How To Get Control of Your Time And Your Life by Alan Lakein
While I was at Barnes and Noble, I bought this mass market paperback for $6.99. It is a very quick read. The book is only 160 pages long and can be read in afternoon. It was originally published in 1974 so it has withstood the test of time.
The book shows tried and true methods of time management and goal setting; the A list of personal goals, the to do list, daily scheduling, and breaking tasks into manageable actions. In addition to methods there are numeroous admonishments and tips; handle a piece of paper only once, "if something is worth doing, it is worth doing badly," learn to say "no", there is an 80/20 rule are some of the ideas presented.
Alan Lakein comes across as sensible and practical. He tries to answer Lakein's question, "What is the best use of your time?" as well as "What is the price of delay?"
This is a short focused book by a Harvard M.B.A. and a recognized expert in time management. The book has sold over 3 million copies.
Showing posts with label time management. Show all posts
Showing posts with label time management. Show all posts
Monday, June 15, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time (Paperback)
Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time (Paperback)by Brian Tracy (Author)
The video of this book very much reflects the feeling of reading this book. The book is compilation of 21 self help techniques to improve your productivity in your career. These techniques seem to be drawn from a variety of different sources.
The key thought in the book, "Eating the Frog" is about ending procrastination and figuring out what are the most important things to do in your job to be productive. Face the most important thing you have to do in the morning and start working on it. This book is not just about working yourself to death. It is about figuring out what to delegate, what to stop doing, and how to make your tasks more manageable by breaking them down into manageable pieces.
The ideas seemed to me to have a lot of common sense. Get enough sleep, eat right, exercise, don't let technology take over your life, write your goals down and then start working on them immediately.
I thought the book seemed a bit busy at times, work constantly and never stop. This is my main contention with the book. Sometimes, it seems to forget the mental process of preparing for things and jump right in.
At the same time, the book helped me a bit on focusing on some of my career goals better. One of the exercises was to write down ten of your most important goals. I now have some idea of how I might better delegate some tasks and identify what the most important things I should be doing are. It also reminded me to clear my desk and focus on one thing at a time.
This is one of the better motivational books that I have read. It is a good book to read if you are having problems with procrastination or prioritizing what you need to do.
The video of this book very much reflects the feeling of reading this book. The book is compilation of 21 self help techniques to improve your productivity in your career. These techniques seem to be drawn from a variety of different sources.
The key thought in the book, "Eating the Frog" is about ending procrastination and figuring out what are the most important things to do in your job to be productive. Face the most important thing you have to do in the morning and start working on it. This book is not just about working yourself to death. It is about figuring out what to delegate, what to stop doing, and how to make your tasks more manageable by breaking them down into manageable pieces.
The ideas seemed to me to have a lot of common sense. Get enough sleep, eat right, exercise, don't let technology take over your life, write your goals down and then start working on them immediately.
I thought the book seemed a bit busy at times, work constantly and never stop. This is my main contention with the book. Sometimes, it seems to forget the mental process of preparing for things and jump right in.
At the same time, the book helped me a bit on focusing on some of my career goals better. One of the exercises was to write down ten of your most important goals. I now have some idea of how I might better delegate some tasks and identify what the most important things I should be doing are. It also reminded me to clear my desk and focus on one thing at a time.
This is one of the better motivational books that I have read. It is a good book to read if you are having problems with procrastination or prioritizing what you need to do.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Getting Results For Dummies by Mark H. McCormack
Getting Results For Dummies Get Organized, Stay Focused, and Get Things Done! by Mark H. McCormack
This is a very straightforward book. It is about how to organize your life and get results using simple, straightforward principles.
Mark H. McCormack uses a legal pad, a pen, and a plan to organize his life. He carries his legal pads wherever he goes. The book tells you to find a simple place to write things down which you can always have with you. Technology does not always work.
Using the example of Arnold Palmer, he tells you that being organized is not uptight nor does it create a deficit to creativity. Leonardo Da Vinci was quite organized.
Once you have your notebook, you have to write everything down which you plan to do, prioritize by number, then approximate the time it takes to do what needs to be done. Give yourself extra time to finish what you are supposed to do. "A schedule is a list with an established time frame."
Having a priority list is not enough for a week, you need to plan for a month, a year, five years. This leads to long term objectives. According to Mark H. McCormack, writing everything down and managing your time is part of the philosophy of Management by Objective (MBO). I personally find this idea rather appealing. Management by objective is an accepted business practice.
The chapters in this book go over many other subjects in addition to schedules and objectives. He describes how to declutter, organize your finances, store your goods, manage email and phones, organize your money, and plan.
There are numerous tips throughout the book: A pile on a desk is a sign of disorganization, write everything down don't rely on memory, television is a waste of time, and don't be afraid to say no.
The style of this book is rather interesting; examples come from various sports figures; Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer, Se Ri Pak, Martina Navratilova, and Michael Jordan are described as being very results driven. Mark H. McCormack runs International Management Group, the worlds largest sports marketing organization. The author understands what it takes to win. He also wrote the bestselling book, What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School: Notes From A Street Smart Executive.
This is a very straightforward book. It is about how to organize your life and get results using simple, straightforward principles.
Mark H. McCormack uses a legal pad, a pen, and a plan to organize his life. He carries his legal pads wherever he goes. The book tells you to find a simple place to write things down which you can always have with you. Technology does not always work.
Using the example of Arnold Palmer, he tells you that being organized is not uptight nor does it create a deficit to creativity. Leonardo Da Vinci was quite organized.
Once you have your notebook, you have to write everything down which you plan to do, prioritize by number, then approximate the time it takes to do what needs to be done. Give yourself extra time to finish what you are supposed to do. "A schedule is a list with an established time frame."
Having a priority list is not enough for a week, you need to plan for a month, a year, five years. This leads to long term objectives. According to Mark H. McCormack, writing everything down and managing your time is part of the philosophy of Management by Objective (MBO). I personally find this idea rather appealing. Management by objective is an accepted business practice.
The chapters in this book go over many other subjects in addition to schedules and objectives. He describes how to declutter, organize your finances, store your goods, manage email and phones, organize your money, and plan.
There are numerous tips throughout the book: A pile on a desk is a sign of disorganization, write everything down don't rely on memory, television is a waste of time, and don't be afraid to say no.
The style of this book is rather interesting; examples come from various sports figures; Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer, Se Ri Pak, Martina Navratilova, and Michael Jordan are described as being very results driven. Mark H. McCormack runs International Management Group, the worlds largest sports marketing organization. The author understands what it takes to win. He also wrote the bestselling book, What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School: Notes From A Street Smart Executive.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Collins Best Practices Time Management Set Priorities To Get Things Done Right by John Hoover
Collins Best Practices Time Management Set Priorities To Get Things Done Right by John Hoover
Last night on the train home after work, I read Collins Best Practices, Time management, Set Priorities to Get Things Done by John Hoover. I rather liked this book with its simple format and lots of color. The book is well designed.
Time Management is a practical book. One of the only measures which you can get from these types of books is can you use the ideas in the book and will it help you in your work. This book reminded me that I needed to get a new telephone log for my desk.
Most of the ideas are fairly simple. If you are more organized you can be much more creative. Make sure you schedule extra time to finish things, activities usually take longer than you plan. Keep a to do list and prioritize which things you need to finish first. Choosing which things you do is more important than planning to do everything at once. Simple, practical, easy to use.
There is a summary of points to remember at the end of each chapter, and at the end of the book, there is a summary of the whole book. There are quotes, bullet pointed suggestion lists, and simple self tests on your time management skills. The book ends with a suggested reading list and index. I read the book in two hours. Take the time to learn a bit on time management.
Last night on the train home after work, I read Collins Best Practices, Time management, Set Priorities to Get Things Done by John Hoover. I rather liked this book with its simple format and lots of color. The book is well designed.
Time Management is a practical book. One of the only measures which you can get from these types of books is can you use the ideas in the book and will it help you in your work. This book reminded me that I needed to get a new telephone log for my desk.
Most of the ideas are fairly simple. If you are more organized you can be much more creative. Make sure you schedule extra time to finish things, activities usually take longer than you plan. Keep a to do list and prioritize which things you need to finish first. Choosing which things you do is more important than planning to do everything at once. Simple, practical, easy to use.
There is a summary of points to remember at the end of each chapter, and at the end of the book, there is a summary of the whole book. There are quotes, bullet pointed suggestion lists, and simple self tests on your time management skills. The book ends with a suggested reading list and index. I read the book in two hours. Take the time to learn a bit on time management.
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