BR 13: Difficult Conversations by Douglas Stone

August 26, 2010 alearningaday

Category: 2 – BUY it! (All Categories are 1 – Read ASAP!, 2 – BUY it!, 3 – SHELF it, 4 – SOMEDAY it)

Comments: It’s funny I rate this so high because I recall this book having a rather boring narrator. That definitely says a LOT about it’s impact! In simple words, the book does 2 things – emphasize the importance of having those ‘difficult conversations’ and avoid sweeping things under the target in all relationships that matter to us hoping that things will turn out okay. Secondly, it talks about the importance of differentiating between facts and feelings when presenting issues.

What to expect: Lots of example incidents that provide for great learning. And lots of ideas on how to approach ‘that‘ difficult conversation.

Add on Mar 16 2016: I don’t remember much from the book except that it reinforced the importance of having difficult conversations. It is an idea I’ve tried to stay true to.

3. SHELF it · Book Review Actions · Book Reviews · Psychology · Self Improvement · Skills

BR 12: Goals by Brian Tracy

August 24, 2010 alearningaday

Category: 3 – SHELF it (All Categories are 1 – Read ASAP!, 2 – BUY it!, 3 – SHELF it, 4 – SOMEDAY it)

Comments: Good book on impact! Tracy spells out many simple and oft-heard of ways to make sure we integrate goal setting into our lives. After years, we tend to remember very little from books we read but that’s where this book scores even if the content may seem cliche. I found it scoring well on the impact it’s had on my way of thought..

What to expect: Tracy’s your quintessential sales guru who likes spelling out things to make them simple and easy to follow. So, while a lot of the book may seem simple and elementary, it is not reading it that matters, like any other self-help group, it’s the execution on it that makes a difference!

ADD on Mar 16 2016: I don’t think I agree with the thesis of this book now. I’ve come to learn that we ought to focus on systems vs. goals.

3. SHELF it · Book Review Actions · Book Reviews · Money · Self Improvement

BR 6: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

August 10, 2010 alearningaday

Category: 3 – SHELF it (All Categories are 1 – Read ASAP!, 2 – BUY it!, 3 – SHELF it, 4 – SOMEDAY it)

Comments: A book that attempts to dumb the concept if ‘investment’ down and inculcate some very basic financial lessons. The best concept I took away from the book was the importance of ‘not working for money’.

What to expect: For all those who haven’t had basic financial education as kids, this book attempts to bring some very basic concepts to life and banish some commonly held myths about investing and financial management.

2. BUY it! · Book Review Actions · Book Reviews · Psychology · Self Improvement · Skills

BR 4: Getting Things Done by David Allen

August 3, 2010 alearningaday1 Comment

Category: 2 – BUY it! (All Categories are 1 – Read ASAP!, 2 – BUY it!, 3 – SHELF it, 4 – SOMEDAY it)

Comments: The big issue I faced here was that the audio book was narrated by David Allen himself and it just turns out that he’s a narrator who put me to sleep about 3 times. Having said that, the ideas in the book are very powerful and I’m sure reading the paper back would mean a whole different set of learning.

Top Lessons: 3 powerful concepts have stuck:

i) Maintain a bin: A bin is a place where you shelve ALL ideas/thoughts that require action. This makes sure you are always focused on the currrent job. So, whenever there is a new smart idea, it is filed away and reviewed again when it’s time to prioritize

ii) Inbox 0: The highest source of stress is an inbox with many emails. Make sure the number of emails is always 0! ‘Impossible!’ – you may cry. What about emails that need follow up/whose action is not in your control?

iii) Make a WIP folder: WIP is my own term for ‘Work in Progress’. You know what it’s for of course.. the aim is to keep the inbox to 0 emails.

Add on Mar 16, 2016: A full 8 years later, these 3 lessons are still critical in how I approach getting things done.