From Publishers Weekly
Johnson's megaselling Who Moved My Cheese? helped readers cope with changes beyond their control. The author now proffers another easily digestible parable encompassing a related, but broader, topic: how to attain happiness and success in life. In large type that's easy on eyes both old and young (and that stretches this brief book past 100 pages), Johnson lays out a bare-bones tale of a man who learns a valuable lesson about living in the present from a wise old gent. Stuck in a rut in his job and personal life, the younger man learns about The Present, a three-fold way of living and working. Bit by bit, the old man explains how it works: in order to achieve bliss in life, it's important to pay equal attention to the past (learn from mistakes), the present (live in the moment) and the future (plan for it as best as possible, but don't "lose yourself in worry or anxiety"). The common-sense knowledge and concentration on living in the now lend a Zen feel to the story, and while Johnson's approach may border on the corny (everything runs smoothly for his characters, and they share with each other such tidbits as, "The Present is a gift you give to yourself. Only you have the power to discover what it is"), it's undeniably sound. Despite some awkward phrasings, Johnson's latest brims with good ideas for those feeling frustrated, stagnant, depressed or overwhelmed, and is bound to be embraced by the self-help-loving masses.Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
“Many of the people I have observed could have been even happier and more successful, in their careers and their lives, had they been given the gift of The Present.”
Norman Augustine, Fmr. Chairman and CEO, Lockheed Martin Corp.,
Fmr. Chairman, American Red Cross, Fmr. Lecturer, Princeton University
Review
?The Present is a powerful tool that we?re offering to our employees because, in these ever changing times, it can help talented people become more focused, ultimately leading to better overall performance.?
Phil Crippen, Director Iams University
The Iams Company, a Subsidiary of Procter & Gamble
?Like many organizations, we need ways to help our people work better and enjoy their lives, so I?m giving The Present to everyone on our management team.?
Carmen Policy, CEO
Cleveland Browns NFL Team
Book Description
A Timely Gift From the Author of Who Moved My Cheese?
Spencer Johnson, M.D.
Dr. Spencer Johnson’s stories of timeless, simple truths have changed the work and lives of millions of readers around the world. Now comes an insightful new tale of inspiration and practical guidance for these turbulent times.
The Present
The Present is the best gift you can receive because it makes you happy and successful!
Whether it means …
• Having peace of mind and feeling more alive; or
• Being more productive and more prosperous; or
• Finding whatever is important to you and to those you work and live with.The Present
The Gift that Makes You Happy and Successful at Work and in Life
For over two decades, Spencer Johnson has been inspiring and entertaining millions with his simple yet insightful stories of work and life that speak directly to the heart and soul.
The Present is an engaging story of a young man’s journey to adulthood, and his search for The Present, a mysterious and elusive gift he first hears about from a great old man. This Present, according to the old man, is “the best present a person can receive.”
Later, when the young boy becomes a young man, disillusioned with his work and his life, he returns to ask the old man, once again, to help him find The Present. The old man responds, “Only you have the power to find The Present for yourself.” So the young man embarks on a tireless search for this magical gift that holds the secret to his personal happiness and business success. It is only after the young man has searched high and low and given up his relentless pursuit that he relaxes and discovers The Present—and all of the promises it offers.
The Present will help you focus on what will make you happy and successful in your work and in your personal life. Like the young man, you may find that it is the best gift you can ever give yourself.
Book Info
Text brings an engaging story of a young man's journey to adulthood, and his search for the Present, a mysterious and elusive gift he first hears about from a great old man. By the author of Who Moved My Cheese?
From the Inside Flap
Another Spencer Johnson #1 Bestseller
#1 New York Times Business
#1 Wall Street Journal
#1 BusinessWeek
From the Author of Who Moved My Cheese?
Dr. Spencer Johnson’s stories of timeless, simple truths have changed the work and lives of millions of readers around the world. Now comes an insightful new tale of inspiration and practical guidance for these turbulent times.
Good Things Happen To Those Who Open The Present
The Gift That Makes Your Work And Life Better Each Day!
For over two decades, Spencer Johnson has been inspiring and entertaining millions with his simple yet insightful stories of work and life that speak directly to the heart and soul. The Present is an engaging story of a young man’s journey to adulthood, and his search for The Present, a mysterious and elusive gift he first hears about from a great old man. This Present, according to the old man, is “the best present a person can receive.”
Later, when the young boy becomes a young man, disillusioned with his work and his life, he returns to ask the old man, once again, to help him find The Present. The old man responds, “Only you have the power to find The Present for yourself.” So the young man embarks on a tireless search for this magical gift that holds the secret to his personal happiness and business success.It is only after the young man has searched high and low and given up his relentless pursuit that he relaxes and discovers The Present—and all of the promises it offers.
The Present will help you focus on what will make you happier and more successful in your work and in your personal life, today! Like the young man, you may find that it is the best gift you can give yourself.
www.ThePresent.com
From the Back Cover
“The Present is a powerful tool that we’re offering to our employees because, in these ever changing times, it can help talented people become more focused, ultimately leading to better overall performance.”
Phil Crippen, Director Iams University
The Iams Company, a Subsidiary of Procter & Gamble
“Like many organizations, we need ways to help our people work better and enjoy their lives, so I’m giving The Present to everyone on our management team.”
Carmen Policy, CEO
Cleveland Browns NFL Team
About the Author
Spencer Johnson, M.D., is one of the most respected and beloved authors in the world. He has helped millions of readers discover how to use simple, profound truths that lead to less stress and more success at work and at home.
Inspiring and entertaining people with his insightful stories that speak directly to the heart and soul, he is often referred to as the best there is at taking complex subjects and presenting simple solutions that work.
Dr. Johnson is the author or co-author of many New York Times bestsellers, including three #1 titles: Who Moved My Cheese?: An A-Mazing Way to Deal with Change In Your Work and Life; The One Minute Manager®, the world’s most popular management method, co-authored with Kenneth Blanchard; and The Present: The Gift That Makes Your Work And Life Better Each Day!
After graduating with a B.A. in psychology from the University of Southern California, Dr. Johnson received his M.D. degree from the Royal College of Surgeons, and completed medical clerkships at the Mayo Clinic and the Harvard Medical School.
He served as Director of Communications for Medtronic, the inventors of cardiac pacemakers; Research Physician at The Institute for Inter-Disciplinary Studies; Consultant to The Center for Study of the Person; and most recently Leadership Fellow at the Harvard Business School.
His work has captured the attention of major media, including the BBC, CNN, Fortune,
New York Times, Reader’s Digest, Today show, Time magazine, and USA Today.
Over thirty million copies of Dr. Johnson’s books are available in more than forty languages.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Before the Story
Late one afternoon, Bill Green received an urgent phone call from Liz Michaels, who he used to work with.
She had heard Bill was experiencing great success, and she got right to the point, "Could I meet with you soon?" she asked. He thought he heard strain in her voice.
Bill said yes and rearranged his schedule so they could meet for lunch the next day. When Liz entered the restaurant, he noticed how tired she looked.
After some small talk and ordering their meals, Liz told him, "I have Harrison's job now."
"Congratulations," Bill said. "I'm not surprised you've been promoted."
"Thanks, but the problems are mounting," she admitted.
"A lot has changed since you were with us. We have fewer people, but more work. There never seems to be enough time to get everything done - at work or at home.
"And I'm just not enjoying life as much as I'd like to.
"By the way, Bill," she added, changing the subject, "you look good."
"I am good," he said. "I'm enjoying my work and life more. It's a nice change for me!"
"Oh?" she said. "Did your job change?"
Bill laughed. "No, but if feels like it. It all came together about a year ago."
"What happened?" Liz wanted to know.
Bill began, "Remember how hard I used to push myself and others to get good results? And how much time and effort it took us to get things done?"
Liz laughed. "I remember all too well."
Bill smiled, as though amused by his old behavior. "Well I've learned a few things. And so have many other people in my department. We're getting better results, faster and with less stress.
"And to top it off, I'm enjoying life more."
"What's happened?" Liz asked.
"If I told you, you probably wouldn't believe it."
"Try me," she replied.
He paused and then said, "I heard a story from a good friend of mine. It turned out to be a real gift. In fact, the story is called The Present."
"What is it about?" Liz inquired.
"It's a story about a young man who discovers a way to live and work that makes him happier and more successful.
"After I heard it, I thought a lot about the story and how I could benefit from using it. I started using what I learned, first at work and then later in my personal life. It had a big impact on me, and others began to notice.
"Like the young man in the story, I'm happier now, and I'm doing better."
"How?" Liz asked. "In what way?"
"Well, I now concentrate better on what I am doing. I learn more from what happens, and I'm able to plan better. I can focus now on getting the more important things done, without taking so long to do them."
"You got all that out of one story?" Liz seemed amazed.
"Well that's what I got out of the story. Different people get different things from The Present, depending on where they are in their work or life when they hear it. Of course, some people just don't get it at all.
"The story is a practical parable," Bill continued. "So it's not just what's in the story. It's what you take out of it that gives it value."
Liz asked, "Can you tell it to me?"
Bill sipped his glass of water and then said slowly, "Liz I hesitate because you've always seemed to be so skeptical. And this is the type of story you might dismiss too easily."
At that point, Liz let her guard down. She confessed that she was under a great deal of stress, in her job and personal life, and had come to lunch hoping to get some help.
Bill remembered when he felt that way.
Liz said, "I really want to hear the story."
Bill had always liked and respected Liz. So he said, "I'd be happy to tell it to you, if you agree that what you get and use from the story is up to you.
"And," he added, "If you find it useful, that you will share it with others."
Liz agreed and Bill continued. "When I first heard it, I realized at some point in the story that there was a great deal more to it than I had anticipated.
"I found myself taking notes throughout the story to help me remember the insights I might want to use later."
Liz wondered what she might fine useful for herself. She took out a small notepad and said, "I'm ready to listen."
Then Bill began to tell the story of The Present.
Home
