Book Reviews

An interesting book about how people think. Talented people who can anticipate events effectively “chunk” data together and look for themes as a way to decide what to do. Wayne Gretzky the famous hockey player did NOT have size, speed, or a great shot. What he had was the ability to anticipate what was going to happen.

The authors use a number of different examples to show how raw data alone does not make for good decision making. It is the ability to chunk large amounts of data into a decision that often “feels” right.

This is a great book for college students, if we can get them to read it!

I found myself thinking “this is exactly what I have been telling students for years” so many times and Lindsey has written this in an easy to read, 90 things to do, and concrete format.

I also stumbled on a number of new ideas which would be helpful to anyone looking for work. She speaks their language, yet challenges college students to step out of their comfort zone of texting and “get out there”.

I highly recommend this book to all college students…. including my son who graduated last year and is looking for work again 🙂
If I can only get him to read it!

I enjoyed this book which gave me insight on how companies should deal with change. My purpose was to review concepts I can use for individuals managing change and I picked up quite a few tips on that subject.
One thing I particularly find intriguing is that every transition is first, an end of something. Then a “neutral zone” that causes much angst, and finally a new beginning.
“Change” is something that happens.
“Transitions” are feelings and psychological.
Understanding how company changes / transitions affect people was very helpful to me understanding how people can rethink their situation and hopefully create a positive, out of what is often perceived as “negative”.
I am going to read his other book now Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes.

My friend Barry Davis recommended this one to me because it speaks “discovering” occupations which is one of my favorite theories (Happenstance Learning Theory).
Barbara’s basic premise to take ACTION and good things will happen. Action helps you think, helps raise your self esteem, creates good luck, and much more.

As a career counselor, I really enjoyed her practical and thoughtful approach to helping people make decisions on their career pathway.

This was recommended to me from a LinkedIn group as a different way to get organized. I have implemented a number of his tips and find them to be very helpful.

One simple tip is to stop writing LISTS of things to do and to make each item a separate note that I put into a folder. I can then prioritized them each week (or day) and not have to re-write a whole new list.   This is a very different way of getting organized that I had not thought of and there are many other great tips in this as well.

I also like some of his “folder” ideas like a “Next Action” folder and a “Waiting for a Response” folder.  If you are looking for new ways to get organized, check it out.