The Zigzag Principle: The Goal Setting Strategy that will Revolutionize Your Business and Your Life Hardcover – September 13, 2011

I have met Rich once through Garrett Gunderson. He had no idea I would read his book so he should have never known to be anything but genuine in our chance meeting. That said, he left me immensely impressed by both his authenticity and success. It was “who he was being” that inspired me to read this book. This book matches the gem of a man Rich is and it is my new favorite business book! Thank you!!!!!

Rich Christiansen's, The Zig Zag Principle, is just what my husband and I needed to read to know what to do with several business ideas we have. His book is super interesting. Through story and experiences he tells you what to know to help you not only in your business, but in life. It was a page turner for us. We took notes. Made worksheets from his models and worked on them together. We now feel we know what we need to do to move forward. Thanks to Rich, a whole lot of stress was taken off just by learning his simple, but important principles and models. Thank you so much, Rich Christiansen! :)

There is certainly no shortage of books teaching how to set and achieve goals. In The ZigZag Principle, Rich Christiansen, the author brings a unique perspective to the process. Most books on the subject teach the direct approach. Figure out where you want to go and charge full steam ahead toward your goal.If you have been in the business world even for a short time period, you have probably met someone who was hard charging, running over anyone and anything that got in their way. While this approach produces short terms results, the long term effects are crash and burn. As Mr. Christiansen points out, that approach is not sustainable. In fact it is normally quite destructive. There is a better way - The Zigzag Principles.The book starts with a little story about the author and his son on a skiing trip. This was his son's third trip and he was still in the beginner's stage. Somehow they made a wrong turn and ended up on a very steep, black diamond run. Instead of heading straight down hill to a certain wipe out, Rich told his son to zigzag safely down the hill.The same principles apply in business and life. Instead of trying to go head on at or through all obstacles, learn to zigzag around them.While the principles of the book work in both business and life, the book is written primarily for the entrepreneur. The first section of the book deals with foundational issues. You must know your values and where you want to go. Once the foundational issues are solid, it is time to move to the three zigzag principles.The first principle is to get to cash first. Far too many businesses fail because they do not understand and follow this principle. Focus on making the business profitable.The second "zag" principle is once you are profitable, then and only then add the additional resources you will need - this is people, equipment and capital. The third "zig" is to scale the business. Many businesses become stuck in the profitable mode and fail to scale because the owner refuses to let go and empower others in the business.After the three zigzag principles, Rich gives some great advice on boundaries and guardrails - safety measures to make sure you are staying on course. Next he talks about the proper use of rewards. The final chapter deals with the "all or nothing" mindset that trips up so many business owners.This book gives a refreshing approach to achieving your goals in business and life. It is very conversational and therefore easy to read. Rich uses lots of examples from his own journey as a charge ahead, win at all cost young manager to a more responsible and much more successful entrepreneur.You will certainly learn and profit from this book. A very easy but profitable read.

This book is exactly what every entrepreneur should start with when beginning their entrepreneurial journey. This book has taught me how to fail fast and often to ultimately increase my likelihood of success. Additionally, I very much appreciated that the author spent time talking about life outside entrepreneurship. I know I have been guilty of neglecting everything in my life besides my entrepreneurial goals, but this book lays out a plan to preserve relationships, health and the most important things in life while still finding entrepreneurial success. I recommend The Zigzag Principle to every entrepreneur I meet; IT IS A MUST READ! Thank you!

Easy but powerful read. It was not hard to see how every step of the zig zag process can fit into our life. Many of us already follow these steps but without really knowing what they are we can make best use of them.Having he knowledge of how to make best use of the process gives us a tool we can use to pursuit our dreams and desires (our beacon in the fog) that will surely get us there with purpose.

I love the content of the book...except for the multiple blank pages that didn't print out...I would return it but can't afford to go without the book as I am using it in a class...but the blank pages where the printing ink ran out are making it difficult to get the full content.

This is an outstandingly helpful for anyone considering starting a business. It's not a how-to-be-a-billionaire guide, it's how to guide to building a business without losing your soul.

With so many great reviews, I thought this would be phenomenal book.. well, it's ok. No offense to the author, it's got some good advice but if you are past the point of basic business pointers this book won't add much to your life. Good stories and I like how focused his family is on goals but beyond that there really wasn't much that I took away.