Managing Oneself (Harvard Business Review Classics)

A lot of people seem to have some misconceptions about this book, so I figured I'd chime in with my thoughts:* Yes, this is more like a pamplet. But so what? It's only like $8. And partnered with a small Moleskine notebook it fits in your laptop bag or backpack without taking up too much space. Perfect for business trips or vacations.* The book gives you the ONE thing that is (imo) most important to succeed, so much more than tons of other crappy "self-help novels." It explains to you the importance of taking a step back, looking in the mirror, and developing your own metric driven approach to Managing Yourself.* If done correctly, this is the LAST "self-help" book you'll ever have to buy. Screw Tony Robbins or that scam artist Tay Lopez, or any other similar scam artists.Here's how I've *interpreted* this book and what I've done since I bought it a few years ago:I made a Google Calendar with a notification to pop up every 3-months for me to check the list of goals that I created on a Google Docs page. I also use a Moleskine journal for daily/weekly thoughts. But every 3 months I look at the goals, figure out how I've done since then, and what I can do to be more successful, and/or what did/didn't work, and how to either avoid the things that didn't work, or do more of the things that did work.Here are some of the results:* I went from making $48,000/year in 2014 to making $110,000/year (+ bonuses) in 2017. I was able to do this because I constantly looked into ways to learn more about my job/industry, and also switching jobs twice when opportunities arose. I know this isn't "millionaire" territory or anything like that, but it's still a pretty good leap for someone in my field :) And it didn't come easy, there were tons of sacrifices, late nights staying at the office, working on projects, etc. But I credit checking my goals and doing more to manage myself as a huge contributor. I also reread this book from time to time on long flights or at least once a year.* I started doing yoga and I no longer have back pain (caused by being too sedentary at the office)* I got into powerlifting and have been hitting PRs almost every week* I've earned 3 certifications related to my career since 2015. I plan on doing 1 every year (if I can find relevant ones).* I generally have more time to go hiking, longboarding, surfing, snowboarding, etc. I've really come to have a good system during the week, which allows me to have fun on the weekend.* I also have been reading a lot more, mostly fiction books and business-case related books.I hope this book and this advice helps you out. I highly recommend it, but it's not just a book you read and forget about. YOU need to set up systems where you can check your progress, and make "course-corrections" as needed in order to accomplish your goals. It is A LOT of work! But anyone who tells you they have an "easy" system is likely either lying to you and/or a scam artist.

This is not a book in the true sense, but an article printed in form of a small book. The size should not diminish in any way the quality of the writing. This is a small gem that one has a look at in a time of reflection. If you read it you will learn something from it because it has that ability to stir your mind and discover a fresh view.In essence the principles of self management are: know your own strength, know how you perform (method of learning and delivery) and personal values. You also have to know where you belong. This seems simple but it is difficult to realise that knowledge in practice.One other aspect discussed in this book is the question of personal contribution that you bring to the organisation, a favourite topic for Peter Drucker. Following from that, it is interesting to consider one's responsibility for managing the relationship with others.Finally, I found valuable the consideration for a career in the second life half. Now that I read that it makes sense to me. The discourse is short, sharp and practical. I think it is very useful for people who consider a second career in their life as a planned venture not as a move to better employment opportunitiesOverall, great article, but I give it four stars because it is not a book. It should be made clear in the introduction somewhere that it is just that.

Maybe because it’s a relatively quick read, so it became one of these kindle books that I bought ‘on a whim’ thinking that it will be good for a rainy afternoon. Almost two years after I bought it, on a rainy afternoon when I was particularly frustrated with my life and work, I read it. The book felt like wisdom from the heavens, addressed directly to me personally. I wish I had read this as soon as I bought it, as it may very well have led me to make better decisions about my life. Not only that, it may very well have made me a more effective manager. Now that I am in the mode of ‘starting over’, this book has a huge impact on letting me know how I should think about my own development and career. If you are the type of person who finds that life is full of choices but there don’t seem to be enough time to explore all the options, this book will give you very clear-headed advice. All within the span of an hour, you will feel yourself powered up.

It's completely amazing how the people who rated this a 1 star are perplexed with the simplicity that it is only 72 pages and "no bigger than an Iphone". In hind sight, and after writing that last sentence, I guess it doesn't amaze me. Simple minds. One reviewer nailed it on the head when he/she stated that a book 375 pages (as per a reviewer) could have been shortened down in 10 pages or so along those lines.How about the reverse happen in this book? The information packed in this 'so called' pamphlet is more compelling than many of the other books I've read.To put a value on what's inside versus the weight, size and color of the book is simply mesmerizing to me.Every single person I know, needs to read this book; if only to understand certain traits of every facts of life.It was very inspiring, deliberate and quite frankly, to the point. The book allows one to take from it what they will. Whether or not one uses that influence is up to themselves.I see the "one star' voters as people who expect too much for the price they paid.But, to be totally honest, I got a HELLUVA lot more out of it than my investment!I hope this helps. Don't be skeptical. Be true to yourself. You'll thank yourself in the long run...if you're still running.

This is an essay. The book is a pocket book about 3x5 or 4x6. If this were a regular book, it would be about 17 pages long. The book has a couple good points to think about, but nothing extraordinary.