Will You Help Me Make a Difference?

I was talking to someone from the UK today. She asked me if love writing and if I always knew I wanted to do that.

YES and YES.

Even so, it took me a long time to start writing and I am hardly done learning. In my case, my natural talents and my calling were not perfectly matched up. Each book, article, post, paragraph, sentence, word, and letter furthers my journey.

And at times I am at a loss for words. This is one of those times. So I am just going to write it like I feel it and risk coming off a bit weird/emotional/salesy/self-absorbed.

In two weeks, my book Focus Like a Laser Beam: 10 Ways to Do What Matters Most comes out. I am achingly in LOVE with this book. It was fun to write and my publisher let me make it mine. It's the first management book that I know of that includes excerpts of full blogs posts as examples (aside from books about blogs). It's fun, at times funny, and has lots of examples and information.

Is it perfect - NO, not even close. But the object of our love is rarely perfect, right? In fact, it's the idiosyncrasies that makes it more charming, I think.

This is going to sound egotistical, but here goes. I think I took a really unique perspective to writing about focus. It's emotive and highly relational. Extremely relationship focused. I believe that what keeps us from being able to focus has more to how we deal with people than how we keep our day planner. Focus comes from energy, excitement, passion, and dialogue.

I love this book and I poured a lot of my soul into it. Here's a quote from the introduction:

Laser beams are beautiful. Each bit jazzes to the max in harmony. Its complicated inner soul creates an outer appearance that is elegantly simple and straightforward: literally straight-forward. Forward an inch wide and mile long. Strong, intense, and determined to reach the target with precision. The beam persists of one mind, one purpose, and one direction. And while the laser is not the brightest light in any one moment, it goes farther, farther, miles farther and faster on track. Crazed, long, pure, and smooth. Lasers are one of the best and most practical applications of quantum mechanics. They are special and their properties hold secrets for today’s busy leaders.

Yeah, there's some stuff about laser beams, too. I feel intense and crazed right now. I want to scream at the top of my lungs and share this book with everyone. Will you help me? In the world of business books, I am a relative unknown. Management Craft is popular and I thank you all for reading. Compared to the big names - Peters, Collins, Covey, and Blanchard - I am unknown. This is not about money, really it is not (anyone who has written a book knows this).

I love this book.

I will be doing a free recorded webinar and a few podcasts in late June and July and I will provide links for those here on the blog. In the mean time, I would love it if you would preorder Focus at Amazon.

Order one for yourself and one for your favorite colleague - click here now to order.

It would make a big difference to me if you helped me get this book into lots of hands. And I would love to hear from those of you who read the book. Tell me what you like, hate, and your questions.

Focus is so important. Here's another quote from the book:

The show begins and you feel a rush of sensory stimulation. Swashes of vivid color dance and fly at all corners of your eyes. The lights play hide-and-seek to reveal intriguing scenes and painted people. The music is full and intricate and pushes out any unrelated thoughts you might have had. Five, ten, or maybe twenty performers are each doing their own things flawlessly and simultaneously. It’s chaotic but perfectly choreographed. The air buzzes and hums, and you can feel and smell the passion. You feel the chills of excitement. Looking around, you can see that others are amazed too. Your visual field is so stimulated you cry.

And another:

Human Resources professionals may rush to read this chapter to ensure that it does not say what they fear; that bosses should have sex with their employees. They can rest easy because the word, “sex” will be and has been mentioned only twice and this chapter has nothing to do with that kind of intimacy. With that said, some of you might still be uncomfortable discussing business relationships as being intimate. The goal of this chapter is to help you get over this objection and get excited about the benefits of deep work relationships.

What does intimacy mean? How do we know when a work relationship is intimate? In her book The Dance Of Intimacy, Harriet Lerner, Ph.D. offers this provoking definition of intimacy. "Let’s attempt a working definition of an intimate relationship. What does it require of us? For starters, intimacy means that we can be who we are in a relationship, and allow the other person to do the same... An intimate relationship is one in which neither party silences, sacrifices, or betrays the self and each party expresses strength and vulnerability, weakness and competence in a balanced way."

An intimate relationship is one where people feel comfortable being themselves. Think about this from a business perspective. As a leader, you want to tap into the intelligence, drive, and uniqueness of each of your employees. You hire people to contribute to the organization and to make an impact they need to share their thoughts, ideas, and experiences. If you want people to share what they have to offer, you need to create an environment in which doing so is comfortable.

Here's what I want. I want the preorders for Focus Like a Laser Beam to go through the roof. I don't want to do any funny tricks like asking you to buy the book on a certain day. Now is great, two days from now is great.

If you enjoy reading Management Craft, please let me know that with your support of this book. Thanks so much.

Here's the Table of Contents:

Foreword – Keith Ferrazi                                    
Introduction                                    
Section 1: Excite and Energize
Chapter 1: Know and Feel the Power of Laser Focus
Chapter 2: Get Intimate with Your Employees
Chapter 3: Have Fun and Be Fun
Chapter 4: Relax to Energize
Section 2: Tune Your Dialogue
Chapter 5: Turn Meetings into Focus Sessions
Chapter 6: Invite a Challenge
Chapter 7: Huddle
Section 3: Zoom In
Chapter 8: Stop Multitasking, Start Chunking
Chapter 9: Do One Great Thing
Chapter 10: Let Go            
Chapter 11: Conclusion
References               
Index               

P.S. Did I mention I LOVE this book? I will be getting an advance copy from my publisher on Friday and I know I will likely cry like a girl when I hold it. I know, guys cry too, they just wear shades.

Here's the cover art. Pretty cool, huh?

No, that's not me with the bow and arrow. I WISH I were that skinny.

Comments

[Jodee Bock]

Lisa: I just ordered your book from Amazon and I have one question for you: will you autograph it for me? I'm so proud of you and so excited to read the book! As a struggling author myself, I can relate to what you're going through. I'd love to hear more about the entire "birthing" process sometime. I'm self-publishing, which has its own merits and struggles but would love to compare notes.

Keep up the great work! You have a fan in Fargo, ND!

Jodee

[Lisa Haneberg]

Jodee - Of course! I am always happy to autograph. Drop me an email once you have it. Thanks so much for you encouragement and good luck with your book.

[Sabine]

Lisa, I ordered it, too! Here's why:
1. I like this blog, and have grown to trust your opinions through reading it.
2. I once had a hard time online, trying to order the Job Interviews PDF, and you sent it to me for free.
3. You asked nicely, and didn't beat me over the head the way some people are doing -- "Help me make this book #1 on Amazon on July 1, 2006. But wait, there's more! Here are amazing free bonuses worth $2 million!"
I'm getting tired of that already -- it's so pushy and infomercial-like.
4. I think I need this book!

[Lisa Haneberg]

Sabine - Thank you so much. I appreciate your kind words and support.

[Eric]

Lisa,

I am ordering a copy and writing a special post to promote your book on my blog. I really like what I have read on your blog, even though I have only been reading you for about a month. I am picky, so if you end up in my RSS reader, I like it.

I think networking is key for all of us. I do not have $5,600 worth of bonus offers to offer my readers if they buy your book. :) (I love that commment above).

We all have a book or books in us. I have started on my first book and my wife is an author, so I understand your connection with your book. Awesome!

Hope to send you some customers and new readers.

Eric

[Lisa Haneberg]

Eric - Yippee and yippee again. Thanks so much for your support and for sharing the word.

I agree - we all do have a book in us. Or two, or three, .....

And by the way - if any of you want to write a book, I would be happy to share any information that might be of help.

[Eric]

Lisa,

Thanks for the offer. I would love to get your opinion on a chapter. When I make more progress, I will send you a chapter.

The post is up, so you can read it. Let me know if you want me to change or add anything.

Eric

[Henry]

"It's the first management book that I know of that includes excerpts of full blogs posts as examples (aside from books about blogs)."

'Danger Quicksand - Have A Nice Day' has numerous blog posts as subject matter. But I'm not sure it can be considered a 'management book' i guess.

http://www.bentcrowpress.com/2006/05/are_you_ready_f.html

[Lisa Haneberg]

Henry - you are right, I had forgotten about "Quicksand." That's a pretty unique book, too.

I know that blogs are becoming mainstream, but I was surprised that my publisher kept the blog posts in - they seem more hip and easy to work with than many publishers.

[Lisa Haneberg]

Eric - The post is wonderful. Thanks so much. I would be happy to look at your chapter.

[Starbucker]

Lisa, you've hooked me - your book is in my shopping cart. I love to "see" passion when I'm seeking out insights into leadership and management, and this post has that in spades. I'm a true believer in focus (and fun for that matter), and based on your snippets I'm sure I'm going to be nodding my head in agreement as I page through the text. My very best wishes for your success with this book.

[Lisa Haneberg]

Starbucker - Thanks so much. It's funny, when I coach people, I encourage genuine "shout at the top of your lungs" passion. I will admit that it is sometimes hard and scary. I fear that I will be seen as a fool or fraud.

It is good to take my own medicine and thanks for your kinds words.

[David Zinger]

Lisa,

What a wonderful cover to your book. It made me think of an old Zen book: Zen and the Art of Archery. The contents look solid and helpful.

All the best with this and I look forward to reading your work.

David

[Lisa Haneberg]

David - Thanks! I like the cover, too. I was not wild about the cover of my first book and hoped that my new publisher (Jossey Bass) would create a nice cover for this book. The cover matters.

[Linda Murfin, CTC]

Dear Lisa,
I ordered your book over two months ago and have been eagerly awaiting its release. The news that I may have it before I go to my next Boardroom Group session this Friday is exciting. I will gladly share it with them and let them all know how to order it.
I really admire your spunk, your intelligence and your willingness to share what you have learned with others.
Sincerely,
Linda