Book Description

For every young woman who wants a life as well as a career--and doesn't know how to get there from here.

The next generation of women want a career and a life, but they don't know how to get both. Having watched the boomer generation, they know they don't want their options: sacrificing family life for high-powered careers or consigning themselves to the "mommy track." Not Your Mother's Life shows how today's young women are uniquely poised to reach out and take--or create--the work/life balance that proved so elusive for the boomers. The key, Peters argues, is for women to use their newfound economic power to choose their lives instead of letting their lives choose them. Full of real-life examples of women who are doing it their own way, Not Your Mother's Life offers this new generation a vision of how to remake the work world according to their own needs--ultimately benefiting women and men. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Wise Advice
For all the women of my generation who are confused and frustrated by the millions of options and pitfalls involved in combining career, family and self, this book is a strong answer to those questions. Peters writes clearly and well about the encouraging possibility that we can do everything we want without sacrificing ourselves, our families, or our careers. Sound impossible? That's because we've been brainwashed by the generations before us to believe that we must either be workaholics or stay-at-home mom. Thanks to Peters, we can now remember that there is a balance between them.

Highly recommended book
Choose your life...don't let it choose you. What a great message this fascinating book sends to our young women.

Helping young women plan ahead for their lives is a crucial and extremely well-done theme in this book. The stories of women who have "been there" and are "going through it now" are excellent. I also appreciated that the importance of parenthood was a theme, such as this message: "Nothing predicts failure in a family life more certainly than one or both parents working around the clock."

Julia, author of Teen girlfriends: celebrating the good times, getting through the hard times ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Usual Dilbert goodness
I enjoyed this collection of Dilbert cartoons, as I do all of Scott Adams' compendiums. I can see some of Dilbert in me, and some of me in Dilbert (especially the bent tie), and easily recognize parallels between Dilbert's workplace and mine. I at least have an office and don't have to live with the cubicle dwellers and my boss is somewhat brighter than Dilbert's, but it's still scary how realistic Dilbert's world is.

I would have given this book 5 stars except all of these cartoons appear, in sequence, in my 2001 Dilbert desk calendar, so I've already read many of them and I have no reason now to flip to the next day on my calendar. That's almost Dilbert-esque, in a way.

I Stepped In It
"Don't Step In The Leadership" is a collection of Dilbert comic strips from 1998. Scott Adams has accurately captured the idiocracy of life that is called work. Whether it's the pointy-haired boss trying (and failing) to manage his employees or Catbert: Evil H.R. Director prescribing an anti-depressant drug for Alice, you will be amazed at how much this art imitates your life.

Don'T Step In The Leadership:A Dilbert Book
Don'T Step In The Leadership:A Dilbert Book by Scott Adams tells it as it is. Adams hits the corporate greed, idiocy and the meaningless meetings that are part of all kinds of us organizations. This is a must have...

Yet another funny book
You have to like Scott Adam's work to appreciate this book, but I don't know many people who don't. I think anyone who has ever been to work or had a boss will enjoy this book.

Marvelous Dilbert Book Number 13
This book is wonderful for any Dilbert fan, especially those fans who enjoy Alice and Catbert jokes, because there's many in here about them. This book offers more of Dilbert's misadventures in his office, and when he's not at work being tortured by his boss, he's at home with his cynical and sarcastic dog, Dogbert. Sometimes he may be with his mom, or talking to the overly intelligent garbage man. All of these aspects of Dilbert's life can drive him nuts, especially the office. So join his relatable office experiences, and laugh at Dilbert, Dogbert, Catbert, Alice, the boss, Wally, and the other characters' crazy comedies in this spectacular book. ... Read more

Book Description

Who hasn’t been frustrated by the unnecessary stress and aggravation caused by troublesome co-workers?

This hard-hitting desktop book provides all the proven techniques and strategies to create better relationships with the people at work who can make life miserable.

Conveniently organized in an A-to-Z format for quick, easy reference, Solomon offers practical ways to turn awkward situations to your advantage.Learn to cope with hostile, presumptuous, manipulative, or critical co-workers, and get cooperation as well as respect from colleagues. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Learn the art of Communicating.
Well, Well, I find this book 'terrific' to say the least.
The arrangement of text(especially 'capitals') is simply wonderful. I learnt more and educated myself in the process. It was more like reading a novel. I would highly recommend you to read this book, but keep it away from the sight of 'Co-workers/Boss(for your own good!). I wish I could have a video of this book, I mean it would definitely help. Words once uttered, cannot be taken back, so it is better to polish it so that it conveys the intended meaning and gets the appropriate results when dealing with not only 'Difficult people' but everybody.
After some time, you will enjoy working with 'Difficult people', because they are usually the ones who have talents that have been overlooked. Take heart.

Only an OK book
There is some useful information in the book. The book is divided into many different situations and types of people and this is useful. However many sections are very shallow and it seems that the sections that deal with the most difficult people tend to blame it on the recipient rather than the perpetrator. Also, there is a tendency to helplessness in the face of the worst offenders, i.e. there is nothing you can do. In reality this is seldom the case. But the desired actions may be dramatic and have far reaching consequences. It seems the book is written so as to offend none when some should be offended.

Read "Winning with Difficult People" instead
Try reading "Winning with Difficult people" instead of this book. This book did tell me about certain types of people and how to deal with them, but it didn't go into deal about why they are the way they are to others.

Good understanding for what motivates difficult people
I bought this book when it first came out over a decade ago. It's a classic (or should be). It covers the behavior in groups (e.g. "Pushy/Presumtious People", "Exploitive People") and further divides each group into how it is manifested in Bosses, Peers, and Suborbdinates. The author is very perceptive in describing the patterns, what insecurities drive people to behave that way, and methods for dealing with them. The advice is very practical and appropriate to the case. Sometimes it's on the order of "give them some attention to get a return", sometimes it's "define your boundaries" and sometimes it's "this is toxic, walk away." ... Read more

Book Description

Who has not admired the titans of sport, entertainment, commerce and public service and been inspired to set course by those stars? What youth has not dreamed of becoming rich and famous? What restless fast-food manager has not dreamed of being the boss of a nationwide restaurant chain? What hard-working employee has not dreamed of running his own company?

Perhaps more important, what can they, and we, learn about achieving success from successful people? This is the magic of Masters of Success.

You will:

• Discover Brian Tracy's insights into the laws of success
• Learn from Tony Alessandra the importance of passion
• Hear Lou Holtz's advice on visualizing success
• Discover what drove Erin Brockovich to triumph over great odds

You will read chapters by Buzz Aldrin, Wayne Dyer, Larry Elder, Michael Gerber, John Gray, Mark Victor Hansen, Tom Hopkins, Vince Lombardi Jr., Tony Robbins and many others. All these famous people and many more contributed to the writing of Masters of Success.

If you seek inspiration and ideas, Masters of Success has stories of daunting hardships overcome lessons learned and unexpected success in abundance. You will eagerly page from one story to the next, finding both motivation and encouragement throughout this handsome volume.

Reviews (12)

Great Success Stories in Small Doses!
I did not read this book cover to cover. I started out by looking through the contents and read each part I was interested in. Before I knew it, I did read the whole book. I am in some of the situations, these success people were in. The stories gave me the motivation to keep on the right track in my journey. It was a great read and a book to keep to review later.

Learning about success
Lovely book which gives anecdotes of those who have risen above adversity and mastered success. Read it along with Optimal Thinking:How to Be Your Best Self (to learn how to master emotions, bring out the best in others and make the most of every situation) and The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (to learn how to move from dependence to independence, from personal victories to public victories). The three books together are all you will ever need to be successful and inspire optimal success in others.

Coaching by the Masters
What a great read! Easy to sit down and read many stories at a time, in a variety of areas from personal growth to business.
The best part is the combined effort of MANY business professionals, sharing success stories that everyone can easily understand and actually apply these lessons to their own life and business.

Each page a treasure trove of important messages for all
Each page a treasure trove of important messages that can truly guide anyone on to success. The stories are wonderful and I found myself taking notes as I read. Having several authors discuss success gives the reader a broader view that just one author's idea on how to "get there". A wonderful book!

Powerful Stories + Easy To Read = Reader Success
If you are tired of so-called self-help or motivational books that are big on hype but small on delivery, then THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU.

The content is first rate and the packaging is terrific for the busy professional. There are 65 stories, averaging only 4 pages each. This means you can read a story whenever you have ten minutes. Kudos to Dr. Misner for assembling an all-star team that has delivered knock-out material on all aspects of business and personal success. Put the lessons to use and you will see results - I have. ... Read more

Book Description

A self-made millionaire and best-selling author, Koch pioneered the idea that we can achieve more if we relax, enjoy life, and focus on the few things that matter most to us as unique individuals.Here he makes immensely practical the proven 80/20 sensation he lives himself and created for millions of others. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

ACTION is The Key
The inspiration and ideas offered in this slim volume are practical and easy to implement, and no doubt they will work to help one live a more stress-free, enjoyable life.

But the reader needs to remember that, as with most books of this type, the key to success is ACTION.Just reading about what you should be doing won't change your life. DOING what you should be doing will change your life.

That may seem painfully obvious, but often, I think readers buy this type of book hoping their lives will somehow magically change just by reading the book.

Read the book, then take ACTION, and you'll have made a worthwhile purchase.

Reviewer: Linda Painchaud-Steinman, PARK EDGE BOOKS

Great book...BUT...
Great book...but, if you've read the "80/20 Indiviudal", in my opinion, there's not much you'll get out of the "Living the 80/20/ Way".

"Living the 80/20 Way" teaches you how to apply the 80/20 principle to your personal life; I suppose if you need this outlined for you then the money for the book is worth it, but I received the same information from the "80/20 Individual".

Acheive more without the pressure!
Finally, a book that offers solutions that are acheivable, & take pressure off. This book is for all walks of life, businessmen, students, parents etc. It's very practical, & you individualise as you go. It offers a fairly simple philosophy, but incredibly powerfull when acted on. It will clear your confusion, inspire you to take action, breathe fresh air into your life, & it offers insights that you really need if you want happiness, not frustration. It really is a prescription to get off the treadmill & enjoy life!! You'll actually acheive more, in less time, without the stress. How bad can that be??
Read it, live it, have fun with life again.

80% of the information comes from the 1st (20%) book.
If you already have read the "80/20 Principle" by the same author, then this book will provide you with only 20% additional information. Mind you, the "80/20 Principle" contained 80% of the most valuable information you need to know about the 80/20 Principle. If you have yet to read the first book, however, this book will contain most of the valuable information contained in the first one and some more.

The additional 20% information is related to how you can APPLY the 80/20 principle to improve your life. Most of it is common sense, but it may help some. The author claims he wrote this book becaue one man told him he couldn't understand the 80/20 principle. If you are one of those, this book is a better read than the "80/20 Principle" since this book seems to be written for those with 8th grade reading level.

Great Book
When we honestly look at how we spend our time, most of it is put to trivial uses, but if fully implemented the 80/20 principle would create a revolution in our work and lives.

When Richard Koch put out "The 80/20 Principle" in 1998 it was classified as a business book, but it was the section which applied the principle to personal life that made it such a big hit. The book made such an impact on me that I included it in a list of the key works in the personal development literature, along with the likes of Stephen Covey, Dale Carnegie, Norman Vincent Peale and Anthony Robbins. This list became "50 Self-Help Classics". Ihaven't regretted it.

True to his own principle of expanding on what works, the author has elaborated on the principle in subsequent books, but I personally do not tire of coming back to the 80/20 principle. Who COULD tire of a natural law? 'Living The 80/20 Way' is written in Koch's usual enjoyable style and is a superb place to start in understanding the principle. It won't take you long to read but may literally change your life. Highly recommended.

Tom Butler-Bowdon, author of "50 Self-Help Classics" (2003) and "50 Success Classics" (2004) ... Read more

Book Description

In Here's My Card, Bob Popyk shows how something as simple as your business card can help you make more sales, create more customers, and increase your business overall.He shows how to use those business cards with a little cleverness and creativity, and how to use them the right way.Networking smarts also help, as the author clearly points out.You also need a plan, a specific goal in mind, and a little creativity as well.There are a raft of these ideas in this easy-to-read, easy-to-implement book.

This interesting book on personal promotion and networking is not as much about designing a card, but on how to use your business card to actually create more business.Exchanging or handing out business cards has become one of the most common forms of introduction, surpassed only by the handshake.As the author states, "If your business card makes the first impresssion, then shouldn't it make a GREAT impression?Otherwise you can just write your name and phone number on the back of a napkin, toss it on a table and leave it at that.You might save a few bucks that way, but you could be losing a lot of new business, repeat business, and more business".

The techniques highlighted in Here's My Card have not only worked for the author, but are a compilation of great ideas from his columns, research from his staff, and input from his audiences at seminars and conventions all over the country. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

A new business's helper.
You are trying to start a business, you meet people and give them your business card, you get no responses. You are looking for a new job, you hand your card and no response. Doing something wrong? After reading Here's My Card there may be a lot you're doing wrong.

Bob Popyk has given you a great way to meet new people, communicate ideas and get your name out there for others to notice, and it all starts with the business card. Popyk has over 35 years in sales and knows what it takes to get ahead, now he gives his ideas and tricks to you.

Follow along and you'll finds ways to network your business, get more referrals, more customers and increased sales, all this without the use of computers. You business card or people linker as the book refers, will help give you the quality of life you have always dreamed of.

This is not a once read and do book, this is a read over and over and practice book. From Networking know how to personalized presentations to the design of the card, it's all here and waiting for you. The cost is minimal compared to the possibility of what you gain.

A must read for anyone in business
This book is helpful and insightful for anyone in any type of business. A business card is something everyone has (or should have) which is a valuable sales tool that is highly underated. Mr. Popyk has many fresh ideas for using and designing your card, and I recommend it for everyone. It should be a must read for everyone in your office! It is an easy read and clever. It is something offices, entrepreneurs, those new to sales, and business veterans who are looking to sharpen their networking skills alike can benefit from.

BETTER THAN A SCIENTIFIC STUDY...REAL DOWN TO EARTH IDEAS
I read this book. It was exactly what I was looking for. How to get more business using my business cards. No stupid studies, graphs, charts or scientific BS. Just things to do to find customers, build business, and get my name out there. If you can't find a few ideas to put to use, you shouldn't be in business. I liked this book so much I ordered a few more as gifts. Gave one to my boss. He held it up at a sales meeting and said everyone should read it. Mentioning that it came from me didn't hurt. I am glad I took the advice of the other postive reviewers of this book! Get one for yourself!

If you're in business, this is a great book to read
I write a column for a number of trade and business publications. Recently I reviewed this book and gave it an excellent rating. Whether you've been in business for a long time, or are just starting out, one good idea put to use could increase your business nicely. Not every idea is for everybody. Some are clever. Some are creative. Some are just plain fun. Some take some planning, and some you can just put to use right away. If you don't already have a great card, skip to the back chapters, design your card, and then the author will tell you how to creatively network with it. This book is inexpensive, easy to read, and a lot of the ideas are something probably everyone in business forgets to do, one time or another. Great for reference, or just sharing with your business colleagues. I liked it.

First book I am returning
This is the first book out of many I have purchased at Amazon.com that I will be returning. I expected much more out of a book that is rated 5 stars by the seven reviewers before me.

Here's what I really wanted - tips on card design with statistics on what works and what doesn't. For example - what to put where on the card and perhaps some test marketing and statistics to show what information is important on a card and what should be left off.

Then I wanted a rational scientific approach to networking with the card - with an evaluation of effectiveness of approaches depending on the situation.

Instead what I read was a few gladhanding techniques - none of which were new to me.

Get the book if you are absolutely brand new to business and you have no idea on how to use your business cards. Otherwise, I recommend a pass. ... Read more

Book Description

Be Your Own Brand offers readers a compelling personal development tool to help them succeed by building and using unique “branded” relationships throughout their lives. A brand is a relationship, not a statement. It’s a special type of relationship fueled by a strong belief system and tied to an emotional connection. Companies and products with strong brands are always the most successful in their industry. Strong, enduring personal relationships have many of the same qualities of a business-related brand. This book uses the proven business axiom of brand equity as a basis to demonstrate the importance of relationships to drive personal success. Success is defined by each individual’s belief system. In an accessible and personal style, Be Your Own Brand presents this compelling, novel approach to personal relationships, which is based on proven business practices of building loyal relationships with consumers. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Daves review
"I approached this book with great skepticism. Seeing myself as a brand was not appealing but the truth is we are all 'branded' in the eyes of others. What struck me immediately was the observation that people cannot see inside of me, they judge me by my actions. In the end I found the ideas in this book to be intriguing and compelling"

Be Your Own Brand
This is one of the most valuable books I've read. It's very insightful concepts and ideas inspired me to go after some long-held career goals just by using my natural abilities. Thanks to the author, it's working!
Newt Shoup
Lansing, Michigan

This Is A Must Read For Everyone In Business!
"BE YOUR OWN BRAND" is a great book with a powerful premise. Instead of regurgitating all the old marketing themes about branding, David McNally and Karl Speak, uncover the fundamental truths. Creating a unique stand-alone identity requires a commitment to build special relationships - with yourself, your co-workers, your customers and the public. The authors make it easy to read and understand. In addition, there are lots of practical strategies that will inspire you to take action. This is a must read for everyone in business!

Everyone should read this book
Be Your Own Brand is a great book that is a must read for anyone. This book illustrates the importance of determining and sticking to your personal values. It truly makes a dfference in all the relationships in your life.

Insightful and Practical
In my own career I have learned that to succeed I need to know how to market myself. I found this book to be extremely helpful in that regard. I especially liked the authors' philosophy that strong relationships result from people providing value to each other. The book was concise and to the point, however, I would have enjoyed more "real life" examples. Overall, I found it to be both insightful and practical. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Is there a ZERO-star rating?
What drivel! Couldn't get past page 20

MY LIFE BEFORE AND AFTER ROBERTS RULES
I was a twenty year old who aspired to achieve. I had all the hopes and dreams imaginable. I had the fire in my belly and was confident that I would make it big when I grew up. Someone had given me Roberts Rules as aChristmas gift and somewhere around the end of January I decided to readit. Well MR. Roberts Rules have inspired me to get going in my quest forsuccess. Although I have not acheived my ultimate goals I have conqueredmany. Some say you have to see it to believe it. I say yes but in themeantime Read this book. An be on your was to SUCCESS!!!!!

excellent writing, great ideas
I think the book was very influential and encouraging.it made me want to get right up and get started on my own business.

Thrilling! I couldn't put it down!
I had no idea who Roberts was when I picked up his book. But good gawd I am impressed! This guy is ballsy and brash and inspiring. He belongs in my book on P.T. Barnum, "There's a Customer Born Every Minute." Iadmire him for coming out of nowhere, with nothing, and making millionswith sheer balls, hard work, and plenty of honesty. An absolutely terrificbook! Reading it feels like being at a high action boxing match orbasketball game. Riveting!

Nothing that I didn't know before.
The book has its moments but it clearly hasn't told me anything new.This is basically a mainstream success story and it doesn't guide me into a new direction.Next? ... Read more

Book Description

Some people are toxic: narcissistic, aggressive, inflexible, unethical, ready to scapegoat, capable of transforming any workplace into an unending nightmare. How do you cope with such individuals, while protecting both your career AND your sanity? Simplistic, cookie-cutter solutions don't work. In Coping with Toxic Managers, world-renowned psychiatrist and organizational consultant Roy Lubit shows you techniques that will. Drawing on his extensive experience as both a mental health professional and an organizational consultant for PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Lubit offers concrete, proven advice for subordinates, colleagues and superiors alike. You learn what's really driving your toxic manager or subordinate... how to cope with the emotional stress of dealing with them... and how to create a strategy that reflects their individual personality, while drawing on today's powerful new insights into emotional intelligence. The technicques Lubit teaches apply to personal relationships with toxic individuals as well.

Reviews (4)

Cultural organization managers, note!
Lubit's volume, "Coping with Toxic Managers and Subordinates," should be considered a standard reference for veteran and new professional staff, experienced and beginning managers, and leaders of all non-profit organizations, especially cultural ones. Colleagues have said that these conclusions apply to all organizations.

Non-profits and cultural organizations face major management challenges today. For example, while the number of museums has increased, there has been a great decrease in total funding. To stay competitive, these organizations have had to make fundamental changes in their operations and rely on a new breed of managers and professionals. This has been complicated by strong internal resistance to change. As a result, many cultural organizations find themselves unable to harness the talents of their staff and, instead, find productivity decreasing and morale dropping rapidly. High turnover, unhappiness and anger make for unmanageable environments.

Lubit's book contains excellent strategic thinking for dealing with the rapidly changing settings. Incorporating insights from experience in psychiatry, business management, and organizational leadership, Lubit provides a a comprehensive, hands-on guide for dealing with your superiors, subordinates and peers. This book is very complete. It describes the most troublesome types of negative and "toxic" personalities, explores the underlying reasons for the behaviors, and moves the reader from theory, to examples, to exercise sections called "Your Turn". The book is well organized, snappily written, and easy to use. It is complete with detailed "how to" sections, charts, and examples with both good and bad endings. This book will facilitate not just survival, but productivity and well-being in the workplace -- and elsewhere. I recommend it highly.

Practical guide for getting results
This book is an excellent handbook for managers who struggle with motivating 'challenging' people. It enables the reader to quickly identify types of toxic managers and provides guidance on effectively dealing with each type. Should be required reading for anyone responsible for improving company/individual performance.

Toxic costs: heal the pain.
This author offers clear, concise writing on a classic business problem: how to work with difficult people. Who doesn't work with at least 1 difficult person? What organization does not suffer productivity or financial loss from at least 1 toxic manager?

As I read the well-defined descriptions of Toxic Managers, I couldn't help but recall the many faces of those difficult people that have crossed my own work path over the past 24 years, and how I might have dealt with them differently under Roy Lubit's construct. Surely you'll experience similar learning and benefit, as you hear what the author has to say about how to deal with the difficult people that you encounter in your work life.

This book does a tremendous service by reminding us that work IS personal after all; that organizations are organic systems made up of human beings with personalities, traits, and problems that we cannot simply turn off or leave at home, like robots. These toxic behaviors and managers, as defined by the author, represent the hard HARD work that organizations must do to fix the illusive and, often substantially, costly problems.

I am delighted to add a practical approach and book to my toolbox to help executives and managers take compassionate, actionable steps toward solving issues that typically impede business performance and progress. This book, I project, will help heal the hearts and performance of many organizations and professionals who seek a cure for whatever ails them.

"Toxic Managers" good for your health
Beginning with its title, a real "grabber," Dr. Roy Lubit's new book "Coping with Toxic Managers, ..." holds your interest as it exhaustively and brilliantly organizes, classifies, describes and analyzes the entire spectrum of toxic behaviors to be found in the workplace. Any workplace. The book deals comprehensively with toxic behaviors from peers and subordinates as well as superiors. I think it will be recognized and appreciated as an invaluable contribution to the literature. The references alone are worth the price.

If that were all Dr. Lubit did that would be enough to distinguish this book, but he also gives detailed prescriptions for dealing with every type of behavior discussed in the book. These are often presented in the context of case studies and examples that make fascinating and satisfying narratives in themselves and allow Dr. Lubit's insights to really sink in.

Dr. Lubit, an experienced and recognized forensic psychiatrist and holder of an MD and a Ph.D. from Harvard, does an outstanding job of marshalling an array of toxic behaviors and codifying it in a manner that is understandable enough to be mastered by a college student yet profound enough and broad enough to be of great value to other professionals and to his peers. This book is scientific yet should prove of practical value to anyone who needs to manage, understand or otherwise deal with any business organization or, indeed, almost any human group in modern America. It does so in terms that anyone can understand and put to use. "Coping with Toxic Managers . . ." is one of those truly rare books which combines accessibility with depth, and I recommend it highly. Ronald Blum, Ph.D. ... Read more

Book Description

Written in an easy-to-read format,this book offers numerous helpful tips on how to better manage your work time to become more productive. Drawn from the author's personal experiences as a management consultant, the stories are based on what really works, not on theoretical concepts. You will learned the five action steps for managing paper, e-mail and voice mail. You will learn how to better manage yourself, reduce your number of meetings, spend less time on the telephone and delegate more effectively. When you implement the ideas presented in this book, you will get more done in less time, with less stress...forever! ... Read more

Reviews (15)

First time management book I've read cover to cover!
Written from a new slant, this book is interesting and entertaining enough to get you through the steps it takes to truly get organized and make more time for yourself and your family! It has already changed my work habits, and I'm still learning from it. Highly recommend this quick read to anyone who is sitting overwhelmed behind a desk that is piled high with paper.

I was the "Oxymoron"
Rolston's book became valuable in two areas. The first area was the transition I undertook from line employee to supervisor to division manager. His filing system for project management, daily activities, etc. helped me in the transition from receiving work orders to issuing work orders and then to long range planning in my current job.

This was especially important as these changes have occurred over a twenty year tenure at my current job as a Facility Manager for one of the fastest growing cities in America. His advice has helped me become a better manager and, most importantly, KEEP A CLEAN DESKTOP!

The second area is in the leadership roles I play in other areas such as Church and American Cancer Society. His methods have allowed me better use resources and time in my daily life thus allowing me to be active in the things I enjoy outside work.

It is also important to note that I see Rolston's philosophies he relates lived out in his daily life. He has been a great role model and confidant. The implementation of his ideas has been made easier by his exampling.

In short, this is a "must read"!

Small to big; this one works
Maynard Rolston's book is a must-read. Even in today's email/voicemail/PDA/cellular world, some basics never change: take action, delegate or trash -- and if action is needed -- prioritize!

While I mostly work on small to medium sized projects as a consultant, the work habits Maynard promotes can help any person in any sized business. And the way to handle meetings, delegate, schedule and priortize can apply in a consultant-client relationship just as well as between employees.

My desk top (both real and virtual) will be getting cleaner and more efficient.

Become More Productive
Maynard Rolston provides some great common sense organizational strategies to help you increase your productivity and save you time. It's an easy-to-read, enjoyable book that will help reduce your stress level. As a writer, small publisher and author of There Is Eternal Life For Animals, I can use all the help I can get to make the most of my time and become more efficient.

Common sense is uncommon sense
Fantastic book! This author helped my employees become much more efficient and gave us more time to spend on more important issues. If you detest paperwork this is a must read title. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Required Reading for the Embattled Entrepreneur
Failure among the ambitious, upwardly mobile, educated and intelligent of our modern, industrialized society often comes across as being more devastating, more defining, and more frightening than it actually is. What in actuality defines us is not the number of our failures, but how we deal with our failure, how we look upon it, and most importantly, how we either use our failure or allow our failures to define us.

Hyatt and Gottlieb have written an excellent text on professional/career failure. The authors start the book by imparting intrepid examples both personal and private, of the emotional processes associated with failure. They accurately describe (often in painful and excruciating detail) the feelings of fear, isolation, shame and remorse associated with losing a job, status, money or some combination of the three. One can not only relate to the loss of purpose, the punctured egos, and the declining sense of self of those who have failed professionally, but also can actually feel as if it is happening to him or her- for it at some point has happened to him or her. They emphatically stress that career failure is something that eventually touches every professional, in some cases sooner, and in others, later. In this way, they show that failure has no prejudices, and everyone is a card-carrying member of this club, whether they realize it or not. As such, in dealing with failure, it is extremely important for the individual to realize that he or she is not alone in the experience, even if our greater society compels us to put up a strong front and pretend that nothing is really wrong. In order to healthily deal with failure, the authors emphasize the importance of understanding the meaning of failure in both the personal and the societal context, and elaborate upon how the feelings associated with failure unfold in the individual. Many people define themselves based on their occupation, their professional affiliation, or their status in life, and it comes as no surprise that these are the people hardest hit by career failure. Those of us who have cultivated other sides of our personality, such as those of us who live for our weekend hobbies, or those of us that are family or community oriented, tend to handle career failure much better, and can even take it in stride. Although many readers and those who have experienced failure or are currently experiencing failure may not believe it, failure actually gives people options, which the authors not only demonstrate, but also help the reader identify and ultimately take advantage of in later chapters.

In the first part of the book, one chapter each is devoted to defining the characteristics of failure at the level of the individual and the society, dealing with the feelings, which occur in stages, associated with failure, how our career failures can affect those closest to us, and how men and women respond to career failure. The second part of the book focuses on taking failure in stride, and offers a comprehensive strategy for personal reinvention after suffering a career failure. Arguably the most important part of the book, this section devotes one comprehensive chapter to each of the following topics: discovering why one has failed, gleaning from the failure some positive knowledge by re-interpreting the events leading up to the failure, recognizing and casting off old and inappropriate labels and finding new ones, expanding one's career choices, and making the transition from the old professional to the new, centered and focused individual. The authors also include in this section of the book a bonus chapter that showcases two successfully reinvented individuals, and elaborates upon the nature of their failure, how they dealt with failure, and the process of their reinvention. Each chapter in the second part of the book provides the reader with powerful tactics to build a new, improved person from career failure, and allows one to rise triumphantly out of the ashes of failure, much like the proverbial phoenix. The third and final part of the book, entitled 'Towards Real Success', helps the reader to win the internal battle associated with failure. While the second part of the book helps to outwardly reinvent the individual for career success, the final section of the book helps the individual to cultivate a new perspective, a new outlook- on career failure. This part of the book encourages the reader to look upon failure as a learning experience, and as such, helps one to regard failure as a temporary setback that one can learn from.

The authors have written a truly empowering book, one that entrepreneurs and professionals must read and keep alongside all the other books on career and entrepreneurial success, as there inevitably will be one or more notable, spectacular and in some cases unfortunately public failures on the path to a successful career journey. In the end, I can only say that there is no shame in taking a risk, giving one's all, and failing, and I wholeheartedly believe that true shame results from failing to try, failing to risk, fearing change, and failing to grow. These, I truly believe, are the things that comprise the regrets in one's life.

Moving onward and upward after a setback
I picked up this book after being let go from a F50 company late last year, and it has been a lifesaver as I've navigated unfamiliar territory. It lays out the stages most people experience when they've been fired, downsized, or eliminated -- shock, fear, anger & blame, shame, and despair. It addresses how failure changes the balance of power in a relationship, and how it affects men and women differently. It then moves to how we reinvent ourselves -- identifying the cause of failure, reinterpreting the event, relabeling yourself, and getting unstuck. There are numerous stories, including the authors' own, about failing and ultimately coming back better and stronger. One quote especially resonated with me: David Brown (he produced The Sting and Jaws, among other Hollywood blockbusters) was fired three times from top jobs. "Each time, [he] was stunned. And each time he never stopped to analyze what had caused him to be fired in the first place. Only after the third time did he begin to examine his working behavior. Why was he always running after corporate jobs...when in the end they held neither safety nor a degree of control over one's fate?" Whether you feel that corporate life is truly your calling, or you yearn for something different, this book can help you push past self-imposed limitations and re-invent your career in a unique and satisfying way.

So, You Lost?
If you are having problems confronting a business defeat (whether you were fired, lost your business, or "failed" in your career), this is the book for you.

If your setback is affecting your health, your marriage, your friendships, there is hope.

If you have been moping around the house for a year or more, read this book.

If you've tried and tried to "move past" your personal problems, buy this book now.

If you have been searching for an answer, this is it.

Read this book.

smart is mine, and mine is smart " live with that every day
first of all , i want to thank MR.Fischer, who sent me the book, and i will never forget that. When smart people fail is the message of every one think he is fail in some thing but the true is YOU ARE not failure, till you think you are failure. so believe in your self and take RISK. you are smart.

Very helpful
One of the few books around that deal effectively with failure. If you have experienced disappointment please give this book a read. The authors offer intelligent , caring and practical advice. Full of real life case studies that show ways of coping with failure and disappointment. Definately a 5 star book. ... Read more

Book Description

The right-brain way to conquering clutter, mastering time, and reaching one's goals: the first book to show creative people how to arrange their desks, their time, and their lives in a style consistent with their unique way of perceiving the world. Suggests a host of practical solutions, all in harmony with the way creative people think and act. 20 line drawings. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

I couldn't stop laughing and/or being grateful !!!
I read this book while on jury duty. We spent a lot of time in the hall on hard benches. I regularly startled my fellow jurors by slapping my open hand on the wooden bench, and laughing out loud. Yes, I am now diagnosed a "creative/right brainer" -- especially when it comes to organizing. I have a shelf of books on this topic; I have hired professionals; I have two assistants, and only now realize why none of them understands me. THEY ARE ALL LEFT-BRAIN ANALYICAL ORGANIZERS! I found dozens of useful tips and suggestions. The biggest thing I was left with is this: THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH ME. All other organizing books are written for left-brain thinkers. Thanks to Dorothy and Dolores for finally writing a book for me. Get it, keep it, and tell all your friends who need this. You know who they are.

New and Different Approach to Organizing
Dorothy Lehmkuhl and Dolores Lamping have provided a unique look at issues related to getting organized. When the words "get organized" are uttered, at least half of the American population shudders. There is no early education provided for those not blessed with the organizing gene. These people live their lives seeing being organized as magical. They live with shame, guilt, anger, defensiveness, and sadness. I know that this is the case because I teach them about organizing in Denver, Colorado. My classes have been the site of tears and shouting over the frustration of the inability to create organization. I share this with you because the book, ORGANIZING FOR THE CREATIVE PERSON, is the antidote for the frustration. I recommend it to every group when I speak. It provides such a unique interpretation to the word organized.

Creative people are visual and see this process of being organized in many different ways. They see it as limiting, as impossible, as an intrusion, as difficult to accomplish. They, too, yearn for time saved, relief from anxiety, and a way to increase their creativity and productivity. The analysis and understanding in this book of these issues act as permission to the creative to both get organized and to do it in ways which work for them. These are not conventional systems. Filled with tips about alternative ways to organize, solutions abound. This wonderful book can change lives.

In addition, ORGANIZING FOR THE CREATIVE PERSON has been chosen for study by the National Association of Professional Organizers as a text from which the national certification examination has been written. It has value, not only to those persons struggling to become organized in new ways, but also to the professionals in the industry of professional organizing, assisting them with deeper understanding of their clients. Whatever you interest in organizing, this is a must read. Sincerely, Mary Lou Lundberg, better known as Bunky, Former Chair, National Certification Process Committee, National Association of Professional Organizers and Owner, CHAOS CANCELLED, Denver, CO

If you're right-brained, this book works
I have read this book about twice now and I believe the authors completely understand right-brained (RB) people and wrote the book in a way that works well for RB's. My belief is that the people that gave this less of a review were perhaps not as much in the RB mode as they suspected. The book uses diagrams, formatting, summaries, examples and specific advice very well, making it easy for us RBs to understand why we're different and how to make the most of it.

Not Very Creative
What an incredible disappointment!! I have to agree with the point of view of one other reader...this book has absolutely nothing new to tell anyone about organizing... the writers try to pretend there is a different spin to their method, but it just ain't true! I read the book hoping that someone would give me some refreshing ideas that would enable me to throw away my daytimer forever. Imagine my suprise when we get down to the nitty-gritty and up pops the picture of a daytimer-type organizer page, as well as other materials taught at Franklin Covey seminars!! Hey, if that had worked I would not have picked up this book! Bottom line I got from the book: creative people have to learn to stop and focus some of the time. Consider yourself right-brained in a left-brained world and do the best you can. There is nothing new under the sun!

Don't buy the tape alone
I own the paperback edition of this title and found parts of it helpful enough to want the audiotape to renew my motivation and reinforce the ideas. I am very disappointed in how short the tape is. So much has been cut from the book that I think it'd be almost worthless to get the tape on its own. The tape is missing most of the text that got me excited about the book, so it's not much good for getting me fired up to get organized. ... Read more

Book Description

In business, it is no longer necessary to sacrifice integrity and peace of mind in favor of profits. Successful Fortune 500 executive James A. Autry effectively explodes the myth that "nice guys finish last" in what is perhaps the most practical, honest and humane management book ever written -- an indispensable handbook that explores every aspect of the fine art of creative and caring leadership. A unique primer for business in the '90s, Love and Profit offers clear, direct and compassionate guidance, dealing situation by situation with the most difficult decisions every manager must inevitably face -- from motivating high achievers to letting nonproductive employees go. A rare and innovative work, it will enable you to manage brilliantly and profitably during the day ... and sleep well at night.

Reviews (5)

Cold lemonade on a hot afternoon
As an in-house leadership development consultant for a large company, I read alot of management books.This one is truly a keeper!It isn't full of "fad", impossible ideas about exploiting employees, just ethical ideas to consider about people, in the workplace --what should that environment should be like and how should supervisors and managers contribute to creating and sustaining it.

Reading this book is like enjoying a cold lemonade on a hot afternoon.It is a fun and easy read that really makes you stop and consider the basic, critical, beliefs about how we should treat each other -- in the workplace or anywhere.

I strongly recommend this book, which considers both "love" and "profit" in the workplace -- it is neither an oxymoron nor illegal.

An excellent management guide!
James Autry takes us right down to the fundemental source of good management and successful relationships: a deep and abiding respect for the people that we share our work and our lives with.A corporate culture issomething that we create, one person at a time not some "evilother" that demands that we abandon our principles and our humanity.

Not a typical management book
Much more applicable than the one-minute manager.For people who love their work.

A most humane perspective on the science of management.
Like most middle managers, I sometimes feed compelled to read a management tome from time to time.Love and Profit is different!It proves that a financially successful company does not necessarily have an inverse relationship to one that is humane.Autry writes in short segments, usually of an anecdote from his career, and then analyzes it from a business perspective.There are a lot of Aha! moments in this book.This book shows us how we should treat others in all situations - which makes it all the more exceptional as a business book.The only reason there is a 9 in my rating is the poetry

Must Read for Managers!
In his book Love & Profit, the Art of Caring Leadership, James A. Autry contributes yet another perspective to the role of the manager.Many current books on management deal with the time issue, and how proper time management can increase productivity.Other top sellersdeal with the effective habits that successful managers of leading companies share.Mr. Autry's book is especially attractive because it is different.Rather than focusing on the manager and his habits, this book focuses on the relationships that the manager maintains with his employees. A brief review of this text along with a critical analysis of its content will provide convincing evidence that this book should be on the "must read" list for all current and perspective managers. The text is divided into five sections.The first is entitled "Work and Life: Business and Relationships."In this section Mr Autry opens his book by refuting an age old adage from the military "Nobody gets special treatment around here."(Autry 23)From Mr. Autry's point of view this is in direct opposition of what really happens in the workplace.Special treatment is actually given all the time, and if we are realistic about what management should be like in today's business world, managers will focus on the flexibility needed to accommodate the special exceptions that keep employee's happy, contributory and productive. Also in this first section Autry takes on several topics that are of great concern to managers today and gives his own interpersonal relationship point of view.In his chapter "Sexual harassment", Autry notes how from his own experience he greeted a women who he hadn't seen in a while that openly gave him "a warm and exuberant hug"(52) when they met.He states that in this case the woman was someone that he had hired and had been somewhat of a mentor to.Hugging this woman "was important and appropriate", while he could "name fifty other people [that he had worked with on a similar level] with whom the hug woul ... Read more

Book Description

Praise for The 11^th Element

"Bob has cracked the code on how to produce business breakthroughs at breakneck speed by tapping into The 11th Element. I consider The 11th Element to be a ‘must have’ for all executives, managers, network marketers, and entrepreneurs who want to create and increase their wealth and personal freedom."
–From the Foreword by Robert Allen
Author of The One Minute Millionaire and Multiple Streams of Income

"The 11th Element teaches you the valuable skill of asking for assistance from your ‘Inner CEO’ to improve your decision making. Napoleon Hill explored this principle in Think and Grow Rich, and Scheinfeld takes it to a new level."
–Ken Blanchard
Coauthor of The One Minute Manager^® and Big Bucks!

"Bob Scheinfeld gives his readers an extremely valuable ally to help them achieve impressive success. It’s an ally that readers have had all along but has escaped their awareness. After you complete The 11th Element, you’ll be aware of it and able to use it to maxim ize your effectiveness. You’ll love the book but hate yourself for not realizing that you had this ally right from the start."
–Jay Conrad Levinson
Author of the Guerrilla Marketing series of books

"Fascinating! Read it twice. Scheinfeld presents a thought-provoking exploration on what it takes to succeed on a massive scale."
–Randy Gage
Author of Prosperity Mind

"A major business breakthrough . . . a masterpiece for anyone wondering why results eluded them before. Remarkable."
–Dr. Joe Vitale
Bestselling author of Spiritual Marketing and The Greatest Money-Making Secret in History!

"Profound, absorbing, and like nothing written before about wealth and success. The 11th Element shows you specific, practical ways to tap into a powerful new source of support to receive a quantum boost in power you can use to fuel the growth of your business and your quality of life."
–Gay Hendricks, PhD
Author of The Corporate Mystic and Conscious Golf: The Three Secrets of Success in Business, Life and Golf ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Excellent Guide. Real Dialogue and Review of Other Ideas.
This book was very enjoyable because the author speaks authentically and draws attention to the weaknesses of almost every well-known success "law" there is. He explains that most "laws" of success may correlate with succes but they are not the causal factors. Thus, without the power of the true success factor --here named the 11th element -- you are likely to get nowhere. The 11th element, which is the springboard to success, is clearly and beautifully explained, and a step-by-step approach to harnessing its power is offered. This is a great and unique book from a sincere author who knows what he is talking about inside and out. Highly recommended! Reviewed by Evan Finer, author of "Effortless Wellbeing: The Missing Ingredients for Authentic Wellness".

Great BOOK and a Great INTERVIEW
Haven't you ever wondered how some people come up with one winning business idea after another, or how some people seem to be in the right place at the right time, or meet just the right person, or get ALL the breaks?

Bob Scheinfeld answers those questions for you in the 11th Element. He has discovered the untold story and the true nature of what is usually referred to as luck, synchronicity, or being blessed. And more importantly, he has developed it into a system that anyone can follow.

Scheinfeld keenly laid out 7 steps for applying The 11th Element
Step 1: Expand and clarify your ideal outcome
Step 2: Craft a request for help to produce the optimal outcome
Step 3:Submit your request to your Inner CEO for approval
Step 4: Receive approval
Step 5: Tap into the invisible network for help.
Step 6: Perform due diligence and make decisions and plans
Step 7: Manifest the outcome

I find his review of the "10 Elements" that AREN'T good enough by themselves fascinating. The list might shock some people: Desire, Belief, The Law of Attraction, Goal Setting, Modeling, Create a Clear and Detailed Plan, Take Massive Action Now, Persistence, Visualization, and Affirmations.

I interviewed Bob Scheinfeld on "The Inside Success Show" and loved it. Impressive break-throughs don't come along that often, but this is one of them. Innovative is too mild - The 11th Element is extraordinarily different!

Here's some other things I learned from Bob:

** How Bob Scheinfeld lived under the thumb of "Murphy" for 7 years before finally discovering the 11th Element.
** What 4 things you can do bring 'luck' into your life
** Why you can make lots of money when its NOT your desire
** How to talk to your Inner CEO so he (or she) will listen
** What you can do right now to change the results of your life forever
** And much, much more ...

If you want to master the critical skills that make up The 11th Element (the true "X-Factor" to creating wealth, success, and happiness), then I recommend you read Bob Scheinfeld's book and follow his 7 Steps. I've begun using them and I already see a difference in my life.

Randy (Dr. Proactive) Gilbert, Host of The Inside Success Show (www.TheInsideSuccessShow.com) and best-selling author of "Success Bound"

Highly recommended - this one is well worth reading
I am happy to recommend this one - it's very well thought out, practical, easy to follow, AND it works as promised if you follow the steps and apply what the author talks about.

I appreciated his honesty, candor and his ability to break down a complex subject and put it into a system that anybody can follow.

Job well done - pick this one up and use it to change your life!

Not for me
Give your request to your "Inner CEO", or higher self, and go your merry way. That is the gist of the book. That is not a method that has ever brought me any sort of results. I was very diappointed. This book is very similar to I Am Rich Beyond My Wildest Dreams, another disappointment.
The author makes a big deal out of how other methods of achievement, such as using visualization, affirmations,the law of atrraction, making plans and taking action, do not work all of the time for all people. (He describes 10 ways in all). The author actually makes it seem like they never work and therefore you should not waste your time with any of them. Certainly, it is true that results are not always forthcoming. However, this book also says that when using the 11th Element you are only making "requests" to you Inner Ceo and that they may not be fulfilled. But apparently that is ok. Scheinfeld seems to be saying to not waste time with any other method that does not work, and instead buy his book and use the 11th Element which may not work either. [...]

The final piece of the puzzle!
I read The 11th Element to prepare for my interview of Bob Scheinfeld in the Living Abundant Joy Tele-seminars. (http://www.livingabundantjoy.com)

What I found was that it answered a lot of questions for me, like why certain of the other ten elements work some of the time and other times they don't. It added clarity to certain experiences in my life.

I'm looking forward to applying the principals I learned to my life and sharing what I learn. ... Read more

Book Description

Don't Count Time, Make Time Count!

Tick ... tick ... tick ... can't find enough time? Find out how to use it far more wisely by the man who successfully run multiple business ventures simultaneously. Dan Kennedy has been called the "Professor of Harsh Reality" because he doesn't deal in glib, pabulum solutions and eye-rolling cliches you've heard incessantly on time management.

He takes on the world of cell phones, PDAs, faxes, e-mails, and every other communication device that pervade our lives, suggesting when to tap it, and when to give it the heave-ho. This entrepreneur/consultant/author/speaker has a whirlwind business life, yet manages to fit everything in using a handful of home-brewed time management tools he swears by.

He shows how to maximize your time with a fresh take on the mantra that "time is money." It's all about using disciplined productivity strategies Kennedy has devised over 30 years of managing highly-profitable businesses with only minimal help.

Who is Dan Kennedy?

His business adventures have included ownership of six businesses. He appeared for nine consecutive years on THE #1 seminar tour in America sharing the platform with former U.S. President Reagan, Ford, and Bush, General Colin Powell, and business leaders such as Debbi Fields and Jim McCann. He was been in trenches and survived.

Reviews (2)

The "Backbone" Implant Every Entrepreneur Must Read...
This is by far the best "hands on" tools book I've read in time management. Most time management books give you guidelines, rules, and tools that you never use-- relying on a detailed multi-level guideline-- and I'm just not wired that way. As a result of the many years of reading these books I lowered my confidence in believing I was not a functional business person. This book, however, shows you how-- precisely-- we rob ourselves of time-- our most valuable asset. To waste time is the waste life and Dan Kennedy hones in on all the ways we waste life through choosing "time vampires" that drink the life right out of us. A HUGE eye-opener for anyone serious about transforming their life through the value of time, energy, and PROFIT.

Before reading this book I felt I had a "high regard" for my time, but found more than 10 crucial points that made me clearly see and realize how much time, energy and money I wasted. Now I'm able to know in the first contact, situation, or new business relationship whether or not it's worth the "time" investment.

This book made me really look at myself and all the "time management mistakes" I made-- not easy to do, but if you're serious about taking self responsibility and becoming a self-actualizing success, this is A MUST READ!

Hard core
It's "back to basics" on how Dan Kennedy finds the time to run his highly successful consulting/writing/speaking business. This is probably the tenth time management book I've read and I took away a few good ideas. Dan would certainly say I am wasting time writing this r