ConZentrate: Get Focused and Pay Attention--When Life Is Filled with Pressures, Distractions, and Multiple Priorities (Paperback)

by Sam Horn (Author) "I know how Youngman feels..." (more)
Key Phrases: Action Plan, Mental Lifesaver, Focus Pocus (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Beginning with the "promise not to waste your time on theory," Horn (Tongue Fu!; What's Holding You Back?) draws on the Zen concept of mindfulness as a means to calm the frenzied mindset that often accompanies contemporary life, and delivers a plethora of "read bites" (i.e., "short chunks of self-contained information") on focusing mental energy and performing "in the zone." A professional seminar leader, she offers useful "action plans" studded with an abundance of acronyms for "managing our T.I.M.E. (Thoughts, Interests, Moments, and Emotions)," focusing on what's most important at any given moment, setting goals and creating homes and workspaces most conducive to their specific functions. From turning on the answering machine during dinner to choosing music that will mask distracting noises, Horn provides helpful advice for taking control of one's physical and psychic space. Recognizing the myriad family, school, workplace and community issues that most people face, she addresses such diverse topics as attention deficit disorder, medications, preferred learning styles, studying (for work or school), test taking, courtesy and living by a personal mission statement. Employing an accessible, succinct format, Horn successfully shows readers how to sharpen their minds. Agent, Laurie Liss. Author tour. (Mar.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
"Fascinating, thought-provoking, and motivating. I highly recommend this remarkable book on mind mastery." -Dr. Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People

"A must for anyone who wants to learn how to focus and maintain attention--no matter what. ConZentrate is a winner." -Billie Jean King
-- Review

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Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (February 6, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312270100
• ISBN-13: 978-0312270100
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #273,196 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Be Here Now 2000, April 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: ConZentrate: Get Focused and Pay Attention--When Life Is Filled with Pressures, Distractions, and Multiple Priorities (Hardcover)

If you expect to read *about* Zen wisdom that will enlighten and help manage your life, you will be disappointed. " ConZentrate" doesn't talk about Zen; it does it. It does it through the lens of cognitive psychology. Ms. Horn shows how to become more effective through a sharper focus and clearer concentration using the techniques of replacing, removing, and reframing thoughts. Twelve blocks to increased attention and awareness are presented, and in one way or another, much of the book addresses most of those blocks with Action Plans, mnemonic devices, and a side-by-side comparison of negative or confused concepts and self-talk with positive, ConZentrated concepts and self-talk. All this is directed at increasing the focus and quality of one's T.I.M.E (Thoughts-Interests-Moments-Emotions).

Written in an engaging, conversational style, this book is a quick read. And a repeat read. The layout is well ordered; specific topics and techniques are highly accessible. Humor and wisdom abound throughout in quotes that range from the Bhagavad Gita to Erma Bombeck to Proust. If you want to read about Zen, try some other book, but if you want to improve your ability to focus and concentrate on what matters to you, then get this book and do it!

41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BRAVO for the gift of focus!, April 10, 2000

By	[e-mail] (Rockville, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: ConZentrate: Get Focused and Pay Attention--When Life Is Filled with Pressures, Distractions, and Multiple Priorities (Hardcover)

Many gems in this book. Most immediate and powerful for me was the five-more rule which urges me to do five of anything past my usual point of giving up. Keep hanging in a little longer. I use this idea daily in exercise routines and it works beautifully to move me just past the comfort/collapse zone. I'm also starting to use it more consciously in work before I let things frustrate me. It keeps me more open to options and to finding solutions. The book is full of this kind of practical, everyday advice written in a conversational and memorable style.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bridging the Gap Between East and West!, August 9, 2000

By	Bill Butler (Tarzana, Ca. USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: ConZentrate: Get Focused and Pay Attention--When Life Is Filled with Pressures, Distractions, and Multiple Priorities (Hardcover)

Before you fall asleep tonight, please say over and over to yourself silently "I'm good at ConZentration", "I'm good at ConZentration"...For 5 minutes. Every night. This is the crux of Horn's program. But in order to do it right, you will simply have to buy the book. Although psychonalysts from Eric Fromm to Fritz Pearls have mentioned "concentration" as a way to health and success, the subject has been more or less avoided it seems. This book will read in a way that seems "trite". She seems to quote everybody from Ronald Reagan to Donald Duck! And there does seem to be a lot of Charles Atlas "hype". But don't put it down yet. Sogyal Rinpoche, a Tibetan Buddhist master, recommends meditating a few minutes and then integrating that period into your life. As does Tarthang Tulku who created the first Tibetan monestary outside of Tibet. In fact, he states that concentration is most beneficial when it is being applied in everyday life! Horn helps you to do so. The 5 minutes is just the beginning. PRACTICE. But the 5 minutes will be necessary to put you in tune with what you are going to do the next day. Don't think of it as a "gimmick". It's not. If Horn just left it at 5 minutes a night, I would be giving this review only one star. As a "gimmick" book. But Horn doesn't do this. She applies what she calls ConZentration to daily activities and situations that can be highly beneficial. It is very nice to see how Eastern Religion is meeting the West. Give it a try. I'll do it right now. As I finish this review, I am gathering my thoughts and focusing on my writing. I also did it in a tunnel while walking. Give it a try if you find the Eastern Path a little "yucky". Did I say that? Good luck.