Finnegan's Way: The Secret Power of Doing Things Badly

by Charles Kelly

We’ve all met people who made a difference for us, who stepped up at just the right time with advice and wisdom. Finnegan, a mysterious, congenial man who may or may not be British, is just such a person. He’s the focus of this life-changing fable: Finnegan’s Way: The Secret Power of Doing Things Badly. Finnegan is not dispensing advice on how to grind the last bit of work out of underpaid employees. Instead, he has a life-affirming message for everyone: the manager, the employee, the lonely man seeking a relationship, the stressed-out woman seeking to lose a few pounds, the dispirited person trying to get going again. Finnegan forgives. He understands human failings. He doesn’t chide us for complaining that someone moved our cheese. Instead, he shows us a way to use our mistakes to get us where we want to go. Once you meet Finnegan, your life will never be the same again.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction

59 pages, Nook

First published July 1, 2011

Reviews

[James Thane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a witty, entertaining and deceptively smart book. From a corner table in Starbucks, the mysterious Finnegan dispenses advice about life, love and work. The narrator, who owns a small publishing company, is troubled on nearly every front. In particular, he’s unable to motivate his employees and thus his business is in jeopardy of failing.

One morning, he overhears Finnegan dispensing his wisdom to a troubled woman, but immediately dismisses Finnegan as a crackpot when he hears Finnegan tell the woman to follow his advice “in the worst possible way.” A week later, though, the narrator accepts an invitation to join Finnegan and thus begins the tutelage that will turn his life around.

Finnegan’s basic advice is to do things badly, the premise being that people become so caught up in the determination to do things perfectly that they become paralyzed and accomplish little or nothing. By freeing themselves to act without fear of the consequences, they are liberated and in the end may perform quite well.

Over the space of a few weeks, Finnegan tutors the narrator, offering lessons that might well benefit a large number of people beyond the troubled publisher. Charles Kelly has a very charming and engaging voice, and he has written a book that in the end seems way too short. Finnegan’s Way should appeal to a large number of readers.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read with interesting ideas. I for 1 often get caught up in doing things "perfectly" (as if there was such a thing) and making my employees try to do the same. It's a new spin on home to get the most out of your life- by doing things badly!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought at first this was a type of light read and humor ... but it made a lot of sense ... how many businesses could have been saved with such a simple way of doing things ... badly. Written in a way that is enjoyable to read and makes you go ... hmmmm.

[Aziz Yokubjonov · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if instead of merely thinking about ways to do things perfectly you just did them and improved along the way? This book will teach you to do just that.
Stop caring so much about quality and get on the ride!

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is different but inspiring, witty, clever, and brilliant. I like how it starts and ends. It's a quick enjoyable read.

[Brooks Glenn]

Not a great book. Some interesting ideas, but kept waiting for something to happen.

[Cace · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick read with some interesting views...made me wonder how things would change if I stopped striving for perfection. A bit too simplistic though.