Rating:  Summary: Must Read Review: The "On-Time, On-Target Manager" has a pure, yet sophisticated simplicity that makes it a must read in a complex world. Very empowering!
Rating:  Summary: Doesn't address what causes procrastination Review: The central message to this book seems to be "if it's important, don't procrastinate". Well, life's not quite that simple.
While the book uses the usual Blanchard style of sounding like a novel telling someone's inspiring story, it doesn't address why people procrastinate. It basically says you should do the right things, for the right reasons, at the right time. This tells me... absolutely nothing. Darn it, I've been doing the right things at the wrong time, silly me. Time to change that!
When I finished the book, I was left with little more than a couple of simplistic lists, but no action plan as to how to either better manage my time, how to get a handle on my priorities, or any deeper unstanding of my problem. It was like a big rice cake that left me just as hungry as when I started.
Two things procrastinators constantly fight is the sense of being overwhelmed with so many things that simply have to get done that you can't make out what has to be done when; and the feeling once you actually get started on something that there's something else you should do. Today, thinking of this as I was reading another book (see below), I finally forced myself to write the minutes of a meeting I was just in. As I sat there, I suddenly flet the urge to listen to music (to help me think of course!), to check my inbasket, to tidy up my desk so I could (allegedly) concentrate, to go get a coffee, and so on... you constantly feel you should be doing something else.
If this sounds like you, then you need to read "Procrastination - why you do it, what do about it" by Jane Burka and Lenora Yuen. It makes you realize the causes of your condition and why simple "just don't procrastinate anymore" advice doesn't cut it.
Rating:  Summary: The On-Time, On-Target Manager Review: This book is great!! It reminded me of how procrastination affects all of us in business and family. I have already started to re-focus my procrastination and get things done!!! I sent a copy to my boss and we agreed to work together to make changes in our business to eliminate procrastination, just like we did with the One-Minute Manager to become better managers.Thanks Ken and Steve, you have renewed my focus on elminating procrastination in my personal and professional life. Kathy V. P. Customer Service
Rating:  Summary: Solid Material with Cheesy, Campy, Memorable Moments Review: Why do employees and people in general procrastinate?
From this allegorical business book from the highly successful Ken Blanchard and his co-author, Steve Gottry, we learn employees and others procrastinate predominantly because they are clueless. They haven't invested in life - or the business. Once our "subject" middle manager Bob make that change from employee mindset to owner mindset, all life will change.
With a little bit of help from a Cheerleader-Coach type "Chief Effectiveness Officer" we watch Bob's journey... and pick up many lessons along the way.
One of the details I have to mention about this book is memorable. The story it tells and the suggestions it gives stick in the mind.
There are cheesy moments (like all of Bob's silly nicknames - really, enough is enough writers). I almost thought there was a sound track over the campy text "dadadada daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh" when the words in bold were trotted out.
PRIORITY (stated in BOLD) "Yes, it is important!" PROPRIETY (what does that mean exactly?) and COMMITMENT (wait - that isn't a "P" - so get over it already.)
The ending section of the book reminded me of what I have heard from network marketers, especially from one company.... Listing what is really important. God first, Family second, then the 3-P's with Commitment being fleshed out as purpose, ideals, goals, integrity, truth and follow through as well as that also tiny bit annoying "you gotta wanna!".
I would suggest reading this book for everyone simply because the information is solid, it is familiar enough and reinforces a lot of what you may already know and that you haven't yet tied together.
There are enough Bobs in the world - lets introduce them to this book and see what happens.
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