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Archive for the ‘Personal Development’ Category

New Business Book Summary Available for The Oz Principle

Posted in Personal Development, tagged , on November 18, 2016| Leave a Comment »

the-oz-principle

In The Oz Principle, Roger Connors, Tom Smith, and Craig Hickman use Dorothy’s empowering journey from L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz as a metaphor to illustrate the transforming effects of personal accountability and ownership on organizational results. The authors demonstrate how accountability can be achieved through a four-step approach based on practical and proven results: Muster the courage to see it, find the heart to own it, obtain the wisdom to solve it, and exercise the means to do it. When properly applied, these steps enable leaders, managers, and frontline workers in any organization to overcome obstacles and deliver improved bottom-line results.

Whether a company is languishing or thriving, performance invariably improves when employees take on greater levels of personal accountability and ownership. Accountability is an empowering force that produces proven results and provides a solid foundation for long-lasting solutions. Following Dorothy’s journey in The Wizard of Oz, The Oz Principle provides four steps for avoiding victimization and achieving organizational accountability:

  1. See It. A negative situation must be carefully assessed through self-appraisal. There must be a realization that more can be done to achieve the desired outcome.
  2.  Own It. Finger-pointing and blame must be set aside. Ownership and responsibility for a situation and one’s role in it must be shouldered in order to move the organization forward.
  3. Solve It. It is important to find and apply new ideas that may help the organization overcome obstacles and anticipate what is ahead.
  4. Do It. Employees must bravely commit to following through with solutions to achieve the target outcomes.

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New Business Book Summary Available for The Power of Fifty Bits

Posted in Book Summaries, goal setting, Personal Development, Productivity, tagged , , , , on August 16, 2016| Leave a Comment »

The Power of 50 BitsPeople’s natural inclinations when making decisions tend to default to patterns that do not help them in the long run. While there is broad agreement among researchers about the science underpinning these tendencies, people need more solutions to help overcome the gap between what they really want to do and what they actually do. In The Power of Fifty Bits, Bob Nease offers a seven-pronged strategy to deal with common decision-making failures. He explains why people struggle with inattention and inertia and demonstrates how simple changes in environment can nudge people toward better overall outcomes.

People typically have good intentions, but they often struggle to act on them. This is because people’s brains have evolved in a way that makes inattention and inertia the two primary obstacles to action. Fifty bits design acknowledges the brain’s natural limitations and addresses them with the following seven strategies:

  1. Require choice: Interrupting a process, usually an existing one, and forcing a person to make a decision before he or she can continue the process.
  2. Lock in good intentions: Making some type of statement–a pledge, a signed document, or automatic reaction–in the present, which increases the chances that people will follow through on good behavior in the future.
  3. Let it ride: Making the desired behavior the default and asking people to opt out of a behavior rather than opt in, thereby using inattention and inertia for good.
  4. Get in the flow: Placing a cue or call to action in a location where people have already devoted their attention.
  5. Reframe the choices: Altering what a cue triggers in people, which directs people’s attention toward some aspects of an issue and away from others.
  6. Piggyback it: Making a behavior typically subject to inertia and/or inattention the side effect of something that people seek out or find pleasurable.
  7. Simplify…wisely: Removing barriers to change or improving fluency (the relative ease with which the brain processes information). Simplification of either type is usually, though not always, a smart design choice.

To learn more, please visit http://www.bizsum.com

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New Business Book Summary Available for The Power of Being Yourself

Posted in Book Summaries, Personal Development, tagged , , , on June 17, 2016| Leave a Comment »

The Power of Being Yourself.jpg

In The Power of Being Yourself, Joe Plumeri challenges people to be truly authentic in both their professional and personal lives and not shy away from emotion and passion. He gives readers eight universal principles to live by to achieve lasting success, fulfillment, and self-actualization.

Plumeri challenges people to be themselves in their professional and personal lives by using eight principles:

  1. Everyone has the same plumbing.When business is conducted across nations and cultures, it can be easy to overemphasize the differences between people. Differences are just distractions from aspects of humanity that unite people.
  2. Show the way to grandma’s house. Realizing visions requires bringing them to life by associating them with smells, sounds, and all the senses.
  3. Cut your own path. Respect and destiny are attained by courageously following a passion and working hard to be the best and most capable within that passion.
  4. Let sadness teach you. Loss can be a difficult but effective teacher. When people care for their employees, coworkers, family, and friends, they learn what is truly valuable in life.
  5. Look up, not down. Difficult times are a true test of people’s ability to rise above circumstances and stay positive. The willingness to look up and believe that anything is possible brings transformation.
  6. Play in traffic. Getting excited about the other principles will not matter much if people do not then go out and apply them and take action. “Play in traffic” means exposing oneself to opportunities for serendipity.
  7. Make your heart your teleprompter. The heart should be the primary compass in decision making. Tools like data, technology, market research, and consultants should remain tools; they should never be substitutes for what people’s hearts are saying.
  8. You gotta have a purpose!People need a reason to begin each day and to do their work beyond making money.

To learn more, please visit http://www.bizsum.com

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New Business Book Summary Available for Quitting

Posted in Book Summaries, Motivation, Personal Development, Productivity, tagged , , , , on May 11, 2016| Leave a Comment »

QuittingIn Quitting, bestselling author Peg Streep and social worker Alan Bernstein expose the defects in the culture of persistence, and explore the science of healthy quitting in life situations, from relationships to work choices to recreation. They reveal that truly successful people are masters of both persistence and quitting, which includes the understanding of when to continue a course of action and when to disengage from it.

According to the authors:

  • Common wisdom holds that winners never quit, and quitters never win. This myth of the power of persistence has a deep hold in American culture, and leads people to remain in relationships, jobs, and situations when the healthier choice would be to leave.
  • Healthy quitting–stopping a course of action in a thoughtful, deliberate manner in order to pursue a new, more fitting goal–is a life skill that everyone needs to learn.
  • Truly successful people are masters of both persisting and quitting. When they quit, they completely detach from their previous goals and devote themselves to pursuing new ones.
  • Emotional intelligence is a person’s ability to understand and work with their emotions. Emotionally intelligent people can deal with the feelings caused by quitting. They also understand what makes them happy, which is essential to establishing attainable goals.
  • People need to understand themselves, and their approaches to challenges, in order to set attainable goals. Mapping, or writing down goals, helps people keep track of their progress and determine whether a goal is worth pursuing or whether it is time to disengage from it.
  • True goal disengagement is complete only when a person re-engages with a new, attainable, suitable goal that furthers his or her personal development and happiness.

To learn more, please visit http://www.bizsum.com

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New Business Book Summary Available for 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do

Posted in Book Summaries, Emotional Intelligence, Personal Development, Uncategorized, tagged , , on January 6, 2016| Leave a Comment »

13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t DoIn 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do, author and therapist Amy Morin presents the 13 most important things that people who are emotionally on top of their games do not do. No one does everything right all the time, but by acknowledging all 13 of these behaviors, actions, and feelings, people can make significant progress in their lives. Mentally strong people have better chances of success, develop better relationships, and are generally happier and healthier.

Mentally strong people do not:

  1. Waste time feeling sorry for themselves. This is a self-destructive behavior that leads to more negative emotions.
  2. Give away their power. People can still be kind while demanding that others respect them.
  3. Shy away from change. Change can be scary and uncomfortable, but it is necessary for growth.
  4. Focus on things they cannot control. Trying to manage what is out of one’s control just leads to increased anxiety and stress.
  5. Worry about pleasing everyone. Conflict and confrontation are often uncomfortable, but constantly avoiding it makes it impossible for people to reach their goals.
  6. Fear taking calculated risks. Sometimes people’s fears and anxieties do not actually match the risks they are taking.
  7. Dwell on the past. Self-reflection can be healthy, but dwelling can be self-destructive.
  8. Make the same mistakes over and over. Repeating the same mistakes does not change anything.
  9. Resent other people’s success. Resenting someone else’s success can cause a person to behave illogically.
  10. Give up after one failure. Some of the most accomplished people in the world failed dozens of times before achieving success.
  11. Fear alone time. Creating time to be alone with one’s thoughts is a powerful experience.
  12. Feel the world owes them anything. A sense of entitlement does nothing but anger others.
  13. Expect immediate results. Change takes time.

To learn more, please visit http://www.bizsum.com

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New Business Book Summary Available for Mind Gym

Posted in Book Summaries, Personal Development, tagged , , , , , , , on November 4, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Mind GymSometimes life’s circumstances are out of people’s control. However, how individuals think, feel, and behave as a result of those circumstances is very much within their control. It is simply a matter of learning to think, react, and respond in positive and productive ways. In Mind Gym, authors Sebastian Bailey and Octavius Black share scientifically based exercises and techniques anyone can use to train the mind to think positively and productively, including resetting thoughts, taking control, deepening connections, persuading others, resolving conflict, letting creative juices flow, and minimizing stress. The result is a more successful, fulfilling life.

Mind Gym provides techniques individuals can use to control and change their thoughts and actions in order to have more successful lives:

  • Resetting the mind from automatic thinking to conscious, attentive, optimistic thinking.
  • Taking control of actions and overcoming procrastination.
  • Deepening connections with others and adopting an “I’m Okay/You’re Okay” mind-set.
  • Persuading others in order to enhance personal relationships and achieve objectives.
  • Resolving conflict by breaking destructive communication patterns, engaging in authentic dialog, and removing drama from relationships.
  • Letting creative juices flow to accentuate inspiration and innovation.
  • Minimizing stress in order to maximize bliss.

To learn more, please visit http://www.bizsum.com

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New summary available for Mindfulness at Work

Posted in Book Summaries, Personal Development, tagged , , , on June 12, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Mindfulness at WorkThe professional world is characterized by high levels of stress, discontentment, and burnout. Individuals spend their entire lives laboring in their chosen professions, and the joyless attitudes that define much of the modern approach to work produces palpably unpleasant results. Spurred by the prevalence of mindless misery in the workplace, Dr. Stephen McKenzie pennedMindfulness at Work in an attempt to introduce the meditative discipline of mindfulness to today’s modern professionals. By offering helpful tips on integrating mindfulness practices into people’s everyday jobs, Dr. McKenzie explores how forging meaningful connections results in positive health benefits, increased job satisfaction, and improved performance.

According to the authors:

  • Leadership is highly valued in the workplace, but a precise definition can be difficult to identify. Mindful leadership is characterized by true engagement with others and the realization of collective goals rather than self-interest and power-centric objectives.
  • Individuals generally pick professions and stick to them for their entire working lives. This can often seem like a prison sentence, but by incorporating mindfulness principles into their professional activities, individuals can transform their outlooks and increase their personal satisfaction.
  • Professional relationships can be hard to manage; therefore, leaders must place relational perspectives around mindful principles to find common ground and work for a common good.
  • Creativity is a frequently used buzzword in the workplace, but it is often seen as elusive and difficult to capture within the parameters of a job description. Mindful professionals can heighten their creative output by simply letting go of whatever is stopping them.
  • Many job-related tasks can seem monotonous and frustrating, but by engaging with the tasks at hand and shedding previous notions of their characteristics, mindful professionals can find deep enjoyment in even the most mundane chores.
  • All industries can benefit from a healthy dose of mindfulness, but some professions in particular can see very specific results, including those in healthcare, law, education, sales, and the arts.

To learn more, please visit http://www.bizsum.com

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New summary available for Compassionate Careers

Posted in Book Summaries, Career Development, Personal Development on June 5, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Compassionate CareersMembers of today’s young Millennial generation strive to become part of something bigger than themselves. Despite the social stigmas, family objections, and financial concerns that have typically deterred people from cause-driven work, many young people today are seeking compassionate careers in cause-focused organizations. By following the nine-step framework detailed by Jeffrey W. Pryor and Alexandra Mitchell in Compassionate Careers, young people can discover what they truly care about, explore their opportunities, build their connections, and get started in their pursuits of compassionate careers. The framework can be applied to navigate young people toward the paths that will bring meaning into both their work and personal lives.

According to the authors, young people should do the following when trying to decide on a career path:

  • Find a path with a heart. Young people want to make a difference in the world, and opportunities abound across the globe. Between nonprofits, foundations, corporate social responsibility firms, and social enterprise organizations, young people have many opportunities to find compassionate careers.
  • Overcome social stigma. Some young people have hesitations about working in cause-focused organizations. The most common hesitations revolve around professional status, family support, integrity and trust, compensation, and prospects for diversity.
  • Begin change with a spark. Young people are typically inspired by role models, their communities, or epiphanies. Once inspired, they must decide which causes matter most to them.
  • Turn angst to action. Many young people are inspired by life’s challenges. When this happens, they must reassess their priorities and advocate for their causes.
  • Explore the options. When considering compassionate careers, young people must think about their personal preferences, stress levels, culture fits, and brands. Once they have identified the types of organizations they want to work for, they should develop their educational backgrounds and professional networks.
  • Navigate by choice. Young people should be aware of organizations that do nothing to invest in their future. They must know what they want to achieve and develop their own paths forward.
  • Consider jobs without borders. International opportunities are plentiful, but before going global, young people must consider if they have a spirit of adventure. If they do, they must also consider their families and interdependence issues before deciding to go abroad.
  • Become the River Keepers. Young people in compassionate careers must be grateful to the River Keepers, the people who came before them and paved the way. As they become River Keepers themselves, young people must work hard to contribute to the character and quality of others’ lives.
  • Get started. To get started on the path toward compassionate careers, young people must identify their values, overcome their concerns, explore their resources and opportunities, and navigate toward making money while also making a difference.

To learn more, please visit http://www.bizsum.com

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New summary available for How to Be Happy

Posted in Book Summaries, Personal Development, tagged , , , , , on March 20, 2015| Leave a Comment »

How to Be HappyIn How to Be Happy, Liggy Webb explores the meaning of happiness and provides a toolkit of approaches and techniques to build confidence and resilience in order to become a healthier and happier person. Her comprehensive treatment explains the key elements leading to happiness, including the importance of a positive attitude, being the best that you can be, maintaining physical and mental fitness, handling stress, managing change, developing resiliency, engaging in lifelong learning, nurturing positive relationships, appreciating life and its gifts, cultivating kindness, and loving and serving others.

According to Webb:

  • Happiness is a journey, not a destination. You can make the decision to be happier, if you really want it. Achieving happiness takes practice and the ability to work out your own plan for accomplishing it.
  • In defining happiness, it is important to appreciate what you have. Do not let a constant, undefined search divert you from that. “How can I become happier?” is probably a better question than “Am I happy?”
  • Developing and sustaining a positive mental attitude is the key to health and happiness. When faced with a problem, view it as an opportunity and seek out possibilities and solutions.
  • Be open and positive toward change, occasionally stepping out of your comfort zone. Understand the emotions that change can bring and learn to deal with them. Challenge your own limiting beliefs, develop your self-confidence, and believe in yourself.
  • Investing in good health is essential. Exercise every day, drink lots of water, and eat a healthy diet.
  • Learn to limit and manage stress. Be assertive in your communications and dealings, seek the benefits in change, and avoid imposing stress on yourself. Become resilient by turning problems into opportunities.
  • Constant learning promotes mental health and happiness. Learn in multiple ways, improve memory skills, teach others what you have learned, and put what you have learned into practice.
  • Cultivate positive, nurturing relationships. Accept and celebrate differences, develop your communications skills, be more understanding and empathetic, and treat others as you would have them treat you.
  • Sustainable happiness requires finding your own work-home balance. Be sure to establish priorities and manage your time more effectively.
  • Gratitude is an indispensable aspect of health, wholeness, and well-being. Decide to be grateful and wake up with that attitude. Focus on giving and cultivate the habit of saying “thank you.”
  • *The key to a happy life is identifying and pursuing your own purpose, with the intent of making the world a better place. Lead by example, respect and value others, commit random acts of kindness, and support charities.

To download three free summaries, please visit our site.

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Coach Yourself to Win

Posted in Book Summaries, Career Development, Personal Development, tagged , , , on October 24, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Coach Yourself to WinPeople have the ability to change many of the behaviors that hinder their success at work and in their personal lives. But self-improvement takes self-scrutiny, honesty, and effort. Additionally, it requires a knowledgeable, objective guide and a circle of supporters. In Coach Yourself to Win, leadership development expert Howard M. Guttman explains the most effective self-coaching techniques and how to find the most promising helpers. Importantly, he also offers proven strategies that will help readers rebound from setbacks and adjust their goals in order to maintain a lifetime commitment to positive, observable change.

According to Guttman:

  • Successful self-coaching begins with the firm belief that a positive outcome is achievable and worth a significant effort. This belief is rooted in an awareness of one’s current, observable behavior; the ability, readiness, and willingness to change; and the commitment to making the change permanent.
  • Setting intention is the first step toward bringing about a desired behavior change. Intentions provide focus, galvanize energy, and prompt individuals to take action.
  • No one should undertake self-coaching alone. Self-coachers need guides, or mentors, to help them stay on track, as well as circles of supporters to provide additional help, advice, and feedback.
  • Feedback, a vital part of the self-coaching process, is verbal or nonverbal communication that provides information about how the recipient’s behavior affects others. Framing questions appropriately and asking them during personal interviews will help ensure that the feedback is useful and facilitates a constructive response.
  • Self-coachers must be able to analyze feedback objectively and rationally. Receiving negative feedback can be hurtful and difficult, but good self-coachers learn to respond in positive ways without defensiveness.
  • The proof of a strong intention is a workable plan. In addition to being focused on intentions, good plans are realistic and simple. They build in contingencies, set time lines, and cover all the bases involved in implementation.
  • Barriers to the successful achievement of intention can occur at any time in the self-coaching process. The best way for people to deal with unexpected obstacles is to continually reassess their progress and, if necessary, rethink their original plans and intentions.

To download three free summaries, please visit our site.

 

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