ArtSpoken & Reviews
Practical ways to help you reach your goalsJennifer de Klerk09/22/2012 10:53:15 
Jennifer de Klerk looks at two self-help books that could boost your self-esteem and help you achieve your potential and your career goals. Navigating Your Career 5 steps to success in the new world of work Kerry Dawkins and Graeme Codrington Penguin Books ISBN 978-0-14-353026 Do you know where you will be, and what you will be doing in five years’ time? Do you know where you want to be? Are you thrilled every morning to go to work, excited about the day and what you will be achieving? Or, like so many of us, is work something you have to do to survive – so you plod along day after day, wishing things could be better, but not knowing how to go about changing the scenario? It’s up to you, say these authors. The opportunities are out there as never before. The whole work environment is changing. No longer do you enter a company as a junior, then work your way up until the golden handshake when you take retirement. These days youngsters move from job to job – if necessary they invent them. They navigate their careers to get to where they want to be. So, say these authors, can you – with a little bit of help and motivation. This is easy reading, written in a racy, colloquial style that resonates immediately with where you are – where most of us are. It sets out six case studies, from youngsters starting out, to those wishing to change direction in the mid-years, to older folk looking for new challenges. You are sure to identify with one of them. Then it helps you define yourself – your needs, goals, interests, strengths, weaknesses, talents … at the end of each chapter there are lists of suggested reading to inspire you further. You are encouraged to dream and then shown how to start to make those dreams reality – how to make it happen – how to do the research, find the gap, write the resume, use the social media … And then, when you’ve found your opportunity, how to keep it and continue to grow. Practical, inspiring and full of down-to-earth advice, this guide is highly recommended. Raising Talent Tim Goodenough with Michael Cooper Penguin Books ISBN 978-0-14-353025 It takes physical preparation to be a winner, but it takes mental preparation too … the successes and misses of the Olympics and Paralymics showed that only too clearly. And that is where Tim Goodenough comes in. In Raising Talent he looks at techniques and methods to inspire self-confidence, to build self-esteem, to turn the “I can’t” into “I know I can”. It will resonate with any parent who has had to support, motivate and cheer on a child with talent in any field, from the sports field, to the swimming pool, to cultural activities. We all want the best for our children. We want them to achieve their potential, but we also want them to find a balance. It can be a fine line. Here are some insightful ideas and practical methods to achieve Goodenough’s goal: “How to fast-track potential into performance.” The first half of the book deals with ways to motivate and change mind-sets, to set goals and challenges – to train the mind to think positively, how to psyche up to achieve maximum performance. There are some detailed techniques here that require some study. Don’t expect to skim this in a few minutes, although there are case studies, anecdotes and inspiring quotes to lighten the load. The second half is more accessible to the layman: creating and living your dream, dreaming awesome, becoming an expert on yourself, your strengths and weaknesses, and using them to achieve your dream. Lots of practical tips here for everyone. Although Goodenough says Raising Talent is aimed primarily at parents, this book will probably be more helpful for sports coaches and teachers. For them, it could be invaluable. Jennifer de Klerk is editor of Artslink.co.za |
   |
Comments
blog comments powered by Disqus
Previous
