The Advantage is a clear and straightforward collected explanation of Lencioni's ideas that he has written about in other books in the form of businesThe Advantage is a clear and straightforward collected explanation of Lencioni's ideas that he has written about in other books in the form of business fables (Five Dysfunctions of a Team, the Ideal Team Player, etc.). His thesis that organizational health trumps technical or strategic advantages is strongly argued, intuitive, and persuasive. To be healthy, an organization needs to prioritize the clarity of the business vision, the commitment to enshrining it in all human systems, total leadership cohesion, and the willingness to make (personal, political, occupational) sacrifices to revivify their organizations. For managers frustrated by office politics, bureaucracy, misdirection, priority ambiguities, and pettiness, this book is a map to clarity and success....more
A solid manual for generating and sustaining willpower, for motivating one to have the needed daily strength, and for turning willpower-requiring actiA solid manual for generating and sustaining willpower, for motivating one to have the needed daily strength, and for turning willpower-requiring activities into effortless habits. It's certainly an old fashioned read, but it pairs well with Duhigg's "The Power of Habit." This is early Henry Hazlitt....more
An incredible book and roadmap for people looking to improve their financial control and their ability to enjoy their lives. Vicki Robin deconstructs An incredible book and roadmap for people looking to improve their financial control and their ability to enjoy their lives. Vicki Robin deconstructs many contemporary myths and habits of the typical American consumer (including "more is better," etc.), helps us gain emotional stability over our financial lives, and shows us how to align our relationship with money to achieve our dreams. Most people have little to no understanding behind how or why they spend money, where it is going, why they are always rushing and frantic to make "the next payment," and what they can do to get out of the "paycheck to paycheck" grind and relax. She lays bare the reality of paid employment and urges the reader to reevaluate how he is spending his "life energy" (time/money).
Following the steps in the book allows one to: discover the reality about their relationship with money, get out of debt, achieve financial integrity (matching your spending to your life goals), and finally achieve financial independence - the state of never having to work for money again. For anyone wanting their lives back from endless consumption and the 9-5 schedule, this book literally gives you the blueprint to retire early and spend the rest of your life on your terms....more
A fantastic story! The first book of a trilogy. Kvothe, now a reflective, bustling innkeeper, tells the beginning of his story of learning magic, travA fantastic story! The first book of a trilogy. Kvothe, now a reflective, bustling innkeeper, tells the beginning of his story of learning magic, travelling the world, courting women, fighting monsters, feuding with nobles, and so much more. The action is gripping, the banter is clever, the magic is exciting, the emotions are real; one of the best fantasy books I've ever read....more
A great introduction into the concept of deep work and how to engage in it more often to expand our skills. For professionals, thinkers, artists and "A great introduction into the concept of deep work and how to engage in it more often to expand our skills. For professionals, thinkers, artists and "knowledge workers" of all types, deep work is the capacity to focus on cognitively-demanding tasks that push out the frontier of one's current productivity and create new insights and breakthroughs. Newport's thoughts on "shallow work," business organization, social media and marketing addiction, the modern hatred of boredom, and productive contemplation are wonderful additions to his major contribution of developing routines for engaging in deep work.
Delightful, witty, and enlightening. Chuang-tzu is arguably the most influential Chinese figure of antiquity. A student of Lao-tzu and other ancestralDelightful, witty, and enlightening. Chuang-tzu is arguably the most influential Chinese figure of antiquity. A student of Lao-tzu and other ancestral Taoist sages, Chaung-tzu brings the Taoist attitude to life with his penetrating insight into life, his pointed philosophical criticisms of the Confucians and Mohists, and his social commentary. Where the Tao Te Ching was subtle, quiet, and feminine, the Chuang-tzu is natural, funny, and exuberant. An excellent model for those seeking to emulate the spontaneous, unconcerned, and carefree lifestyle of the Taoist adept.
4 stars = a good read, nutritious, definitely worth reading...more
A consensus of scholars indicates this was probably not done by Lao-tzu, but was written during the 3rd century AD during the imperial debates betweenA consensus of scholars indicates this was probably not done by Lao-tzu, but was written during the 3rd century AD during the imperial debates between Taoists and Buddhists. In any case, a decent companion to the Tao Te Ching. ...more
An incredible and inspiring book for anyone looking to attain mastery in their craft. Greene interviews and explores the lives of dozens of Masters - An incredible and inspiring book for anyone looking to attain mastery in their craft. Greene interviews and explores the lives of dozens of Masters - contemporary and historical - and distills the formula for their "genius" into applicable steps and perspectives. Contrary to popular opinion, masters aren't born; they're made. Getting into the lives of Mozart, Goethe, Da Vinci, Hakuin, and many others, Greene demystifies the extraordinary powers of these masters and shows that their achievements are not only possible, but compelling. The path to mastery is exciting, but it is built by the boring bricks of dedicated hard-work, endless curiosity, stubborn authenticity, and explosive creativity. Achieving mastery is each of our destinies, and this book lights up the way....more
Rich and juicy. The Great Fiction is a collection of essays on economics, society, and other subjects from a libertarian anarchist perspective. Hoppe,Rich and juicy. The Great Fiction is a collection of essays on economics, society, and other subjects from a libertarian anarchist perspective. Hoppe, an economist and philosopher, covers all sorts of ground: private law societies with private defense, the history of the nuclear family, the arcane nuances of uncertainty and risk, and much more with his characteristically sharp and logical mind. Certainly a controversial figure (even in libertarian circles) - don't expect to agree on everything (see: his proposal for a "restricted immigration" policy); nevertheless, Hoppe is a giant in the Austrian/market anarchist tradition and well-worth reading....more
Man's Search for Meaning is two things: an inspiring account of Frankl's time in Nazi concentration camps, the trials and inhuman conditions he overcaMan's Search for Meaning is two things: an inspiring account of Frankl's time in Nazi concentration camps, the trials and inhuman conditions he overcame, the psychological and sociological structure of life in a forced labor camp - and the form of psychological therapy he created to heal the existential angst and anxieties of individuals living in the 20th century. His form of therapy - logotherapy - was created theoretically during his professional years in pre-war Vienna and created actually, tangibly, during his own time struggling as a Jewish prisoner with the existential destruction of living in concentration camps. As a psychologist, he saw how the sheer brutality of his experience reduced men to animal behavior, obliterated their sense of agency, made them into ghosts, decapitated everyone from their meanings of life, and eventually eroded their very will to live. Man's Search for Meaning is a sobering reminder that a meaning to life is a psychologically crucial element for man's survival and that there is resolution to the malaise of depressive nihilism that swept Europe last century....more
A great and powerful book. I enjoyed the author's insights on psychology and decision-making, his excellent vignettes on Alcoa, Starbucks, Proctor & GA great and powerful book. I enjoyed the author's insights on psychology and decision-making, his excellent vignettes on Alcoa, Starbucks, Proctor & Gamble, Target, etc., and his practical strategies on how to reshape one's habits and lifestyles. Habits are in charge of most of our lives, and we have to take responsibility for identifying, shaping and creating habits we want. For anyone interested in adopting good habits, dropping bad habits, or both (me) - this book is indispensable and will be of tremendous aid to you.
5 stars = life-changing, powerful, a must read...more
A powerful and compelling philosophical approach to financial independence. Many books on this subject are about the nuts and bolts - how to invest, hA powerful and compelling philosophical approach to financial independence. Many books on this subject are about the nuts and bolts - how to invest, how to cut costs, getting out of debt, etc. - but not this one. Fisker doesn't give precise techniques and tips (tactics); he focuses on the mentality, the framework, and the attitude (strategies) on money and freedom one needs to adopt to become free from work forever. Truly a valuable read. He rips the guts out of modern consumer society, throws paid work on its head, inspires a return to Renaissance principles, and gives the reader a new outlook on their relationship with the economic system. I doubt I'll retire within 5 years like Fisker did, but with his insight on the situation, I hope it won't take too long....more
One part personal coming-to-Christ narrative, one part Christian apologetics.
Informative in certain ways, but ultimately unconvincing. It was difficulOne part personal coming-to-Christ narrative, one part Christian apologetics.
Informative in certain ways, but ultimately unconvincing. It was difficult to read. The author is attempting to prove the case of Christianity, but his arguments are facile and his writing style is too confident. Like a house of cards, each layer of proof is stacked precipitously on a prior shaky layer. His initial arguments on the historicity of the Bible and the alternatives he proposes (Lord, Liar, or Lunatic) are not persuasive, and he misses many plausible counterfactual scenarios and arguments. His arguments are sometimes built from hasty generalizations (his chapter on New Atheists) and they make him appear ignorant. The final, but not insignificant, drawback is the author's clear agenda. One is not reading an even-handed text written by a curious and neutral scholar, but a man trying to make converts. Take this book with some salt....more
Designed to combat the evils of perpetual sitting, Deskbound is both an education in the principles of human mobility and a complete recovery kit for Designed to combat the evils of perpetual sitting, Deskbound is both an education in the principles of human mobility and a complete recovery kit for those living the "deskbound" life. Starrett relates the importance of posture to your health and mobility, teaches the reader how to stand, sit, walk, and even lie down correctly, and offers a comprehensive mobilization strategy to fix stiff joints, rounded shoulders, tight muscles, back pain, etc. that accompanies endless sitting. Office workers need this, athletes need this, anyone who wants to recover their natural flexibility needs this. Deskbound was a critical brick in my progress toward physical health and it will be a resource for years to come....more
Deeply inspiring, illustrative, and sometimes funny, Seneca acts as a sort of Roman chiropractor for one's life - delivering enough carefully aimed foDeeply inspiring, illustrative, and sometimes funny, Seneca acts as a sort of Roman chiropractor for one's life - delivering enough carefully aimed force with his words to correct our misaligned habits, thought patterns, and perspectives and thereby rid us of the pains of foolish desires (riches, social status, security, etc.), worries, anxieties, disappointments, and fears. By showing us how short life is, Seneca actually gives new life. This small work is a must-read; a curative for ubiquitous psychological ailments and a good start to reforming one's life in light of our true goals and happiness.
I read an edition with three essays: On the Shortness of Life, Consolation to Helvia, and On the Tranquility of Mind. They are all good and all worth careful reading....more
A pretty general self-help book. Some useful techniques for eliminating stress and building compassion for others, but nothing really notable. Feels rA pretty general self-help book. Some useful techniques for eliminating stress and building compassion for others, but nothing really notable. Feels repetitive. The author doesn't spend more than a page or two at maximum on each practice. Worth reading because it's short and some of the ideas will probably stick....more
De Soto brings a largely institutional perspective to bear on why capitalism and markets do not "work" as successfully in most of the world as they seDe Soto brings a largely institutional perspective to bear on why capitalism and markets do not "work" as successfully in most of the world as they seem to do in America and Western Europe. He compellingly describes government regulation, poor rule of law, and lack of title (formal ownership) as the reason so much of the world stays mired in poverty....more
This is the crash course in food and nutrition you never got and that we, in this country, desperately need. How Not to Die is incredible, a tour de fThis is the crash course in food and nutrition you never got and that we, in this country, desperately need. How Not to Die is incredible, a tour de force. Nobody dies from "old age," they die from diseases that arise through bad diet and lifestyle choices. According to Greger, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, alzheimer's, high blood pressure, etc. are all preventable and avoidable by adopting a whole-food, plant-based diet. Just learning about the effects of meat consumption on the body is staggering. Carcinogens like HCAs, IGF-1, PhIP, livestock hormones, saturated fat, and sodium are all present in red meat, chicken, fish, pork, and other animal products. Copiously - perhaps gratuitously - cited in this book, nutrition science seems like it points unequivocally to a broad, plant-based as the best eating plan for human longevity and ability. This book gives you the science and the practice behind "how not to die" from the top 15 killers of Americans....more
Loading...
