The Power of a Half Hour by Tommy Barnett

There are tons of self-help books on time management, goals, relationships, etc.  They all seem to focus on one system that everyone is suppose to fit into but this book is different.  The author has an in-depth understanding and firsthand experience with all kinds of people.  He knows a set method or process does not meet everyone’s needs.  The focal point of the author’s book is to provide the reader not one method but thirty different ideas on how to refocus and recover time you thought you did not have.  While other books force on one method the author provides examples around purpose and values, personal goals, faith, character and attitude, career, relationships, marriage and family, church involvement and may others.  It is up to the reader to pick what is his or her key area of interest and run with it.  Once you have completed the first 30 minutes, you will be motivate to try more ideas.

The book is set up any generation.  It is a quick read and the chapters are short and to the point but the effort involved is always 30 minutes.  That is about the same amount of time it takes at the local, overpriced, coffee bar to order and drink a latte.  If you are looking for something more and not exactly sure what it is, start with this book.        

I received a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review of the book.

POSSIBLE a Blueprint for Changing How We Chnage the World.

I have been involved in many church and nonprofit adventures.  I was looking forward to what the author, with all of his vast knowledge and experience, had to say.  I was hoping for something I could really sink my teeth into but it didn’t deliver what I hoped it would.  I patiently read story after story of the author’s and many others experiences. While this is helpful to understand and frame up the beginning of the book, I lost interest half way through.  I do agree with his passion, wisdom, vision and the fellowship of others approach.  That method helped me launch a non-profit many years ago so I know that works well.  If you are looking for a tool, guideline or a better method to change something then skip to the appendix.  For me that that was the key message: A tool for discovering and designing change and a tool for mobilizing, implementing and multiplying changes.  I wish the author had focused more on how to implement and execute changes.  You cannot make change without getting your hands dirty.     

I received a free copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah in exchange for my honest review of the book.