The point (of the book) isn’t that the ideas presented lack benefit. I believe that many of the principles that Stephen Covey explains foster a better life. In fact, I’ve been teaching his 3rd habit on Time Management for many years as one of the best guides to help control your time. Of course, I would suggest you to also burn your copies of "Good to Great," "Think and Grow Rich," and "The 4 Hour Workweek" as well. Shall we list up there the Bible and the Koran? Remember: if you meet the Buddha on the road, kill him.
Read more in Insight from David Sweet, a senior manager at Specialized Group KK, where he consults with leading international organizations on their Japan-based business and staffing needs, especially in the identification, recruitment and integration of country manager, senior sales and other leadership-based roles.
© Japan Today
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urufuls
Interesting article, Mr. Sweet. May I suggest that while there may not be one pathway to success, it certainly would benefit somebody to have these habits? Of course, continuing to increase in knowledge in numerous areas in addition to the habits better prepare an individual for what may come his or her way.
bisoy
I won't burn mine. We need them to remind us of the obvious.
space_monkey
Read John Maxwell books. He is the best.
newsninja
David, I enjoyed reading your article. Thanks. My philosophy also encompasses the desire to continuously re-invent myself - in thinking & in action... sometimes this does not necessarily make me the easiest person to work with as I continuously question people or situations with "why", and desire to put new ideas into action, thereby "pushing" people out of "comfort-zones"... but I've found that over time, almost all people come to understand, accept & even thank me for doing so, and that my intentions were not that of a personal challenge or afront to them, but as a genuine interest to know more, to do the things we are doing better and to make a difference, at least as much as one can, for myself AND for them. Leading & inspiring for net good. The interesting part is that once they "get it" it becomes fun along the way for them too... as you say - humans are chaotic & creative ! Love it - look forward to reading more...
gogogo
Rule 1: You have no creditability if you base your own creditability on the faults of others.
5SpeedRacer5
The only book I own of that genre that I would burn for being pretty well useless is LOOKING OUT FOR NUMBER ONE, which I will never burn because it is a mint first edition, and it is quite funny in a Goodfellas sorta way.
And as long as you insulted my religion, let me tell you something else that is funny. Specialized Group KK. How "specialized" can a company be with a name like that? But it is a SPECIALIZED...GROUP. What were they before they were a group? MORE specialized? Also remember that the bigger the company gets, the less SPECIALIZED it will be, so growth is definitely off the mission statement, I assume. Think about it a little. George Carlin would have had some fun with that.
All of the other books listed by Mr. Sweet have been useful to me in one way or another. All are pretty dated, but their basic principles do not change, as opposed to, say, faddish management styles.
I think Mr. Sweet needs to work on his hook a little. Book-burning has never been a great way to win friends and influence people. At least not positive people. And what is this about killing Siddhartha? If you add it all up, the hook above disparages three major world religions, advises book burning, appears to advise killing, and knocks four best sellers that are likely to be valued by the target audience. How is that going to attract successful people to his company or ideas? So there is some helpful advice to YOU Mr. Sweet. Please pay my consulting fees to JT.
bamboohat
Wouldn't it be better to give these books to a friend?
newsninja
5SpeedRacer5 : the references to religion & book burning are purely symbolic here - Mr. Sweet even says as much... the article is about keeping an open mind and continuously moving on to a higher plateau of re-invention & development - just as the great religions of the world prescribe... After I re-read the article (3x) and my initial shock and WTF wore off, I found this an excellently scripted self-improvement article. THE SPECIFIC REFERENCE you may be offended by is HIGHLIGHTED BRILLIANTLY BY THE FACT THAT a website (assumingly) put out & run by Buddhists refer to the exact quote that likely offended you, and explains Zen Master Linji's "Kill Buddah" quote (yes, this was said by a Zen Master): http://www.dailybuddhism.com/archives/670
5SpeedRacer5
"excellently scripted self-improvement article"
More is the shame that this accomplished businessman turned people off by insulting their religions and the books they like. I applaud you for reading his article three times to get his message. To me, burning Bibles and killing Buddha are not attractive prospects. I am a fuddy-duddy.
Well, listen. I won't tell Mr. Sweet how to run his business. I just think he needs to think a little more about the impression he gives people as he looks into the glow of his campfire of classics.
Ah_so
I bought that book, struggled to get through the introduction, and then a realisation hit me, like a bolt of lightening. I am not American and never will be and so should not be reading a self-help book.
With this realisation, I chucked the book to the bottom of the bookshelf, where it will stay as my only ever failed foray into self-help books.
stevecpfc
Dont expect a book to change your life. If it isnt in you to do from the first place someone who gets rich from putting trendy ideas in yout head won`t help,