I would like to do a book review on this book, the power of purpose. This is my first book review or some can put it to be a summary of the ideas encapsulated inside it as a review would be more of a critical analysis and comments on the author's idea and believe.
This book is somewhat geared towards te idea of philosophy, names such as Plato and Aristole belief on living your personal live the right way and as a result achieving happiness from it. Because of this, I feel that this book gives me a great insight on the ideas communicated to me in the book. Unlike other self-improvement books which generally tends to look at 'hacks' to improve your personal life and productivity, this book gives the reader the perspective of looking at life through the 3 levels of thinking; first level, second level and third level, which I would explain later and also envisage a pyramid which at its peak, is the acme of sucess, or in this case, the power of purpose in life.
The author likes to go on a back to basics approach or a fundamental approach as he explains different concepts in the chapters. Therefore, I feel that understanding what the author sees as basics is where we should start this little conversation on his book. He defines that everyone looks at different people or in the process of communicating with other people, he or she will have 3 levels of thinking. The first level, wihch is what most people could be in, encompasses questions such as "how do I feel about myself". The act of self-fulfillment is very important to this group of level one thinkers then. And when there are bad times, these people seek self-pleasure to overcome their period of sadness. But this does not bring you closer to the goals that you set out to achieve. To sidetrack a little, I wish to touch on a very key idea he expressed in no relation to the 3 levels of thinking. The idea of it is not so important of winning the battle but one should focus on winning the war. It is rather self-explanatory after this and I'm glad that I did not forget to share this idea over here. As I have already explained on the first level of thinking, I'll now move on to the second level thinkers who asks questions like " How will others perceive me to be." This is an advancement of the self-centered first level thinkers in that the individual is now mindful of the people around him or her and he/she wants to make a good impression on them. This however, is again, a step away from what the author thinks is ideal state. The third level of thinking packages questions such as "How are others thinking, and what are their goals and finally to come to a conclusion of how could I help them achieve their goals." It sounds ironical but lets draw te example of me, blogging now. Ask me to see it as a level 3 thinker I would have questions such as, there are people reading this blog that seeks to improve themselves, and to become better indivuals in their surroundings. That is their goal and how can I help to let them achieve the goal, that is to constantly blog down my little ideas over here so it may have a chance that it can help the reader when he reads it. Hence, here comes the cream of the pudding. What do I benefit from being a level 3 thinker then? Firstly, I have already forge a close bond in some way with my readers and establish trust in a subtle but it is still present amond us. Next, it drives me now with a purpose, in order to be able to help others, I need to constantly read up on such good sources of information so that I have things to write on. In conclusion, this might sound simple, but isn't being simple the clearest and best way to look into the game of life?
Next, the author then take this fundamental principles to a higher platform, now you can imagine that you are on a hierarchical platform now, and you are at the lowest base of it, despite you have already so accomplished by understanding the 3 levels thinker. First base, which is the most sound and stable, is that you got to have an ambition in your life. Plato mentioned about we all live in a world of imperfection but within each of us there is always a perfect state, an ideal world that all of us wants to come to, and that can be the source of your ambition, ie the fuel or drive that keeps your inner flame burning. Second base: you must have the insight. You must be able to gain knowledge and know every situation that occurs in your life, that's when your chances of success is greater. Looking at the art of negotiation, who has more knowledge usually has more power. And this second base is a springboard from the first base, that is you got to have a goal to strive towards, then you can focus your energy on fulfilling the second base( i.e. the insight) , which then can make you progress on to the third base of relationship. Building teams and sharing everything you have, keeping no secrets and let me forewarn you that keeping on secrets is a touchy issue, and it is advisable to read up the book on it so that you won't feel that it is going against the grain of what you feel is correct. What can I say about hte building of teams, well the author breaks down to what amkes a team effective. They must "share common interest, have commitment (this is long term as oppose to interest) and have te same desire to work to improve on something to bring them closer to the above 2. Otherwise, a team is much like a doll. A figure without much "effective" value. Pardone me for my blunt vocabulary: I just couldn't think of anything better to phrase it. The highest base is postive thinking. Get bottom 3 right, and the last one should berather simple to achieve if you keep the fundamentals with you always as you apply this pyramid.
That is all for my book review. Hope you like it.
~cheers
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