Business Book Summaries

What's easier: Working toward your goals alone through trial and error, or seeking the guidance and direction of someone who's been there and done that?

The answer is obvious. When you seek the advice of someone who has been through it all before, you can then avoid the same mistakes and focus your time and energy on what truly works. That's the power of a life coach.

Imagine yourself with a set plan and just the right advice. Coaching may shave years off the time it would have taken you to reach your goals otherwise!

Here are the top 7 reasons why you need a life coach:

1. Builds confidence. You know you're under the guidance of someone successful and that your goals are attainable.

2. Guided plan. Sure, you can draft up a plan by yourself, but when you write out your plans with the help of a coach, you know you're getting a realistic plan that works! Your coach will know shortcuts and can help you stay accountable as well.

3. Conflicts. Coaches can help you cope with current conflicts and tensions in your life. They can also give you tips on how to avoid similar situations in the future.

4. Personal attention. Coaching allows you to get one on one attention so you can be personally guided along your chosen path. If you run into struggles, your coach will be there to provide much needed support and suggestions.

5. Dealing with challenges. Things will not always go according to plan. When you hit a snag, your coach can help you overcome the challenge and steer you back into the correct direction. You can feel comfortable knowing that you're receiving expert guidance.

6. Versatility. You can decide how you'd like to use your coach. Do you want help with short-term goals or long-term goals? Perhaps you'd like both.

7. Enthusiasm. Your coach likely has a great deal of enthusiasm for their work, which will naturally rub off on you. Sometimes it may be difficult to keep up your drive, but thankfully, inspiration is one of the main reasons why coaches exist.

Finding a Coach That's Right for You

There are a few tips you should keep in mind when searching for a coach that will mesh well with your personal style. The first concern is that your coach should have certain credentials and experience. It depends on the field you're in, but ensure you do your homework when it comes to checking up on your coach.

See if you can find testimonials and reviews about potential coaches. Ask around and try to talk to someone else who has been coached by this person. After all, a good referral is always more trusted!

Communicate with your potential coach and see what his or her communication style is like. Ask yourself whether or not you think you'd get along well with this person. Some people might think the coach is fabulous, but if you don't think you'll personally communicate well, then it may not be a good fit for you.

Make sure your coaching sessions will be conducted in a format that you find comfortable. Ask yourself whether you're the type of person that needs to meet face to face. Nowadays with technology we can communicate in many different ways. Coaching sessions can take place over the phone, email, video conferencing, or in-person.

In the end you should be proud of yourself for seeking expert help. Follow these strategies to find a great life coach for you and jumpstart your journey into the life you desire.

What are your goals for your job? Most likely, you want to move up, get paid more, and have greater responsibilities. Or perhaps you want to get out of your current job and find one that's more rewarding.

Whichever goal you have, you can meet it with some positive thinking and a sound strategy. You can also use those same techniques to meet goals your boss has set for you.

When you set your own goal, you're more likely to achieve it. However, even if your boss has given you a particular goal to meet, avoid looking upon it as a chore. See it as an opportunity, instead. Meeting that goal might impress your boss, but more importantly, it'll show you just how much you're capable of accomplishing.

Meeting Goals You've Set For Yourself

Setting lofty job goals is a great thing. It's important that you don't just languish in a job you really don't like, doing work you aren't happy with. You need a job you can enjoy and do well in. If your job doesn't meet those parameters, it's time to set goals toward getting a new or better job.

If your goal is to get ahead in your current position, or even change places entirely, there are several things you can do, including:

• Going back to school to acquire new skills and education • Networking with others in your field • Talking to your boss about what you need to do to move forward • Getting a mentor or other employee to work with or observe

Avoid giving up on your goals and dreams. Even if others doubt you, or they don't understand why your goals are so important to you, stay focused! Your goals add value to your life and give you a sense of accomplishment.

Meeting Goals Others Have Set For You

When your boss sets a goal for you, it could easily mean he sees great things in your future and wants to push you to greater heights. Take that goal as a serious opportunity to show your boss what you can do. It's not a punishment. It's a chance at more!

Make sure you're clear on the goal you've been assigned:

• What, exactly, is required of you? • Are there any preparatory steps, such as further education, required? • When is the deadline for meeting the goal? • Are there mini-deadlines for portions of the project you can assign to yourself? • If anything is unclear, ask before you get started. That's good business sense, and it shows initiative. When you take your goals seriously, others will notice.

Realizing What's Important

Goals matter, whether you've set them or whether someone else has created them for you. However, some goals are much more significant than others, and you'll want to keep that in mind. If you're looking for another job but your current boss has already set a goal for you to meet, you may find yourself juggling both for a little while.

It doesn't have to be stressful. Staying focused on your goals and ensuring that you meet them is something you can plan in detail. Breaking your objective into smaller steps can help you ease the stress.

Smaller steps help your positive outlook, too, because you'll reach a realistic goal faster than an unattainable one. As you achieve your smaller milestones, you'll notice that your bigger goals will come into focus and they'll seem more attainable than ever before!

Your job goals are some of the most important objectives you'll set and attain, because they help stabilize both your present and future. It's true from a financial standpoint, but your job carries over into so many other aspects of your life, as well.

Take the time to really think through your job goals, and then draw up your plans to meet them. When you have your plans in hand, stay focused on success!

It's always a good idea to make yourself a valuable asset to your employer. The truth is, if you produce more value than your cost, you'll be less likely to be let go.

There are certain things you can do beyond just doing your own job really well. While you should remain friendly, motivated and hard working, there are specific actions that will impress your employer.

Try some of these value-enhancing actions:

1. Find a Way to Increase Profits. Even if you weren't specifically assigned the task, keep an open mind and brainstorm ways that the company can work more efficiently. Perhaps you could bring an idea to your manager's attention that will boost sales or reduce costs. Your boss will remember your creative thinking and appreciate that you took the initiative.

2. Be Willing to Cross-Train. No matter what your job is, there are ways that you can learn new things in different areas. You should show interest and actively learn the ins and outs of other jobs in completely different departments. This way your employer will know that you have a deeper understanding of the business, which could lead to bigger or better opportunities.

3. Sharpen Your Skills. Spend time to delve deeper into your current skill set. Chances are that things are not as mundane as you might think. Keep your mind open to developing your skills in a different or better way.

• For example, if you work in online advertising, continue to search for different ways you can advertise or different networks to display your advertising. You may end up greatly improving the company's return on investment by thinking outside of the box, instead of going with what has worked in the past.

1. Take on Additional Responsibilities. When you take on additional responsibilities, you add value to your position within the company. While you may not be issued a different title, your employer will see just how valuable you are. If cutbacks need to be made, you'd be less likely to go than someone with fewer responsibilities.

2. Work on Co-Worker Relationships. While the people you work with don't have to become your best friends, it's important to maintain a certain level of camaraderie. Try making small talk occasionally with your co-workers and bosses on breaks or during lunches. This will help your employer remember that you mesh well with everyone in the company.

3. Take Classes. While you may already have a degree or diploma in a subject that pertains to your current job, it won't hurt to keep improving yourself by expanding your education. Remember, it's not required to go back to school, but if you have the time and resources available it could be a good idea. More and more classes are available over the internet too, which is great for people who already work to fit their classes into their existing schedules.

While you don't have to implement all strategies at once, it's a good idea to think about doing the one's that will work for you. You may even discover that your job satisfaction increases. This becomes a win-win situation to the benefit of all!

In order to be successful at what I do, I have to accept help from others. Collaboration and teamwork are the springboard where new ideas bounce off. Therefore, the quality of my work improves when I receive input from others.

In order to accept help from others, I must let go of pride, recognizing that others can have ideas just as good or better than my own. As long as we work toward the same goal, I benefit from the expertise of my colleagues.

I work hard to perfect the skill of identifying talent in those around me. I listen to others and watch out for their strengths so I can delegate appropriately. When I delegate, I am free from worry because I trust those with whom I work.

I delegate because I cannot do everything efficiently on my own without wearing myself out. I preserve my health and renew my strength when I maintain a manageable workload.

I need others to help me achieve my goals. Delegating the small stuff allows me to focus on the big picture.

Success is sweeter when shared with others. When I get to the top of the mountain I want to have someone with whom to share the view. The relationships formed along the way are as worthy of celebration as the success itself!

Today, I relinquish control of my affairs and accept the help of others. I enjoy time to rest and play when the workload is shared amongst a team of capable people.

Self-Reflection Questions:

1. Do I accept help from others?
2. What task am I holding on to that I need to delegate?
3. How will my life improve once I allow others to help?

Technorati tags: self improvement, work productivity, empowerment, leadership

If you've recently suffered burnout, you'll likely be looking for ways to restore your peace, health, and happiness. It's important to treat yourself lovingly after such a trauma to your system so you don't develop chronic health conditions.

Burnout can cause all sorts of mental and emotional issues, including anxiety and depression. You should try to recognize the signs that lead to burnout, but this may not always be possible. If you concentrate on restoring yourself after burnout, you can avoid these issues and get your true self back.

Consider these burnout tips to help you regain your strength:

1. Find a new direction. The best, most permanent, way of dealing with burnout is to focus on making sustainable life changes. Ask yourself whether or not you're happy in your current situation. Perhaps it's time to make a major life shift, such as a new career or downsizing your home.

2. Take a break. It's best to get away from the situation that has caused you to burn out. This may mean going out for a walk and getting away for a few hours, or it may mean giving yourself a full blown vacation.

· You don't necessarily have to spend a lot of money for a vacation. Your goal is to relax and clear your mind. You can certainly do this at home or in your local community.

3. Solve the problem. If you're currently in the middle of a stressful situation, take action to solve the problem right away as best as you can. Consider the possible solutions to the problem and ask for help from others if necessary.

4. Gain control. Take control of the situation where possible. Realize that you can solve your problems and you're not doomed to remain in this state forever. Also, have the wisdom to accept that there are situations that are beyond your control.

• Do what you can to improve your situation, but avoid worrying about the things out of your control.

5. Be open and honest. Sometimes it's best to set your pride aside and ask for help when you need it. Open up about the issues you're facing with a close friend or relative. If that's not an option for you, seek the help of a counselor.

Stress Management

If burnout tends to be a common occurrence for you, it would be in your best interest to start studying some stress management techniques.

There are certain things you can do to combat stress:

• Don't take on too much at work or at home.
• Remember that you can – and should – tell people "no."
• Make time for yourself.
• Ask for help from others.

Know Your Warning Signs

Once you've suffered burnout, you'll certainly want to know how you can avoid a similar situation in the future. Study the factors that led to burnout, and identify your mistakes so you can avoid making them again in the future.

In the End

These strategies will help you regain peace with yourself. If there are any outstanding issues that you need to resolve, seek solutions so you can achieve peace. You can do so through self-reflection, prayer, meditation, and communication. And once you do, you'll avoid burnout altogether!

Technorati tags: self improvement, productivity, empowerment, work ethic

Bad habits can form without you even knowing it and they can prove to be difficult to break. However, it's always the first step that's the most difficult. Once you get started, you'll build both momentum and confidence.

With a proper focus and willingness to succeed, you'll find that you can overcome any bad habit. Then you can choose to replace that bad habit with a more positive one.

Breaking Bad Patterns of Behavior

Before you can tackle the problem of replacing a bad habit with a good one, you'll need to be mentally prepared to detach yourself from the habit. A strong mindset allows you to tackle nearly anything!

Keep these tips in mind as you prepare to transform your habits:

• Get organized by figuring out the bad pattern you'd like to break. • Start small, with one habit at a time. Trying to change too much at once can overwhelm you. • Decide that you truly want to change. If you don't want to change, you simply won't. • Don't judge yourself. If you make a mistake, get back in there and keep trying.

The Substitution

The key to permanently breaking a bad habit lies in being able to replace it with a good one. If you engage in a bad habit and decide to simply stop entirely, it can be incredibly tough. You might be okay for a while, but chances are you'll find yourself back to your old bad habits in no time.

Consider some of these situations for substituting good habits for bad ones:

1. Exercise. Exercise is an excellent substitution for bad habits. Exercise can make you less likely to overeat and help you battle other addictions as well. With exercise, instead of just trying to refrain from the addicting activities, you're actively releasing your energy in other ways.

2. "Being social" and other excuses. Sometimes we say that our bad habits happen in social situations only. It's true that we're social creatures, but certainly you can be social in ways that aren't detrimental to your health! Change your routines to avoid the temptation.

3. Taking action. Your solutions don't have to be conventional or from a textbook, but they do have to work for you as an individual. Strive to take action and stay the course, even if you stumble from time to time.

Fulfill Your Needs

You must learn to fulfill your needs in a healthy way. Chances are you've developed a bad habit because of an underlying need. Identify this need and find positive ways to fulfill it.

You might need to do a little soul searching in order to find the true underlying causes for your bad habits. If you have a bad habit of grinding your teeth at night, you might need to ask yourself why. Taking an action like wearing a mouth guard is one thing, but maybe you also need to take action to get to the root of your stress!

You might engage in many negative actions because you don't feel needed and loved the way you think you deserve to be. This is the root of the problem that we often ignore. Masking the pain with self-destructive habits is clearly not going to solve the issue. Instead, discuss your concerns with family, friends or a health professional and be proactive in solving it.

Following these tips to help you turn bad habits into good ones may take some time and effort, but the benefits of a happier and healthier life are well worth it! Technorati tags: self improvement, productivity, empowerment, work ethic

It's always a good idea to make yourself a valuable asset to your employer. The truth is, if you produce more value than your cost, you'll be less likely to be let go.

There are certain things you can do beyond just doing your own job really well. While you should remain friendly, motivated and hard working, there are specific actions that will impress your employer.

Try some of these value-enhancing actions:

1. Find a Way to Increase Profits. Even if you weren't specifically assigned the task, keep an open mind and brainstorm ways that the company can work more efficiently. Perhaps you could bring an idea to your manager's attention that will boost sales or reduce costs. Your boss will remember your creative thinking and appreciate that you took the initiative.

2. Be Willing to Cross-Train. No matter what your job is, there are ways that you can learn new things in different areas. You should show interest and actively learn the ins and outs of other jobs in completely different departments. This way your employer will know that you have a deeper understanding of the business, which could lead to bigger or better opportunities.

3. Sharpen Your Skills. Spend time to delve deeper into your current skill set. Chances are that things are not as mundane as you might think. Keep your mind open to developing your skills in a different or better way.

• For example, if you work in online advertising, continue to search for different ways you can advertise or different networks to display your advertising. You may end up greatly improving the company's return on investment by thinking outside of the box, instead of going with what has worked in the past.

1. Take on Additional Responsibilities. When you take on additional responsibilities, you add value to your position within the company. While you may not be issued a different title, your employer will see just how valuable you are. If cutbacks need to be made, you'd be less likely to go than someone with fewer responsibilities.

2. Work on Co-Worker Relationships. While the people you work with don't have to become your best friends, it's important to maintain a certain level of camaraderie. Try making small talk occasionally with your co-workers and bosses on breaks or during lunches. This will help your employer remember that you mesh well with everyone in the company.

3. Take Classes. While you may already have a degree or diploma in a subject that pertains to your current job, it won't hurt to keep improving yourself by expanding your education. Remember, it's not required to go back to school, but if you have the time and resources available it could be a good idea. More and more classes are available over the internet too, which is great for people who already work to fit their classes into their existing schedules.

While you don't have to implement all strategies at once, it's a good idea to think about doing the one's that will work for you. You may even discover that your job satisfaction increases. This becomes a win-win situation to the benefit of all! Technorati tags: self improvement, productivity, empowerment, work ethic

You already know that to-do lists help you get focused and organized throughout the day. When you have your to-do list in hand, you're freeing your mind from all the disorganized thoughts and, instead, getting them down on paper.

However, this technique can go awry if your to-do list isn't organized as well as it should be. You might lose your motivation and drive and, at the end of the day, you may notice that most of the things from your list are not crossed off.

Follow these tips to create an effective to-do list:

1. Clarify Priorities. It may help you to develop some sort of ranking system for your to-do list. Certainly every item on the list can't be equally important. You can even use a number system and rank them from 1 to 5. Items ranked 1 might have a lower priority, while the 5s are tasks you should attend to first.

• You should also clarify your priorities in the sense that you need to leave yourself detailed instructions. Figure out the: who, what, where, when and why of items that may be complicated. This way, when it comes time to tackle the task, you won't skip over them simply because they seem too complex to complete.

1. Pare Down the List. You need to complete tasks or part of tasks one step at a time. If you have 15 minutes to spare, find something on the list that you can complete in that time period. It's common to tell yourself that 15 minutes is not enough time to do something, but all those 15-minute chunks add up to something huge. At the end of the day you'll be surprised how much you've accomplished in small increments.

2. Include Flex Time. If your to-do list is too rigid, it simply won't be effective. You absolutely need to include some flexibility and breathing room in your day. Try not to jam pack your day with unreasonable goals, otherwise, you'll be at risk of disappointment.

3. Add in Something Fun. Your to-do list is no doubt full of things you may not be looking forward. That's why integrating fun activities and tasks should also be a priority! When you add in a fun item it doesn't feel like work. It may even feel like a break. When you return to the less desirable items, you'll be more motivated to actually get them done.

4. Don't List Too Much. It's vital not to overwhelm yourself. While some days might be action packed in order to reach certain deadlines, you need to avoid this level of stress on a regular basis. If there's too much on your plate, or you have to work too fast, you can't possibly enjoy yourself and you'll only end up frustrated and overwhelmed.

5. Keep It Organized. Your list needs to be organized in a way that makes you feel comfortable. There are many options nowadays, especially with digital devices. However, the old-fashioned pen and paper method may be what works best for you. You can also opt for using the internet or even your cell phone or mobile device to keep your list organized.

Technorati tags: self improvement, productivity, empowerment, wellness

Failure is simply a stepping-stone on your way to success. Of course, this doesn't mean that it's easy to deal with or something that should be taken lightly, but how you deal with failure will determine not only your future success, but also how easy it will be to achieve.

Everyone has different coping mechanisms and ways they react to failure. However, learning the ways that more often lead you to success can help you enormously!

Here are some tips on how to pick yourself up after you fail:

1. Learn from your failure. There is a lesson to be learned each time you fail. Discover what this lesson is and keep it in mind during future attempts at success. If you don't learn from your failure, you'll keep repeating the same mistakes.

2. Forge ahead. It's completely normal to feel like giving up when you're first hit by failure. The most important part of failure is what you do afterwards. So strive to have confidence in yourself. This experience may very well be your last step before you reach great success!

3. Surround yourself with good people. It's a good idea to be surrounded by like-minded and positive people. This is especially important when you're dealing with the negative emotions that may accompany failure.

• Positive people will inspire you to pick yourself up and go further than you thought you could go.

1. Set goals. If you've failed at a large task, think about setting smaller, immediate goals. If you build your way up to completing a difficult task using small steps, each step may not feel so overwhelming. When you're finished, you'll be amazed at what you achieved!

2. Visualize your dreams. Fight the negative thoughts that creep up after failure by visualizing yourself meeting your goal. Take the time to picture yourself successfully going through each step it will take to reach your goal.

3. Be enthusiastic. When you first set out to achieve something big, chances are you approached the task at hand with a great deal of enthusiasm. If you meet failure once or even several times, it's important to maintain the enthusiastic force to give you the energy and drive to continue toward your goal.

4. Write it down. Keep a journal that details your personal thoughts, goals, and attempts. It will help you stay organized and focused on success. Another good exercise is to write your goal on a piece of paper and place it somewhere where you can see it several times each day to remind yourself to take action toward this desire.

5. Don't dwell in the past. The past doesn't have to be your present or future. Just because you had a setback, it doesn't mean that it will continue to be the case. The only way to achieve your goals is to keep trying.

6. Think about the worst case scenario. What's the worst thing that can happen if you fail? Some people are so concerned with success and have such a horrible fear of failure that they don't consider whether or not the worst case scenario is all that bad!

• Realizing that failure may only mean a small delay toward your eventual success can alleviate some of your fears and give you the confidence to succeed.

Just Keep Trying

Technorati tags: book summaries, business books, business productivity, self improvement, work life balance, self-improvement

It's likely that you can think of someone you know who set his or her mind on a goal and would stop at nothing to achieve it. It's not just some kind of story or fantasy – this could be you, too! Adopt this drive and apply it to your situation.

When you believe in yourself and your abilities, you'll gain the drive to keep moving forward and you'll feel unstoppable.

If you find that you spend too much of your time working, your life will soon be much less satisfying than it once was. It's easy to get caught up in your work. Sometimes you don't even realize it until it seems too late, but it's never too late to break out of the bad habit!

The Underlying Problem

Often times you get swept up with becoming a workaholic because of an underlying problem. It's true that sometimes you're just getting too much pressure at work to get things done on time, but more often than not, you'll find that you're using your work to hide from other problems.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Are you working too much because of financial strain? • Are you trying to avoid your home life? • Are you using work to avoid some other issue you're facing?

If you're overworking yourself because of financial reasons, you can only do it for so long. Sooner or later your mental and physical health will begin to suffer. You need to work hard with an end date in mind. If this doesn't work for you, perhaps it's time to find a better paying job.

If you're avoiding problems at home, you absolutely must concentrate on solving these problems. They aren't going to go away just because you've been escaping the situation. The only way things will improve is if you take action to resolve what's plaguing you.

Balance Out Your Life

Once you've solved any underlying problems, you'll want to bring balance back to your life. In order to wean yourself from your work, there are certain tips you can utilize to change your working habits.

Try some of these techniques:

1. Make time for yourself. Realize that you and your health are ultimately more important than your work. Schedule time for yourself and treat that time as more important than any of your other deadlines.

2. Unwind at the end of the day. Decide on a firm bedtime and unwind before going to bed. Decide when you're going to sleep and, approximately 30 minutes beforehand, engage in a relaxing activity that has nothing to do with your work.

3. Exercise. Incorporate a moderate exercise routine into your schedule a few times each week. Exercise will help you relax and release some of your stress from work. It's great for both your physical and mental health and is one more good way to wean yourself from overworking.

4. Take days off. You need days off from your work from time to time. It's just a fact. If you have a traditional job where you have weekends free, you must spend them away from work. On your days off, avoid even thinking or talking about work. Let your mind be free!

Start Slow

Remember that these changes don't have to happen all at once, but you can start incorporating them into your life one at a time. Your life simply can't be all about work. Remember to spend time doing activities that you enjoy besides work.

Take some time today to implement just one or two of these strategies and you'll soon realize that there is life outside of work!

Technorati tags: book summaries, business books, business productivity, self improvement, work life balance, self-improvement