A similar approach to Brian Mayne's Goal Mapping but applied to you as an individual. Taking you through the steps of producing a pictorial representation of your ideal self.
The approach borders on a philosophy for life in places and I had trouble with the chosen terms self, low-self, high Self and Self (I think these could be improved on to make the book clearer) but there were plenty of thoughtful quotes.
In esscence, the book sets out to help the reader overcom their instinctive reactions to situations and choose the response they would like by understanding ther own personal subconscious drivers. The first part of the book focuses on negative traits holding you back and he second half on who you want to be more often.
A different point of view is simply the view from a point where you are not (physically or mentally) p31
He who knows others is wise, he who knows himself is enlightened p25
We can learn from every experience p99
Your level of performance will never besignifiacntly higher than your belief of your ability p41
Life is a scholol wheer the lesson is repeated as often as is necessary p193
The secret of the hapiest peope is that they see the best in everything, in whatever they have p26
Saturday 31 January 2009
Sunday 25 January 2009
Life's a game so fix the odds
I heard Philip Hesketh speak at a confidence club seminar in January 2009, he was a great speaker so I got hold of the book.
A version of how to win friends and influence people for the modern sales professional is how I would describe the content mixed in with some of Philip's life history. The techniques don't just apply to sales though, they are equally valuable whenever you are attempting to negotiate or persuade someone.
Covering the science of persuasion, the benefits of being different and of valuing diversity in others and finally the tools to help persuade people to buy from you and hence your business.
A version of how to win friends and influence people for the modern sales professional is how I would describe the content mixed in with some of Philip's life history. The techniques don't just apply to sales though, they are equally valuable whenever you are attempting to negotiate or persuade someone.
Covering the science of persuasion, the benefits of being different and of valuing diversity in others and finally the tools to help persuade people to buy from you and hence your business.
Thursday 15 January 2009
Outliers
In this book Malcolm Gladwell looks at the underlying factors behind success, or more specifically successful people.
Of course he say there is talent but that is certainly not enough. The outstanding have been born at a certain time, in a certain place and have had certain life experiences that created opportunities for them that they had the strength and courage to sieze and make something of.
One of his key messages is that true outstanding performance comes basically from hard work - around 10,000 hours of it to achieve true mastery of a skill. That's why the world's top sportsmen (and women) spend so much time practising.
Perhaps one of the most depressing messages though is that the artifical cut-off dates we impose on selection processes for young children automaticalkly exclude at least half the available talent pool (think of how summer born children perform in the UK and USA education systems, and then because they get less education, they perform less well so they don't get picked for the top sets so they perform less well so then they don't get to the top universities ad so have lower job opportunities and lifetime earnings - all because of an arbitary September cutt-off date for school admissions.
Those children from disadvantaged family backgrounds where there is no history of positive attitude to education suffer even more. And just look at what a transformation a program such as KIPP can make (and what sacrifices it requires).
The book end with Malcom reviewing his own opporrtunities and their roots seveal generations previously in the colour predujice amongst the various shades of black and brown on Jamacia.
As ever, Malcom writes in a engaging style - if you enjoyed Blink or The Tipping Point you will want to read Outliers as well
Of course he say there is talent but that is certainly not enough. The outstanding have been born at a certain time, in a certain place and have had certain life experiences that created opportunities for them that they had the strength and courage to sieze and make something of.
One of his key messages is that true outstanding performance comes basically from hard work - around 10,000 hours of it to achieve true mastery of a skill. That's why the world's top sportsmen (and women) spend so much time practising.
Perhaps one of the most depressing messages though is that the artifical cut-off dates we impose on selection processes for young children automaticalkly exclude at least half the available talent pool (think of how summer born children perform in the UK and USA education systems, and then because they get less education, they perform less well so they don't get picked for the top sets so they perform less well so then they don't get to the top universities ad so have lower job opportunities and lifetime earnings - all because of an arbitary September cutt-off date for school admissions.
Those children from disadvantaged family backgrounds where there is no history of positive attitude to education suffer even more. And just look at what a transformation a program such as KIPP can make (and what sacrifices it requires).
The book end with Malcom reviewing his own opporrtunities and their roots seveal generations previously in the colour predujice amongst the various shades of black and brown on Jamacia.
As ever, Malcom writes in a engaging style - if you enjoyed Blink or The Tipping Point you will want to read Outliers as well
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