to introduce their books in a similar format as has been done in the post above. Please also see the series launch article and submit your responses to Malik at mmerchant@simerg.com. All submissions will be acknowledged. If a writer has published multiple books, each book will be highlighted in a separate article, and not combined with other books into one post. All writers should include a brief profile with a portrait photo.
We welcome feedback from our readers. Please click . Your letter may be edited for length and brevity, and is subject to moderation.
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Links to the Ismaili Authors’ Series (in chronological sequence, oldest article first):
- “Justice Bertha Wilson Pushes the Boundaries of Humanity” by Shamas Nanji (series start, February 10, 2021)
- “Little One, You Are The Universe” by Zeni Shariff (February 25, 2021)
- “Memoirs of a Muhindi” by Mansoor Ladha (March 6, 2021, and see also 15, below, by the same author)
- “To Be One With God: Seven Journeys to the Meaning of Life” by Shafeen Ali (March 25, 2021)
- “Invisible Birthmarks” by Alnasir Rajan (April 13, 2021)
- “IN THE NAME OF JUSTICE – Portrait of a ‘Cowboy’ Judge” by Azmina Suleman (April 28, 2021)
- “RSVP Rice and Stew Very Plenty” by Nazlin Rahemtulla (May 28, 2021)
- “Coughdrops” by Nargis Fazal (June 12, 2021)
- “The Roots and the Trees” by Nizar Sultan (June 25, 2021)
- “Faith and Ethics: The Vision of the Ismaili Imamat” by M. Ali Lakhani (July 4, 2021)
- “Nairobi Days by Shelina_Shariff Zia (July 21, 2021)
- “Shine Brighter” by Shairoz Lakhani (December 8, 2021)
- “This is My Life” by Naznin Rahemtulla Hébert (February 26, 2022)
- “Humanizing Medicine – Making Health Tangible” by Dr. Azim Jiwani (March 9, 2022)
- “A Portrait in Pluralism: Aga Khan’s Shia Ismaili Muslims” by Mansoor Ladha (June 8, 2022, and see also 3, above, by the same author)
- “Malaria Memoirs: My Life Journey as a Public Health Doctor in Tanzania” by Dr Zul Premji (June 30, 2022)
- “Monkey Tales and Other Short Stories” by Mahmoud Hirji (September 10, 2022)
- “Bloom! A Story of Diversity and Understanding” by Shamim Murji (October 27, 2022)
- “Cooking with Mom” by Rozina Ramji (November 7, 2022)
- “SPARK: Journey from Success to Significance” by Azim Jamal (July 17, 2023)
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Simerg’s editor may be reached via email at mmerchant@simerg.com.
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