self help

Grit to Great – A Book Review

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I bought this book, because author’s last name is the same as mine.  Thaler is not a common name.  I have never met a Thaler that I am not directly related to.

This book teaches the importance of grit or perseverance in your life.  It filled with real life examples and advice on how to apply the principles to your life.

I really enjoyed the book and I give an A+

Patience is Important

I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion.  These things are your greatest treasures.  (Lao Tzu)

Each life is made up of mistakes and learning waiting and growing, practicing patience and being persistent.  (Billy Graham)

I’ve learned that anything in life worth having comes from patience and hard work.  (Greg Behrendt) 

Adopt the pace of nature:  her secret is patience.  (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Hope is patience with the lamp lit.  (Tertullian) 

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Be Dedicated

If you believe in yourself and have dedication and pride – and never quit, you’ll be a winner.  The price of victory is high, but so are the rewards.  (Bear Bryant)

With hard work and dedication, anything is possible.  (Timothy Weah)

When you see validation for a life’s work and dedication, it’s a beautiful day.  (Mary Gauthier)

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Everyone Communicates Few Connect

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This is an excellent book on how to truly connect and communicate with the people around you.

These are my favorites points made by the author.

  • It’s not enough just to work hard.  It’s not enough to do a great job.  To be successful, you need to learn how to really communicate with others.
  • Connecting is the ability to identify with people and relate to them in a way that increases your influence with them.
  • When you connect with others, you position yourself to make the most of your skills and talents.
  • Mutual concern creates connection between people.
  • Connection always begins with a commitment to someone else.
  • Connectors connect on common ground.  It is difficult to find common ground with others when the only person you’re focused on is yourself.
  • In the end, people are persuaded not by what we say, but by what they understand.
  • People will not always remember what you said or what you did, but they will always remember how you made them feel.
  • When you make a commitment, you create hope.  When you keep a commitment, you create trust.

Winning Friends and Influencing People

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I just finished reading How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.  Here are a few of my favorite points from this book.

  • Criticism is futile, because it puts people on the defensive
  • Help people get what they want.
  • Be interested in what interests other people 
  • Be a good listener and encourage others to talk about themselves 
  • Always make the other person feel important 
  • Respect other people’s opinions
  • If you are wrong, admit it
  • Try to see things from the other person’s point of view

If you haven’t read this book yet, I highly recommend it.