Friday, July 23, 2010

Invaluable Book Review

I am just back from whirlwind travel. Feeling I need to get more productive when I am on the road. There are always things I leave for when I am back in the office which I would prefer to just have dealt with.

I read a great little book -Invaluable - The Secret of Becoming Irreplaceable by Dave Crenshaw. He wrote The Myth of Multitasking which I also liked even though I had written about the power of multitasking, Crenshaw and I agree.

I had a negative reaction to the title because I believe everyone is replaceable and greatly dislike those that hoard information and knowledge which is how some choose to be more irreplaceable (and that method does not work).

But that is not what the book is about. It is about Time Management (so of course I love it). The gist of the message is "spend your time in your most valuable area (he calls them MVAs)". This has to do with knowing your unique strengths and understanding the value of them.

I have always worked on knowing my strengths and working in them. Part of it though is to also look at those things you do which are lower value add and figuring out how to reduce or eliminate them. Coming off a travel week, I really see a lot of low value time (like waiting in lines etc.).

So I heartily agree with the thesis. And it re-emphasizes all that I know.

It is written as a story or parable which I do not particularly like (although many people prefer that). I just like the facts.

I think this book will inspire people to spend their time better.

4 Comments:

At 5:50 PM, Anonymous davidburkus said...

Thanks for the review. When I saw it, I first thought it was a "me-too" book to Godin's Linchpin. Surprised to learn it's on time management.

 
At 1:39 PM, Anonymous Frode H said...

"I had a negative reaction to the title because I believe everyone is replaceable and greatly dislike those that hoard information and knowledge which is how some choose to be more irreplaceable (and that method does not work).
" - I share this, and thought the same about this book. I did not buy it. Bad choice of title? - Maybe I will give it a try now?

I believe in making yourself replacable. If I could not show up at work, and nobody noticed, that would be one great day! :) Not because I got a free day off, but because everybody knew what needs to be done.

 
At 12:28 PM, Blogger Unknown said...

MVAs are a powerful concept. An important part of focus. Thanks for sharing.

 
At 3:23 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

The best and the most inspiring parable I have ever read is ''Let the Rabbits Run'' from ''Soar with your Strengths'' book, by late Donald Cliffton, a father of Strengths Movement.
Recently I also heard and Internet guru saying ''Focus your strengths on the greatest opportunities'' and that was a good advice from someone who made millions.

 

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