soph_naughton's review against another edition

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informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

3.5

mshoyer's review against another edition

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challenging informative inspiring fast-paced

4.0

rachellarson2019's review against another edition

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2.0

The first few chapters of the book were motivating and had some practical, helpful advice about setting goals and having more self control when it comes to procrastination. However, by the end of the book I found that there was some contradictory advice (take 5-10 minutes on an overwhelming task every day in order to slowly tackle it. In a following chapter it expounds on how if you start and leave a task you lose something like 500% in productivity than if you had kept on doing the task). Also, it is apparent this man either has never had a toddler/children or if he has he had a devoted STAHM and he had very little interaction with his children. The belief that you should be able to create and hour in the morning and at night with total silence, free from distraction is laughable at best with small children at home. Granted, most of this advice is for business people, during business hours. Still, I found it a little discouraging.

lea_chiara1209's review against another edition

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informative inspiring slow-paced

3.25

dtzypig's review against another edition

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5.0

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Procrastinating is a huge issue for me and, for once, I felt like this book have some really great and practical steps towards helping me be more productive.

mandroid6's review against another edition

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informative inspiring fast-paced

5.0

heatskitchen's review against another edition

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informative fast-paced

3.0

heathermariee33's review against another edition

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4.0

Audiobook

Some really good points on overcoming procrastination and anxiety associated with large, intimidating tasks. He also had some sections that were no longer relevant (like trying to be disconnected in our current world) and some off putting comments (like be more productive by coming to work earlier, staying later, not talking with coworkers).

Overall, good read and would reccomend to those that struggle getting started when the task seems intimidating.

malgorzata288's review against another edition

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informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

5.0

gretatimaite's review against another edition

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It's a productivity book, what else can I add? As it says, it provides 21 ways, or principles, on how to get things done. I do not think the suggestions are bad but they are not revolutionary either. For example, tips on planning a day in advance and setting priorities will be, most likely, outlined in every self-help book.

One of the reviewers (yes, I read reviews) complained that the book contains many generalizations and I agree. But also Brian Tracy clearly sets out his intention of being general: “There are no lengthy departures into theory or research. What you will learn are specific actions you can take immediately to get better, faster results in your work and to increase your happiness.” So I did not have any expectations for scientific research to be discussed. If you think of it as a limitation or not, is up to you.

I had another problem, though. Let's refer to it as a clash of principles. For instance, his third rule is “Apply the 80/20 Rule to everything”. You know, 20% of what you do will bring 80% of results. So focus on those 20% (given that they are key tasks). But then principle eight says: “Apply the Law of Three”. It means the identification of three key tasks that account for 90% of your contribution. So do I focus on three key tasks or on the tasks that are in my top 20% based on importance? Is there a clash or I just missed some kind of a nuance??? Also I won't discuss how Brian Tracy argues that good time management and productivity is to give yourself more time to foster meaningful relationships and that work-life balance is important (see principle 8) but also in principle thirteen ("Put the Pressure on Yourself") he says: “Make a game of starting a little earlier, working a little harder, and staying a little later.” OK, work hard but don't you try to improve your time management so you don't have to come earlier or stay longer?

But I like how "Eat that frog!" sounds. It's a good line - very memorable.