31 October 2010

Good to Great by Jim Collins *** / One for the Money by Janet Evanovich **

These are on my blog just because, between the two, I didn't have time to read anything else this week. Good to Great was for work. Incredibly well-researched, I found it educational and informative. Not a page-turner for everyone, I understand. But I enjoyed it for what it is: an analysis for companies who want to transition (or who must transition) from one to the other.

One for the Money was for a book club and chosen by a friend who is going through a divorce and wanted to read something light and distracting that would make her laugh. I did laugh. Once. And I gasped another time at an unexpected (spoiler) car bomb. But in between those glimpses of plot development, I was regaled with every shower, every meal, every outfit and hairstyle, every food pellet she gave her hamster over the 10 day course of the story. I like a little detail to feel connected to the character, but her methods seemed too frivolous. While I'm not in the mood for it now, at least I know where to go when I am.

So that's this week. Next week: Eat, Pray, Love.

2 comments:

  1. So did you find anything in Good to Great that could be a metaphor for life, or is it strictly business literature? I'm fairly decent at a lot of things, but not really what I would call GREAT at very many things, and I am now kind of intrigued. What would happen if I all of a sudden got better at almost everything I did?

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  2. A lot, actually. One of them is called the Stockdale (pretty sure that's his name) principle that comes from a POW. The only way to get through a REALLY tough time is to accept that this is your reality, and while hoping for the best, realizing that this may ALWAYS be your reality so you can start coping and dealing with the problem instead of wishing things away and falling into a cycle of depression when/if things don't get better like you hoped they would.

    Another is an idea I've started calling "To Don't" lists. Every time you start getting overwhelmed because your "To Do" list is growing too long, start looking for this you can eliminate. Most effective businesses (and people) are that way because the DON'T waste their time on irrelevant activities or practices. Something I need to learn a lot about.

    Those are probably the two that stick out the most to me. Great question! I'm glad to have you as "my follower"!

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