Cool Time – Steve Prentice

Wiley - £11.99

Buy it now from Blackwell Books

Oh no! Not another time management book!

Take heart. This book is a little different – no, a lot different.

First of all, it is not written in the same ‘tone’ as most; it is more about keeping cool than worrying about priorities and schedules. Mr Prentice’ premise is when you are mentally cool you make better decisions. Hard to argue with, but so what? The ‘so what’ is addressed in eighteen chapters over 230-odd pages.

Right at the start we get a really useful tool; a quick reference page. So, if you have an urgent need to deal with those unexpected visitors – check ‘Deal with drop-in visitors’ at page111. E-mails getting you down? See ‘Survive your e-mail Inbox’, page 129.

Early on in his book, the author addresses the reasons we have such problems with getting stuff done in the most productive way. (It’s all to do with the way we evolved apparently.) Then, by way of inventory, critical path, productivity and the ubiquitous ‘work-life balance’ we come to the ‘Change Statement’. Download it from Mr Prentice’ web site, fill in the blanks and begin to take control of your time.

There is much else of value in this entertaining and practical book. More than you would expect from its size. Worth while for anyone who struggles with time – and who doesn’t?