Leadership Tips & Teamwork

Book Review: Book Yourself Solid

Book Yourself Solid
by Michael Port

If I had to recommend one book to help you get started in your online business, this would be the one. The first thing I love about the book is the author himself. He comes across as a genuine, caring and competent individual who loves what he does and who is serious about your success. He writes in a conversational style and explains all the technical information of web design, search engines and internet marketing in easy to understand terms.

Michael’s book is organized into three parts–the foundation, building trust and credibility, and core self-promotion strategies. He holds nothing back. Thorough out the pages of the book, Michael’s genuineness shines through. He is truly committed to the success of YOUR business. He covers it all from start to finish.

One of the unique characteristics of this book is the way he blends print with online resources. He begins his book by offering a 92-page action workbook completely free! He is a generous man who really understand the world of online marketing.

If you are considering beginning an online business or are thinking of taking your currently existing business to the next level, this is one book that will take you there. Buy it now.

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Book Review: Power vs. Force

Power versus Force:
The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior
by David Hawkins

This is an excellent book that speaks of the difference between power and force. Power is quiet and requires no explanation. Force is coercive and creates an automatic counter force.

This has great applicability for the workplace. Dr. Hawkins has sections in his book devoted to Human Attitudes, Politics, the Marketplace, Sports, the Human Spirit, the Arts, Creativity, Success, Physical Health and Wellness. Standing on the side of truth, justice and all that sustains life is power. This is strength of its own merit. Force represents all that is negative and life destructive.

Whenever you attempt to make someone do something that they don't want to do, you are applying force. We do this through any number of behaviors such as manipulating, blaming, guilting, bribing, complaining, criticizing and coercing. This always creates a counter force. Whenever you attempt to coerce or mislead someone else, you create a measure of resistance. This resistance may not show itself in your presence but it will manifest in the world in some way.

People will undermine your authority, talk behind your back, rally other's support or confront you to your face. You cannot win with force. If you think you have, know that it is only temporary. What goes around comes around. Read the book. Its message is powerful!

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Book Review: Multiple Streams of Internet Income

Multiple Streams of Internet Income
by Robert G. Allen

This book catalogues the way Robert G. Allen made $24,000 on the Internet in 24 hours. This is great if your name is Robert G. Allen, however, I believe that most average people would not be able to experience the same success. Robert G. Allen has a well-known name that people have come to trust.

That having been said, the book still contains a lot of useful information for those starting or attempting to expand their Internet business, however, the book was written in 2001, making some of the information obsolete.

If you are looking to start your own Internet business, this book will provide you with the basics but you may want to find a more current book such as Michael Port’s Book Yourself Solid.

Click here to order Multiple Streams of Internet Income.

Book Review: Reality Therapy

Reality Therapy
by Dr. William Glasser

Dr. William Glasser wrote his timeless classic, Reality Therapy, written in 1965.

Dr. Glasser began as an engineering student. He left engineering and went into medicine, specializing in psychiatry. When he began practicing, he developed a commonsense, practical, present day approach to treatment that he came to name “Reality Therapy.” His premise is that things are tough all over, now what are you going to do about it?

Always his focus is on what is within a person’s power and control to change or impact. He empowers his clients by directing them to focus their energy on things they can change. This is why he doesn’t spend a lot of time talking about the past. While the past is an important component responsible, in part, for shaping  who we are today, a person cannot change things that happened in the past. Staying focused in the past is a very disempowering position because it can’t be changed.

Another error that people often make is thinking their life would be absolutely fine if someone else in it would change. This may, in fact, be true, however one person has very little impact in changing another person unless that person genuinely wants to change. This is why Reality Therapy focuses on what the person can change about him or herself to better manage the people and circumstances of his or her life. One’s own behavior and thinking is within the person’s control to change. That is empowering rather than spending a lifetime wishing that someone else would change.

Reality therapy helps people identify their goals, evaluates the actions they currently engage in as they relate to the attainment of that goal and when not effective, asks people to create a plan to do it more effectively. It’s a very commonsense approach to problem solving that isn’t common. It is much more common to remain in a victim’s role, blaming the past and other people for where we are today. If you are interested in taking control of your life, then Reality Therapy will show you the way.

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Book Review: Every Student Can Succeed

Every Student Can Succeed: Finally a book that Explains
How to Reach and Teach Every Student in Your School
Dr. William Glasser

This book explains Choice Theory and helps teachers and administrators put it to use in their classrooms and schools. Dr. Glasser begins with an emphasis on establishing strong relationships—teachers with students and students with each other. He goes on to explain what is wrong with the current A-B-C-D-F grading system used in the schools and makes his case for competency based education. No work would be accepted that wasn’t at least a B or competent work.

This more closely mirrors real life. Employers on’t accept D work and call it passing. Employees are generally told to keep working at it until it is up to standard. Glasser discusses how destructive external control is to relationships and to quality learning and then goes on to explain how to virtually eliminate it from the classroom and school itself. Once students are able to meet their needs within their classroom, there is no longer any need resort to “behavioral problems.”

Glasser spends the final chapters of his book explaining the “how tos” of implementation of choice theory in the schools. Currently, there are currently 20 Glasser-approved Quality Schools in the world, 18 of which are in the US. These schools have seen a significant decrease in discipline problems, increase in graduation rates, decrease in truancy and significant improvements on standardized testing. Check out the book and see if you can implement his ideas in your school or classroom. Go to Reality Therapy Central to learn how to begin the certified training process.

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Book Review: Think and Grow Rich!

Think and Grow Rich! The Original Version, Restored and Revised
by Napoleon Hill

This book is a timeless classic that outlines steps to achieve ultimate success and Mr. Cornwell has not lost a single thing from the original version. In addition, he has added a valediction for Dr. Hill, and a tribute section to Dr. Hill filled with contributions by such famous leaders as Thomas Edison and Theodore Roosevelt, among others. With nine appendixes and a huge endnote section, providing detailed explanation and clarity to things referenced in the original version, this revised copy will definitely replace the original version currently on my bookshelf.

Dr. Hill discusses little known, time tested methods for achieving success that are used by all the prominent people today and throughout time. Dr. Hill interviewed such entrepreneurial giants as Henry Ford and Andrew Carnegie, and shared their secrets of success. He tells readers that they will have the power to achieve whatever they set their sites on if they have and employ the following:

1.      Definite Chief Aim
2.      Habit of Saving
3.      Self-Confidence
4.      Imagination
5.      Initiative
6.      Leadership
7.      Enthusiasm
8.      Self-Control
9.      Doing More than Paid For
10.  Pleasing Personality
11.  Accurate Thought
12.  Concentration
13.  Cooperation
14.  Failure
15.  Tolerance
16.  The Golden Rule
17.  The Master Mind

The book has long been considered a classic but only few know of its true power and employ the principles contained therein. Read it and follow its advice and you will be on your way to accomplishing your dreams.

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Book Review: The Classroom of Choice

The Classroom of Choice:
Giving Students What They Need and Getting What You Want
by Jonathan C. Erwin

If you are a teacher attempting to implement Choice Theory in your classroom, you are going to love this book. It takes Choice Theory out of the theoretical realm and gives commonsense practical examples for implementation in your classroom.

This book is filled with ideas for how to actually put Dr. Glasser's ideas into use in a school setting. Mr. Erwin takes the five basic human needs of Choice Theory and devotes a chapter to each one--giving suggestions for just how to structure one's classroom so that teachers and students alike can each get their needs met in a responsible, productive way.

Mr. Erwin also gives ideas for how to manage disruptive behavior in a way that doesn't involve removing students from the classroom and teaches them the self-discipline skills needed to be successful in all areas of their lives.

I highly recommend this book for teachers, school administrators, school board members, parents or anyone interested in improving the situation in schools and who may be seeking practical advice on just how to make "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) actually work.

Click here to order The Classroom of Choice.

The Ultimate Goals Program

The Ultimate Goals Program
by Brian Tracy

I thought I would share a resource with you that isn’t a book, but rather an 8-CD collection entitled, The Ultimate Goals Program by Brian Tracy. I purchased this collection over four years ago and it is amazing what I have been able to accomplish using his strategies. Mr. Tracy outlines a plethora of suggestions to help a person move in the direction of his or her goals. Many are simple, practical ways to stay focused on the prize. If you are seeking one, complete information product that encompasses a multitude of ideas for goal setting, then this is it. I will, however, put a disclaimer on the information by saying simply purchasing and listening to Mr. Tracy’s suggestions will not be the thing that helps you with your goals. You must be willing to implement the strategies he discusses. Once you do, there is no limit to the heights to which you can soar. Let’s do it differently this year. Get the help you need to be successful in 2009.

Click here to order this program.

Book Review: The Artists's Way

by Julia Cameron

The title of this book is deceiving. It seems as if it must only be for artists to read. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The Artist’s Way is about finding the artist in each on of us. We were all born to be creative. It is our divine, spiritual gift but often, throughout our lives, we are discouraged from practicing our art.

This is very much in line with the whole “Living the Dream” concept. When we are being our authentic selves, we are receiving information from the Universal Spirit who provides guidance in our creativity. You will be amazed at the quality of work you can produce when you are operating within your life's purpose.

Ms. Cameron provides a way for us to find our way back to who we truly are. We can rediscover our creativity and our passion. The Artist’s Way is written as a 12-Week Journey of self-discovery. If you are not living your dream and you would like to get an idea of how to get there, try The Artist’s Way and really immerse yourself in each week’s lesson. This is much more than a book. Each week provides exercises and activities to help the reader get stronger.

Here is an overview of what you can expect: Recovering a Sense of Safety, Identity, Power, Integrity, Possibility, Abundance, Connection, Strength, Compassion, Self-Protection, Autonomy and Faith. Each word represents the lesson for the week. It can be a life-changing book if you dare to dream. Don’t let your dream go. Get the book and begin your creative recovery.

Click here to order this book.

Book Review: Multiple Streams of Internet Income

Multiple Streams of Internet Income: How Ordinary People make Extraordinary Money Online
by Robert G. Allen

I wish I had read a book on teamwork but I have been most keenly focused lately on maximizing my web presence. I am in a mentoring program with Mark Victor Hanson and Robert G. Allen so I purchased and devoured Robert G. Allen’s book on Multiple Streams of Internet Income. My review is mixed on this book.

I got a whole lot of ideas from this book. I highlighted and underlined several sections and tid bits of information. There were many things I put on a list of things I need to do. In that way, the book was extremely helpful.

On the other hand, since the Internet is such a rapidly changing entity, I believe that some of the information contained in the book published in 2001 is already outdated. I got excited about some things in the book and attempted to go to certain websites, only to discover that the websites are no longer in existence.

The other thing that was challenging for me is that the famous author and business guru, Robert G. Allen, speaks as if any ordinary person without a following or reputation could do the same thing he did to build these multiple streams of Internet income. However, I don’t believe it is that easy. His solid reputation definitely had a major role to play in his Internet success. Not everyone who is trying to build their web presence is named, Robert G. Allen.

However, the book is definitely worth a read. There are many great ideas and lots of sound advice for the new entrepreneur.

Click here to order this book.