I just finished reading the first book in 2012 – The 1% Solution for work and life by Tom Connellan. It was a book that I came across by accident and had no idea of its existence before. What a lovely coincidence tho!

Not only does it perfectly fit to one of my recent classroom activities – “Bookmark your dreams” but also encourages anyone who wants to be better and looks for some encouragement and advice.

What are your dreams and what do you need to do to achieve them?

How specific or big your dreams are?

How successful are you in achieving your goals and dreams in general?

These are some questions I asked myself after reading the book. I have to confess I feel like I know how to start! Just small steps at a time!

“It is more useful to compare you to you. What matters most is that you become 1 percent better than you.”

The key to reaching your goal is knowing where you want to go and which actions you need to do to get there-and then persistence and effort will get you there…you can think about tomorrow, and maybe dream a bit about future-but doing your best in the present has to be the rule.”

It is not a groundbreaking discovery but it is nice to be reminded and motivated

“Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.” Stephen A. Brennan

“When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.”  Confucius

1. I work on my dreams every day by taking small steps
2. I think carefully what actions get me there
3. Support is important
4. I try to challenge myself and change every day tasks to deliberate practice
5. I recharge my batteries

These are the points I try to remember – inspired by the book but personally adapted. What are your ways?

 Good luck with your goals!

Here is my student’s review. He did amazing job – not only reading the book but also writing his summary of it.

Dear Vladka,

I´m happy to  write you about my finish of reading your book. It was quite easy, but interesting reading. There are mine views about it:

1.)    Author tried to write instructional book with help easy story about young man named Ken and his „little changeover“.

2.)    Plot is very easy, Sometimes I had feelings, it was almost unrealistic, but evident.

3.)    Ideas are very good. Everyone should read these, success with small steps are better then big jumps. You were underlined some sentences, I could underlined little bit more.

4.)    When I´m thinking about it  I had had some experiences before I read this book. If I had started with something I realised failure was discourage for me. When I get little target I can achieve it easier and I shouldn´t fail in it. After this I can get news. I think It is one percent solution. Failure means to begin again and it is difficult sometimes.

Best,

Maroš.