Book Review: Linchpin by Seth Godin

Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? by Seth Godin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The underlying message of this book, that you are going to have to hustle and work harder than ever in today’s economy, is fundamentally true. For stating the obvious Godin gets three stars. That said just about all the supporting messages are better expressed in other books. The benefits of giving more than you receive are explored better in Grant’s “Give and Take”. The guidelines for making choices are in the spirit of “The Four Agreements”. Because these are explored better in other books (these are just two examples) and the treatment here feels cribbed, I took away a star.

I took away another star for tangents and extreme statements that have no supporting evidence. For example, before you throw away your kid’s Candy Land because Godin thinks it reinforces repetitive behavior in children know that he’s not an early education expert. Plus learning to take turns is an important first step if you have any hope of “providing a unique interface between members of an organization”. Knowing primary colors might also help later on when expressing and developing that highly valued creativity. Straying off message like this is distracting to the reader.

In general, the book is short and straight forward enough to be an easy read and no real harm is done with this book. However, I don’t get what all the raving is about. Three Stars.


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Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

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Max Ehrmann, "Desiderata".^[1]

Pre School Reading Comprehension Exercise

Hello- I wanted to start making a note of some of the things I've learned. Here is a pre-school / kindergarten level reading comprehension exercise that I think is just awesome and fun.

Plus I'm a "mean mom" and want to make sure my kid is paying attention during story time!

Prep Time- About 8 minutes with the photocopier
Activity Interaction Time - About 12-16 minutes plus however long to read the book

1) Get a book with a plot (pick a book that has a story line, with a beginning, middle and end).
2) Read the book together. Here I'm illustrating the steps with "Where the Wild Things Are"

This exercise is best with a picture book that has a plot.

3) Photocopy some pages from the book that have the key points. No more than 4-6.

4) Lay them out but not in order.

5) Now you ask your kid, "Which came first?" Now if this is a little overwhelming, you can always narrow it down to a choice. So you would say, "What happened first in the story? Did Max make mischief of one kind or another, or did Max sail away?"

6) Have them select the appropriate page.

Here I've laid out the options on a table.

6. Pin them in order on a wall.
7. Repeat until they are all in order.

Here Matt and I are doing the exercise. He really enjoyed it!

This is a lot of fun.