focus

Focus : The Future of Your Company Depends on It (HarperBusiness Essentials)
$16.95
I have been a fan of Al Ries for years, ever since reading Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind, 20th Anniversary Edition" more than a dozen years ago. In "Focus: The Future of Your Company Depends on It (Collins Business Essentials)," Ries makes a compelling, well-documented case for finding a niche and staying with it. In case study after case study, he shows why companies that become known for a single attribute (e.g., Volvo for safety) continue to thrive while more generalized conglomerate falter.

I do think the book was over-long. It would be equally (if not more) effective if it about 100 pages shorter. This version (published in 1997) is somewhat dated, and I have not read the revised version (published in 2005). However, the basic premise remains the same. As the book's title indicates: focus, your company's future depends on it.

Focus Like a Laser Beam: 10 Ways to Do What Matters Most
$24.95
I was expecting something different from this book - maybe something more along the Getting Things Done path than what this ended up being. It is definitely a short read - the highlights are outlined in the book description above.

I'd say this is definitely geared more towards management than worker bee's, but there are still a few things anyone can use. Number one being, just say "no" to meetings that don't provide any value. Other than that (which I already try to practice), I just didn't get much out of this book. I'm a little surprised by all of the glowing reviews I read here. Maybe I missed something.

The Practicing Mind: Bringing Discipline and Focus Into Your Life
$16.95
Like other readers, I have read my shares of self-improvement books. Every time I finished reading one, I felt excited and motivated. These feelings usually last no more that 3 weeks and then I would go back to my old self. I was going to stop reading these books because I felt it was hopeless.

Little did I know the book that helped me the most is the thinnest and have the least amount of reviews. After reading this book, I feel so peaceful, quiet and focused. For the past four weeks, I actually feel happy about who I am. I feel I am in control and focused. I find myself saying "awesome" a lot lately, because I start to enjoy my improvement in all areas. Most importantly, I enjoy life more.

The solution to my unhappiness and directionless is right in front me and yet I did not see it all these years. I tried so many times before to change myself but I failed every time. I actually convinced myself that People usually don't change at late thirties. Mr. Sterner showed me I am wrong and the solution is so simple. It was a bit of anti-climax.

I will recommend this book to everyone . This book had the most profound impact on me. I also bought "The Meditation Mind" CD, which I like a lot. It is simple yet effective. Last, I want to thank Mr. Sterner for showing me the way. And I want to thank myself for not giving up.

The Best of Focus: Hocus Pocus
$22.98
This is one of the better-sounding rock CDs in my collection. Musical details are present that I remember hearing on the LPs I owned of this music 'back in the day'.
The sixteen tracks on this release would probably seem a fairly generous number for a CD anyway (the average still being no more than twelve), but as a few selections here run as long as ten minutes apiece, this is a collection that uses the potential of the compact disc for long programs quite well.
Some other reviewers have quibbled with the choice of tracks, and I don't wholly disagree, but believe that this release represents a good sense of compromise. American listeners, uniquely, look for the 'fast' version of "Hocus Pocus", as it was a hit single (and still the only Focus record many people know). The longer version of "Hocus Pocus" is also included, which I think was a wise decision, as well as "Sylvia", which received quite a bit of American airplay.
The other tracks on the album consist of what seem judicious choices, often favoring the lyrical, tuneful side of a band that could as often rock the walls down (and some of that music is here too).
All in all, this is a pretty good single-disc collection from a group of musicians who could easily have merited a box set. How else can one explain a Focus collection without (for instance) "Love Remembered"? Never mind; everything here is good. I would recommend also purchasing (at least) "Focus III" in addition to this disc.
As I write this, "The Best of Focus" seems to be unavailable except in used copies. My hope is that enough interest can be generated in this disc, and this band, that re-issues will be forthcoming.