
Title : It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want To Be
Author : Paul Arden
Rating : 4 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Motivational?
This book by Paul Arden has been dubbed by many to be a fantastic motivational book that is capable of turning people into super human geniuses. In reality this book takes only an hour or less to read through and unless you really attempt to apply any new ideas will be a waste of your time.
Much of the book to me was useless and some of it I already knew, however it is still a good book for getting you thinking in another way. Really the author is telling you to throw out everything you think you know and listen to his ideas of what made him successful, and some of the ideas are very good.
I have found a few of the ideas in this book very useful and have used the ideas such as 'Do not seek praise seek criticism' are simple but good. Many people are unable to open up and be wrong and make mistakes and learn from them, especially people in positions such as management who feel they have to be seen as always correct in front of their staff.
This book really is an individual thing, It may be of massive help to you or you may completely disagree with the ideas put forward. Either way you have to look at this book as one mans ideas and decide for yourself whether to apply them or take them onboard in your life. Worth a look at the price being asked for it.

Title : Positive Thinking, Positive Action: Essential Steps to Achieve Your Potential (Personal Development)
Author : Douglas Miller
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Voyage into your new future with confidence
In addition to the other POSITIVE contribution below this book is broken down into nice short easy to digest paragraphs chapters. This book is a no hype no frills book that gets to the point the basics of what it is to be "truly" successful, including many valuable and do-able tips exercises on how to achieve "REAL" success.
It's written in a very clear style, language typeset, the lessons and techniques are easy to read, understand digest, thus allowing one to get through the book without having to wade through pages of American Psychobabble slang. Nor does it languish on the "I knew a man once who bla bla bla ....." typical of most of the ancient PMA (Positive Mental Thinking" books about success positive thinking.
Douglas' reputation credentials must have been quite remarkable to have his book published by the BBC World Learning!
Take yourself out of the of Carnegie, Covey Hill et al dark ages read this modern thoroughly well researched course that will propel you to your own success.
No luck needed.....just read it!

Title : Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time
Author : Keith Ferrazzi
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Connect for the Joy of It All!
Never Eat Alone is a rare, detailed glimpse into how those with no special access can connect to those they want to meet. For many people who are good at connecting, this activity becomes a way of life. It's a profession and a hobby. As such, connecting can become all consuming. Many will find that aspect of Mr. Ferrazzi's story to be unattractive. But I found his candor in this regard to be refreshing.
If you step back from his enthusiasm for connecting, the mental attitudes and processes he describes are just what everyone needs to use who wants to be better connected and accomplish more.
All of us know more than any one of us. If you take two equally talented young people in any field, the one who is better at connecting will live a more successful life than one who tries to go at everything as a lone ranger.
I have known dozens of master connectors. They all do some variation of what Mr. Ferrazzi describes in this book. Here is how I would distill those lessons:
1. Decide who you want to meet to further your objective of accomplishing more.
2. Learn more about the person.
3. Find what you can do to help that person in an area where they care.
4. Develop a strategy to meet briefly face to face.
5. Share what you want to do to help when you meet.
6. Stay in touch with more ways to help.
7. Attend events where other master connectors attend and link into fields which are not naturally yours by becoming acquainted with these master connectors.
8. Study those who are very good at this.
If you keep in mind the sheer pleasure of making a difference as you do this, you'll soon be a superb connector. I recommend undertaking this task on behalf of something you are passionate about such as a charity you support.
One of the best parts of this book is that Mr. Ferrazzi is generous in sharing his mistakes. The world doesn't end for you as a connecting queen or king if you offend a poo-bah. You just pick yourself up and do better next time.
I liked his humility about his limitations in other fields. Peter Drucker would have approved of Mr. Ferrazzi's decision to work on what he has a talent and love for, connecting, rather than try to become more competent at things that are difficult and unpleasant for him . . . like quantitative analysis. The story about how he got his start at Deloitte is worth the price of the book.
Another strength of the book can be found in the excellent description of why people find President Clinton to be so compelling in person.
Skip books about networking and relationship building. Read Never Eat Alone instead!

Title : Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time
Author : Keith Ferrazzi
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Masterful Networking Tactics
Author Keith Ferrazzi is a master networker who claims that his Palm Pilot holds the names of 5,000 people who will take his phone calls. That's a powerful claim. Starting as a self-made man of humble origins, Ferrazzi developed his social network by helping people and by developing and mastering the techniques for networking. Here, he shares his methods. His light, engaging and entertaining story will motivate those who want to enhance their social and business friendships. The author advocates generosity as the key to success. That's a radical business concept, but he claims it works. It's certainly worth a try. We recommend this book to people who want to be more social, make friends and expand their business connections. It should also prove invaluable for those who are sick of sitting at home on Saturday nights.

Title : Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time
Author : Keith Ferrazzi
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : One of those books you just can't put down.
An excellent introduction to, and perspective on, the 'art' of networking. Rec. to me by a friend after watching him in action at a convention in the U.S. I bought it at the airport had read most of it on the return flights to Ireland. I just couldn't put it down and wished I'd read it earlier.
Even the title conveys a subtle message and indicates an interesting read rather than just 'How to Network' which it could have been called. You don't have to be in Sales or Marketing to read it - I'm not - it explains how some people network badly by being selfish and self promoting and valuable points on networking 'etiquette'.It helps you not to be a 'wallflower' in a room full of strangers - without being over bearing and trying to collect a fistful of business cards. Rather the authors concentrate on the 'personal' touches, so, if you are looking for deep rooted theories and phrases to 'learn' its not for you.It does indicate the right buttons to push and how to treat people - no matter what their position - in a polite and courteous manner to maximise results.
A great read truly reccommended.

Title : E-myth Mastery: The Seven Essential Disciplines for Building a World Class Company
Author : Michael Gerber
Rating : 1 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Heavy going, heavy on psychobabble
If you're into overwrought emotional prose this ones for you.
I quote "without the passion of the soul, the mind creates an endless stream of empty suits, dreams without heart..."
or this gem
"a part of me is just afraid. that part of me feels like i'm jumping off a cliff, but in some strange way I also trust that I'll fall into something soft and safe"
After about 100 pages it starts turning into a business book again, but after wading through the cod philosphies at the start of the book I was actually angry at the author for putting me through some really badly written stuff, concerning a lady called sarah from 'all about pies' who'd lost her passion, apparently. I knew how she felt by this point in the book.
If you buy it read the real stuff at the end of the book, but really, don't encourage him.
To misquote the book I certainly felt like jumping off a cliff at times.
If only he'd have just stuck to the business. Why does everyone have to be a cod psychologist these days? Nuff said'
Other Related Resources:
1: http://johnplaceonline.com/be-successful/10-ways-to-overcome-a-motivational-roadblock/
2: http://marenda.biz/2009/03/23/get-the-facts-straight-about-hypnotherapy-and-motivation/
3: http://www.furtherfitness.com/new-york-fitness/uncategorized/motivation/
4: http://www.tap4health.com/fear-as-a-barrier-vs-fear-as-motivation/
5: http://www.trevorclinard.com/?p=249