Getting Results for Dummies

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Want to get more done in less time and with less stress--at home and at work? This book can show you how. With Mark as your guide, you'll: Set priorities and stay focusedMaster low-tech organizational toolsGet a grip on email and high-tech toysCut through clutterSay "no" nicely--and mean it Never again have to apologize for missed deadlinesMaximize your most precious resource--time

Using the proven time-management strategies described in this book, you'll accomplish more than you ever thought possible, and have more time for your family and leisure activities. With a minimal investment of time you'll discover how to: Get a handle on overwhelming situationsSet goals and create a workable planBecome mentally organizedGet paperwork under controlMake email and the Internet your friendsCreate storage solutionsOrganize your home and your moneySchedule your time and avoid time banditsMaking your goals contagious and getting others to cooperate

Life is too short to waste it in a fog of anxiety and confusion. Let "Getting Results For Dummies" show you how to get organized and improve every aspect of your quality of life.

The tone of the author is unfortunate. I have never read a book where I was so put off by the author. You know how Tom Cruise portrays Jerry McGuire at the beginning of the movie "Jerry McGuire"? That's what the author sounds like. Business is life, money is the bottom line, winning is everything.

The author, Mark McCormack, was the founder of the sports management company on which "Jerry McGuire" was based, so maybe that's where the similarity comes in. Whatever the connection, the tone of the book is that of an obnoxious braggart.

On more than one occasion, Mr. McCormack excuses bad behavior in favor of the results they achieve. The ends always justify the means.

With that said, there are some useful tips if you have already brushed up on time management and organization. If you have not, this should not be your first purchase. I would suggest: "Getting Things Done" by David Allen, "The Organized Executive" by Stephanie Winston, and/or "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey.

An example: In the book TIME TRAP (a time-management book I highly recommend) the author sites a salesman who made two goals for the next few years. The goals were to, each year, 1) double his income 2) double his vacation time. (!!) And the salesman succeeded, so that he doubled his income, as well as his vacation time, so that in the third year he had a lot more money, plus 6 weeks in vacation time. THAT'S what I call getting results!!!!

Harvey Mackay in one of his books sites a saleswoman he hired, who told him she worked 20 hours a week at her interview. Mackey told her, "But your resume says you did $2 million in sales at your previous job." She said, "I did. You can phone them and ask." Mackay did so, and they confirmed what she said. Mackay says to the reader, "So I don't care HOW many hours a week she works, with those kind of results."

Maybe it's the nature of a service business (which is what McCormack's management company is): you can't let a factory stamp out widgets while you do something else. You have to keep cracking the whip, or inspiring your subordinate agents, if they are what make-up your company. If that's the case, I'll avoid service businesses.

He writes for a different audience than I, one that has In and Out boxes on their desk (I've never seen In or Out boxes on anyone's desk, ever), that needs an introduction to the net and that makes phone calls all day (executives on the East coast maybe).

None the less, if you can handle being beated up by the author, he does have some good suggestions. He suggests planning not only what to do, but when to do it, which is probably the biggest win I'll get from the book. Every day I know my list is too long, but I start at the top & work down. I think that if I figure out when things will happen (even if the time spans are only guesses, since I don't know how long many things will take) it will help me to understand better what I can really accomplish & what I can't and thus, to focus my energy on what I can do.

So I'd say that if you want to make things happen, it's worth reading for the hints that work for you.