10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Finding true success in the business world, 7 Feb 2002
This review is from: The Heart of Success (Paperback)
This is a book to read and re-read. It presents a profound and relevant message in the form of stories that speak both to the intellect and the heart. Everyone will read it differently, but as the blurb says, it is important that everyone considers the key issues it discusses -- "What does success mean in the modern world?"
For me, the overall thrust was similar to one of the themes of Peter Senge's "Fifth Discipline". Parsons is advocating a conscious decision to consider what one's life goals really are, and to seek them determinedly, using all the resources we have, most importantly our time. In doing this we have to understand that all of the different parts of our lives are interwoven with each other and strive for the best possible relationship between them.
Of course, we all tend to put our best efforts in the areas of life which give the biggest reward in the short-term. Why wouldn't we, when that is how we have been trained to think? But in our key relationships, as opposed to our jobs, it doesn't work that way. For example, as Parsons says in the book, the time for getting to know our children as children is very limited. Once it is gone, it is gone for ever.
Heart of Success is based on seven laws, each of which is illustrated by telling examples drawn from Rob Parsons' own impressive business career or his own life. There are some very funny stories -- many had me laughing out loud. The style is light and engaging and it is a quick and easy read.
My favourite law is the one that says, 'Don't settle for success: strive for significance!' The message is that we can change our future if we want to, but we have to think hard about the way we want to go, and we have to begin today. Quite frankly, this little book is a good stopping-place on our journey.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must-read for harmonizing work/life goals successfully, 29 Jan 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: The Heart of Success (Paperback)
An important book challenging the corporate world & its pursuants to review their values in the light of life's highest but most often neglected goals.
What those goals will be may well differ between particular individuals & corporations. But Parsons argues inspiringly & persuasively for making choices which result in legacies beyond success - namely significance.
Although personally startled and shaken by the book to re-assess some central planks driving my own professional career in self-employment, the rewards are already beginning to outweigh the discomfort resulting from some sobering modifications to the ways I think about my working life. And this book makes it clear why such tough decisions need to be made at the expense of the more traditional 'rat-race' lifestyle.
Easily digested, yet highly provocative, motivational and coming from outside-the-box, this is quite possibly a life-changing work which every executive, worker, manager, owner & career-driven employee should strongly consider reading today, not tomorrow.
Life's bigger than business; this book can help the reader to make sure they never lose sight of it again.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply Devastating, 2 Feb 2004
By A Customer
I have listened to, and read countless books on the topic of mangerial success. Working longs hours, juggling home committments with my every growing career and still chasing the realisation of success. This CD painfully hits home how wrong my career equation had been. The more I listened, the more it hit me. I realised what I had been doing wrong. I now work far more effective that I ever have in my 15 years. I feel more enriched in my career because I put the things that really matter to me the most,first...before it is too late.
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