{"product_id":"the-present-isbn-9780307719546","title":"The Present","description":"\u003cb\u003e#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A simple yet profound fable\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003eabout the challenges we face in times of unprecedented change, and how to emerge more successful both professionally and personally—from the bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eWho Moved My Cheese?\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis edition includes a new introduction by the author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Many of the people I have observed could have been even happier and more successful, in their careers and their lives, had they been given the gift of \u003ci\u003eThe Present\u003c\/i\u003e.”—Norman Augustine, former chairman and CEO, Lockheed Martin Corporation; former under secretary of the U.S. Army\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eGood things happen to those who open \u003ci\u003eThe Present\u003c\/i\u003e, because:\u003cbr\u003e• It’s the one thing that doesn’t change in changing times.\u003cbr\u003e• It will help you be more productive and more prosperous.\u003cbr\u003e• It will make you feel happier and more successful in everything you do.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eThis life-changing book\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003etells the engaging story of a young man’s journey to adulthood and his tireless search for The Present, a mysterious and elusive gift he first hears about from a wise old man.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eAs the young boy becomes a man, he grows disillusioned with his work and his life. So he returns to ask the old man to help him find The Present. The old man responds, “Only you have the power to find The Present for yourself.” Heeding the old man’s advice, the young man embarks on a worldwide search for this magical gift that holds the secret to personal happiness and lifelong success.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eIt is only after the young man has searched high and low and all but given up his relentless pursuit that he discovers The Present—and all of the promises it offers.“Many of the people I have observed could have been even happier and more successful, in their careers and their lives, had they been given the gift of The Present.”\u003cb\u003e—Norman Augustine, Former Chairman and CEO, Lockheed Martin Corporation; Former Under Secretary of the U.S. Army\u003c\/b\u003eSpencer Johnson, M.D., is one of the most respected and beloved authors in the world. He has helped millions of readers discover how to use simple, profound truths that lead to less stress and more success at work and at home. \u003cbr\u003eInspiring and entertaining people with his insightful stories that speak directly to the heart and soul, he is often referred to as the best there is at taking complex subjects and presenting simple solutions that work.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDr. Johnson is the author or co-author of many New York Times bestsellers, including three #1 titles: \u003ci\u003eWho Moved My Cheese?: An A-Mazing Way to Deal with Change In Your Work and Life\u003c\/i\u003e; \u003ci\u003eThe One Minute Manager®\u003c\/i\u003e, the world’s most popular management method, co-authored with Kenneth Blanchard; and \u003ci\u003eThe Present: The Gift That Makes Your Work And Life Better Each Day!\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAfter graduating with a B.A. in psychology from the University of Southern California, Dr. Johnson received his M.D. degree from the Royal College of Surgeons, and completed medical clerkships at the Mayo Clinic and the Harvard Medical School.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHe served as Director of Communications for Medtronic, the inventors of cardiac pacemakers; Research Physician at The Institute for Inter-Disciplinary Studies; Consultant to The Center for Study of the Person; and most recently Leadership Fellow at the Harvard Business School.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHis work has captured the attention of major media, including the BBC, CNN, Fortune, \u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eNew York Times, Reader’s Digest, Today\u003c\/i\u003e show, \u003ci\u003eTime\u003c\/i\u003e magazine, and \u003ci\u003eUSA Today\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOver thirty million copies of Dr. Johnson’s books are available in more than forty languages.\u003ci\u003eBefore the Story\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLate one afternoon, Bill Green received an urgent phone call from Liz Michaels, who he used to work with.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShe had heard Bill was experiencing great success, and she got right to the point, \"Could I meet with you soon?\" she asked.  He thought he heard strain in her voice.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBill said yes and rearranged his schedule so they could meet for lunch the next day.  When Liz entered the restaurant, he noticed how tired she looked. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAfter some small talk and ordering their meals, Liz told him, \"I have Harrison's job now.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Congratulations,\" Bill said.  \"I'm not surprised you've been promoted.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Thanks, but the problems are mounting,\" she admitted. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"A lot has changed since you were with us.  We have fewer people, but more work.  There never seems to be enough time to get everything done - at work or at home. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"And I'm just not enjoying life as much as I'd like to.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"By the way, Bill,\" she added, changing the subject, \"you look good.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I \u003ci\u003eam\u003c\/i\u003e good,\" he said.  \"I'm enjoying my work and life more.  It's a nice change for me!\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Oh?\" she said.  \"Did your job change?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBill laughed. \"No, but if feels like it.  It all came together about a year ago.\" \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"What happened?\" Liz wanted to know. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBill began, \"Remember how hard I used to push myself and others to get good results?  And how much time and effort it took us to get things done?\" \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLiz laughed.  \"I remember all too well.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBill smiled, as though amused by his old behavior.  \"Well I've learned a few things.  And so have many other people in my department.  We're getting better results, faster and with less stress.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"And to top it off, I'm enjoying life more.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"What's happened?\" Liz asked. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"If I told you, you probably wouldn't believe it.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Try me,\" she replied. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHe paused and then said, \"I heard a story from a good friend of mine.  It turned out to be a real gift.  In fact, the story is called The Present.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"What is it about?\" Liz inquired.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"It's a story about a young man who discovers a way to live and work that makes him happier and more successful.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"After I heard it, I thought a lot about the story and how I could benefit from using it.  I started using what I learned, first at work and then later in my personal life.  It had a big impact on me, and others began to notice. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Like the young man in the story, I'm happier now, and I'm doing better.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"How?\" Liz asked.  \"In what way?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Well, I now concentrate better on what I am doing.  I learn more from what happens, and I'm able to plan better.  I can focus now on getting the more important things done, without taking so long to do them.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"You got all that out of one story?\" Liz seemed amazed. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Well that's what \u003ci\u003eI\u003c\/i\u003e got out of the story.  Different people get different things from The Present, depending on where they are in their work or life when they hear it.  Of course, some people just don't get it at all.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"The story is a practical parable,\" Bill continued.  \"So it's not just what's \u003ci\u003ein\u003c\/i\u003e the story.  It's what you take \u003ci\u003eout\u003c\/i\u003e of it that gives it value.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLiz asked, \"Can you tell it to me?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBill sipped his glass of water and then said slowly, \"Liz I hesitate because you've always seemed to be so skeptical.  And this is the type of story you might dismiss too easily.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt that point, Liz let her guard down.  She confessed that she was under a great deal of stress, in her job and personal life, and had come to lunch hoping to get some help.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBill remembered when he felt that way. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLiz said, \"I really want to hear the story.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBill had always liked and respected Liz.  So he said, \"I'd be happy to tell it to you, if you agree that what you get and use from the story is up to you.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"And,\" he added, \"If you find it useful, that you will share it with others.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLiz agreed and Bill continued.  \"When I first heard it, I realized at some point in the story that there was a great deal more to it than I had anticipated.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I found myself taking notes throughout the story to help me remember the insights I might want to use later.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLiz wondered what she might fine useful for herself.  She took out a small notepad and said, \"I'm ready to listen.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThen Bill began to tell the story of The Present.New Introduction by the Author","brand":"Crown Currency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46304891437285,"sku":"NP9780307719546","price":25.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780307719546.jpg?v=1767741056","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/the-present-isbn-9780307719546","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}