Economic-Life Books

This book was very helpful if you have been out of the job market for a period of time. Great tips were given on writing resumes, especially for someone like me that is interested in going in a different direction after several years.

I am a career development specialist who sees loads of materials designed to help others identify their interests and skills, choose a career, and find a job. This one is thorough without being overwhelming. It's written in a friendly, simple style that anyone - but especially us boomers - can use and appreciate. Nice job!

It's tough looking for a job when you're over 50. This workbook does a great job of showing you how to leverage your experience and work ethic into a new job. It's especially valuable if you haven't had to look for work in a while -- it does a great job of reminding readers how to produce an effective resume and cover letter, how to network, how to perform well in the job interview, and how to negotiate. It's well worth the price.

And if, like so many experienced professionals, you want to switch from the business world to nonprofits, you should check out From Making a Profit to Making a Difference: How to Launch Your New Career in Nonprofits which provides all the secrets for making this very difficult transition.

A step by step approach. A must for the mature worker looking for new a new job opportunity. Very helpful in helping you understand today's job market, a market that is very different from the one you entered 25 years ago.

Hajj speaks with a relevant voice, providing a clear and actionable view of personal branding.

In his book, Hajj presents 6 steps to personal brand management:

1. Identify your passion
2. Define your mission
3. Count the cost
4. Create your voice
5. Develop your core
6. Be authentic
7. Shift to now

These steps accompanied with enticing visuals and engaging stories of brand successes and failures makes The Brand YU Life a worthwhile read that I recommend to anyone wanting to create, define, and manage their personal brand.

The Brand Yu Life is a passionate account of personal branding, where the author mixes case studies, quotes, compelling graphics and workbook elements to help you discover your calling in life and build your personal brand.

I especially liked the parallels between products and individuals, since they help you understand how you can apply branding principles from the corporate world into your own personal life. I also give the author credit for incorporating elements of personal finance and character building into the personal branding equation, something that other authors often overlook.

The main idea of this book is that personal branding is not about projecting a superficial image created for public consumption, but rather a holistic exercise where you first need to discover your passion and know yourself. Once you do that, you'll be able to build an authentic and sustainable brand, and you'll be ready to share it with the world.

I received this book on a Saturday morning and completed it the same day. It has the types of eye opening insights that I have only seen in books like John Maxwell's "Your Roadmap for Success" and TD Jakes' "Maximize the Moment". It put into words thoughts that I had only felt and it is affirming to know there are other young men who have a genuine desire to empower others. The insights are transformational and I highly recommend "The Brand YU Life" to anyone who is committed to sharing their dreams with the rest of the world.

Eric Canaday
Life Coach & President
Laborers In Action, Inc.

The Brand Yu Life book was a phenomenal read! I have never read a book quite like it. Hajj Flemings has a firm grasp on what it takes to succeed in life and business. His understanding of personal brand management is astounding. His experience is impressive. The concepts from his book are easy to understand and can be implemented immediately. The format is clear and concise. The book is a creative and inspirational force. I have been involved in coaching, consulting, and public speaking since 1991 and from cover to cover I was challenged to think in new ways that I know will bring about new and better results. It will inspire anyone to fulfill their life or business goals in a very effective way. Whether you are new to the concept of personal branding or an industry veteran, you are sure to pull away strategies that will help you reach total fulfillment in your life or business. I highly recommend Brand Yu Life to anyone that has a desire to do and be more in their life, career, or business. Hajj Flemings' insights will change you for the better!

Craig L. Sanders
Author of "Keys to Manifesting Your Destiny"

this book is a great read and allows yourself to ask questions like .... how did I get where I am spiritually ....

Peter has lived a very interesting life ....

This book is soooo good, I can't hardly stand it. Combining my culinary passions and my spiritual yearnings and pursuits, it is so full of "aha" moments, moments of challenge and encouragement - to use his words, for me, an "epiphany." Likening the baking of bread, in all its stages, for the spiritual life - all I can say is its a pity its out of print, and I will likely be buying several of these out of print copies to give away. Mine is already full of highlights, and I am even journaling what I am learning. And I had his "Struan" recipe in there, too - the bread that put him on the map, so to speak, with Brother Junipers. Cant recommend enough, or THANK Peter Reinhart enough for this book. This man is no mere "bread baker," but a man full of wisdom and depth. I hope I shall meet him one day.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable memoir. Although I am not a big fan of extended metaphors, I found Reinhart's comparison of the stages of breadmaking to the stages of seeking God very effective. The recipes are a great inclusion and don't seem to require an overwhelming effort for the novice. The real gem in this book is the encouragement to go deeper, whether that be into an art like bread-making or into a spiritual path. Reinhart writes convincingly as a man who has done both.

This book uses the unique analogy of the stages of baking bread and the stages of faith. I don't bake, but found the stories fun and insightful. It is another example of how many ways we can see God in this world. How many different paths will lead to the Creator. One works with one has. What Peter Reinhart has is an in-depth understanding and passion for baking bread. He has cleverly combined the spiritual journey for himself and for us. Rising, punching down, resting, proofing, etc. I liked the book. It added insight spiritually and inspired me to try baking bread. A miracle indeed!

The author has put together a working guide and reference resource that anyone can understand and use on a daily basis. Ms. Shurtleff takes the somewhat intangible topic of trust and provides information and tools to actually build trust between people and departments. We made all our managers read it!

Building Trust is an excellent tool to help managers and trainers create an optimum work environment by building trust and enhancing team work. The practical, how-to structure provides an easy-to-use format for the managers wanting to guide their work team, or for trainers wanting a guide for enhancing trust in work teams. Highly recommended!

I found this particular book to be on-target and to the point. It is a pleasure not to have to wade through verbosity in order to understand the message. Ms. Shurtleff writes with an obvious first-hand, real world knowledge of her subject as opposed to a pedantic or lecturing posture. Very clean style, just the right touch of warmth and humor, effective and well-focused.

Refreshingly easy to read packed with valuable tips

This work contains some of the most current thinking of thought leaders and change agents from around the world. Drawn from both business and academic environments, the intellectual capital found in the pages of this tome will provide more than enough intelligence to fuel whatever business machine you drive or aspire to drive. This work is guaranteed to get used. Not only will it look good on your desk, it also won't gather any dust. (If only it came with Post-it notes.)

Lot's of stuff stuffed into the pages on this one. There are some entries that I do not agree with on a personal level. Efficient Market Theory taken as a pure 'concept' is a bit biased, as well as EBITDA being a bit 'over-used' I just make a little note on the page if the author didn't explain it's use by all groups. This book will allow any person to obtain vast knowledge if they have the patience to actually read the entire treatise. What a goal that would be!?! Great reference for the cheap price.

This book is the an incredible resource. It is over 2200 pages of small closely typed text, written by over 100 authors from both academia and business. Apart from articles it contains a Business dictionary, a world almanac and is supported by a web site that updates some of the content and contains summaries of the latest business books.

It's like a deeply discounted subscription to the Harvard Business Review.

This book is what it says it is! A great book, in terms of both content and physically.

I bought this book because I needed a one-stop job for reviewing important businesses and ideas. I am working on my Ph.D. in Business Administration. This book is great in that if there is a concept unknown to me I can look it up and get up to speed on the ideas. This is a huge book and well worth the price. The book also has a companion website that provides up-to-date information as PDF downloads. Buy it if you are into business, curious about business, or working on advanced degree.

The Busy Mom's Guide to a Happy, Organized Home: Fast Solutions to Hundreds of Everyday Dilemmas This Tyndale book by Kathy Peel has a wonderful chapter on entertaining and it includes "10 Steps to an Unforgettable Event" which I found very helpful for planning and implementing gatherings of all types. Sometimes entertaining feels overwhelming to me as the "main planner" or to be honest, "the only planner" and one thing that Peel suggests is "Practice the five-minute maxim"-in other words, watch for snippets of time here and there and during that time, accomplish one thing towards the occasion. Peel also has a great list of all holiday dates. Within the chapter on entertaining is "Nine Entertaining Disasters-and What to do About Them"-another very helpful section.

Today's moms are busier than ever. Not only do we keep the home fires burning, we do any number of activities outside the home. With jobs, soccer practice, birthday parties, grocery shopping and all the other demands upon our time, we can barely find time to stop for a breath, much less maintain the chaos well enough to enjoy living out our moments.

In The Busy Mom's Guide to a Happy, Organized Home, Kathy Peel has collected hundreds of tips and techniques to simplify daily home life. Organized around the seven key areas of life--Time & Scheduling, Home & Property, Food, Family & Friends, Finances, Special events, and Self Management--she provides a quick reference for time- and mind-saving tips.

Though I tackled this book as a cover-to-cover read (I need a LOT of help), I think it is best digested as a what-can-I-do-to-improve-in-this-area-today resource. Otherwise, what should be a help might become a burden. She has lists and lists of ideas to improve relationships, obedience, chores, grocery shopping, fire safety-you name it. The last thing we need is to be overwhelmed with our obvious failure at picnic hostessing when what we are really concerned with is car-pooling (or in my case, dish duty). Am I right?

I suspect that unless there is a woman out there in complete denial, every woman that picks up this book will find a treasure trove of help for her busy life-stay-at-homers and working moms alike.

Armchair Interviews agrees.

This book is a must have for moms (or dads)! It is very detailed and organized in such a way to get help for your family managing question quickly. No need to read through the whole book, just use the index in the back to get right to a solution that will help you create an organized and happy home. I love this book!! Thank you Kathy Peel!

If you've read Kathy's books, you know they are based on her Family Manager "system" she created over 10 years ago. If you've hesitated to purchase her recent books thinking they're all the same info., don't hesitate anymore! This is the book I've been waiting for by Kathy. It is organized by the 7 departments she teaches about, and is an excellent reference. It has a great index for quick finds, and is full of great information.

¡§Calm at Work¡¨ is a book which suggests many useful ways for keeping calm and reducing stress. It mentioned seven main causes of stress in workplace, including time, control, self, social, change, physical and lifestyle habits, and the author advised a series of solutions for each cause of stress. In order to help the readers to find the solutions in a more efficient way, author used a special method. At the end of each section, an ¡§index card¡¨ would be inserted, which contains information that guides the readers to find out the solutions. As some of the solutions are useful for different causes of stress, this book organized in such a way is concise and precise.

Breathing calm is very important. The author used a lot of effort in explaining how to breathe in a right way. It is because the calm breathing method is useful in many other calm keeping solutions. Besides, author suggests readers to write down their plans and prioritize their working schedules. Those methods are very practical for busy people; it can help them to complete their work on schedule. Other solutions like tools of subconscious and some simple exercises are all very useful and easy to carry out in our daily life.

There are some parts in this book which impressed me most. Those include the causes and solutions of time and social. For time, as we cannot control the time to pass, the things that we can control are the things we need to do and the time we need to do the things. Therefore, we must have a good time management. Besides, author suggested the readers to take off their watches, so as to make them more relax. It is because people will refer to their watches frequently, and it increases their pressure. If we can work without that pressure, we would be more relaxed. On the other hand, for social, author suggested the readers to develop a new relationship with those trouble colleagues. If those colleagues are helpful and constructive to our plan, we can build up good relationship with them, for those who will obstruct our plan, we have to avoid frequent contact with them. But in my opinion, in the real life workplace, we are not able to control who are my work partners, therefore, this method would be good, but not very practical.

In short, this book gives me lots of ideas to relax under stressful environment. Although, the author emphasize on the pressure from workplace, most of the solutions are helpful and practical for everyone. The book reminds me procrastination will increase the pressure level, so a well planning for myself is important. Moreover, the attitude of me is also critical. It is because building up a positive attitude would make me become optimistic and I understand that a happy person can live with less stress.

This book is good to everyone, if you are under great pressure, and seeking ways for relax, ¡§Calm at work¡¨ would be a book suitable for you.

I just wanted to write a quick review to let readers know that I recommend this book highly! At the end of 1999, I was working in a very stressful environment. Five people were working in a very small space manning an online retail store during holiday season! Yikes!

Withink two days of reading the book, I not only was able to cut my own stress down substantially, but some of the techniques I used (the positive contribution cup) changed the entire office environment for the better.

I cannot recommend this book enough, especially for people working in the highly stressful high tech field.

Read, enjoy and relax!

~c:)

Do you think you have so many things to do but do not have enough time? Do you feel stressful in meeting lots of deadlines? Do the changes make you feel anxious? If yes, you must read this book ¡§Calm at Work¡¨ since these are parts of stress, and this book can help you to deal with these stress. This book offers some simple and straightforward techniques for overcoming stress on the job and keeping people relax and calm at work.

The author stated what stress is first, and he mentioned the seven steps to be calm, including 1) take this first step, 2) life-changing choices, 3) employers to choose from, 4) sanity-saving understandings, 5) life-enriching pieces of advice, 6) areas where you can make a difference, and 7) causes of stress in the workplace. The seven main causes of stress in workplace are time, control, self, social, change, physical and lifestyle habits. After mentioning the causes of stress, the author suggested a series of solutions for each cause. Therefore, when people know their causes of stress, they can read that solutions accordingly. For me, most of my stresses come from time and self since I always think that I do not have enough time to do my things. For time, the author suggested some solutions such as control time, depressurize deadlines and end procrastination. For self, the author suggested planning to be calm, a positive change, dealing with worries and drive control. These advices and solutions are practical and useful for me to reduce stress.

Apart from specific solutions for each cause, the author also mentioned some general suggestions for dealing any type of stress, including deep breath, use of subconscious, doing exercises, taking a rest, planning, thinking positively and to be more get involved and enthusiastic when doing something. These techniques are really useful for everyone to overcome the stress especially for those who are working.

After reading this book, I have tried some of the techniques for dealing the stress and they really help. Whenever I feel stressful, I would have a deep breath for calming down myself first, and I breathed deeply and slowly. Sometimes, I would also do some simple exercises for instant relief from stress. I have learned to write down my plan, I wrote down all of the works, prioritized them and end procrastination, so I could finish the work more efficiently and also make sure that the most important things are done. I have changed my attitude, I think more positively than before and be more optimistic and enthusiastic. This makes me live more happily and do things more efficiently with less stress. I would try to take a rest which is about 30 minutes in a day even it is a busy day, in the rest time, I would stop doing anything. I think most of these techniques are practical and can reduce my stress level and also make me to be more relaxed.

In facing this challenging and highly competitive world, I think everyone would be under stress, therefore, I strongly recommend this book to all people. After reading this book, you¡¦ll feel relaxed, positive and fulfilled. I believe that everyone can benefit from reading this book.

You have to read this book after having read the book on meditation of the same author. The combination of these two books really makes you relaxed at work. The content is very practical and easy applicable in real life. I have read many books on the subject of handling emotions and the techniques the author mentions are familiar. However he is able to add something extra what makes the technicques easier to use. His words are well chosen and full of clear images. It's a very good book in my opinion.

I really enjoyed this book, both from lessons learned as well as the interesting writing style that is engaging as well as informative. As a woman business owner of a marketing firm who employs mostly women, I find the lessons quite valuable. I especially enjoyed the chapter on management.

I recently finished reading "Can This Elephant Curtsy On Cue? Life Lessons Learned On A Film Set For Women In Business" by Danielle Weinstock and enjoyed it immensely.

"I believe `Can This Elephant Curtsy On Cue?' is the best business management motivational book for women I have read. Danielle's journey as a professional is truly inspirational and her writing skills make the book a fast, highly entertaining read. I am recommending this book to my friends and colleagues. For women who need inspiration to follow their passion and want to be excited about their careers, this is the book for you.

Linda Young
V.P. Human Resources
IntraLase Corp (retired)

With this book, Weinstock reveals a lot. She gives us the true insider's look at how movies and TV shows are made. The streets in Hollywood aren't paved with gold, she says, but with hard work. And you can see that in each interesting, insightful story she tells. But this isn't so much a book about working as a producer but about working in general--about what it's like to have an unreasonable boss or to have to be the one in charge of a difficult (and sometimes dangerous) situation or to learn to deal with difficult people and situations. In revealing so much about her own experiences, difficulties and achievements, Weinstock helps anyone who reads her book to see better how to avoid setbacks and enjoy triumphs. Debra Anne Davis

"Can This Elephant Cursy on Cue" Life Lessons Learned On A Film Set For Women In Business" by Danielle Weinstock is an exciting, inspiring, beautifully written and organized examination of the world of business for all women in business, presented in a highly original and useful manner from the viewpoint of one of the world's most fascinating industries. I Loved it.

Diana Pleva
Executive Vice President and Chief
Creative Officer, Mattel Toys (Ret)"

Let's face it - we don't inherit great jobs from great genes. We have to work at finding work and some people are better at finding the work they love. The Career Clinic will inspire you to keep your career dreams in focus as it reveals the success stories of the hot dog salesman, the "radical careerist", and the Frank Sinatra impersonator, among others!

I'm the one always dreaming of becoming something else, of becoming a better person, of doing more in this world, of leaving my mark! This book inspired me to do all of the above! It shows the rest of us that all of those things we dream about doing, can really be done! This will be THE book that everyone on my list gets for Christmas this year. It doesn't only apply to those changing careers, or needing career advice. Rather, it's a great read that will inspire you and make you feel good!

I read this book just 6 weeks after leaving my job of 12 years. It reaffirmed my belief that quitting was the best thing I did for myself. It isn't easy taking the unknown path but it sure is freeing and enlightening. The people in this book all dared to do something different for themselves and to go out on a limb so to speak. All are happier and better off. This is not to say it is easy. And yet it is crucial to make life changing decisons so that those decisions can really change our life.
Since making a career change myself, I have really noticed how many people complain about their jobs and wish things were different. All of those people will be getting this book as a gift in hopes that it inspires them to just make the choice to be happy.

If you learn by stories, this career book is for you. From failure to success, from boredom and burnout to passion, Maureen Anderson has captured stories of people who took the road less traveled, and oh what a journey they are on!
This book reads like armchair adventure, because it is. You can learn how to get the courage to walk away from a job which is getting you down and onto an uncertain career path which will put a smile on your face.
From her years doing radio interviews on The Career Clinic, Anderson has gleaned eight guidelines that her successful people have followed, and these eight rules of career success are the divisions in the book.
If there is anything I would change, it is that the eight rules referred to in the title are sometimes overshadowed by the dynamic tales told by the interviewees. Several times, I had to flip back in the book to find out which rule a story illustrated. But I'm not sure it is a flaw to have such exciting people unfolding in the pages of this book.
As a career counselor, I'm aware that my clients have too few models before them in how to walk away from the security of a good-paying job and into a life of uncertainty and joy. We don't see enough of it. But here they are - folks who have done it and are so glad they did.
Need a dose of enthusiasm, energy, inspiration? Here it is.
Buy this for that gifted someone in your life who needs to be reminded to go for it - that now is the time.

Peter McLaughlin was named one of the top business speakers by the Journal of Business Strategy. He is also a talented writer. This book focuses on the correlation between positive healthful habits and increased productivity, lowered stress and higher energy. The premise is that this correlation is a cause and effect relationship.

Mclaughlin's 7 focus areas to achieve this high level condition are:

1) Mastering your mind - being aware of your current state and visualization
2) Eating for performance - good advice but says that "foods are essentially drugs" (?)
3) Exercise
4) Frequent Breaks
5) Attitude of Loving Problems - the limiting power of anger
6) Humor - make work fun - attitude of play
7) Power of context - change your environment to one you enjoy!

Not much new hear but a fresh look and great reminders.

Five Stars

This book helps a person relax when looking for a fulfilling career. I used this book the help me get ready for the tremendous task of finding a great job and I used resources like Vaultreports.com to actually go out and find my dream job.

The humor and fresh perspective of this book kept my interest throughout the reading. I have already implemented 3 of the ideas and - THEY WORK! Well written, and well worth reading.

I loved this book. It really helped me get my priorities straight and made me realize how simple it is to take care of myself. This author makes it so fun to learn how to balance my life with my life. I bought this book as a gift for a friend who struggles with motivation and I have noticed a great difference. I definitely recommend CatchFire to everyone.