Title : The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change
Author : Stephen R Covey
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Well read Bestseller
After the Bible, no other single book has shaped my leadership mentality and disciplines like this one by Covey. I first read it in 1991 and his recommendations brought it all together for me. Success in effective living begins with Private Victory (Be Proactive, Begin with the end in mind, Put first things first) then moves on to Public Victory (Think Win-Win, Seek first to understand...then to be understood, Synergize), and finally back into personal effectiveness by Sharpening the Saw. These concepts are essential to weeding through all the fluff of the information age. This book also contains fantastic practical advice on living out one's priorities ("Exercise integrity at the moment of choice") and teamwork ("Defend those who are absent").
Title : Screw It, Let's Do It: Lessons in Life (Quick Reads)
Author : Sir Richard Branson
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : £2,69 bargain
In this day and age what will £2.69 buy. not a lot. This book is a bargain..
Title : The Richest Man in Babylon
Author : George S. Clason
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Simple and effective
I've been hopeless with money since I first laid hands on it. I was in debt up to my eyeballs and spending whatever I earned and more. But with the simple concepts in this book, I am paying off my debt steadily and actually have savings for the first time in my life.
I highly recommend this easy/quick read as a life changer.
Title : The Four Agreements: Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (Toltec Wisdom)
Author : Don Miguel Ruiz
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : 4 pointers to show us fallen angels back to paradise lost.
I've come to believe that the achievement and maintenance of happiness is a day-to-day, moment-to-moment discipline, due to the heavy conditioning we have all received to wallow in and maintain each other in suffering. This book proposes 4 deceptively simple 'agreements' to live by in order to free ourselves of that conditioning. If followed, I believe they can radically transform our lives and the lives of those around us. I say this on the basis of how I feel and the changes I have observed in my transactions with other people only 4 days after reading this book and of putting these agreements into practice. Also on the basis of the changes I've seen in the people I know who have read and been touched by this book as I have. I don't think it's possible not to be touched by it and struck by the sheer basic sense and simplicity of these agreements. All one needs to do is keep them in mind! Stick them on the fridge, beside the loo, in your diary... until they become a natural reflex.
Title : You Can Heal Your Life
Author : Louise L. Hay
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Controversial but effective
Many books talk about the effects of positive thinking but Louise Hay is the first author draw an absolute line between positive thoughts and physical ailments. I've used some of her techniques and by crikey they work! While I was reading this book I thought 'I've got a cold coming on', but I quickly turned the energy round and repeated 'I'm not getting a cold, I'm not getting a cold'. It worked a treat and I actually only had a minor sniffle for a couple of days (on reflection, I should also have repeated 'I'm not getting a minor sniffle' but we live and learn).
The techniques can also assist in correcting existing physical conditions, especially the 'approval of self' approach to how we view ourselves. I had always been aware of an imperfection in the way I walked. Fallen arches and hen toes gave me the gait (to my mind and to various colleagues) of a cowboy with nappy rash. However I channelled my positive energy into the mantra 'I don't approve of my walk and I will appear far more butch'. Suffice to say, I'm now far more lean and mean! Top notch.
Title : Born to Win: Transactional Analysis with Gestalt Experiments
Author : Muriel James
Rating : 4 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Well it's a classic really
Great summary of games players and how people interact, with clear examples, structured approach etc. Far better than Games People Play or I'm OK you're OK. Necesary reading for everyone who has a family or friends or job. One star docked for age, but it's stood the test of time pretty well.
Title : Sink Reflections
Author : Marla Cilley
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : It really works!
I am a born clutterholic on the verge of going on the wagon. This book really works. I agree that some of the Americanisms can start to grate after a while but you can just skip over those and the God Breezes if you choose and concentrate on the useful information about establishing routines however small that have long term results. Whilst How Clean is Your House, Life Laundry, Clear Clutter with Feng Shui etc. are gathering dust (or used to!) at the back of my bookshelf, Sink Reflections is out most days. It makes you think differently about clutter and how you deal with it and the importance of making time for yourself. There are so many things to feel guilty about - don't waste time feeling guilty about the state of your home. This book will help you achieve a clean and tidy home without the angst.
Other Related Resources:
1: http://dzineblog.com/2009/04/interface-design-inspiration-30-beautiful-website-footer-designs.html
2: http://positiveselfdevelopment.com/2008/12/19/christmas-is-a-positive-time-of-the-year/
3: http://www.betterbusinessblogging.com/business-blog-design/coming-into-land-on-your-blog
4: http://www.infomercial-hell.com/blog/2008/12/22/this-motivational-cd-may-be-the-most-depressing-product-ever/
5: http://www.news.magznetwork.com/captivating-winery-websites-for-your-inspiration.html
