Think Smart Not Hard: 52 Key Principles To Success and Happiness

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I’ve been told that Successful Business 101 is to have a mentor who’s already achieved what you wanna make in your future. Whatever dreams and goals you have, I can tell this book could be your mentor as it has become mine. I agree that self-help books are influential and beneficial. Although, it's really obvious. I don't read a lot of self-help books to find success or happiness because, well, they don't really help me. Maybe for a few weeks or months, but I'm the type of person who doesn't follow routines because things just unexpectedly messes it up. For those who like to have a routine would find the book helpful. I also do like reading other people's experiences because it helps me relate to their experiences. Probably, if I came across this book couple of years ago when I was in depression, it would have motivated me to change. Some of the key principles were obvious and some of them were not necessary for me. I'll be like “Oh, I’ve been there” but then on some, I'll be like “meh.” But everyone has different thoughts and ways to live life. Roy Huff gives his readers some real world examples from his life of how he wasted some time and effort and found ways to avoid wasting time and effort in the future.

I laughed when I read that Principle #12 was “Make a Calendar”. My family and co-workers tease me about my calendars. Yes, I have one for my job, and one for my life. I even keep both together on an online calendar. But, at the beginning of my summer break I discovered something on my online calendar that changed my life. It was a simple button called “Tasks”. I had always ignored it. It combined several things into one. It allowed me to get rid of my plethora of lists that I kept with each calendar. Now I can schedule it on my online calendar and prioritize things by creating a “Tasks” list. Those who tease me about having two physical calendars don’t understand that if I have no access to my online calendar, I at least have the safety net of my physical ones. We each must find what works for us. Roy’s book is a list of great principals. What makes his book stand out from so many others are the personal stories and lessons that go along with them. Those will resonate with you in so many ways. So why should you read this book? Simply because no one knows all the secrets to success or the answers to all your problem, but what is certain is that life is a direct consequence of the choice we make. Turning off notifications to apps that aren't work-related increases your productivity. Most smartphones have Do Not Disturb functions that limit notifications or DownTime, which keeps you off social media or unproductive apps during selected hours. 8. Enjoy the outdoorsThis book is well-written and interesting. Much of the advice is common sense. As most of us know, common sense is no longer common. One of the simplest methods to work smarter is explained by a phenomenon called the Zeigarnik Effect. The Zeigarnik Effect states that not completing a task creates mental tension, which keeps it top of mind. The only thing that will ease this tension is to complete the task. Starting a project is usually the hardest part. If you can start focusing on a project for a few minutes, the brain's desire to complete it should then take over. So next time you feel like putting off a task, just take that first step, and the rest will follow. Manage your surroundings Abruptly switches tasks away from the quality of your work because you're too busy changing to focus on new things. You won't as be effective if you can't devote enough focus and energy to each task. Es gibt in den USA eine Reihe interessanter Autoren von Self-Help-Literatur, deren Output ich verfolge, wie S.J. Scott oder Stephen Guise. Nun bin ich auf einen weiteren Autor und sein erstes Ratgeber-Buch aufmerksam geworden: Roy Huff. Er hat 52 Schlüsselprinzipien zusammengestellt, deren Befolgung zu einem erfüllten, erfolgreichen Leben führen soll. Each reader will find him/herself nodding in agreement with some principles. These are the ones you think you are doing now. I make action plans all the time (#6). I’m really good at compartmentalizing (#13). I have become better at asking for advice (#19). What a smart fellow this Roy Huff is!

This book looks at an aggregate of principles for living well drawn from many sources, and filtered through the life experience of the author. As such, it’s a handy resource for anyone seeking to improve many aspects of living: to be more successful, healthier and happier. I especially like the “52 Key Principles Cheat Sheet” at the end of the book. Your time and energy aren't things you should waste. Working smarter values your energy and optimizes your time. It helps you spend less time burning your energy and more time saving it for other important things. Think Smart lives up to its title through the transparency of the author. The real value of this book goes far beyond the points Huff desires to impart. The value of this book is often found within his points in his own innate observations—often of himself! In his opening chapter under his third principle, Huff makes the statement, “The possibility of success can produce its own fear, which is born of people’s worry that their success is undeserved.” Giving these types of insights helps the reader to defeat much of the negative thoughts which often occlude our attempts to succeed! Roy Huff's humble beginnings give him a unique perspective on overcoming trials, setting and achieving goals. In his book, Think Smart Not Hard: 52 Principles to Success and Happiness, he uses personal experiences and empirical data to support the methods he outlines to develop integrity, character, personal responsibility, and excellence (among others qualities).

Top 15 tips on how to study smarter

When you find yourself at a standstill with work, it's helpful to have a change of scenery. You can't do your most important work if you feel trapped inside. Getting outside for some exercise relieves stress, calms you, and centers your focus. If you have extra time over your lunch break, try walking to the nearest park and breathing fresh air. Your mental well-being will thank you. 9. Adjust your attitude I love the fact this book is so relatable to all readers because of how forward the author is he gives it to you straight without sugar coating, it gives you ways of not changing your goals or dreams but way to make them more achievable in everyday life. Most of us could be more efficient. Over time we develop bad habits or keep doing tasks one way even though we have the tools to do them an easier way.

I started with #12 – Make A Calendar. First, I tossed my daily “To Do” list, and then I began scheduling my tasks on the calendar. It works so much better and it keeps me in line. The thought of setting goals that you perhaps have a 50/50 chance of achieving is new to me - I like it, especially with putting milestones along the way so you feel progress. I have written goals for the day and the week down before and find it tremendously motivating. I used small rewards for both myself and the kids when we were working on tasks or habits we wanted to accomplish and little rewards along the way for progress works a lot better than punishment for nonachievement.

15 tips to work smarter, not harder

Anyone can share you their experiences or guide you on how to live life, but the only motivation that will get you there is YOU. YOU have to TAKE ACTION. You have to WAKE UP and be SERIOUS that YOU want CHANGE. The book is not going to sprinkle pixie dust on you or have the author go military on you every 24 hours (just exaggerating). You can't just be moping around as a couch potato and comparing yourself to others. You have to stop and let go of all your negativity. YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING. Another great part of the book is that author mixes his 52 principles with research done by others and his own experiences and he is very open about his business life as well. Which we don’t see that often as we entrepreneurs need to keep the show going right…… My only criticism would be that I felt some of the principles could be condensed into smaller sections, but this is just my opinion. Struggling to cope with personal tragedy? Worried you'll never live up to your full potential? Bestselling author Roy Huff overcame abuse and abject poverty to become an accomplished teacher and research scientist. His secrets for success have changed countless lives, and now they can help you too!