Economic-Life Books

A few months back our church leadership restructured ourselves so that the majority of elders (or shepherds) could devote themselves to encouraging church ministry leaders and help the congregation on a more personal level with their spiritual direction. I meet with these shepherds to devise a course of action and we some purposeful meetings with congregants in their homes. Shortly after we began I read Leman's book and knew that it would be of benefit to our leaders. I've purchased a copy for each shepherd as well as our congregation's ministers.

The book presents seven practical, relevant suggestions for leading people based on techniques used by shepherds in taking care of their sheep. Leman uses information about shepherds and sheep from Phillip Keller's wonderful book, "A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23." Leman wraps his principles in an engaging story that is fun to read. This would be a great book to use in discussion groups.

I also bought an additional copy for my college age daughter who has just started a new job where she is responsible for directing a small group of women in a social agency. This will be her first time to be a "director" and it very much resembles the situation of Ted McBride, the main character of the book.

This book is stellar! I highly recommend for anyone in a leadership position or anyone who will one day be.

Our executive team was asked to read this book and we each were given a chapter to present. I am by no means the fastest reader in the world, but I breezed through this in less than 2 hours. I believe the message and directions in this book are the true path of a leader. I have since passed on copies to the leaders in my deptment and have received nothing but positive feedback.

One of the greatest books on leadership out there. A simple to the point story that teaches skills not taught in most business schools today.

Having read many leadership books, this is one of the best in teaching how to lead with your heart. It's well-written, easy to read, and paints a challenging, yet rewarding picture of leadership that requires devotion and commitment of oneself above and beyond all else.

Alpha Male arrived from the seller in about a week. I couldn't believe how little I paid for a brand new book. The condition of the book is excellent and the ordering process was a snap.

If you know anything about personality types from either Socionics (Rod Novichkov) or MBTI then you'll know who the Alpha Male is exactly (ESTJ or ISTJ personality types). This book shows you logical ways of dealing with people of these personality types. It's good reading.

Making a great team out of a group of driving and opinionated managers and professionals is hard; they need to trust and rely on each other when in fact it is more comfortable for them to stay apart. The Alpha Male Syndrome is a rare and valuable book that offers real solutions to these difficulties.

Very good book for those who want to understand what's going on in the management team. All managers should read this book. A must

Two management consultants have jointly written this book about alpha males who occupy some 75% senior management positions in America's business world. According to them, alpha males are indomitable, tenacious, and persevering enough to reach the apex of their career. They inspire awe and respect but could move people to fear and trembling. Despite having great career success, the downside of their traits and behaviours such as the `laws of the jungle' attitude, interpersonal impatience, and difficult controlling anger can have devastating effect to their health, marriage, and other people surrounding them.

Both writers marry hard data on some 1,500 executives and base on their abundant coaching experience with senior executives from Fortune 500 firms to figure out why such top dogs become pit bulls that snowball problems and expose their vulnerabilities. In short, alpha males are various in terms of their different traits they possess such as commander, visionary, strategist, and executor. Some are inclined to act like visionaries that often dream up exotic ideas but hate naysayers. Others have an uncanny ability to deal with crisis but tend to exercise their authority through intimidation and domination. Both writers conclude that Trump's `apprentice' mentality would do more harm than good. In today's business environment where trust, respect, and collaborative dialogue between corporate bigwigs and coworkers are vital for business survival and growth, both writers offer alpha males a list of `awareness of self and others' tools that could guide them beyond the `alpha triangle' trap and move themselves and their people to effectiveness.

This book is a comprehensive study of alpha males. It is also a landmark management study that not only fills need for alpha males but also provides an impetus for further research on this subject. Revealing the importance of tapping human potentials in teams to high performance, alpha males should learn how to involve the whole team that harness their intelligence, vitality, and drive without wreaking havoc on working relationships. They have to put aside their `zero-sum' jungle mentality as well as personal glory in pursuit of the alchemy of human connections. This book is accompanied by a website that contains an online alpha assessment to testify whether you are an alpha male or not and also your alpha strengths and risks. It helps readers undertake a self-awareness exercise in order to understand and modify their tendencies and risk areas. Chapter 8 provides alpha males with a repertoire of tools to practice emotional and physical reset such as stress relief and endorphin increments in order to achieve high-level health and wellness.

This book is highly recommended for readers who are interested in understanding more about the upside as well as downside traits of alpha males. It is also a highly recommended book for alpha males who aspire to leverage their strengths and subdue their flip-side risks for the best interest of shareholders and their people.

Bill Lampton expresses great ideas for one of the most important skills in business---communication. This book is a must-read for serious professionals who want to communicate with others well. Dr. Lampton lays out a lot of real-world practical ideas that you can use immediately. I highly recommend this book! Terry Brock

Good communication is the key to success in ANY profession. Dr. Bill Lampton has written a book that will help anyone be a better leader by increasing their communication skills. Good communicators learn from others and can get their ideas across to those working with them. Bill's style is extremely easy to read and he covers a variety of topics that everyone can use. His stories will charm and encourage you. As a physician and a medical journalist for 20 years, I would encourage every doctor to read this book to better serve their patients...and every patient to read to better get what they need. This is a superlative book that you'll be glad you picked up.

As Dr. Bill Lampton so vividly points out in "The Complete Communicator", we are always communicating - whether we're aware of it or not. If you're in sales, you would be well advised to think about the implication of this on your business.

Customers and prospects are continuously evaluating your non-verbal behaviors, appearance, phone messages, presentation, listening skills and written communication. Do you know what messages you're sending? Are you sure? Making assumptions gets you into trouble too.

"The Complete Communicator" dispenses practical advice on how to increase your communication's effectiveness and how to take it to the next level. If you want to increase your sales, pay close attention to Dr. Lampton's useful tips, solid guidelines and insightful commentary on being a better communicator, speaker and writer.

And the biggest bonus - this book is filled with real-world examples and incredibly readable. "The Complete Communicator" is definitely a worthwhile investment for your sales library!

Jill Konrath
President & Sales Consultant
www.SellingtoBigCompanies.com

The Complete Communicator is everything a book on communication should be. Bill Lampton's easy to follow recommendations are as useful as they are devoid of superfluous fluff. The good Doctor cuts to the chase and informs readers how to better their communication in virtually every aspect of life. Forget the politicians. Lampton is The Great Communicator, and thanks to his book you can be one too.

Jim Wagoner
Editor/Anchor
Metro News/Sacramento Bureau

The Complete Communicator is simply the best, most complete communications book it has been my pleasure to read. Simple, direct, concise and compelling in its stories . . . this book embodies its own messages in wonderfully effective ways.

Poor communications is the problem that holds humanity back from making progress more than any other. Think of it as being like a stalled engine that would otherwise pull your car forward at whatever rapid pace you like. Overcome that stall, and progress will be yours.

Because of the importance of improving communications, I have made it a point to read every book about communications that I can find. Most of these books provide an in-depth look at one aspect of communications, while ignoring all of the others. Many times, communications books are not as simple and direct as they could be. Other times, they lack compelling stories.

I can think of few elements of effective communications that are not covered by Dr. Lampton's superb book, with Neuro-Linguistic Programming being the main exception. As a result, a person can read and employ the lessons of The Complete Communicator and have the benefits of reading many dozens of other books. For that reason, I think The Complete Communicator is the best communications book I have read.

Here are the subjects covered:

Person to Person (including self-talk, making connections, getting information, finding prospects for a business, and deepening relationships)

Nonverbal Communication (gestures, appearances, symbolism, and credibility)

Writing (the writing process, things to emphasize and avoid, getting published and improving your writing)

Letter Writing (following up on meetings, complaints, answering complaints, and avoiding errors)

Giving Speeches (the right mental attitude, preparation, expressing yourself naturally, touching the audience and making the right impression)

Listening (what those who are speaking would like you to do, questions to ask, appropriate responses, and ways to improve)

Telephone (good habits, etiquette, succeeding through voice mail, and keeping notes on messages)

Computers (e-mail, Web sites, and Internet connections)

Media (keep it simple and effective, getting booked on broadcasts, handling crises, and letters to the editor)

Many people who try to write such an overview book fail to either properly credit their sources, don't have enough examples or make the book too long. Dr. Lampton avoids all of those snares.

To me, the best writers tell stories that grab me emotionally. Dr. Lampton did that very well with stories from his own experiences. I especially liked one about a telephone message that he read from his Ph.D. advisor.

What more can I say to convince you to read this book? Please, contact me by e-mail with any questions. Click on my name at the beginning of this review to find my e-mail address.

Author Vince Thompson presently serves as a consultant helping Internet companies build sales and online marketing solutions. He has spent 15 years as a middle manager and it is his own experiences that were one of the inspirations of Ignited. This book is dedicated to those hearty souls known in the modern world as middle managers. Thompson refers to "The Middle - perhaps the most crucial location in the world of business." He calls the world that middle managers survive in as "quake country", where the environment is always shifting, eroding and being constantly squeezed.

The research for this book included an online survey of over 100 in-depth interviews with middle managers from a variety of organizations including Gateway, ABC, Rawlings, Intel, Bank of America and others. The surveys revealed an underlying disconnect between many middle managers and the corporate goals and vision of the organizations they work for.

Ignited is written to motivate and inspire middle managers to realize that they can make a significant contribution to their organizations, careers and personal lives. Ignited is intended to offer a better solution to managers who struggle to perform well in the complexity of our modern business world. Thompson defines Ignition as "the coming rebirth of purpose and power that managers in The Middle can experience if they choose to make it happen."

This inspirational book is divided into three parts. Within these divisions are 14 chapters. Part 1 is entitled "Get More Power" and it offers some sound pointers for improving the personal perspective and basic thinking of managers. This of course leads to an improvement in behavior and decision-making. Experienced managers will find many of these tools to be common experience, but younger managers will glean much from this part of the book. Part 2 is "Get More Purpose" and is the heart and core of Ignited. This section includes seven keys that emphasize the unique value that managers offer in the middle. Thompson refers to these keys as "Ignition Points" that make changes happen when clearly understood.

Part 3 is entitled "Get More Success" and it is dedicated to help the reader develop a balance between the daily pressures of a management career and making your personal life happy and successful. In this part of the book the author offers a five-step program to restore balance to a stressed out manager. This chapter alone is worth the price of admission!

Ignited is a book that anyone who has ever been in a management position can appreciate and relate to. It is easy to read and offers practical information based on research, common sense and experience. If you are in a middle management position, or have a friend who is, you will find this book a way to ignite your career to another level.

Middle management is one of the toughest positions in corporate America. You're expected to run things successfully, while often not having enough sway and power to implement your plans. A book that aims to remedy that is Ignited: Managers! Light Up Your Company and Career for More Power More Purpose and More Success by Vince Thompson. An excellent book that should be on the shelf of every manager...

Contents:
Introduction - Living in Quake Country; Base Camp - The Ignited Quiz
Part 1 - Get More Power: Action with Traction; The Manager's Universe; Leadership in Limited Space; Managing Your Emotions; The Deadly Lack of Empowerment Trap
Part 2 - Get More Purpose: Ignition Point 1 - The Process; Ignition Point 2 - The People; Ignition Point 3 - The Message; Ignition Point 4 - The Landscape; Ignition Point 5 - The Strategy; Ignition Point 6 - The Story; Ignition Point 7 - The Spirit
Part 3 - Get More Success: Selling From The Fulcrum; Your Own Sense of Balance
Index

The reason why people put themselves into "the middle" is to make a difference in the lives of their coworkers and the company in general. But it's not an easy road. Ignited starts with a quick quiz that will give you a general idea as to how your attitude plays out in relation to your job. Then the three parts of the book help you find your path to a more effective role in the company. Part 1 talks about general principles of management that might sound like common sense, but that often get lost in the midst of the battles. I really was struck by the effectiveness of the "universe mapping" exercise. It shows you who you are linked to in terms of your success. Following that up with an attempt at mapping your boss's universe can then give you the insight as to what you need to do to make them successful (and yourself in the process). Part 2 then gives you the tools you need to effectively run the areas that are uniquely yours as a manager... your people, your message, and so forth. The final part of the book then sums up the newfound power and opportunities you have as an ignited manager, and gives you the roadmap on how that new position and knowledge can be leveraged for your success and balance in life. By the time you've worked through the book and focused on the changes outlined, you should be infinitely more involved and effective in your position.

Rather than read yet another book on how a CEO leads, focus instead on reading something targeted to your specific situation and circumstances. This is that book.

Ignited is a treasure chest overfilled and brimming with insights, tips, techniques, motivations, and inspiration for the people who are the backbone of organizations-- middle managers.

Ignited is an eminently practical book that lends itself to immediate use from word one. I recommend when you sit down to read the book that you have a highlighter pen, a number of bookmarks and some note paper-- this may not be formatted as a workbook, but you'll end up treating it as one and applying its advice as you progress through it.

The author, Vince Thompson, has many years in management and so writes from personal experience as well as education and research. His analyses, explanations, and suggestions all give you a sense of his having "been there" and confidence in his advice.

Thompson gives you a solid grounding in all the essentials of managing both up and down the organization and then shows how to leverage those essentials into formidable skills that ignite your management style, your organization, and your career. The essentials include understanding and applying the principles of networks and networking, team-building, access-gaining, self empowerment and leadership-- all from an uncommon perspective. He helps you learn to become a key (and highly effective) manager by harnessing the power of knowledge of organizational processes (what is done, when, why, how, and by whom) and people in or related to the organization (who does what, knows what, has what connections, has what power, etc.). He tells you why. He tells you exactly how. And, he provides clear and interesting examples and anecdotes to illustrate his points.

His own enthusiasm and excitement, paired with his knowledge-packed narrative, will ignite you.

In a remarkably thorough and informative Introduction, Vince Thompson observes that managers in what he characterizes as "The Middle" are "the connective tissue in their organizations. Only they have the ground-level expertise required for success, the links to people above and below them in the corporate structure, the insights into customer needs, competitive realities, and the organization's strengths and weaknesses." Thompson wrote this book for them but also for those to whom they report because, as he correctly insists, the potential contributions that managers in The Middle can make are too often ignored or under-valued. Thompson's book offers a better solution: "a way for [managers in The Middle] to stay within the corporation and begin making the kind of difference [they] want to make, taking back [their] businesses, careers, and lives in the process."

First, Thompson asks his reader respond to ten questions that comprise "The Ignited Quiz." The purpose of the responses is merely to suggest (rather than measure) to what extent the respondent is an effective and empowered manager in The Middle. In this context, I am reminded of what Ernest Becker suggests in his book, The Denial of Death. No one can avoid physical death but there is another "death" that can be denied: That which occurs when we become wholly preoccupied with fulfilling others' expectations of us, both in our personal lives and in our careers.

Thompson then carefully organizes the material that follows "Base Camp: The Ignited Quiz" within three Parts. First, he offers some basic tools for improving the thinking and behavior of managers in The Middle. Next, he provides seven "Ignition Points" that are keys to the unique value that managers in The Middle can create. Finally, in Part III, he explains how to create a balanced fulfilling life while earning a living. They are not mutually exclusive. The challenge is to understand what really is most important in one's life, then achieve and then sustain an appropriate balance of those values dreams, objectives, needs, interests, and obligations.

Of special interest to me is what Thompson has to say about what he calls "Quake Country," a land of perpetual change. "A place where companies merge, morph, rise, and fall at an ever-accelerating pace - where the only thing certain about the latest management buzz phrases - from `failing fast,' `coopetition,' and cannibalization' to `process commoditization,' `productive friction,' and `social networking' - is that they will be replaced by new ones tomorrow, each change leaving the essential business problems behind." Much of value has been said and written about the difficulties that C-level executives face when struggling to make sense of and then respond to such an environment. Indeed much has been said and written about the extent to which C-level executives (especially CEOs such as Dennis Kozlowski at Tyco, Kenneth Lay and Jeffrey Schilling at Enron, John Rigas at Adelphia, and Gary Winnick at Global Crossing) have exacerbated these difficulties. To the best of my knowledge, very little attention has been focused on those who manage in The Middle. Hence the importance of Thompson's book.

Here is a representative selection of Thompson's key points:

"The concept of Management Value Added (MVA) is based on a simple question that you should ask whenever you're making a decision about how to invest your time and energy: `What value does management add?' And how could your actions `add value' to any situation in business? That's right - by helping to meet your bosses' needs. The goal of MVA is to ensure that you are adding the value most important to your boss and company but also that you are always adding value in every situation." For example, managers must understand that if they are going to a meeting, they better be well-prepared to add value to discussions. Perhaps a better example would be a situation, what Bruce Bodaken and Robert Fritz characterize as a "managerial moment of truth," when supervisers have an opportunity to provide constructive criticism to a report-to that will be of substantial value to her or his performance and thus to the overall performance of the given organization.

"People come and people go, but processes - once developed, codified, and set in motion - tend to perpetuate themselves until someone deliberately changes them (which is often easier said than done). The sum of the processes defines what the company does and determines whether or not it is successful."

Citing Steve Mummulo (of US Search) as an example of a "Linkmaker," Thompson sums up the lessons to be learned. "When you're trying to get something done, use the proper channels first. Then, if the official procedures don't work and you find you must make an end run, do it in a politically sound way: Explain your reasons, get your boss's support, and keep people informed. Above all, show results. If you can make your network pay off, you'll be a hero. If you don't, you won't."

Citing Henry Mintzberg's concept of "emergent strategy," Thompson asserts that it is the strategic role of managers in The Middle "not simply to execute the strategy dictated by the top executives of the firm, but to supplement it with creative ideas, initiatives, and inventions of their own, driven by their first-hand knowledge of developments in the competitive arena, their own capabilities, and the openings for profit they perceive."

Given the organizational constraints that limit, often discourage, and sometimes even punish open and honest communication (especially "bad news"), how can those who manage in The Middle help their team members overcome barriers when tough corporate challenges demand clear and frank communication? Thompson suggests these tactics: "Acknowledging the constraints. Establishing an important business context and purpose. Recognizing the crucial role of the team member. Creating a separate space where it's safe to be open. Rigorously avoiding any form of recrimination or retribution for negative or `politically incorrect' statements."

This review is somewhat longer than I originally intended but I consider the issues that Thompson addresses to be so important, and his insights and counsel about managing in The Middle to be so valuable, that I felt obligated to include several quotations from his narrative. If I understand Thompson's ultimate objectives correctly, they include the following:

1. Help those who manage in The Middle to be more effective as "the connective tissue," as "the links to people above and below them in the corporate structure." This will strengthen their organization and, at the same time, expedite their career's development as well as nourish their personal growth.

2. Help those "above" (i.e. in senior management especially CEOs) to understand, appreciate, and then take full advantage of what managers in The Middle offer as "connective tissue" and "links" as well as their insights into customer needs, their awareness of competitive realities, and their understanding of the given organization's strengths and weaknesses.

3. Help those "below" the superviser to whom they report. As Vince Thompson correctly observes, "If you help your boss achieve success with his or her boss (not by going around your boss but collaboratively), you're really onto something. You're focusing on the issues that matter most at the highest levels of the company - the ones that'll get you the most recognition, the most power within the firm, and permission to pursue all your other dreams and goals."

As I finished reading this brilliant book, I was again reminded that organizations and even individual careers resemble vehicles in many different ways. Here's one example that seems especially relevant. Let's say you have just purchased a 2005 "cream puff" Mercedes with a full tank of gas, new tires and a new battery, tight breaks, and it has just been washed. Looks new. And of course, it has been properly inspected, registered, and insured. Then when you insert and turn the key, nothing happens. Nothing. The car isn't going anywhere and neither are you until the ignition problem is solved.

For many people, particularly those who "insert and turn a key" in their organization and/or in their career...and nothing happens, this will be the most valuable business book they have read in years.

Ignited has several good ideas to help a middle manager creatively navigate the corporate minefield. I found several of the ideas worth trying out, and discovered that I was doing a few things right but needed to modify some behaviors. This is a fairly easy read but you need to take time with each section to evaluate your behaviors and style in order to get the most out of it.

Good book. Buy it.

Calano has distilled a lot of wisdom into his very readable book. I've coached over 1,000 executives, asking all what they'd do differently in their personal lives and careers, and what lessons they've learned; Calano has captured their best advice and much more.

Make Your Move is a concise, well-written book of insights for business and life. Jimmy Calano achieved extraordinary success early in life and has a diversity of rich, real-world experience to draw from. Because he is a true student of personal and professional success, he has invested time reflecting on his successes and failures and distills his findings in this tighly packaged book. Your investment of reading time will reinforce the important lessons you once knew but might have forgotten and reveal new ideas and techniques you can use in your journey. I recommend it.

Once again, Jimmy Calano has taken all the management speak and self growth mumbo jumbo, boiled it down, and written a clear down to earth enjoyable book that is a resource for anyone at any age. Pick a section, pick a page... the wisdom is there. Jimmy has a way of connecting the dots and connecting with the reader without preaching or being the source of all knowledge. Hes a mentor, a coach, a guide...and comes across as trusted friend...this book is about making the most out of life.

Captivating throughout, Make Your Move is a wonderful reminder that life is to live Large. Calano's personal experience, stories, and real life examples provide us with simple steps to reconnect to our inner passions, dust off our dreams, accept responsibility, move beyond our perceived obstacles,and make a difference in our life. A fun, easy read, value packed for those getting started in life and those who are seasoned.

As I read this book, I kept thinking, "How does he know me? He just nailed me on every excuse I've been making for not achieving my own potential." I speak and write books on attaining goals, yet, I fall short of reaching my own potential.

Every section, from overcoming procrastination to making my dreams much bigger rings true. Most important, though, the book spells out specific action plans so I can get out of my head and into action.

Save your bucks. Don't buy a dozen books on various aspects of self-motivation. The essential wisdom of them all is contained in this one book. It's a quick and easy read, and I especially like the organization into bite-sized sections. If you read this book and don't leap ahead in achieving your goals, read it again. Just follow 15% of his advice. You'll be unstoppable.

Oh, and it's full of real stories about real people we can all relate to. Not just CEO types or rich/successful people. If you're a Mailroom Supervisor with a dream, this book will show you practical steps that will help you make it come true.

In a world of hype advertising where what is claimed so often bears little resemblance to reality, this book (and specifically its book jacket) is a refreshing change. This book delivers exactly what the publisher says. And, delivers very well!

I am a huge believer in the power of mentors, coaches, mastermind groups and the like. In my studies and interviews of peak performers from all walks of life, getting constructive help from others is very often cited as a key to a given peak performer's success.

Now tons of books have been written on coaching, but there has heretofore been a dearth of books on masterminding. Authors Vitale and Hibbler have wonderfully filled this niche. They have written an interesting and valuable how-to book on assembling and maintaining an effective mastermind group. Especially valuable for the self-employed who are void of the valuable networking often provided by the traditional corporate workplace.

Caveat emptor: If you looking for a deep psychological treatise on exactly how masterminding works neurologically, this is NOT the book. But, if you want a nuts and bolts guide to masterminding, this book rocks. Exactly as advertised by the publisher! How refreshing, and useful.

We are the product of the half dozen people with whom we spend the most time. Assemble and maintain the right mastermind group and one can't help but to be more successful. This book will show you how to make that happen.

It is a good book on the Masterming group model. It is clearly and simply written. I get more out of books that I enjoy, and this is a pleasure to read, engaging is aterm I'd use to describe it.

Lots of helpful information. I formed a mastermind group that was fairly effective, now I am looking to take that to the next level with some of Joe's ideas.

Meet and Grow Rich contains everything you could possibly want to know about mastermind groups and then some. As a coach and consultant to what I term creative multipreneurs who are starting or growing a small business or businesses, I recognize the value of having a good, strong support team in place as a catalyst to success. Authors Joe Vitale and Bill Hibbler offer all the nuts and bolts on how to start your own mastermind group plus give many real life examples of the different types of groups that fall under this moniker. The second half of the book is filled with all sorts of tips, advice, and how-tos from several contributors who share their first-hand experiences. All the answers are here.

I was so inspired, I immediately contacted four self-employed colleagues and started my own group, as well as created a facilitated mastermind coaching groups program as a service of my coaching practice.

Susan Henderson
www.susanhenderson.com

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R21LH09NLC588Y The fastest way to create wealth and success in your life is to use the principles of mastermind groups first introduced by Napoleon Hill best selling author of Think and Grow Rich. When you understand the principles you will accelerate your results to new heights much faster and easier than you ever imagined possible.

Meet and Grow Rich gives you multiple examples of how to run a mastermind group effectively so you can produce the results you want in your life quickly and easily. It also cuts down your learning curve to success.

Profiting in Turbulent Times

Wealth Without a Job: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Freedom and Security Beyond the 9 to 5 Lifestyle

Laid Off? Don't Stress! How to Get from Mad to Glad

A must-read for anyone who wants to change careers, discover their passion, and find meaningful work.

From John Howard Prin, author of Secret Keeping: Overcoming Hidden Habits and Addictions

For many people, living an authentic life is hardly more than a dream. This book shows how such dreams can come true.

The author has lived what she teaches. In clear, lucid prose, Ms. Fortgang walks the reader through the maze of fears and challenges of making vital changes in one's life to the rewards and benefits that make it all worthwhile. With dashes of humor and sound encouragement, her advice confronts the internal limits we often impose on ourselves and helps the reader define a purpose that's organic and true to each individual. Her wide array of examples illustrates unique ways her clients are living out their various Life Blueprints according to her 90-day process.

As a counselor who guides numerous people to make life-changing decisions to overcome their addictions and discover the blessings of sobriety, I will not hesitate to recommend this user-friendly handbook to every sincere seeker. Well done on every level!

This book is definitely one of the best in this subject category - self-help to get your life and career in focus. I've read many books similar to this; books that try to help you define your interests and career path, but none have been as well written and easy to understand as Now What? The book is geared towards those of us who might struggle with finding "IT" - that career or life direction that we want to take. Through a series of helpful exercises, Fortgang helps you get to the heart of your desires and uncover some of your interests. I was really surprised by what I discovered about myself through this book and would definitely encourage others who are "lost" to read it. The exercises are particularly useful, and the book was very readable and encouraging. Did I find "IT" through the reading of this book? Well, no. But, I did help gain clarity about separating interests and hobbies and that, for me, was a big issue. The only thing that seems unreasonable is the 90 day period of time; you'll want to read the book much faster and will likely find yourself finished long before 90 days has passed. That was the only problem with the book, placing a time frame on it. Otherwise, it was really helpful.

I am a professional life coach and my primary focus is on life purpose and career. "Now What? 90 Days to a New Life Direction" is one the best tools out there for those seeking to find heart and meaning in their lives and work. I have been so impressed with the book that I have recommended it to clients ever since it first came out in hardback. This new paperback edition has even more valuable additions and I continue to recommend it highly.

I have been so impressed with the body of the author's work that I underwent specialized training with her to become an authorized Life Blueprint® Facilitator, coaching individuals and groups through the step-by-step NOW WHAT?(tm) program of intuitively guided questioning, exploration, and action designed to create the foundation for a more fulfilling life.

With or without a coach, this book will help guide you to finding your own "Life Blueprint" and a life of greater meaning, purpose and joy. This is a tremendous gift not only to you, but to the world!

Many of the examples the author used were of people who already had more than most people do (money, education, connections, high paying salaries that they are just tired of).

Check out Claire on page 11. She lives in London, wants a second home, is planning a weekend trip to the South of France, has a great job and benefits. Has a nice husband and home. What is her problem? Maybe she needs a shrink to figure out what her unhappiness really stems from but that's another book.

The author should have used cases concerning more ordinary folk. She seemed to be appealing to upper class, globe trotting, burnt out executives who are whining because they feel they are missing out on something. Maybe that cute little pony they didn't get as a child.

Claire...try yoga, buy a pony....get a grip.

This book is OK, but not great. The test is a combination of a personality and IQ test that is not all that useful. If you already know your Briggs Myers type and IQ score this test will add very little to what you already know. It's not as good as StrengthsFinder 2.0. But if you like spending money to take tests, it might be worth a try.

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When I picked up "Succeed on Your Own Terms" I was expecting some gems of life experiences because the sub-title is "Lessons From Top Achievers Around the World on Developing Your Unique Potential." I was not disappointed as I found each short chapter to be bring me a very good example of how an individual used and demonstrated a personal characteristic or trait. The book is easy to read and you feel well connected to what happened. You don't have to dedicate a block of time to go through this one. You can read it little blocks at a time and it goes just fine. Definitely take the time to do the online evaluation. I found it to be very worthwhile. Enjoy!

In the business world, self-help books grow on trees. When you see through their poser disguise and words, you find the authors often got rich TALKING about how to do X, but they themselves didn't actually succeed at the particular field. This title is an exception, and filled with wisdom. Herb Greenberg is quite an authority, and his book speaks here volumes. It has dozens of great biographical stories dissecting the mental thought processes from people who overcame extraordinary odds to become overachievers. People from all walks of life.

It contains an efficient, possibly eye-opening test to define your strengths and areas that need a little push. Great stuff!

SUCCEED ON YOUR OWN TERMS by Herb Greenberg and Patrick Sweeney is a book I'll want to
revisit often, if just to again read the story of Mugsy Bogues--the
shortest NBA player of all time.

He is just one of the many accomplished individuals interviewed
by the authors . . . they also spoke to actor Ben Vereen, Senator
Barbara Boxer, architect Michael Graves, and a wide range
of others from a variety of fields.

In addition, they then conducted a comprehensive personality
assessment on each person, attempting to uncover the defining
qualities that made them unique . . . all totaled, they came
up with a total of 19 qualities--including such ones as optimism,
resilience, empathy, persuasiveness, courage, creativity, and
self-awareness.

I enjoyed the in-depth interviews, as well as the many tidbits
of information that were shared . . . among the many
that caught my attention were the following:

* If two people are climbing a mountain together, what is the
most important thing they need to get to the summit? Teamwork?
Cooperation? The right equipment? Training? All those things are
required. But what' most important is the mountain itself. You
must have a goal.

* Once, late at night, he was crying because the result from one of the
surgeries was worse than expected. Jose Luiz recalled, "An old man at
the hospital called me over and said, 'Boy, why do you cry? Look
around you. There are patients here who will only live a few days more.
Don't just sit here and cry. Go and see them. And see what happens.
Maybe you can help them by just being there.' It was a very simple
message, but it changed my life and I carry it with me."

* [Gov. John Corzine of New Jersey] "The simple answer is that
if I made another dollar, another hundred million dollars, or whatever,
it would not change any aspect of my life. I wouldn't feel better about
myself," he said.

Perhaps the most valuable part to SUCCEED ON YOUR OWN TERMS
was the offer that came with it . . . readers are offered the opportunity
to take a free, in-depth personality assessment that will then be
scored . . . the results can be used to discover unique potential and
strengths with the idea being that they can then help locate situations
that play to these natural abilities.

There is a lot to like about the book, SUCCEED ON YOUR OWN TERMS, by Herb Greenberg and Patrick Sweeney. This is one of the best "success" books of 2006. Greenberg and Sweeney of Caliper, an international consulting firm, share their findings from countless research interviews of successful people, many famous and familiar, many others you've probably never heard of, but all who have obtained a high level of achievement in their respective fields.

The book is presented in four parts and twenty-eight chapters. Part 1 introduces the authors and helps give an appropriate definition of "success" and how everyone's expectations of success are different.

IN Part 2, the reader finds individual profiles of people and how they have found success in their lives. This is some very interesting reading and really helps to illustrate the many facets of success. I would consider this chapter the "meat and potatoes" of the book.

Part 3, for me, fell a little short. It starts off in chapter 23 pretty well, giving yet further insight into personal obstacles of interviewees and what they learned from their respective journeys. Chapter 24 really becomes filler material and really detracted from the overall accomplishments of the work here, but the pace soon returns in Part 4, "Defining Moments, Lessons, and Qualities and What They All Mean". I found this chapter to be the best reading of the entire book.

In summary, a valuable book that was overall, very enjoyable. There were, however, a few disappointments. The book has an overabundance of profiles of politicians, which was a huge distraction for me. It's difficult for me to find inspiration from people like Jon Corsine, Charlie Rangel or Barbara Boxer. Nonetheless, gloss over the parts that don't interest you and just read the rest. It's well worth the price of the book.

Corporate America is a refreshing book desperately needed in the business profession, where morals and faith often take a back-seat to success and greed. Corporate America is a must read, especially for anyone in the business world. Whether you are new in your Christian faith, been a Christian for many years or know nothing about Christianity, all can benefit from reading this enriching book. In this quick read the author breaks down each chapter into a different aspect of how the Christian faith can be lived out in a business sense. The author, although a young businessman uses many good illustrations showing the parallels and contrasts between the corporate world and the Christian faith. The author, through his genuine humble approach, does not claim to be some great scholar, but it becomes evident that his intentions in writing the book are pure: that people may grow in their faith.

This book is definitely a good read. Not only does the author discuss different aspects of the business world, but he also ties them in to Christian values and principles. This book is an excellent source for anyone who wants to attain good, moral values. The author ties in many different stories of the business world that he personally encountered to different passages of scripture and Christian teachings. Although the author is a firm believer in the Bible, he successfully teaches the principles that are taught in the Bible. The author displays a sense of humility as well by claiming that he sometimes doesn't "practice what he preaches." However, that shows that he does not claim to be a perfect individual, rather an ordinary guy who values what is good. Overall, this book is a must-read and is a good reminder of what strong, moral values are.

This book is definitely a good read. Not only does the author discuss different aspects of the business world, but he also ties them in to Christian values and principles. This book is an excellent source for anyone who wants to attain good, moral values. The author ties in many different stories of the business world that he personally encountered to different passages of scripture and Christian teachings. Although the author is a firm believer in the Bible, he successfully teaches the principles that are taught in the Bible. The author displays a sense of humility as well by claiming that he sometimes doesn't "practice what he preaches." However, that shows that he does not claim to be a perfect individual, rather an ordinary guy who values what is good. Overall, this book is a must-read and is a good reminder of what strong, moral values are.

This book is definitely a good read. Not only does the author discuss different aspects of the business world, but he also ties them in to Christian values and principles. This book is an excellent source for anyone who wants to attain good, moral values. The author ties in many different stories of the business world that he personally encountered to different passages of scripture and Christian teachings. Although the author is a firm believer in the Bible, he successfully teaches the principles that are taught in the Bible. The author displays a sense of humility as well by claiming that he sometimes doesn't "practice what he preaches." However, that shows that he does not claim to be a perfect individual, rather an ordinary guy who values what is good. Overall, this book is a must-read and is a good reminder of what strong, moral values are.

This book is definitely a good read. Not only does the author discuss different aspects of the business world, but he also ties them in to Christian values and principles. This book is an excellent source for anyone who wants to attain good, moral values. The author ties in many different stories of the business world that he personally encountered to different passages of scripture and Christian teachings. Although the author is a firm believer in the Bible, he successfully teaches the principles that are taught in the Bible. The author displays a sense of humility as well by claiming that he sometimes doesn't "practice what he preaches." However, that shows that he does not claim to be a perfect individual, rather an ordinary guy who values what is good. Overall, this book is a must-read and is a good reminder of what strong, moral values are.

I had the pleasure of meeting Bill Jenkins at a conference in Portland,Oregon last August, and his book and his talk made an immediate and lasting impact on how I viewed organizational needs. I have used one quote over and over as I have worked with my retired teachers organization. "Individuals and organizations that continuously change are the ones who experience lasting success." I am 73 years old and I know that we must view change as a positive and explore new possibilities if we and our organizations are to prosper. "We have always done it that way" is not an option. I have shared my book with others and now find it has disappeared, but I will find another copy someplace - it is a "keeper."

This book should be required reading for all teenagers, and any adult going through personal or work-related upheaval would also benefit tremendously. It contains lucidly crafted, accessible principles that do much more than state the obvious home truths expounded in most such books. I am now circulating my copy among the "survivors": my newly formed team, created after a painful and protracted process of "right-sizing" and re-organization. I believe it will help us as a group to create afresh and avoid the predispositions, mindsets and mistakes of our predecessors. To the author : THANK YOU!

A simple but excellent way to remind that change is evident, and dealing with change can and will cause one to reflect on the inner self and admit strengths can also be weaknesses. It was great to be reminded that teamwork is so very necessary in all success whether professional or personal.

This book focuses on two issues that are crucial to relationships, working and personal, in today's society. The principles of worth and trust are key in any relationship, and as I read the book and reflected over previous experiences, I realized that, more often than not, the problems began because I was missing these two aspects. The Eagle & the Monk presents these and other principles in a simple, yet not childish manner. I found the questions at the back of the book especially helpful in focusing on the areas in which I personally need improvement. I think that everyone can find at least one of these principles in which they are deficient. The book helps readers recognize and address these problems.

E&M provides an innovative approach to an important topic. Easy to read and thoughtful in guiding content discussion, this book will be a particularly welcome change for students interested in leadership.