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It's Called Work for a Reason!: Your Success Is Your Own Damn Fault [Paperback]

Larry Winget
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (94 customer reviews)

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Book Description

December 27, 2007

New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Larry Wignet offers sharp, unapologetic—and invaluable—advice for succeeding in the work world

For all those who are frustrated at work, who seem to have no luck in business, who are underappreciated at the office, who are uninspired by their daily tasks, who just aren’t finding the career success they desire, Larry Winget is ready to share his wisdom:

It’s called work for a reason.

It's time for a swift kick in the pants from The Pitbull of Personal Development®, Larry Winget. Studies say that we actually work only half the time we are on the job. So then whose fault is it when we don’t get the results we want? Stop making excuses for your lack of success and stop acting like someone owes you a living.  Larry is here to ruffle your feathers and show you how to take responsibility for your results. Whether you punch a clock, own your own business, or manage other people, Larry's advice will work for you.

Find out why:

  • Success is simple
  • Teamwork doesn't work
  • Our co-workers are really only "co-goers"
  • Results are everything
  • You don't have to love your job (but it helps!)

Remember the work ethic of your parents and grandparents and make yourself worth more than you cost. That's the way to get ahead, and there's no big secret that will get you there quicker.


Frequently Bought Together

It's Called Work for a Reason!: Your Success Is Your Own Damn Fault + Shut Up, Stop Whining, and Get a Life: A Kick-Butt Approach to a Better Life + You're Broke Because You Want to Be: How to Stop Getting By and Start Getting Ahead
Price for all three: $36.20

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With a writing style best described as full-throttle rant, the host of the A&E reality show Big Spender reveals the naked truth about careers, the employer/employee relationship, management skills, productivity and pay. Declaring at the outset that "there will be parts of this book you won't like," while daring readers to continue, Winget (Shut Up, Stop Whining & Get a Life) sets a high threshold for delivering a likable, useful book that will educate and promote behavioral changes. Yet he delivers. His brutal frankness about what's wrong with how businesses—big and small—operate offers a refreshing contrast to other career counseling and management books—even the gray area of ethics is delivered in black and white. In a section titled "What Happened to You?" he reminds readers of what it means to accept a job: "No work—no pay. No work—no job." Companies, as he repeatedly stresses, exist to make a profit, not to make their employees happy or feel fulfilled. Winget's advice is solid: delivering results is the most fulfilling career move one can make. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review




“Larry Winget simultaneously takes on everyone from smart-ass employees and motivational speakers to bad service, bad salespeople and bad bosses. It's not a fair fight. Winget has an unfair advantage - he tells the truth and doesn't give a damn if you like it or not. But like it or hate it, Larry will challenge you to be as amazing as you know you are.”
—Joe Calloway, author of Work Like You're Showing Off!
 
“Thin skinned? No sense of humor? Don't read this book! I warned you. On the other hand, if you want to read a book that cuts through the normal fluff and challenges you personally, then pay attention: Larry Winget will irritate you to be a better employee and a better person.”
—Mark Sanborn, CSP, CPAE, President, Sanborn & Associates, Inc., author of The Fred Factor
 
“Winget sets a high threshold for delivering a likeable, useful book that will educate and promote behavioral changes.  He delivers…Winget’s advice is solid: delivering results is the most fulfilling career move one can make.”
Publishers Weekly

Product Details

  • Paperback: 240 pages
  • Publisher: Gotham (December 27, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 159240281X
  • ISBN-13: 978-1592402816
  • Product Dimensions: 0.6 x 0.8 x 0.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 0.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (94 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #117,658 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Larry Winget (Paradise Valley, AZ) is known as "The Pit Bull of Personal Development." Larry is one of the most successful speaking professionals in the country today and the author of five bestselling books with in-your-face titles like Shut Up, Stop Whining, and Get a Life; It's Called WORK for a Reason; You're Broke Because You Want to Be; People are Idiots and I Can Prove It and Your Kids are Your Own Fault. Larry teaches universal principles that work for anyone, in any business, at any time, and does it through simple examples, understandable, easy-to-implement ideas.

Customer Reviews

In "Its Called Work for a Reason" again Larry tells it like it is. T. Lynch  |  35 reviewers made a similar statement
This is a book everyone should read, but especially, anyone who has to work for a living. J. Steven Tucker  |  22 reviewers made a similar statement
They will read the book and laugh at Larry's sense of humor - did I tell you this book is funny? Randy Pennington  |  18 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
57 of 62 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars If you can't handle the truth, don't bother buying it. January 17, 2007
Format:Hardcover
I debated for a long time whether to give this book 2 stars or 5. Normally, it wouldn't be an issue -- I mean, you either like a book or you don't. The problem with this book was that I loved certain parts of it, and other parts I questioned. However, in the end I decided to give it 5 stars for one simple reason.... the author tells the truth, and sometimes the truth isn't what you want to hear.

To be fair, in the very beginning the author will tell you that you will like certain parts of this book and hate other parts. But believe me when I tell you this -- the parts you like, you will love with a passion. Honestly, I have never read a business book as good as this one. It was an impulse buy at the airport while waiting for a flight and believe me, it was the best buy I ever made.

The author does a terrific job of basically telling it like it is -- work is WORK. It is not play time, it is not social hour and it is not time for doing your personal errands. He points out why our workplaces are overloaded with people who do nothing but pull the entire performance of the company down. People who should be fired, but management doesn't have the guts to do it. He also does a 180 and goes on to say that there are also companies out there who treat their employees like they are nothing -- that they think low pay and dissrespect is a wonderful way to keep those employees in their chairs and thankful to have a job.

That's part of the love/hate relationship with this book. He examines both sides of the business coin. Both the employee and the company. And when he does it he doesn't hold back any punches!

One part I particularly enjoyed was his whole take on this "team" nonsense. I'm sure you've read plenty of books about the precious team and how we all must "get along" and "work together". Well he flat out says that teamwork doesn't do anything but let the slackers hide amongst the group while bringing down productivity. Individuals wants recognition when they do something -- and a true superstar does not want to share that with anyone. They did it, they deserve the credit, not the other bunch of people who did nothing but call useless meetings to discuss the same items over and over again.

The same goes with another example he gives of superstars. Who cares if they come in at 9AM and leave at 10AM? If they are doing 4x the work of everyone else then they have EARNED it! As an employer learn that superstars work by their own rules and tell the complainers who have a problem with it that when they start doing 4x the work of everyone else then they can talk -- but until then sit down, shut up and get to WORK!

If you are an employee... READ THIS BOOK!

If you are an employer... READ THIS BOOK!

If you are a CEO... READ THIS BOOK!

Read it, undertand what he is saying and then ACT! For the sake of the employees left who still are trying to be productive and get things done... ACT!
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15 of 18 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Excellent For Some; Not Very Good For Others November 11, 2008
Format:Paperback
I also couldn't decide for a long-time whether a 5 star or 2 star rating was appropriate. Larry's blunt drill instructor caustic style really could be very USEFUL for those who've either forgotten, deliberately ignore or never learned the obvious truths Larry delivers. It would be too easy - although largely true - to say that Larry repeats himself, rarely uses one sentence when three will do, contradicts himself and frankly is a shameless self-promoter.

BUT if you're tired, depressed, discontented at work, his "snap out of it" truisms could get you moving positively: either doing your job better, enjoying it more or finding a better place of employment. And frankly, there are more than a few people out there who've never incorporated Larry's simple truths.

However, if you're relatively well-content in your job, doing it well, but looking for some solid non-intuitive tips to getting ahead, then this isn't your book. You'll see behind the "stop whining" bluster that other reviewers have already pointed out.

Larry's the king of the obvious, prince of the basics; but sometimes the basics are needed. If Larry had written a dating handbook, he'd tell you to shower more, wear clean clothes, stand up straight, etc. and talk to the girl. If he'd written a personal finance book, he'd tell you to spend less than you earn and have savings. If Larry were coaching baseball, he'd explain the rules and tell you to keep you eye on the ball.

Well, ok, Larry, but some of us need more help when stepping up to bat. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy or benefit from Wingate's opinions - it's far better to have tough love than to keep complaining alone or with others - but there's a lot more in earth and heaven than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Well worth reading January 23, 2007
Format:Hardcover
This is a well written, easy to read book that contains a wealth of great information. Larry's style is in your face, confrontational. And no doubt some of what he says will rub you the wrong way, most of it is right on target.

He starts with the basics. If you are looking to place fault, find a mirror. He has a lot of fun attacking many of the stupid things businesses do. He constantly tells us to stop and think about what we are doing and make sure the why we are doing it makes sense. Good advice for so many businesses we are all forced to deal with on a daily basis.

He tends to make broad general statements and then makes other statements that might not be in total agreement. For example, he says that you should fire any employee that is dishonest. We all know that there is no such thing as total honesty. (Remember Diogenes spent his life looking for the honest man.) There is degrees of dishonesty. Later in the book, under "Short Lessons" he tells us that "People will generally lie to protect themselves." This is a truth. What you really need to learn is that if you make it too expensive for anyone (spouse, child, employee) to tell the truth, they won't.

He also cites the oft told story of the three brick masons who were asked what they were doing (but he fails to properly credit the story to Sir Christopher Wren - the architect responsible for rebuilding St. Paul's in London). He finds fault with the third brick mason because he saw a higher purpose in his work. But he does tell us that the major job of a leader is to share the vision of the buisnes with all the employees.

All in all, it is really a good book with lots of sound advice. He does fill the book with very interesting stories and talks a lot about his personal life. His "Short Lessons" are worth reading and commiting to memory. Great obeservations on life.

Don't just read the book, study it, learn form it and then put the lessons into practice.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Another Awesome Book!
Larry is just great! Most folks today can't handle his blunt to the point attitude, but he is awesome as a personal motivator. Read more
Published 19 days ago by Veronica Geddie
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Kindle Purchase
This was a great read at the great convenience of Kindle capability. It made a last minute assignment easily accomplishable.
Published 4 months ago by Samantha Hendrix
3.0 out of 5 stars Okay
Lots of good material but it contains a caustic and "take it or leave it" attitude that would exclude its used in many circles.
Published 4 months ago by Rick Joslin
5.0 out of 5 stars Tells It like it is!
I absolutely love Larry's style. Too many people these days just don't want to take the steps to get where they need to be. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Kathy Colaiacovo
5.0 out of 5 stars A real eye opener
Even though I have only worked in the public sector, I love this book. I was drawn to the title and theme quickly, and I was not disappointed by the words on the pages within. Read more
Published 16 months ago by BigQ4Mayor
5.0 out of 5 stars I admit it, I needed a kick in the rear end and Larry delivered...
We all need to hear what Larry has to say here. He tells the truth in hard-edged terms and that's a good thing. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Roger Carroll
5.0 out of 5 stars Self Improvement from an Auther that Read All the Other Books
Larry has read 1000s of other motivational/self-improvement books and it shows. Whether you've read 0 or 1000 yourself, this is a must-read. Read more
Published 17 months ago by David A. Roy
1.0 out of 5 stars I thought his absolute rules for success contained a lot of holes
When I was listening to the book I felt like every section was formatted like this:

Absolute Rule for success followed by contradiction 1, 2, 3
2nd absolute rule... Read more
Published 17 months ago by ReaderRabbit
5.0 out of 5 stars if you have ever worked in management or owned your business this book...
Larry Winget has a voice and it is passionate, direct, no-nonsense, and at times abrasive. If you are reading this post you are probably a motivated person, and even if it is for... Read more
Published 18 months ago by ike2oo1
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent SAVINGS, Fast FREE Shipping
Amazon is the first place i go to when shopping for ANYTHING. I save time, gas, tax AND SAVE TONS OF MONEY.
Published 18 months ago by Dr Barr
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only an american would write this filth
Well, that's true, since only a right winged Republican could be so pro-big buisness.
People aren't robots. They actually need breaks, sick days, etc.
The over simplified rants that are supposed to "shock" people only work well with the dumbed down American minds that admire this...
Apr 18, 2008 by A. Herzman |  See all 6 posts
Small Business - New Small Business Ideas for Entrepreneurs Be the first to reply
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