Daniel H. Pink

This book isn't sticking with me only because I read most of it after a tall dark and short nap. Pink has once again applied his masterful synthesis and storytelling, this time to the science of our patterns of alertness and performance rhythms. Compared to his past books, he's made the insights even more applicable by following the theory chapters with "hacking" chapters. Learn about how to find your own daily peaks and troughs. Lean why it's better to take breaks rather than powering show more through. There's empirical support for naps, walks, and social breaks with a friend. My favorite insight was about how midpoints are often critical points of inflection for accelerating to a goal or past the competition. show less

This sounds like a presentation in front of a live audience, with some Q&A or maybe even a staged interview after. Pink is an engaging, entertaining, and even enlightening speaker. His basic message, well supported, is that all activity capable of being routinized will eventually be outsourced to the burgeoning Asian populace. Therefore, creative right brain stuff is a better career choice: sculptors triumph over assemblers. I like to think it less extreme than that: the blend is best. Best show more to design the cellphone than assemble it. After all, how many sculptors can even a new mind economy support? show less

"Shifting our focus - and giving when the same weight as what - won't cure all ills. But it's a good beginning" writes Daniel H. Pink in his bestselling book When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing. His focus on "when" begins with our body clocks and how our mood and energy shifts throughout the day, then breaks things down into beginnings, middles, and endings, and even gives some focus on synchronizing with others - choir practice, anyone?

Within the chapters, Pink does a great job show more of timing scientific studies with stories and case studies to illustrate his points. You'll find interesting tidbits like for most people, you're going to be better at math and other analytic tasks in the morning but more creative in the afternoon (unless you're a night owl, then it flip flops). He argues pretty strongly that teens' schools should start an hour later than they do so it's more in sync with their biological clocks. After every chapter is a "Time Hacker's Handbook" that gives you practical ways to put what you've learned into practice. Want to start adding breaks to your day? There are plenty of suggestions to get you started. Want to start a new habit? Find out when is the best time for success. A fascinating, informative and even practical read. show less

Pink's genius & humor strike again. No kidding. In the opinion of someone suffering from a serious case of post-modern ennui (that'd be me), this is a fantastic career guide. Don't let the manga-style format throw you: this is a serious book. It's also a different book. It is a funny book. It is not a moralizing (or *de*moralizing book).
Here are the 6 Lessons taught by a sassy magic fairy who appears to hapless, confused Johnny Bunko whenever he opens a package of take-out chopsticks (just show more go with it):
1. There is no plan.
2. Think strengths, not weaknesses,
3. It's not about you.
4. Persistence triumphs talent.
5. Make excellent mistakes.
6. Leave an imprint.

But those points won't get you nearly as far as taking the hour or 2 (tops) to actually read the book. It's in the details, here.

(Those with a manga background may appreciate some of the finer humorous points. But I'm pretty sure you could have never picked up a comic book, a graphic novel, or manga and still understand it. Note: it reads L --> R front to back, though, in the Western way, not the Japanese way) show less