false 10 18 17 true 5782380 read 1 true 4203890 currently-reading 0 true 4203889 to-read http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/71602266 StrengthsFinder 2.0: A New and Upgraded Edition of the Online Test from Gallup's Now, Discover Your Strengths (Hardcover) by Tom Rath
bookshelves: currently-reading
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/48606822 to: Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else (Hardcover) by Geoff Colvin
Finished this book last week. As someone who enjoys learning about what makes humans tick, I thought this book offered a fresh perspective of what you need to be successful. Hint: It's not inherent talent.

So what does it take to be successful? It takes identifying what you like to do and then putting in deliberate<b/> practice every single day. He gives a ton of great examples of people who have demonstrated.

Geoff Colvin's research flies straight in the face of the long argued logic that we are just we achieve things because we were born a certain way. His book demonstrates that, in reality, that just isn't the case.

This information is good news and bad news for people. It's good news in that we have some control over the outcomes in out lives. It's bad news because it means that we can't blame our failures on talent.

The other point in this book that I really appreciated was the stance on how America's current working environment teaches us how to be good employees but generally speaking does not allow us to cultivate real skills because the workplace is so task oriented.

If you liked Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, then you will definitely like this book as well.
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/64611680 to: The Knack: How Street-Smart Entrepreneurs Learn to Handle Whatever Comes Up (Hardcover) by Norm Brodsky
Certainly some great tips for business owners. It has information on the challenges that businesses face regardless of the size of your business. Great insight for future business planning. Especially liked Norm's breakdown of gross margins and why it's important to keep track of your sales numbers on a regular basis to make sure you aren't selling yourself out of business. I recommend this to any entrepreneur or would be entrepreneur. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/64611581 to: The Oz Principle: Getting Results through Individual and Organizational Accountability (Hardcover) by Craig Hickman
Accountability within any organization is the primary focus of the Oz Principle. Particularly how accountability can solve most problems within an organization if the people inside the organization from the top down choose to "own it". I love their definition of accountability and how to put it into practice so that accountability isn't viewed as a negative experience. The book gives a series of assessments that you can take that are helpful for recognizing where you are at along the way. The last chapter goes over the most common barriers to success and how we can better own the situation to overcome tough barriers. In our current times where people tend to embrace being the victim for their circumstances, this book is a breath of fresh air. If you want a system that can assist you to excel as a human being, read this book. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/64611658 to: The Art of the Start: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything (Hardcover) by Guy Kawasaki
This is a must read for new entrepreneurs. Guy has a great message that centers around creating meaning around your business so it that it creates maximum value in the marketplace. If you are looking to raise capital for your business, there is a lot of great information on how to go about this process the right way. Guy also talks about how to use these methods if you work for someone else as well. The final chapter on "The art of being a mensch" is a great message to close the book with. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/55835976 to: A Thousand Splendid Suns (Hardcover) by Khaled Hosseini
I don't typically read books where the main characters are female but this book was tremendous. I didn't think the author could top The Kite Runner but this book was even better. You understand some of the suffering that goes on in the middle east through the perspectives of the characters. The best thing about Hosseini's books is that it shows you that the people of Afghanistan aren't all that different from people in the US. If you want your mind opened up to new perspectives, this book is for you. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/62664682 to: Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson (Paperback) by Mitch Albom
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/62664193 to: 11: Indispensable Relationships You Gotta Have! (Hardcover) by Leonard Sweet
This is an interesting look at the most important relationships that you need to have that come from biblical characters. The book got me thinking about the relationships that I currently have and how they work in my life. I felt some of the chapters gave a belabored explanation of the relationships and in other chapters I felt the premise for the relationship discussed was a little flimsy. Overall it's a decent read but not great. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/56528321 to: Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions (Hardcover) by Dan Ariely
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/55836134 to: Bootstrap Business (Paperback) by Rich Christiansen
Great book for the new entrepreneur. Rich gives a fresh take and perspective on what it takes to start and business and how to do it. ]]>