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Think Smart Not Hard: 52 Key Principles to Success and Happiness
Are you unhappy with your directionless life? Discover a roadmap for navigating your successful, fulfilling future.
-How to develop the right mindset to overcome any personal tragedy
-How writing down and reflecting upon action plans will ignite your success
-How incorporating weekly principles can accelerate your road to recovery
-A series of exclusive quotations from industry leaders and motivational gurus
-Simple hacks to help you take charge of your personal finances, and much, much more!
"A simple, effective plan to change your life and attain your goals." - Jim "TheRookie" Morris,ÌýAthlete, author, teacher and inspiration for the movie,ÌýThe Rookie.
Struggling to cope with personal tragedy? Worried you’ll never live up to your full potential? Bestselling author Roy Huff overcame abuse and abject poverty to become an accomplished teacher and research scientist. His secrets for success have changed countless lives, and now they can help you too!
Think Smart Not Hard connects science and human psychology to help you retrain your brain for a brighter tomorrow. Through a combination of step-by-step strategies and inspirational anecdotes, this transformational guidebook will help you conquer common obstacles to discover your life’s true path.
In Think Smart Not Hard, you’ll discover:-How to develop the right mindset to overcome any personal tragedy
-How writing down and reflecting upon action plans will ignite your success
-How incorporating weekly principles can accelerate your road to recovery
-A series of exclusive quotations from industry leaders and motivational gurus
-Simple hacks to help you take charge of your personal finances, and much, much more!
Think Smart Not Hard is your no-nonsense guide for finally grasping the life you were born to live. If you like real-world applications, optimizing your existing strengths, and honest accounts from a self-made man, then you’ll love Roy Huff’s energizing resource.
Buy Think Smart Not Hard to begin shaping your destiny today!- GenresSelf HelpNonfiction
266 pages, Paperback
First published June 9, 2017
178 people are currently reading
1,261 people want to read
About the author
Roy Huff
16Ìýbooks1,686ÌýfollowersRoy Huff is a Hawaii-based best-selling author, peer-reviewed research scientist, and teacher. After overcoming significant childhood poverty in the US mainland, he moved to the islands and hasn't looked back.
Despite his challenges, which include a family stricken by mental illness and the loss of a father to HIV/AIDS, he’s earned five degrees, trained on geostationary satellites for NASA's GOES-R Proving Ground, and has written numerous bestsellers.
Roy embraces optimism, science, and creativity and hopes you’ll come along for the amazing ride. You can download Roy Huff's free sci-fi short at or connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, & Instagram @realroyhuff
Despite his challenges, which include a family stricken by mental illness and the loss of a father to HIV/AIDS, he’s earned five degrees, trained on geostationary satellites for NASA's GOES-R Proving Ground, and has written numerous bestsellers.
Roy embraces optimism, science, and creativity and hopes you’ll come along for the amazing ride. You can download Roy Huff's free sci-fi short at or connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, & Instagram @realroyhuff
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
February 17, 2018
My rating 4.6
The book “Think Smart Not Hard: 52 Key Principles to Success� and Happiness by Roy pleasantly surprised me with the amount of good advice. Everyone who needs motivation and advice to correct their bad habits is this book for him. It's not just about health, though it has some tips, in this book, the author speaks about the correction of thinking that we all have. Even the author of the book is not, to change everything overnight, but to make small steps to its goal. I liked most of the advice, some I knew already, but it's always good to know something new. The book liked me because the author talked about his personal experiences and false, and how he repaired them. Throughout the book, the author himself speaks about his personal experiences and defects, and how he corrected them. There are many books he gives as an example to improve some ways of thinking and habit. This is a book to be read because we are all slaves to our habits, which are sometimes not good. These bad habits often take our ideas that we would like to do and throw them into an unrealized dream. With this book perhaps the readers find a way in which even impossible things can be achieved. I would recommend the book to all lovers of self-help books.
The book “Think Smart Not Hard: 52 Key Principles to Success� and Happiness by Roy pleasantly surprised me with the amount of good advice. Everyone who needs motivation and advice to correct their bad habits is this book for him. It's not just about health, though it has some tips, in this book, the author speaks about the correction of thinking that we all have. Even the author of the book is not, to change everything overnight, but to make small steps to its goal. I liked most of the advice, some I knew already, but it's always good to know something new. The book liked me because the author talked about his personal experiences and false, and how he repaired them. Throughout the book, the author himself speaks about his personal experiences and defects, and how he corrected them. There are many books he gives as an example to improve some ways of thinking and habit. This is a book to be read because we are all slaves to our habits, which are sometimes not good. These bad habits often take our ideas that we would like to do and throw them into an unrealized dream. With this book perhaps the readers find a way in which even impossible things can be achieved. I would recommend the book to all lovers of self-help books.
August 26, 2017
This book was inspirational when it comes to making more mental work for myself. It helped me see that there were smarter ways of looking at problem, challenges, and ideas. I really took note from this book as a marketing newbie. I found that I have been working myself into a state when I should have just been organizing myself in a more manageable manner. This book is great for those of us that have a lot of ideas, a lot of goals and are running around like mice in a maze trying to accomplish them all. I recommend this to indie authors especially. We take on so many tasks. This helps you find a way to reach the goals.
August 3, 2017
If I had to sum up Think Smart Not Hard: 52 Principles to Success and Happiness, I would say it is about being mindful in all aspects of your life. True, some, if not all, of the key principles we have heard before. Nothing is too earth shattering here, but what works in this book are the Author's personal accounts the go with each key principle. He shows a glimpse of his life and how he utilized a key principle to turn things around, to learn from past mistakes/behaviors and to move on and make his life better. True story accounts are helpful in self help books as the accounts give the reader of an example. Examples can give us AHA! moments which help us relate to what we are reading.
There are 52 principles as stated in the chapter but the ones that resonated with me were: forgiveness, reflect on the day, compartmentalize, breathe and do something small, but do it daily.
I found this book to be well written and I enjoyed the real life applications of the principles. I like the focus on being mindful of your time, your thoughts, your consumption and your finances. This book really does focus on the daily things in our lives which can add up to stress and unhappiness.
Most people turn to self help books when they want to make a change in their lives and need a place to start. This book will be a good beginning. But with all things in life, it is one thing to educate yourself, it is another thing to take action. Hopefully this book will motivate people to do just that.
I was contacted by the Author about reading his book. The above is my honest review.
See more of my reviews at
There are 52 principles as stated in the chapter but the ones that resonated with me were: forgiveness, reflect on the day, compartmentalize, breathe and do something small, but do it daily.
I found this book to be well written and I enjoyed the real life applications of the principles. I like the focus on being mindful of your time, your thoughts, your consumption and your finances. This book really does focus on the daily things in our lives which can add up to stress and unhappiness.
Most people turn to self help books when they want to make a change in their lives and need a place to start. This book will be a good beginning. But with all things in life, it is one thing to educate yourself, it is another thing to take action. Hopefully this book will motivate people to do just that.
I was contacted by the Author about reading his book. The above is my honest review.
See more of my reviews at
June 20, 2017
Having been acquainted to the author via social media, I got to know about this book. Although I generally don't read self-help books, I thought of giving this a try. It turned out to be a good decision. Using simple yet illuminating techniques and snippets of wisdom from the author as well as innovative thinkers across the globe, the book shows us how to overcome personal tragedies, bring positivity into our lives, and even how to manage personal finances. It also shows you how to build good, long-lasting relationships in your professional and personal lives. I think this is a must read for all.
December 23, 2017
Think Smart Not Hard: 52 Key Principles To Success And Happiness by Roy Huff is a good book for anyone, any age, any placement in life, moreover, anyone who simply wants to learn more. The 52 principles in the book are compartmentalized, neatly presented, with sufficient anecdotal material to give them relevance. Not everyone will find all 52 principles applicable to their particular circumstances, but I dare say that anyone, in reading this book, will find some of the principles beneficial. Huff has done an excellent job of dissecting the important factors which can help anyone to improve their circumstances, or at the very least, reconcile them and be happier about life. On a pragmatic level, it is an excellent manual for anyone in business, or pursuing a career, or a passion, which is pretty much everyone.
June 10, 2017
Think Smart Not Hard
52 Key Principles To Success and Happiness
by Roy Huff
I did start by reading this book through to the end but I knew that I’d be going back and reading and acting on an individual chapter a week.
I’ve read a number of self-help books over the years but this one left an impression on me and a knowing that by reading and thinking about what I’ve read week by week, I’d be not only changing the way I feel about certain things but also improving myself in small steps at a time.
I’d suggest that a new reader would read the book from beginning to end and then put it someplace nearby, along with a tablet of papers to jot down my thoughts and re-read it chapter by chapter.
Thank you Mr. Huff for providing an insightful way of looking at my life in small segments.
June 9, 2017
This is an outstanding book on the principles of life. Each principle is well thought out and explained to the reader. The fact that he developed 52 principles makes them easy to apply over a year. Throughout the book, Roy encourages the reader to take action. I think this is the single greatest lesson from the book. If the reader takes Roy's advice on the principles and takes action rather than just reading them they change their life and be more successful. However, even applying some of the principles can help improve the reader's life. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to everyone as a manual for the human life.
January 8, 2018
Think Smart not Hard was an inspirational success!
I found it was a new way of looking at life problems, I have never read a self help book before and was pleasantly surprised. In this book you learn how to help yourself but also improve your life style with these easy 52 key principles. You get to start organizing and starting your goals so that you can find your way as it says to happiness but also, make an action plan, reflect weekly on your goals, and break bad habits that might be effecting your goals.
I would say this is good starting self help book for any age but maybe not all 52 principles apply to each person in their life.
I love the fact this book is so relatable to all readers because of how forward the author is he gives it to you straight without sugar coating, it gives you ways of not changing your goals or dreams but way to make them more achievable in everyday life.
A quote that really speaks to me is also on the goodreads page it says;
"Often, it isn’t what you do that prevents success or happiness, but what you don’t do. It’s the missed opportunities that arise from being so focused and absorbed in your own self-pity that keep you from experiencing joy and making the most of the precious time you have."
I would definitely recommend this book!
P.s. the author has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.
I found it was a new way of looking at life problems, I have never read a self help book before and was pleasantly surprised. In this book you learn how to help yourself but also improve your life style with these easy 52 key principles. You get to start organizing and starting your goals so that you can find your way as it says to happiness but also, make an action plan, reflect weekly on your goals, and break bad habits that might be effecting your goals.
I would say this is good starting self help book for any age but maybe not all 52 principles apply to each person in their life.
I love the fact this book is so relatable to all readers because of how forward the author is he gives it to you straight without sugar coating, it gives you ways of not changing your goals or dreams but way to make them more achievable in everyday life.
A quote that really speaks to me is also on the goodreads page it says;
"Often, it isn’t what you do that prevents success or happiness, but what you don’t do. It’s the missed opportunities that arise from being so focused and absorbed in your own self-pity that keep you from experiencing joy and making the most of the precious time you have."
I would definitely recommend this book!
P.s. the author has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.
June 8, 2017
Review Think Smart Not Hard
Roy Huff’s Think Smart Not Hard may well be the ultimate self-help book. What Huff seems to have done is hoover through a large share of the self-help books out there and condensed them into 52 principles. That may seem a large number, but Think Smart Not Hard isn’t the kind of book you read from page 1 through to the end. Having read my fair share of self-help books, this is a major feature.
Too many self-help authors have a good point to make, but not a book, so what they do is stuff in the padding. Padding most often takes the form of what are meant to be colorful, inspiring or heart-warming anecdotes meant to illustrate the main point. Repeat your main point between paddings and you can easily crank out 200 pages. I don’t know about other readers but I usually throw these against the wall after about 50 pages.
I prefer what Huff has done. Here are the principles that add up to a life of value. Assess yourself and do what you need to do.
Each reader will find him/herself nodding in agreement with some principles. These are the ones you think you are doing now. I make action plans all the time (#6). I’m really good at compartmentalizing (#13). I have become better at asking for advice (#19). What a smart fellow this Roy Huff is!
Other principles will have some readers going “duh�. These are the ones you think beneath your notice because they are so simple or the ones you don’t agree with. Eat a healthy diet and get exercise. Well yeah. Who doesn’t know that? Tell me something I don’t know Roy. Wait a minute. Should I really be “treating� myself to a bag of Cheetos every time I watch an episode of Elementary?
And then there some principles you will find yourself thinking, “Never thought of that or thought of it that way�. Plan for poor choices (#18). Surprising I have never thought of that given all the poor choices I have made.
Basically, there is something here for everyone and thanks to the bare-bones no padding approach, you can use Think Smart Not Hard as a kind of checklist to assess your current state of being and go from there.
Think Smart Not Hard is written in an easy, matter-of-fact speaking style free of annoying typos all too common in self-published work these days and Huff’s principles come with practical “you can do this at home� advice. Overall, I would say this is a useful and though provoking addition to your self-help bookshelf.
Roy Huff’s Think Smart Not Hard may well be the ultimate self-help book. What Huff seems to have done is hoover through a large share of the self-help books out there and condensed them into 52 principles. That may seem a large number, but Think Smart Not Hard isn’t the kind of book you read from page 1 through to the end. Having read my fair share of self-help books, this is a major feature.
Too many self-help authors have a good point to make, but not a book, so what they do is stuff in the padding. Padding most often takes the form of what are meant to be colorful, inspiring or heart-warming anecdotes meant to illustrate the main point. Repeat your main point between paddings and you can easily crank out 200 pages. I don’t know about other readers but I usually throw these against the wall after about 50 pages.
I prefer what Huff has done. Here are the principles that add up to a life of value. Assess yourself and do what you need to do.
Each reader will find him/herself nodding in agreement with some principles. These are the ones you think you are doing now. I make action plans all the time (#6). I’m really good at compartmentalizing (#13). I have become better at asking for advice (#19). What a smart fellow this Roy Huff is!
Other principles will have some readers going “duh�. These are the ones you think beneath your notice because they are so simple or the ones you don’t agree with. Eat a healthy diet and get exercise. Well yeah. Who doesn’t know that? Tell me something I don’t know Roy. Wait a minute. Should I really be “treating� myself to a bag of Cheetos every time I watch an episode of Elementary?
And then there some principles you will find yourself thinking, “Never thought of that or thought of it that way�. Plan for poor choices (#18). Surprising I have never thought of that given all the poor choices I have made.
Basically, there is something here for everyone and thanks to the bare-bones no padding approach, you can use Think Smart Not Hard as a kind of checklist to assess your current state of being and go from there.
Think Smart Not Hard is written in an easy, matter-of-fact speaking style free of annoying typos all too common in self-published work these days and Huff’s principles come with practical “you can do this at home� advice. Overall, I would say this is a useful and though provoking addition to your self-help bookshelf.
June 8, 2017
Think Smart Not Hard offers readers 52 steps towards improving their lives. The author, Roy Huff, introduces readers to different ideas that may help them streamline their lives.
This book is well-written and interesting. Much of the advice is common sense. As most of us know, common sense is no longer common.
Roy Huff gives his readers some real world examples from his life of how he wasted some time and effort and found ways to avoid wasting time and effort in the future.
Think Smart Not Hard offers readers some real world, practical advice. Most readers will benefit greatly from having read the book.
The advice in Think Smart Not Hard is only helpful if the reader takes action on it. For instance, you can read all the diet books in the world, but you won’t actually lose weight until you act upon what you have learned.
The author sent us a pre-production version of Think Smart Not Hard so that we might review it. This pre-production version had no charts or illustrations so we cannot comment on his use of those. However, the book stands well on its own without charts, graphs, or illustrations.
We give the book Think Smart Not Hard all five stars. We think it is a good read and offers some good advice. If you are trying to get your life’s wheels back on the tracks, reading this book, and taking action, might help you accomplish that goal.
This book is well-written and interesting. Much of the advice is common sense. As most of us know, common sense is no longer common.
Roy Huff gives his readers some real world examples from his life of how he wasted some time and effort and found ways to avoid wasting time and effort in the future.
Think Smart Not Hard offers readers some real world, practical advice. Most readers will benefit greatly from having read the book.
The advice in Think Smart Not Hard is only helpful if the reader takes action on it. For instance, you can read all the diet books in the world, but you won’t actually lose weight until you act upon what you have learned.
The author sent us a pre-production version of Think Smart Not Hard so that we might review it. This pre-production version had no charts or illustrations so we cannot comment on his use of those. However, the book stands well on its own without charts, graphs, or illustrations.
We give the book Think Smart Not Hard all five stars. We think it is a good read and offers some good advice. If you are trying to get your life’s wheels back on the tracks, reading this book, and taking action, might help you accomplish that goal.
June 14, 2017
Roy Huff's humble beginnings give him a unique perspective on overcoming trials, setting and achieving goals. In his book, Think Smart Not Hard: 52 Principles to Success and Happiness, he uses personal experiences and empirical data to support the methods he outlines to develop integrity, character, personal responsibility, and excellence (among others qualities).
His straightforward, no frills, and encouraging writing style will help readers see the opportunities they have to make positive changes to their lives and map out a path to set and achieve their goals and desires.
What I liked:
Roy's examples are personal, and therefore relatable. He speaks from the heart as "one who knows" and understands what it takes to overcome personal and professional obstacles.
What I didn't like:
My only criticism would be that I felt some of the principles could be condensed into smaller sections, but this is just my opinion.
Overall:
I would recommend Think Smart Not Hard by Roy Huff to those who want to make positive changes by incorporating some or all of his principles in their lives.
His straightforward, no frills, and encouraging writing style will help readers see the opportunities they have to make positive changes to their lives and map out a path to set and achieve their goals and desires.
What I liked:
Roy's examples are personal, and therefore relatable. He speaks from the heart as "one who knows" and understands what it takes to overcome personal and professional obstacles.
What I didn't like:
My only criticism would be that I felt some of the principles could be condensed into smaller sections, but this is just my opinion.
Overall:
I would recommend Think Smart Not Hard by Roy Huff to those who want to make positive changes by incorporating some or all of his principles in their lives.
August 2, 2017
This book has an amazing amount of relevant and helpful tips, which cover a number of aspects of our day to day personal and working lives. I initially sat down to read a few chapters, and found myself still reading it a couple of hours later. I’ve completed a few courses over the years that has touched on some of the content in this book, however Roy Huff has done an amazing job of putting so many helpful hints into the one book. I really respect the changes he made in his own life, and it’s those sort of stories that make you stop and think of your own life, and areas that you could possibly improve on. ‘Reward Yourself� was one of my favourite parts of this book. It’s one thing that I use myself, and it really is a great motivator. After reading this I’ve now picked up on a few more that I’ll be using, as it never hurts to improve and make our lives easier. This is definitely a very worthwhile book to read, and I’d certainly recommend it.
July 1, 2017
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Let me just preface this review by stating that typically, I do not read self-help books. However, I will sample the genre from time-to-time if the premise seems interesting. That being said, when I read the synopsis of Mr. Huff's book, I thought I would give this one a go. So, my review is a bit biased based on my typical reading preferences.
There were several times that I wanted to put this book down. I really had to force myself to stay with the read. It wasn't just that this book is self-help, a lot of the advice contained in the pages struck me as... well, obvious. The book is broken down into 52 principles that will guide one toward "success and happiness", and really, being more effective and efficient in your own life. The idea is great! Who doesn't want to be more efficient and successful? And the author himself has had numerous experiences in his own life that validate his ability to give this type of advice. But, to the obvious...
The principles start off as a guide to the reader on how to be successful... "set goals, make an action plan, reflect weekly on your goals, break bad habits etc". To me: yeah... duh. Elementary students learn these principles.
As the book goes further, the principles struck me simply as filler to make a complete novel. One piece of advice that is given is "take a shower every day". Um.
I just didn't find anything in the book to be particularly original or ground-breaking; I certainly wasn't motivated to start employing the principles in my own life. I have no doubt that employing one of the 52 principles weekly for a year into your life would do you any harm, and you would probably benefit - but changing your whole life around and achieving "success"? I'm just not sold.
Let me just preface this review by stating that typically, I do not read self-help books. However, I will sample the genre from time-to-time if the premise seems interesting. That being said, when I read the synopsis of Mr. Huff's book, I thought I would give this one a go. So, my review is a bit biased based on my typical reading preferences.
There were several times that I wanted to put this book down. I really had to force myself to stay with the read. It wasn't just that this book is self-help, a lot of the advice contained in the pages struck me as... well, obvious. The book is broken down into 52 principles that will guide one toward "success and happiness", and really, being more effective and efficient in your own life. The idea is great! Who doesn't want to be more efficient and successful? And the author himself has had numerous experiences in his own life that validate his ability to give this type of advice. But, to the obvious...
The principles start off as a guide to the reader on how to be successful... "set goals, make an action plan, reflect weekly on your goals, break bad habits etc". To me: yeah... duh. Elementary students learn these principles.
As the book goes further, the principles struck me simply as filler to make a complete novel. One piece of advice that is given is "take a shower every day". Um.
I just didn't find anything in the book to be particularly original or ground-breaking; I certainly wasn't motivated to start employing the principles in my own life. I have no doubt that employing one of the 52 principles weekly for a year into your life would do you any harm, and you would probably benefit - but changing your whole life around and achieving "success"? I'm just not sold.
November 25, 2017
This isn’t a book you can read through like a novel. I will even say that some parts may be difficult for you to read. I grew up when I was younger thinking that most everyone around me was much more talented than I was. That is unless you talked about teaching. I wanted to be a teacher from fourth grade on. I was positive I would be a teacher, even when my family and friends told me all the reasons I didn’t want to be a teacher. The way we see and react to life shapes us. The principles in this book were not new to me. I grew up from my teens on reading self-help and positive thinking books. However, I never applied all the things I learned. In Roy’s book, the first principle he mentions is forgiving those who don’t deserve it. After reading that section I realized that I and my husband were both letting a situation hold us back. Instead of forgiving those involved we felt didn’t deserve it, we actually used it as an excuse. That was the hardest principle to work on.
For years I let the fear of failure hold me back. Then I learned about Thomas Edison and how many times he failed in his attempts to make a working lightbulb. His attitude was he wasn’t a failure, he just learned that many ways that it wouldn’t work. As a teacher I am familiar with creating action plans. Since I am a National Board Certified Teacher and I teach at an IB school reflection has been a part of my life. We teach our students to reflect on their work daily, weekly, etc. I and my fellow co-workers do the same. This is probably the most important part of my job. However, I’ve also moved it into my personal life as well. Principle # 13 was important to me for a multitude of reasons. Compartmentalizing teaches you to be fully present when attending a task. I have learned how to do that. But something Roy said rang so true in so many ways. He talked about how watching a TV program when someone keeps talking to you makes it harder for you to focus. I have an elderly mother who lives with me and this happens quite often when I am sitting in the same room with her trying to work or watch the news. But it took reading this book for me to realize that I do this to my students. I give them a task, check for clarification, set them to work and the every once in a while I say something to them that pulls them right out of their work. This is something I am definitely working on correcting.
I laughed when I read that Principle #12 was “Make a Calendar�. My family and co-workers tease me about my calendars. Yes, I have one for my job, and one for my life. I even keep both together on an online calendar. But, at the beginning of my summer break I discovered something on my online calendar that changed my life. It was a simple button called “Tasks�. I had always ignored it. It combined several things into one. It allowed me to get rid of my plethora of lists that I kept with each calendar. Now I can schedule it on my online calendar and prioritize things by creating a “Tasks� list. Those who tease me about having two physical calendars don’t understand that if I have no access to my online calendar, I at least have the safety net of my physical ones. We each must find what works for us. Roy’s book is a list of great principals. What makes his book stand out from so many others are the personal stories and lessons that go along with them. Those will resonate with you in so many ways.
Other principles that I found of value was # 15 “Learn to Say No� and # 49 “Identify your weaknesses. These two have always been my problem, and then I would get overwhelmed. We got a new assistant principal last year. It was a particularly rough year for me. As department chair I took on all the tasks of my entirely new department. It actually backfired because I was not able to do everyone else’s job and mine and do them adequately. My AP is the one who helped me learn to say No. He literally would step in and tell people no on my behalf until I became strong enough to do it on my own. It was him who pointed out that this was the only weakness he saw in me. I take everything he says and truly think about it. Then I work on those areas that I know to be weaknesses.
Another principle was to choose to be happy. I have always tried to be happy. One of the reasons I allowed myself to feel like I was less talented than others in my family was because of something that happened in my family when I was a young teen. Some in my family belittled me because of the way I chose to handle the situation. It was a very depressing and devastating situation and I chose to move beyond it and be happy. For others in my family it became all consuming and created anger and bitterness. I learned a long time ago to choose happy. That doesn’t mean I am never sad.
Finally #�50 and 51 meant a lot to me. Number 50 says to do something small, but do it daily. For me that is writing. I don’t care if it is a poem. I couple of lines in my work in progress. I continually add to it each and every day. The other important one was # 51 which was Don’t give up when you get off track. Life will pull you off track. The trick is to work to get back on. This has probably been the most beneficial of all of his principles. People fail in life because they get off track and give up. I choose not to give up. I have a student who was involved in a terrible accident last year. He missed most of the school year. Then had to be homeschooled for the rest of the year. He was comparing himself to other students in the classroom. I reminded him that after his accident we didn’t know if he would survive. He had to learn to walk and talk all over again. He can’t process things the way he used to. However, he has learned to break things down into little pieces and continue to move forward. I reminded him of the tortoise and the hare. He smiled and said, “the tortoise won because he kept moving forward.� We have a right to not only read and learn from these principles but we have an obligation through our words and actions to share these principles with those around us.
I highly recommend this book. It is a book I will refer back to often because there is so much to be learned and reminded of with this book.
I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
For years I let the fear of failure hold me back. Then I learned about Thomas Edison and how many times he failed in his attempts to make a working lightbulb. His attitude was he wasn’t a failure, he just learned that many ways that it wouldn’t work. As a teacher I am familiar with creating action plans. Since I am a National Board Certified Teacher and I teach at an IB school reflection has been a part of my life. We teach our students to reflect on their work daily, weekly, etc. I and my fellow co-workers do the same. This is probably the most important part of my job. However, I’ve also moved it into my personal life as well. Principle # 13 was important to me for a multitude of reasons. Compartmentalizing teaches you to be fully present when attending a task. I have learned how to do that. But something Roy said rang so true in so many ways. He talked about how watching a TV program when someone keeps talking to you makes it harder for you to focus. I have an elderly mother who lives with me and this happens quite often when I am sitting in the same room with her trying to work or watch the news. But it took reading this book for me to realize that I do this to my students. I give them a task, check for clarification, set them to work and the every once in a while I say something to them that pulls them right out of their work. This is something I am definitely working on correcting.
I laughed when I read that Principle #12 was “Make a Calendar�. My family and co-workers tease me about my calendars. Yes, I have one for my job, and one for my life. I even keep both together on an online calendar. But, at the beginning of my summer break I discovered something on my online calendar that changed my life. It was a simple button called “Tasks�. I had always ignored it. It combined several things into one. It allowed me to get rid of my plethora of lists that I kept with each calendar. Now I can schedule it on my online calendar and prioritize things by creating a “Tasks� list. Those who tease me about having two physical calendars don’t understand that if I have no access to my online calendar, I at least have the safety net of my physical ones. We each must find what works for us. Roy’s book is a list of great principals. What makes his book stand out from so many others are the personal stories and lessons that go along with them. Those will resonate with you in so many ways.
Other principles that I found of value was # 15 “Learn to Say No� and # 49 “Identify your weaknesses. These two have always been my problem, and then I would get overwhelmed. We got a new assistant principal last year. It was a particularly rough year for me. As department chair I took on all the tasks of my entirely new department. It actually backfired because I was not able to do everyone else’s job and mine and do them adequately. My AP is the one who helped me learn to say No. He literally would step in and tell people no on my behalf until I became strong enough to do it on my own. It was him who pointed out that this was the only weakness he saw in me. I take everything he says and truly think about it. Then I work on those areas that I know to be weaknesses.
Another principle was to choose to be happy. I have always tried to be happy. One of the reasons I allowed myself to feel like I was less talented than others in my family was because of something that happened in my family when I was a young teen. Some in my family belittled me because of the way I chose to handle the situation. It was a very depressing and devastating situation and I chose to move beyond it and be happy. For others in my family it became all consuming and created anger and bitterness. I learned a long time ago to choose happy. That doesn’t mean I am never sad.
Finally #�50 and 51 meant a lot to me. Number 50 says to do something small, but do it daily. For me that is writing. I don’t care if it is a poem. I couple of lines in my work in progress. I continually add to it each and every day. The other important one was # 51 which was Don’t give up when you get off track. Life will pull you off track. The trick is to work to get back on. This has probably been the most beneficial of all of his principles. People fail in life because they get off track and give up. I choose not to give up. I have a student who was involved in a terrible accident last year. He missed most of the school year. Then had to be homeschooled for the rest of the year. He was comparing himself to other students in the classroom. I reminded him that after his accident we didn’t know if he would survive. He had to learn to walk and talk all over again. He can’t process things the way he used to. However, he has learned to break things down into little pieces and continue to move forward. I reminded him of the tortoise and the hare. He smiled and said, “the tortoise won because he kept moving forward.� We have a right to not only read and learn from these principles but we have an obligation through our words and actions to share these principles with those around us.
I highly recommend this book. It is a book I will refer back to often because there is so much to be learned and reminded of with this book.
I received a copy to facilitate my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
December 15, 2018
Great Tips, Quick to Read & Implement
I loved that it was clear Huff was writing from a place of understanding. There were some principles I didn’t agree with, and that’s totally okay. I’m younger than he was when he wrote this book. I’ve also read other books that have helped me in other ways I’ve found effective already. And finally, we are two different people. Not everything is universal. However, unlike other books in this category, this is one I could see myself coming back to as a refresher, so I definitely recommend it.
I loved that it was clear Huff was writing from a place of understanding. There were some principles I didn’t agree with, and that’s totally okay. I’m younger than he was when he wrote this book. I’ve also read other books that have helped me in other ways I’ve found effective already. And finally, we are two different people. Not everything is universal. However, unlike other books in this category, this is one I could see myself coming back to as a refresher, so I definitely recommend it.
May 4, 2018
“Think Smart Not Hard: 52 Key Principles To Success and Happiness� is a wonderful book, to say the least. I think everyone should read it. No matter where you are in life, you can always improve, and that’s something we should all strive for, always. We should never become complacent, we can always do better. I found this book to be very insightful and I would definitely recommend it to anyone. It’s not your usual “self-help� book. It’s not that at all. It’s a practical guide to help you get yourself on the right path. Mr. Huff put a lot of hard work and effort into this book, and it’s clear to see that on each page. He implemented excellent ideas from known-to-work strategies. He spent time getting real information from real people that has proven to be practical, and he very eloquently presents the information in a manner that just makes sense. I couldn’t have thought of a better name for this book because this is one simple thing it teaches you to do, to think smarter —rather than worrying and exerting so much energy when you can just learn to “think smart�. It helps you learn to declutter your mind and better equip yourself with positivity vs negative energy, and helps diminish the feeling that you are a failure or an outcast because you aren't where you want to be or think you should be. You are supposed to be where you are right now, and this book will help you take the tools you already have (though you likely don't realize it yet) and get yourself to higher ground. You will be very glad you read it. It gave me much needed insight that I had been searching for to no avail. I was grasping at straws, feeling hopeless and nearly to the point of giving up, but this book really helped me put things into perspective. It shed a new light on things I already knew and didn’t even realize I did, and gave a fresh insight into many areas of my life. It has opened so many doors for me, and even helped me learn to use my mind in different ways. I am now on a new path in life and couldn’t be happier. I know that this book was the main fuel that got me out of the sinking ship I was in and back on solid ground. I’m very grateful that this book was introduced to me when it was, which was not long after it was released. I had been feeling so helpless, hopeless, and was just about ready to throw in the towel. I’ve read several books that claim to help you find direction and reach your goals, but none have helped me like this. In fact, this is the only book that has helped me with this. I cannot say enough about how great it is, and I think whether you’re trying to find your place in the world or if you’re already happy where you are; you will benefit from this book in ways that you never thought were possible.
June 19, 2018
What I like the most about this book is it “visualizes� the good things we often fail to put in practice in real
If I really become successful myself in the field where my passion belongs since I am actually starting something I've never tried before, it will be all thanks to the author and his great motivation skill.
I’ve been told that Successful Business 101 is to have a mentor who’s already achieved what you wanna make in your future. Whatever dreams and goals you have, I can tell this book could be your mentor as it has become mine.
The book is very realistic. It doesn’t hook up the readers with sugar-coated words. Actually it gets better and more realistic, yet possible, as you flip through the pages towards the end.
After I closed the book I wondered how many related books the author had to read after so many failures and hardships throughout his life he had experienced himself in order to complete this book. How many times has he had to get through this process: Failure, regret (with sulking a bit, but not giving up), deep self-reflection and thoughts, coming up with solutions to try, test tries and finally confirming to have overcome his mistake maybe after more failures during the tries? He has survived and become successful at the end (after three bankruptcies), and so learned the principles out of his long struggle that’d keep us survive as well.
It’s full of real lessons learned from honest and heartfelt personal stories of his own! I feel like I’m witnessing another living example like the historical figures from my books.
The best about this book is it “visualizes� the things we never practice while we all know they are good things for us, thus makes them more feasible for us to actually try ourselves.
It’s a great book with a lot of practically motivating advices with secrets that the author willingly shares with the readers to fulfill his last principle himself (Principle #52: Share with Others). Definitely this book is not for the lucky few who have been born successful, but for all the people, including the author himself, who have to overcome failures at some point in our lives.
It's a great book, not only for individuals, but for business owners and executives. I also recommend this book to the leaders of our nation who really want some sincere respect from the nation while they are not really aware of their place, but distracted spending too much of their precious public time for their own minute, personal issues. This book will help them make the country and the world better, and so they will earn their respect.
If I really become successful myself in the field where my passion belongs since I am actually starting something I've never tried before, it will be all thanks to the author and his great motivation skill.
I’ve been told that Successful Business 101 is to have a mentor who’s already achieved what you wanna make in your future. Whatever dreams and goals you have, I can tell this book could be your mentor as it has become mine.
The book is very realistic. It doesn’t hook up the readers with sugar-coated words. Actually it gets better and more realistic, yet possible, as you flip through the pages towards the end.
After I closed the book I wondered how many related books the author had to read after so many failures and hardships throughout his life he had experienced himself in order to complete this book. How many times has he had to get through this process: Failure, regret (with sulking a bit, but not giving up), deep self-reflection and thoughts, coming up with solutions to try, test tries and finally confirming to have overcome his mistake maybe after more failures during the tries? He has survived and become successful at the end (after three bankruptcies), and so learned the principles out of his long struggle that’d keep us survive as well.
It’s full of real lessons learned from honest and heartfelt personal stories of his own! I feel like I’m witnessing another living example like the historical figures from my books.
The best about this book is it “visualizes� the things we never practice while we all know they are good things for us, thus makes them more feasible for us to actually try ourselves.
It’s a great book with a lot of practically motivating advices with secrets that the author willingly shares with the readers to fulfill his last principle himself (Principle #52: Share with Others). Definitely this book is not for the lucky few who have been born successful, but for all the people, including the author himself, who have to overcome failures at some point in our lives.
It's a great book, not only for individuals, but for business owners and executives. I also recommend this book to the leaders of our nation who really want some sincere respect from the nation while they are not really aware of their place, but distracted spending too much of their precious public time for their own minute, personal issues. This book will help them make the country and the world better, and so they will earn their respect.
July 18, 2017
I was drawn to this book by the title--Think Smart Not Hard. My late husband often said, "Work smarter, not harder," so the advice was familiar. During my seven-plus decades of life, I have read many self-help books, but at my age I am not nearly as interested in setting goals and striving for success. I am blessed to be able to do what I love (I have long ago done as this book suggests and found my passion in life) and am not striving for fame and fortune. So the advice is not nearly as useful to me as it will be to a young adult or a middle-aged person.
Most of the 52 principles are things I've read in other self-help books, but they are neatly organized. Usually people giving advice on time management, success, or productivity suggest that you start the day with your important task and leave the routine, daily tasks until after you've done the most important thing toward achieving your goal. That has never worked for me because if I jump right into a writing or editing project, I am distracted wondering if I'm overlooking an important email or significant phone call. And I'm not a morning person, so it's best for me to start with mundane tasks and work on my most important projects in the early afternoon when I'm most productive. I was pleased to see that the author recommended that you find your most productive time of day and work on your important task then. Having found that to work best for me, I agree with his suggestion and was pleased to read this contrarian approach.
People who are just starting or on the road to success will find this practical advice useful.
I received a copy of the book from the author, but I voluntarily wrote the review, which expresses my honest opinion.
Most of the 52 principles are things I've read in other self-help books, but they are neatly organized. Usually people giving advice on time management, success, or productivity suggest that you start the day with your important task and leave the routine, daily tasks until after you've done the most important thing toward achieving your goal. That has never worked for me because if I jump right into a writing or editing project, I am distracted wondering if I'm overlooking an important email or significant phone call. And I'm not a morning person, so it's best for me to start with mundane tasks and work on my most important projects in the early afternoon when I'm most productive. I was pleased to see that the author recommended that you find your most productive time of day and work on your important task then. Having found that to work best for me, I agree with his suggestion and was pleased to read this contrarian approach.
People who are just starting or on the road to success will find this practical advice useful.
I received a copy of the book from the author, but I voluntarily wrote the review, which expresses my honest opinion.
June 25, 2017
This book if one adheres is a sure method to achieving the desires whether happiness or goals leading to them. Roy takes you through the principles of key attributes needed with an ease that one can relate distinctly with the incidents in ones life. The principles are not something that one wouldn’t have heard, however they are articulated in a manner one would realize its importance. Roy has taken direction and guidance to a level which is easy to comprehend and also implement with ease if one is looking for guidance in realizing their goals. Each of the key ingredients are important and the sequence and importance of each are given with some basic ingredients that need to be adhered to at all times. Keeping integrity as a key constituent to follow the principles when you are at it is given right at the beginning.It is a choice in the beginning one has to make in order to realize the dream if one wants to follow or not but it sure is something that Roy has tried and followed meticulously in realizing his. The book may or not be for you but certainly someone you think who needs it can be introduced to it. This book will help channelize ones energy in an organized manner to achieve the goal whether short or long term.
August 3, 2017
This book is a gold mine of useful information. There are keys such as avoid self-defeating behaviors and learn from failure, don"t quit. There is also a sprinkling of financial wisdom, not only from his personal experiences, but financial wisdom from respected figures whose contributions he properly acknowledges. Roy Huff's book is not preachy. It is just the opposite. He lays bare his own personal failures, which were many. However, you can't help but be impressed by how a person with a poor start in life earned five degrees and two graduate degrees and then went on to success. His success was not linear. I believe his work as a research scientist informed his approach to the book. It is as though his life was an experiment and he reports the results to his readers to help them avoid pitfalls and failures that he temporarily succumbed to in his life journey. I agree with Roy that there is no excuse for not implementing at least some of the 52 principles he outlines in his book. Buy this book and find areas that you can apply to your life to think smart, not hard in your own journey.
June 19, 2017
Practical and Broad Tips
This is a good book for anyone seeking to improve their goals: personal, work or entrepreneurial. While the information is not necessarily new, it is presented clearly and the author uses his own personal experience to demonstrate the principles in action. He also lists all his sources by chapter so if a particular principle is interesting, the reader can look into it further. He also suggests that principles can be read according to one's interest, but I appreciated how they build one upon the others. You might find some areas of less interest, but I liked the author's suggestion to focus on ones that might need improving. Much of the book was validating and some of it felt uncomfortable, but I think those feelings are good clues to what is working and what I could work on more. Take time to read and process. It's clear and easy to read, but you'll want take your time to consider and apply the principles to your own life, work and goals.
This is a good book for anyone seeking to improve their goals: personal, work or entrepreneurial. While the information is not necessarily new, it is presented clearly and the author uses his own personal experience to demonstrate the principles in action. He also lists all his sources by chapter so if a particular principle is interesting, the reader can look into it further. He also suggests that principles can be read according to one's interest, but I appreciated how they build one upon the others. You might find some areas of less interest, but I liked the author's suggestion to focus on ones that might need improving. Much of the book was validating and some of it felt uncomfortable, but I think those feelings are good clues to what is working and what I could work on more. Take time to read and process. It's clear and easy to read, but you'll want take your time to consider and apply the principles to your own life, work and goals.
December 13, 2017
In the very beginning, in introduction itself, the tone of the book is set. Roy Huff quotes Leonardo Da Vinci- “Being willing is not enough; we must do.�
Reading this book will not help you as much as taking action upon the 52 principles listed in the book will. This is a book not meant to ‘go through� in one sitting or two, it’s a book that needs to be made a part of the lifestyle, which of course comes with practice and takes time. It’s about developing habit of thinking smart.
The style of the book is colloquial, and the tone is light hearted. Nowhere you feel ideas are being thrown upon you, but you feel as if the writer is leading you from one step to the other by hand. On the way, examples from the writer’s life make you feel that you are not alone in your (mis)adventures. Given all this, this book is a delight to read.
Reading this book will not help you as much as taking action upon the 52 principles listed in the book will. This is a book not meant to ‘go through� in one sitting or two, it’s a book that needs to be made a part of the lifestyle, which of course comes with practice and takes time. It’s about developing habit of thinking smart.
The style of the book is colloquial, and the tone is light hearted. Nowhere you feel ideas are being thrown upon you, but you feel as if the writer is leading you from one step to the other by hand. On the way, examples from the writer’s life make you feel that you are not alone in your (mis)adventures. Given all this, this book is a delight to read.
Read
August 20, 2017Roy Huff has boiled down a lot of common sense wisdom into 52 bite sized pieces that anyone can use. Being a scientist, his writing is clear and precise without a lot of fluff. It may be easy to say, "Well, of course, I know that," but Mr. Huff has a way of pointing out the difference between knowing what is the best thing to do and actually taking action.
I think that anyone, regardless of their position in life, would be able to benefit from reading this book.
Professionally written and easy to understand.
I think that anyone, regardless of their position in life, would be able to benefit from reading this book.
Professionally written and easy to understand.
August 14, 2017
Roy Huff has created an excellent manual for achieving success and happiness. He provides 52 principles, along with a wealth of tools and resources, and recommendations for further reading from other notable authors. I recommend this book for high-school and college students as well as for life-long learners.
November 3, 2017
Not a bad book. The ideas/principles in this book are well-known if you have some common sense. However, a friendly reminder always helps to focus again on these tips.
December 28, 2017
Great Advice that “smarts� and Helps!
Think Smart Not Hard is one of the most insightful and easily applicable self-help books I have read.
Roy Huff is an interesting author with an exceptionally eclectic past. If the reader merely picks up this book and begins to read it without doing some cursory research into who Roy Huff is, the reader will come away with a very wrong impression on who the author is and the true tenor of this book.
Think Smart lives up to its title through the transparency of the author. The real value of this book goes far beyond the points Huff desires to impart. The value of this book is often found within his points in his own innate observations—often of himself! In his opening chapter under his third principle, Huff makes the statement, “The possibility of success can produce its own fear, which is born of people’s worry that their success is undeserved.� Giving these types of insights helps the reader to defeat much of the negative thoughts which often occlude our attempts to succeed!
There is great common sense (which is far too uncommon today) within this book. The principles of his book make sense, but more importantly, they logically flow together. They are a reflection not just of Huff’s own experience, but they are also a conglomeration of shared wisdom—and no, Huff is not merely repeating and regurgitating the ideas of others. He does cite the work of others, but he manages to speak truth which is recognized by those who have tried and failed for themselves�.ad nauseam.
One of the seminal aspects of this book is his ability to essentially trash many assumptions people have about work and life! For example, on p.40 he writes, “One of the best ways to be singular and focused on your task is to stop multitasking� (emphasis added). When you read this, the reader almost has a “duh� moment because the truth of his statement becomes immediately real! I think multitasking is a lie procrastinators tell themselves in order for their conscience to be salved as they are busily not accomplishing their tasks!
In the fourth chapter the author introduces the “Pareto Principle� where he points out, �80% of the tasks you do only get you 20% of the results.� It is Huff’s ability to speak to the very problems everyone faces in their lives as they seek to find the success. The manner in which he addresses our problems (which we have blissfully become inured to) make them obvious and fixable.
Roy Huff’s life is worthy of admiration. Yet someone who has overcome great personal difficulty and then found success—personal, financial and professional—is not in itself a good reason to read their book. Books must address our problems, the ones to which we relate. Huff manages to balance his transparency with applicable humor and truth which produces principles the reader can not only find relation to, but also easily apply in their own life situation.
So are there any negative aspects in this book? Structurally, Huff has written an exceedingly applicable book with principles that can be easily applied to many life situations. The only weakness is perhaps in the center one-third of the book where his life-examples and references seem to slow the reader down. I found this section somewhat “overly full of detail,� yet because the material leading up to this section was extremely useful, it is an easy passage through this “slower� section.
This, I believe, is Row Huff’s first foray into the self-help genre. His fiction and fantasy works are exceedingly entertaining and the detail he uses there contributes to their success. I believe this book ends (the last half) with some phenomenally useful material. When the reader finishes this book, the weaknesses fade away in the satisfying glow of the wisdom and practicality Huff has imparted.
Think Smart Not Hard: 52 Key Principles to Success and Happiness is a top notch “self-help� book which would be better described as a “self-correcting book!� Much of Huff’s “smart� is going to hurt! His advice is sound, solidly based on logic and mature thought, clearly expressed so as to be easily implemented, but the advice in this book, if followed, will result in the desired change.
Yet also keep this in mind: change comes neither easily nor painlessly! Huff provides plenty of personal context to see what he has experienced —good and bad—and the reader must not miss the necessity of this insight. Yet the truths of this book border on profound; not because they have never been uttered before, but rather, they are spoken with clarity and with “smarts!� Great book!
Think Smart Not Hard is one of the most insightful and easily applicable self-help books I have read.
Roy Huff is an interesting author with an exceptionally eclectic past. If the reader merely picks up this book and begins to read it without doing some cursory research into who Roy Huff is, the reader will come away with a very wrong impression on who the author is and the true tenor of this book.
Think Smart lives up to its title through the transparency of the author. The real value of this book goes far beyond the points Huff desires to impart. The value of this book is often found within his points in his own innate observations—often of himself! In his opening chapter under his third principle, Huff makes the statement, “The possibility of success can produce its own fear, which is born of people’s worry that their success is undeserved.� Giving these types of insights helps the reader to defeat much of the negative thoughts which often occlude our attempts to succeed!
There is great common sense (which is far too uncommon today) within this book. The principles of his book make sense, but more importantly, they logically flow together. They are a reflection not just of Huff’s own experience, but they are also a conglomeration of shared wisdom—and no, Huff is not merely repeating and regurgitating the ideas of others. He does cite the work of others, but he manages to speak truth which is recognized by those who have tried and failed for themselves�.ad nauseam.
One of the seminal aspects of this book is his ability to essentially trash many assumptions people have about work and life! For example, on p.40 he writes, “One of the best ways to be singular and focused on your task is to stop multitasking� (emphasis added). When you read this, the reader almost has a “duh� moment because the truth of his statement becomes immediately real! I think multitasking is a lie procrastinators tell themselves in order for their conscience to be salved as they are busily not accomplishing their tasks!
In the fourth chapter the author introduces the “Pareto Principle� where he points out, �80% of the tasks you do only get you 20% of the results.� It is Huff’s ability to speak to the very problems everyone faces in their lives as they seek to find the success. The manner in which he addresses our problems (which we have blissfully become inured to) make them obvious and fixable.
Roy Huff’s life is worthy of admiration. Yet someone who has overcome great personal difficulty and then found success—personal, financial and professional—is not in itself a good reason to read their book. Books must address our problems, the ones to which we relate. Huff manages to balance his transparency with applicable humor and truth which produces principles the reader can not only find relation to, but also easily apply in their own life situation.
So are there any negative aspects in this book? Structurally, Huff has written an exceedingly applicable book with principles that can be easily applied to many life situations. The only weakness is perhaps in the center one-third of the book where his life-examples and references seem to slow the reader down. I found this section somewhat “overly full of detail,� yet because the material leading up to this section was extremely useful, it is an easy passage through this “slower� section.
This, I believe, is Row Huff’s first foray into the self-help genre. His fiction and fantasy works are exceedingly entertaining and the detail he uses there contributes to their success. I believe this book ends (the last half) with some phenomenally useful material. When the reader finishes this book, the weaknesses fade away in the satisfying glow of the wisdom and practicality Huff has imparted.
Think Smart Not Hard: 52 Key Principles to Success and Happiness is a top notch “self-help� book which would be better described as a “self-correcting book!� Much of Huff’s “smart� is going to hurt! His advice is sound, solidly based on logic and mature thought, clearly expressed so as to be easily implemented, but the advice in this book, if followed, will result in the desired change.
Yet also keep this in mind: change comes neither easily nor painlessly! Huff provides plenty of personal context to see what he has experienced —good and bad—and the reader must not miss the necessity of this insight. Yet the truths of this book border on profound; not because they have never been uttered before, but rather, they are spoken with clarity and with “smarts!� Great book!
July 5, 2017
As you read this amazing story of human endurance and family loving support, be prepared to come alongside the daily medical care and testing that allowed this young girl to survive with a series of critical illnesses, blessing those around her with inspiration and hope. Despite eventually with liver disease that limited her life to just 21 years, for those years this awesome example of spirit overcoming pain and adversity made for a full life even with that span of fulfilled living.
The author, writing lovingly through the recollection and notes of Chelsea’s mother and then his own first hand engagement with that family, we feel the pain, both of patient and family, as he details the medical treatments, often on daily and even an hour by hour basis, detailed down to the dosages and names of the life extending meds. With tests and results shared, the reader is offered a very personal insight into that illness and its complications that span many - yet too few - years with Chelsea’s experience from onset with a liver tumor at age 4 (in 1995) through her final 21st year undergoing a 2nd liver transplant � her first being a partial living liver donation from her mother in �99 - a full life made possible thanks to all that support.
Chelsea’s life and new lasting family mission is to raise awareness of the need for organ donors, her life being a testimony to the success and benefits of sharing one’s organs with others in need after we no longer need them after death, or to share our organs in living donation sometimes possible with kidneys, livers and even lungs. In this effort, Chelsea’s life impact continues even beyond her life though this book and her inspiring life story living through and overcoming so many life threatening health challenges. To balance the tough parts, the author shares Chelsea’s times of fun and laughter. Her endurance and many talents take her even into college in 2011 despite so many years of hospitalizations and fighting long-term illnesses. Her life ended before getting into a full college life due to liver failure and a failed liver transplant in February of 2013.
The author concludes several chapters with reflections of advice taken from the pressure of being a single parent living with the daily pressures and stress of supporting long-term life-threatening children’s illness as this mother has. A final chapter adds personal insights into the tragic experience of losing a child, a powerful read especially for families who share that in their own lives. Oh, and yes, family friend and supporter, author Steve Logston, does become romantically engaged with Chelsea’s mom, Joni, with their marriage living beyond the final chapters of ‘their� book together.
Steve summarizes his intent on writing this story as: “In reality an entire book or two could be written on all the medical things associated with Chelsea over the years. The intent was not to overly stress everything medical Chelsea had to endure, but rather to show her courage, acceptance, and understanding of everything that happened to her. Also I wanted to emphasize the courage and tenacity of Joni.� This is powerful reading for any family or medical professional looking for meaning in their own long-term medical life experiences. It also continues to be their lifetime work to promote organ awareness as a legacy to their very special girl � Chelsea!
Reviewer’s note: Reading this book was unlike any other I’ve read as I returned home from a life threatening hospital stay that involved many tests and similar � but not the exact same � dire prognosis and excellent care. It was like reading in yet another dimension, directly feeling and relating to Chelsea’s hospital care and more importantly, better appreciating the stress and concerns of the caregivers that is too often lost in the patient’s more immediate and important recovery self-focus. Thank you Steve and Joni, for adding your story to my own life experience through this heart felt book of life and endurance.
The author, writing lovingly through the recollection and notes of Chelsea’s mother and then his own first hand engagement with that family, we feel the pain, both of patient and family, as he details the medical treatments, often on daily and even an hour by hour basis, detailed down to the dosages and names of the life extending meds. With tests and results shared, the reader is offered a very personal insight into that illness and its complications that span many - yet too few - years with Chelsea’s experience from onset with a liver tumor at age 4 (in 1995) through her final 21st year undergoing a 2nd liver transplant � her first being a partial living liver donation from her mother in �99 - a full life made possible thanks to all that support.
Chelsea’s life and new lasting family mission is to raise awareness of the need for organ donors, her life being a testimony to the success and benefits of sharing one’s organs with others in need after we no longer need them after death, or to share our organs in living donation sometimes possible with kidneys, livers and even lungs. In this effort, Chelsea’s life impact continues even beyond her life though this book and her inspiring life story living through and overcoming so many life threatening health challenges. To balance the tough parts, the author shares Chelsea’s times of fun and laughter. Her endurance and many talents take her even into college in 2011 despite so many years of hospitalizations and fighting long-term illnesses. Her life ended before getting into a full college life due to liver failure and a failed liver transplant in February of 2013.
The author concludes several chapters with reflections of advice taken from the pressure of being a single parent living with the daily pressures and stress of supporting long-term life-threatening children’s illness as this mother has. A final chapter adds personal insights into the tragic experience of losing a child, a powerful read especially for families who share that in their own lives. Oh, and yes, family friend and supporter, author Steve Logston, does become romantically engaged with Chelsea’s mom, Joni, with their marriage living beyond the final chapters of ‘their� book together.
Steve summarizes his intent on writing this story as: “In reality an entire book or two could be written on all the medical things associated with Chelsea over the years. The intent was not to overly stress everything medical Chelsea had to endure, but rather to show her courage, acceptance, and understanding of everything that happened to her. Also I wanted to emphasize the courage and tenacity of Joni.� This is powerful reading for any family or medical professional looking for meaning in their own long-term medical life experiences. It also continues to be their lifetime work to promote organ awareness as a legacy to their very special girl � Chelsea!
Reviewer’s note: Reading this book was unlike any other I’ve read as I returned home from a life threatening hospital stay that involved many tests and similar � but not the exact same � dire prognosis and excellent care. It was like reading in yet another dimension, directly feeling and relating to Chelsea’s hospital care and more importantly, better appreciating the stress and concerns of the caregivers that is too often lost in the patient’s more immediate and important recovery self-focus. Thank you Steve and Joni, for adding your story to my own life experience through this heart felt book of life and endurance.
July 23, 2017
If I had merely listed the 52 key principles to success and happiness, there you have it, the whole summary of the book. The author shares some of his past experiences, which also helps readers relate. People tend to draw closer to those who share the same experiences and that makes us feel a bit better because we know that we’re not alone. However, that doesn't make a big difference because everyone does have past experiences of unfortunate losses and failures in life. The author explains the “how� through each step from writing your goals to budgeting your money to exercising to not give up. The principles are basically what you learn before from a leadership class or a career service worshop or from the Bible or television and social media or even from your aunties. It's nothing new.
This book or other self-help books is to encourage you to do the same. If they did it, if they found ways to live successfully and happily, that means you can to. Now, it doesn't necessarily mean you have to abide through the 52 key principles. Some of the principles may work for you, and some may not. It takes flexibility and time. It takes a lot of patience. Whatever works for you, whatever you think is best for you, you'll live the life you want. Not perfect because everyone's not perfect, even the rich people aren't perfect but fulfillment in life.
I agree that self-help books are influential and beneficial. Although, it's really obvious. I don't read a lot of self-help books to find success or happiness because, well, they don't really help me. Maybe for a few weeks or months, but I'm the type of person who doesn't follow routines because things just unexpectedly messes it up. For those who like to have a routine would find the book helpful. I also do like reading other people's experiences because it helps me relate to their experiences. Probably, if I came across this book couple of years ago when I was in depression, it would have motivated me to change. Some of the key principles were obvious and some of them were not necessary for me. I'll be like “Oh, I’ve been there� but then on some, I'll be like “meh.� But everyone has different thoughts and ways to live life.
Anyone can share you their experiences or guide you on how to live life, but the only motivation that will get you there is YOU. YOU have to TAKE ACTION. You have to WAKE UP and be SERIOUS that YOU want CHANGE. The book is not going to sprinkle pixie dust on you or have the author go military on you every 24 hours (just exaggerating). You can't just be moping around as a couch potato and comparing yourself to others. You have to stop and let go of all your negativity. YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.
The book may or may not inspire some people, but I think it is a great start for anyone, especially for those who have no idea where or how to start.
This book or other self-help books is to encourage you to do the same. If they did it, if they found ways to live successfully and happily, that means you can to. Now, it doesn't necessarily mean you have to abide through the 52 key principles. Some of the principles may work for you, and some may not. It takes flexibility and time. It takes a lot of patience. Whatever works for you, whatever you think is best for you, you'll live the life you want. Not perfect because everyone's not perfect, even the rich people aren't perfect but fulfillment in life.
I agree that self-help books are influential and beneficial. Although, it's really obvious. I don't read a lot of self-help books to find success or happiness because, well, they don't really help me. Maybe for a few weeks or months, but I'm the type of person who doesn't follow routines because things just unexpectedly messes it up. For those who like to have a routine would find the book helpful. I also do like reading other people's experiences because it helps me relate to their experiences. Probably, if I came across this book couple of years ago when I was in depression, it would have motivated me to change. Some of the key principles were obvious and some of them were not necessary for me. I'll be like “Oh, I’ve been there� but then on some, I'll be like “meh.� But everyone has different thoughts and ways to live life.
Anyone can share you their experiences or guide you on how to live life, but the only motivation that will get you there is YOU. YOU have to TAKE ACTION. You have to WAKE UP and be SERIOUS that YOU want CHANGE. The book is not going to sprinkle pixie dust on you or have the author go military on you every 24 hours (just exaggerating). You can't just be moping around as a couch potato and comparing yourself to others. You have to stop and let go of all your negativity. YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.
The book may or may not inspire some people, but I think it is a great start for anyone, especially for those who have no idea where or how to start.
August 8, 2017
Today I finished the book "Think Smart not hard" written by author Roy Huff.
I must be honest with you, I was sceptical when I was proposed to read this book. As you know from my previous videos, I do research on the author. I was sceptical because of the author, Roy Huff also writes Sci-Fi books....
Isn't Sci-Fi for those youngsters who would like to live in Star-Wars minded worlds, talking Clingon to each other? Meaning those Sci-Fi fan love everything except the real current world?
I am ashamed, after all this reading, I felt in the trap many books talk about, I judge from information not related to the subject :) This book is 100% worth reading!
First, big sorry to Mr Roy Huff, to be sceptical just because you write Sci-Fi books. I was wrong.
So why should you read this book? Simply because no one knows all the secrets to success or the answers to all your problem, but what is certain is that life is a direct consequence of the choice we make.
The book isn't a shortcut to hard work, it shows you in 52 principles how you can avoid unnecessary work, the book talks about how to build real trust, integrity, self-worth and healthy relationships in your personal and professional life.
The book isn't a get-rich-quickly guide, but I believe and I'm sure when you integrate those 52 principles, your success would come faster than you expect.
52 weeks in 1 year, adopt 1 principle ever week you will be a different person in exactly 1 year!
You don't have to agree with all the 52 principles, even if you use half of them, this book is worth reading
Another great part of the book is that author mixes his 52 principles with research done by others and his own experiences and he is very open about his business life as well. Which we don't see that often as we entrepreneurs need to keep the show going right......
Himself, Mr Huff, went through a divorce, bankruptcy, and much more and still succeeded. These are real stories of success and I found several great principles I will work on to succeed myself.
I can do this too, you can do this (Don't be the status quo)
We have so many things in our mind, those 52 principles explained in this book will guide you to rise above "being a normal entrepreneur"
To prove that this book review isn't just because I want to be Mr Nice Guy, I will start next week with a series of videos how those 52 principles will/has changed my life on YouTube
()
So what will you do next? Will you sit around and do nothing or will you decide to catapult your life into high gear and achieve your ideal self?
When you choose the latest, these 52 principles are a great start and you should start today
I must be honest with you, I was sceptical when I was proposed to read this book. As you know from my previous videos, I do research on the author. I was sceptical because of the author, Roy Huff also writes Sci-Fi books....
Isn't Sci-Fi for those youngsters who would like to live in Star-Wars minded worlds, talking Clingon to each other? Meaning those Sci-Fi fan love everything except the real current world?
I am ashamed, after all this reading, I felt in the trap many books talk about, I judge from information not related to the subject :) This book is 100% worth reading!
First, big sorry to Mr Roy Huff, to be sceptical just because you write Sci-Fi books. I was wrong.
So why should you read this book? Simply because no one knows all the secrets to success or the answers to all your problem, but what is certain is that life is a direct consequence of the choice we make.
The book isn't a shortcut to hard work, it shows you in 52 principles how you can avoid unnecessary work, the book talks about how to build real trust, integrity, self-worth and healthy relationships in your personal and professional life.
The book isn't a get-rich-quickly guide, but I believe and I'm sure when you integrate those 52 principles, your success would come faster than you expect.
52 weeks in 1 year, adopt 1 principle ever week you will be a different person in exactly 1 year!
You don't have to agree with all the 52 principles, even if you use half of them, this book is worth reading
Another great part of the book is that author mixes his 52 principles with research done by others and his own experiences and he is very open about his business life as well. Which we don't see that often as we entrepreneurs need to keep the show going right......
Himself, Mr Huff, went through a divorce, bankruptcy, and much more and still succeeded. These are real stories of success and I found several great principles I will work on to succeed myself.
I can do this too, you can do this (Don't be the status quo)
We have so many things in our mind, those 52 principles explained in this book will guide you to rise above "being a normal entrepreneur"
To prove that this book review isn't just because I want to be Mr Nice Guy, I will start next week with a series of videos how those 52 principles will/has changed my life on YouTube
()
So what will you do next? Will you sit around and do nothing or will you decide to catapult your life into high gear and achieve your ideal self?
When you choose the latest, these 52 principles are a great start and you should start today
February 14, 2018
The ultimate goal of this self-help book, "Think Smart Not Hard: 52 Key Principles to Success and Happiness," is becoming the ideal SELF in success and happiness. This book , says Author Roy Huff, "Will show you how to build integrity, self-worth, healthy relationships and improve your character. He explains the purpose of the book is "To impart the wisdom needed to harness the power of your skills."
Huff has several 'principles' that have merit such as the one on forgiveness for those who don't deserve it. Huff says, "By not forgiving someone, you allow them to enable their actions to have control over your thoughts." Other practical principles deal with healthy eating, exercise, getting enough rest, and breathing effectively. However, the majority of the principles are self-serving with the ultimate endeavor of being your ideal self at the cost of everything and everyone else. The principles take a non-relational approach. 'Self' is elevated and becomes the important one. Huff says, "What truly matters is the pursuit of your ideal self to be happy and successful and to maintain a willingness to accept responsibility and a desire to change."
Huff advocates being a good listener which requires that "You must care about people," and yet, in Principle #15, "Learn to Say No," Huff writes, "A first step should be to filter the number of requests. Have acquaintances or colleagues email a formal request. This lets people know you're important and your time is important. It will reduce the number of requests by upward of 90%. When you confront people with the truth that their need for your time wasn't that important, they reconsider and leave you alone."
Huff refers to positive self-talk in becoming your ideal self. He writes, "The best way you can help others and society is to focus on yourself and your skilled passions first." A large segment of the book deals with leveraging your time and energy using a complicated and time-consuming calendar to track your time and tasks of primary importance.
"Think Smart Not Hard" has as its primary audience the single, professional/business person who wants to find happiness and to be successful in their life and in their career. It offers little in the line of advice for those in a family structure or relationships in general. Huff's advice is: "If a program or book is full of faults or inferior concepts, feel free to drop it early and move on. Find the value and run with it."
I give "Think Smart Not Hard" by Roy Huff a 2.5 star rating mainly because it promotes and elevates Self above all else at the expense of all else.
Review by: Rita Kroon, author and weekly blogger at A Walk to the Well (awalktothewell.com)
Huff has several 'principles' that have merit such as the one on forgiveness for those who don't deserve it. Huff says, "By not forgiving someone, you allow them to enable their actions to have control over your thoughts." Other practical principles deal with healthy eating, exercise, getting enough rest, and breathing effectively. However, the majority of the principles are self-serving with the ultimate endeavor of being your ideal self at the cost of everything and everyone else. The principles take a non-relational approach. 'Self' is elevated and becomes the important one. Huff says, "What truly matters is the pursuit of your ideal self to be happy and successful and to maintain a willingness to accept responsibility and a desire to change."
Huff advocates being a good listener which requires that "You must care about people," and yet, in Principle #15, "Learn to Say No," Huff writes, "A first step should be to filter the number of requests. Have acquaintances or colleagues email a formal request. This lets people know you're important and your time is important. It will reduce the number of requests by upward of 90%. When you confront people with the truth that their need for your time wasn't that important, they reconsider and leave you alone."
Huff refers to positive self-talk in becoming your ideal self. He writes, "The best way you can help others and society is to focus on yourself and your skilled passions first." A large segment of the book deals with leveraging your time and energy using a complicated and time-consuming calendar to track your time and tasks of primary importance.
"Think Smart Not Hard" has as its primary audience the single, professional/business person who wants to find happiness and to be successful in their life and in their career. It offers little in the line of advice for those in a family structure or relationships in general. Huff's advice is: "If a program or book is full of faults or inferior concepts, feel free to drop it early and move on. Find the value and run with it."
I give "Think Smart Not Hard" by Roy Huff a 2.5 star rating mainly because it promotes and elevates Self above all else at the expense of all else.
Review by: Rita Kroon, author and weekly blogger at A Walk to the Well (awalktothewell.com)
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