Economic-Life Books

After reading this book, I feel ready to go out and create my own destiny. This is a wonderful account on how everyday actions and decisions can create the life you want.

Peter Morgan Mash seems to be one of those people upon whom good fortune shines. Just when he's about to lose a big deal, chance rears its beautiful head to help him on his way; just when he's about to give up on meeting a key potential investor, he ends up stuck in the elevator with him. To what does Mash attribute his good fortune? Simple kindness, integrity and personal values. By stressing these personal attributes, he says that anyone can benefit from the kindness of life. We from getAbstract recommend this book to anyone convinced that the universe is a basically friendly place.

Peter Kash was my father's intern at EF Hutton when I was a little girl. His warmth and zest for life come through in this book, as well as his sharp business acumen. His principles are sound; his writing style, delightful. I'd recommend this book to anyone searching for the courage to follow their passion and find success.

I have to say that I pick up a lot of books (from personal success to mathematical tomes) and read them over a period of a week to a month, but not this book. This book is so engrossing that I finished it in two days! Peter Kash really hit a note inside me when he talked about the coincidences and serendipity in eveyone's life. When you look at the world the way Peter Kash does everything begins to become clear and you can't help but to look forward to everyday, to meet new people and to appreciate your family and the people you know well. I have recommended this book as a Must read to all of my friends and I recommend it to anyone who is trying to get a "lucky break" on their way to the top! I can assure you that this is not "fluff" or New Age "Gobbledygook". This is a book written from the "gut" from a solid, successful, entrepeneur, who comes across - not as a know it all - but of someone who has learned a lot of secrets on how to make your own luck. Truly a life altering book for this reader.

Make Your Own Luck is a practical guide for getting the most from what you have. Make Your Own Luck is really a feel good kind of book not based on heavily researched scientific fact.

The author reminds the reader of old platitudes and gives antidotal evidence support these platitudes. Yet in the hustle and bustle of everyday life these reminders are welcome and help realign the compass guiding our lives.

The author reminds us the life is full of unexplained coincidences. If we notice and engage (rather then ignore) these coincidences we can usually find opportunity knocking. Make your own luck covers topics such as failure (required to succeed), rejection (required to succeed), finding a purpose in work and specialization (which can be a path to success).

The underlying tone is the golden rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The author adds the concept of the "web of life", which could be described as "what goes around comes around".

I would recommend Make Your Own Luck. Although the concepts are tried and true they are still important to consider and pursue. In a busy world we need to be reminded and make sure we are following our compass.

It is absolutely enlightening. If you are having issues with some folks at work and you are not sure what is going on, grab this book. It talks about emotional abuse which is invisible. This book will help you preserve your sanity. Order this book right now!!

Although a little dry at times, MOBBING: EMOTIONAL ABUSE IN THE WORKPLACE is nonetheless an important book detailing a little-known phenomenon that has become rampant in companies and universities everywhere. The author explores the difference between mobbing and simply bullying, explaining that the former entails multiple coworkers ganging up on a single person in order to humiliate, discredit, and eventually dispel them from the workplace. Often the ringleader is a boss who finds the employee threatening. The author details the steps in the harassing process, and outlines the adverse effects on the workplace and the victim, explaining why the US needs to have legislation in place to prevent this common, but primarily unidentified, process. This is a very important book for HR professionals, as mobbing occurs in fifteen percent of all workplaces, yet is rarely recognized by the administrative employees called in to deal with the effects. Many times the situation is manipulated so that the victim appears emotionally unstable and paranoid. As someone who was herself the victim of a mobbing at a former job, I found this book a valuable tool in putting into perspective what had happened and why. If only I could get my ex HR director to read it!

In the midst of turmoil at work I happened across the Mobbing USA http://www.mobbing-usa.com/ website which has helped me immensely; there are so many people in the United States who are in the same shoes as mine and although that is sad, it tells me that what I'm experiencing is real for people like myself who are being mobbed; I'm looking forward to when all of the USA incorporates mobbing laws to support people like myself from going through this nightmare.

This book is HIGHLY recommended.Management really should pay attention to who is MOBBING who.The MOBBER S are UP TO SOMETHING and I am sure it is not in your companies best interest.People just trying to DO THEIR JOB and at first DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS TREATMENT GOES ON ?The Mobbers out to harm company. I think the companies have pretty much let them.You have let this go on for so many years.As a target I am telling you all TARGET"S WANT A SAFE WORKPLACE.People do not want to play games on the job.Go ruin your own reputation you gossiping liars.
NO TOXIC "OUT OF CONTROL "coworkers who mob.People just go to work to make a living, not a living hell.

Before my experience of becoming a victim of "mobbing", I had never heard of this word. I've had to deal with a bully or two in the past, and the usual work pressures caused by demanding bosses and strict deadlines. But nothing prepared me for the experience of being mobbed. It was passive aggressive style mobbing. This book was a great resource for myself, though it made me sad that some friends and relatives couldn't believe such a thing could occur, or didn't want to admit such a thing could occur in this country. This experience has really changed my view of people. Of course, I could tell some of the participants would have caused me grief whether or not the mobbing environment existed. And it was easy to see that others were less enthusiastic about the mobbing and just did it to "fit in". Since managers were involved in my situation, the only recourse I had was to quit for the sake of my health. This book is written very clearly and will help you understand your situation, and the best way to respond.

But immediately after quitting, I then became a victim of "gang stalking", which has many similarities to mobbing, but takes place in the "community". I first encountered the word "gang stalking" during my research on "mobbing", and it sounded quite preposterous to be honest. However, now that it is happening to me, I'm finding that it isn't such a new phenomenon either. An example is the FBI's COINTELPRO (Counter Intelligence Program). I keep asking myself "Why Me?. Its not like I'm a radical trying to bring down the government.

Could this have happened if it weren't for the so called "Patriot Act", creating opportunity for abuse of power and high technology? See "Opening Pandora's Box: How Technologies of Communication & Cognition May Be Shifting Towards a Psycho-Civilized Society" by Kingsley Dennis of Lancaster University. Another good paper is "The Mind Has No Firewall" by Timothy Thomas of the US Army War College.

I'm sure the number of people that experience "mobbing" is going to far outnumber the number of people who ever experience "gang stalking", but please believe that this is a reality in modern day America. So much for the 8th amendment about "cruel & unusual" punishments, not to mention all the other laws against this type of activity. With mobbing, I was afraid of losing a source of income & diminished health. With gang stalking, I'm afraid for my safety. I've received threats of bodily harm, threats of being framed for crimes, persecuted by the government and its extra legal "vigilantes" leaves no hope for justice, and imprisonment. Most interactions don't involve a major threat, but are just acts of harassment to let the victim know they are under surveillance. Anything to maintain a climate of fear and uncertainty. Hearing "directed conversations" (which repeat certain threatening themes, or relate to something personal in your life) at a restaurant or while walking, street theater, being tailgated or crossing paths with vehicles of various companies or government units (for instance, they all happen to appear at the intersections you stop at to condition the victim to start interpreting that type of vehicle as a threatening symbol), ect... after a while leave the victim realizing there are too many occurrences for all of them to be isolated random events, but are being coordinated by a government agency. Why would the government go to all of this trouble with our tax dollars? To quell dissent? Unify people by finding scapegoats for the vigilantes to persecute? Persecution on behalf of corporations?

This has been going on for quite a few months and I feel mobbing victims would be the most likely to understand or at least listen since the goals and methods are similar in many way. To Discredit & Destroy people in a way that leaves little evidence of the crime, and to provoke and blame the victim. And both mobbing and gang stalking are repetitive types of abuse that occur over a long period of time, so that the victim is always worried about "what will happen next?".

Its depressing when so many people gang up on you, but I think the bright spot to remember is that these liars and cowards are forced to carry out their activities covertly, since most Americans would be outraged if the true facts were ever revealed. If you are in a mobbing situation, this book is well worth the money.

P.S. The following quote from the book "Stalking the Soul: Emotional Abuse & the Erosion of Identity" is interesting. Marie-France Hirigoyen's research helped establish the anti-mobbing laws in France.

by Marie-France Hirigoyen, Helen Marx (Afterword), Thomas Moore (Translator)
"Often, emotional abuse builds over a long period of time until it becomes so unbearable that victims lash out in frustration and anger, only to appear unstable and aggressive themselves. This, according to Hirigoyen, is the intent of many abusers: to systematically "destabilize" and confuse their victims (with irrational, threatening behavior that preys on the victim's fears and self-doubts), to isolate and control them and ultimately to destroy their identity."

As a full time visionary and change agent, for organizations and individuals, I enjoy sharing Steve's message with clients and people: to engage and guide people's priorities, passion, and purpose. In life, relationships are the beginning, the middle, and the end. Steve's message is a guide and tribute- to staying committed and authentic during the process of building relationships.



Steve's synergizing stories provide us every day practicalities toward relationship management. He encourages us to think differently and alter our behavior for the benefit of a long term relationship.



The Ripple Effect provides an organized mindset as to how and what steps should be taken for creating purpose with people.



Michelle Ewalt
Founder/President
Team in Transition
[...].

The Ripple Effect: Steve Harper.

This book is a must have whether you want a quick refresher on networking or a practical "how to guide". We all think we have the answers and necessary approach on how to network but I can promise you that we don't have the tools to "Ripple" Anyone can network but it takes the committed and aware to Ripple. You have to network to be successful in today's competitive business climate and Steve Harper's approach takes us back to the basics. Treat people like the most important resource. So stop smoozing it's loosing its impact; I suggest you "Get Your Ripple On" think beyond the lead/business outcome and to the relationship. It's amazing when you network with relationship based intent how fulfilling the human interaction can be!

This book is creating quite a Ripple in networking groups across America. Steve Harper helps us to understand it's about the person not about the labels that we attempt to use to define our self worth . Go ahead, Get Real and Ripple On.... You will be astonished at how this book will change your perspective on how to network in today's environment. I personally have used it to train several of my direct reports in a corporate environment and today many of them hold leadership positions because of the critical skills this book provided to each of them.
This book is a must have whether for the college graduate, new manager, or your friends and family it's a book that if the recipient is ready to receive will change their perspective forever.

Steve Harper reminds us how it is often the simplest things we do that determine whether or not we succeed or fail. The Ripple Effect provides insight on how to improve and build relationships in order to be successful for the long term.

After reading The Ripple Effect, I kept thinking of more people to share it with -- so, I bought a case of books to share with associates. I have found the knowledge I gained from reading the Ripple Effect to be instrumental in building my business and in maintaining my personal relationships.

This is not a book just for adults or business people but for anyone looking for ways to have better relations with others

Imagine living in a community where people focus on the greater good of the community: caring supporting and nurturing positive relationships. Everyone looking out for each other, investing in one another. With this incredible intentionality, the community would thrive! Yes, even you. Would that be a place you would love to live? Sure, you say, but how? How could I start the process - create the first ripple? Here's a simple way: Buy eleven copies of The Ripple Effect NOW, read it, and live it in your relationships at work, with family and friends, in your church, circles of influence, anywhere you interact with others. When people ask you (and they will) what created the change in you, give them one of the ten extra copies you purchased. They'll love it, buy ten books, and give them to everyone they know. These people will, in turn, read it and buy more ten copies each and give them away to everyone they know. And so on and on. Can you imagine living in a community where everyone "gets it", where everyone is committed to creating ripples in each other's lives? Wow, that would be powerful! I want to live in that community. Let's get started.

No, I don't work for the publisher or the author, but I do love to spread the word when I find a real gem and I love to give valuable books to people purely for the opportunity to build something magnificent. This book is a great resource for building lasting, genuine relationships and communities. Read it, follow it, and thrive! I have met Steve and The Ripple Effect comes from his heart - he lives it daily. Ripple On!

It's easy these days to feel adrift in a soulless world, where cynicism and selfishness reign and those who care about something other than quick sells and profit margins are considered weak and naive.

The Ripple Effect is a reminder of what life is really about -- helping each other and leaving a positive legacy. But not only does the book explain why our relationships with others deserve our conscientious attention, he goes on to provide practical tools and concepts to help readers make tangible improvements in their businesses and in their lives.

Part I, "Developing a Relationship Mindset", discusses the "science of ripples" and the innumerable and unpredictable opportunities, both personal and professional, that are possible in any given relationship. It also provides a simple personality model that makes it easy to tune your interactions with others to best maximize their potential.

Part II, "Planning A Relationship Strategy", gets you thinking about how you could explore the relationships you already have and how you could start cultivating more. It goes on to differentiate between good and bad networking and gives experienced advice on networking groups and identifying people whom you should seek out and those you should avoid.

Part III, "Practicing Relationships", defines different levels of relationships and discusses how to deepen them. It details a practical plan for overcoming inertia and starting your own ripples for everyone's benefit. The book wraps up by providing several inspirational stories of rippling and a final dose of encouragement and motivation.

The Ripple Effect will open your eyes to the wonderful possibilities of a life lived in cooperation, not competition, with others, and give you the tools you need to seek success in the world without selling your soul. Though some of the core concepts may seem like common sense, it's helpful to be reminded of them in such clear and pragmatic terms, and inspirational to know that there are a lot of people out there who want to join you in making the world a more fulfilling place to live.

It's an easy, sincere, engaging read, and a nice bookshelf filler -- every time your eyes glance past it you will be reminded of the karmic goodness it has brought, and continues to bring, into your life, and the lives of those around you. As Steve Harper says, "Ripple on!"

The book Smarts is an exceptional read for anyone interested in the consumer buying process. The book introduces the 12 Executive Skills and explains how they are "hardwired", the strengths and weaknesses, how to identify and use them efficently in the work place. This book would be an excellent training tool for the sales industry as it would enable the associate to correctly identify an individual based on their Executive Skills and then be able to interact appropriately. Ultimately, the correct identification of these skills in consumers could lead to an increase in the organization's sales by allocating time to "needy" consumers.
It is amazing how much this information has helped in the marketing field in aiding to identifying and understanding the consumer which in the end is basically crucial. The informatoin learned through this book will help me as I continue my life in the marketing profession by assesing and understanding the consumers I am marketing to.

I realy enjoyed reading this book because it taught me a lot about myself. After reading about the 12 executive skills, I was able to see which skills I was highest in and learned how to manage the skills I was lowest in. The book was clear and to the point. An easy read, but VERY informative.

Smarts also helped me to better understand my friends and family. I was able to recognize their strengths and weaknesses. I recommend this book to all.

SMARTS is an excellent read in relation to business management and also how it plays in ones everyday life. Not only does Chuck Martin provide a great tool to look into your own Executive Skills weaknesses and strengths, but also to understand the skills in those around you.
This book explains some of your interesting character flaws and how to make them work in your favor. If you can learn to manage your weaknesses and play to your strengths you can really learn to reach a new level of potential.
This book could also be a helpful for managers to understand how to make their peers more efficient in their jobs by managing their Executive Skills strengths and weaknesses. I personally found the chapter on matching your Executive Skills to the best job fit very intriguing and helpful.
I would suggest SMARTS to anyone interested in furthering their personal success.

Smarts is an incredible read. With each chapter comes even more information that answers so many questions about why people behave the way they do. Smarts is easy to read and to understand. It provides great insight into really knowing who around you would be the most punctual, or the most organized, or who's bound to act on an impulse, and so on. Whether you are a top executive or a struggling student, this book will help you understand so much as to why the people around you act the way they do.

This book may, on the surface, sound like the strengths books of Markus Buckingham, but it is significantly different. To start with the strengths listed here are 12 "executive skills" (executive as in execution, not position). These have been determined based on neuroscience. They are:

1. Self restraint
2. Working memory
3. Emotion control
4. Focus
5. Task initiation
6. Planning and prioritization
7. Organization
8. Time management
9. Defining and achieving goals
10. Flexibility
11. Observation
12. Stress tolerance

While the 12 strengths here are certainly more manageable than the 34 in the model espoused by Buckingham, I don't think they are as crisp. That is, many can be used, or not, in a variety of different ways. For example, is one who keeps one's computer files organized but one's desk disorganized strong in "organization"?

But there are many good ideas here, many I hope Buckingham incorporates. Probably the most important is the idea of being aware of one's weakest areas, not just one's top strengths, is key. As discussed in Smarts - skills are distributed, more or less, as a bell curve - most people have a few at which they are really strong, and a few at which they are really weak- but the majority are more "in between". When looking to match people to job responsibilities, it is hard to have a perfect match, but if one focuses on most of the top skills and none of the bottom ones, that will result in a much better fit than looking at only the top skills.

Another good idea presented here is the idea of not just looking at fit between skills and a job or tasks, but corporate culture as well.

This book also has some limitations, especially when compared to the model used by Buckingham. The quizzes provided to determine strengths are poor. I actually found the quizzes used to assess strengths in others to be more useful at self-assessment than the provided self-assessment quizzes. One thing that hurt the model presented here, as well as all the quizzes, was failing to take into account interest. One's success at various skills can be based on interest of applications of the skills, and success is largely questioned rather than talent and/or interest.

In summary, Smarts is a well-written book with some great ideas, but it, in my opinion, is best used in conjunction with one or more of Buckingham's books.

This book is an easy read (2 to 3 hours) with deep insights about following your passion. The information is depicted like a story of a mentor and mentee.

Mr. Reid's message is very inspirational and it moved me to take action resulting in profound changes in my life. Mr. Reid "walks his talk" therefore the principals that he teaches automatically has an powerful impact to the reader in the most authentic way. A true masterpiece, pack full of solid teachings that will affect your life in an Incr-e-i-d-ible way!

This book is a quick and easy read that gets down to the basics of what it takes to be successful without the hype. Straight forward and fun to read, The Millionaire Mentor is a must for anyone who is looking for the foundation that all successful individuals have in common.

One of the Best books I have ever read! Teaching you the laws of success in a story format that hits home. A must read for anyone who wants to get to the next level of success.

Don Boyer
Creator of The Power of Mentorship series

I love the fact that the book is a combination of fiction and nonfiction, putting across a great message told as a story. To use a famous sales quote: "Facts tell, Stories sell", and the story in this book really makes sure that the message hits home.
If you love books like "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki and "The One Minute Millionaire" by Mark Victor Hansen and Robert Allen, make sure you get a copy of this great book as well.

What a wonderful book and an enjoyable easy read. I can't believe how easy it is to forget the simple priciples that are brought to your attention in this book. It reminds you how important the human connection is vs the typical emotionless business model. I highly recommend both of these books as they have increased repeat business in many happy clients. I'm thrilled to review this with 5 stars!

This books works in parallel to "Everything I Learned, I Learned in Kindergarten" but conveys the message in a single narrative. The message is also similar to Tom Peter's BrandYou. It goes back to the simplicity of the sandbox and childhood to convey the message for a successful business life today. Well written, indeed enchanting without being overly pedantic. A short and easy read but well worth it. Enjoy!

I first came across Tom's writing in an online marketing newsletter I received. In it, he wrote about how important it is to understand, and care about, our customers' feelings. Most important, he did it with a real eye towards getting results, which is obviously "top of mind" in the business world. The other thing that struck me about Tom's writing is that he writes in a real way, about the real stuff we all go through. In creating a business, building a brand is one of the most critical pieces. Tom shows you how to do it, with some help from the kids. Because, after all, the children get this stuff - they walk through puddles and sprinklers. They taste first snows on their tongues. And Tom gets that they get it, so he shares it with us. Thanks, Tom!

What a treat it was to read Sandbox Wisdom. But better yet, putting the principals to work that Tom's book teaches is even more rewarding. Thank you Tom for taking me back to the basics that I have managed to smother with my life's experiences. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who interacts with people....... My gosh, I guess that's everyone.

This is an easy book to read with fundamental statements on what is most important in being successful today in business and in your own career. Good reminders in a world where communication is quick and often without the human feeling of caring and understanding. In addition to being easy to read is is a great story!

This book is a must for managers and supervisors working in a fast changing and highly competitive market. The book has good examples for leaders today in taking risk in listening, feeling, and caring. I introduced this book to my team in a call center of 500 employees in Phoenix Arizona with great results in terms of culture change.

While some books talk up fun in the work place this book brings in the human side. It is about recognizing the needs and feelings of our employees and customer.

This is a "MUST" book to read for anyone in business, leading others or involved in their own start-up business. It gives real useable ideas for branding your business and being competitive when all else in your market is even. You will learn how to attract customers and keep your customers coming back.

I found the process of taking the concept of corporate jestership into a concrete model of how to transform a culture to one of frequent, frank, feedback was both engaging and valuable. I had the chance to see David Riveness speak to our group before I read the book...which did have an impact for me to follow up to that experience.

The notion of blind spots mixed in with thoughtful questions proved a good mix. I liked the fable story format. Much research as been done on the power of a good story format to retain information.

Considering the recent economic climate, I suggest, like Scott does on page 25, that organizations not look to slash development dollars that can serve to refine firms. Building cultures that truly listen and foster an atmosphere of correcting blind spots is a solid strategy to get ahead in today's world.

- Bart Bruns, Director of Training, NFIB

This book is great for those who want to learn more about blindspots: within an organization and within those who create the organizations. The wisdom of pairing of centuries old fables, greek mythology, and medieval tales to similar problems within modern culture is a pleasure to wander thru and learn from. Each chapter ends with the perspective of how a "jester" may think and act given a situation for a very thorough and user friendly learning approach.

Jeannie McClarty, Eventinsights, Event Management Consultant

Riveness has produced a fresh take on the compelling subject of change and how to bring it about. That organizations typically resist change, makes it all the more important that those who purport to lead those organizations remain open to the input that Jesters provide. The Secret Life of the Corporate Jester: A Fresh Perspective on Organizational Leadership, Culture and Behavior

This book was given to me by a colleague and has changed the way I think about organiational dynamics. The twin concepts of Jestership and illumination of blind spots are powerful learnings for those who aspire to lead great organizations. Everyone who works to positively contribute to their company should give this a read.

The Secret Life of the Corportate Jester provides specific, practical, and highly relevant insights into how to more effectively lead and manage organizations. The book's approach - on on-going interaction told in story form - engages the reader and keeps interest high to want to know, "What comes next?" Anyone who wants to better understand how to make a difference in organizations will gain value from this book."

I thought this was a really great book. It was very encouraging. I usually thought of myself as scattered and thought each unfinished project was just another failure. I always have too many interests and too many projects, and reading this book gave me great ideas about how to organize my priorities and interests effectively. If nothing else, it helped me feel better about my varied interests. I no longer think of myself as just a flake with too many unfinished projects.

It was the subtitle that drew me in...urged me to pick up the book... begged me to take more than a glance at it. Life Design for People with Too Many Passions to Pick Just One. Hmmmm, someone must be writing about ME! I discovered this book while browsing at the local library on a day that had me grappling with a way to explain to my husband that which is almost inexplainable to me: I have so many creative interests, and I am so passionate about them, that I allow them to absorb me (his words, not mine). I don't know why that is. I don't know how that is. I don't know when that started. And I don't know how to change that, or if I even want to change that. Why should I have to? To a person who isn't so inclined, I guess it seems more than a little odd that I can't "pick one thing and be the best at it."

And so it was that Lobenstine happened into my life with important information and answers to unspoken questions at just the right time. As she so wisely points out, our society tends to foster the idea of becoming an expert in one area and sticking to it. Society tends to look negatively on the concept of the "Jack of all trades and master of none" life. But Lobenstine contends that line of thinking is exactly the reason it is hard to undertand some creative souls and their passions for so many different avenues.

In an easily readable, most enjoyable format, Lobenstine offers hope to the creative souls who hope to be able to "have it all." She contends that it is possible to incorporate those passions and a paying job and be happy. Simple quizzes allow readers to identify what their individual values are and where those values can lead. Case studies of actual creatives offer guideposts and encouragement to those of us who struggle with the expectations of others vs the expectations we hold for ourselves.

The Renaissance Soul is divided into four very interesting, practical and engaging sections. Part I, Claiming Your Renaissance Soul, provides readers with characteristics of the renaissance soul personality: defining success by mastered challenges rather than how far up the ladder a person has climbed, casting aside single-minded focus in favor of variety. Lobenstine also includes a section that dispells myths about what a creative soul is and is not... Renaissance souls are not superior to others, nor do they fall into that diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder personalities. While some may be, not all renaissance souls are geniuses. They do not use their many and varied interests to avoid the realities of life, and they are NOT job-hoppers!

To substantiate her theories, Lobenstine offers examples of well-known individuals who fit her definitions for a renaissance soul--Ben Franklin, Leonardo da Vinci, Sir Thomas More and Maya Angelou, to name a few.

Part II, Thriving on Many Interests Without Feeling Scattered, was perhaps one of the most valuable sections for me personally. Digging into the heart of what drives creatives, Lobenstine challenges us to take a good hard look at ourselves and to clearly identify our personal value systems. She offers several revealing quizzes for her readers, including choosing five out of a list of fifty values and identifying the five values that are most important at the particular moment, or writing not the well-known self obituary but writing toasts to one's self by four individuals who know the creative person best. Scrutinizing personal values even more closely, Lobenstine asks her readers to consider how their own life meshes (or not) with the lives of those other individuals who are part of the creative's inner circle. She stresses the importance of identifying whether an individual's activities are reflecting personal values or the values of others. She offers practical ways to not only evaluate this but to move closer to a place where personal values take precedence over the values of others.

Part III, Practical Realities: Career Design for Pursuing You Passions, is the nitty-gritty for those creatives who want to give up their day jobs but just can't. The author points out that, while it is not always possible to give up the day job, it sometimes is easier than one may think to secure a day job that will help the creative soul move closer to realizing their passions and dreams. How would you like to get "paid for your passion?" How would you like to be able to focus on your passions, sell yourself, find non-traditional ways to indulge your creative side without compromising self? All of these areas are presented in a revealing way that caused this reader to experience several ah-ha moments along the way.

Part IV, Successful Life Design for Renaissance Souls, takes the creative spirit one step closer to realizing goals and dreams by helping readers make a commitment. Lobenstine offers a unique and comfortable way to put desires into action--the PRISM test. As she explains, "The PRISM test puts your current set of Focal Points through a rigorous evaluation. Just as light bursts into color as it passes through a prism, this test allows you to examine your Focal Points from new angles, therby clarifying and confirming your eventual selections." PRISM is an anacronym for Price (How much will it cost you to get to your Focal Point?), Reality (What will the day-to-day, nitty-gritty of engaging in this Focal Point really involve?), Integrity (Why does this particular Focal Point seem particularly worthwhile to you?), Specificity (When you are specific about constitutes success, you can articulate your desires to yourself and others), and Measurability (Setting specific dates for attainment of your goals allows you to map out a plan and take specific steps toward passionate productivity).

Margaret Lobenstine is the perfect person to walk creative Renaissance Souls through the process because she, too, is a Renaissance Soul. Not only is she a motivational speaker, writer and life-coach, she has been a successful bed-and-breakfast owner, a family business consultant, and a literary specialist. She encourages renaissance souls to be role models to others. To learn more about the author and her work, visit her website.

by Lee Ambrose
for Story Circle Book Reviews
reviewing books by, for, and about women

This is a nice piece of work. The book does spend far more time than I wanted justifying the multitude-of-interests person. But it was quick reading at the beginning so not much of a burden.

There are some exceptional insights here, and some wonderful tactics for dealing with your range of interests.

The introductory exercises (Five from Fifty = prioritizing, Many Circles = weighting, Birthday Party = accomplishments) can help clarify things for those caught in the mire of doing. Clarifying your interest, no matter how many there are, is an important aspect of this work.

I particularly like the idea of Focal Points - temporary assignments you give yourself in order to have the freedom to learn or accomplish.

Reverse flowcharts are great in that they force you to see what you are doing that gets in your way. Basically think of how you can ensure something will not happen - there you go, many times that's what you're doing.

I think the concept of Four Frames - which is applied to volunteering - can be used in a far greater sense as well. Not simply limited to convincing a potential volunteering opportunity, but if you look at your larger goals, and your place in your journey - this approach can be used to convince your spiritual self what it is you want to contribute, and why that would be a good thing for all.

The crux of the entire message of the book is "I'd love to help you feel fulfilled rather than overwhelmed."

The author states "Renaissance Souls work best when we can match our activities to our energy flow." I think this is true for everyone, but it isn't something we value in the US all that much (instead we're told to bang our heads for 14 hours and meet that deadline, many times producing a lower quality result). So, without having a specific prescription for each moment of your day, the approach here allows you flexiblity in choice based on your motivations at that time. Yes, balanced planning - I've been waiting for someone else to say it.

My favorite story in the entire book is the one on Mozart, and his pursuing his purpose, becoming what he could be in the midst of all else going on. The author weaves an intricate connection about how this benefited so many others than if he were to try and be something he were not. Very nice... "One of the best things you can do for other Renaissance Souls is to keep growing." And I would add, the best thing we can do for all beings.

Toward the end of the book I felt the work there was less inspired. It focused on examples, whereas I think a book works much better if at the end it brings us back up to that higher-purpose and leaves us with lofty placement. We end on a real high then.

I could not be happier that I ordered this book! I'm 26 years old, and so far the only thing I've partially identified with is the "Twenty-Something" feeling, kind of lost, but full of potential. When I got this book, I read the first hundred or so pages right away, I was just hooked immediately. I really loved the tests and used them and now I do feel much more clear about my (current) focus. I'm definitely a Renaissance Soul (18 out of 20 on the Quiz in the book). I have done everything from Retail to Real Estate to Banking to Social Work to starting businesses, etc. I just got married, so that took up a lot of time and energy for a while, but now I have new goals and clarity. I really loved her example of the ice cream shop, likening the choice of ice cream, etc. to the choices of things we're interested in. She says it would be just as hard and paralyzing to try and choose one for the rest of your life as it would be to try and choose them all, that's why you need a "sampler", which is free to change, but that will give you focus. So, my current sampler is: Studying for and taking the GRE and applying to Grad School, writing a business plan for the business I want to start, spending time with my new husband, learning how to make soup (I just want to learn how to make soup!), and making healthier choices regarding food and activity. So, Thank You, Margaret! I think you are right on with your idea of a Renaissance Soul, and I'm so happy you wrote this book. It was my pleasure to read it! =)

I consider myself the very model of a Renaissance Soul: I love to read about lots of subjects; I used to garden quite fanatically; I'm in a knitting/crocheting phase right now; music is a big part of my life; and I've been doing agility and other training with our dog. Oh, and I have a day job, too! My answer to "what do you want to be when you grow up" changed so often when I was younger that it made my head spin! So I was hoping this book would help me sort out how to feel fulfilled and yet not too diluted pursuing my many interests.

And indeed it did. Here are just a few helpful tidbits I took from the book: You do have to choose a few interests at any given time, based on the things you value most, but those choices don't have to be forever. You should quit doing things that don't fit with the values you hold most dear. You can combine interests (for example, I like to write and cook -- maybe I should write about food?). You need to block time for your interests, but not be inflexible about which interest you pursue at a given time. There are lots of creative ways to get where you want to go, even if you pursue many different careers over time, without starting at Square One each time.

And so much of what the author said validated the way I approach life, even toward the end helping me understand why I sometimes feel unmotivated to do anything at all.

My only complaint is that the book starts to sound branded or jargony, with its Renaissance Soul Way and Focus Points Notebook -- kind of like the Chicken Soup series or the Finish Rich series. This Renaissance Soul finds that stuff kind of annoying. But the content was so rich and sensible that the annoyance was minor. This book has really gotten me thinking about what I need to do to more fully enjoy my many interests.

I read this book when it first came out, and really got a lot out of it. In fact, I even used the book in a university class to argue existentialism and why it's important to keep a positive mental attitude instead of being negative. The original book, of course, is great but I like how this book is tailored to really empower African Americans in a way that really speaks to us.

This is one of the greatest books I have ever read. Next to the Bible it has had a positive effect on me and I share its positive message with everyone.

I speak to groups and this is on my suggested reading list.

A must read.

I am not one who writes or talks much but I have to share with those who I meet.

Think and Grow Rich continues to be a book I would suggest that everyone keep in their library and read at least once a year.

An excellent read for anyone who desired to have it all and wants to truly know how to go about accomplishing that very goal step by step.

Preparation is definitely the key!

It becomes important that we know about the rules that will ultimately determine our success. Not just to know their meanings and what they do, but to make these principles a part of us - a habit that will lead us to do the right thing automatically, regardless of the circumstances. As Kimbro said, "it is our job as Black Americans to disentangle the myths, misconceptions, and half - truths that clouds the judgments of our society".
All, regardless of race or class or economic status, are entitled to a fair chance and to the tools for developing their individual powers of mind and spirit to the utmost. This promise means that all children by virtue of their own efforts, competently guided, can hope to attain the mature and informed judgment needed to secure gainful employment, and to manage their own lives, thereby serving not only their own interests but also the progress of society itself. Also noted by Kimbro, "Blacks as a whole have moved from a position of utter destitution - in terms of wealth, education, and human rights - to a place alongside their ethnic counterparts".

Black males, particularly, have edged precariously close to becoming an endangered species. There are more Black males in prison and correctional facilities than on college campuses. Functional illiteracy among minority youth may run as high as 40 percent.

The search for solutions to our educational problems must also include a commitment to life-long learning. Learning is the indispensable investment required for success but without life-long learning, one's skills will become rapidly dated.

This would also reverse the current declining trend--a trend that stems more from weakness of purpose, confusion of vision, under use of talent, and lack of leadership, than from conditions beyond our control. We as Black Americans need to realize that we do not simply exist, we need to always realize what our life will be, and what we will become in the next moment.



I took liberty to expand upon the following:

THE PRESIDENT'S NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION (During Reagan era, still suitable today):

The report called for greater federal support of education and included the claim that the nation was threatened by "a rising tide of mediocrity". A Nation at Risk is a reform based on the development of standards-based curricula. The focus is on outcomes of education in relation to standards of achievement, the idea being that student achievement and instructional programs were likely to improve.

One of the most quoted portions of this report came from the introduction just after the "Rising Tide" remark. It said: "If an unfriendly foreign power had attempted to impose on America the mediocre educational performance that exists today, we might well have viewed it as an act of war. As it stands, we have allowed this to happen to ourselves. We have even squandered the gains in student achievement made in the wake of the Sputnik challenge. Moreover, we have dismantled essential support systems, which helped make those gains possible. We have, in effect, been committing an act of unthinking, unilateral educational disarmament".

The following five recommendations were made by the report:

Content
Recommended that the graduation requirements for all students be raised to include 4 years of English, 3 years of mathematics, 3 years of science, 3 years of social studies, 1 semester of computer science, and for college bound students 2 years of foreign language.

Standards and Expectations
Schools should expect better academic performance and behavior from students and universities should strengthen admissions requirements.

Time
More time should be spent on the new required courses by being more efficient and by lengthening the school day and year.

Teaching
A series of recommendations that focused around teachers being better prepared.

Leadership and Fiscal Support
A call to citizens to hold educational leaders responsible be willing to provide the fiscal resources needed to implement the outlined reforms.




Using available statistics, Black America continue to take for granted the enormous and victorious battles won by the Civil Rights movement. "If there is one thing that we have won and accomplished, it is our moral right to exist".


Racism and discrimination should never be an excuse for your lack of development, but real creative ability-ability to live largely in a world based on ones own inner resources, finding one's true self, overcoming ignorance, and always remaining receptive and teachable should be never ending endeavors.

Slavery in America has left a scar on the Black family structure where as slave master would separate parents from children, husband and wife from each other is still visible today with children being born into single parent households or children being separated from parents. This cycle has not ceased but instead has taken new forms.

Kimbro's writing style is multi- dimensional and stimulating to the imagination. It spirals you into the seams of the book. In the section dealing with the " Law of Compensation" there are many lessons to be learned by all ethnicities.

Black people have to take the opportunity and the responsibility by portraying themselves differently. As Kimbro mentioned, your thoughts are the steering mechanism of your life. "Faith only enters the mind that has been properly prepared for it. Although I must add, your heart and your guts usually have a say so with what you think or decide too.

Quoting Thurgood Marshall, " Blacks must earn their way to higher achievement". In other words, through perseverance, hardwork and desire.

As John H. Johnson stated, "Black people have the power to make it in this society".

As George Washington Carver stated, "We must rid ourselves of the idea that there's a short - cut to achievement".

Black America has to realize that whatever God has allowed to be taken away from it temporarily he has suredly replaced it with something far greater. A glance at history will confirm that. Although many individual Black Americans in this society continue to adorn themselves with the albatross of ignorance around their neck. Black people need to reconstruct the perspective lens of White America.

Although I thought, Kimbro did not use fair judgment by not choosing Reginald Lewis (TLC Beatrice) as a role model in his book due to Lewis's butting heads with John Johnson of Johnson Publications. In my judgment, if Kimbro knew about this spat he should have left Johnson out of the book.

Although this book is directed at the African-American community, the principles found within are color blind. Dr. Kimbro creates a step-by-step approach for achieving success. There is enough in the book that merit's a periodical re-read.

It is an honor to be a part of the company Art Williams started. There has never been a dull day or wasted moment listening to Art, reading his books, and working his message. It is all I can do.

I loved this book, and I constantly refer to it when I go about my day.

What I love about it is that it's written by somebody who's done it, and it doesn't sugar coat what it takes to be a success. Because Art's ~560th richest person, he doesn't have ulterior motives for writing this book, as some other motivational gurus do (ie buy their audio CD's & DVDs and go to their seminars for $3000 a pop).

Art doesn't lie.

It takes a ton of will and determination & positive attitude to do what he's done. It takes a lot of hard work to succeed. It's sad to see people today constantly chasing after the next quick fix, the next scheme that promises them a million bucks in 30 days. Because it won't happen. As Art says, nothing worthwhile comes easy. If you want success in your life, you've got to work hard at it, you've got to be positive no matter what hits the fan, you've got to believe in yourself & what you're doing.

Art doesn't just pay lip service to this information - he's lived by it & is a billionaire because of it. Go figure.

So get this book and you'll get no-nonsense advice on getting successful. This isn't fluff he's got from pulling advice from self help books - this is advice he's giving from his 20 odd years of being in the trenches, fighting an industry that spent millions trying to put him out of business.

As they say, you'll never truly know what it's like being in war until you've been out in the battlefield. This guy's been there, done that, and now he's going to share with you his advice.

This book flew below the radar for some reason, and is abit of a sleeper when it comes to universal popularity.
It is a personal favorite of mine.
This guy walks the walk as well as talking. He is not an ATNA. (All Talk and No Action). He's got the stats to back up his crusade. Guys like him, and say, Guiness Bk #1 Salesman Joe Girard, are the real deal.

A. L. Williams was a football coach... a man who loved his guys and pushed them to excel in life. And he lived what he preached! You want to be inspired to just DO IT? Get this book.

Williams emphasizes that you have to work hard and be PERSISTENT. Just NEVER, EVER quit. And that's the key. Know what you want, DESIRE it and go for it. Don't let anybody steal your dream. Just do it and hang in there.

He talks about how he got MAD at the rip-off insurance companies, and that anger fueled his drive to excel. He and his friends became tough and tenacious and made things work. Again, that's the key. What a book! Get a copy and mark it up. Read it repeatedly and it'll fire up your soul!

Read this book years ago when it came out and read it regularly for motivation and inspiration. AL Williams went out and did what so many of us want to do and talk about doing. This book takes you through the steps of making a difference from his high school coaching days to his motivation to help others and driving incredible change in the insurance world. Great great book and a must read if you want to know how one man achieved success beyond his wildest dreams and than anyone else thought he could do.