The Power of Less: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential...in Business and in Life [NOOK Book]

One of my favorite Zen mentors

Leo Babauta just makes good sense. His approach to life is to find what matters and toss the rest. In straightforward language and stories of his own experiences, he hands the reader a plan for living life well. There's nothing much new here - it is a collection of all the best advice out there and a lot of common sense. The only thing missing is the reader's determination to make it work. They have to supply that.
Babauta is not a brilliant writer and this is not a weighty tome - it is a gem of a guidebook for anyone overwhelmed with life as we know it today.

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

If you can only buy one self-help book, this is it.

I've read many self-help books over the years. They tell you to do a certain thing you do want to do but often haven't been able to do for some reason (procrastination, stress, etc.). If you are like me, you bought the self-help book to motivate you, more than instruct you. Intellectually you know what you should do, but can't for some reason. That is the beauty of "The Power of Less". While it can stand alone, it can also work with other self-help books by helping you to break down the tasks you need to do into do-able parts. Whether you ever use other self-help books or not, this book is worthwhile to get you through projects and prioritze what is truly important in your life.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Empowering Ourselves

THE POWER OF LESS is one of the more logically written, user-friendly manual companions for self-improvement available in book form. Leo Babauta succeeds where many others fail because he converses with the reader instead of setting out a grand plan, scheme or recipe as a checklist for obsessive self-help book readers. His writing style is casual yet intelligent, supportive, and encouraging. <BR/><BR/>The quest for simplifying our too chaotic lives is the driver for this book. Babauta has a way of presenting his thoughts that challenges the reader to examine just how cluttered our days have become. And if our days are cluttered with addictions to email, blog sites, and other fixations on the internet, he offers ways to re-think the priorities we have established in this immediate communication world in order to find a sense of balance for living the lives we all desire. Early on in the book Babauta presents two principles that remain the key to the book: 1) 'By setting limitations, we must choose the essential. So in everything you do, learn to set limitations'. and 2) 'By choosing the essential, we create great impact with minimal resources. Always choose the essential to maximize your time and energy.' The remainder of this easy to digest book takes the reader on the journey of learning how to implement these principles. <BR/><BR/>If there could be only one reason to read this book it would be to gain an appreciation for just how cluttered our lives have become, and unfortunately, lost in that clutter are such vital treasures as true interpersonal friendships and tending to our fellow human beings. And that is reason enough to read THE POWER OF LESS: the discovery of the essentials will follow. Grady Harp

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Really simplify. Really good.

I've read a lot of books that promise to help you simplify your life and help you get focuses. This wonderful book has lots of ideas that can really help you do that. When you get it (pun intended), you get focused, you get productive... and you can really simplify, really good.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great, helpful read

Clean and concise. Very helpful.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

How to get out of the fast lane

The next time you're sitting at a red light, note how many of the drivers around you are talking on cellphones or text messaging. Do your co-workers scurry about, occasionally pausing to converse, even though they're clearly preoccupied? Most people seem resigned to living in the fast lane, where stress and multitasking are unavoidable realities. Not Leo Babauta, even though he is the father of six children. Babauta believes you can stop the insanity by simplifying your life. His strategy for restoring order is based on six productivity principles, starting with setting limits, since it's impossible to do everything. If you examine your core beliefs, values and goals, Babauta says you can begin trimming away things that complicate your life and focus on what's really important (even if a three-item main project list seems a little short to you). Although the author does not break new ground, getAbstract believes his suggestions and ideas are reassuring and helpful. Plus, it's nice to know that not everyone is crazy.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Must Read For Every Manager

This book is certainly not a `management' style book in the sense of a Covey or Blanchard publication. However, if I really wanted my managers to be more productive, efficient and serve the customer better while maintain dignity for the employees I would have to recommend this book over the other `management' types. Why? Because this book captures the essence of good management and (to go out on a limb) good leadership as well. <BR/><BR/>While providing great tips and techniques for clearing out the clutter in your life, more importantly, the spirit of the book provides the real foundation for a successful career. Applied in its totality, I believe LESS can help the poor manager manage better and the better manager to become the best he or she can be. <BR/><BR/>If I were to present a first time supervisor a gift, it would be a three book set (all published in 2008). They would be High Altitude Leadership: What the World's Most Forbidding Peaks Teach Us About Success, Wingtips with Spurs and Power of Less, The: The Fine Art of Limiting Yourself to the Essential...in Business and in Life. With these three, I have given them the knowledge. The ambition is up to them. <BR/><BR/>As a corporate director of human resources, I will ensure that everyone has this important new book on their bookshelf within easy grasp. <BR/><BR/>I hope you find this review helpful. <BR/><BR/>Michael L. Gooch, SPHR

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Good book!

Was recommended this book by a fellow photographer, when she told me she was into de stressing and decluttering her life. I found the book to have some great suggestions and insight. Easy read, keeps your attention and the tips are helpful. Would recommend it to anyone looking to declutter their life by organizing time, projects and managing how you spend your time with your life. Good read.

A great book for anyone looking to accomplish more with less.

I was intrigued by the title of this book while browsing the audio section at a store, and decided to buy it. I was one of the best self-help, motivational books I have ever read (listend to in my case). It will help you to get more done in less time by doing what is important to you and eliminating non-essentials. I recommend this to anyone. You will get something useful and I would bet more than just one thing. I am using most of his techniques and am finally making progress in decluttering my house after years of just wishing about it.

Impressive

Not finished reading it yet, however, I have thoroughly enjoyed the sections that I have read and cannot wait to start applying the thought process. It is simple and to the point and gives one a sense that you can achieve your goals in a calm and direct manner.

I recommend THE POWER OF LESS to anyone who is looking for a well written, user-friendly manual for self-improvement.

I recommend THE POWER OF LESS to anyone who is looking for a well written, user-friendly manual for self-improvement.

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