Book Review: Focus: Use Different Ways of Seeing the World for Success and Influence

“...there are two different and distinct sets of lenses we use to see the world…” p.227

Stars: 4/5

Focus is a great complement to Halvorson’s 2010 book, Succeed: How We Can Reach Our Goals.  The opening chapters of Focus touch upon many of the topics of motivation (promotion-focused vs. prevention-focused) that were outlined in Succeed; most likely to build a foundation for those who haven’t had the opportunity to read Succeed. If the first couple of chapters of Focus are a re-hash, then the remaining chapters most certainly are an extension of those ideas. Halvorson and Higgins present cases of motivational fit (and non-fit) from perspectives of: self-assessment, motivating kids & employees, advertising & purchasing, and message delivery, just to name a few. Once you’ve properly identified your audience’s motivational focus, you’ll learn the strategies one needs in order to influence them.
 
 


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Book Review: Succeed: How We Can Reach Our Goals

“Improvement is always possible.” Ch. 12

Stars: 4/5

Heidi Grant Halvorson, Ph. D. has constructed a practical and sensible book on goal setting and why we succeed or fail at reaching our goals. Using her own research as well as research conducted by her peers, Halvorson shares her cogent analysis on topics such as:
- types of goals (promotion-focused vs. prevention-focused)
- what type of mindset one needs to be successful at reaching each type of goal
- motivation (how to motivate ourselves and/or others)
- where we go wrong in setting our goals and how to successfully disengage from unattainable goals
- goal saboteurs
- & etiquette on giving feedback (praise)

The information presented is bolstered by years of research but it is not written in an academia-wordsmithy style. In some cases, Halvorson uses her own personal experiences to bring the content home; and this is where the book succeeds.
 
 



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