The greatness guide Powerful secrets for getting to world class

Though Sharma rejects the guru label, it's hard not to think of the CEO of the training and coaching firm Sharma Leadership International that way after reading this slim volume of leadership and life advice. In two-page chapters with catchy titles and memorable anecdotes, this author of five bestsellers (The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, etc.) dishes out wisdom for white-collar professionals on everything from goal setting and time management to figuring out your talents. In a chapter called "Harvey Keitel and Windows of Opportunity," he tells how he saw the Reservoir Dogs star and walked in the other direction-not toward him, as he has with most celebrities-and his regret over not seizing that opportunity. In "Your Schedule Doesn't Lie," Sharma highlights the need to schedule things you really want to do in your life. In "Sell Your Desk," he advocates getting out of the office to become a better performer in business. A keen observer of life and business, Sharma frames his wisdom in a friendly, accessible way that will appeal to readers at every level of their careers. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

The Greatness Guide Powerful Secrets for Getting to World Class Chapter One I'm No Guru The media sometimes calls me a leadership (or self-help) "guru." I'm not. I'm just an ordinary guy who happens to have learned ideas and tools that have helped many human beings reach their best lives and many organizations get to world class. But I must be really clear: I'm no different from you. I have my struggles, my frustrations and my own fears--along with my hopes, goals and dreams. I've had good seasons and some deeply painful ones. I've made some spectacularly good choices and some outrageously bad mistakes. I'm very human--a work in progress. If I have ideas that you find insightful, please know it's simply because I spend my days focused on the knowledge you are about to experience. Thinking about practical ways to help you play your biggest game as a human being and reach greatness. Dwelling on how I can help companies get to the extraordinary. Do anything long enough and you'll get some depth of insight and understanding about it. Then they'll call you a guru. A man at a signing I did at a bookstore in Bangalore, India, heard me say, "I'm no guru." He came up to me and said: "Why are you so uncomfortable being called a guru? 'Gu' simply means 'darkness' in Sanskrit and 'ru' simple means 'dispel.' So the word 'guru' simply speaks of one who dispels the darkness and brings more understanding and light." Nice point. Made me think. I've had good seasons and some deeply painful ones. I've made some spectacularly good choices and some outrageously bad mistakes. I'm very human-a work in progress. I guess my discomfort stems from the fact that if you think I'm different from you, then you might say, "Well, I can't do the kinds of things Robin talks about because he has talents and abilities I don't have. All the stuff he talks about is easy for him to do. He's this guru." Nope. Sorry to disappoint you. I'm just a guy working hard to make the best of his days, trying to be a great single dad to my two wonderful children and hoping he's--in some way--making a difference in peoples' lives. No guru here. But I do like the "dispelling the darkness" point. Need to learn more about that one. Maybe some guru can help me. The Greatness Guide Powerful Secrets for Getting to World Class . Copyright © by Robin Sharma. Reprinted by permission of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Available now wherever books are sold. Excerpted from The Greatness Guide: 101 Lessons for Making What's Good in Life and at Work Even Better by Robin Sharma All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.