5 comments about Jim Cramer's Real Money: Sane Investing in an Insane World.

1. Very easy to understand book. The author knows the audience very well and the strong and weak points about them. He has tried honestly hard to make sure the amateur stock investors learn the tricks of the game and equip themselves with knowledge they need before venturing into a brutal game of stock investment.



2. Jim Cramer's books and tv programs provide expert help to every investor; however, as a small investor on a fixed income with small investment money available at 77 woman, I have to be very cautious with my money. I am confidence in anything that he says. If he makes a mistake, he steps up to the plate and says,"I called it wrong, let's do something about it."
   His writing and TV program are not only an inspiration to me, but have given me the confidence to influence my grandchildren to learn from Jim as I have done.
   Thanks a million,
   Love ya, Jim,
   Peggy Wildman
   Dallas,Texas 75205



3. Before reading this book I knew nothing about stock market investing. This book has so much info that I feel it is not a one time read but rather a reference book. Many terms are clearly defined and many situations in the market are clearly explained. For the first time in my life, I understand how basic options work. There is far too much for me to cover in a review. If you want to learn about the stock market, this is the book for you.



4. Really, I figured what could it hurt to read & listen. Tried all his ideas, watched his picks on TV etc. Set up HIS ideal portfolios on my trading page where I trade stocks. After 2 years what are the results? Cramer's picks as well as Vectorvest picks got CREAMED compared to MY own idiotic attempts at making money long term as well as short term.
   So, do what you like, but if ever in San Diego & you want this book? You can have mine for FREE. Do however pay attention to his common sense "get out of debt" strategy.



5. After reviewing "Cramer's Real Money" my wife and I started to put this trader's guidebook method to work.
   
   I am happy to report that from last January until April we had a twenty four percent gain. We researched and searched and purchased and sold stocks that we felt comfortable with. Not bad for beginners. We now call Cramer a stock guru.
   
   After gaining our trust in Cramer we started watching Mad Money on MSNBC. We watched and learned. Every now and again Cramer would make stock pick suggestions. Saying things like boy if you can get this stock for under xxx amount then "that is a gift". Buy Buy Buy.
   
   So we thought this stock trading guru has helped us make money with his trading guidebook why not take his advice from Mad Money and trade those "gift stocks" that he gets so excited about.
   
   Well I can say that the stock guru is our leader no more. Since Cramer's guidebook clearly states "tips are for waiters" we feel foolish. The twenty four percent we gained is now less than one percent. If we would have not believed the tips from the stock guru himself and we would have just continued with the traders guidebook methods we would have been much better off.
   
   It is hard for us to believe that this man's reckless "GIFT" stock picks are from the same person that wrote the book. From what I have been reading online there are many that consider Cramer very reckless with total disregard for his own books methodology.
   
   So buy the book but do not take TIPS even if the TIPS come down from the stock guru himself.

4 comments about The Intelligent Investor CD: The Classic Text on Value Investing.

1. Have the book and the CD. They work well together. The CD is great just after reading the book to hammer some of the big picture concepts. The CD is wonderful rush hour material to get you out of that rush hour driving sooner! It is worth the $$ to have both.



2. This book is specifically for invertors not speculators. Haveing this on CD and a book format, its easier to grab the ideas that were written couple of decades and still its worth.



3. I am an eager reader of books on Warren Buffett's investing methods. I really want to like "The Intelligent Investor", but I don't. Unfortunately, Benjamin Graham did not write his books to be timeless. Instead, he wrote them specifically for the investing environments as they existed at the times of publication. This audiobook is of the 1972 edition of "The Intelligent Investor", and it reflects the investing environment of the early 1970's.
   
   The story of Mr. Market and the principle of "a margin of safety" are important concepts contained in this book, but they can be found in other writings by and about Warren Buffett.
   
   There is an updated edition of "The Intelligent Investor" by Jason Zweig. It was published in 2003. Hopefully that is better than the older, outdated editions. It is not (yet) available in audio format.
   
   If you are looking for a good audiobook on Warren Buffett's investing methods, I highly recommend "How to Pick Stocks Like Warren Buffett" by Timothy Vick. The best book on Buffett's investing methods that I have read is "The New Buffettology" by Mary Buffett, but it is not available as an audiobook.



4. Great historical review, a good staple for any investor that is already in the game and understands the basics.

5 comments about Rich Dad's Increase Your Financial IQ: Get Smarter with Your Money (Rich Dad's).

1. This one is worth sharing with EVERYONE! I am leading a group through this teaching. Every parent should be teaching the techniques to their children. This could be the REAL GREENING OF AMERICA.



2. I read this book last Saturday at the bookstore. It took me about 2.5 hours to knock it out. Honestly, much of it is just RDPD stuff repeated with some Rich Dad's Guide To Investing thrown on top for flavor.
   Still, it's necessary to go back to the basics one and a while. Robert has always been a good story teller. You'll get the same stories out of this book but with more details.
   Robert also covers a little current events for us in relation to the weakness of the dollar and the price of oil. I have to honestly say I would probably never understand the economics of it all unless Robert was there to dumb it down for me a bit.
   A reviewer made a comment about how Robert will write a book to pay for a liabilty...O.K. What's wrong with that? Developing an asset is what his business is about. I think people just get mad when he divulges parts of his operation they'd rather not know about.
   If you're looking for some meat and potatoes on how to actually make money in real estate though...check out David Lindahl's books.



3. I've read many books from Kiyosaki and I never get bored. It's amzing how he explains the matters of money, and how easy it sounds. I'm looking forward for his next book.



4. This is the first kiyosaki's book I read and it revolutionized my idea about money. I wish I could have read it 7 years ago before I finished my ph.D in Biochemistry. I wanted to be an entrepreneur for many years but it's the thought that wanting to be safe and getting a secure job keeping me from it... Now I am thinking about getting a MBA. I highly recommend this book to anyone wants to know some truth about money and even life!! If you have not read any other kiyosaki's books, I think this is the one you should start with but not "rich dad poor dad". This book contains most of the ideas from "rich dad poor dad". It updated "rich dad poor dad" and has a lot more practical suggestions.



5. It was very fun to read though. It definetly follows in the line of his other books

5 comments about Jim Cramer's Stay Mad for Life: Get Rich, Stay Rich (Make Your Kids Even Richer).

1. Marketspath is considered by some-as the masters of market timing. Since March 20, 2008-when we started tracking our etf pro-share trading system (we have been in business since 2004) we have made 43 etf pro-share trades and have recorded only 2 losing trades..with an unbelievable 95.63% accumulative profits.
   
   If you want to make consistant profits each and every week-the esy way..check out www.marketspath.com



2. A great book by Jim Cramer to explain some basics of how you can use some simple rules and ideas to invest in the stock market. Cramer explains in simple terms how to understand the market and use the ideas he used at his hedge fund for your benefit. It's not a "get rich quick" book, and explains that this isn't for people who have no time and little interest in stocks, companies, and business. But for those that have time and interest, this book is a great resource. My only real negative would be that there isn't a lot of in depth information about what he means by "homework" for your investments... but for that, you can read his next book "Mad Money," which does cover that topic in detail. If you have time and interest in doing your own investing, read this book and then follow it up with Mad Money.



3. I love the third book. The section of the new rules are fascinating. I have learned a lot.



4. Wow Great book!!! Learning a lot about investing and managing money. Newly retired and happy to have time to read this interesting book. It's got lot's of good advise and it's easy to understand. Good investing is like many things in life. You have to do the homework Pete



5. Good and informative book . It could have been written in a better structured way . Overall I would recomend it .

5 comments about Russell Simmons' Do You!: 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success.

1. THESE ARE THINGS THAT THEY DO NOT TEACH IN COLLEGE. THAT IS PROBABLY WHY MOST OF THE MILLIONAIRES AND BILLIONAIRES OUT THERE DID NOT FINNISH OR DID NOT GO TO COLLEGE. I AM NOT PUTTING ACADEMIC EDUCATION DOWN BUT JUST REALIZING REALITY!
   THE ADVICE IN THIS BOOK IS HARDCORE. I WAS CURIOUS ABOUT RUSSEL SIMMONS BUT NOW I AM AN ADMIRER. HE AND THE PEOPLE HE WORKED WITH AND PROMOTED ARE AMAZING. IN A SOCIETY THAT CONTINUES TO PUSH THE AFRO AMERICAN ASIDE, EVEN THOUGH WE CONTRIBUTED MORE THAN ANYONE, WE HAVE ALWAYS SEEMED TO ACHIEVE AGAINST ALL ODDS BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE RUSSELL SIMMONS!!!!!!!



2. The book Do You was received as promised. Delivery time unfortunately, I cannot state if it was timely or not. I went out of town as soon as I placed my order. My books and a host of mail awaited my arrival back home. Thank you for good service- again! The books nature is to stimulate you to take action, to be a doer and not procrastinate. Step out of the box and take a leap of faith..



3. After reading just a few pages I had already begun to plan how I could change my thinking, thus change my life for the better. What stood out the most in the book was how the title, DO YOU, although simple is a quite powerful truth...
   
   The book made me realize that I have, over time, lost sight of many of the simple truths that make me who I am.
   
   After reading the laws I began making changes that helped me to be more true to myself.
   
   My favorite thing about the book was how he used real life examples of how people who are successful now got their start by being humble servants. That has always been my belief so it was nice to hear real life success stories.
   
   
   Monica Marie Jones
   Author
   www.monicamariejones.com
   www.myspace.com/flossthenovel
   www.lulu.com/monicamjones
   
   The Ups and Downs of Being Round
   FLOSS* (1)
   Taste My Soul



4. Wow! This book is all about feeling good inside. I am 50 years old and already make a very high income from my day job and play jazz at night. I know almost nothing about Hip Hop, am white and grew up in the suburbs. I had never even heard of Russell Simmons. I was not sure if this book would touch me in the right way because I assumed it was "exclusively" for the young, urban,hip hop crowd. I bought the book on CDs based on all the great reviews and am blown away by it. It is written in a way that is so inspiring because of the honesty. He talks to you like your hanging out with him instead of in a lecture hall. He fills you with a calming spiritual feeling with his totally inclusive and spiritual nature. It's contagious. He totally cares. On top of all that, he has done it all himself from bottom to top. I can't imagine a better role model to learn from.



5. c the world as a place of love, happiness, and peace. use positive energy to break down negative energy surround yourself only w/ people who r going to lift you higher. THere is something good in all seeming failures. You are not to see now. time will reveal it. be patient. when we do good in the world, we come to happiness. we r here to awaken from the illusion of separateness. Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything. You have to take it. Support what supports you back. "after feeling and seeing what is good accept it and live it.

4 comments about Rich Dad's Advisors: Guide to Investing In Gold and Silver: Everything You Need to Know to Profit from Precious Metals Now (Rich Dad's Advisors).

1. This is a very well written book explaining both the do's and don'ts of investing in precious metals. Lots of historical context without getting too deep or boring, about why every fiat currency that's ever been has failed, and that includes our own dollar heading for bankruptcy as well. Far from being any kind of kook or conspiracy theorist, Michael Maloney of GoldSilver dot com fame, pens a convincing story about why all things financial are cyclical and why at this current juncture, investing in gold and silver is the right and potentially profitable thing to do. Inexpensive in cost but maybe one of the more valuable books on gold and silver investing you'll read lately, it's an enjoyable, easy read that you can share with family and friends. Even if they don't agree on the role of precious metals in our upcoming economic trials and tribulations, I'll bet they'd still say they enjoyed this book. I know I did...



2. I became interested in precious metals and economics about a year ago and have been reading and watching everything I could get my hands on. After a while you begin to see that there is a lot of common ground shared between most of the material out there and being new to the "Rich Dad" stuff I wasn't sure what to expect from Mike Maloney (though I did like the series of interviews he did with industry analysis professionals). I was very impressed with the amount of original research and information I found in this book - it covers all the bases from the historical trends and cycles, to the fundamentals of economics and everything in between. Of all the books I've read on the subject this year (about 10 so far) this is by far the best overall coverage and was the most fun to read.



3. If you don't know why gold and silver are a good investment "Guide to Investing in Gold and Silver" will tell you why they are. Simple to read full of facts about money and currency and history of money and currency. It breaks down complicated economics into fun easy reading. This book gives you the do's and don'ts of investing in precious metals and a clear understanding of why now is the time to invest in gold and silver. If you want to protect your wealth from inflation or build your wealth through gold and silver this book is a must read. A great addition to the Rich Dad library of books!



4. I'm only telling you to stay away from this book because I want to buy all the silver you don't.

5 comments about 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People.

1. It is about principles that make sense to most intelligent people. It refers to ideas that everybody already know but keep forgetting. It is just about logic principles, and it gives easy to understand examples to apply those principles to real life for good. It is worth buying. Other book that helps me about principles about relationships is:I Love You. Now What?: Falling in Love is a Mystery, Keeping It Isn't



2. If my Pastor take qoutes from it I know it's awsome haven't read yet but can't wait



3. I really enjoyed reading "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen R Covey. Covey starts with the premise everyone is born with these traits and one has to practice and cultivate them.
   
   My favorite chapter is "WIN/WIN". Covey's premise is there are 6 paradigms of humans interaction and that WIN/WIN is not a technique it is a philosophy of human interaction. Relationships can be mutually beneficial, everybody wins! "It is not my way or your way but a better way, a higher way." This chapter reminds me of the "Golden Rule" (Do unto others what you would like them to do to you) which I was taught as a child.
   
   Another book I really enjoyed was Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment by award winning authors Ariel & Shya Kane, This is a wonderful book of short stories that are all about accessing the moment and living a satisfying and fulfilling life.



4. The reason why astrologers seem dead on is because they are so generic they would seem to fit anyone's situation. The same goes for this book. This books habits are so generic and so vague that they are practically useless. For instance, "sharpen the saw" is so vague and common sense that it is useless. You can sharpen your saw much better by buying a different book.



5. Covey shares insight that should be considered by all. His "7 habits" apply to everyone, whether they wish to be more effective as leaders, parents, students, or just more effective as members of society. The habits he outlines perk the minds of and prompt the audience to self-examination. Immediately, I started to think of my own perceptions and attitudes in relation to my personal effectiveness as a Soldier, a leader, a parent, a husband, and as a friend. By adopting the habits, every aspect of my life could benefit.
   The habits are not only presented and explained, but the author uses personal anecdotes to help us more readily relate to them. Covey outlines a plan for making the habits our own and explains how we will reap the benefits of using the habits as we journey through life. Covey creates a set of parameters in the habits that can provide guidance and control for anyone who wishes to be more effective at anything. It is not a quick fix, but a personal attitude and behavioral adaptation that can be developed in a positive way. I recommend "7 Habits" to everyone I know.

5 comments about Richest Man in Babylon - The Success Secrets of the Ancients.

1. Find the reason behind your poverty, discover the basic wisdom of many of the rich. If one cannot follow these laws, you won't be rich for long (I don't care if you do win the lotto - without laws to govern your financial affairs, poverty shall be your life-time companion).



2. This is a great book. It is a compilation of stories that fit together quite nicely and paint a picture that is easy to relate to and understand. This book helped me identify the cause of my financial problems, and then gave me a plan to correct them!! Ever heard the phrase "Pay yourself first"? That saying came from this book. It explains how to start with paying yourself first and then lays out a very simple formula for changing your financial life. It really is a great book that I can't say enough about. I paid about $20 for the audio book and it was one of the best investments that I have ever made.
   The only thing that I feel is worth mentioning that is somewhat negative is the fact that the book is written in "King James English" (lots of thees and thous). I thought that it was easy to follow, but I could see how it could be a little distracting. I do want to stress, the book is easy to follow and simple to understand. I just think that the King James English warrants mention. If you think that this might be a problem then try the new updated version that was "translated" into modern English. Either way, buy this book. You won't be sorry.



3. I really enjoyed this audiobook, it was all I hope it would be and more.



4. I highly recommend the AUDIO MP3 version of the Richest Man in Babylon The Richest Man in Babylon



5. Written in story form in the language of the days of Babylon, this is a very informative and entertaining audio version of the book.

5 comments about Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids about Money¿that the Poor and the Middle Class Do Not! (Rich Dad's).

1. I've read countless books on personal finance and creating wealth, but I must say Kiyosaki's is one of the better ones. Most finance books are pure finance and potential suggestions. They miss what precludes any great change in your life, and where most fail at; stepping back from your life as an employee and creating the proper mindset to get rich, (or achieve whatever financial goals you have). In other words, if you're head isn't in the right place from the beginning, the discipline and tools will not be enough to get you there. He feels that the single most important quality to achieve success is in the philosophy. How the wealthy think is what makes them different from the average worker or those just getting by.
   
   People who grind it out for the man day in day out need a complete brain makeover before they can see the forest for the trees. Kiyosaki had two father figures, a poor one (his real dad) and a rich one. His poor dad offer this worldview to his son; "Study hard so you can find a good company to work for." For him, talk of money was bad. Risk was bad. He argued that one's company is responsible to make sure all his needs were met. Finding the best job with the best company that offered the best benefits, to him, was best. His rich dad, on the other hand, encouraged talking about money around the dinner table, to teach the children how to think. He encouraged managing risk, rather than avoiding it. He argued against reliance upon an employer and for "total financial self-reliance" (16). Of course, Kiyosaki's book promotes the mindset of his rich dad.
   
   The book breaks down into six main lessons, which help the reader understand the mindset rather than a method. To close, Kiyosaki makes suggestions about how to begin. First, he combats the five main reasons people stay in their current life-style: fear, cynicism, laziness, bad habits, and arrogance. He then gives ten steps to begin this new mindset.
   
   Great book for its simplicity, original approach and value.



2. Kiyosaki's book does have some strengths, but also sends some mixed signals and has a lot of plain bad advice. Overall, the book is a bad choice.
   
   The good:
   - The story is interesting enough and certainly captures one's attention.
   - The motivational part. It does make you think about your financial life.
   
   The mixed:
   - "Leaving the Rat Race" -- spend less, invest more: excellent and much needed advice. Unfortunately, Kiyosaki's own bad example follows. He brags about his Rolex, luxury cars and such. Given the amount of time that he seems to spend promoting his stuff, maybe Kiyosaki himself is in the Rat Race -- albeit in a golden, roomier cage.
   - "Work to learn, not for the money". Again, good advice followed by bad examples. Learning at work is usually by DOING, not by being around or watching other people do. So, the Xerox case is fine, but all the others are just foolish.
   - "Assets and liabilities". Dubious "redefinitions": something that doesn't put money in your pocket can still be an asset (if it saves you money that would otherwise be spent -- say, a house...).
   
   The bad:
   - The whole "traditional education is bad for you" approach. No, it isn't. Harvard costs what it costs for a reason. The reason is more money for YOU down the road.
   - "Pay yourself first". Bad idea. If you're on a positive cash flow, it makes no difference. If you're not, it makes you incur in debt and thus INTEREST, which is a nice way to throw away money for zero added value.
   - Risk isn't always good, as Kiyosaki implies. The strategies discussed in the book are very unsound and will work only on a bullish market (if any).
   - Insider trading and tax evasion are illegal, period.
   
   And the naked, cruel truth that RDPD DOES NOT SAY:
   (because it isn't "best-seller material")
   - According to Kiyosaki's theory, all you have to do is "wake up the financial genius within you". In reality, there are two honest ways of making money in this world:
   1) WORKING. Ok, say you were lucky enough to have a truly great idea or talent. You still would have to work -- don't Steve Jobs, Madonna or Shaquille O'Neal work? Then again, not everybody will be THIS lucky -- and in this case, you are much better off being a highly paid EDUCATED worker. Just the opposite of what RDPD says. By the way, making money from real estate or IPOs or starting your own business will require a lot of work and knowledge, too. Even more than a white collar job.
   2) CAPITAL GAINS. Dividends and interest. Kiyosaki is right that it is possible to live on them. What he doesn't say is that it will take a TON of cash to make a decent living within manageable risk levels. And you must HAVE money to BEGIN WITH -- which means inherit it (but then you would not be reading RDPD, would you?) or, more likely, work and SAVE A LOT.
   Consider a 3% yearly interest rate above inflation, which is what low-work/low-risk will get. In order to have $5000/month BEFORE TAXES -- not exactly a high roller lifestyle -- you would need $2 million.
   Even somebody investing at 8% above inflation (and, may I add, 8% ON THE LONG RUN isn't that easy to achieve), starting from scratch and saving 50% of whatever comes in -- a very rigid discipline -- would take 33 years before being able to live on passive income. Make that a quarter, which is still above the savings level of most Americans, and you got 47 years.
   Don't believe me? Open up Excel or Calc and type:
   =NPER(8%;1;0;-12/8%)
   =NPER(8%;1;0;-36/8%)
   Still don't get it? Stop reading RPDP and go STUDY real, not fairy tale, economy.



3. What ppl don't understand is that you're never supposed to actually take things you read in books like this literally. If he says a certain investment is smart, or he made money a certain way, do your research and see if its right for you. Just like any book, the specific examples used are not as important as the message behind the book. I read all the criticisms of Robert Kiyosaki online, (just google him and the word scam). But to me its not about him, whether or not he has this or that, its about the fact that I his message is one that resonates with me.
   
   I'm a business student in college and I really learned a lot from this book, not just about money, but about life in general. People don't know this book is more about life and how you choose to live: a slave or free. Many of the things he's saying, "don't work all your life like your parents, ect."are all things I have thought about, but this book really articulated the ideas well and re-affirmed it.
   
   Don't buy this book if you literally want to learn to get rich, what you will get from this book is a good sense of the mindset you must be in to be rich. Its about being ambitious and thinking Rich, securing yourself financially so you can be free and do what you want. Would def recommend this to every and anyone, period. The bad reviews come from ppl who take the words literally and try to follow his instructions, go for the message, not the details.



4. This book was a real eye opener. I knew allot of the advice but hadn't thought of it in the way the author told us. Great helpful book.



5. Ok, let's skip the fact that by Kiyosaki's own admission, both dads were to a great extent fabricated.
   
   Let's skip the fact that many of the experiences in this book were either embellished or outright fabricated.
   
   Let's skip the fact that much of what he speaks of is in generalities without specific details.
   
   What remains are pleasant-sounding platitudes, lacking in the real-life specifics that most people need. To say that "The poor work for their money, while the rich have their moeny work for them" sounds nice, but is of very little help to someone lacking a compass.
   
   About the only thing that I agree with Kiyosaki on is the fact that our schools (at all levels) lack any kind of personal finance educational curriculum. This is an absolute travesty, but understandable when you consider that our nation is running record budget deficits. When debt is a way of life, people tend to accept it as a given in their own situation.
   
   I've known several people who are devotees of this book series. None (as in zero) have made a discernable difference in their lives. Most are also devotees of MLMs such as Amway, Quixtar and MonaVie...the common thread here being the desire to suceed (which is admirable), but the unwillingness to get the degree, the job and put in the time. Another Kiyosaki theme of "Become a real estate investor!" sounds great on paper, but without the education and training can potentially be a disaster. No one book (or series like this) can prepare someone for an entire career.
   
   If you want to learn how to handle money, try Suze Orman, Dave Ramsey or Lou Rukeyser. The fact that this series is a bestseller, does NOT necessarily mean the series has merit. It simply means that there is a market for baseless hope and optimism. I am sure Kiyosaki is laughing all the way to the bank.

5 comments about The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Unabridged Audio Program).

1. This is not a listen once, quick fix, instant success miracle audio series. However, it contains great information and "Habits" that, if you can integrate into your life, will vastly improve your effectiveness as a human being. I have listened to this set only a couple of times...I plan on hearing it again, and again, and again. You should do the same.



2. While this is good, it was so wordy with quite a bit of monotone so it was difficult to stay with the audio. I would try the abridged version next time.



3. "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" is the most famous title of Stephen R. Covey, a professor of Brigham Young University where he taught prior to the publication of this best-selling work. The audio version became the first non-fiction audio-book in U.S. publishing history to sell more than one million copies. Covey holds a BS degree in Business Administration from University of Utah in Salt Lake City, an MBA from Harvard University, and a Doctorate of Religious Education (DRE) in Mormon Church History and Doctrine from Brigham Young University. He also holds membership of the Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity.
   
   This audio program is mainly about the time management (chapters 1, 2, 3, 7) and interpersonal relationships (chapters 4, 5, 6). The time-management books like "Getting Things Done" by David Allen and "Time Drive" by Gleb Arkhangelsky frequently overlook the importance of interpersonal relationships in the time management.
   
   Many of the ideas and much of the language of "The 7 Habits..." recast the content of the classic 1966 Peter F. Drucker book "The Effective Executive", wherein Drucker wrote: "Effectiveness, in other words, is a habit", and which includes a chapter called "First Things First".
   
   Covey consistently opposes "quick-fix" solutions to life or business problems and insists that changes in paradigm or mindset to align with natural principles provide the "true" source of solutions. The author points out, for example, that the paradigm that produces short-term results in business inevitably leads to an inability to produce results for the long term. He calls this "killing the golden goose". Covey advocates balancing short- and long-term productive capacities as the most effective mindset for the businessperson.



4. If you are looking for what my opinion is (because, of course, this morning you woke up and the first thing you thought was... what is the opinion of Alana Renfro?) the best motivational CDs out there- then stop your Amazon search and purchase the UNABRIDGED Audio Program of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
   
   Working on the creative side of agencies, corporate businesses and boutique clients, you discover that many creative people do not know how to prioritize what is truly important vs. urgent, begin with the end in mind, or follow-through on set commitments with a trustworthy set of principles and ethics. After all, advertising and marketing can be known for the opposite! Just youtube "ad agency spoof", like "The Truth in Ad Sales" video from the UK or "Truth in Advertising".
   
   My husband is in finances, I am in the creative industry, yet we both are incredibly inspired by this series of CDs. It is applicable to anyone in any industry- you just basically need the interest to better yourself, your business or your personal life. I had read the book previously, my husband had not, yet we both have these CDs in our cars as we drive to and from work and are able to not only learn from Mr. Covey's calming and informative audio, but implement the practices into our personal and professional lives. Also being parents, we've found his insights into families, mission statements, the power of thought and his personal family examples hugely helpful for our children and our perspectives.
   
   As a professional, a wife, a mother, and simply someone who has a drive to better myself and succeed, these Unabridged CDs have changed my life. My husband and I both use the planners, but most importantly- the Unabridged Audio Program of 13 CDs I highly recommend.



5. I have listend to the 3 disc set and now listening to the unabridged set. Do not waste your time and money on the 3 disc set for an initial training. The unabridged set has more information and examples and well worth the extra $. The 3 disc would be good for a reminder, but not for the initial training.