Book Review: Getting Things Done

I've been reading Getting Things Done by David Allen. For an overview of David Allen’s book see this handy handout that I found online. If you read the book, this is an excellent supportive resource. If you don’t plan reading the book, you may want to have a look at this handout for an pictorial overview. It is very interesting and helpful.

I am enjoying reading this book because David Allen offers a functional and complete system for absolutely everything in your life. When he talks about work, he means everything from reading a book, keeping a home to paid employment – so it is relevant to everyone. I found his psychological insight interesting, as he explains why things will or won’t work and helps you get started to get things done. The book provides great tips for multi-tasking.

“Getting Things Done” is about scooping up all your stuff and having a good sort! David Allen encourages you to sort into to-do, to fix, to buy, to talk about, to plan, to develop, to design etc and to to put them all into lists and systems that you check and update weekly. The key is to be clear on what you have and what you want and know what you should do next.

The book asks you to look long term at your life so that you focus on what is important in the now. He also has the nifty idea of calling your regular to-do list, the ‘Next Action list’. It is something different from your long term 5 year achievement list or projects on the go etc. The ‘Next Action list’ is to define and understand your ‘next action’ and is a very important lesson of the book. David Allen explains that you need to understand the difference between your Next Action and the things you want to achieve in your life, for example, rather than saying ‘I’d like to have a tidy desk’, write ‘clear paperwork’. David Allen says that when goals are too big, they will never be done, so write in steps.

This book will make you want to start making lists, get organised and GO! So what are you waiting for….? Here’s the book!

What book(s) are you reading at the moment, add a comment and let us know your recommendations!

Improve Your Memory

Few would disagree that improving our memories can enrich our lives in countless little ways – from ensuring that we remember birthdays, anniversaries and appointments to having impressive facts and figures always at our fingertips; and from recalling names and faces to being able to speak in public without notes.

Skillkick have published a book called ”Improve Your Memory” which provides a repertoire of ways to enhance memory – by training it to be more effective, and by following various tried and tested practical techniques and systems to combat forgetfulness; with visualizations, tips and practical instruction: a concise, fact-packed introduction to memory improvement.

The book covers the following key topics:-
Memory Exercise
Tips and habits for memory improvement
25 memory improvement tips and habits
How to improve long term memory
Goals, commitment and practice

”Improve Your Memory” is for all those people who believe they have a poor memory. The contents of this book will completely change your perspective on memory.

The book is available in Large Print and Braille. Please contact Skillkick direct for cost & postage.

If this subject is of interest, you may wish to attend Skillkick's Improve Your Memory training course.

Book Review: Creating You & Co

What are you reading at the moment? I recently finished reading ‘Creating You and Co” William Bridges, the author, talks about how in today’s business environment, workers must begin to think of themselves as independent contractors, not lifetime employees. He talks you through a process that examines the market’s needs and your own resources to find work that both satisfies and supports you. He provides a career development programme in four easy steps:

•How to discover and describe the unique mix of resoures that you bring to the new work place

•How to develop an eye for markets and use it to search for the best places to apply your resources

•How to combine the personal data about your resources with the external information about opportunitites into a viable product

•How to reinvent your career as a one person business, built around the creation and delivery of that product and how to create a practical plan to develop that business.

Part 1: WHY YOU NEED YOU AND CO has two chapters

In Chapter 1 ‘WHY IT’S SO HARD TO FIND A REALLY GOOD JOB’ – he talks about how jobs are changing and where to focus your energies. He advises on how you can look into the futre at what industries are developing. There are a list of questions to ask yourself.

In chapter 2, ‘FINDING YOUR LIFEWORK THROUGH YOUR D.A.T.A’ – the author discusses old qualifications and new qualifications and helps you to focus on your D.A.T.A – DESIRES, ABILITIES, TEMPERAMENT and ASSETS

Part 2: MINING YOUR D.A.T.A has four chapters

In chapter 3, ‘DESIRES:WHY YOU SHOULD DO WHAT YOU WANT’ – the author discusses why desires create effectiveness and how to identify your desires. He talks you through some key steps and there are some activities to do.

In chapter 4:. 'ABILITIES: WHAT ARE YOU GOOD AT?' – the question ‘do you know what your abilities are’ is asked and looks at what you can do! What are your abilities? There’s a chart for you to complete looking at all areas of your life – hobbies, interests, family life, friends, relationships, professional relationships, other ativities etc.

In chapter 5: YOUR TEMPERAMENT AND YOUR VOCATION’ – the author asks you to look at the core of who you are. What is your temperament and what does it tell you?

In chapter 6: IDENTIFYING YOUR ASSETS - the chapter looks at skills, credentials, experiences and there’s a table to complete to work through an exercise.

Part 3: TURNING YOUR D.A.T.A INTO A PRODUCT has 4 chapters

In chapter 7: FINDING YOUR OPPORTUNITY – you examine your market, advice on how to identify potential markets and identify unmet needs. There’s a step by step exercise to follow.

In chapter 8: CREATING YOUR PRODUCT – looks at envisioning your market. The author talks about how you don’t need to be entrepreneur or have a cutting edge product. There’s an exercise to look at designing your product.

In chapter 9: RUNNING YOUR MICROBUSINESS - the author looks at the future of small business and a whole series of steps on how to remodel your career into a business.

In chapter 10: MAKING YOUR PLAN AND GETTING STARTED – the final chapter covers how to create your business plan.

All in all a brilliant book and one I definitely recommend!