Customer Reviews

The Power of Focus for College Students: How to Make College the Best Investment of Your Life

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(1)
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2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

First, I would note that the authors have cut and pasted the other reviews for this book...resulting in a skewed impression on Amazon.

After reading this book from cover to cover, I am forced to ask whether a certain level of success should be required before you can write a book illustrating to others how to be successful...The authors, both 'recent' graduates have filled this book full of anecdotes and little cliches, prompting kids to 'follow their dreams'. One story that brought a tear (of pain) to my eye basically went like this:

"I wanted to be a dentist because I heard that they made a lot of money, but then other kids told me that they have high suicide rates, so I decided to not be a dentist...Boy am I glad!"

A large part of the book is devoted to the idea that 'experiences' are in the end worth more than a college degree, and that by becoming club President and co-treasurer...you'll have something to put on your resume that will sell yourself...I find this entire theory of fluff over substance to be rather saddening...especially given that instead of graduating college and finding a slick job making 200k someplace, these kids are writing books telling other kids 'how to do it'.

Written in a poor style, the authors throw out statistics and 'research' data with abandon, never actually following up any of these remarkable stats with actual 'references' (they must have been chairing a student group when their classes went through this concept).

Sure, some of the tips in this book are useful...but given that it's all common sense, this book is worthless.

This is a very, very smart book, and entirely practical. Perhaps best of all though, it's also inspirational and that matters because that's what gives it a HIGH READABILITY factor. I've already met students who LOVED this book and read it cover to cover.

One of this book's strongest points is its chapters and systems for discovering your passion. I've read a LOT of books that cover this subject and I can honestly say that this book offers a system for discovering your passion (and related jobs) that is great. What's unique about its approach is it tells you what TRULY creates passion, and how passion is related to values and abilities. So this book comes at the often-so-difficult task of pinpointing your passion from many different angles, and enough to finally reveal yours.

This book is also very street smart. That is to say it is full of strategies that you might only be exposed to if you were to privvy to secrets and effectiveness strategies of super highly-successful people. For instance, the authors include a chapter of the Principle of Social Reciprocity. This is a very savvy understanding about human nature and how to use the Principle of Reciprocity in a way that creates both increased success and increased goodness in your life. I immediately began applying the principal because (1) it is a better, kinder way to go about your life, and (2) the author's are right about how there's no way it can't immmediately begin increasing your success.

Another strength of the book is in what seem to be its two major aims. First, to enable you to see yourself and career in a whole new light. The author's know how to teach you to "SuperSize" your career (my term, not theirs), and they dedicate half the book to doing so. They are clearly aware that college doesn't do the job adequately so they guide you to do so, and they do it very smartly. And you can trace the roots of much of their advice back to their own experiences in college. Luc and Andrew, both have many good inspiring stories to relate from their own experiences of doing college out of the box. They participated in amazing conferences that most students don't even know about, and they traveled to places most adults only dream of going.

The second major aim of the book is to help you be really good and smart with money. They devote a lot of pages to the topic of money and financial freedom and again the lessons are sophisticated and savvy.

Just to be fair, a couple minor drawbacks: Near the opening of the book there's a couple pages that wax on very academically about Global changes and Global this and Global that. It is clearly the writing of Les Hewitt, and certainly good reading for a corporate audience, but it felt out of place in this book. Fortunately Andrew and Luc have done 90% of the writing in the book and you can tell because their writing voice is fresh, straight-forward and very inspired.

Secondly, the book's FANTASTIC on GOAL SETTING, HABITS of the SUCCESSFUL, STRATEGIES for TAKING ACTION, and NETWORKING - all these things are THOROUGHLY taught and the advice is world class. What's not much discussed is a level of suggestions as to what actions and activities to take up during college. I'll explain. The author's teach you how create a powerful and dynamic plan (using the technique "Begin with the Ending in Mind" - and it's such a smart system, but not all college readers will not know WHAT to plan on doing. The authors offer some suggestions, but all-important actions such as (1) Run a campus club, (2) Attend Professional Association conferences and meetings, (3) Develop Show & Tell Items, (4) Do deep research on your dream field (5) Spend a semester overseas (6) Turn your best professor into a mentor (7) Spend your summers interning or doing 'Short-Term Job Adventures', (8) Apply for things you think you cannot get, but really want, (9) Build a Dream Binder, etc are mostly not written about.... The author's might rightfully assume that these are steps you can figure out for yourself, but it is my experience, having worked with thousands of college students on success at their dreams on a thousand campuses for 10+ years now, that students also appreciate having the specific things they should DO DURING COLLEGE spelled out very clearly. I call teach it as the "Unassigned Homework", but then to be fair, I don't discuss things like goal setting, networking and money as well as Andrew and Luc.

This book is an EXTRAORDINARY resource for students and I certainly give it my highest recommendation to every student and every parent of a student. Andrew and Luc are wise beyond their years as well as benefiting (and passing along) the advice of mentors who are super-successful, truly fulfilled and leaders in their field. If you doubt any statement I've made, just look at the first 8 pages of the book. It's filled with testimonials on behalf of the book from incredibly successful, remarkable and good people. In my mind, these testimonials say more about the authors' good character and early success, than they even say about the book.

Phenomenal book. Get it.

I just finished this book and words cannot express how impressed I am. First off, I found myself unable to stop myself and put the book down once I got it started... so I totally `forgot' to do my homework... but it was soooo worth it. I found the book to be written perfectly: easy to understand, well organized, personalized, etc. The writing was great but not overly professional giving it a younger feel which was awesome. The tips throughout were very valuable and the chapters each made sense. The personal stories added valuable lessons and humor. Everything from the cartoons to the quotes worked. This was definitely one of the best books I've ever read.

I highly recommend this book to any aspiring college student.

Despite the slick factor, and also for the fact that several ideas have their origins from other authors' works (e.g. Focusing Strategy #3 is obviously adapted from Rich Dad Poor Dad series) this book has systematically packaged many excellent, actionable ideas for attaining a 'real-world' college education.

In some way, you can safely say that reading this book is like doing a syntopic read of many authors' works in this genre. However, I must add that the investment approach to college education as outlined by the authors is a good strategy in today's global society.

A word of advice, though. If you are looking for specific strategies to deal with the nitty-gritty stuff in college, this may not be the appropriate book to pursue. You will be better off reading Prof Walter Pauk's `How to Study in College' &/or Adam Robinson's `What Smart Students Know" for that matter.

This book essentially paints a much larger picture for the aspiring college student, so that what he does in college will make more sense to him. It focuses on what matters most - finding a career that you will be passionate about. With the broader perspectives & longer term objectives in mind, any aspiring college student will then find present life to be a light breeze in college.

In fact, I would dare to say this: after reading this book, you will find that Pauk's or Robinson's ideas from their strategy books will fall in place nicely to fit in your longer term career pursuit.

It is apparent that Lew Hewitt, who co-wrote the `Power of Focus: How to Hit Your Business, Personal & Financial Targets with Absolute Certainty' earlier with Jack Canfield & Mark Victor Hansen for a matured &/or corporate audience, has greatly influenced the two younger authors in writing this book. This point may explain some of the global concepts in the book, which some college readers may not be ready to understand them. In this respect, I would suggest they discuss with &/or seek guidance from their elders in college or at home.

In summing up my review, I wish to conclude as follows: Powerful people are focused people. Focus on this book and give yourself a headstart, just to paraphrase Donald Trump who wrote the Foreword.

This book is absolutely worthwhile for any aspiring college student to read!

Great Book! As the student President of UC Santa Barbara's Chapter of The National Society of Leadership and Success, which has a membership base of 1000 students, I understand first hand the struggles that most college students face everyday. I wish every one of our members could read this book! The shocking statistics outline a serious problem and clearly prove the need for an alternative approach to the average college path. The ideas are realistic and practical. Regardless of where you are in your personal journey - from a high school student to a graduate student - I truly believe this book will bring you value and significantly change the way you approach school. I would also strongly recommend their audio course Start Right! How to Launch a Great Career by Donald Trump, Andrew Hewitt, and Luc d'Abadie. This audio program offers new insight and a resource CD-rom that is incredibly helpful. The two products combined are the perfect receipt for college success.
Overall, strongly recommended!

This is an excellent book and a great graduation gift for High School Seniors. My 18 year old son and I read the book at the same time and had a wonderful time discussing the content. I think the material got through to him so much better than if I had lectured on the same material. The chapter on Financial Focus really got through and I am proud of how my son looks at money, savings and his own work ethic. The book emphasizes that there's so much more to college than just sitting in class.

This is one of those insightful books that you would have wished to recieve your first step into post-secondary education. The Power of Focus for College Students is packed with tips and tools to artfully guide yourself through life after highschool and into a fufilling career that you are passionate about! I have personally recommended the Power of Focus for College Students to all the young people I work with and many have said it was the best investment they could have made before going into university or college. A must read for any young person pondering the next step to success!

I honestly believe that it is a sin for any college/university student to not own or have read a copy of The Power of Focus for College Students. The message that Luc d'Abadie and Andrew Hewitt have developed is strong and motivating. If students take action and put their message into practice it will lead to an enriching and successful college/university career.

The Power of Focus for College Students truly has the power to create a major momentum shift in the way students approach their college/university career.

I highly recommend that you pick up a copy today, it will not disappoint.

Darren Quinton

The Power of Focus for College Students is jam packed with both Knowledge and Power to guide students to fulfilling and successful lives.

This book covers practical and useful information on topics such as:
- how to learn effectively
- ways to complement your studies with work and exchage experiences
- the importance of networking
- proven methods for attaining financial freedom

...and most of all, the inspiration and POWER to turn your current world into a blank canvas for you to paint the future of your dreams! I only wish I would have read this book sooner, but on the bright side, the message this book presents is never to late to put to action for students of all ages.

TWO BIG THUMBS UP!!

I bought and read this book back in the fall. It is the first self development book for students I have ever come across. It does a great job of taking important self development concepts like building financial habits, developing win-win relationships and finding a career you will be passionate about and speaking to the reader in a college tone.

I am picking up a copy for two of my cousins and my younger sister who are all graduating high school and entering the wild world of college. Although they may not appreciate it, I think every grad needs this book.