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Peaks & Valleys Peaks and Valleys – Making good and bad times work for you – at work and in life. By Spencer Johnson, M.D. $29.99, Published by Simon & Schuster, Inc This easy to read little hardback is by USA’s ‘king of parables’ and follows best sellers “The One minute Manager”, and “Who moved my Cheese” . Spencer Johnson, MD is renowned for his brief stories that offer simple practical solutions to complex problems. In this latest book, Dr. Johnson, draws on material he has been developing since the early 1990s. It would be easy to dismiss, with its large sized print, wide spacing and feel good story, but the simple tale serves to remind us of how to be successful in relationships and in business, whether things are going well or not. In the current economic climate, we probably need all the help we can get. Apart from a few pages covering ‘before the story’ and ‘after the story’, the publication is devoted to ‘the story’ under headings: - Feeling low in a valley, Finding answers, Forgetting, Resting, Learning, Discovering, Sharing, Using peaks and valleys, and Enjoying a peak. Key thoughts are repeated on separate pages as the story progresses. It is natural for everyone, everywhere to have peaks and valleys (highs and lows) at work and in life, Dr. Johnson confirms. No two people’s experiences, however, are exactly alike, even in similar situations. “How you feel depends largely on how you view your situation”. Dr Johnson looks at what happens when you are not at peace with yourself and how important it is to see the truth in a situation, not what you wish for or fear is happening. Guidelines are there for coping with plateaux, as well as peaks and valleys. Being on a plateau for too long, where nothing happens, can be unhealthy and is expressed as a straight line (no heartbeat), whereas peaks and valleys are like the wavy lines of a healthy heartbeat, reflecting what is an essential part of a normal life. When it comes to business, Dr. Johnson recommends not to take anything for granted, but to continue to do the things that made you successful. Usefulness 7.5/10 All rights reserved © L Donald Appeared NZ Business April '09 |