This book will challenge you. Small and unassuming, with a cliché for a title, this book is a serious primer on self-improvement. It gives you seven key areas to work on to manage your life and dreams.

As you may have experienced, unless your dream is singular, unless you have total compliance from the people around you, unless you never deviate from your established plans, living the life you want can be… complicated.

One of the first exercises Chuc Barnes, the author, gives his speaking audiences is called the “Looking Inside Exercise.” In the book, he recommends taking the time to ask yourself a series of questions that ultimately help you decide that number one priority in your life.

He acknowledges the challenges of discord around everybody that untrack the best laid plans, goals, and dreams of people.  I would call his advice, Storm Wind Insurance:  “Be sure you know what your deepest priorities are.” Chuc encourages, “Write them down. They are too precious to lose or forget.”

The book, like his message, is organized and easy to read. His advice sounds like something you’d get by chatting over the lodge pole fence with a successful rancher in his overalls.

He describes and carefully explains the seven different ducks to line up in your life:

1. Be adaptable and willing to change
2. Know what matters most to you
3. Know where you are going
4. Chunk your dream goals into steps
5. Understand the power of exceptional teamwork
6. Set up the best communication systems possible
7. Keep track of where you are

At the back of the book he provides a sample Time Inventory Log. His premise is that time management is more about management than time. “Time is life,” he asserts. How we spend our time. How we tackle opportunity. How we compete in business. How we advance our relationships. It comes down to the practical usage of our time.

Chuc Barnes, a professional speaker and executive trainer, speaks plainly in this book about how to reach goals cooperating with others. He provides an attitude check. It’s not about fixing how other people operate on a team but about fixing the way you perform, which for all measure must be done with good communication.

Valuable communication is built upon an understanding of the four different types of people with whom we deal. Your boss or the associates at work are either a Director, an Influencer, a Supporter, or a Contemplator type.  Communication could very well be discussed as an entire book.

I think that when we work with people, especially those with different ways of doing things, we must always be in a place of learning. The best line in the book is about Walt Disney, about how he hired people to work with. “He never hired anyone who agreed with him.” By absorbing people with critical natures, he both won great allies and uncovered new and better ideas.

This subtle genius – to listen to those with whom you disagree, I mean really listen – underscores the bounty of lessons in this book. It’s written for executives and, quite frankly, for anybody who wants to review the basics about organizing yourself, your work, and your life’s dreams. You will be one step closer to achieving after reading this book.

By Eugene Harnett

Book Review: “Get Your Ducks in a Row: How to Better Manage Your #1 Priority – Yourself!”  by Chuc Barnes