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Flip it - How to get the best out of everything

Phil Clarkson, people development specialist and training consultant for learnpurple reviews 'Flip it' by Michael Heppell.

I have to say I am not one for reading books! A strange way to start a book review you may say, however “flip that thought” and that’s exactly why I am writing this review. As I said, I am a self confessed non-reader; I much prefer CD’s I can listen to on my travels, however on picking up this book at an airport recently I couldn’t put it down. It was not only a really easy read, but has had a lasting positive affect on me. I have shared the message on every training programme up and down the country since!

The author, Michael Heppell is not new to me as I have not only read his first book “how to be BRILLIANT”(another airport buy) but I have a signed copy as I met Michael at one of his inspirational seminars.

This book appeals to me in many ways. I am a great believer in the power of positive thinking in business and private life. We are often in situations which we have no power to change, so the only option is to change how we view or think about it - and that is the “flip it” principle.

The book is split into 10 easy to read chapters and allows the reader pop in and out in any order. The chapters include personal and business topics such as:

• confidence & happiness

• health

• money

• success at work & in business

The text is split with some great cartoons, brilliant quotes and bullet points called “flip bits” making it really easy to read.

“Flip it” doesn’t try to prove its validity by over complicating the messages with too much theory.

In contrast to some books, which make it hard for a non-reader like me to get past the first chapter, this one is full of practical and pragmatic ideas to put into action right away.

The key learning points in the book can be transferred into all walks of life and occupations from customer service to managing your staff or just your outlook on life in general. The hints, tips and tools can also help improve personal relationships.

A very simple example of putting these principles into practice I have adopted is not writing “to do lists” anymore, I now flip it and write “not to do lists”

e.g. today I’m not going to:

• Put off that difficult conversation

• Doubt myself

• Miss out on time with my kids

Another example of a “flip it” moment: I recently had the opportunity to train the staff at Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen restaurant in London. On arriving home my daughter asked me if I met Jamie Oliver, I told her I had not, at which point my daughter “flipped it” and said “I bet HE was disappointed” now that’s flip it brilliance.

Go on try it, flip your negative thoughts into positive ones and see the difference it makes in your interactions with people and the stressful world we live in today.

8 June 2010