MIND-SET ADJUSTMENTS

A tech-related guide to approaching change with an open mind.

In this debut self-help book, Kenyeres, an entrepreneur and “digital lifestyle coach,” doesn’t focus on technology itself but on his readers’ relationships to new devices as they adapt them to their lives. Instead of offering specific advice regarding hardware and software, he guides readers through a series of exercises designed to increase their confidence, self-awareness, and senses of purpose—broad concepts that can also be applied to their use of technology. Early on, he lays out his theory of “mind-sets”: “I believe that each person is born with a programmable global positioning system (GPS). While some people learn to program theirs to take them directly to Successville, others inadvertently choose a more roundabout route, which may or may not get them there at all.” He then details seven specific adjustments that readers can undertake in order to change those attitudes; the first, for example, is “to think of failure as different degrees of success.” Overcoming fear and uncertainty, while maintaining a positive attitude toward different types of change, is at the core of the book’s approach. Each chapter features exercises that lead readers through the process, such as, “Identify the gaps between the ‘what is’ and the ‘what will be’ in your life.” Although the book is short, its brevity is a strength, as Kenyeres largely avoids the types of anecdotes and platitudes that fill other books in the genre. This isn’t a work that will teach readers the tricks of the iPhone 6 or how to install WordPress, but it will provide them with a more holistic approach to ongoing learning and self-improvement. Even without the technical details, Kenyeres makes good use of his years of experience as a corporate trainer, as he presents a framework for advancement on a broad scale. Some readers may want to look elsewhere for more technology-specific advice, but others will find value in this guide to understanding purpose and embracing change.

A self-help book that concisely addresses the personal qualities one needs for success.