Summary

"Required reading for professionals--and aspiring professionals--of all levels."

--Shirley Ann Jackson, President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Former Chairman of U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Robert C. Pozen, one of the business world's most successful--and productive--executives, reveals the surprising secrets to workplace productivity and high performance.

It's far too easy for working professionals to become overwhelmed by a pile of time-sensitive projects, a backlog of emails, and endless meetings. In order to be truly productive, they must make a critical shift in mindset from hours worked to results produced.

With Extreme Productivity, Pozen explains how individuals can maximize their time and energy by determining and focusing on their highest priorities. He also provides a toolkit of practical tips and techniques to help professionals at all stages of their careers maximize their time at work.

This essential handbook empowers every person with proven methods for prioritizing their time to achieve high-impact results and refine their career goals for long-term success, all while leading a full and meaningful personal life as well.

Publisher's Weekly Review

One thing working people can agree upon today is that time is an increasingly scarce commodity: there is always too much to do and not enough hours to do it. Enter Pozen, an uber-productive executive who manages two full-time jobs and numerous writing projects while maintaining a healthy relationship with his family. Like many other how-to books on increasing personal and organizational productivity, Pozen emphasizes three factors: "set and prioritize your goals," "focus on the final product," and "don't sweat the small stuff." He provides worthwhile guidance on everything from developing writing and public-speaking skills to managing institutional chains of command. Of particular value are chapters on common but mundane aspects of corporate life like office meetings--and why they should be avoided--and maintaining productive travel habits. Constant pressure and conflicting deadlines and priorities can derail even the most diligent worker, so Pozen's methods for retaining focus are invaluable. These tactics arm workers and managers alike with the means to handle distractions with minimal disruption. Filled with useful recommendations on a wide variety of topics, this book will find adherents at every level of the company org chart. Agent: Jim Levine, Levine Greenberg Literary Agency. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Booklist Review

Academic and former executive Pozen offers his set of recommendations on productivity, urging us to adopt a proper mind-set, to focus on the results we seek rather than the hours we work. He defines personal productivity as the quantity and quality of your results in achieving your own objectives. Presented in five parts, his advice and takeaway lessons include setting goals with specific priorities, focusing on final results, not sweating the small stuff, organizing your daily routine, improving reading comprehension, writing and speaking effectiveness, and long-term career decisions. His ideas are for all types of professionals, and he suggests action for certain stages of their careers. His insights on traveling effectively, embracing change, and balancing home and work are particularly valuable. He concludes, Regardless of your employer's culture, you can adopt most of the specific techniques in this book. . . . Ultimately, it is within your power to boost your results and reduce your working hours. An excellent how-to on personal productivity.--Whaley, Mary Copyright 2010 Booklist