Customer Reviews

The Power of Focus: What the World's Greatest Achievers Know about The Secret to Financial Freedom & Success

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Well I read it. Thought about it. Made some notes, and actually slept on my thoughts before submitting this. To date I have thoroughly enjoyed and learned a lot from Mark Victor Hansen's work. Although there are some credible idea's in 'The Power of focus', most of the material appears to be somewhat academic,lacking in regular substance and heavily weighed towards this Les Hewitt guy in promoting his Achiever's company. With that I am disappointed. I purchased this book on Mr. Hansen's credibility and past success's of previous work. I discovered a few distinctions however the writing was not as defined, clearcut and experiential as Mr. Hansen normally comes across. Over promoted and underwritten.

WOW, this is one of the most useful and relevant books out there today, applicable to life in both personal/business realm. If you are willing to go there; Hewitt, Cranfield and Hansen outline how to identify your bad habits', create a plan to change them to good habits', self reflection, and clear measurement that help you maintain life balance on a daily basis. This book is based on you, the self aware reader, are you ready to change and take control of your life? Enjoy

Frankly, I loved this book!

It is practical, easy to read, and it suits my philosophy that success is based on BALANCE, not on how much money, power or fame we accumulate. I have been a fan of Canfield and Hansen for many years, and I think I have read every book they've written, so you can accuse me of bias if you wish, but these guys are good! They know some stuff about making life work out well, and I appreciate that!

I don't recall seeing this phrase in the book, but the theme
is that success is actually quite easy. Success is the logical and predictable result of doing the right things, in the right way, at the right time, and that is curiously EASY if we are focused and paying attention. What is hard is living a chaotic, confused and distracted life while we "hope" for success to jump up and bite us. It just doesn't work that way!

This is one you should OWN! Buy and read it. Put it on your shelf or the corner of your desk, and in six months read it again! Give it to your spouse or kids and ask them to read it, then talk about it! The power of this book is that it's so "obvious" - but only if we remember to DO the little things that make the difference. Don't borrow it from the library. Buy it. Read it. Keep it handy and plan to read itagain and again over the years.

That's one of the primary principles espoused by the authors. It is not only consistent with "common sense" (which perhaps isn't as common as it once was); it's also supported by scientific evidence in psychology and other behavioral sciences.

But just *how* do we change habits, many of which are decades old and deeply ingrained? The authors don't sugar coat the fact that it takes willingness and sustained effort. At the same time they offer practical exercises and genuinely inspirational anecdotes and advice, which help ease the pain of change. Put another way, I felt as if I had three encouraging mentors within easy reach any time I felt discouraged or "stuck." These mentors believed in me. The fact that these mentors were "speaking" to me via words on a page gives you an idea of how effectively they communicate their ideas and realistic confidence in their approach.

My only criticism of the book is that it is aimed at business people at the management level or above, e.g., executives, business owners, and professionals. For example, at various points in the book they recommend hiring a personal trainer, personal assistant, housekeeper, lawn service, bookkeeper, and/or a receptionist to free up more time for one to concentrate on one's strengths. Yikes! While I happen to be in their target market, I can't just go right out and plop down $500 to a $1000 a week to pay for all that extra help.

However, I did make it one of my *goals* to hire some of the employees/contractors they recommend. Since the authors include specific, helpful advice on goal setting and goal attainment, I am more confident in my ability to eventually free up more time as they suggest.

No book is perfect and I don't consider writing to an upper-middle income or above audience a serious flaw, particularly since that is the type of person most likely to purchase their book. Thus, I believe the book deserves 5 stars.

With these kinds of books, it's not what you say but how you say it. Yeah, many topics in this book can be found in other books in this catagory, but it is HOW the authors say it, and in what context they frame it in, that determines this book working for you.

First off I am a person that drifts a lot, changing strategies, changing careers, etc. I tend to start projects vowing to finish and I tend to make pledges to change habits all to fail. I thought all was a lost cause until I read this book. It helped me stay on track, but it wasn't so rigid that I couldn't move.

But I think the best thing about this book is the simplistic manner in which it was written. There is something about the way that they explain the most basic things about habits, about the importance of practicing, about taking responsibility for your life, about having a purpose. I am so glad that I got this book. They are like my personal coaches, always there reminding me, keeping me focused on what I need to do to get where I want to go.

They explain things so basic that I will never outgrow the information. I have self improvement books that are out dated because they got to specialized, and on the flip side it is written in such a basic style that even teenagers can pick it up and get a head start on this stuff. I wish I would have.

This book touches on and explains the building blocks, the fundamentals of success. My copy is getting worn out with markings and highlighted sections and notes in the margins. I keep it very handy and use it in those moments when I need a quick motivation and reminding as well as to get centered or back on track.

never read those, positive thinking , chicken soups and all that stuffs.
but i think this was very inspirational.
make your wishlist was the best. i made a wishlist last year after reading this book, and today i can see 1/2 of them already
fulfilled, believe me,it changed my life.
focus is really powerful.
read to give your opinion, don't let others opinion decide for you.

Have you ever lamented; if only I would have taken advantage of that business opportunity, that fitness program, spent more time with my kids, taken that course.

OR: If only I had more time.

The Power of Focus will change all that for you. You will get more done and have more free time.

The Power of Focus goes beyond motivation. You can read a book or go to a seminar and get all excited and motivated. Enthusiasm but no direction or focus.

Focus and direction can turn the power of a light bulb into a laser beam. Lasers are nothing more but sharply focused light. Lasers have the ability to cut through steel and destroy missiles in space. Same light as the light bulb---just focused and directed.

The strategies in The Power of Focus will turn the power of your mind into the laser beam it was meant to be. You will hit your business, personal and financial targets with absolute certaintly and sooner than you previously though possible.

Use the Power of Focus to increase your effectiveness and your time off.

I like this book because the methods they show you are pragmatic and effective. It presents some very useful methods that most of us can readily use. Furthermore, these methods are summarized at the end of each chapter. So even if you forget what you have read, you can easily refresh your mind by reviewing those one-page chapter summaries.

Like most self-development books, it is somewhat long winded. That's not necessary bad since repetition can help one retain more and longer. And for most of us, these books serve as reminders rather than new revelations.

There aren't a lot of earth-shattering ideas in this book (and you won't find that in many other similar books for that matter) but good old ones being told in different ways. Two major themes from this book that I particularly like are 1) you need to develop good habits and 2) you need to plan, TAKE ACTION, and keep your body and mind in top shape. This will be of no surprise to most of us but the question is how many of us are practicing it and doing it to its fullest?

If you feel that you are doing lots but don't seem to be getting anywhere, then read this. But most important of all, practice it. The concepts are simple but building the necessary habits will take time. Nothing good comes easy. Don't expect miracles from a simple read.

If you enjoyed books like The Power of Positive Thinking, The Millionaire Next Door, or The Four Agreements you are almost certain to like this book by the creators of Chicken Soup for the Soul. The authors use real-life examples, motivational tools, and tried-and-true business principles to make their points. I particularly liked the "flow charts" at the end of each chapter that helped to capture the overall message and encourage the reader's progress. Not having read any of the Chicken Soup books may have been to my advantage as I did not tire of the writers' style or lessons. An easy read full of good practical and business advice.

It is really a great book to read. You will learn a lot about how to plan your life and set your goals. I read it once and I think I will read it again and again and again, because it is really full and worthy. I love it.