Customer Reviews:
Must have.......2007-05-09
Instant improvement on the way you can retain and process informaiton. Get his book on speed reading as well. The return on your investment is incalculable.
This book changed the way I learn and teach.......2007-04-04
I learned mind mapping using this book in 2002 and have been making them for learning, and for making decisions, ever since. Now I'm using them for teaching. There's just nothing like mind maps.
One thing I'd like to emphasize: if you think you can't make maps like the ones in the book because you "can't draw", you're in for a real surprise. The very act of drawing your map will draw out your creativity -- it's quite an amazing phenomenon! Your first maps will be timid -- expect that and keep on making them. Save those first maps to "map" your progress.
But if you feel more comfortable working at the computer, since the book came out a whole slew of mind mapping software has emerged and some good ones are free.
G. Bisaillon
I've found it useful.......2007-03-04
I don't remember how long ago I learned about mind maps, but it's been a while. And I have found them to be useful for organizing thoughts, taking notes on reading, and especially for lectures and even sermons in church.
This book is lavish with illustrations that quite honestly, would be hard for me to sit down and try to do to that quality. But I have found the color-friendly and picture-friendly technique of mind mapping to be useful for introducing the element of play into note taking -- and I've found that it can make an otherwise dull lecture a bit more interesting.
I think that sometimes you'll have to modify the techniques to fit your own personality and learning style. But over all, these techniques will help in a lot of learning and organizing situations.
Great tool, but at times a bit elementary.......2007-01-10
If you happen to use dry erase walls for your meetings, or other types of planning, or find yourself to be a bit of a doodler rather than a 'conventional' note-taker, you'll really find this book helpful. Designed, it seems, primarily for note taking in grade school, it translates very well into other sorts of more 'adult' model-building and planning. I've taken some great tid-bits from it, and used it, almost immediately, with some adroitness and success for a series of meetings. It's a great way to systematize and visualize ideas and opinions without losing track of the conversation through too much attention payed to e-v-e-r-y l-i-t-t-l-e w-o-r-d.
Interesting, but quite long and frankly a little repetitious.......2006-11-22
I'll recommend this book to people who already has some experience with mind mapping, but wants to get inspiration for new techniques.
I think it's best as a reference book, that you can browse for inspiration, for new mindmap-approaches to problemsolving. You learn about taking YES/NO decision with dyadic mindmapping. You learn to group mindmap, and lots of other stuff.
I wouldn't recommend it for mindmap-rookies. It's not a very pleasant book to read cover-to-cover. There's quite a lot of redundant information, and you spend a lot of time thinking, "haven't I read this before?" To get an introduction to mindmapping you should buy "How to mindmap", by Tony Buzan, instead.
Still worthwhile if you want some inspiration.
Book Description
Aimed at parents and coaches of organized sports, this easygoing and friendly discussion of unrealistic performance pressure avoids medical jargon and outlines both physical and emotional milestones that determine sports skill development in youth. Revealing that body chemistry, thinking skills, and emotional maturity all play important roles in athletic training, this guide introduces differing developmental timetables, emphasizing that a focus on personal accomplishments is a much more effective practice than a focus on simply winning. Clever chapter titles proceed from "First Serve" and "Free Throw" to "9th Inning" and "Final Lap and Cool Down," with each chapter providing a questionnaire that gauges a child's readiness for the skill levels discussed.
Customer Reviews:
Great read, easy and extremely informative!.......2007-05-21
This is an incredible treasure for the parents and coaches of young athletes. It is very well written, easy to understand and thoughtful. Dr. Stricker's knowledge on the subject of physical and emotions developmental levels of children and the impact this has on sports is supurb. Being a parent of athletes himself give a uniques perspective to the book.
Do you know any parents who push their kids to perform in sports way past the "fun zone"? This book is for them, but it's also for those of us who are trying to make sense of the increased commitments that are pressed upon our youth involved in most sports today.
A Must Read !.......2007-01-12
This book is great! A must read for coaches, especially of very young athletes. As a parent, I gained alot of knowledge and felt this book was a reputable source of information. This book explains so much about what kids can actually do, compared to what is expected of them.
The nutrition information is very helpful and I learned alot there as well.
Book Description
Everything you need to know to operate a successful salon is right here at your fingertips! From creating customer growth to selecting the right computer software for your salon needs, this unique and comprehensive guide will help you to build and retain a lucrative customer base. Apply these vital tips and create the salon people want to keep coming to!
Customer Reviews:
Ugly edition, but good content.......2006-10-06
At first, when I received the book, I thought: what a waste of money! The printing is ugly, it looks like fotocopies. This is about beauty... With such an ugly book what can they teach me abou it. But when I started to read it, I found very useful tips for the salon that my wife and I own. I bought other books on the subject, but this has a more practical, empirical approach. The theoretical side is not strong, but I was not looking for that.
Book Description
Available for the first time in paperback, Barna unveils the results of years of research and hundreds of interviews, and emerges with a new definition of what leadership is--and isn't.
Customer Reviews:
Where is the Biblical Basis?.......2005-08-11
I have read Barna for years and have consistently credited him with being a most able marketing research, marketing, and leadership practioner of the finest level. His successes would exhibit this.
However, equally as consistent has been my criticism that Barna makes emphatic, foundational assumptions claiming God said, when in fact God has not said, e.g. Jesus and Paul were the consummate marketing men when the Biblical proof he offers is bogus.
Here it is more of the same, applying supposed God says to Church Leaders who are visionary leaders for change in fulfilling God's vision. What does Barna suggest here and in the books he has written on vision? Quoting Proverbs 29:18, he defines visionary leadership as the pastor sensing what better future he has in mind for a group of people as a blessing. If only he would clearly tie this to the Gospel of Jesus Christ he would be ok. But no, he ties it to some dream, some Joel Osteen like wish and hope inside a person which doesn't equate at all with God's constant revelation of true interpretation/applicaiton of Prov. 29:18 ---- that then turns Servants of the Word, true sent and speaking for God pastors into CEO/Leaders which Barna exhorts here in this work.
Since this is based on business/management principles for leadership, it is useful to those in that pursuit, be they Christians or not. But for Christian church, this is leaven being brought into the church from world. To be rid of, or Barna et al will have to provide Biblical proof for it.
Was Jeremiah a leader sent by God according to Barna's criteria? I don't think he can pass the test Barna presents here. The other prophets and the current cannot either.
This is dangerous work which must be exposed as not for church but for industry.
Superb Leadership Resource!.......2004-04-10
I've read several books by George Barna, some excellent, some mediocre. This title is definitely one of his better works. He offers here very practical, helpful insights for church leaders in the 21st century. One does not need to search long on any bookseller's website to find a plethora of titles on leadership. Barna however, offers solid, spiritual advice based on Scriptural truths as well as painstaking research.
Near the end of the book he shares a quote given by Mother Teresa to a Christian leader: "Obedience, not Success." These three words describe in a nutshell Barna's philosophy of leadership. This title will be helpful for anyone involved in the challenge of leading God's people.
George Barna knows What's Up........2003-09-26
The Barna Research Group is world-renowned for its research and studies on Christian organizations, religious, secular and cultural trends, and organizational behavior.
I wanted a bare knuckle, no-nonsense practical book on leadership I could put to use with my management team, my sales people, and my ministry groups. This was it.
Barna describes four types of leaders: directing, strategic, team-building, and operational. The first thing I did was find myself in the mix, naturally. His insights are clear and very perceptive. Then I evaluated my managers. His insights into each style's nature, strengths, and growth opportunities were invaluable; especially as a mirror on myself and how I tend to interact with others.
He then sent me into my mission and vision statements for the organization and examine those in light of God's vision for me, my business, and His will. The time I have spent reflecting on this portion of the book and clarifying our objectives in light of God's plans, will certainly the business and my life.
A terrific book and a must-have for every organizational leader, father, and fellow traveller on the Christian journey.
An excellent book on leadership, but not management,.......2003-03-27
This book is well worth the reading. Barna presents some good ideas about leadership, based on his experience. He presents his own theories about what makes a leader and the issues facing a leader.
His book is well worth studying. The book should be included in any course on leadership, secular or not. He make a good argument that leader are called to the task. I disagree with his premise that leadership can't really be taught. Christians in leadership roles need to read this book, and ponder the difficult questions he asks at the end of many chapters.
Book Description
THERE IS ONLY TOMORROW (Your Life is what you make of it)
You can't change the past, but your future is what you make of it today. You can make good decisions for a better tomorrow by understanding the evolving planetary energies affecting your birthchart. It's like having a mapping program combined with a knowledge of sailing so you can tack with the wind energies to get where you want to go.
Knowing and understanding these changing planetary energies gives you an edge in these very challenging times when economic and political forces are seemingly arrayed against the individual and could bring disaster to the unprepared.
This science of predictive astrology is normally considered too complex for the non-professional, but the step-by-step method in this book and the computing power of the included CD-ROM uses the birthchart as the foundation for your evolving life and does all the calculations to print out reports that enable you to discover the prime times for all the important decisions in your life. You will learn proven predictive techniques to make the right choices and chose the best times for marriage, relationships, career, relocation, money, health, and more. Even luck can be factored in.
Customer Reviews:
A Personalized Daily Guide.......2004-10-29
This book comes with a CD-ROM that enables the purchaser to calculate his own natal horoscope and generate daily guides based upon the transits aspecting that chart. Those who want to have astrological advice about the conditions existing on certain dates will find what they are seeking here. The book also provides a lucid overview of natal horoscopes, progressions, eclipses, and transits. In addition there is specific advice for Relationships, Jobs/Career, Money, Relocation, and Health, with example horoscopes in each section.
Beginner-level.......2004-09-26
I ordered this book to find some useful hints and tips on astrological forecasting. However, there is nothing in this book that has not been written elsewhere. Yes, I was a little disappointed. There was really nothing new in it. However, if you are a beginner 'Mapping Your Future' gives a good overview on transits and progressions. The interpretations of the progressions and transits are kept (very) short. The enclosed CD-ROM calculates the transits and delivers a forecast report that you can print. The report was well-done but for advanced students it was way too general. Advanced students of astrology should not get this book. Stick to Bernadette Brady's Eagle and the Lark or Carol Rushman's The Art of Predictive Astrology. These two books are still the best.
Product Description
The 7 Keys to Instant and Long Term Success - If you're finally ready to reach a higher level of success in the field of real estate, this 2 disc CD program is perfect for you. Regardless if you have been a real estate agent or broker for 20 years, or 20 days, this highly effective program will give you the tools needed to get the results you desire in a step-by-step plan for success.
Customer Reviews:
It's not just for real estate professionals..........2005-11-21
If you're not familiar with David and his work, then you are in for a real treat! At first glance, the title to this audio CD leads the listener to believe that his presentation is strictly for real estate agents and professionals. However, it's my opinion that the information is valuable for all people who are committed to serving their clients with the highest level of service and professionalism in any business.
David highlights seven keys that are essential to your success... not only in business but in life! If you want to stand out amongst others in your field, if you want to be recognized for your level of customer service and professionalism, if you want to make lasting impressions with your clients, listen to these CDs. Follow his suggestions then watch your business grow!
Book Description
Let bestselling author Stedman Graham show you how building your own "Life Brand" will result in a more successful and fulfilling life.
From traditional corporations to the Internet, from top executives to people striving every day in their communities, "branding" has become one of the most significant marketing practices in pop culture today. We all rely on our favorite brand-name products to provide us with a certain level of quality. Now Stedman Graham shows readers how applying branding strategies to their own lives can help them attain their greatest potential and value.
We all have talents, knowldge, and other gifts to share -- not just at work but with loved ones and everyone we meet. Putting these traits to work for you as part of your Life Brand will enable you to reach your highest goals and enrich the world around you. With entertaining and pointed insights on personal branding styles and step-by-step instructions for developing a brand of your own, Build Your Own Life Brand! will show you how to:
- Discover and develop your individual brand assets, like your talents, knowldege, and personal characteristics
- Build and expand upon those strengths
- Identify "target markets" for key areas of your life -- your work your relationships, and your community
- Create more value in those markets as well as your own life.
Customer Reviews:
Community Service.......2002-06-10
In books like Rich Dad, Poor Dad, the author wrote about returning to society what one has reaped. In this book, Mr. Graham attempts to do it the other way round - almost. Build your brand from the community side. Market yourself as trustworthy and let the word of mouth spreads and presumably good things will come to bear.
While the examples were very inspiring, many of them African Americans, the concepts and ideas are not new. One get a sense of deja vu if you have read 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and the likes.
"A vital part of ones ongoing journey of success".......2001-09-21
Stedman Graham does an excellent job writing on a virtually un-noticed aspect of being successful. This book is very reader friendly, and informative. Our life brands should be just as important to us as Coca-Cola is to its makers. It really boils down to standing for what we believe in, and getting ourselves known by as many people as we can. Mr. Graham focuses on public speaking, service work, advertising, etc.. My only qualms about this great book is the authors redundant use of anecdotes. If he would have used less examples and more of his great teaching abilities, I would have surely given this book five stars.
It's OK...but rather simplistic.......2001-06-13
I am halfway through the book as I type this. This book has a wealth of real-life examples of successful individuals who have branded themselves (e.g. Oprah, Michael Jordan, and others who are not-so famous). It also includes some examples of branding missteps (e.g. Dennis Rodman, the Barbie doll Holiday Edition debacle). All in all, it rehashes the same stuff over and over again without giving less motivated readers a clear cut plan on where to start (most readers with motivation know this stuff already). Examples include: 1. Live your passion (how many times have we heard this) 2. Don't let your circumstances keep you from branding yourself (again...it's been said before) 3. Don't let others influence your choices 4. Make the right choices and things will fall into place (the examples he uses makes it seem as if this will magically take place with no pitfalls) 5. Make the wrong choices and...DOOM! 6. Spend your time on your dreams and goals .....
I have read 100 pages and have yet to read a truly unique piece of advice. Sure this is an OK read for those of us who know these principles and may need a kick in the pants to jump-start ourselves again...however, some people need more tangible advice.
The section on creating success circles is the best part so far...but it took up a total of 10 pages. I am skimming the rest of the book and see more of the same. (e.g. Ways to Expand Your Brand include creating a website...starting a newsletter...create a non-profit organization)
All that I can say is that a typical man or woman in a humdrum existance will not feel any better about their lives after they are fed example after example of celebrities and major companies with successful branding. How about giving us a story about a single mother of four with two jobs who "found her passion."
Reading the vignettes were certainly stimulating, but will do little for those who don't know the ABCs of how to "just do it."
I would definitely give it 5 stars if giving it to a pre-teen or high school student. In fact, I am saving it for my kids.
Phenomenal work!.......2001-05-08
Stedman, you've done it again! As the editor of Empowermag.com, I must read so many books on personal/professional development that my eyes get crossed.
However, when I got Build Your Own Lifebrand, I could not put the book down because it was so compelling! What a concept, mission and movement. Kudos to your achievements in life and the impact your're making in the lives of many.
I'm glad to have shared history with such a brilliant history maker as yourself. Keep up the great work!
Sincerely Philippe Matthews President/CEO Empowermag.com
Unpaid Service to Others Establishes Your Public Identity.......2001-04-29
In this celebrity-fascinated age, Professor Graham has written a solid book advocating the opportunity to build a more meaningful personal life through public service in ways that build on your strengths and preferences. The book contains many, many examples of celebrities pursuing this direction successfully, as well as the author's own experiences.
Build Your Own Life Brand! could have used fewer celebrities, and many more people who are like the typical reader. Professor Graham talks about his personal pain in the past at being seen merely as Ms. Oprah Winfrey's boyfriend, yet works Ms. Winfrey and that former connection into the book ad nauseum. Methinks the professor doth protest too much!
The book's basic weakness is that it outlines principles rather than having the kind of practical, detailed directions most people need, despite having a number of exercises in the book. As a result, the advice will probably work well for people who are celebrities already, people who are friends of celebrities already, those who are obsessed with becoming celebrities, and people who are part of "minority" groups that are underrepresented in the public mind and need attention.
The best part of this book was its focus on what value you bring to others as the first element of establishing a positive public image. Compare this idea to the behavior of people like Michael Milken and Bill Gates who began to work in philanthropic activities only after they ran into serious government and public relations problems.
I agree with this point for several reasons. First, your own efforts to add value to others will be vastly more effective than anything you could do to add value only for yourself. So you can accomplish more this way. Second, it feels better to be helping than to be helped. Third, there is room for more scope and creativity in helping others. Fourth, you will attract resources you would otherwise never have if you help others first. Naturally, if you do this well, you will also meet some people and accomplish some things that benefit your personal interests. Although there are a number of things about this book that I did not like, I think that this book deserves to be widely read for the effective way that public service is advocated.
The other strong point in the book's favor is that it points out that people will hang labels on you, whether or not you try to present a consisent image. Most of those labels will be incorrect, and lead to missed potential. For example, the bus driver who arranged for Ms. Rosa Parks to be arrested for not giving up her seat for a white man viewed her as just another person lacking the full rights of a citizen. By her action, she asserted that she was a full citizen. By continuing her fight, most people never misunderstood her again.
On the other hand, I found that applying the concept of a life brand as a total structure for one's life to be uncomfortable. Yes, if done well, that approach does make it easier for people to understand who you are and what you are interested in. On the other hand, it also excludes a great deal of potential freedom and openness. The idea also presumes that somehow you have wasted your life if you aren't connecting, connecting, and connecting some more. Well, some aspects of life are best developed by quiet, by thinking, in private with your loved ones, and even with solitude.
For relationship building, you certainly see a great shallowness here compared to Dr. Phil McGraw's Relationship Rescue.
In a similar vein, I found Tom Peter's book, the brand you50 (from his series called Reinvesting Work), to be far more realistic. It connects personal brand building to its commercial value as a communications process, and leaves plenty of space for even the most passionate personal brand builder to have a private life disconnected from the career brand.
After you have finished all of this, I suggest that you imagine yourself writing your own obituary. What would you like it to say? If having established a clear public identity helps, then please do so. But don't assume that it does.
Accomplish your life's purpose in the most appropriate ways!
Book Description
Winner of the American Medical Writers Association Award, this guide helps readers create a personalized approach to lifetime weight management. Providing illustrations, charts, tables, self-tests and checklists, it shows people how to make a commitment, set realistic goals, and design an individualized exercise and eating program.
Book Description
Dr. Joseph Murphy’s classic book The Power of Your Subconscious Mind was first published in 1963 and became an immediate bestseller; it was acclaimed as one of the best self-help guides ever written. Following the success of this work, Dr. Murphy lectured to thousands of people around the world, and millions tuned in to his daily radio program. In his lectures, he pointed out how real people have radically improved their lives by applying specific aspects of his concepts.
Now, these lectures have been combined, edited, and updated in six books that bring Dr. Murphy’s teachings into the 21st century and provide readers with his proven tools on how to program their subconscious minds so that they can radically improve their lives.
This is
Book 1 of the series. Within these pages, Dr. Murphy reminds us that we all worry—mostly about things that will never happen. Worry robs us of vitality, enthusiasm, and energy; and often causes ulcers, high blood pressure, and other debilitating diseases. Dr. Murphy teaches us how to replace fear and worry with harmony, peace, and love, and recommends prayers and meditations that will cleanse the mind of irrational concerns and implant uplifting ideas into the subconscious.
Book Description
For over ten years, life coach Lorna MacKinnon has used her skills to help people assess their lives, set new goals, and make positive personal and career changes. Now, using a potent combination of life coaching and astrology, MacKinnon has developed coaching tips and exercises specifically designed to compliment your particular star sign characteristics. Your Star Sign Life Coach offers a powerful new way to effect lasting change in your life by ensuring those changes derive from who you naturally are, helping you to:
• Identify your strengths and weaknesses and the most likely route to success
• Select the best partners for long-term relationships and maintain those relationships
• Work with your natural strengths when it comes to handling your finances and improving your health
• Choose a career and working environment that best suits you as an individual
• Learn how to set goals that naturally propel you toward your dreams and ambitions
From the impulsive, quick results-fixated Aries to the sensitive, chronically indecisive Pisces, Your Star Sign Life Coach will help you develop your own system for personal development, taking you one step closer to realizing your dreams.
Customer Reviews:
Insightful & Informative.......2005-06-23
This book was excellent. I started by reading my own star sign to see if I felt the information was accurate or just nonsense. Surprisingly, the information presented about my star sign (and all the others) is insightful, meaningful, and purposeful. As the other reviewer stated, many astrology books focus on the negative (or even the positive) aspects of a sign, but do not really show you how to do anything with the information. But, MacKinnon does; this really is like having a coach on-hand. Through exercises designed to increase your awareness of your own goals, values, etc., she not only addresses the positives and negatives of each sign, but offers practical solutions for helping yourself get through trouble points. She devotes a generous 12-15 pages per sign (sometimes more) and the information is really valuable, whether you are interested in astrology or not. Most of the exercises (and there are about 5 per sign, so 60ish total) can be done by anyone, not just those born under the star sign the exercise falls under. This is definitely a book I'm going to keep on my shelf and I'd 100% recommend it.
A Real Helper!.......2002-12-19
Astrology books are great at pointing out the negative characteristics of the different star (sun) signs, but don't offer much advice for dealing with them. As an example, most astrology books tell us that Cancer is "needy." We're given that information and then moved on to another characteristic. Lorna MacKinnon is able to help us out. She offers practical advice on how to deal with and overcome our star sign's negative traits. To continue the example, she includes an exercise in the Cancer chapter on "Getting Your Needs Met." It's not just a "how to." It's a real way of getting you to size up your needs and expectations (applicable to more than just Cancerians). There are many exercises of this sort for each of the signs. She also offers "Coach's Tips" and "Tools for Making a Difference" throughout. It is chockfull of incrediblly insightful guidance. The book is excellent. I read it cover to cover and would recommend it highly to anyone. Even people who have never studied astrology will find it very informative and thought provoking. It should be required reading for all beginning students of astrology. The more advanced student will do well to add Ms. MacKinnon's advice and experience to their toolbox. This is top shelf material.
Books:
- The One Minute Manager Balances Work and Life (One Minute Manager Library)
- The Power of Appreciative Inquiry: A Practical Guide to Positive Change
- The Power of Play: How Spontaneous, Imaginative Activities Lead to Happier, Healthier Children
- The Restaurant Managers Handbook: How to Set Up, Operate, and Manage a Financially Successful Food Service Operation
- The Secrets of Facilitation: The S.M.A.R.T. Guide to Getting Results With Groups
- The Shadows of Power: The Council on Foreign Relations and the American Decline
- The White Man's Burden: Why the West's Efforts to Aid the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and So Little Good
- UP: Influence, Power and the U Perspective- The Art of Getting What You Want
- Visual Systems: Harnessing the Power of a Visual Workplace
- WORDS THAT WORK: IT'S NOT WHAT YOU SAY, IT'S WHAT PEOPLE HEAR
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- Know-How: The 8 Skills That Separate People Who Perform from Those Who Don't
- Woodshop Dust Control: A Complete Guide to Setting Up Your Own System: Completely Revised and Update
- One Hundred Years of Canadian Cinema
- Rough Diamonds, A Practical Guide
- The Force of Reason
- Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul
- Transport Of Molecules Across Microbial Membranes
- Intellectual Capital: Core asset for the third millennium
- Supply-Side Revolution: An Insider's Account of Policymaking in Washington
- The Holland Suggestions: A Novel
General
| Self-Help
| Health, Mind & Body
| Subjects
| Books
Use Both Sides of Your Brain: New Mind-Mapping Techniques, Third Edition (Plume)
How to Mind Map
Mind Maps at Work: How to Be the Best at Your Job and Still Have Time to Play
Mindmapping: Your Personal Guide to Exploring Creativity and Problem-Solving
Mapping Inner Space: Learning and Teaching Visual Mapping
