Title and author: Make today count by John C. Maxwell
Contents synopsis:
This book teaches that the secret to one’s success is how you live each day. Maxwell divides the things that deserve our attention into 12 things that he calls his daily dozen. They include Attitude, Priorities, Health, Family, Thinking, Commitment, Finances, Faith, Relationships, Generosity, Values, and Growth. For each of these, a small chapter focuses on their importance, how to approach them in goal setting and tracking, and how to focus on them each day. The ultimate goal is to make the most of each day to achieve what is important in your life.
At the end of each chapter, Maxwell lists the key decision you need to make today to improve in the particular area covered by that chapter and the daily discipline you can use to stay on top of things.
Maxwell’s approach is that today is what you can act on. Nothing can be done about yesterday and tomorrow is not here yet. Only today can it be changed. At the same time, Maxwell teaches that change and improvement in one’s life do not happen instantly. Success comes one day at a time; it is a process. However, it will only happen if we make the most of each one “one day at a time”.
Implementing the ideas for success that Maxwell teaches requires daily discipline. As Maxwell says, you can play now and pay later or you can pay now and play later. Either way you are going to pay, but if you pay today through hard work and discipline, you will be able to play much more later.
It also suggests a simple formula for what you need to do so that each day will lead you to ultimate success. You can make good decisions without daily discipline, which will lead to a no-profit plan. You can have daily discipline without good decisions and you will get regulation without reward. However, if you combine good decisions with daily discipline, you will get a Masterpiece of Potential.
Maxwell suggests nothing less than making significant progress in each of the 12 areas he analyzes every day. Hope that doesn’t put you off. It is the price you must pay to truly transform your life towards success. I can tell you from my own experience that if you can think a little and push yourself each day in each of these twelve areas, you will really be amazed at what you accomplish.
Readability / Writing quality:The book is generally well written. It is concise. Give good illustrations and use short paragraphs and subheadings in outline form. The writing is dense, there is a lot to absorb on each page.
Notes on the author: Maxwell is a recognized leadership expert who has written and spoken extensively with companies and other leaders over the years. He is the author of several books on leadership.
Three great ideas you can use:
1. The importance of decisions and discipline: the importance of setting goals and making plans and the equal importance of meeting and acting on those goals.
2. Attitude will not take care of itself; it must be attended to on a daily basis.
3. Marriage is not easy. Family is not easy. Life is not easy. Expect trouble, stay engaged, and develop strategies to get through tough times.
Publication information:Copyright: 2004 John C. Maxwell. Center Street / Hachette Book Group USA
General rating: Excellent