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The Power of Focus: What the World's Greatest Achievers Know about The...
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Most helpful positive review
221 of 236 people found the following review helpful
5Best self-help book which is acutally useful.
ByEl Bartoon April 26, 2000
I consider this book as the best self-help book which is actaually useful for me. Most self-help books use Top-down approach. You first set up the goals in your life, and solve the problem of how you may achieve them. While this works most of the time in building software, I do not think that it does in real life. Also, software engineers are trained to design software using top down approach. On the other hand, normal beings like us are not trained to construct our lives in top down approach. I am not saying that this approach is not good. It may work for highly motivated and well deciplined people.
The book, Power of Focus, uses bottom up approach. So, the small things, concrete, do-able things first. The authors tell us to find out our bad habits, and change them one by one. Their stories were so convincing that it looked so easy. And it was really easy. One problem I had with other books' top down approach was that I didn't feel comfortable in setting or writing down so-called "great ambitions". But I felt very comfortable with this book's bottom up approach.
The book, Power of Focus, uses bottom up approach. So, the small things, concrete, do-able things first. The authors tell us to find out our bad habits, and change them one by one. Their stories were so convincing that it looked so easy. And it was really easy. One problem I had with other books' top down approach was that I didn't feel comfortable in setting or writing down so-called "great ambitions". But I felt very comfortable with this book's bottom up approach.
Most helpful critical review
53 of 63 people found the following review helpful
2Don't expect too much
ByA customeron November 24, 2003
The 2-star rating may be a bit unfair but I had to give contrast to those tenths of enthusiastic reviews. After having read about 30 "success books" I picked up this one and I must say it's neither terribly bad nor very good. I expected much more from the 5-star reviews... Also, I agree that tips like "hire a PA" may be good for SOME people but most of us have to do the homework themselves. I believe that people at the top who could afford that army of specialists are already familiar with 99% of the tips provided in the book and for the rest all those "mastermind groups", "achievers programs" etc. are not a good start.
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221 of 236 people found the following review helpful
ByEl Bartoon April 26, 2000
I consider this book as the best self-help book which is actaually useful for me. Most self-help books use Top-down approach. You first set up the goals in your life, and solve the problem of how you may achieve them. While this works most of the time in building software, I do not think that it does in real life. Also, software engineers are trained to design software using top down approach. On the other hand, normal beings like us are not trained to construct our lives in top down approach. I am not saying that this approach is not good. It may work for highly motivated and well deciplined people.
The book, Power of Focus, uses bottom up approach. So, the small things, concrete, do-able things first. The authors tell us to find out our bad habits, and change them one by one. Their stories were so convincing that it looked so easy. And it was really easy. One problem I had with other books' top down approach was that I didn't feel comfortable in setting or writing down so-called "great ambitions". But I felt very comfortable with this book's bottom up approach.
The book, Power of Focus, uses bottom up approach. So, the small things, concrete, do-able things first. The authors tell us to find out our bad habits, and change them one by one. Their stories were so convincing that it looked so easy. And it was really easy. One problem I had with other books' top down approach was that I didn't feel comfortable in setting or writing down so-called "great ambitions". But I felt very comfortable with this book's bottom up approach.
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70 of 72 people found the following review helpful
ByServantofGodon March 28, 2006
I expected to read something that just taught me how to get more focused and thus perform better on a specific task. Instead I read a life improvement book with good stories (many drawn from Chicken Soup of the Soul books), wise sayings, well organised action plans and interesting comics presented in the strategic steps/order/chapter preached by the authors as follows:-
1. Your habits will determine your future
2. It's not hocus-pocus. It's all about focus
3. Do you see the big picture?
4. Building excellent relationships
5. The confidence factor
6. Ask for what you want
7. Consistent persistence
8. Taking decisive action
9. Living on purpose
You might think this is just a normal self help book. Well, it is. As the devil is in the details, so is the angel. With the authors' outstanding writing and story telling skills shown by the Chicken Soup series, in case you want to read a compleat self help book, you will be satisfied.
Below please find some of my favorite passages for your reference.
Quality is not an act. It is a habit. pg 11
Remember if you want a different result, do something different. pg 95
The one thing that separates winners from losers is, winners take action. - Anthony Robbins pg 100
There are essentially two things that will make you wiser - The books you read and the people you meet. - Charles T Jones pg 101
If there is something to gain and nothing to lose by asking, by all means ask. - W. Clement Stone pg 185
God gives every bird its food, but He does not throw it into the nest. pg 260
I'm not here just to make a living. I'm here to make a difference. - Helice Bridges pg 282
1. Your habits will determine your future
2. It's not hocus-pocus. It's all about focus
3. Do you see the big picture?
4. Building excellent relationships
5. The confidence factor
6. Ask for what you want
7. Consistent persistence
8. Taking decisive action
9. Living on purpose
You might think this is just a normal self help book. Well, it is. As the devil is in the details, so is the angel. With the authors' outstanding writing and story telling skills shown by the Chicken Soup series, in case you want to read a compleat self help book, you will be satisfied.
Below please find some of my favorite passages for your reference.
Quality is not an act. It is a habit. pg 11
Remember if you want a different result, do something different. pg 95
The one thing that separates winners from losers is, winners take action. - Anthony Robbins pg 100
There are essentially two things that will make you wiser - The books you read and the people you meet. - Charles T Jones pg 101
If there is something to gain and nothing to lose by asking, by all means ask. - W. Clement Stone pg 185
God gives every bird its food, but He does not throw it into the nest. pg 260
I'm not here just to make a living. I'm here to make a difference. - Helice Bridges pg 282
55 commentsWas this review helpful to you?YesNoSending feedback...Report abuseShow more comments
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113 of 120 people found the following review helpful
Long ago when I was a child, I purchased a large box of Crackerjacks and the prize within was a small plastic magnifying glass. I recall using it to burn holes in leaves which demonstrated the power of focus. I thought about that as I read this book. Here is one of its core concepts: "Negative habits breed negative consequences. Successful habits create positive rewards." I agree. However, as the authors fully understand, replacing negative habits with successful habits is very difficult. A sincere and sustained commitment is imperative. However, as the authors of this volume correctly point out, something else is also needed: focus. "You must invest most of your time every week doing what you do best, and let others do what they do best....When you focus most of your time and energy doing the brilliant things you are truly brilliant at, you eventually reap big rewards." Within organizations, this is the essence of alignment: getting the right people in the right places, doing what they do best to achieve whatever the organization's goals may be.
Canfield, Hansen, and Hewitt recommend and then explain ten different strategies to develop and sustain successful habits, focus on strengths, see "The Big Picture," balance career with personal life, build excellent relationships with others, eliminate (or at least significantly reduce) fear and anxiety, ask for what you want (the authors provide a seven-point system to achieve prosperity), sustain consistent persistence, take decisive and appropriate action, and finally, how to simplify one's life without compromising one's purposes. A set of specific "Action Steps" is provided at the end of each chapter. If implemented effectively, the ten strategies can enable almost anyone to "hit" their business, personal, and financial "targets" and in many (if not most) instances "with absolute certainty." First, however, each reader must determine what her or his "targets" are. My own experience suggests that, over time, people change their targets. Also, whatever they may be at any given time, the little rascals tend to be moving.
In their Final Words, the authors note that "there are no shortcuts to building a life of substance. It's an ongoing process. It takes time, real effort and a desire to become more than you already are. It's a worthy challenge. However, your biggest challenge starts tomorrow. How will you apply what you have learned between the covers of this book?" As suggested earlier, reading this this book reminded me of a large box of Crackerjacks. The material it provides reminded me of that little plastic magnifying glass. Both the box and the book offer the same "gift": an understanding and appreciation of the power of focus. I join with the authors in wishing their readers "an abundance of health, joy, and prosperity in the years ahead."
If at all possible, read this book in combination with Bossidy and Charan's Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done; Hammer's The Agenda: What Every Business Must Do to Dominate the Decade; Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People; and finally, Connors, Smith, and Hickman's The Oz Principle: Getting Results Through Individual and Organizational Accountability.
Canfield, Hansen, and Hewitt recommend and then explain ten different strategies to develop and sustain successful habits, focus on strengths, see "The Big Picture," balance career with personal life, build excellent relationships with others, eliminate (or at least significantly reduce) fear and anxiety, ask for what you want (the authors provide a seven-point system to achieve prosperity), sustain consistent persistence, take decisive and appropriate action, and finally, how to simplify one's life without compromising one's purposes. A set of specific "Action Steps" is provided at the end of each chapter. If implemented effectively, the ten strategies can enable almost anyone to "hit" their business, personal, and financial "targets" and in many (if not most) instances "with absolute certainty." First, however, each reader must determine what her or his "targets" are. My own experience suggests that, over time, people change their targets. Also, whatever they may be at any given time, the little rascals tend to be moving.
In their Final Words, the authors note that "there are no shortcuts to building a life of substance. It's an ongoing process. It takes time, real effort and a desire to become more than you already are. It's a worthy challenge. However, your biggest challenge starts tomorrow. How will you apply what you have learned between the covers of this book?" As suggested earlier, reading this this book reminded me of a large box of Crackerjacks. The material it provides reminded me of that little plastic magnifying glass. Both the box and the book offer the same "gift": an understanding and appreciation of the power of focus. I join with the authors in wishing their readers "an abundance of health, joy, and prosperity in the years ahead."
If at all possible, read this book in combination with Bossidy and Charan's Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done; Hammer's The Agenda: What Every Business Must Do to Dominate the Decade; Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People; and finally, Connors, Smith, and Hickman's The Oz Principle: Getting Results Through Individual and Organizational Accountability.
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37 of 40 people found the following review helpful
ByMichael A. Hrenko "m_hrenko"on April 2, 2005
I looked thru a few of the reviews about this book and I have to laugh at the review that said this information is for Homer Simpson and that anyone over the age of 10 should have figured it out.
I must ask if it's so obvious, why do most people waste time working at jobs they hate, just to pay the bills, living a life of wasted talent and never come close to becoming rich or even more important happiness? If success is so obvious, why do most of us not take the necessary tasks?
This book is in my top 5 of over about 280 personal development books I have read. I will agree that the topics are very simple, but extremely effective. We are all blessed with the same number of hours in a day. The ONLY way you will become happy and successful is if you learn to manage your habits, time, and money.
Most of us waste many hours of the day doing meaningless tasks. Do you think your doctor would want to mop the floors? NO WAY. Why is it then that most of us feel as if we have to be a jack of all trades and master none? This book talks of specialization and how to make the most of this one time shot called life.
This book makes sense of how to get down to the core of self-development which is how to change your habits, which will in turn change your life.
If I had to recommend 2 books to anyone, the first would be this and the second would be The Master Key to Riches by Napoleon Hill.
I must ask if it's so obvious, why do most people waste time working at jobs they hate, just to pay the bills, living a life of wasted talent and never come close to becoming rich or even more important happiness? If success is so obvious, why do most of us not take the necessary tasks?
This book is in my top 5 of over about 280 personal development books I have read. I will agree that the topics are very simple, but extremely effective. We are all blessed with the same number of hours in a day. The ONLY way you will become happy and successful is if you learn to manage your habits, time, and money.
Most of us waste many hours of the day doing meaningless tasks. Do you think your doctor would want to mop the floors? NO WAY. Why is it then that most of us feel as if we have to be a jack of all trades and master none? This book talks of specialization and how to make the most of this one time shot called life.
This book makes sense of how to get down to the core of self-development which is how to change your habits, which will in turn change your life.
If I had to recommend 2 books to anyone, the first would be this and the second would be The Master Key to Riches by Napoleon Hill.
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
ByRIVCA66 Reader "RIVCA66 Reader"on March 8, 2004
With these kinds of books, it's not what you say but how you say it. Yeah, many topics in this book can be found in other books in this catagory, but it is HOW the authors say it, and in what context they frame it in, that determines this book working for you.
First off I am a person that drifts a lot, changing strategies, changing careers, etc. I tend to start projects vowing to finish and I tend to make pledges to change habits all to fail. I thought all was a lost cause until I read this book. It helped me stay on track, but it wasn't so rigid that I couldn't move.
But I think the best thing about this book is the simplistic manner in which it was written. There is something about the way that they explain the most basic things about habits, about the importance of practicing, about taking responsibility for your life, about having a purpose. I am so glad that I got this book. They are like my personal coaches, always there reminding me, keeping me focused on what I need to do to get where I want to go.
They explain things so basic that I will never outgrow the information. I have self improvement books that are out dated because they got to specialized, and on the flip side it is written in such a basic style that even teenagers can pick it up and get a head start on this stuff. I wish I would have.
This book touches on and explains the building blocks, the fundamentals of success. My copy is getting worn out with markings and highlighted sections and notes in the margins. I keep it very handy and use it in those moments when I need a quick motivation and reminding as well as to get centered or back on track.
First off I am a person that drifts a lot, changing strategies, changing careers, etc. I tend to start projects vowing to finish and I tend to make pledges to change habits all to fail. I thought all was a lost cause until I read this book. It helped me stay on track, but it wasn't so rigid that I couldn't move.
But I think the best thing about this book is the simplistic manner in which it was written. There is something about the way that they explain the most basic things about habits, about the importance of practicing, about taking responsibility for your life, about having a purpose. I am so glad that I got this book. They are like my personal coaches, always there reminding me, keeping me focused on what I need to do to get where I want to go.
They explain things so basic that I will never outgrow the information. I have self improvement books that are out dated because they got to specialized, and on the flip side it is written in such a basic style that even teenagers can pick it up and get a head start on this stuff. I wish I would have.
This book touches on and explains the building blocks, the fundamentals of success. My copy is getting worn out with markings and highlighted sections and notes in the margins. I keep it very handy and use it in those moments when I need a quick motivation and reminding as well as to get centered or back on track.
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26 of 29 people found the following review helpful
ByChristine Ai Hillsgroveon June 26, 2002
I am a busy full time worker and full time college student who can never seem to get anything done. I received this book as an 'out of the blue, for no reason, "this book made me think of you"'gift from my father and I couldn't have asked for anything better. My life is now fulfilling and I am really changing the value of my life from the advice given by this book. Although it is written from a business aspect, everything can be related to one's personal life as well. I will warn readers that it will require more than one reading to get all from the book, not because it is hard to read (it is actually very easy and compelling to read), but because there is so much useful information that it requires constant rereading and review to absorb it all. Also, make sure you pay attention when you are reading, don't just skim over the words with your eyes. Take notes and highlight. The Power of Focus also recommends other great 'must read' books. But this book really breaks down and organizes all the details and steps to building good habits that lead to success. I recommend this book to people of all ages, especially to teenagers, young adults, and college students. It's better to learn this stuff early.
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53 of 63 people found the following review helpful
ByA customeron November 24, 2003
The 2-star rating may be a bit unfair but I had to give contrast to those tenths of enthusiastic reviews. After having read about 30 "success books" I picked up this one and I must say it's neither terribly bad nor very good. I expected much more from the 5-star reviews... Also, I agree that tips like "hire a PA" may be good for SOME people but most of us have to do the homework themselves. I believe that people at the top who could afford that army of specialists are already familiar with 99% of the tips provided in the book and for the rest all those "mastermind groups", "achievers programs" etc. are not a good start.
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24 of 27 people found the following review helpful
ByWilliam C. Bailey "EQ Coach and Researcher"on March 27, 2000
Most motivational books concentrate their time and effort on discussing one or two techniques of how to achieve personal and business goals. This one puts it altogether in one package. The book covers in detail 10 focusing strageties. This makes it a real winner from my perspective. At the conclusion of each of the 10 strageties, there are a series of worksheets that help you impliment what you have learned in the previous chapter. These have been invaluable to me in progressing toward my professional, relationship, and financial goals. I plan to purchase numerous copies and give them to all of my young adult children and their spouses. In addition, I will be teaching a professional development class and this will be the TEXTBOOK for the course. The real driver behind this work is Les Hewitt and he has done an excellent job of tying many of the loose ends in this field together in one wonderful bundle. I hope to read more by him in the future.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
As you might expect from the authors of the "Chicken Soup" books and a success coach, this book is peppered with inspiring stories and examples of those who implemented the methods outlined in "The Power of Focus" and achieved their goals.
The authors warn in the book's forward that this is no "magic quick-fix". The book's structure is based on 10 "Focusing Strategies" dealing with such things as habits, goal-setting, relationships and more. The authors develop each strategy in detail, and there are action steps at the end of each chapter to reinforce and implement the strategy into your life.
The book is filled with tips, strategies and examples for managing your time, relationships, and attitudes. It includes everything from breaking bad habits to living your life's purpose. You could use the ideas in this book to build a plan for excelling in your career, getting healthy, improving your personal relationships, or the authors hope, for achieving more in all areas of your life.
I found many of the ideas in this book to be stuff I'd heard before. It's no secret that persistence, consistency, exercise, great relationships, personal growth and so on can help you succeed. But, the structure of their plan not only reinforces those ideas, it clearly explains with samples and how-to's that make sense. You can read this book, do the activities along the way, and create a workable plan for achieving your goals and living the life you envision. It's not easy, and there's certainly nothing magical or quick about it. It will require you to analyze your behavior and actually take steps to improve. But, the payoff is well worth it.
The authors warn in the book's forward that this is no "magic quick-fix". The book's structure is based on 10 "Focusing Strategies" dealing with such things as habits, goal-setting, relationships and more. The authors develop each strategy in detail, and there are action steps at the end of each chapter to reinforce and implement the strategy into your life.
The book is filled with tips, strategies and examples for managing your time, relationships, and attitudes. It includes everything from breaking bad habits to living your life's purpose. You could use the ideas in this book to build a plan for excelling in your career, getting healthy, improving your personal relationships, or the authors hope, for achieving more in all areas of your life.
I found many of the ideas in this book to be stuff I'd heard before. It's no secret that persistence, consistency, exercise, great relationships, personal growth and so on can help you succeed. But, the structure of their plan not only reinforces those ideas, it clearly explains with samples and how-to's that make sense. You can read this book, do the activities along the way, and create a workable plan for achieving your goals and living the life you envision. It's not easy, and there's certainly nothing magical or quick about it. It will require you to analyze your behavior and actually take steps to improve. But, the payoff is well worth it.
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19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
ByStudenton June 15, 2001
I say that this book is a "Roadmap" to success because the terrain itself is quite familiar. It's all been said before: set goals, replace bad habits with good habits, build a mastermind group, etc. However, unlike other books of this genre, the authors of "The Power of Focus" have charted a course for the reader to follow. Instead of just telling you "what", they also tell you "how." It doesn't get any simpler than this--I'm still waiting for a book that only requires that you read it and then suddenly money just starts appearing out of nowhere.
At the end of each chapter, the authors have provided action steps for the reader to take. I personally really needed just this kind of systematic, organized approach to mastering many of these principles--I'm an amazingly creative procrastinator. The book, therefore, is kind of like a personal coach, available at any time. If you truly apply all of the principles--and it will be easier for you to do so if you actually follow the action steps at the end of each chapter--then you will likely succeed in your endeavors.
At the end of each chapter, the authors have provided action steps for the reader to take. I personally really needed just this kind of systematic, organized approach to mastering many of these principles--I'm an amazingly creative procrastinator. The book, therefore, is kind of like a personal coach, available at any time. If you truly apply all of the principles--and it will be easier for you to do so if you actually follow the action steps at the end of each chapter--then you will likely succeed in your endeavors.
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