5 comments about A Whack on the Side of the Head: How You Can Be More Creative.

1. I found this book to be very entertaining and it certainly gave me some fresh and creative ways to look at situations/problems. I'm not sure yet how I will be able to put any of them to use, but that may be because I'm a bit overwhelmed after just reading the book. The exercises within the chapters did not always offer me the insight on how to use the topics they were supposed to be practicing. I am hopeful that the next time I run into a brick wall, some of the suggestions occur to me and that I can put them into practice.
   
   I can see how this would make a very effective seminar or training, with groups working on the exercises, bouncing ideas off one another and spurring one another on to more creative thinking.



2. Roger von Oech deeply understands that the creative juices flow best when people are relaxed and having fun. He does this by creating a common sense book that has easy to read, and powerful exercise to help tap into the creative nature that we all have.
   
   The book is a key element in critical thinking. It focuses on developing the left brain, right brain crossover. I found the book refreshing, fascinating and insightful..
   
   The title says it all. The format is user friendly, the exercises are engaging and the cartoons are hilarious. The book firmly pushes anyone who reads the book out of his or her box to become a better critical thinker!
   
   The topics are fascinating. They include: Opening mental locks, Learning how to think, Making the strange familiar, Challenging the rules, Play is frivolous, The fools and the rules and many more.
   
   This is a great book for anyone who is ready to open doors to their mind and become more creative. It lubricates the door hinges that may have become a little rusty over time!
   
   The Re-Discovery of Common Sense: A Guide to: The Lost Art of Critical Thinking



3. This book belongs in every manager or leader's library. It hosts great practical ideas to thinking in a more dynamic, creative and innovative way. A five star resource.



4. I teach creative thinking in Hungary. This is the book I suggest to my students. It is a pity, that hasn't been translated to Hungarian.



5. This is a useful book for those who don't view themselves as creative individuals. It's not that there's anything revolutionary in here, more that the book points out how much effort and editing are key factors in creativity. "Whack" will not necessarily change your world, but it will offer some ideas and exercises that help broaden your perspective. If nothing else, the greatness of this book is in its ability to re-state what you already ought to know.

5 comments about The Hard Truth About Soft Skills: Workplace Lessons Smart People Wish They'd Learned Sooner.

1. This book is spot on about being the "hard truth" about soft skills. We can often get caught up in what we think is "fair", what companies "should" do and how people "should" behave and all of those things are honestly irrelevant. It is not until people are ready to face the hard truths that they are able to make decisions about their willingness to make changes to their work styles that will impact their career track.



2. This book explained in detail, how to survive in the workplace. It has many examples on how to follow the unwritten rules (usually gained from many years in the work environment). I plan to purchase books for my employees and other young adults entering the workforce



3. I liked the way topics were broken down into bullet statements and examples. It took longer to read than I expected because there's no filler material. Now my co-workers are all reading it in an effort to relate better to other departments.



4. This book has laid out examples in detail and when needed given both sides (positive and negative) examples to emphasize balance required on some soft skills.
   
   I would highly recommend this book to any.



5. This book is a must have for anyone in the working world, especially for those just about to enter it. The ideas and concepts the author presents are very true, and are things you will not learn in any college education. I've been working in consulting for the past 5 years. This is a field where your softskills can make or break you, just like in many others. The tips, guidance, and suggestions that Ms. Klaus points out are ones that can propel your career to the next level. I can't tell you how many times I heard that so and so was a good consultant technically but they lacked the people skills necessary to put them infront of a client. This seemingly small assesment can actually hinder your career as being able to manage the client is what will take you to the next level.

2 comments about Rich Dad's Advisors: The Advanced Guide to Real Estate Investing: How to Identify the Hottest Markets and Secure the Best Deals (Rich Dad's Advisors).

1. This is a detailed and brilliantly written piece of work that is going to help me move up to the next level and make millions! Thanks!



2. I came across this book at Barnes & Nobles and since it was under the Rich Dad banner I gave it a shot. I liked the section of dispelling the myths of investing in multifamily units, i.e. "you gotta start small", and "you need the Midas Touch".
   The author discusses several projects that he has worked on and breaks down the process into several key steps.
   Truthfully, it's not a "be all, end all" book for apartment investing, but I liked the fact that he explained his methodlogy in a simple, easy to digest fashion.
   I invest heavily in single family residences and tri/quad-plexes, since the rental market is hot(smokin' like Texas BBQ) and sellers are deeding me houses at a rate of 5 per week. Apartment buying in this market AND for the forseeable future is going to be the next big thing.
   You need to seriously educate yourself about this subject.

5 comments about Think and Grow Rich.

1. A true classic. The grand grand father of all self help books. Stand the test of time. Very helpful indeed. Must read.
   
   p.s. Below please find some of my favorite "and classical" passages for your reference.
   
   Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe it can achieve. pg 32
   
   Knowledge becomes power only when, and if, it is organized into definite plans of action and directed to a definite end. pg 76
   
   Success requires no explanations. Failure permits no alibis. pg 138
   
   Genuine wisdom is usually conspicuous through modesty and silence. pg 141
   
   Men who accumulate great fortunes are generally known as cold blooded, and sometimes ruthless. Often they are misunderstood. What they have is will power, which they mix with persistence, and place back of their desires to insure the attainment of their objectives. pg 151



2. If you are looking to start a business, advance in your career or develop the mind of a young individual this is the best starter book. Napoleon Hill's philosophy about weatlth and mindset is bar non the best (based off of Andrew Carnegie)content I ever read. This book got me the right mindset to launch my real estate investing business. A must read!



3. All of the great reviews I read say it ALL. This book is a timeless classic & a great educator for all who take the time to read it. Some are under the false thought that this great work is only for those in sales or that the book's ONLY objective is to make money. This book is for True success in ALL areas of life!
   
   If it is not already, this book should be on the recommended reading list for All High School Graduates, so they can get a off to a good roaring start in life! It has pushed me to SUCCESS!
   
   I sure wish I had it when I came out of school
   Tangela Cook
   www.door4futureprofits.com



4. Im very satisfied with the service of amazon,however it would be a good idea to show the size of letter because is too small and eventually it gets tired to read those books,in fact is the second book i bought and i didnt expect that size of fountain
   Thank you



5. The fundamentals that Napolean Hill wrote about are time tested and have yet to be matched for innovative and practical concepts. Well ahead of his time and the model for countless number of books since, why settle for a knock off when you can rely on the original genius of Mr. Hill.

3 comments about Money Well Spent: A Strategic Guide to Smart Philanthropy.

1. I received my review copy of Money Well Spent, the new book on strategic philanthropy by Paul Brest and Hal Harvey, back in August. I sat right down and read the book, but waited to post this review to align with the timing of the book's public availability. Given that there's been a "slight" change in our financial structures since August, I'm glad I held back. Harvey and Brest can't rewrite the book before it hits the shelves to account for the changing economic fortunes across the U.S. or the new landscape of investment banking, Wall Street, and mortgage lenders (to say nothing of taxpayers and mortgage owners). Nor can (this edition of) the book ponder the implications of these crisis-driven shifts in the financial industry or regulatory systems on the philanthropic industry.
   
   But I can. So let me use the occasion of this book review to remind us of how interconnected the business of giving is with the fortunes of finance and the vagaries of regulation. I have always contended that philanthropy is a regulated industry. Three forces define the outlines of philanthropy as we know it - markets are the first and regulatory structures around personal taxes and institutional tax exemptions make up the second. The third, a concern for others, is the only one of these forces that flows from within humanity and stands outside of human institutions and systems.
   
   Lets get on with it. The book marks a significant moment in the marketization of philanthropy. It is, in its own words:
   
   
   "...intended to do for philanthropists what the best books on business strategy do for business entrepreneurs and executives: provide readers with the concepts necessary to design a strategy to achieve their goals - in this case their charitable goals." (preface, page xi, review copy)
   
   
   
   Why does this matter? Because such a 'manual' couldn't have been published 10, maybe even 5 years ago. Why? For at least three reasons: First, there was not enough material, hadn't been enough discussion, not enough real development of strategic technique and thinking. Even though foundation philanthropy - which the two authors know best of philanthropy's many forms - has been around for almost 100 years, there was not, until recently, the commitment to an industry, a demand for strategy, lasting challenges to the status quo, or a significant quantity of players, thinkers, institutions, vehicles and experiments about philanthropic practice to actually inform a book such as this.
   
   Second, and perhaps more important, there was no visible demand. The market of individuals who might become philanthropic, and of philanthropists who might become strategic, and of advisers who'd like to sell to this market, and of financial companies who wish to manage assets for these individuals - these were all too fragmented, too under-the-radar, and too quiet. Only in the boom of the last six or seven years have critical numbers of each of these developed to the point where there was an identifiable, reachable target market.
   
   Finally, the book is published by Bloomberg, which is an example of the changes that have occurred in the philanthropy marketplace and of those to come. That a financial press is bringing out this first guide for the mass market is telling - their readers care about this stuff, they see philanthropy as a core business skill, and the business press intends to serve them.
   
   That said, what about the book's contents? The authors divide the work into three sections - Framework, Tools, and Organizing Your Resources. The first two are relevant to all their intended audiences - the last one is best for individual donors and their financial or legal advisers. Professional foundation staff (a small group, about 18,000 or so nationally, including both of the authors) may be less interested in the third section.
   
   The logic of the sections is important - Brest and Harvey go to great lengths to present strategy absent ideology or issue. Their frame for thinking, their recommendations on strategy development, programmatic approach, asset allocation, evaluation, structure, and so on are determinedly issue-agnostic. It doesn't matter, assert the authors, if you are interested in the arts or health care, whether you are pro-life or pro-choice, whether you want your philanthropy to support micro-finance in Zimbabwe or Zen studies in Michigan - the guidance they offer is relevant.
   
   And much of it is. Of particular use is the frame that the author's provide to help a donor locate their goals. They present a frame for thinking about the scale of philanthropic goals that I believe is truly important. This scale offer three dimensions to consider:
   
   * Does the problem diminish the quality of life or does it threaten life itself?
   * How long will the harm persist?
   * What is the scope of the problem? (pp. 22-28, review copy)
   
   These are three, judgement-free, axes that will help a donor articulate his/her goals and escape "zero-sum"comparisons of "infants or immigrants, arts or AIDS." This is valuable, it effectively "de-escalates" judgement value on values that often paralyze people.
   
   Working from this three-dimensional analysis, Brest and Harvey take readers through carefully chosen, well-documented stories that illustrate real-life choices to define a problem, establish a funding strategy, and evaluate the support that is provided. They provide accessible, and relevant, discussions of technicalities such as expenditure responsibility grants, prizes and awards, and payout rates that will help donors make better decisions about their philanthropy. Simply put, the advice in this book will help people give smarter.
   
   As useful as the advice is, I still found myself pondering two ironies as I finished my read. The first irony is that the same place the book succeeds is where I also think it falls short. No doubt about it, Brest and Harvey have synthesized and presented key elements of rational, strategic giving. Their chapters on goal articulation, strategy and evaluation logically lead them to their final section on organizing resources - the book takes to heart the idea that form should follow function. What it leaves out is the heart. Philanthropy is an industry, enterprises within it do compete as businesses, and it is becoming ever more rational, measurable and visible because of this. These are good things.
   
   Philanthropy is also a labor of love. It is perhaps the only business where passion and volunteerism play major roles. No matter how strategic a donor or foundation becomes, they may still be pursue what some will consider to be foolish, frivolous, or redundant goals. No matter how strategic or effective (or neither) a foundation may be, at any point in time for any number of reasons (some rational, others perhaps not) the donor may pull the plug, redirect the resources, or simply decide to no longer participate. There is little to put an endowed foundation out of business, nothing to tell a donor "don't do that, it is actually harmful," or little that can keep someone from packing up her philanthropic playthings and going home. The most strategic foundation, the most carefully evaluated program strategy, and the most well-weighted goals will still be pre-defined by the donor's interests - be they environmental, health related, artistic, justice oriented, equality-seeking, or none of the above. So while the focus on strategy and measurement are in sync with two of the defining forces of philanthropy (markets and regulation), they are out of sync with the third, the heart and human nature.
   
   The second irony of the book has to do with the timing of its release. Just as this book could not have been published 10 or 5 years ago, it is somewhat fitting that it is being released in the midst of a crisis-induced restructuring of American financial markets and the public systems that oversee them. The book was written during a boom that seemed to have no end, it is informed by a mindset that philanthropy as an industry will continue to grow in size and sophistication and it is intended to inform that growth strategically. Only hindsight will tell us if this transformative moment for markets and regulations is also a transformative moment for the business of giving.
   
   One can easily see a need to be more strategic with declining philanthropic resources, just as Harvey and Brest lay out the need to be more strategic during boom times. Whether or not that will happen, however, is anyone's guess. If it does, it will more than likely depend on that amorphous, irrational, non-strategic third defining force, the heart of philanthropy, as the roles and shapes of markets and regulation are reconstituted.
   
   The publication timing for Money Well Spent will either prove to be deeply ironic or deeply prescient. In either case, since any valid philanthropic strategy must account for the context of relationships between independent actions, public systems, and private markets, Brest and Harvey's message remains important, we just can't predict how well it will be heard.
   
   Full disclosure: I had several opportunities to discuss the developing book with the authors and provided feedback on a penultimate version of the manuscript. I have to say, for all my love of blogs and RSS feeds, and reading the news on my iPhone it is still exciting to see a book become a book (as in the real artifact, bound paper with a nice cover, table of contents, index, the whole shebang). Even as it is, of course, also a website. ([...])



2. The book gives a clear and public picture of how the authors conduct their grantmaking, something I believe is relatively rare in the sector; I'd like to see more people in this area laying out their approach and their positions on key debates (summarized below), as Brest and Harvey have.
   
   I recommend this book to grantmakers interested in an overview of good general practices in grantmaking. Note that the focus is general (grantmaking strategy in the abstract) rather than on specific issues (i.e., what the most promising programs are).
   
   Concise and example-backed arguments are given for principles including:
   
   -The importance of forming a clear theory of change (i.e., laying out where a given program fits in the causal chain necessary to achieve desired outcomes, and what evidence there is that each link in the chain works as hypothesized).
   -The case for providing general operating support (Brest and Harvey concede that there are times for restricted funding, but on balance feel that more gifts ought to be unrestricted).
   -The importance (and meaning) of rigorous evaluation.
   -Why "charity" can be as good a use of funds as "philanthropy."
   -The case for quantifying "cost-effectiveness" of different approaches (although I disagree with the authors' emphasis on "social return on investment" as measured specifically in dollars).
   -Most importantly, a plea to "consider how failure can contribute to the knowledge base," and publicly publish impact studies even of failed projects. (Good examples of such studies are scattered throughout the book.)
   
   The authors also discuss many topics of more interest to larger funders, which are less salient to me due to my professional focus. I am the co-founder of GiveWell (www.givewell.net), an independent charity evaluator that aims to help individual donors with their giving decisions.
   
   Holden Karnofsky
   www.givewell.net



3. I ran a big foundation for 18 years. I ran a nonprofit for 8 years. I wish I had this book by Brest and Harvey when I got started...or anytime. It is the best guide to DOING philanthropy I've ever read.
   
   The primary reason for its usefulness is that it's subject-neutral. You can run a big foundation focusing on brain research or a small nonprofit delivering meals-on-wheels -- or a for-profit business for that matter. Why? Because the authors are looking at an encompassing approach where the focus is on knowing what you are assuming, what you are doing, and how you are doing it. You can keep your passion. You can keep your theories of the universe. What you can't do -- and this book tells you why -- is be ignorant of strategies that will drive you toward clarity, intelligent choices and a greater likelihood that those choices will pan out. And the strategy includes building-in feedback loops, so you can change course in mid-stream. (Full disclosure: I read and commented on an early draft of this book.)
   
   The book is divided into three parts; the first is a framework for doing strategic philanthropy, the second contains tools of the trade, the third talks about how to structure the organization and employ your dollars (or euros or any other currency for that matter). For my money, the first part is the best. For example, early in the book they introduce three central questions that are the basis of the philanthropic choices you make. First, "Does the problem diminish quality of life, or does it threaten life itself? Second, "How long will the harm persist?" Finally, "What is the scale of the problem?" Then they arrange the three questions in the form of a three dimensional cube that illustrates the implications of your philanthropy depending on where on the axis you choose to put your money down.
   
   But keep on reading. You'll see the value and pitfalls in defining your goals, mission and, perhaps most important, "theory of change." This latter term is in vogue now, but all it is is a theory of causality -- if you do (a) then (b) will happen. If you believe that giving everyone in your city $1,000.00 will cure poverty you've probably got a flawed theory of change. If you think one great novel will lead to more great novels, that's probably flawed, too. Tie your theory of change into a strategic plan (or, in common parlance, your "logic model"), determine the risks involved in choosing one strategy or another and you're on your way. And, at the end, you'll have a framework to know (via "metrics" which you develop) whether you're efforts are successful and to what degree.
   
   Toward the end of the book the ride gets a little wonky and the lift goes out a bit as it becomes more detailed and focused on strategic philanthropy. No matter. What you -- a rich individual, a program officer of a foundation, a CEO of an organization looking for a grant, a philanthropy advisor, a board member -- get is a road map which directs you how to use your money wisely and well. Finally, you don't have to be a genius to "get" it. Just smart enough to put down a small amount of money (low risk) for a big, practical approach to doing philanthropy well (high return).
   -- Edward Skloot (Duke University, Durham, NC)

5 comments about The 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Success by Achieving More with Less.

1. This is a great book. Totally changed how I see my business.
   
   It seems that I have always known of the 80/20 rule, but now I can see how to really use it in my life and business.
   
   I've only read "Part One" of the book, but already I am forever changed and so is my business.
   
   I'm so impressed that I am planning to buy the $80 audio program from Nightingale Conant because I really want to cement these great ideas into my thinking.
   
   To sum up the book's main point in a few words would be, Spend 80% of your life and time on the "vital few" and forget or let someone else deal with the unimportant bulk or junk.
   
   I know that that is really an over simplification. And is what I have always heard about the 80/20 rule, but the book is really an exponent to your thinking and understanding about the rule.
   
   I know it changed how I see things and I fore see it having a good impact on my life and business.



2. There are a lot of great reviews on this book but none of them state this fact: 80 percent of the real content in this book can be found in twenty percent of its pages. While I certainly appreciate context, the use of examples, illustrations, and hypothetical diagrams, most of the information could have been condensed to make it much shorter; in particular, the end of the book that deals with relatiohships and happiness? Aside from that, it's a must have book - even for MBAs who may be familiar with many of its concepts.



3. After reading hundreds of business books.....80/20 is one of the five I recommend. The book is based on the Pareto principle also know as the 80-20 rule. While telling the tale of success in big and small business the reader begins to understand it isn't just a concept....it is a lifestyle. If you are sick of things being the same....chasing your tail in life and business....this is the book for you. In keeping with the principle, after the first few chapters, there isn't much use in finishing the book....but that doesn't denigrate the inherent value of the message. The sequel books are more of the same (don't waste your money)......once you get the concept.....put the book down and apply to your life and business.



4. Hello. My name is Gary Shane McGill and I have an MBA from Wilmington University in Delaware (I also sell patented ice cream and milkshake dispensers internationally), so I have heard of The 80/20 Principal both academically and professionally, which is why I bought the book. It is something mentioned, but not really elaborated in any great depth at graduate school, so the ideas are so simple that we sometimes overlook the obvious.
   
   I cannot say that I personally like Richard Koch's writing style though, since there appears to be some repetition with examples overly used in several areas, plus it was not an easy transitional flow through the first couple of chapters to the main body of the text. I would have given up on the book at the early stages if it were not for the simple fact that I wanted to examine the main points that he makes.
   
   Putting his writing style to one side for one moment, I personally felt that the ideas that he put forward are in some respects were very good guides, but for a book called The 80/20 Principal I suspect that it could have been more direct and to the point. I personally had to rummage (like some overly wordy university level technical book) through the chapters to find the essential points that really appeared to matter.
   
   The idea of pruning down business lines are pretty standard graduate school recommended business practices, since we are so often enamoured by our marketing mix that we tend to lose sight of our margins, although be quite careful about what you read because there are undoubtedly some loss leaders that you do have to maintain (something that I did not notice illustrated with any great emphasis).
   
   You must also ponder his ideas about relationships with the few good friends that you can make in life (and how you can leverage them). Life is unfortunately a great deal about who you know, since knowledge unfortunately does not always carry the day, but if you can leverage what you know with your networking attributes that becomes an entirely different proposition altogether. Maybe a future updated edition should discuss the addition of personal branding for plugging into marketing a company's product.
   
   His idea about the stock market is also quite interesting with the obvious concept of riding on long-term higher returns from the market (buy low and sell high philosophy). It is really a question of what level of risk you are prepared to stomach because in this current credit crunch the markets are not necessarily for the faint of hearted. The thing about the markets is caution because even the best financial advisors (or media news articles) may not necessarily give you the best advice (careful consideration is always required).
   
   At the end of the day the arguments presented in this book are perhaps overly simplistic to create overall happiness (and in some areas possibly naïve). That is not to say that you should not read this book, since I might not necessarily agree with everything that Richard Koch has to say, but I do at least highly respect him as a business professional and this is a philosophy that has worked well for him. I would certainly like to meet Richard Koch in person one of these days to discuss in greater detail his perspective on The 80/20 Principal.



5. There are few self help/achievement books covering only a single topic that provide as in depth an analysis as the 80/20 Principal. Koch does an admirable job explaining the principle from many perspectives, providing convincing rational regarding the impact of the 80/20 principle and its ensuing significance.
   
   The 80/20 principle is not overly complicated; however, it has profound affects substantiated by numerous samples and situations. Knowing that the majority of results come from the minority of causes is merely the beginning; identifying those causes in every area of your life and making adjustments to take advantage of this principle is the genuine message offered in the book.
   
   Koch also provides as a bonus a chapter on negotiation describing in detail the implications of the 80/20 principal. True to his message, 80% of the value in this book is found among 20% of its pages...happy hunting.

5 comments about How: Why How We Do Anything Means Everything...in Business (and in Life).

1. Even if you have a "meaningless" job, the ideas in this book will help you make it a meaningful one. Also highly recommended for employees in highly commoditized industries.



2. This book would have much more impact if it was distilled down from 300 to 100 pages. An important message is buried by painfully verbose writing.
   
   The book is about ethics and reputation, value-based cultures vs. rule-based cultures, and as the author likes to say, "getting your hows right." There are some valuable messages in the book.
   
   For example, the University of Michigan Hospital and Health System experienced a 50% reduction in malpractice lawsuits after encouraging doctors to apologize to patients and admit when mistakes are made.
   
   The author also cites an academic study which found "the least trusted buyer incurred procurement costs six times higher than the most trusted."
   
   These examples are powerful evidence that behaving responsibly is good for the bottom line.



3. Dov Seidman's book "How" is right on the money. Everyone of us has been challenged finding exceptional customer service in a retail store, on-line - just about anywhere. Isn't it refreshing when someone will take the time to "connect" with you and listen to your request, offer suggestions, and point you in the right direction? Our character and reputation matters and when we go the extra mile and connect with our clients, we can reap tremendous rewards - both personally and professionally. This book makes a powerful statement. It's a wise organization that will take heed to Seidman's message. Great business reference and a "must read" for customer service professionals.



4. Dov Seidman respects your intelligence. Instead of "10 tips for ethical behavior," he provides a powerful new lens for seeing and assessing contemporary business ethics. Seidman, an erudite intellectual and practical philosopher, shows that in today's transparent commercial environment, operating openly and morally is both honorable and economically necessary. Corporate achievement now depends far more on how you act than on what you do. With the proliferation of media outlets, the Internet, notably YouTube, and cable channels, everyone is watching. Seidman uses fascinating anecdotes, case studies and scientific research to prove that goal-driven companies must focus on openness, integrity, values and ethics. Do things right, you win; do them wrong, you lose and end up exposed on the Web. Now that businesses live under the microscope, "on glass...slides, flat as flat can be," your company will be exposed if it cuts ethical corners. Seidman's well-annotated book is peppered with learned references to brilliant thinkers from Aristotle to Kierkegaard. He deftly moves from sophisticated topics, such as brain functioning, neuroeconomics and language theory, to stories about pop diva Janet Jackson, Madam Walker's Wonderful Hair Grower and Krazy George Henderson, madcap inventor of "the wave." This makes the book a pure delight to read. getAbstract openly enjoyed this insightful, idealistic and practical argument for corporate transparency, collaboration, good conduct and altruism.



5. I bought this book after reading Thomas Friedman's article "Why How Matters".
   
   I found the first few chapters interesting, and some metaphors (e.g.making waves) and acronyms (e.g TRIP) are definitely inspirational. However after a while the book begins to taste your regular leadership book.
   
   Also the book could be much shorter: the last few chapters touch ground covered previously, and start to rely too much on personal "war stories" exclusively.

5 comments about Unlimited Power : The New Science Of Personal Achievement.

1. This is a great book that helps us to improve our personal and profesional life. The author uses NLP principies.



2. I have to say I bought this book and read it only because it was necessary for a class I'm taking, but turns out it really is a great book, and this is coming from someone who hates reading! I can't say I've picked up a book just to read for fun in years and I've honestly been interested in the things covered in it.



3. This book is fabulous. Tony Robbins invested his time and awareness to make a really awesome read. The loss of the full star sweep has to do with 2 things. First, there is nothing so new in here if one has read many books of this genre. NLP, positive self-talk, nutrition, etc. is covered by others in different books. That being said, he does a solid job of incorporating them. The other issue is the mere length. For an avid reader, this huge book is alot to get through, and with casual readers it must feel like a huge endeavor to get through.
   
   This is required reading to anyone who is success bound! John Recommended Read.



4. Tony Robbins is a man who, I think, truly wants to help millions of people change their lives. Unlimited Power is a great introduction to the topic of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) which a great tool for change that, unfortunately, has gotten a bad wrap from scientific circles.
   
   Overall, Unlimited Power will give you the basics of changing your life. If you're new to the self-development genre of books, this is in my top ten.
   
   My only issue with this book is Tony's knocking other types of therapies and his approach to NLP. Tony does highlight the benefits of these therapies, but often in a condescending tone. Learning NLP from a book can be fine for a lot of ailments, but may not be effective for long term trauma, mental illnesses, or serious psychoses. While there is limited data, I feel that NLP can be effective for these ailments but would suggest the person seek a highly qualified NLP practioner or psychiatrist/psychologist trained in NLP.
   
   In a nutshell, this is a great introduction to self-development and a primer for NLP, but it is not a cure-all. I encourage the reader to balance her studies with authors such as Dale Carnegie, Stephen Covey, Dave Pelzer, and Scott M Peck.



5. If you want to be successful, find someone who has achieved the results you want and copy what they do and you'll achieve the same results.
   -Anthony Robbins
   
   If I did not read this book at 12 years old, I would be dead right now.
   
   I tried to change my attitude and my actions for years. Yet, no matter what I did or where I went, I could never change who I was.
   
   This book opened my eyes to the fact that perception is reality. We have to first change our thoughts, which determine our attitudes, our actions, and our life.
   
   Anthony Robbins is the leader of leaders. He has spent his life studying and modeling the principles of success. He has helped people from all walks of life, from CEO's to homeless, from Olympians to celebrities, and from young to old.
   
   I read this book after I got out of a mental asylum at twelve years old, after my third suicide attempt. By then, I had been through hospitals for my eating disorders, psychologists for my mental disorders, and cops for my emotional disorders.
   
   I tried to change to the stereotypical Asian child with the highest grades, mild manners, and conformed obedience, but I never succeeded because I disdained that image that everyone else wanted me to be. After I prayed my last prayer for some "god" to save me, I realized that no one could ever help me but me. I had to die unto myself to be born anew. In that complete hopelessness, there was hope. In that final emptiness of the past, there was a chance to be fulfilled for the future.
   
   This book opened a whole new world to that boy who was supposed to be hopeless and helpless. It gave me the strategies and tools to become who I am today.
   
   I am 22 right now, and I have begun 5 successful companies that are on their way to change this world forever. It all began because of this book.
   
   I was an obese, troubled, and timid youth until I found martial arts, philosophy, and peak performance psychology (via Anthony Robbins) at 12 years old. I transformed my body and went after my dream of being a professional fighter. At 18, just when my career was about to take off with national sponsorship and show requests, I went through severe injuries due to overtraining.
   
   Realizing the need for systems that could succeed without my constant involvement, the warrior became an entrepreneur. Within two years of college, I traveled the world; lead seven clubs; worked five diverse jobs (marketing and sales, personal training, executive search research analyst, student success coach, and freelance writer); did a prototype for a health franchise; overcame severe injuries; transformed relationships; found love; and studied business in one of Asia's top universities, as well as finance, sociology, and psychology in UCSD.
   
   I would not be where I am today, much less alive, if it weren't for this book.
   
   Thank You Tony.

5 comments about The 29% Solution: 52 Weekly Networking Success Strategies.

1. The authors start out with the premise that although networking is proven to be valuable in business, it is still rarely taught in business schools.
   
   The book begins with a self-analysis test to help determine one's networking skills. Topics and assignments are broken down into 52 weeks, with spaces in some of the chapters for you to write in the book as you do that week's assignment. (Not every week has a writing area, so you may want to keep a separate notebook or keep notes and action steps on a Blackberry/PDA.)
   
   It could almost be called Networking for Dummies or for Introverts or even for Clueless. I say that because the book addresses so many topics that brought some former co-workers and bosses to mind. MANY people who are in business at various levels could be helped by networking, but are not born schmoozers or networkers, and don't know where to begin.
   
   This book charts out one of the simplest game plans for success that I've seen in quite awhile. It is not all new knowledge, but it is all in one place, so you can check off your progress and see what the next step is for growing your skills and your business. The plan is simple, but not always easy. As the authors say, it's netWORKing, not netEATing or netSITTing.
   
   Topics included may require major changes or just minor tweaks to a person's life. Examples are: being accountable to a group, writing thank you notes, being engaging, writing a press release, getting and giving referrals, following up, being a change agent, becoming an expert, and more.
   
   Recommended for complete wallflowers and introverts who may even know but don't ever DO. It's also good for extroverts and "self-made" individuals who think they are the best networkers in the world but who need refinement and more focus on others than just their own abilities and personality.
   
   Terrific reference book to use and refer back to again and again.



2. The week by week strategies with easy to follow actionable items helps to make you a more effective networker. Well done.



3. Six degrees of separation: You've probably heard of that concept . . . that you can connect with anyone else through six contacts. The authors deconstruct that observation to point out that fewer than half the people (somewhere around 29 percent) can do that well, hence the title.
   
   But do you really care if it takes three contacts or thirteen . . . as long as your message gets through? Probably not.
   
   More important than getting through to others through mutual contacts is the ability to get help when you need it: That's the real value of being well networked.
   
   So you can skip over the premise discussion. It just seems like a gimmick to help attract attention to the book.
   
   Start with page 7 and the diagnostic questions to test how well you perform in creating, building, and sustaining a network. From there, perform one of the 52 assignments per week for a year. If you keep up on the prior lessons, you should become much better connected after a year.
   
   This book is primarily designed for those who aren't very good at networking and haven't been introduced to the basics. So if you are new to the idea of getting acquainted with more people, this book is a good choice.
   
   But if you have read at least two reasonably good networking books, you probably won't add that much value here . . . unless you find that a weekly lesson helps you maintain the discipline.
   
   If you ignore the sketchy premise, this is a five-star book.
   
   How many new connections did you make today that you will keep alive in ten years?



4. I have long been a believer of the power of effective networking. And, in the tough times we are encountering as a nation, I believe that effective networking will be even more important.
   
   Ivan Miser, one of the county's leading authorities on networking, has collaborated with Michelle Donovan to write what I believe to be one of the best books in networking that has ever been written.(My other favorite is "Click" by George Fraser.)
   
   I liked everything about the book...a lot...except for the title which is a case of copyrighting seemingly gone amuck. And to think that the subtitle doesn't even explain the mystery of the title. YUK!
   
   But, get past the title and get on with the substance of the book and this book is an absolute gem. Jam packed with solid information, wonderful tips, and even helpful exercises.
   
   Like some of the best things in life, there is no magic pill to effective networking. This point is reinforced by the central organization of the book into a year-long program to build networking effectiveness.
   
   In turbulent times, being a silo, or a lone wolf, just is not going to cut it. I highly recommend that all professionals buy this book, follow the program and become one of the 29% who are separated from the rest of the world by just six degrees. (Ah yes, there is at least some rationale to the title.) Even more importantly than being part of that dubious group, by following this program you will increase the likelihood that you will have the relationships to help you prosper in tough times.



5. Horrible! Horrible! Horrible! Look, I am a very small business owner trying to build a better business and gain clients. I've read so many business books. Common sense will tell you that you need to take time to network regularly for your business. I thought this book might be different. It is not. There are not any new ideas, just old ones broken into 52 weeks. Honestly you'd be better off buying Guerrilla Marketing for Free or Guerilla Marketing Weapons. If you must read this book, check it out from the library. Please don't waste your money. I took mine back to the store.

5 comments about Prisoners of Our Thoughts: Viktor Frankl's Principles for Discovering Meaning in Life and Work.

1. This book is an inspiration and must read for everyone looking for meaning in their lives. It's empowering and brings such freedom and space to learn how to identify our thoughts and make a change which Alex Pattakos teaches based on Viktor Frankl's principles.



2. From: www.BasilAndSpice.com
   Author & Book Views On A Healthy Life!
   
   Book Review: Prisoners of Our Thoughts: Viktor Frankl's Principles for Discovering Meaning in Life and Work (Berrett-Koehler, 2004,2008) by Alex Pattakos, Ph.D.
   
   A BestSeller Classic Review
   
   Alex Pattakos is a principal of The Innovation Group and the founder of the Center for Meaning, based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He is a former therapist and mental health administrator, political campaign organizer, and full-time university professor of public and business administration. Alex Pattakos has worked with several Presidential administrations on public policy matters and has served as an advisor to the Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
   
   Prisoners of Our Thoughts is based on the wisdom and personal encouragement of world-renowned psychiatrist Viktor Frankl (Man's Search for Meaning), and his seven principles for finding meaning in life. The book has received the praise of Alan Webber (Founding Editor, Fast Company), Dr. Patti Havenga Coetzer (Founder, Viktor Frankl Foundation of South Africa), and Steven R. Covey, who wrote the forward.
   
   In a dedication to Viktor Frankl, and preface regarding Pattakos's relationship with the Frankl family, the author tells of a meeting in Austria in 1996 when he proposed the book idea to Frankl. "Frankl was more than encouraging when, in his typically direct and passionate style, he leaned across his desk, grabbed my arm, and said: `Alex, yours is the book that needs to be written!' As you can imagine, I felt that Frankl's words had been branded into the core of my being, and I was determined, from that moment forward, to make this book idea a reality." Viktor Frankl's thoughts have influenced Pattakos's work for over 40 years, moving him to the pinnacle of the world of meaning, thus extending Frankl's wisdom to others throughout the world.
   
   Frankl lived what he thought, as does Pattakos--who is now affectionately known as Dr. Meaning. Core Principles underscored in Prisoners of Our Thoughts help the reader learn to think and live life in the same meaningful manner:
   
   Exercise the freedom to choose your attitude--even in the face of adversity, we are able to decide and be responsible for our own attitude. Famous examples utilized here are Nelson Mandela who became President of South Africa and Christopher Reeve the actor who portrayed Superman, only to become a quadriplegic after beging thrown from his horse. Reeve wrote in his memoir Still Me, "I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles."
   
   Realize your will to meaning. Comparing the outside forces which affect us (Freud's pleasure principle and Adler's will to power) with Frankl's will to meaning, Pattakos shows the reader that only the will to meaning comes from within. It is up to us to find, control, and fulfill it. He reminds us that in America we are surrounded by wealth, but we have increasing suicide rates among our young people. More than anywhere else, this element of will to meaning is necessary in the workplace, where people must be placed above money, giving credence to meaningful work.
   
   Detect the meaning of life's moments. The key word here is awareness. If we are aware, we know the meaning of a situation, culminating in intelligence. We need to slow down, turn of the cell phone, and "smell the roses." Two points of human motivation highlighted in this chapter are love and conscience. Example: "We work nights so we can be with our kids in the morning and see them off to school....We put a dollar in an outstretched hand...And when we see how our world is connected in this way, we can name `why' and know meaning." Without voicing himself, it is on this page, that the reader can fully comprehend the meaning behind Dr. Pattakos's writing of Prisoners of Our Thoughts, as he seeks to help others.
   
   Don't work against yourself. When we work too hard at creating meaning, this plan can be fallible. Trying to impress others can undermine our thoughts and our work relationships. At the end of each chapter Pattakos gives the reader an opportunity for self-reflection. Here he asks the reader several questions, including, "How did you first come to recognize that you were not making progress? How did you rationalize or justify your dilemma? In hindsight, what would you have done differently in this situation?"
   
   Look at yourself from a distance. We need to be able to self-detach, like an emergency medic with a patient, allowing him to keep a distance emotionally. This can be achieved with humor and laughter, or by immersing one's self in a role. Doing these things allows us to keep our thoughts outside a prison of thoughts.
   
   Shift your focus of attention. When in a precarious situation, think of something else. This eases tension and is innate, but gets lost or shelved as we move into adulthood. Here Pattakos uses his own boyhood example of being pinned under his horse, under water, after a missed jump. He remembers wondering whether or not his horse was ok, would he get his homework completed on time for school, and even asked himself to recall his own name. The younger Pattakos was reassuring himself that he was still alive!
   
   Extend beyond yourself. Think of others and you will increase your own happiness. This is selflessness; it feels good, satisfies us, and allows us to transcend ourselves. This is true of great leaders who turned suffering into service: Desmond Tutu, Mahatma Gandhi, Viktor Frankl. Each forgave and let go of his suffering.
   
   Using everyday examples, Pattakos explains that we are creatures of habit, who unwittingly lock ourselves into our own mental cages, becoming Prisoners of Our Thoughts. "We lose sight of our own natural potential." Through a search for meaning, we can discover how to break our self-inflicted chains and break down our mental barriers, giving us a new look at reality. In essence, if Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor of Nazi death camps could do this, so can we.
   
   5 Stars



3. The book makes you stop and smell the roses and realize that the human spirit is an amazing thing. A good book that will make you stop complaining about your minor complaints in life. It makes us look into our own soul. I would recommend it to all, especially your spoiled teenagers.



4. The author paints a very deceptive portrait of his "beloved" uncle Mr. Stylianos Pattakos and even dares to compare him to Nelson Mandela (see beginning of chapter 4). Addressing an unsuspecting (at most) American audience he largely manages to get away with it.
   
   Unfortunately for him, some of us still remember the greek military junta, the thousands of people that got killed and tortured, the thousands that were sent to exile, and the great tragedy of Cyprus for which the junta was largely responsible. Mr. Pattakos as Nelson Mandela? Better try Hitler. How ironic indeed that Mr. Alex Pattakos writes and capitalizes on a book inspired by Viktor Frankl a Nazi camp survivor...
   
   Judge for yourself if you can trust the writings of a person who idolizes one of the cruelest dictators of recent history. You should be ashamed sir for what your uncle did to Greece and to the Greek people. Yet you are proud. I am disgusted. Also for the record, your uncle did not get out of prison in 1995 because "his role in history was reconsidered and because there was enough support for him as a person" but because of his grave health condition. You see, a democracy can have mercy even for the ultimate traitors.
   
   I wouldn't be surprised if Mr. Alex Pattakos abandoned Greece for the USA circa 1973-74 when democracy was restored, probably because he was feeling that the too much "love" that the repressed people of Greece felt for his "patriot" uncle could kill him...



5. All those who have been enlightened by Viktor Frankl's great book, Man's Search for Meaning, will be profoundly grateful to Alex Pattakos for bringing Frankl's principles alive again in our own search for meaning in our everyday personal and working lives.
   
   Pattakos calls meaning the megatrend of the 21st century and I hope he's right. Most people are disgusted with corporate greed, golden parachutes and assorted scandals on Wall Street and other financial markets around the world. Most people are tired of our own everyday race through work and looking for something to enrich our daily jobs.
   
   In Prisoner's of Our Thoughts, Pattakos gives us both reminders and important new ideas, as well as exercises with which to discover and apply meaning to our work. Ideas don't merely float by on the page. He encourages us as readers to work interactively with his basic principles to cement them in truly practical ways in our lives.
   
   Pattakos also give us rich examples of people who work with meaning in all kinds of jobs. There's Vita, the mail carrier, who whistles as she delivers the mail, even in bad weather, because she sees her job as connecting people and building a community. There's Tom, the CEO who invites his employees to share in a meaning-based bottom line, encouraging volunteerism and giving 10% of his profits to local and global concerns. And there is Nelson Mandela. For many of us Mandela epitomizes a life's work filled with meaning. Pattakos brings us a step further in Mandela's experience to the moment he is released. For the briefest moment he feels anger over having lost twenty-seven years of his life to prison, then realizing that this was not the time to become imprisoned again in his mind.
   
   "It almost seems as though meaning holds forgiveness at its core," Pattakos tells us, "when we forgive ourselves and others, we are no longer prisoners of our thoughts."
   
   In my own work as a documentary filmmaker, I have tried to bring a breath and depth of meaning to the content and the making of my films. In The Cola Conquest, I interviewed a man who was part of a group of shareholders concerned with the social responsibility of their companies - an uncommon concept back in the late 90's. They pressured Coca Cola to intervene in the murder of worker who wanted to unionize the Coca Cola bottling plant in Guatemala. After 12 deaths, the shareholders spoke up, Coke spoke up in turn, the murders finally stopped.
   
   More recently, in Black Coffee, I explored the search for meaning through the historical and contemporary story of coffee. The three-hour series ends with the search for the "perfect cup" - the cup we enjoy best as consumers because it tastes great, it's great for the farmer who grows it, and for the environment in which it grows.
   
   But my most meaningful film I will ever make is Dark Lullabies, about the reverberations of the Holocaust on the children of survivors and the next generations of Germans. It was this film that brought me to Viktor Frankl, a survivor of the concentration camps like my parents, who also lived and worked with meaning and humanity throughout their imprisonment and throughout their lives.
   
   I am grateful to Pattakos for giving new meaning and application to Frankl's work, and have already begun the fulfilling task of enriching my own work with Pattakos' suggestions and ideas.