impromptu book corner

Never let inexperience get in the way of ambition.
- Terry Josephson

I think it's safe to say that I watch more movies then read books, but it's not because I'm a slacker, it's just that I'm passionate about both, and when you spend so much time writing (or staring at a computer screen attempting to write), it's sometimes much easier to kick back and watch a movie then engross yourself in more words on a page.

But with everything that's going on, since the last Fablehaven book I read, I have managed to finish two others -

Good to Great, by Jim Collins

This book is a must, especially considering the economic times and what we're seeing happen to businesses, specifically the big ones, right now. The subtitle is telling: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...and Others Don't. It's essentially a book about business, but as with so many things that are timeless, it's really a piece of research literature that speaks about life and what separates mediocrity from excellence.

In answer to his bestseller before this one, Built to Last, Jim Collins and his research team embarked on a five-year mission to figure out what it takes for a so-so company to become amazing. For comparison purposes, they created a set of rigorous criteria, and after combing through an unbelievable amount of companies, they came up with only eleven that fit the Good to Great model. The resulting findings delineated in the book are just fantastic. From leadership to discipline to attitude, through studies, interviews, and anecdotes, Collins finds that what it takes to become excellent isn't all that difficult, but it's the rigor with which these components were applied that launched these eleven companies to greatness. And surprise, surprise, what companies continue to do -like lavishly waste money on bonuses and private jets, bringing in big celebrity CEOs to reinvigorate the company, making a lot of noise about new initiatives and launches, diversifying too much without becoming excellent at anything - is the exact opposite of what needs to be done. It's all about consistently pushing the flywheel, letting results speak for themselves, and maintaining a certain level of humility through it all.

The book is a must. Every time you hear about these businesses that are asking for money, falling behind, giving excuse after excuse for shortcomings and mismanagement, you will think of Good to Great. I even want to know what Collins thinks about everything going on right now, especially considering that in the book he makes the crucial point that at no time can a company stop applying all the components of the Good to Great method. Do that, and the fall from greatness will be quick and the demise swift...unless you can get billions of dollars to help cling from the edge a little while longer.

The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz

Okay, so this one didn't exactly come out yesterday, but to whoever picks it up for the first time, it's a breath of fresh air. Considering that the book's subtitle is A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom, A Toltec Wisdom Book, you might get the impression it's one of "those" books, the kind that you have to roll your eyes when you see someone reading, but it's completely not. Based on the knowledge and teachings of his Toltec ancestors, Don Miguel Ruiz presents the reader with four agreements to help live a better, more productive, fuller life. And it's nothing that we haven't heard before, necessarily, or that we shouldn't realize as true the moment we hear it verbalized. But in this book, so unbelievably simple in language and small in size (I read it in a few train rides to the city), it's all laid out so clearly. It leaves you thinking...of course it reads so easily because the lessons really are that simple. Try to apply the lessons, however, and that's when the complexities arise. The solution? Simplify, simplify, simplify your life. Don't hold on to grudges, to guilt, to regret, to anger. Give yourself more credit. Realize the potential you have to make everything okay. Live life today.

Ready for the agreements? Real simple:

1) Be impeccable with your word.
2) Don't take anything personally.
3) Don't make assumptions.
4) Always do your best.

So now that you know them, why read the book, right? Just trust me on this one. And when you're done reading it, you'll want to hold onto it, for when you need to be reminded again.