Amazon.com: Parents' Guide to the Middle School YearsRun, don't walk, and buy a copy of this book! I just pre-ordered mine, and I am SO looking forward to reading it. I've known Joe for almost a decade, and I know this book is going to be a best-seller...I just know it!
Click the link below, join the club, and order your copy today!
Tags: JoeBruzzese, Parents' Guide to the Middle School Years, Thinking-Forward
Click here to visit the Amazon Store we suggest you visit...and, to find out more about this week's book recommendation...Amazon.com
I'm currently reading Sway, by Ori Brafman and Rom Brafman... it is a gift I received from a buddy, Joe Bruzzese over at Thinking-Forward.
The whole book is just 181 pages, and Chapter Two is titled: "The Swamp of Commitment." Perhaps the most significant aspect of the book is how encouraging the authors are of continually reflecting on the "long view." This theme, of having a destination in mind, is central to a 7-part article series I am co-authoring over the next quarter.
Delivering on the promise mandates that we acknowledge both where we are going as well as where we are. And, in the book by the Brafman brothers, I can see just how significant it is to focus on what I can do in amongst all the possibilities of what I should/could be doing. Yes, we are in challenging times; however, by identifying both the direction and destination we are moving in, we can make steady progress over time.
Want to read more? Please visit the JasonRecommends site for a special on Book Summaries...
Lookin’ for a trade!
Anyone have an extra copy of the For Your Improvement book? I’ll send you a copy of our DVD, you send me a copy of the FYI book!
Thanks to the guys in New Hampshire (Ron, James and Shaun) for reminding me about the importance of staying “current” with the books out there.
While working with an amazing (and growing!) aerospace company in Lebanon, NH last week, three of the company leaders gave me book titles that they thought I should pick up. We talked about each one (many of them on the best-seller list last week…see the picture here!) for a little bit, and I’ve decided to add some to my eBook reader and my iPod touch.
I’m convinced that each book I read adds a bit more to the repertoire of understanding and idea-generation. However, like many people who tune in to this blog on a regular basis (or…this may be your first visit!), we all have a similar problem:
How do we find the time we need to read?
So, Ron (in New Hampshire) reminded me of the opportunity he and I both share: We travel a lot…sometimes multiple flights and hotels in a week! So, I am going to follow his advice for the next few trips…I’m going to download some audio books to my iPod Touch, and listen as I go. Of course, there will be some books I “read” this way that I imagine I’ll go purchase; but, this will get me started on getting the good info in!
The next book on the list: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. Oh, if you’ve read it, let me know what you thought and if there is any part of the book that you thought was more important/significant than another!
I love these kinds of e-mails:
Hi Jason,
I was one of the attendees at the Seminar given by you for the new analysts at [investment bank] in New York in July. I just finished a book that you had recommended (Why Smart People Make Big Money Mistakes...) and found both the book and the topic (Behavioral economics) to be great! Its one of the best books that I have ever read. I'll definitely try and read more books on this topic. Thanks for the wonderful seminar and the the great book recommendation.
Regards,
P.N., New York City
I was given the book P.N. mentioned by a client some time ago (most of the books I read come on recommendation by friends, mentors, clients...). I read it with interest, and even as someone with a little economics and finance background really learned a lot about investment behavior and the psychology of risk and reward.
If you don't already know, I enjoy surfing the Internet. I do have a goal of at least once a week to do some "intellectual grazing."
It might be looking for a new documentary to download from iTunes, a new podcast to watch from POP!Tech or TED, walking through a bookstore to see "what jumps off the shelf," or...surfing the 'net to see what I see.
I stumbled upon Christopher Scott's free eBook here. Please, download, review it...and let him know what you think!
My friend Joe Bruzzese has done it again! He has written a post that is a part of his upcoming book (due out early next year). Here's the first part of his entry:
Getting Ahead of Homework Headaches
From the soon to be published, A Parent's Guide to the Middle School Years:
The reality of middle school for many kids is that they struggle to manage their workload and the expectations of multiple teachers. The transition from elementary school with one teacher and one classroom to multiple classes and teachers creates a plethora of paperwork and increased pressure to stay organized.
Here is the comment I left for him and his community...
Joe,
Perhaps the best part of this post is that I can use it not only in my own day-to-day work (I mean, I've got stuff to do too...right!?), but I can also bring these concepts into the seminars and coaching that I do for companies around the world.
I especially appreciate the 1, 2, 3, 4 aspect. If I could add anything that I find significant to the "productivity process," it would be:
On a weekly basis, do a debrief.
I like to ask:
How are things going?
Is there anything I need to be more effective?
What would I like to have finished by the end of next week?Here is why I think it's so important (click here for a link to the debrief...).
I was working on a project for a client group in New York recently, and after I'd completed my research and submitted my results and recommendations, I included a "book list" for review. (See below...)
I consider myself a perpetual student of "mind and body" - that's
why a whole aspect of my work is called "fit and effective" - and am
always looking to learn where possible. (Have you subscribed to Scientific American Mind magazine yet? Give a "4-issue trial," I think you'll be surprised at how great it is!)
I've been an avid reader for quite some time now, in fact I've been recommending books for as long as I've been speaking in public (starting in 1992!). Now, it's not that I'd suggest anyone read every one of these, in this order...but, if you're thinking of enhancing your overall "productivity and performance" I'd highly recommend you start reading - maybe even with one off this list! (Click on the picture below for a clearer view...)
Oh, my "research project of the month" (yes, I pick a different topic, once a month, and learn as much as I can...) for June is: Creativity. So, if anyone can recommend a book, magazine, website, research paper or person I can talk to, please e-mail me or even better, leave a comment below.
I was in an "English" bookstore in Zurich last Wednesday, and I snapped this picture while wandering through the second floor.
Yes, that's right, an "on your honor" self-service espresso system! As I was still trying to figure out what time zone to be in (I'd been in New York, Los Angeles, London the week before), I decided to pass on the extra caffeine!
Several years ago (ok, we're going back to the mid-90's here!), a mentor of mine encouraged me to read a book called, Don't Shoot The Dog. I was teaching US and World History, and Spanish Language at a high school in California. I had up to 34 students in each class, and I was also managing a "new-teacher induction program" through our District Office.
The weekend I spent reading this book, changed my life; changed the way I relate to other people, to myself, to the learning process, to the goal-setting process.
I STILL talk about this book, and here's a note someone sent me recently (thanks Erik!(
I took your advice and grabbed Don't Shoot the Dog from our library. Nice read. I don't think that I would call myself an expert, but for the amount of time I spent skimming it, it had great value.
For part of my job, I give presentations for a local building industry group that my company belongs to. The presentation essentially tells kids about options for work in the building trades.
This week I did things a little differently. The class I was presenting to, which was made up of 11th graders, were pretty short on attention. Earlier in the day while prepping the room (powerpoint/seating) the admin said that she had some candy in a bowl to set out for the class. I thought better of it and kept it on the podium with me. While starting my presentation I fired questions at the kids in order to get them involved. As hands came up- candy started to fly from my hand out to the students. I was trying to test out DON'T SHOOT THE DOG with these kids- training them to raise their hands and ellicit feedback.
To my surprise it worked. The attention was kept, and the kids got their candy. Even when I put the bowl down for a while- the response was maintained.
All in all, great book suggestion.
