The Simplicity Survival Handbook: 32 Ways To Do Less And Accomplish More - Softcover

Jensen, William D

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0738209120 ISBN 13: 9780738209128

Publisher: Basic Books, 2003

Synopsis

In a world of more-better-faster, the challenges and stresses have never been greater: too much to do, not enough time. And in an economy where worker talent (know-how, energy, attention, commitment, and creativity) is at a premium, everyone is trying to maximize personal productivity. In The Simplicity Survival Handbook, Bill Jensen offers the antidote you're seeking: a practical guide to doing less in a world of more, and making it count. From "How to Write Shorter Emails for Better Results" to "How to Use Your Mentor to Help You Do Less," Jensen offers step-by-step strategies, tactics, and techniques for communicating more effectively, setting priorities, and balancing the competing demands on your time, while avoiding the time-sinkers. He takes on corporate foolishness, walking you through how to be more productive and take greater control of your workday and, by extension, your life.

About this title

About the Author

Bill Jensen is President and CEO of the Jensen Group (www.work2.com). Founded in 1985, this change-consulting firm helps Fortune 500 clients apply the principles of simplicity to business management and work design. He speaks and conducts workshops widely on changing how we work. He lives in Morristown, New Jersey.

From Publishers Weekly

Few authors encourage people to read as little of their book as possible, but Jensen (Simplicity) uses the table of contents to highlight five "must-read" sections on streamlining work practices, then encourages people who just want the tools to skip to the "Do-Less Toolkit" at the back of the book, which distills every chapter into a one- or two-page summary. The tactic, which matches his counsel to always demand the "executive summary" of any professional training course, invites comparison to the "useless crap" of PowerPoint presentations, a subject of particular efficiency-loving wrath, but these quickie lessons are as effective as their full-length counterparts, if not more so. Each of the regular chapters is introduced by three "Less-O-Meters," which gauge the level of courage needed undertake each challenge, the level of difficulty, and the level of reward each brings. Much of the advice is familiar from other time-management handbooks, like the calls to delete e-mails unread or skip unnecessary meetings, but other sections offer new perspective on dealing with job orientations and regular evaluations, observing that they're more for the company's benefit than the employee's and showing how to focus on those parts that actually address your needs. Jensen's techniques were developed over the course of a decade-long research project, and he frequently directs readers to the Web site for his change consulting firm for additional info. Most won't need it, though, since his concise presentation-reminiscent of Tom Peters, but with even more concentrated substance-lays everything out perfectly the first time.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Basic Books
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0738209120
• ISBN 13: 9780738209128
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320