Archive for the ‘Book Reviews’ Category

Why More Choice is Making Women Unhappier!

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

“According to the General Social Survey, which has tracked Americans’ mood since 1972, and five other major studies around the world, women are getting gloomier and men are getting happier.” This flows on from the theme of choice outlined in Brian Schwartz presentation the ‘Paradox of Choice’

In an article in the NY Times, ‘Blue Is the New Black’ it seems that while women start their lives more fulfilled than men, as we age and achieve more women become less happy, whilst men get happier as they get older.  Woman are taking on more in all aspects of their lives and men are playing a greater role in helping care for the family and doing the housework, so the argument of women carrying all the domestic responsibilities has dwindled. With this change, we are also seeing men relieved of some of the financial pressure that they once carried as the breadwinner.  As one of the interviewers clearly articulates “Choice is inherently stressful,” and “And women are being driven to distraction.”

This is an interesting article for both men and women, demonstrating the dramatic shifts in society when it comes to the world of work and the positive and negative impacts it is having, particularly on women.

The secret to happiness according to Schwartz is having low expectations!

What are your thoughts?

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‘Orbiting the Giant Hairball’ a terrific book for those wanting more from their worklife

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

womenatwork‘Orbiting the Giant Hairball’ A Corporate Fool’s Guide to Surviving with Grace by Gordon MacKenzie

Just when you thought everything had been said and done before, you wake up from your corporate lull when you read this wonderfully engaging and inspiring book by MacKenzie. A short book, Orbiting the Giant Hairball follows the career and life of Gordon MacKenzie who spent 30 years of his career working for Hallmark Cards and was a Maverick in too manygiant hair ballways to list.

With so many business books (some brilliant, many repetitious) it was just delightful to read this unique book where MacKenzie offers a refreshing insight into corporate life and how we can all perhaps let loose a little and unleash the creative genius that is within us all. “MacKenzie teaches how to emerge from the giant hair ball – that tangled, impenetrable mass of rules, systems, based on what worked in the past and which can lead to mediocrity in the present.” Most importantly he shows us we can benefit as employees and as individuals in achieving a more satisfying work life, through engaging more creatively at work and taking a few risks!

The entire book is brilliant however I have selected a piece that I think many of us who have worked in larger organizations have or are experiencing.   “But if you are hypnotized by an organization’s culture, you become separated from your personal magic and cannot tap it to help achieve the goals of the organizations. In losing connection with your one of a kind magic, you are reduced to nothing more than part of a headcount.” Perhaps this is the reason why so many of us are unsatisfied with our work and why so many are looking to leave their jobs when the economy bounces back.

The book will appeal to anyone who is perhaps feeling a little uninterested at work and who is looking for a lifeline to re-charge themselves, their staff and even their organization. Regardless of your profession, this is a book that will have a wide appeal and hopefully be the catalyst for some changes in your work life.

If I have not convinced you to loan or purchase this book, Fastcompany magazine also has a great article on the book “How Is Your Company Like a Giant Hairball?”

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So how good do you want to be? Do you take risks or settle for mediocrity?

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

ladytoughI have never been one for mediocrity and suspect that not many people aspire to it, yet for too many of us in our working lives, we accept mediocrity.  I  was re-inspired this week by a short book that packs a punch of inspiration called ‘It’s not how good you are, it’s how good you want to be’ by P. Arden. As this books summary states “it’s a concise guide to making the most of yourself – a pocket bible for the talented and timid to make the unthinkable thinkable and the impossible possible” which perhaps is required now more than ever!   I am not sure I would categorize it as a ’self help book’ though I could be wrong. There is nothing fluffy or esoteric about it, rather it states the facts and reminds us we have choices.

This book offers obvious yet profound facts and advice that many of us need right now, be it as employers or employees. In turbulent times, where risk is avoided, uncertainty and sitting tight seem to be the order of the day, maybe it is just time to break out. Nothing great has ever happened by not taking some risks. If you think and act small, that’s what will come back to you – not a lot and its hard to feel a sense of achievement on that.

“So how good do you want to be?” a question that the book asks, have you ever thought about it? Or things like “Don’t look for the next opportunity. The one you have in your hand is the opportunity”  “Getting fired can be a positive career move” and “Don’t be afraid to work with the best.”

If you aspire to succeed and want more out of your work life or business, this may be just the book you need.

If you have read this book share your thoughts here.

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Book Review ‘Secrets of Six Figure Women’ by Barbara Stanny

Saturday, February 7th, 2009

I have just finished reading Barbara Stanny’s inspiring book, “Secrets of Six Figure Women - Surprising Strategies to up your earnings and change your life.”  I have to say I was a little hesitant when I purchased the book due to the title and the look of the book being fairly cheesy!  As such I also suspected the advice and stories in the book might be lightweight however as I am researching the subject and found that there is not a lot out there, I would take the risk.

The Powers of Other Women’s Stories
Barbara tells her life story which is semi-interesting, however the stories that she gathers from high salary earners and low salary earners are inspiring. What I also found valuable was the themes that Barbara discovered that occurred amongst these two groups of women and how we can identify them in ourselves. There is even some career coaching exercises which are great for those women looking to make a career transition in order to up their salary or gain more satisfaction from work.

Note: If you are looking to make a career change, free resources can be accessed via Six Figures Career Resources and numerous other career sites or you may wish to see a career coach.

Women are still chronically underpaid across the globe however one would hope, in the western world at least, with women surpassing men in education pay inequality would be a thing of the past. Not so. Discrimination is clearly rife and there is a glass ceiling, though it is great to see women are forging amazing careers and earning fantastic salaries irrespective of this.

Take Responsibility
What the book really confirms is that it is up to us as women to assume responsibility for our careers and our earnings. Yes, it will be tough and it will be uncomfortable.  Facing your fears and trusting in yourself and the future is hard. It will be rewarding though both personally and financially as these women’s stories prove.
Barbara has a great list of the 9 traits of chronic Under-earners -
1.    Have a high tolerance for low pay
2.    Underestimate their worth
3.    Are willing to work for free
4.    Are lousy negotiators
5.    Practice reverse snobbery
6.    Believe in the nobility of poverty
7.    Are subtle self – saboteurs
8.    Are unequivocally codependent
9.    Live in financial chaos


If you find that you fall into any of these areas, you may want to reflect and look at how you can change this.
Most of us will have to overcome our fears and re-work our thinking about ourselves, which is a good thing as it helps us be the best we can.  I would recommend this book to anyone (male or female) who believes they are not working to their full potential and who wants to earn more.womenpower1

Salary Negotiation

The book does not explore salary negotiation, which is also a part of this process and an area where women are notoriously unskilled and / or lacking in confidence. The great news, like all of what Barbara covers is that you can change your career and your earning capacity. It is up to us.

To access a free salary negotiation guide and quiz to assess your salary negotiation skills visit Six Figures

Investment in the Book & Yourself

Even as someone who considers herself fairly knowledgeable and confident in the areas of careers and salary negotiation, I got a lot out of Barbara Stanny’s book “Secrets of Six Figure Women – Surprising Strategies to up your earnings and change your life.”  I recommend making a $28 investment in this book and look forward to meeting and reading about more amazing six figure women.

If you have read the book , I would welcome your thoughts and opinions.

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