Anyone read self help books and actually implement the advice? How it turn out? (1 Viewer)

[boots11234]

I read a lot of self help books. From selling to meditating, just all kinds. 

I find myself finishing  the books and Then not implementing the advice or only doing so for a short time. 

I am interested in hearing stories from you all who not only finished the book but then implemented it. What was the book?  What did you do?  How did it improve you?  How long have you stuck to it?

i guess I want to read others stories so that I can get some encouragement to do the same. 

 

[Ron Swanson]

I don't think anyone ever implements everything from any one book.  But certain things will ring true and just become a part of how you manage or sell. But you have to understand there are very few original ideas in most of these books.  Many rehash and regurgitate what others have already covered. And many aren't going to be applicable to your specific situation or compatible with your company.  The whole "Hero's Journey" sales approach is hot right now (remember Joe becoming a "Guide" instead of "Owner"?) but it really only works if your entire company presents itself that way. Stick with the classics as a starting point.  How to Win Friends and Influence People, Seven Habits, Ziglar, etc.  I'm also a fan of business failure books.  Not spectacular flare out type failures like Enron or MCI but more process type failures that are self aware enough in hindsight to identify when and where they went wrong. Dan hanlon wrote one about Excelsior-Henderson called "Road Rash" or something similar that was great.

But, always remember, at the end of the day it isn't about the books or gurus.  Believe in yourself, your company, and your product.  In that order. And always do what you said you were going to do, when you said you were going to do it, for what you said it would cost.  Everything else falls into line.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I was talking with my boss a couple months ago and he said something twice, that struck me as a business cliche - “what got you here won’t get you there.” I knew I’d heard him say that same phrase to someone else recently. Then a couple weeks later I saw it’s the title of a self-help book on one of his bookshelves among the dozens of others. I don’t know if he’s using the advice in the book, but he’s definitely getting some use of the title.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

I was talking with my boss a couple months ago and he said something twice, that struck me as a business cliche - “what got you here won’t get you there.” I knew I’d heard him say that same phrase to someone else recently. Then a couple weeks later I saw it’s the title of a self-help book on one of his bookshelves among the dozens of others. I don’t know if he’s using the advice in the book, but he’s definitely getting some use of the title.

i do like that book and i think that the premise of continuous improvement is useful.