Title: 18 Minutes: Find Your Focus, Master Distraction, and Get the Right Things Done
Author: Peter Bregman
First published January 1, 2011
288 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780446583411 (ISBN10: 0446583413)
Rating: 3.8
Overview
Peter Bregman’s 18 Minutes offers a refreshing perspective on how to tackle the overwhelming distractions and endless to-do lists that plague our daily lives. Drawing from his popular Harvard Business Review columns, Bregman presents a practical and effective approach to help busy individuals cut through the noise and concentrate on what truly matters.
By creating intentional and productive distractions, readers will learn how to navigate the constant barrage of emails, texts, and meetings that threaten to derail their focus. With bite-sized chapters and real-life examples, Bregman’s book provides a clear roadmap to help readers find their way in just 18 minutes or less.
Whether you’re a busy executive, a stay-at-home parent, or anyone in between, 18 Minutes is the ultimate guide to mastering distractions and achieving your goals.
About the Author
Meet Peter Bregman, the CEO of Bregman Partners, Inc., a management consulting firm that advises CEOs and their leadership teams globally. Peter is a renowned speaker, writer, and consultant on leadership and life skills.
Peter has authored many books, including the award-winning book 18 Minutes: Find Your Focus, Master Distraction, and Get the Right Things Done. His book won the Gold Medal at the Axiom Business Book Awards and was named the best business book of the year on NPR.
Publisher’s Weekly and the New York Post also selected it as a top 10 business book of the year. He has also co-authored five other books, including Point B: A Short Guide to Leading a Big Change.
Peter’s work has been featured on PBS, ABC, and CNN, and he is a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Forbes, National Public Radio (NPR), Psychology Today, and CNN.
Peter started his career teaching leadership skills on wilderness and mountaineering expeditions. He then moved to the consulting field with the Hay Group and Accenture before starting Bregman Partners in 1998.
Peter has advised CEOs and senior leaders in many top organizations worldwide, including Allianz, American Express, Brunswick Group, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank, JPMorgan Chase, FEI, GE Capital, Merck, Clear Channel, Nike, UNICEF, and many others.
Peter’s work is based on the belief that an organization is a platform for talent. By unlocking the potential of each individual, aligning it with the organization’s vision and goals, they can thrive together.
Since 1989, Peter has trained and coached all levels of management and individuals to recognize their leadership, exhibit leadership behaviors, model and stimulate change, and foster their own development and growth as well as that of their teams and colleagues.
Peter earned his B.A. from Princeton University and his M.B.A. from Columbia University. He currently lives in New York City with his wife and three children.
You can reach him at [email protected].
Editoral Review
In “18 Minutes: Find Your Focus, Master Distraction, and Get the Right Things Done,” author Peter Bregman offers readers a practical guide to managing time effectively in order to achieve their goals. Published in 2011, this non-fiction work falls under the self-help genre, and its timely advice on productivity and focus still resonates with readers today.
Bregman, a management consultant and coach, draws on his own experiences as well as research in psychology and neuroscience to provide a comprehensive approach to time management. He argues that most people have trouble prioritizing their tasks and staying focused on what truly matters, which results in wasted time and energy.
To combat this, Bregman introduces his own “18-Minute Plan,” a daily routine that involves setting goals, reviewing progress, and making adjustments. By breaking down the day into manageable chunks and regularly assessing progress, he believes that anyone can become more productive and efficient.
While Bregman’s advice may seem simple at first glance, he delivers it with clarity and wit, using real-life examples to illustrate his points. He also acknowledges the challenges of implementing change in one’s habits and suggests ways to overcome common obstacles.
As a result, readers are likely to find the book both practical and inspiring. One of the strengths of “18 Minutes” is Bregman’s emphasis on mindfulness and self-reflection as key components of time management.
He argues that by cultivating awareness of one’s own tendencies and motivations, one can develop greater self-control and focus. This approach sets his book apart from many other time-management guides that rely solely on tips and tricks to boost productivity.
However, some readers may find Bregman’s style somewhat repetitive or overly simplistic. In his eagerness to emphasize the importance of his “18-Minute Plan,” he may come across as dogmatic or prescriptive.
Additionally, while the book is well-researched, some of the studies he cites have since been challenged or debunked. Overall, “18 Minutes” is a valuable addition to the self-help canon, offering readers a fresh perspective on time management and productivity.
While it may not be suitable for everyone, those who are willing to embrace Bregman’s approach are likely to benefit from his insights and guidance. On a scale of 1-5, I would give it a solid 4 stars.
