Jump-Start Your Workspace: Small Changes That Improve Focus and Shorten Your Work Day

Michael Moniz Says:

August 6th, 2008, 19:17 pm

Who doesn’t want to spend less time working?

I love any book that give you the chance to improve what you do and give you the space to it. I have been working a lot to simplify my life. I think this is a great read to start in one area it is most needed.

Gideon Says:

August 6th, 2008, 19:25 pm

I dunno… 10 bucks for 26 pages? Also, I assume it’s in PDF?

Maybe if it was offered in something else… ePub, Mobi, etc.. something I can put on an ebook reader, I’d be interested. But 10 bucks for 26 pages is still pretty steep. Maybe I’m just used to Kindle prices where that much will buy me a 500 page book.

Justin Dupre Says:

August 6th, 2008, 19:27 pm

While I don’t believe in buying ebooks (just because most of it is free information and I am frugal), I know that it’s gotta be great.

Glen writes excellent content at LifeDev, and it is always nice to have the information all in one reference. I’d say if I weren’t a poor, frugal student, I’d be on this in an instant :p

Justin
http://www.justindupre.com

Yongho Shin Says:

August 6th, 2008, 19:35 pm

WWT is looking great! Based on your previous writing I have seen, I am sure it will be really good.

Shanel Yang Says:

August 6th, 2008, 19:35 pm

Sounds like a great book!

Jeff@MySuperChargedLife Says:

August 6th, 2008, 20:10 pm

Looks like some great information for decluttering one’s life. Simple is certainly better!

Shilpan | successsoul.com Says:

August 6th, 2008, 20:55 pm

Leo - I’m a big fan of simplicity so I look forward to reading your e-book. Are there any practical examples in this e-book?

Warm regards,
Shilpan

joe falcom Says:

August 6th, 2008, 22:23 pm

I am really disappointed to see such a blatant advertisement.
The disclaimer is bogus as far as I am concerned

Leo Says:

August 6th, 2008, 22:37 pm

Thanks for the comments, guys! I hope you enjoy the ebook.

@joe falcom: It would be more useful to me if you turned your criticism into something constructive … what do you think the disclaimer should say?

Are you saying that I am not being sincere when I said I liked the ebook, or that I really think you’ll find value in it? Because I really am sincere about that, although you don’t have to believe me. I’ve never lied on this blog and I have no plans to do so.

joe falcom Says:

August 6th, 2008, 22:48 pm

In the spirit of what I thought Zen Habits is all about (sharing concepts of how to help us all focus on the moment), I would have preferred to see a summary of the concepts discussed, perhaps with some teasers to buy the product (I am still a capatalist!), but not an outline of the book chapters and a “buy here” button.
Perhaps I missed the point, but I thought Zen Habits primary goal was to provide a blog/format to share ideas but not necessarily sell products directly. You do obviously have a vested interest in the product and unfortunately, that came across more to me than the mesasage of sharing information.

Leo Says:

August 6th, 2008, 23:33 pm

@joe falcom: Ah, I see what you mean. From my perspective, I was trying to share something useful … and if I’m doing that, I thought it would be better to make it easy with a buy now button than to have interested readers go look for it — but I can see now how that would seem like an advertisement.

I know that because I’m part-owner of WWT, no matter whether I’m genuinely trying to share or trying to sell, it’ll seem like I’m trying to sell. So if people really don’t want me to share ebooks from WWT, please let me know. I don’t plan on doing it often (the last time was a couple months ago I think), so I was hoping you wouldn’t mind, but as always, I’ll listen to my readers.

Overcoming Lifes Obstacles Says:

August 7th, 2008, 0:10 am

Sounds like a great book to me. At the beginning of the post you tell us to skip it if we’re not interested. In my opinion there’s nothing wrong with the post.

I like that you added the first 5 pages of the book and the chapter to read. It’s a very affordable book, and I just from the preview, I believe it will add value to a lot of Zen readers.

Leo, I have no probelem with you reccomending ebooks from time to time. I always get something out of all of your posts.

Manu Says:

August 7th, 2008, 0:14 am

So its just an ad. for a book :(

Tabs Says:

August 7th, 2008, 1:51 am

Boy oh boy, did I miss the national get organized week, okay I get the message, I am getting organized tonight.

-Tabs

Glen Allsopp Says:

August 7th, 2008, 3:33 am

Congrats on getting this out there, I’m sure Glen has produced a great product.

Look forward to getting my hands on it

Cheers,
Glen

Tristan Says:

August 7th, 2008, 3:33 am

Hi Leo. I don’t see any problem in recommending a book of which you think that it could be valuable to us. Also it saves me some time that you posted a button, where I can directly purchase it.

LG, Tristan.

Beerend Says:

August 7th, 2008, 3:41 am

I agree with Gideon up here on both remarks.

Especially offering an ebook in diiferent formats should be considered. I like to read on my mobile devices.

Leo, I do believe you in the text of the disclaimer. I think however that your review of the book is a bit on the short side. That may also be caused by the size of the book. A mere 26 pages.
With a short review the “buy now” button shows up relatively fast. Which can put people of.

Lily Says:

August 7th, 2008, 4:01 am

Uhm, it seems there’s nothing new in the book for readers of blogs like yours and, yes, it’s very expensive!

Gideon Says:

August 7th, 2008, 4:14 am

I don’t, however, have any problem with you promoting something you believe in. I think that’s perfectly reasonable.

I just don’t want to buy it for that price in that format. :)

Rob Says:

August 7th, 2008, 5:51 am

26 pages for $10 is on the steep side of things. It just seems like the price is too high for the content. Perhaps I’m just too frugal.

Thanks for sharing though.

Leo Says:

August 7th, 2008, 6:38 am

The way I look at it, you’re not paying $10 for 26 pages … you’re paying $10 for the value contained in those pages. If the book was 1 page long and contained info that made your life $10,000 better, would it be worth $10? If the book was 500 pages long but worthless, would it be worth as much as the valuable 1-page book?

Don’t count pages, but value — how much will it improve your life? I believe it will be worth much more than $10 … by giving you the gift of time, of effectiveness, of peaceful work, of increased production resulting in increased profits. But again, if it’s not worth it, I will refund your money.

Jonathan B. Says:

August 7th, 2008, 9:53 am

It’s not wise to look at the number of pages, because they do not determine the value of a book.

There is a quote that has helped me a lot in my life. It goes “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.” It is from Dr. Seuss

These 21 words have improved my life more so than thousands of pages from other books.

Anyway, Leo, it’s nice of you to add the disclaimer, but even if you want to just put up a blatant ad, you should be able to and your readers should be mature enough to not cry about it. Over 95% of your posts are good and free information. What more do people want?! :)

Linnea Says:

August 7th, 2008, 11:09 am

This was well-timed for me. I’m getting my cube into shape for whomever will be taking over my job when I leave in a few months, and setting up a home office for my new business.

I may not buy the ebook, but between this post and all the links, I’m off to a good start.

Thanks!
Linnea

Shelly Says:

August 7th, 2008, 11:10 am

I’m another one who doesn’t tend to purchase e-books because there are plenty of wonderful tips available for free elsewhere, but it does look like a good book.

Well, except for the typo on the first page:
“Most people don’t see how the stacks of paper on the desk *and* cause them to lose focus.”

Oops. Might want to let him know about that one. :)

x Says:

August 7th, 2008, 11:12 am

I really enjoy this blog, and find it useful. Love the lists.

If you give us a list of the top 10 ways to jump-start our workspace, that’s what would persuade me that I might want to buy the book. This doesn’t give me enough to go on.

Otherwise, keep up the great blogging!

Jackie Says:

August 7th, 2008, 11:25 am

Hi Leo,

Fairly new here, love the blog… see no problem with offering the e-books from time to time. Keep up the great work.

Jackie

Lily Says:

August 7th, 2008, 11:26 am

Oh, come on, I’m not just talking about the number of pages - judging on both the excerpt and the summary, the contents are TRITE. Tips that I have already read here and there, good, yes, but life-changing?

Something really new would be worth $10. Or a short story by Joyce Carol Oates.

Ted Martin Says:

August 7th, 2008, 11:42 am

It’s not bad ideas, but I thought it was pretty heavily focused on working from home or the always popular “third space” and targeted towards self-employed entrepreneurs and freelancers, which makes the cube illustration seem a little disingenuous - you can use part of it if you work in an office and don’t have a mac or admin rights, but not all of the content, making it even sparser. Likewise, you have to actively extend the parts about homeworker myths for them to have any meaning if you’re not a homeworker.

Jonathan B. Says:

August 7th, 2008, 12:25 pm

Lily, although I’m not buying the eBook, I’m assuming I have also read these tips before. Which, ya know, is why I’m not buying the eBook. :)

But still, to someone else who hasn’t read as much, it could be quite valuable. Plus there is a 100% money back guarantee. I wish Taco Bell had that…

FrugalNYC Says:

August 7th, 2008, 13:01 pm

I see both sides of the argument. I would side with the review being too short. It does give the wrong initial impression. If I was a new reader to your blog, I would think you were selling your product. With that said, I agree with Leo on quality of content. Quality is a lot more important than quantity. It is very hard to find good quality work. I think everyone here believes Leo puts out quality work.

Lily Says:

August 7th, 2008, 13:25 pm

@Jonathan. Oops, you’re right. :)
I got carried away, I know, but I was a bit angry. The price is too high anyway for a digital book. You won’t pay more than a few dollars for a reproduction of Van Gogh, even if the picture is so great that it improves your life, will you?
And it’s strange to me to see such an advertisement on a blog which usually deals with those subjects for free.

joe falcom Says:

August 7th, 2008, 14:11 pm

Leo,
I owe you an apology. I did not realize that this is your website and you are the gatekeeper for posted articles. I wrongly assumed you were simply somebody who posted on the site trying to pass on their product. I have found the site to be very refreshing and honest, and did not want to see that change.
Your website, your call.
Again, I apologize.

Curious Says:

August 7th, 2008, 15:11 pm

Leo,
I really look forward to reading your post when my RSS reader tells me that there’s a new post on your blog. And I come here with hope to read something good, and today I found a post which was an advertisement. But I also understand that you are trying to sell a useful and good product.

So my suggestion is that you make such ads a part of your post, rather than just posting the ad and none of your content with it. Or put ads in the ads sidebar.

I love this site..so telling you my views.

Brandon Watkins Says:

August 7th, 2008, 17:56 pm

I don’t have a problem with an occasional post about a book he sells. Not a big deal. Compared with the rest of the Internet (or “real” world), this place is strikingly non-promotional. It looks like a good book. It’s relevant to the readers of this blog. $9.95 is a fair price. No big deal. Thanks Leo.

Michelle Says:

August 7th, 2008, 18:25 pm

For a hoarder like me, it’s hard to de-clutter, but for me personally it does work, I also find it helps to have an arrangement in my workplace that’s not only tidy, but also aesthetically pleasing :)

Leo Says:

August 7th, 2008, 19:51 pm

Thanks for the feedback, guys. It’s actually been very useful to me.

Here’s what I’ve decided from what I’ve heard from you so far:

1. I will continue to post about ebooks from time to time, if I think you’ll like them, but not more than once a month.
2. Sometimes it might be better for me to just add a little note at the end of a regular post, rather than do a whole separate post, since I usually don’t do a full review.
3. If you aren’t interested, skip the post!

Glenn Says:

October 9th, 2008, 1:40 am

Hey Leo,

I’ve never posted, and I’m not a frequent, loyal reader (though I probably will be now), but I have spent a lot of hours reading your posts, while in my periodic “I gotta get organized!” phases of life.

I just wanted to comment on the “e-book ad” situation. It’s intended more for your readers than to you. I don’t wish to offend, and I certainly hope no one takes my comments the wrong way. Rather I just wanted to offer up an alternative perspective or pair of “glasses” through which the “e-book ad” controversy might be viewed.

From the perspective of a non-loyal reader, or a passerby, the only reason I wasn’t turned off by the ad, was because, Leo, you were up-front and honest from the start.

In my experience, one becomes a loyal reader of a blog, in part, because they trust the blogger is honestly posting without an agenda or ulterior motive. There’s nothing worse than reading an “objective” review or blog (I read a LOT of product reviews) only to start picking up on the subtle hooks and phrases of an agenda or sales pitch. It actually makes me angry when I’m sucked into wasting my time reading something that is not what it appears to be.

You didn’t do that. You stated up front that you were a partner in the company… that it was an e-book for sale… if we weren’t interested to skip it… and you even offered a full refund! How much more honest does one need to be?

Jonathan B. had it right with his Dr. Seuss quote. Thanks for that Jonathan!

Leo, you do a LOT for your loyal readers, and you provide a lot of interesting reading and valuable information for them. More importantly, you’ve proven your basis for doing all of this isn’t part of a hidden agenda to make money from unsuspecting readers. That’s why so many people come back to your blog. They trust you.

So if you choose to post an “ad”, those that matter will trust that you’re only posting the ad because it’s something you truly think is of value to them, and that the only way to obtain it all in a concise form, is through the purchase of the e-book. If anyone “loyal” is offended and thinks you’re trying to pull the wool over their eyes, they were never truly loyal to begin with.

We all get a LOT of free information on sites like this. It’s fantastic.
But everyone please try to keep this in mind… it takes a lot of time and effort to do what people like Leo do, and we all benefit greatly from it. We are spoiled, because it’s all there at our fingertips to take in, absorb and use at will.

Look at the purchase of this e-book, as an example, not as an expense to you, but rather, an opportunity to contribute to what will hopefully be the continued success of a small company that is, in part, owned by a guy you trust, who obviously cares about his readers, and works hard to provide you all with pages and pages of free information that enhances your lives.

It should make you proud and make you feel good to pay the $9.95. It’s not like he tries to sell you something on a regular basis!

Maybe it can be your way of saying “Thanks for what you do, Leo. Keep up the good work, and I hope your company does well.”

With all the free information out there, it’s easy to just take, take, take… because we can… and because it’s not wrong to do so. But give a little bit back to the ones that you trust and you know are making a difference in your life.

You never know when your favorite blogger may up and disappear, especially with the economy today, because he simply can’t afford the time it takes to do what he does.

Throw him a bone when you have an opportunity, and try not to compare his offer to what you can buy out there for the same price. You probably won’t buy that anyway.

Who knows, maybe it will create some good karma for you. We can all use more of that.

At the very least… you’ll get an e-book!

Glenn

PS… yes, I am following my own advice and purchasing the e-book as soon as I hit “Submit Comment.” : )
Thanks for all you do, Leo! Keep up the good work. And I hope your business does well!