motivational

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Title : The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness
Author : Stephen R. Covey
Rating : 3 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Valuable Synthesis Presented Abstractly and Ponderously

If you haven't read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, I suggest you read that one before this book.

Dr. Covey obviously pulled out all of the stops in trying to make this book as helpful as possible to his readers. The book contains summaries of the material in his other books, repeats many stories from those books, reconciles the material with most of the business book best sellers in recent years, contains a DVD full of inspiring videos, provides references to many free materials on his web site, has extensive appendices and contains many thoughtful sections on questions and answers. As a result, the book comes across like an encyclopedia of his teachings . . . rather than as the simple communication that is so delightful in his other books. I suspect that Dr. Covey changed ghostwriters for this one (at least I assume that the other books were ghostwritten because they avoid the ponderous communications style that Dr. Covey uses in person).

So what is the 8th habit? Allow me to paraphrase. It'll be quicker that way. You act with integrity as an individual and help others to do the same.

In Covey-speak, it's the overlap of personal greatness (applying the 7 habits in the forms of vision, discipline, passion and conscience), leadership greatness (applying the 4 roles of leadership (modeling the 7 habits, path finding, aligning and Empowering), and organizational greatness (turned into a vision, mission and values that bring clarity, commitment, translation, synergy, enabling and accountability). See Figure 14.3 on page 280 for the simplest expression of the 8th habit in Covey-speak.

Can you make a book out of that point? Well, if you put in lots of examples, you can . . . which Dr. Covey did. But the basic point is about a magazine article's worth. Most people will come to that realization when they see the entire book's concepts summarized in chapters 14 and 15. If you want to check this book out, read those two chapters and see if you need more at that point.

Why do millions of people read his books? Well, the earlier ones were beautifully written. This one isn't. All of his books show unadulterated respect for the reader and a belief in the reader's unlimited potential to improve. So it's inspiring to read someone's high opinion of you. Dr. Covey obviously cares that we live moral and positive lives. He's a sort of secular priest expressing moral values that most will agree with. Would we all like to work for Dr. Covey? Sure!

How well will this book translate in the workplace? It'll be a tough row. You can have a company that's good at the 8th habit, but doesn't build the necessary skills to succeed with using the 8th habit. That's because this book is heavy on concepts . . . and light on the practical details. Dr. Covey starts up at about 100,000 feet in the air with his abstract thinking and discussions, and rarely gets any closer. So think of the 8th habit book as helpful . . . but not sufficient in and of itself . . . for creating superior performance. Perhaps it will work better if you employ Dr. Covey's firm to help you (which is abundantly pitched in the book).

Dr. Covey humbly points out that his conclusions are aimed at dealing with the problems of poor communication, lousy alignment, misunderstandings about what to do next, lacks of tools and training, and dumbed-down workplaces . . . but is not supported by research (other than anecdotes from his clients) to support that this actually works better. But you'll agree, I'm sure, that even failure would feel a lot better in such an organization. So it's very humanistic, which is a good thing.

Few will disagree with the point of this book, and most wonder what this adds to Dr. Covey's work on Principle-Centered Leadership. "Not very much" is my impression.

I suspect that this book would have worked a lot better if the material had been simplified and added to the 7 habits book . . . and renamed as "The 8 Habits of Highly Effective People."

May God bless you, Dr. Covey! Keep inspiring us to be our best!

Title : The Richest Man in Babylon
Author : George S. Clason
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Timeless good advice

This is altogether an excellent book on long-term wealth creation. If you would like a way of operating your finances so that you can build up a lump sum for the future, whilst enjoying your life, then this old classic holds the key. I have just given my copy to an old friend who is up to his neck in debt. Amongst his many justifications for his current predicament are 'I don't earn enough to save/invest' and 'my family uses all my disposable income'. As a friend I hope he reads and applies the timeless principles contained within this book and, as a result, his money worries should become a thing of the past.

With bankruptcy levels within the UK at an all time high 'The Richest Man in Babylon' has never been so necessary. Read this book, but more importantly, use 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 : 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 : You Can Heal Your Life
Author : Louise L. Hay
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Life-changing!

This book was literally life-changing for me. It made me see that my thoughts actually could change my life. I also found out that I am worthy and deserving. And so are you!
The exploration of the mind-body links is fascinating. If you've ever suffered from an ailment or dis-ease this book gives you the probable emotional and mental reasons why, and an affirmation to help.
If you've suffered from bad life experiences or a traumatic childhood, read Louise's story. You'll be inspired.

Title : S.U.M.O. (Shut Up, Move On): The Straight-Talking Guide to Creating and Enjoying a Brilliant Life
Author : Paul McGee
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : To end all self help books

I'll confess I read alot of self help books but most of the time I just read them and thats it over but this book is differnat. It actually made me sit and do the exercises he asks of us such as 'write a list of what you wnat to do in the next year' and delivers a series of insirational quotes. i WOULD ABSOLUTLY RECOMEND THIS BOOK TO ANY SELF HELP READER AND IT IS THE SELF HELP BOOK TO END THEM ALL.

Title : The Four Agreements: Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (Toltec Wisdom)
Author : Don Miguel Ruiz
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Profoundly wise

I normally don't enjoy books like this; I find that they tend to peddle a load of easy answers couched in saccharine psycho-babble. This book is different. It's written in short and elegant sentences and it keeps its subject matter as simple as possible. There are no diagrams, no neologisms and no spurious theories. It's very much in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh and Eckhart Tolle.

I got a lot out of this book and I think that the message it contains is a very important one.