Not ground-breaking, but it has some strong learning points for the reader!
Customer Rating: 
I have just finished reading the foregoing book by Dr Les Parrott. Quite an entertaining book, I must say, despite the fact I have to go through all the seemingly endless anecdotes & stories.
In a nut shell, the whole book is all about the significance of a 'momentary pause', just 3 seconds, which can elevate one's entire life.
According to the book, 33 studies over 70 years have suggested that sticking to your first instinctual response (to any event, person or object) is not a smart approach.
It is the second impulse i.e. 3 seconds only, that reveals our freedom to excel - to move from 'whatever' to 'whatever it takes'. This epitomises what the authur calls the 'power of thinking twice'.
The author has very artfully as well as skilfully unpacked his book by outlining the six initial instincts which could sabotage our lives:
1) give up before trying;
2) shun a challenge;
3) settle for the status quo;
4) shirk responsibility;
5) do the mere minimum;
6) avoid taking action;
Reading this book reminds me in some ways of the fun book, '212: The Extra Degree', by Sam Parker. According to this book, when water is at 211 degrees F, it is hot, but when water is at 212 degrees F (equivalent to 100 degrees C), it boils!
The one small extra degree can make the big difference.
In other words, one small extra effort on your personal part can change your entire life!
I can't help bringing up the strategy of the '3 second rule', originally concocted by success coach, Patricia Fripp, as a self-enforced quiet - & yet very powerful prologue, acting just like a statute mime in the street corners of touristic cities - to an opening speech.
If you are a public speaker, you will truly appreciate the potency of the '3 second rule'.
Naturally, I am very sure all the gentlemen out there are already familiar with the '3 second rule' as a potential dating initiation opportunity.
Wow! 3 seconds, that's all we need. To think. To reflect. To realise. To resolve.
The 3-second book is very easy to read because of the succinct writing. What I also like about the book is the 'Questions for Personal Reflection' at the end of each chapter, which helps the reader to unpack the illustrated tools & strategies for immediate application in your life.
On the whole, this book may not be truly great or ground-breaking stuff, so to speak, but it has some strong learning points for the reader.
Two Good Reasons for Five Stars
Customer Rating: I think this is a five star book for two good reasons:
1) The author gives you practical self-talk phrases to replace common thinking that leads to pessimism.
These phrases are the answer to, "How do I become more optimistic?" For example, the phrase "I love a challenge" is useful as an alternative thought to "I don't know how I'll get through this". We know from years of psychological research and analysis that "what you repeat you believe" as long as the thing repeated is not countered with strong evidence. The reality is that by repeating to yourself "I love a challenge" you are likely to begin seeing challenges as positive instead of negative.
2) Chapter 3, It Takes 3 Seconds to Fuel Your Passion, is a ten star chapter by itself.
This chapter is one of the best summaries of developing passion that I've ever seen. I've told my seminar attendees for a decade now that your energy comes from your passion more than your plate. By this I mean that while eating right and exercising are important they do not give you the amazing energy of a driving passion. This chapter gives you the clear steps to creating passion. Get a vision "of the future that gives passion in the present." In other words, don't just envision "a" future, but envision a future that quickens your heartbeat and excites you to action. Purpose is the propelling force behind passion.
I often tell my students that purpose leads to passion. Passion leads to energy. Energy leads to action and actions produce results. It all starts with your vision or purpose.
This book was inspiring and I think you'll find it very helpful.
A Fresh Spin on an Enduring Message
Customer Rating: The essence of this book is not a new message, but the communicative skills of Les Parrott make its development an interesting read as he instructs us to take action and not be passive. It's the first part of the book that hooks the reader has he mysteriously refutes the myth that a person should rely on first instincts in making a decision. He cites studies that say that is bad advice. The "3 seconds" to which the title refers are the second guessing that follows that initial impulse. He says wiser decisions are made in that short time frame.
In the preface John Maxwell gives the book such a sales pitch it's difficult to resist finding out what the big discovery is that Dr. Parrott has made. At the heart of the message is something that is not surprising, be focused in your work. Don't be busy for the sake of activity, but zero in on the desired results and do what it takes to make them happen.
I like Parrott's Christian worldview, however, I am disappointed that authors like him use less than Christian examples to illustrate the principles they're trying to teach. A person can "perserve" for a terrible goal and achieve a result. The principle has been applied "successfully" but evil was accomplished. Knowing how to use a principle doesn't mean something worthwhile occurs.
On pages 171-172 I found the goal-setting method of Lou Holtz to be captivating. I also like the quote from William H. Murray on page 178, "The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too." I would add, provided that the commitment is aligned with God's will.
When I read about a man named "Winter" who was on a quest to consume coffee at a national chain and break a record, I wondered, what's the point? Turns out that is exactly the point Parrott was making, "WHO CARES????"!!! Busyness is not productivity.
