Customer Reviews

Cut to the Chase: and 99 Other Rules to Liberate Yourself and Gain Back the Gift of Time

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

If you're just starting out in the business world this is a good little book to keep around.

I've been in the business world since receiving my MBA in 1988. Time management is something I have a pretty good handle on but hadn't thought about for a couple of years. However, last week my brilliant consultant-wife dropped this book on my desk. She rolled her eyes which I interpreted as "you're on your own with this one". . I read it in 90 minutes and there is some good common-sense advice throughout the volume.

If you have a desperate need to make big strides in time management, then this book would have value to you. I personally found it somewhat "new yorkish". We're not quite so ruthless about people intruding on our schedules out here in Chicagoland. The main issue I have is that there is so little "meat". This is the type of stuff people might have written in the 70's (setting aside references to Blackberrys and email, of course).

My advice would be to keep looking for other books on time management/personal management. Amazon has them all.

Levine's new book underscores the importance of mastering communications with busy, time-deprived top executives in the business world. Practical yet insightful rules like "Close the loop" and "Master the Graceful Exit" go a long way towards a highly successful career and this book should be a "required reading" for any new hires before working for your company.

His last book "Six Fundamentals of Success" was quite an excellent book but "Cut to the Chase" really is two cut above - this truly is a gift for the New Year for friends, associates and family!

I love practical business books and this one rates right at the top among those I've read. I am not an academic and I do not have time to read a thousand pages in search of scenarios applicable to me --- I need practical advice that can be applied right away in everyday business and life situations. This one serves up the kind of advice and tips that everyone can put to use right away in daily life. The only regret I see is that someone didn't write this twenty years ago. BTW, my favorites are "I got it" and "you're killing me"; those along could save dozens if not hundreds of hours a year. I'm buying copies for a number of co-workers (so they'll get the message when I say "I got it". Highly recommended.

Cut to the Chase is light in weight but heavy with practical advice for the workplace. The 100 "tips" are divided into nine sections. Start Now! helps the reader with problems of psychological inertia. Think Clearly deals with organization and anticipation. Speed Up offers advice on promoting and dealing with change. Be Direct encourages clear and effective communication. Meet Smarter has very helpful advice on how to run more effective meetings. Move Forward inspires and guides you to seek and grab opportunities. Cut Back helps you to prioritize. Watch Out is a mix of subjects intended to raise your level of self-fulfillment. Find Balance is additional advice on time management. The book is a quick read and should be added to your list of sources that help you become oriented when life at work seems in disarray.

Stuart is a man of the people, who writes books for the people! He lives by the credo, "I trust the people, because when they know the facts, they do the right thing." (Harry S. Truman)

So, if you are looking for an overly scholarly work from the groves of Academe, then move on! But, if what you are seeking is a balanced and heartfelt guide that is grounded in common sense and real-world experience, then this book is for you.

You will learn how to become more productive, improve your quality of life, and have fun doing it, while treasuring each moment along the way.

To cut to the chase, buy the book!

(To save even more time, buy the book for your friends and colleagues!)

I highly recommend Stuart Levine's brilliant book "Cut to the Chase" to any person looking to lead a successful life. "Cut to the Chase" has truly given me back the gift of time. This book has taught me great rules that I have quickly and easily implemented into my life. Some of my favorites are, "I got it", "It's not always about you" and "Get over it." After finishing this book I was amazed at how fast my life was shaping up. I have never felt happier with my family or in my job in my entire life. Thank you Mr. Levine and may we all learn to "Cut to the Chase!!!"

Reviewing some of the moments of a long enterprenurial life,I wish I had absorbed some of the guiding precepts of "Cut to the Chase" sooner.I have literally wasted at least 10 hours each month with unnecessary inattention to the task at hand. That adds up to 1/2 an hour per working day. What a waste,when so many more pleasurable things can await you on the completion of a satisfying job well done. The book is for everyone who can "get it done" well and move on

There are a few really good general time-saving ideas here ... like organizing your reading every day. But this is designed for curmudgeons who don't have time for people ... and the people who fear them. If you want some generally OK ideas, fine. You probably shouldn't do things that annoy the boss. If you ARE Ebenezer Scrooge, this is a fine Christmas gift for employees. In any case, you don't need to spend the price of a new book to figure that out. If you buy, buy used. You can read it all and finish while you're watching an episode of Survivor.

One way for you to liberate yourself and gain back some time is not to waste any on this book. I recall reading an earlier book by Levine, The Six Fundamentals of Success, and liking it. It was quite popular and I suppose Levine thought that if Six worked, One Hundred would be a sure bet.

Wrong.

One Hundred rules are just way too many to keep in mind. In addition, most are plain common sense. How about these?

12. Focus on one thing at a time.

21. Every second counts.

28. Measure twice, cut once.

52. Stay on course.

64. Delegate.

74. A picture is worth a thousand words.

92. Don't make the same mistake twice.

99. Know when to put the book down.

I'm sorry -- too many of these Rules are just a waste of my time. Does any business leader really not know these things? I propose a new rule:

101. Know when not to bother reading this book.

Although I had read quite a number of self help books, I still find this one interesting and somehow useful. It's short, yet with valuable and digestable advice which you can absorb well in an hour's transportation. Some reviewers argued that the rules are common sense. I agree so. Neverthless, one cannot expect all rules discussed are insightful and original. So, for those who had read at most two or three self help/time management books, this is good. For those who see yourself as a veteran in the business world and/or had read a lot, I suggest you to give it a pass.

p.s. Below please find some of my favorite passages for your reference.

You would never see an NBA all star casually toss a ball into the air and hope it hits the net. Before each jump shot, players pause, find their footing, set their sights on the net, and visualize the swoosh before the ball has even left their fingertips. You can take the same approach at work by visualizing a successful day before it officially begins. It all comes down to the first twenty minutes. pg9
As human beings we tend to think the other person's mood reflects something we did or didnt do - that's all about us. Or, as a friend of mine puts it, "We're all the stars of our own movies." But putting ourselves in the center of every situation can distract us unnecessarily. We waste time wondering what we did wrong or how we can fix someone else's issue, when it's not necessarily our fault or concerns. Dont. pg16
Begin each meeting and project by letting everyone know what you want to achieve. The clearer you are about your objectives, the more likely people will work to help you accomplish them. pg22
Show others how your plan serve their own interest. (Sell benefits, not features) pg57
Measure twice, cut once. - Old carpenter's adage pg58
When people dont close the loop, they leave the other person hanging. Not only is it distracting, it can subtly erode the relationship. Anyone can follow up. It's a simple matter of beign conscientous and disciplined....Make a habit of closing the loop in everything you do. Tell the people you work with to do the same. pg60
If there's a fear of falling, the only safetyconsists in deliberately jumping. - Carl Jung pg64
Know what's being asked of you. pg73
Every conversation should have a purpose. pg97
Know your weaknesses, but play to your strength. pg123
Think three moves ahead. pg125
A well seized opportunity can take you farther in a few minutes than months of planning and execution. Throw yourself in its path. Get those to people who've had good things happen to them. Learn from them. If you see a problem, be part of the solution. pg129
I believe more in the scissors than I do in the pencil. - Truman Capote pg147
Offering a conclusion after making your case is a bad habit we all picked up in school. In the real world, people want the bottom line up top. pg158
Procastinations take years off your life....The stresses that are most hazardous are those "Nagging Unfinished Tasks" that authors of You: The Owner's manual call NUTs. pg183
Dont confuse being busy with being productive...Work = Force x Distance. Your team can spend the whole day pushing agains tthe Empire State Building, but if they dont move it, they didnt do any work. pg185
Know when to put the book down. (Take your time off) pg201