April's To-Read
Just finished "How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big" by Scotts Adam. If this name sounds familiar to you, then most probably you have read Dilbert before. Yes the guy who's been giving us corporate truths in 3 small squares for the longest time ever! I like the book doesn't focus on goals setting. It focuses on setting up systems that helps you achieve things. He focused a lot on never fearing failure as well - he highlighted the number of failed business ventures he went through (it was pretty extensive) and how those eventually shaped his successful ones.
The topics covered in his book was pretty extensive and if I could summarize the key ones:
1) Focus on yourself (good diet, good personal energy) - the world needs you at your best;
2) Once you optimize your personal energy, you are just one "luck" away from success;
3) Since you cannot control luck, you can give yourself better odds but mastering various skill sets (public speaking, psychology of persuasion, basic accounting, proper voice techniques good grammar and a basic understanding of technology;
4) Master the habit of simplifying;
5) Control your ego and once you stop fearing embarrassment, you compete against a smaller field;
6) Always remember that failure is your friend. It is the raw material for success. Invite it in and don't let it leave until you pick its pocket.
Because of "The Greatest Trade Ever", I went on to "Devil's Casino" - which follows the rise of Lehman Brothers, to its acquisition by American Express and how they managed to oust themselves back into the banking industry. How that rouge trader behaviour helped them rise against the big players in the investment banking world, and how it eventually also led to their downfall in 2008. The book highlighted a lot on how greed could change friendships, how it drove betrayal and how it formed the very core of Lehman. I'm enjoying it so far though I wish I could read it a little faster! Haha.
The last book which I hasn't read yet is Open: An Autobiography by Agassi Andre. One of the legendary players of all times - the shocker of it all? He really hated tennis - he started playing at the age of 3 and showed an aptitude for it by the age of 5. He eventually had to drop out of school as his father thought education was a hindrance to practices. The lack of education eventually bothered him the rest of his career. I'm not sure if I will like the book as I'm not a huge tennis fan but something about that painful look on the cover tells me I should read it. I will come back with reviews ;)
Meanwhile, have a great week ahead everyone! :) Promise I will blog more!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
glad to see your blog movement again :) lets meet up soon :)
ReplyDelete