Title and author:
Head trash – Cleaning up the garbage that stands between you and success
by Tish Squillaro and Timothy I. Thomas
Contents synopsis:
We create, intentionally or not, internal barriers to our own success. This is the main thesis of this book. These barriers include self-destructive thought patterns, emotional tendencies like fear, arrogance, and insecurity. Most of the time, these barriers are the product of the subconscious and, therefore, we are not aware of them.
The authors explain how many of these mental limitations work and how they alter your progress. They highlight the importance of knowing yourself and how you think. Sometimes these negative thought patterns combine, like external arrogance that arises from internal insecurity.
The first step in addressing these self-imposed limits is to identify them. Then you can focus on strategies to combat them. For example, if arrogance is a problem for someone, you can strive for more humility in your thinking. Changing these long-held traits takes a lot of sustained effort.
They suggest that because we cannot clearly see our own limits, we should seek advice from others about ourselves. What do they see us doing? What limits do they see us manifesting in our responses to things? Then tell them that your goal is to change these limits, and invite them to help you change.
The authors are leadership consultants. They see this process of identifying and changing defeat thought processes as a way to improve their leadership skills. For each of the common identifying barriers to negative thinking, list a set of things you can do to combat that tendency.
What I found useful about this book:
We all have negative thought patterns and self-destructive tendencies. This book helps clarify how they hold us back, how to identify them, and how to eliminate them. Changing ourselves, especially on a subconscious level, is always a challenge. This book helps make it possible.
Readability / Writing quality:
The book is very readable. It is well organized.
Notes on the author:
Tish Squillaro is CEO of Candor Consulting. Consultation with CEOs,
executive management and boards of directors within organizations.
Timothy I. Thomas is an ordained minister and leadership consultant.
Three great ideas you can use:
1. Strive to identify negative thought patterns that prevent you from being an effective leader. Invite trusted associates to help you identify things in your blind spot. This requires a great deal of humility and openness.
2. Develop a strategy of changes in your thinking to overcome these negative thought patterns.
3. Keep up your improvement efforts by staying true to your efforts and inviting others to hold you accountable.
Publication information:
Head trash – Cleaning up the garbage that stands between you and success
by Tish Squillaro and Timothy I. Thomas
Emerald Book Company
© 2013, HeadTrash, LLC
ISBN: 9781937110512
160 pages