Product Description

Jack’s father was one of the most successful entrepreneurs of his time - the only problem was that the old man had no time, no friends, and died early. The prospect of following in the family tradition seems less than appealing to Jack but on the first day of his MBA he meets a retired professor who offers him a class that wasn’t exactly on the curriculum: How to make it in business without losing in life. Over a series of memorable evenings the professor shares with Jack seven laws to turn his life around.

Don't settle for being money rich - time poor

Believe that the job you do makes a difference

Play to your strengths

Believe in the power of dreams

Put your family before your career

Keep the common touch

Don't settle for success; strive for significance

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #104969 in Books
• Published on: 2002-01-24
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

Review
Rob Parsons has an uncanny ability for asking life's most challenging questions in an unobtrusive way.
Jill Garrett, Managing Director, The Gallup Organisation, UK

Before you read one more book on how to climb the corporate ladder read this: it will help you make sure the ladder is leaning against the right wall.

Kevin Kaiser, Adjunct Professor of Finance, INSEAD

This will be the most talked about business book of the year. It is essential reading for anyone who is serious about genuine business and people development.

Professor Jim Saker

About the Author
Rob Parsons is an international speaker on business issues. Each year he addresses thousands of people in live seminars as well as on radio, television and film. He is a lawyer by profession and is married to Dianne; they have two children, Katie and Lloyd.

Customer Reviews

Finding true success in the business world
This is a book to read and re-read. It presents a profound and relevant message in the form of stories that speak both to the intellect and the heart. Everyone will read it differently, but as the blurb says, it is important that everyone considers the key issues it discusses -- "What does success mean in the modern world?"
For me, the overall thrust was similar to one of the themes of Peter Senge's "Fifth Discipline". Parsons is advocating a conscious decision to consider what one's life goals really are, and to seek them determinedly, using all the resources we have, most importantly our time. In doing this we have to understand that all of the different parts of our lives are interwoven with each other and strive for the best possible relationship between them.
Of course, we all tend to put our best efforts in the areas of life which give the biggest reward in the short-term. Why wouldn't we, when that is how we have been trained to think? But in our key relationships, as opposed to our jobs, it doesn't work that way. For example, as Parsons says in the book, the time for getting to know our children as children is very limited. Once it is gone, it is gone for ever.
Heart of Success is based on seven laws, each of which is illustrated by telling examples drawn from Rob Parsons' own impressive business career or his own life. There are some very funny stories -- many had me laughing out loud. The style is light and engaging and it is a quick and easy read.
My favourite law is the one that says, 'Don't settle for success: strive for significance!' The message is that we can change our future if we want to, but we have to think hard about the way we want to go, and we have to begin today. Quite frankly, this little book is a good stopping-place on our journey.

Must-read for harmonizing work/life goals successfully
An important book challenging the corporate world & its pursuants to review their values in the light of life's highest but most often neglected goals.
What those goals will be may well differ between particular individuals & corporations. But Parsons argues inspiringly & persuasively for making choices which result in legacies beyond success - namely significance.
Although personally startled and shaken by the book to re-assess some central planks driving my own professional career in self-employment, the rewards are already beginning to outweigh the discomfort resulting from some sobering modifications to the ways I think about my working life. And this book makes it clear why such tough decisions need to be made at the expense of the more traditional 'rat-race' lifestyle.
Easily digested, yet highly provocative, motivational and coming from outside-the-box, this is quite possibly a life-changing work which every executive, worker, manager, owner & career-driven employee should strongly consider reading today, not tomorrow.
Life's bigger than business; this book can help the reader to make sure they never lose sight of it again.

Simply Devastating
I have listened to, and read countless books on the topic of mangerial success. Working longs hours, juggling home committments with my every growing career and still chasing the realisation of success. This CD painfully hits home how wrong my career equation had been. The more I listened, the more it hit me. I realised what I had been doing wrong. I now work far more effective that I ever have in my 15 years. I feel more enriched in my career because I put the things that really matter to me the most,first...before it is too late.