Keyway Strategies, LLC

April/May 2007 - Vol. IV, Issue 4

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Feature Article: Books I’ve Recently Read

I have fairly eclectic tastes in books, although I tend towards the self-help genre. I’m always looking for little tidbits that will help my clients. I also began participating in a book club with my local church, which has helped me get back to reading for pleasure. Every once in a while, I’ll read a novel. I ought to read more novels and give my brain a little break…

Here is a sampling of what I’ve read recently:

The Traveler’s Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success by Andy Andrews

4 stars

A modern-day parable of a man who loses it all and travels through time to learn the seven decisions that determine personal success. Who does he learn them from? Historical figures, of course. I especially enjoyed his encounter with Joshua Chamberlain during the Battle of Gettysburg. Thank you to a client, Rusty, for turning me on to this great book!

The Accidental Millionaire: Leaping from Chance to Mastery in the Game of Life by Stephanie Frank

2 stars

Stephanie Frank’s personal story of how she went from losing it all to being a millionaire… accidentally? Not hardly. Expect tips on how to mobilize the Law of Attraction in your life. If you have adult ADD, Stephanie can be a real inspiration, although she doesn’t necessarily provide concrete tips on how to manage ADD. She’s got a great story, but this is not a very enjoyable read, in my opinion.

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen

5 stars

This one is a classic. I’m not sure why I held out so long—a colleague of mine has been recommending this for years. It helped me shift my planning and information-control system into something that works better than it ever has before. Add the GTD and Outlook manual (http://davidco.com/store/catalog/GTD-and-Outlook-p-16173.php), and I’ve got a whole new outlook (pun intended).

The Power of an Hour: Business and Life Mastery in One Hour a Week by Dave Lakhani

3 stars

The basic premise of this is that you can master your business and life if you dedicate uninterrupted time, one hour at a time, to working on each area. I’ve encouraged my clients to set aside uninterrupted time for years, so I can support the process. I didn’t get a whole lot out of it, because I didn’t see a lot that was new, but he does provide an area-by-area strategy to get your life in order. This could be very helpful to someone who is new to life management.

Your First Year in Network Marketing: Overcome Your Fears, Experience Success, and Achieve Your Dreams! By Mark Yarnell and Rene Reid Yarnell

4 stars

I picked this one up on the recommendation of one of the most successful network marketers in the industry. It outlines several landmines that you’ll want to avoid if you’re going into any network marketing business, or even if you’ve been in the business for a while and want to get a fresh outlook.

Secrets of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth by T. Harv Eker

4 stars

Everyone is talking about T. Harv Eker. With good reason, I suppose. His Secrets of the Millionaire Mind proposes that it’s not practice, strategy and theory that makes the wealthy vastly richer than the rest of society—it’s your mindset, or “money and success blueprint.” If you’re suspecting that your wealth thermostat is set a little too low, this book would be great to pick up.

Vocal Power: Harnessing the Power Within by Arthur Samuel Joseph

5 stars

I purchased this as part of a course that included teleclasses with Arthur Joseph, an online learning system, CDs and DVDs. After listening to Arthur work with individuals on the power of the voice, I was so impressed that I decided to get into the program. It’s brought me fantastic awareness of how my voice is communicating who I am, and also made me aware of how much I need to work on it!

Totally Fulfilled: More Money, More Freedom, More Smiles, Less Stress by Dean Graziosi

1 star

Another rags-to-riches personal story, complete with quotes and suggested processes (that bordered on basic goal-setting, pretty much). Although I appreciated what the author had done with his life to achieve success, blah, blah, blah. Not to mention that he must not have had a very good editor…

A Heart Like His: Making Space for God’s Love in Your Life by Virginia H. Pearce

4 stars

This was a church book club selection, and it had some great suggestions for opening your heart up to connecting with others. It outlined an experiment that a group of women embarked on together: “1. to be more aware of the condition of our hearts and with that awareness to keep them more open toward others. 2. To do this in the normal course of our lives, in other words, not put any extra activities into our day.” In our world where we are so connected to technology and increasingly disconnected from others, this is a movement I can support (especially if it doesn’t take any additional time)!

The Referral of a Lifetime: The Networking System That Produces Bottom-Line Results… Every Day! by Tim Templeton

5 stars

Written in a business parable format, this book outlines a very simple, yet practical, system for keeping in touch with prospects and customers in very tangible, sincere and powerful ways. The personal relationship rules in this referral system.

Making Peace with the Things in Your Life by Cindy Glovinsky

3 stars

Written by a Clinical Social Worker, this book is surprisingly down-to-earth and full of practical advice about how to manage the overwhelm we often feel when we think about our Things. It’s been a while since I read it, honestly… so I’ll give it 3 stars.

Conquering Chronic Disorganization by Judith Kolberg

3 stars

Judith Kolberg is one of the most respected professional organizers in the business. This book is full of case studies and suggestions that she’s put to work with her disorganized clients. Helpful for the chronically disorganized, but also helpful for anyone who wants to get a handle on “stuff.”

The 5 Lessons a Millionaire Taught Me About Life and Wealth by Richard Paul Evans

4 stars

A departure for novelist Richard Paul Evans, this book encapsulates five lessons that has helped readers move from deeply-in-debt to financially stable, then eventually financially free. It describes the lessons he learned at age 11 from a local millionaire and how they changed his life.

Finding Noel by Richard Paul Evans

4 stars

A great feel-good story about an adopted young adult who is on a search to find her younger sister. Along the way, she touches lives with her goodness and courage.

and I’m currently reading:

The Peacegiver: How Christ Offers to Heal Our Hearts and Homes by James L. Ferrell

I just started this one, so I can’t say much about it so far. This is another book club selection.

Camilla: A Biography of Camilla Eyring Kimball by Caroline Eyring

Biography of the wife of one of the Presidents of the LDS Church. I chose it because I saw it so many times in my home when I was growing up and the photo of the serene woman on the front always stuck with me. I’d known of Camilla Kimball, but didn’t know much of her story. It’s very interesting so far!

Book Yourself Solid: The Fastest, Easiest, and Most Reliable System for Getting More Clients Than You Can Handle Even if You Hate Marketing and Selling by Michael Port

This one also has come highly recommended from some colleagues of mine. I’ve been watching Michael Port’s work for a while, and he’s always impressed me with the integrity he shows with his customers.

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