THE 4 KEYS

A consultant explains a strategy for rebooting one’s business and personal life in 90 days.

In this business book, Sillitoe (Managing the Mist, 2013) draws heavily on his own experiences, opening with stories of his consulting-work challenges, the breakup of his marriage, and his chronic health problems. His book focuses on the titular “4 Keys” self-improvement program, which he developed at a speaking engagement. The Keys refer to “business, body, relationships and mindset,” and, in these pages, he lays out the self-help elements of his plan—from developing a clear vision to establishing measurable goals to making lasting behavioral changes. The author encourages readers to come up with a big-picture understanding of their ambitions; for instance, he presents the idea that one should exercise not to develop a six-pack, but to be able to do outdoor activities with the family. The book includes examples of various 90-day plans that Sillitoe and his program’s participants have developed, as well as exercises to help readers create their own. The author’s prose is moderate and straightforward: “if you always do the work, make no excuses, are always ready and completely honest about how you feel and what you want in life, the people around you will come to know you as a person they can rely on.” Much of the terminology will be familiar to business-book aficionados, but Sillitoe manages not to get bogged down by buzzwords (and he reminds readers about his TEDx presentation only three times). His background as a hockey player and coach brings some variety to his frequent sports metaphors. Although the idea of a “90-Day Reset” isn’t entirely unique, Sillitoe’s vision is well-executed and will provide a robust framework for readers who may want to customize it to their own needs. Those who enjoy the author’s can-do approach (“Write your story. Find your superpower. Then share your superpower by telling your story to others”) will find the book to be a useful addition.

An enthusiastic and concise guide to making measurable life changes.