Customer Reviews

The Productivity Handbook: New ways of leveraging your time, information, and communications

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Up front, three key points. First, this is a handbook. Wetmore wrote it to be taken in hand and, once its contents have been absorbed and digested, put to practical use. Second, he brings some fresh perspectives to core concepts (about time, information, and communication) which have been been around for thousands of years. Third and finally, this book and any of the other excellent books which cover much of the same material are essentially worthless if those who read them do not make [begin italics] and then sustain [end italics] a long-term commitment to continuous improvement while using the tips, tools, and techniques recommended.

Wetmore immediately and correctly stresses the importance of having a balanced life built on a sturdy foundation. What does that mean? That for most people, attention, time, and effort are like a currency which should be spent, over time, almost equally within seven areas: physical health, family, financial, intellectual, social, professional, and spiritual. Appropriate balance depends upon appropriate proportionality. Hence the importance of establishing priorities prior to the allocation of resources. To some people, having a "rich" spiritual life is far more important than material wealth. To others, many of them academics and artists, the intellectual area is most important. Of course there are always trade-offs and compromises. Wetmore is right: "A deficit in one area [e.g. physical health] can and does affect every aspect of your life." He seems to agree with Jack Canfield and others that the first "rule for success" in life is to know what you want. Only then can you select the appropriate tips, tools, and techniques. Only then will the inevitable sacrifices required to obtain what you really want seem well worth it. Of course, attitude also plays a decisive role. I am again reminded of Henry Ford's observation: "Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right."

Wetmore organizes his material within four Parts: Time, Information, Communication, and The Big Picture. Throughout his book, Wetmore maintains a personal, conversational relationship with his reader as he does everything he can to share what he has learned about productivity; more accurately, about more effective and more efficient production. (Note: Dropping a 2,000-pound block of granite on a fire ant would be effective but not be efficient.) I commend him on his clever use of chapter titles which are both appropriate and thought-provoking. For example: Putting Off Procrastination (Chapter 5), Delegate the Shirt Off Your Back (7), Whatshisname (13), Blah Rather Than Blah, Blah, Blah (18), and A Big Small Talker (22). Think of the tips, tools, and techniques introduced earlier as pieces of a puzzle (in the shape of a pyramid) which Wetmore helps his reader to assemble in the final chapter. He then provides a Resources section which contains additional aids related to productivity. They include a Time Log which captures "snapshots" of specific moments during a normal day. (Please see the example on pages 284-285.) Wetmore offers several practical suggestions as to how to derive the greatest benefit from use of a Time Log. He also discusses a Crisis Management Log and a Life Improvement Chart. (Please see pages 294-297.) He concludes with an exercise to be completed by his reader. This exercise is best revealed within Wetmore's narrative.

Obviously, I highly admire what Wetmore accomplishes in this book but feel obliged to conclude this brief commentary on it by asserting once again: this book and any of the other excellent books which cover much of the same material are essentially worthless if those who read them do not make [begin italics] and then sustain [end italics] a long-term commitment to continuous improvement of the tips, tools, and techniques they recommend.

I purchased this book because of its small size, knowing nothing of the author--just needed a time management tool or a refresher of the basics. It was just what I needed this week. In fact I was so busy putting most of the suggestions to work that I haven't finished it yet. I highly recommend this book!

I'm a busy wife and mother with a full time business. I picked up this little book on a whim at our local library and CANNOT put it down! It is diminutive in size, but power packed! Not one page is wasted on fluff. I guess this is a testament to Mr. Wetmore's ability to not waste anything - including my time! This book has given me practical tools to organize many areas of my life more effectively (not just my business). It's given me new ways to alleviate those time robbing nuisances that negatively affect my daily productivity, but most importantly I have a new sense of confidence in my ability to handle my ever expanding workload. This book made such an impact on me that I returned to Amazon.com today to purchase my own personal copy. Job well done, Mr. Wetmore. Thank you!