Accessories

Lead Yourself First, Others Will Follow
What I enjoy about Richard Templar's works [typically reflected in this particular title] apart from their simplicity to digest - the best wisdom is simple, not easy, but simple - is the fact that he focuses heavily on internal changes that we must make. In short, Templar does not advocate external schemes, tricks or mind games but rather engaging with the process of genuine inner change. As Templar indicates, if we can change ourselves, success will inevitably follow - by any measure of success, material or otherwise.
Terry Kyle
Author
"400 Latest and Greatest Small Business Ideas From Around The World"

Recommended. Useful. Nothing new but makes you focus.
Don't buy this book if you want to learn something new. Anything in this book can be thought of by anyone right now, right here (or where you are) without ever reading this book.
The strength though is the fact that someone actually put a set of rules together that make its reader focus on things often forgotten or never really thought of by a lot of people.
Rules that should generally be followed with or without knowledge of this book and will lead to being a more succesful/happy/loved/etc. employee or employer.
All in all I think it's an excellent read, very useful and -very important- entertaining.

Not worth the time or money
Most of Templar's points, are just obvious. Curiously Templar uses the word ain't throughout this book as if it's an acceptable word - spoken or written. Most of what he writes is about his experiences at his many jobs, telling me that this guy is either 125 years old or only keeps a job for a few months. Unless you have lived on an island by yourself, his points should have been something you learned growing up or watching tv.

Point 8, Enjoy what you are doing
Point 11, Dress well
Point 44, Never lie
Point 61, Dress one step ahead

He repeats points over and over with minor variation.

You can get better value, both time and money, from The Unwritten Laws of Business - W.J. King

Practical gems for the ambitious worker
After reading Richard Templar's The Rules of Life: A Personal Code for Living a Better, Happier, More Successful Life, it seemed like the logical action to take and pick up his second "Rules" book because his first one contains common sense trinkets of pure wisdom that are immediately practical and usable.

The Rules of Work is also a collection of jewels to be learned and practiced.

We spend most of our lives at work therefore it makes sense to find methods to do our job more efficiently with less effort and better outcomes. However, this book isn't about working more efficiently but more effectively, seemingly rising to the top of the business, company or corporation (to our fellow workers at least) effortlessly, reaching our intended outcomes and goals

But what does the author mean by "rules"? Doesn't a job description, company policy or even the type of industry you're in already have rules to follow? The answer to this question is yes and no. These rules will not be found in any "starter kit', informing the new employee about break times, dental plans and where the bathrooms are located. These rules are about creating a new persona, the right attitude, being committed, putting in 100% without letting your fellow workers know how hard you really work.

Some of these "rules" appear like `work givens', for example taking care of one's appearance, dressing well, smiling, developing your own style and learning to speak well and write well. Similar to other `motivational business books', Templar also stresses the importance of having a stated plan, short term and long term, anticipating threats and spotting golden opportunities when they arise. This book really is about being smart, alert and always one step ahead of everyone else.

The key to any sort of success is actually naming what you want and creating a workable plan to attain that particular goal no matter whether the goal is becoming a millionaire, a better sales manager, teacher, doctor or priest. The second most important ingredient to any success is one's "desire". Ambition, drive, willingness to work effectively or one's will to simply become better at what we do and who we are comes down to how bad you want it. It doesn't matter how many courses you take or how many books you read, you have to really want something in order to attain it.

The Rules of Work contains many guidelines to help the ambitious worker get where they want to go, and if you have that necessary basic desire, this text will certainly help you along the way.

Read it - Think about it - Do what's right
The book is an interestingly crafted tool to get one to think about one's personal-corporate behaviour. The other reviewers, particularly Matthew Dodd, have described it well.

No tool is perfect, but it's far better than most.