I thought this was a great book with a lot of actionable items for a small amount of reading. I know from experience the impact you can have on a teamI thought this was a great book with a lot of actionable items for a small amount of reading. I know from experience the impact you can have on a team but focusing on the people of the business. Focus on the people and they will come through for the business. Some of the advice I’ve read from other books but if you only had time to read one, this has a good chunk to make your work environment healthy and a safe space. ...more
I'm not a manager but I still think this is worth the read. Some people think being a manager is just the natural progression for their career. But doI'm not a manager but I still think this is worth the read. Some people think being a manager is just the natural progression for their career. But do you actually know what manager duties actually entail? It's all about the people, not what you necessarily control or do. Not everyone is meant to be a manager. You usually know how to be a manager based on your experiences. Julie goes over her lessons she learned when she became a manager. I think this is an important read for those who want to become a manager and even managers who might need a little more help connecting with their reports. ...more
I purchased the Full Focus Planner prior to reading this book. I used it part of the way but not to the fullest potential I would like. The intro videI purchased the Full Focus Planner prior to reading this book. I used it part of the way but not to the fullest potential I would like. The intro videos were helpful. However, not until I read this book did all of it make sense to me.
The Free to Focus is more than just productivity. It's able identify the things that you enjoy and help you reach your goals vs things that can be distracting or counterproductive to your goals. One of the biggest things that was a huge realization is if you don't say "no", you're actually saying "no" to something you agreed to. You only have a set time for things. When you commit to too much, something else ends up on the back burner.
I also like the idea of rituals. When you're on auto-pilot, you don't have to think about certain tasks because it's part of your routine. When you make certain steps to your goal as part of your routine, you can get to your goal faster. When I make meditation as part of my routine, I can get to my goal of 300 mins for the month with no problem.
I like perspective he makes about delegation. You typically give tasks that are not within your Desire Zone to someone else because that task may be in her/his own Desire Zone.
Lastly, he talks about the importance of weekly reflection. What are your big wins? What went well? How can you improve for the future? Taking the time to learn about yourself and your behavior helps you tweak your plan and grow. It's about learning from our mistakes and celebrating even the smallest accomplishments. Often times, I'm so hard on myself about not reaching certain goals that I forget really how far I've come. Progress is great! Learn how to pivot and try again tomorrow.
Even if you don't get the Full Focus Planner, Michael provides a lot of great tools to help you reach your goals in this book. A lot of reflection can really help one realize one's potential and growth....more
I feel like this was a great pair to Make Time. It has some overlapping tactics but some other great case studies behind them. I'll give it a reread tI feel like this was a great pair to Make Time. It has some overlapping tactics but some other great case studies behind them. I'll give it a reread to find points I might have missed. I like the idea of productive meditation. I currently do regular meditation but focusing on one problem and thinking it through sounds very useful. ...more
Though I had to get passed the frequent use of the word "hashtag", I actually enjoyed the book. She gives great advice to prospective entrepreneurial Though I had to get passed the frequent use of the word "hashtag", I actually enjoyed the book. She gives great advice to prospective entrepreneurial women. I've often debated about starting my own business. I think she gives great insight and key things to remember. I also appreciate the fact she touches upon the subject of how women are often treated within our industry. We have to stick together as women and show how much we deserve to be here just as any other man. We are capable of running a business. Not only do we have a passion for our product and/or our mission, but we have a passion for building our community. I would definitely buy a physical copy to reference often when I decide to start my own business. ...more
I've heard of Crush It but never got around to reading it. Then, I listened to this book. It's encouraging to hear Gary's excitement and can-do attituI've heard of Crush It but never got around to reading it. Then, I listened to this book. It's encouraging to hear Gary's excitement and can-do attitude about people launching their own personal brands. In a time of social media, it's easy for any business to market themselves. With enough determination, you can become successful.
I'm sure the thing that people might struggle with the most is finding their thing. Or taking that leap to do their own thing. I know I fear failure, but failure is necessary in order to truly be successful. I can think of folks I'd like to share this book with. ...more
This was a fairly interesting book. I've lived through some of these techniques and can agree with the outcome. There are other parts that I can't quiThis was a fairly interesting book. I've lived through some of these techniques and can agree with the outcome. There are other parts that I can't quite get on board with it. I guess I've only worked in small companies so it may be more fitting for bigger companies. It comes down to trusting each other, being transparent, and treating each other as adults, not children. I think it's fair to have the conversation with someone who isn't quite a good fit anymore so they can blossom in a better place. I would definitely recommend this read to anyone though....more
I was originally recommended this book by Kevin Hoffman after his talk about Design Operations. I felt like it lightly talked about Design Ops but I tI was originally recommended this book by Kevin Hoffman after his talk about Design Operations. I felt like it lightly talked about Design Ops but I think overall, it was a great book about design teams. At my current workplace, our design team has been growing. When I first started, we didn't have dedicated design resources for product. Now we have a handful of people. I think it's important to understand the team structure at other companies and adjust your own team as needed. We don't currently have a content strategist or a UX researcher, but that leveling framework is definitely a great guide for us to start with.
I think this would be good for design managers or even groups looking to grow their design team. ...more
This was interesting book. I've read quite a bit of productivity books but this was still helpful. A lot of books I've read mostly focused on mindset.This was interesting book. I've read quite a bit of productivity books but this was still helpful. A lot of books I've read mostly focused on mindset. This one focused more on practices. The most notable advice I took from it is, work less then obsess. You minimize the amount of things you work on and then obsess over the one task or topic. I've learned from work experiences that it's better to work on one item at a time vs multiple. They had a studies proving that working longer hours didn't result in more work done. If only all managers in this world knew this.
Redesigning your workflow can also help you be more productive. The example of flipped learning in schools was intriguing. Having students learn their lessons at home by watching videos and then doing the work in class where teachers could help. Makes me wonder how many schools actually practice this method and how successful are they with it.
If you are looking to have that work/life balance, that's the last topic they cover. Too often have I thought about work while at home rather than spending it with my family. We all need that balance regardless if you have kids or significant other or just yourself. ...more
This seems like a great book to figure out how to achieve your goal. Most of the advice wasn't anything new but the way he has it laid out is fairly aThis seems like a great book to figure out how to achieve your goal. Most of the advice wasn't anything new but the way he has it laid out is fairly accurate. Focus on only a few goals rather than a bunch. Set triggers to help you achieve your goals in your daily tasks. Celebrate your milestones. Make goals large so they are worth striving for but not delusional. Share your goals with only a few people to keep you accountable. Create automated systems to help with daily tasks....more
I think anyone can benefit from this book. You don't need to be a PM to understand or find useful information from it. I think the best part about thiI think anyone can benefit from this book. You don't need to be a PM to understand or find useful information from it. I think the best part about this is pretty much how the title describes it. How to communicate with your team and clients as another human being. Everyone has their own way of handling things but how they handle it will determine the relationship you have moving forward. It's important to manage expectations and know how to deal with difficult conversations rather than ignoring it.
This book was enjoyable because it was like having a pleasant conversation. Brett shared his life's experiences and how they shaped him into a great PM. ...more
Sometimes I like the traditional way of learning from a book. I've been out of touch with the latest CSS, but this was a perfect catchup. It was greatSometimes I like the traditional way of learning from a book. I've been out of touch with the latest CSS, but this was a perfect catchup. It was great to see the comparison between Flexbox and CSS Grid. Thinking about the differences on a dimension level put things into perspective. A lot of the examples sparked ideas for current projects and solutions to problems we've been having for years.
I love the last few chapters. How to start using it and how to explain to clients why all browsers do not need to look the same. Then take your geekiness to the next level and dive into the specification discussions that are happening right now!
If you are trying to brush up your CSS skills, this will light an inspiring fire in you....more
I've watched the author's TED talk about how we should teach our girls about bravery, not perfection. I've learned about the non-profit organization tI've watched the author's TED talk about how we should teach our girls about bravery, not perfection. I've learned about the non-profit organization to help teach girls how to code. This is near and dear to my heart. I started as a high school student just playing around with code. I never thought it would be my career.
I found this book fairly inspirational. Sometimes, I do feel like I always need to be polite and proper because I'm a woman. But I've learned that I can't wait for someone to hand me what I want or deserve. I have to work hard for it and ask. I know growing up, I've been taught about perfection and having to meet all criteria. But when it comes to going for that next job, it's not always a completed checklist. I liked hearing the stories of women who thought they had to wait or gain more experience to be ready for their next role. Sometimes the only way you can get that experience is just diving in and just take the role.
We should also be helping other women succeed instead of telling them to wait their turn. I'm competitive but I do want to see the next woman succeed just as bad. Most women have to compete against other men; why should we make it hard for our fellow sisters to excel?
This book has a few good tips on getting to that next level. I have those select few who I go to to help me on my journey. ...more
I'm hooked on Simon's books. Very inspiring. I don't think you need to be a leader to read this book. It talks a lot about team collaboration, trust, I'm hooked on Simon's books. Very inspiring. I don't think you need to be a leader to read this book. It talks a lot about team collaboration, trust, and long-term effects of great leadership. Work happiness truly affects your health and home life. ...more
I really enjoyed this book. I'm not a boss but I think knowing how to give and receive feedback is important in any job situation. Having a good relatI really enjoyed this book. I'm not a boss but I think knowing how to give and receive feedback is important in any job situation. Having a good relationship with your peers and/or boss can help you grow as a person and a team member.
I like how she talked about folks who weren't best for certain positions. However, knowing what people want to strive for allows you as the boss an opportunity to give them the practice and skills they could use for their next/dream job.
It's important to have the conversation both ways. Feedback from your boss and to your boss. Though it's not easy to always do, there are steps you can take to get to that point. If your boss doesn't care what you have to say, it's best to find a place who would invest in you.
I think everyone should read this book. It can help you have better feedback conversations that are useful and not demeaning. It doesn't have to be feedback about a project. It can be on how a person interacts or presents themselves. Teamwork is more than just getting the job done. It's about helping each other progress as well....more
I don't know if it's quite fair for me to review this book but I will anyways. I'm a front end developer by day but most of my time is spent within thI don't know if it's quite fair for me to review this book but I will anyways. I'm a front end developer by day but most of my time is spent within the HTML & CSS. I've dabbled with jQuery here and there so I haven't really been heavy into JavaScript.
Some parts of this book I was already familiar with. Basic parts like functions and declaring variables I knew. But Mat did go over other things I've never heard of like prototype or hasOwnProperty. Mostly because I've never had to use them.
The example he uses is fairly common so it was nice to see it coded in JS vs jQuery. It's always great to know the basics because it's easier to troubleshoot down the line. I did enjoy seeing the examples with console output. I use console.log quite often when I do write JS.
If you are intimidated by JS, definitely pick up a copy of this book. He also includes a simple list of resources to check out after you read. ...more
Really enjoyed this quick read. Some great tips on how to ease my worries about public speaking whether it's a conference or just a team presentation.Really enjoyed this quick read. Some great tips on how to ease my worries about public speaking whether it's a conference or just a team presentation. ...more
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