1. ISBN13: 9780142000281
2. Condition: NEW
3. Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Customer Review :

Excellent book

The book gives specific, doable ideas about how to increase productivity in a systematic way. I read it before moving into a new office and was able to use its ideas to set up my new space in a much more efficient way.

Rating :

Roadmap for productivity...

David Allen has provided a very clear strategy for effectively managing ones busy, multi-faceted existence. I thought that this book would be useful in helping me organize my business projects. I've come to realize that it provided useful tools for managing all of my ideas about "things" I wanted to "get done" while integrating all of my goals personal and professional, current and foretasted. I have recommended it to many people.

Rating :

Life changing -- if you're ready

If you implement even some of the methods in this book, your life will change for the better. It's very important, however, to be mentally prepared to take massive action and make structural changes BEFORE you start to read. I put off reading this book for over a year, and only dove in when I knew I was ready for a change. If you're in the frame of mind for a massive overhaul of your work and life organizational systems, this book is the perfect place to start. If you're not, you'll likely skim this book, think the author has great ideas, but fail to execute.

The message that resonated most to me was that we free up our creative energy by controlling the smaller details that overwhelm us.

Rating :

Quadruple Your Productivity and Enjoy a Little Life

Why You Should Read It: Time is the only real scarce resource. We are all battling for more of it. The only way to have more is to spend it wisely.


Review:

I just finished Getting Things Done. I know. I'm a little late to the game. It was a quick read and I loved the premise. There were no doubt some clear productivity "ah-ha's" as I read. I have spent a lot of time learning and developing my own productivity system over the years and I'm excited to implement a few more of Allan's nuggets. Most of the things he mentions are not totally novel but the package he puts them in catches an eye.

Top 6 Ways to Quadruple Productivity and Have a Little More Time to Enjoy Life:

1. "What is the next task that will get me toward my desired outcome?" This is the biggest point Allen drives home. Always ask this question upon completion of a meeting or task. This alone will put your productivity through the roof. Let this be the last time that you leave the site of a goal, plan or meeting without a clearly defined and scheduled next action item to make it a reality.

2. Plan Your Week. Spend at least a half hour or an hour at the beginning (or end) of each week taking stock of what you accomplished the prior week, what you didn't accomplish, what you learned and what your desired outcomes are for the week to come. Many people dive right into the week with no plan of what they want their week to look like. And then get frustrated when nothing gets done. Be intentional and get committed. Things will start to happen. Spend an hour sharpening the saw to makes the week's cutting all the easier. I have been doing this every week for years.

3. Schedule It. Things do not get done unless you schedule them. By definition in order for a task to be completed it must physically occupy some portion of your life. Lists have become so arbitrary. They get longer and longer and are rarely prioritized, leaving you overwhelmed when everything doesn't get checked off. Also, the average person drastically under estimates how long something will take (at least we're optimistic). This causes them to put 27 hours worth of work on one day's list. Reserving time on your calendar forces you to be honest with yourself and get completed only what is reasonable in the time you have available. Proper expectations are a huge part of getting things done.

4. Schedule A Buffer. We have now come to grips with the fact that everything takes longer than expected. Now except the fact that things always come up that we didn't plan. They take time and sometimes they have to happen right away. Schedule buffer time for these. I literally block off an hour or two each day that simply says "buffer time". It almost always gets filled up with something urgent and unexpected and when it doesn't, I have an hour of my life back-an amazing feeling. That's when it's time to get outside and have some fun (or do whatever you like to do with spare time-other than check email).

5. Give Yourself Strict and Short Deadlines. This is not contradictory to Schedule It. Yes, things take longer than expected, and they also will take up as much time as you have available. We call this Parkinson's Law. The time required to complete a project is directly proportional to the time you have available. In other words, if you have time to waste, you will waste it. You have a day to study for an exam. It takes a day. You have two weeks to study. It takes two weeks. Give yourself enough time to complete a task but not a moment more. Set these limits up in advance.

6. Don't Check Email First Thing in the Morning. If you haven't heard this before, you have not been listening. This is huge. No matter what you're doing, email will immediately throw you off and suck the time and energy out of your life. Get your most important things done in the first 2-3 hours of the day. Then check some email and a little Facebook. I know I do not need to convince you on merit of this. I just need to break you from your addiction.

7. Do Your Most Import Things First. This goes with the above. First thing in the morning (after a good workout and breakfast), since I already have a plan for the week, I know what's most important for the day. So I dive into those 2-3 tasks first. Often before even opening my computer or connecting to the internet, and definitely before checking email. You will feel mountains better about the rest of the day with your major items behind you. Then there's plenty of time to waste away on email.

8. Get a Good System to Keep Track of Your Life. Everyone does things differently and no system will be perfect for all of us. But there are some amazing tools out there for free or almost free to get you started. Whatever the cost, if it gets you organized and motivates you to get things done, it's worth the investment. I use a combination of the Tony Robbins Time of Your Life Planning System, 7 Habits and 4-Hour Work Week in conjunction with my iCal, Google Calendar, Things and Evernote, all synced to my iPhone for what I feel has become my own little work of art. Can't forget a good clean work space of your own and maybe some physical file cabinets either. It took a while for me to get the right system in place and its always changing, but it's empowering once you get it. Find some sexy productivity toys and have some fun.

These steps are easy and any one of them alone will dramatically transform the way you go about your moments, days, weeks and life. Take advantage of them and let me know what you do with all your free time!

If you liked this article, please Tweet about it or tell your friends about it on Facebook.

What have you found most useful to manage your life and create time for the things you really care about. Share them with us in the comments.

~Reading for Your Success


Other books and resources you might enjoy:

Parkinson's Law- an article
Things- Task management app for iPhone and Mac. I just started using it and love it. Designed perfectly for Getting Things Done
4-Hour Work Week
7 Habits of Highly Effective People
How to Get Control of Your Time and Your Life
The Art of Time(less)

Rating :

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1. ISBN13: 9780380810338
2. Condition: NEW
3. Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

Editorial Review :

FEELING GOOD FEELS WONDERFUL
The good news is that anxiety, guilt, pessimism, procrastination, low self-esteem, and other "black holes" of depression can be cured without drugs.In FEELING GOOD, eminent psychiatrist, David D. Burns, M.D., outlines the remarkable, scientifically proven techniques that will immediately lift your spirits and help you develop a positive outlook on life. Now, in this updated edition, Dr. Burns adds an ALL-NEW CONSUMER'S GUIDE TO ANTIDEPRESSANT DRUGS as well as a new introduction to help answer your questions about the many options available for treating depression.

- Recognize what causes your mood swings
- Nip negative feelings in the bud
- Deal with guilt
- Handle hostility and criticism
- Overcome addiction to love and approval
- Build self-esteem
- Feel good everyday

BEGIN NOW, TO EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF FEELING GOOD

Customer Review :

Changed my life

I suffered from depression, on and off, for nearly 15 years of my life. I had been through therapy, and was also on medications from time to time, and generally they helped, but inevitably depression would return at some point. In 2000, desperate, a friend recommended this book and told me about cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). All I can say is that I remember literally feeling better as I read through the first chapter of the book. I have gone 10 years now without a relapse. Amazingly, the book taught me how to think differently about myself and circumstances in my life. And it stuck.

I would add that if you are depressed, please see a therapist. Think of this book as a supplement to whatever therapist you see. Also, try to find a therapist that specializes in CBT. Do the exercises in the book too.

Anyway, I no longer suffer from depression. And I credit this book 98% for that. It changed my life.

Rating :

Even if you are successful, you can still get depressed. This book is the answer. Hallelujah! :)

This book will change your life. The first 45 pages of this 300+ page book will change your life. Actually do the exercise it asks you to do in those first 45 pages and your life WILL change. I have started doing it anytime I start to feel down on myself, and wow, it helps me tremendously. This is a book you will read and reread and love and cherish.

As a quick addendum, I want you to know that this book is absolutely applicable for those of who are 'successful'--whatever that means. For instance, I am a 6-time published author (search for me here on Amazon), a bronze-star Iraq war vet, and even a motivational speaker---and a damn good one at that. And yet, I get depressed too sometimes, and I am often way too hard on myself. This book helped me to get over my harshest critic: myself.

Buy it. Read it.

-Monroe Mann
Unstoppable Artists, LLC

AUTHOR OF:
Guerrilla Networking (with Jay Levinson)
Time Zen
The Theatrical Juggernaut
Battle Cries for the Underdog
To Benning & Back
Start Your Own Coaching Business



Rating :

A very worthwhile read

While I do not usually leave reviews for the books I've purchased, I feel compelled to do so in this case because this book is an absolute gem!

Of all the self-help books I've read, and there have been a few, this one is the most comprehensive, clear and thoughtful. The message in this book is simple: Our view of the world and the way we interpret events and situations directly determine how we feel. Dr. Burns restates this message throughout the book and by doing so reminds us that we can help ourselves by learning to think more objectively.

I know that this book will not speak to everyone, but if you are looking for a book about developing better thinking habits, this book may just be the one you are after. In any case, if you do not find it helpful someone you know may.

I highly recommend this book.

Rating :

Feel Good Today.

Feeling Good is not only a great self-help book, it's a way of thinking. And by that I mean, it's your thoughts that usually cause the problems, right? Well, this book will discuss that and tell you how to use congnitve behavior therapy to get through this and onto feeling good. I liked it very much and would defintely recommend it to those who do suffer from nervous disorders. It's a great read that can generate great results. I also would recommend What if.? My Story of Panic Attacks.

Rating :

Excellent for helping 'SELF' and others with mood issues

This is an excellent, well written, easy to comprehend book on how to help one's self with mood issues, from
depression to anger to interacting with others. Take it from someone that has been on the meds and dealing
with depression and anger- I love this book. Buy it and read it- you will be happy you did.

Rating :

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1. ISBN13: 9780446504102
2. Condition: NEW
3. Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

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Customer Review :

rigorous research + compelling anecodotes

Sheena does an excellent job of combining highly rigorous research studies with compelling anecdotes that highlight how choice impact our well-being. She takes the academic and makes it relevant to multiple aspects of our every day life. Fascinating book - highly recommended to all!!!!

Rating :

Love the book! Very insightful and informative!

This is a great book! I love reading it and learned much about how a person "chooses" certain things. Putting aside my philosophical & theological view of "free-will" or "ability to choose" the book informed me with a wealth of data and research that show how and why people "decide" for certain things.

1. The author Sheena Iyengar shows us that a single decision is not a simple product from our mind. Oftentimes our decision is made by our religion, cultural background, and social implication. Additionally, human "desire" (for whatever it is - to survive, to eat, to be rich...) leads to corresponding "decisions."
2. The author used many researches from lab animals and also from people, real life stories, and her own background have made the book very interesting reading about WHY we choose WHAT we choose.
3. Her conclusions seem to be honest and open to correction and not dogmatic. You may disagree with her on some points, but you will be informed more about human capacity of "the art of choosing."

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and learned much! Highly recommended!

Rating :

encyclopedic in scope but not a "how-to" guide

This is a book I wanted to like more than I did after finishing it. It is a comprehensive look at choice in almost every facet you can think of -- across cultures, results from animal experiments, in settings as diverse as medicine and jazz, the predictive effect of how children make their choices, the fashion and food industries, behavioral finance, subconscious effects, I could go on and on. This book is truly a Tour de Force in the field for the lay audience! And yet I finished the book feeling vaguely dissatisfied. The title "The Art of Choosing" seems to promise instruction in how to make better choices, "Art" even implying a more refined treatment of the topic. If there's one thing you won't find much discussion of in this book it is how to make better decisions. Other books by business school professors written for the general public, such as "Getting To Yes", cover both current theories and how to apply them. In this book the pendulum swings to one side, providing an amazing compendium about choice research but not too much in the way of practical advice. This book reads well and is ideal for someone wishing to explore the subject in detail, not so great for someone hoping after almost 300 pages to have been instructed in how to make better choices.

Rating :

Fascinating, Highly Readable Non-Fiction

I tend to read fiction much more than I do non-fiction, but the subject of choice fascinates me, as someone who greatly believes in free will more than I do destiny. In THE ART OF CHOOSING, I found out much more about choice than I had bargained for.

While Americans revere choice, other cultures value family duty and other things more highly. I had never thought of choice in cultural terms, but I suppose it came more naturally to the author, whose parents had an arranged (and very happy) marriage. I learned that choice can be a burden as well as a gift, particularly to those family members who have to make difficult decisions about their loved ones rather than have a doctor make the decisions for them (as they did in the not-so-distant past and still do in many countries). I learned that while we Americans love choice, we don't want to be overwhelmed with too many choices as our brains are unable to handle too many, especially in reverse order. (The chess master/memory example was particularly of interest to me.) The studies and surveys and tests provided are, however, not overwhelming; everything is presented in a way that authenticates without boring the reader.

The author, Sheena Iyengar, writes in such a conversational tone that I read this almost as quickly and with as much interest as I do novels. I feel I can now approach my own choices with more information and pragmatism. One choice I'll make is to read more of this author when she writes another book.


Rating :

What Underlies Our Choices?

"We each develop a personal equation to account for the trajectory of life: x amount of choice, y of chance, z of destiny. [...] I believe that choice -- though it can be finicky, unwieldy, and demanding -- is ultimately the most powerful determinant of where we go and how we get there."

THE ART OF CHOOSING is Sheena Iyengar's entertaining exploration of those finicky, unwieldy, and demanding aspects of choice. There's research (expanded upon in extensive sections of endnotes and bibliography), but the "art" of the title refers to how history, culture, philosophy, psychology, and economics affect our big and small choices. For example: Are you part of an I (individualist) or We (collectivist) society? Do your politics tend toward capitalist (freedom from restriction of initiative) or socialist (freedom to enjoy equal opportunity)? Is your perception of *having* a choice more psychologically satisfying than your actually *making* the choice? Can you resist both conformity and uniqueness to choose according to your authentic self? What happens when marketers introduce faux choice through product extension or governments add sin taxes?

With blurbs by Gladwell and Gawande, I was primed to enjoy this book, and I did. It's interesting and readable, although little seems new. And though there are seven chapters, I found it difficult to define a cohesive topic for many, or an arc that develops and concludes over the chapter; I felt more adrift at sea (albeit pleasantly) than in a stream's current. Still, I'm glad for several takeaways -- especially a reminder about how quickly we weary when choosing and Iyengar's counter-intuitive suggestion to make the *easy* choices first (e.g. with a product, what features we most want) so as to winnow out, early on, later irrelevant options.

Rating :

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1. ISBN13: 9781401925581
2. Condition: NEW
3. Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

Editorial Review :

Customer Review :

No review yet

1. ISBN13: 9780071545853
2. Condition: NEW
3. Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
4. Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Editorial Review :

Meet new people and converse with confidence
Be credible and charismatic in every social and business situation
Make friends and important contacts wherever you go
Command the respect of everyone you meet

You know who they are. They're the people who, regardless of money, education, looks, or personality, make an impression wherever they go. They are master communicators, and everyone enjoys talking to them. How to Develop Great People Skills shows you how to be one of those lucky few.

Communication guru Leil Lowndes arms you with ninety-six all-new, cutting edge, research-based communications techniques for success in life, love, and business. You will smash the invisible glass ceiling that keeps many people down both personally and professionally. Your new weapon is a neurologically and psychologically sound concept called “Emotional Prediction,” or E.P. Leil Lowndes explains the power of EP and shows you how to harness it through deceptively simple methods to reach greater success in all of your relationships.

Customer Review :

Not exactly what you think it is but a Good Read

The book doesn't disappoint. Part solid tips to try and the other part the stories from the author's life and experience that helped her figure out why they work. Having used most of her tips to great effect I can vouch for their effectiveness. My emails and texts have gotten much better responses since trying out the tips.

You should know the book is written with the business professional in mind but the ideas can be applied by anyone. It does sometimes feels like the book could be a lot shorter and still say the same thing but the stories do give the facts a fun flowing feel.

So,
Not a cure all, but a nice, quick, and useful read.

Rating :

Good so far

Good so far but it takes me forever to finish a book. I'm looking forward to finishing this one but am only like 1 chapter in so far. I like it so far though.

Rating :

Great Book!

I picked this book up because the title intrigued me; however, this has been a great book which is an easy read. Ms. Lowndes gives quick, easy tips for meeting people and making a lasting impression. She does a great job of giving examples and stories she carries through the book. Highly recommended!

Rating :

A WONDERFUL ONE-OF-A-KIND BOOK

I enjoyed it a lot and learned a lot. I read Ms. Lowdens "How to Talk to Anyone" and got so much out of it, I wanted more of her interesting techniques. And I got 96 great ones.

I was especially pleased because there was a whole section on how to show some personality and win respect and affection in your email messages. For example, people are always confused on how to sign their emails these days because putting no salutation sounds cold. But "Best" or "Thanks" are trite. So Lowdens suggests writing something pleasant as the final sentence, and include the RECIPIENT'S NAME in that LAST sentence. It leaves the recipient with warm feelings so "Best Regards" and all that isn't necessary.

She also has great cell phone techniques. An example is to use your cell just like a singer uses a microphone. If you want to give a big loud laugh to show a friend you really enjoyed his joke, hold it at arms length. That way you don't have to squelch your appreciation, and you don't blast his ear off. And then, when you want your voice to sound sexy, almost touch your lips to the cell.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to deal with other human beings in a better way.


Rating :

Savvy guide to establishing connections

Is it manipulative to speak to others in a way you know will please them? Purists of the to-thine-own-self-be-true school may think so, but the people on the receiving end of your courtesy, deference and regard will not. Communications consultant Leil Lowndes has assembled 96 techniques you can use to make others feel good about you - often by making them feel good about themselves. These techniques work best, of course, when applied with sincerity and not phony zeal. Your purpose is not to flatter people, but to engender their positive regard. Scheming? Calculating? That's up to you to decide. Although you may not choose to follow Lowndes' sometimes boundary-testing advice to the letter, getAbstract recommends her fun book to anyone who needs a boost in getting along well with others. So unless you are already a bon vivant - or, conversely, a hermit - this book is for you.

Rating :

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