02

Jul

By Dennis R. Mortensen
9 comments
Book: Whatever You Think, Think the Opposite

Most of the reviews that I have read about: Whatever You Think, Think the Opposite by Paul Arden have been negative and therefore it is with even more pleasure that I highly recommend it. The “book” is quite small. It is also fairly short. But Paul’s statements are extremely strong and you know he is right as you go from page to page – agreeing to most of them!

– the book is essentially about being comfortable with making decisions and mostly bad decisions and learn how to live life with the fact that taking risk is the best security you will ever get. But as an Entrepreneur there are simply too many great nuggets for me to mention them all. However; there is one takeaway I would like to publish (my rephrased version) as I think we all might forget this from time to time working with Web Analytics or Affiliate Marketing:

“For any analytical and detail oriented person starting out on a career in Web Analytics, try not thinking about magic tools and metrics or whatever – Think about Money. It’s honest!”

I think this statement alone justifies the 2 hours reading the book. Happy reading.. I am off to: “The Black Swan” by Nassim Taleb.

  • Anil Umachigi

    Think about Money! indeed the right approach, Dennis thanks for sharing! that’ll be in one of quotes i’ll preserve and use :-)

    Anil

  • Thomas Faivre-Duboz

    The title of this book reminds me a story of a friend preparing for a quite difficult exam: the teacher asked a question to the students. My friend answered something like “I think that it is true because XXX”.

    The teacher finally said “Ok…Now, tell me why you think it’s wrong !” ;-)

  • Dennis R. Mortensen

    Hi Anil,

    he he… ANY KPI that somehow relates to the Money tends to get some attention at meetings :-)

    Hi Thomas,

    You are spot on! – this a actually a great “management” tool. don’t tell what you find great – tell me what you dislike!

  • Lars

    Yeah, it’s a short book. I read like half of it in a bookstore. ;-) I definitely intend to pick up a copy. Only problem is that I am currently reading more than a handful books. It did look good though. I am all for freeing ones mind from preconceived ideas. It’s those who think outside the box who become the most successful. I recently wrote a post about hiring that touched on that subject.

  • Dennis R. Mortensen

    Hi Lars,

    We are very much on the same page ;-) then!

  • Muskoka

    Good Day Dennis
    Are you the Dennis Mortenson that helped me out with the earth day website and support thru the MM Foundation at U of T way back?

  • Dennis R. Mortensen

    Hi Muskoka,

    hmmm. I do not think so. :-)
    … but I am a helpful dude, so what was it about?

    Cheers
    Dennis

  • Tim-eh! of Muskoka

    This sounds similar to a philosophy that I employ in my everyday life. We are so bombarded in this information age that everything that I’m told I flip and think the opposite. If it seems to fit that particular situation I accept it to be closer to the truth or reality. Thanx for showing me how you dream, I’ll look for your book at my local bookstore

  • Tim-eh! of Muskoka

    Der… sorry I just realized it’s not your book. lol…