🔒Business books that make great holiday gifts of knowledge, motivation

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The holidays are fast approaching. Shoppers search for that special gift. While choices seem endless, choosing is simple: Give gifts of knowledge, motivation and self-improvement. Gifts they'll thank you for many times. Here are three suggestions in the $4.95-$22 range.

“Workarounds That Work: How to Conquer Anything that Stands in Your Way at Work” by Russell Bishop (McGraw Hill, $22).

While “continuous improvement” sounds good, procedures and processes always lag behind workplace reality. As a result, productivity lags because workers can't really “work smart.” Meaningless meetings, mountains of reports to prepare (even though many aren't read),”stop that; do this” and silos also make work smart an oxymoron.

Most employees adopt an “it is what it is attitude” grumbling through their workdays handcuffed by “the system.” Bishop offers alternatives based upon problem solving and prevention. His major workaround: “How you frame the situation is the problem. Labeling something as a problem automatically sets up the obstacle dominoes.”

Framing situations as opportunities keeps options open; think puzzle (i.e. how can I … ), not problem. Using the puzzle analogy, think of what you get when buying a jigsaw puzzle. There's a picture of the finished puzzle on the box cover — this is your outcome. It's the same way at work — but you have to create a picture of the outcome.

Odd-shaped pieces fill the box; the more pieces, the more difficult the puzzle. If you've ever worked on a puzzle as a family activity, you know that the group achieves the outcome quicker than one person does. It's also more fun when others participate.

Similarly, you're not the only one affected by a workplace puzzle. Ask yourself: Who else has skin in the game? Who else might be affected by a successful outcome? How can you engage these others to play? When a group becomes involved, many perspectives are shared.

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“Think Like an Entrepreneur, Act Like a CEO — 50 Indispensable Tips to Help You Stay Afloat, Bounce Back and Get Ahead at Work” by Beverly E. Jones (Career Press, $15.99).

Way too many workers think of themselves as employeesrather than the job-owner/entrepreneur of “Me Inc.” Employees see themselves as gears in the machine of business. Job-owner entrepreneurs, on the other hand, constantly look for ways to build their skills and brand by managing up (i.e. bosses), down (subordinates), and sideways (peers). They know what they need to contribute and accomplish to achieve an organization's goals.

Here are some of Jones's brand-building tips: “Think like an entrepreneur wherever you are.” Focus on the people with whom you work; they're your “customers.” Without satisfied customers, no business grows. Ask yourself how you could better serve them. By meeting their needs, you'll meet yours. Positive interaction also creates allies needed to promote ideas.

“Talk back to the voice in your head.” When the cautionary voice becomes loud, you become worried about what could go wrong. When worry translates to action, you play not to lose, rather than playing to win. Reframe worry to a positive by changing outlook from “I'm not sure” to “Today, I will take the next step toward my goal.”

“Measuring progress makes your goals more powerful.” Develop a Fitbit mentality for tasks by measuring activities most likely to contribute to achieving your goal. The more steps you take, the more likely you'll reach your goal.

Also measure the non-contributors. When you recognize they're not moving you forward, take action to minimize their negative effects.

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“The Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper can be found in the children's section of any bookstore. Prices range from $4.95 to $17.95. You may have read it as a kid. Read it again. Piper's message is not kid's stuff. Its “I think I can” message of inspiration and perspiration should be applied every day to get you from where you are to where you want to be. n

Jim Pawlak is a nationally syndicated book reviewer.