Power Up Your Mind: Learn Faster, Work Smarter (Paperback)

The thrust of the book is, of course, learning. But there is something refreshingly eclectic about the way Bill tackles the subject. He throws every thing at it in rather the same way an enthusiastic punter hurls missiles at a coconut shy. We have a guided tour of the brain and ten tips for treating your brain right (keep it well hydrated, give it regular breaks, give it the big picture first, etc). We have a chapter on getting ready to learn, with practical advice on how to pump yourself up (emotional readiness, being optimistic, ways to raise self-esteem, etc). Then a chapter called 'switching on your mind' (balancing challenge and threat, finding intrinsic motivation, overcoming common barriers, etc).

The book continues in the same vein; cheerful, practical and engaging - with helpful chapters on 'Going for it' (how to become a competent learner, learning to learn, the learning cycle, learning styles, multiple intelligences, etc) and 'Steady as you go' (putting learning into practice, reflecting, balancing your life, etc).

Have you noticed how many times I have used 'etc'? This isn't me being lazy (honest!). No, rather it is indicative of the wealth of accumulated wisdom packed into 250 or so pages. Even when you get to the end, with more than enough advice to help you raise your learning game, Bill signs off with an A - Z of brain based approaches to life and work (the only time he falters is over the letter X), and with a neat troubleshooting section where problems ('you have temporarily lost your sense of curiosity') and what to do about them ('stop watching so much television') are placed side by side. Finally, Bill lists useful resources and useful organisations (Peter Honey Learning features in both - I just thought I ought to declare what could obviously be construed as a conflict of interest!).

So, everything is A1- but I must admit that missing 'X' slightly niggles me. I think Bill should have gone for xenogamy that, according to my dictionary, means cross-fertilisation. This is what learners need to do (with their minds, not just with their bodies!) and it is certainly what Bill has done in drawing together so much sense from so many different disciplines.

I have no hesitation in recommending this, not merely as a good read, but also as a welcome boost to keeping us all on our learning toes and, therefore, better equipped to help other (less fit?) people to embrace lifelong learning.

The approach to this book is simple: If you want to learn something, first you gotta know how to learn...."Learnacy"....only then will you get the fullest advantage.

This book is aimed at the fans and wannabes of Lifelong Learning, but there is far more here than just a lecture on how the Brain works etc etc....indeed, for anyone who, like me,has hit that brick wall at work and can't seem to get any further - this will do nothing less than inspire you to M.A.S.T.E.R. your goals (again - read the book!). I was more than ready, without realising, and since reading this book I have well and truly gone......in style!

One of this book's major, major assetts is that it is utterly compelling! I am a very, very light reader (One or two books a year), but this book lsted less than 2 days...

Despite other comments on this page, this book is also an excellent reference tool...in can be dipped into for a vast number of reasons, providing you put the soundbites into context....

If you are serious about learning, learnacy or promoting or facilitating either, you must, must read this book. Truly a Self-Help book with a difference....

As an aside - it is even more of an experience if you can see theman himself in action....Dr Lucas, like his book, is a breathtaking, non-stop inspiration....was lucky enough to see him at a conference earlier this year....