If you have ever felt like life is not treating you right then you should take a moment to consider how great a role your thinking and attitude play in how life treats you; because it is all about how you perceive your life to be that determines how it will be. If you have negative thoughts, your attitude tends to be just as negative and if you have positive thoughts your attitude will be just as positive. You cannot expect to have a good attitude when all of your thoughts tell you that life is hard, full of disappointment and that it’s you against the world.

I want you to try this quick experiment so that you can see how your thoughts really do affect your perceptions on life, as well as your attitude. Think of your best friend and the unconditional love and support shared between the two of you…

Did you smile without meaning to? Did you remember a specific time when your friend showed unconditional love and support for you? Did you notice that your attitude brightened while thinking about your best friend? Chances are very good that this is the experience you had by thinking about something positive.

You were asked to do this quick experiment about positive thinking so that you could experience for yourself how your thoughts affect your attitude. While articles like this are informational and useful, I have always found that they are even more helpful when I can relate to them on a personal level like the experiment above, which positive thinking allowed me to do. I understand what people mean when they say that positive thoughts equal a positive attitude.

How do our thoughts and attitudes play a role in how life treats us? Our thoughts and attitude determines the way we perceive our life. Negative thoughts and a negative attitude will cause us to perceive everyday occurrences negatively. While positive thoughts and a positive attitude will cause us to perceive everyday occurrences positively. People with negative perceptions often make mountains out of mole hills so to speak.

Small things become a very big deal and people with negative attitudes always seem to be the ones that have bad things happening to them on a daily basis. They were late to work. They forgot their lunch at home. Traffic was bad when they got off. The cable was out. You get the idea. Unbeknownst to them is the very real fact that due to their negativity they are missing out on the good things, great and small that are trying to come into their lives.

Through our attitude we send messages to the people around us, and it is not hard to pick out the negative thinkers in the crowd because they usually have sour attitudes and we know one causes the other. Most people do not find negativity attractive. You can significantly improve your relationships with positive thoughts and a positive attitude.

If we are in a negative mode and perceiving our lives in that manner, we are actually creating an existence wherein we attract negativity to us while repelling anything positive. When we do this to ourselves we rationalize that life is just out to get us. We seethe inside as life seems to be going good for everyone else but us. Life is energy. It is not an entity with the power to wage a battle against you. Life is comprised of both good and bad things. The degree to which you will recognize and enjoy the good and cope with the bad is determined by how you perceive these things. And your perceptions are shaped by your thoughts and attitude.

In closing I leave you with this. Indulge in a life of positive thoughts which will equal a positive attitude and life will be good to you. Instead of thinking that the grass is greener on the other side, make your grass the greenest grass that you have ever seen. If you positively believe in your own success, then you can make it happen. Remember that your thoughts have power.

The good news is that anxiety, guilt, pessimism, procrastination, low self–esteem, and other “black holes” of depression can be cured without drugs. In Feeling Good, eminent psychiatrist, David D. Burns, M.D., outlines the remarkable, scientifically proven techniques that will immediately lift your spirits and help you develop a positive outlook on life. Now, in this updated edition, Dr. Burns adds an All–New Consumer’s Guide To Anti–depressant Drugs as well as a new introduction to help answer your questions about the many options available for treating depression.

– Recognise what causes your mood swings

– Nip negative feelings in the bud

– Deal with guilt

– Handle hostility and criticism

– Overcome addiction to love and approval

– Build self–esteem

– Feel good everyday

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Creating a New self-image
Excellent read!! It doesn’t matter how young or old you are this book can help you see yourself and life differently. It has helped me reflect on my beliefs and my life. What a true gift it has given me. It helps form a new way of thinking about negative thoughts and gives valuable strategies on how to use positive thoughts to really feel better about yourself. I highly recommend this book. If you are ready to view yourself honestly and are open to real life changes, than this book is for you.

5 Stars This book is a must read!
You do not have to suffer from full-blown depression to appreciate Dr. Burns insight into cognitive thoughts and how they affect your mood.

This book addresses every aspect of feelings that drive negative thoughts about ourselves, guilt, anger, sadness, perfectionism. I had spent years reinforcing negative thoughts based on situations out of my control. This book lifted me to a level of awareness of this spiraling behavior and gave me the tools I needed to change it. This will be a book that you need to read, and apply. Remember, it took years to condition yourself to think negatively, give this book a chance to reverse that process! I have bought several copies and given them to friends who have benefited from it’s read as a result of facing sad or negative situations.

5 Stars Excellent
When I began reading the book is was skeptical to try Dr. Burn’s methods but I was also desperate. I have been dealing with anxiety and depression for a year and nothing was working. I started using the triple column technique every day, recording my distorted thoughts, identifying the cognitive distortions, and giving a rational response. After just a few weeks, I began to notice a reduction in my anxiety and I wasn’t as depressed. Even though I have a long way to go, I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. I truly believe in the techniques presented in this book. I did begin to lose interest in the last few chapters as they go into detail about medications and I stopped reading them. However, the book is still excellent and I know there’s a great resource on medications whenever I need it.

5 Stars Excellent book!
I think absolutely anyone could benefit from reading this book. It makes clear the link between our thoughts and our moods and gives concrete methods for conciously changing the thought patterns that lead to self-destructive feelings and actions. And unlike many self-help books, it isn’t dry or preachy; it’s easy to read and well worth the time. If you’re depressed, PLEASE buy this book - it WILL help! If you’re not depressed, buy this book - it WILL improve your life!

3 Stars Hay que desafectarlo
Este comentario va en castellano porque su máxima utilidad es para lectores no usamericanos.

El libro es bueno, muy bueno diria, pero el lector no usamericano debe hacer un trabajo constante para “desusamericanizarlo” pues el libro tiene muchas cosas que solo son razonables para alguien que tenga membresía en ese marco cultural.

En resumen: en medio de bastante ruido cultural hay buena información de caracter bastante “universal”.

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The phenomenal #1 New York Times bestseller. More than 1.5 million copies sold. Now available from Riverhead.

This is the groundbreaking work that poses one of the most provocative questions of a generation: Why are American adolescent girls falling prey to depression, eating disorders, suicide attempts, and dangerously low self-esteem? Dr. Pipher posits that it’s America’s sexist, look-obsessed “girl-poisoning” culture-one in which girls are constantly struggling to find their true selves. In Reviving Ophelia, these girls’ uncensored voices are heard from the front lines of adolescence. Personal and painfully honest, this is a compassionate call to arms, offering strategies with which to revive these Ophelias’ lost senses of self.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars A must-read for all women and parents
I just finished reading Reviving Ophelia (Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls) by Dr Mary Pipher. Pipher is a therapist specializing in family and adolescence. Before writing this book, she wrote a book about eating disorders and while working on that, she noticed a phenomenon among her patients as well as her own teen girls. She says that when you speak to a 9 yr old girl, she is full of life, curiosity, energy, joy. You talk to her a few years later, age 13,14, and you want to shake her and ask “is there anyone in there?????” She wrote this book to explain what is happening at this point, why it happens, and how to prevent teen girls from losing their selves - because once this happens they typically develop problems such as addiction, promiscuity, eating disorders, etc.

It’s a long, dense book but it’s a fascinating read. She includes dozens upon dozens of cases. Most of the girls and families she talks about have come to her because they are having serious issues, but she also describes many cases in which the girls managed to avoid getting into trouble. She interviews “successful girls” in order to show that it is possible to grow up in today’s culture and still come out relatively unscathed. To a large extent, it’s our culture that she blames for the problems. She wrote this about 10 years ago but the culture she describes is very much like today’s (although today is much worse if you factor in all the temptations and dangers of internet, IM’ing etc). Girls today grow up bombarded with messages about sexuality, violence, the pressure to be thin, to be materialistic, to drink and smoke. Our culture often does not distinguish between sex and violence. Girls are caught in a confusing situation as they are encouraged to be attractive and appealing, yet they may be told not engage in sex or they may not feel ready, but if they dress in a way that’s considered by their peers to be attractive, and they limit or avoid sexual activity, they are labeled a “tease” and harassed and ridiculed. Pipher describes a scary, confusing world for the average US Middle Schooler in which she will be judged solely based on her looks, since most middle schools are large and that is the most natural way to judge people, and in which even walking down a hallway can be a horrible exercise as boys will pinch, nudge, verbally abuse her. Pipher also places heavy emphasis on the way we socialize our boys, which I found very original and when you think about it, obvious. It made me think about the fact that I tell my children that nobody can touch their privates unless my husband or I are around, etc., but I need to take it one step further and in the near future begin to drill it into my son’s head that he needs to be sensitive and respectful toward girls. Also, many of her patients were in trouble because of promiscuity, drugs, alcohol - and through therapy they discovered that they had been molested or raped when they were very young but they had never told anyone. After I read that part, I began talking to the kids about how if God forbid that should happen to them, the bad people who do that can be very sick people and try to convince them that if they tell us, we will be hurt - and that it isn’t true.

The book is disturbing in that it makes you think about how difficult our job as parents is and will be when the kids are teens, and if we have girls, we’ve definitely got our work cut out for us. But it’s also hopeful in that Pipher says that all these cultural pressures, peer pressure, the natural rebellion a teen must undergo in order to assert her/his identity in the family and in the world - all of this can be much less painful if the parents are 1) loving and 2) disciplinarians. She goes into detail about various families, their dynamics, their structure (or lack thereof), and so on - and she clearly shows how parents who are very laid-back, let their children discover the world and themselves basically on their own for the sake of creativity and individuality - these are the children that will feel lost in adolescence and will become problems. At the other extreme, parents that have strict households and are aloof and unattached will also have problem children. The key is to be firm but loving. “Certain kinds of homes help girls hold on to their true selves. These homes offer girls both protection and challenges. These are the homes that offer girls affection and structure. Girls hear the message ‘I love you, but I have expectations.’ In these homes, parents set firm guidelines and communicate high hopes. With younger children, rules are fine,but with teenagers, guidelines make more sense…It’s important to remember that rules, in the absence of loving relationships, are not worth much. Almost anyone can figure out how to break rules. What holds girls’ lives in place is love and respect for their parents.”

Pipher is definitely a feminist and she urges us to look at the mass media with our kids and basically teach them how to filter the messages. Look at magazines with them and talk about how the kids are dressed, etc, and what kind of message that is sending? Watch TV, movies, and talk about the visuals. She says we live in a lookist society where it’s all based on looks - talk about this with the kids, make them more sensitive to it. She also talks about how as parents we provide them examples of gender roles. “Parents can help daughters be whole by modeling wholeness. Androgynous parents are the best. Good fathers are nurturing, physically affectionate and involved in the lives of their daughters. Good mothers model self-sufficiency and self-love and are responsive, but not responsible for their family members.” Time and again she cautions against being the overbearing mother who micromanages the kids.

Something else I found interesting is when she points out that the most successful female adults tend to be the ones who were on the fringes in middle and high school. She says that the girls who were popular often turn into less satisfied adults. The most well-adjusted, satisfied adults are those who while growing up had to endure difficult circumstances. She says that the rejection these girls suffered made them create a protective space in which to develop their uniqueness. In their isolation, these girls turned to or developed certain passions (reading, music, a social cause larger than themselves, athletics, etc). These passions were a place to escape to when the school hallways were too painful. “The girls who seem the happiest in junior high are often not the healthiest adults. They may be the girls who have less radar with which to pick up signals about reality. While this may be protective when the signals come fast and furious, later they may miss information. Or they may be the girls who don’t even try to resolve contradictions or make sense of reality. They may be relatively comfortable, but they will not grow.” In other words, if your daughter isn’t in the popular crowd as a teen, consider yourself lucky I guess! (Phew, thank God I was a reject!)

Anyway, this “summary” is already way too long. And I could keep going, but I need my coffee. The book jacket urges all parents and teachers to read it but I’d go a step further and recommend all women read it. Even if you don’t have a daughter, and you don’t work with kids, as a woman you will invariably relate to much of what Pipher says. You will find yourself thinking back to your own childhood and adolescence and analyzing it in a way you perhaps never have. Additionally, I realized several times that as a woman you never leave adolescence. There’s the joke that men never mature past age 16, but I believe that women are constantly in flux the way teens are, as we search for our identities with each new life phase. We are also subjected to this lookist society and culture that encourages a youthful, sexy image while being professionally successful, raising wonderful children and having an immaculate home. Perhaps reading this will remind us that teen girls aren’t aliens from an enemy planet after all.

Now onto her newer book, “Writing to Change the World”…

4 Stars Still a Neccesary Read
This is the book that parents and girls need to read and discuss.

I read this as a girl myself, and it allowed me to see my behavior in new, helpful light.

Now I am a mom myself, and one of my children is a girl, so I read it again- and still, it speaks to me in a profound way. I hope it makes me a better mom in the same way that it made me a better adolescent.

However, it does need to be updated, not just because the case studies now seem dated, but also because Pipher unflinchingly discusses the problems with schools. Since homeschooling has grown a good deal in the years since this book’s initial publication, I think it is a neccesary componenent to explore, perhaps even as a partial solution for many of the problems outlined in this book.

1 Star Hopefully there are better books for our girls than this …
While the book had some insights, I nevertheless found it simplistic, unscientific and disappointing. Whoever gave Mary Pipher her Ph.D. must be cringing. The usual suspects are to blame for the problems plagueing our young girls, including the ‘feminist’ fan favorite, the ‘girl-poisioning’ society. If you like this kind of pop psychology, then this book is for you. If you are a more serious reader, then move onto something else and save your money. I particularly like the section in the book where Dr. Pipher mentions that ‘…she knows very little about [the psychology] of boys…’ and then spends the next several pages proving it. It can be argued that growing up today is harder than in previous generations and our young girls need help. Sadly, so does this book.

4 Stars book
I heard good things about this book. I look foward to reading it. It came quickly.

5 Stars It worked for us
All I can say is I had problems with a good kid. The school’s guidence counsler recommended Reviving Ophelia. I couldnt put it down.

It doesnt tell you what to do but it does give an understanding of what young girls are up against and what may be going through their heads.In our case it was spot on. With this knowledge you can pry and get a feeling what might be in your kid’s head.

Some people are giving this book a basic rating. I dont know how they could unless they have an ax to grind or bigger issues than those in the book. As a layman I’ll take a book of case studies over one person’s opinion any day. No mold fits all

Best to you and your kids.

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User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars ok
this book was decent. it did have some funny stuff in it. but, i think being funny always helps ease situations where your uncomfortable in mingling. its worth it for some of the tips it gave. but, some or outdated/corny that you would look stupid nowdays if you used them. so, dont take everything verbatum

3 Stars Not for men
This book contains many useful tips for women. Men, however, could never get away with most of the ideas such as the conversation starters. What might seem cute or playful when done by a woman, will come across as stupid if done by a man. If you are a man, avoid this book or risk people saying “is that guy for real?” behind your back.

5 Stars creative ways to get out there!
I am only half way through this book, but already it has proven itself to be a charming and clever little resource. I almost returned the book thinking that I really didn’t need it but for the price, it has a wealth of information, techniques and real-life anecdotes and Jeanne Martinet’s writing is both witty and conversational.

This book could really be for anyone, if one uses the techniques and examples with a little bit of creativity. I am a college student striding both business and social worlds — when put into context I can see myself using Jeanne’s techniques both at a networking event as much as I can a social-mixer. Expand the techniques a little further and they can be used in events where you might not know anyone (in line, in a new class, waiting at the bus stop, etc.). The only thing Jeanne has yet to emphasise in the book (and perhaps this is a good thing) is the effect on mingling and making friends — this is not a book to teach you to be irresistable to men or how to win a lot of friends (many of which books I find unrealistic, especially since Jeanne’s more practical book and those ‘other’ books emphasise the same thing: confidence and fearlessness), Jeanne instead reminds the reader that the art of mingling is merely to have fun, survive tough social situations and maybe even have an entertaining conversation with which to share with friends the next day. All in all this book seems great both for wallflowers who often feel tounge tied, and party-people who just want to seem that much more clever, alike.

4 Stars Helpful hints for Communicating with People
People fear walking into a room and starting a conversation. They don’t know how to begin…..Jeanne Martinent ABCs for beginning conversations really makes you start thinking about opening lines with someone. Best of all, they are simple.

Jeanne provides very helpful ideas about how to break away from someone at a networking event. Breaking away is something people fear for they do not want the other person to believe they are being rude. She describes in detail techniques that she has tested herself. Practical information for anyone.

Kathy Condon, Author of the book “It Doesn’t Hurt to Ask: It is all about communication.”

2 Stars Not as good as I had hoped
I liked the introduction, in which the author talked about her friends asking her how she had managed to talk to everyone at the event they had just been at, while they had failed to mingle. She does give a few useful tips in the book, but don’t buy this book if mingling is not, for you, an end in itself, as it is for the author. If, for example, you want to improve your mingling skills in order to make friends, this book won’t help at all. The book might help you learn to meet everyone in a room, spending 30 seconds or one minute on each person, but the sorts of things she suggests you say to people made me cringe. Her system will help you meet people who are the most confident and who are fellow mingling lovers, but if you want to put people at ease so that you can discover who might be someone with whom you might like to create a friendship, her suggestions will prove counterproductive. If you want to mingle to make friends (or at least not to destroy any hope of making a friend or two) read the excellent book by Don Gabor, How To Start A Conversation And Make Friends. Finally, The Art of Mingling actually makes the author sound rather shallow, silly and even narcissistic (and believe me, I have nothing against finding ways to get away from the party bore with bad breath who has you cornered, etc). Disappointing, unless, for you, mingling is an end in itself.

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Robert McGee’s best-selling book has helped millions of readers learn how to be free to enjoy Christ’s love while no longer basing their self-worth on their accomplishments or the opinions of others. In fact, Billy Graham said that it was a book that “should be read by every Christian.”

In this re-launch of this timeless classic you will:

• Gain new skills for getting off the performance treadmill
• Discover how four false beliefs have negatively impacted your life
• Learn how to overcome obstacles that prevent you from experiencing the truth that your self-worth is found only in the love, acceptance, and forgiveness of Christ

Discover what two million readers have already discovered: that true significance is found only in Christ.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars The Search for Significance
I ordered 16 books for a women’s gathering study. If you are looking for a book that tells the truth about how God values and loves you, this is the one. The focus is finding our significance/self value from God and not through our performances or the opinions of others. It is a book that leads to freedom.

5 Stars Amazing!
I don’t know how I managed to pick up this book, because I was searching for truth, not personal significance. But what a happy discovery! It was here I first learned principles both foundational and pertinent to my quest - for instance, that the focus of the Christian life is Christ, not rules and regulations, and that trying to make up for bad deeds with good ones does nothing more than send us into a useless “guilt-and-penance spiral.”

5 Stars A must read for anyone who has ever questioned their value
I purchased this book as the basis for a short small group study. It has actually been one of the best Bible studies in which I have participated. For anyone who has ever questioned his/her own value or worth, this study provides many direct Biblical references confirming the truths that each of us is completely loved, completely forgiven, fully pleasing, totally accepted, and absolutely complete in Christ!

4 Stars Thanks.
I am overall pleased with the book. Though I was not expecting all the highlighting inside. Inadequate description.

But the book is amazing.

5 Stars I’ve benefited from this book for over 10 years so far
This book was mandatory reading for one of my classes in college about 15 years ago and it revolutionized my concept of self-worth and value. I have given hundreds of copies to friends and families over the ensuing decade and a half and have seen it change their hearts and lives as well. I doubt any self help workshops or seminars could begin to impart the knowledge and freedom that this book does.

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There’s no doubt about it—breakups suck. But in the first few hours or days or weeks that follow, there’s one important truth you need to recognize: Some things can’t and shouldn’t be fixed, especially that loser who dumped you or forced you to dump him. It’s called a breakup because it’s broken, and starting right here, right now, it’s time to dry your tears, put down that pint of ice cream, log out of his e-mail, and open this book to Chapter One–and start turning your breakup into a breakover.

From Greg Behrendt, the co-author of the smash two-million copy bestseller He’s Just Not That Into You, comes It’s Called a Breakup Because It’s Broken–the ultimate survival guide to getting over Mr. Wrong and reclaiming your inner Superfox. From how to put yourself through “he-tox,” to how to throw yourself a kick-ass pity party, Greg and his wife, Amiira, share their hilarious and helpful roadmap for getting past the heartache and back into the game. You will learn:

• Why you shouldn’t call him—and what he’s thinking when you do
• How to keep your friends and not lose your job
• How to avoid breakup pitfalls: IMing, stalking, having sex with your ex
• Reframing reality—seeing the relationship for what it was
• How to transform yourself into a hot, happening Superfox and get a jump on the better, brighter future that awaits

Complete with an essential workbook to help you put the crazy down on paper and not take it out into the world, It’s Called a Breakup Because It’s Broken is a must-have manual for finding your way back to an even more rocking you.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars God bless this book!
This book was amazingly helpful to me during my divorce. It not only contains fantastic advice, but made me laugh at a time when I wasn’t really feeling that jovial. Put down the ice cream, pick up the book!

1 Star Not what I expected
Not what I expected… Instead of making me feel better, it made me feel worse! When your heart is broken, the last thing you want to hear is “it’s called a break up because it’s broken” and “move on already!” said to you over and over again, as if it were as simple as making a sandwich!

Instead of bringing the focus on yourself, and dealing gently with your heart and with pain in a constructive way, it brings more focus on the partner who “dumped” you, and what “loser” or “[...]” he is for doing this to a “super fox” (eesh!) like yourself. I highly doubt that building hate or frustration this way is of any good, just as I doubt that numerous break-up stories should make you feel better. It’s the last thing you want to hear when your heart is aching. In those moments, you’d want to deal with the pain and understand the situation, and maybe being encouraged that there are wonderful men out there, that would love to be with someone like you!

5 Stars LIfe Saver
When your are at your worst this book comes in even handier than a best friend. Stories about others who have been through it, advice about what to do and not to do, and antidotes of self confidence.

5 Stars This book got me throught it!
This book is amazing. I bought this book after a six month relationship suddenly ended, and not by me! I was suffering so badly from a broken heart I thought for sure I would die!I had a huge support system but nothing would snap me out of my funk. Amazingly, after reading only half of the book,I felt so much better! Every question, scenario and fantasy you have in your head when you are in mourning is answered in here. It’s to the point , comforting , funny and empowering. I highly recommend this book if you are dwelling on a broken relationship and wasting your time on the jerk who left you.

5 Stars Best break up book ever
I read recently this while going through a break up, and have since recommended it to all my friends. I was depressed over my break up and this book helped me through it. It’s geared towards women/girls who have been dumped (though there’s some in there about if you did the dumping.) There are workbook sections at the end of chapters. The book reminds you that you are a good person who will probably find someone who appreciates you, and now you are free to find that person. 5 stars.

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User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Fantastic
It’s a great read would rec amend it to any one that wants to succeed.

5 Stars Still Excelllent Advice & Good Reading
Over the years I have reread Dale Carnegie’s books several times. They have been more than helpful in making speeches and friends. We just need more authors like him.

5 Stars The saying what you don’t know could hurt you is true.
I do a fair amount of public speaking and just dealing with people. When you know what you want to say and are able to say it confidently and with conviction it makes a big difference in the way it is received.

5 Stars An Absolute TREASURE
After having read HOW TO DEVELOP SELF-CONFIDENCE & INFLUENCE PEOPLE by PUBLIC SPEAKING by Dale Carnegie, I genuinely feel compelled to write a brief review.

First, I found this book to be useful and pratical. The author provides general principles regarding how to develop self-confidence and improve one’s speaking peformance, then provides an illustration of that principle. In other words, the author is effectively instructing us on how to improve our public speaking peformance, which is critical in so many professions.

Second, this book contains brilliant depth. In fact, to be forward, I was skeptical I would even find this book useful. I have provided speeches with nearly 300 people in attendance. However, when it came to my performance before small groups –say, three to twelve people– I tended to flounder. From this book, I learned that I must prepare for my short presentations as I prepare for my more lengthy presentations. A few quick pointers: memorize your opening and closing, which I was not doing for my small group presentations; I was often attempting to “wing” them. However, subsequently reading this book, my presentations are more effective and have more grace.

Third and in conclusion, the final chapter was somewhat astonishing for me. I was literally mispronouncing a few words, and I am very grateful for having received instruction and guidance from the author. For example, I was mispronouncing vIand, antIdote, amEnable, cUlinary, sUpine, lab-o-ra-tory, bev-er-age, Cath-o-lic, choc-o-late, di-a-mond, fo-li-age, gal-ler-y, et al.! I honestly state with confidence that this little treasure is a “must read” for professionals, particularly those required to speak before small and large audiences. On a final note, I only wish I had read this book earlier, my life would have been quite easier.

Sincerely,

Clovis

5 Stars great help. Important information
I read this book before I did a presentation of my book to THE LOS ANGELES ATAXIA SUPPORT GROUP. It helped me a lot, and gave me the confidence that I needed to display my book in an oral book presentation.

I will go over a few of the key points of this wonderful book by Dale Carnegie, Inc., and why the information was what I needed to hear.

-In order to be a good public speaker you must have a strong and persistant desire to relate this information. (Yes, there is a strong and urgent need to increase awareness of CEREBELLAR ATAXIA as well as all of the other varieties of ATAXIA-a neurological, progressive, physical disorder that impairs coordination. I have been becoming more and more physically handicapped with my genetic neurological disorder since I was 17.)

-Know thoroughly what you are going to talk about. Don’t speak until you are sure that you have something to say, and then say it, and sit down. (I am already sitting in a wheelchair due to my progressive, genetic disorder. I related to my audience how I wrote the book, over years, the publication process, and then I recited three of the poems from my book.)

-Practice, Practice, Practice. Be prepared. State your facts, argue from them, and appeal for action. (I described how it is to live with a progressive, neurological handicap. I hope it will raise awareness of ATAXIA.)

Those are a few of the key point of this marvelous book by Dale Carnegie, Inc.

My book is called Dreams in August: Life, Love, and Cerebellar Ataxia

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THE PHENOMENAL CLASSIC THAT HAS CHANGED THE LIVES OF MILLIONS

Are you afraid of making decisions . . . asking your boss for a raise . . . leaving an unfulfilling relationship . . . facing the future? Whatever your fear, here is your chance to push through it once and for all. In this enduring guide to self-empowerment, Dr. Susan Jeffers inspires us with dynamic techniques and profound concepts that have helped countless people grab hold of their fears and move forward with their lives. Inside you’ll discover

• what we are afraid of, and why
• how to move from victim to creator
• the secret of making no lose decisions
• the vital 10-step process that helps you outtalk the negative chatterbox in your brain
• how to create more meaning in your life
And so much more!

With insight and humor, Dr. Jeffers shows you how to become powerful in the face of your fears–and enjoy the elation of living a creative, joyous, loving life.

“Should be required for every person who can read! I recommend this book in every one of my seminars!”
–Jack Canfield, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul

“It’s a must! The most practical guide to personal empowerment I have ever read. Feel the Fear . . . and Do It Anyway goes to number one on my recommended reading list.”
–Jordan Paul, Ph.D., co-author of Do I Have to Give Up Me to Be Loved by You?

“Living is taking chances, and Feel the Fear . . . and Do It Anyway has helped so many people, both men and women, to achieve success.”
–Louise L. Hay, author of The Power Is Within You

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Positive All the way…
Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway is a great read. The positive and practical approach to fear and things we dread doing is quite useful. I was surprised to find that the book has been in circulation for more than 20 years and still rings as true as ever.

5 Stars Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway
I must say this book helped me to identify some of my fears as far as stepping out into the unknown. Susan Jeffers, wrote an awesome book. All the issues she touched on proved to me that she was once where I am at now. At times I find myself slipping back into my old way of thinking, which usually contribute to the chatterbox in my head.

Her book has given me encouragement and hope that I can someday be relieved from this fear that I have carried around for many years. I just have to believe in myself and know that whatever happens, in the end, it will be alright.

As Susan has written, “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway” and that is what I am planning on doing.

Thank you for having the book and delivering it to me in a timely fashion.

God always knows what we need.

Ivory Rivers-Scott

5 Stars You are not a failure if you do not make it.You are a success because you tried.
I think that this book is meant for every one of us on this earth.Reason is that we all go through tough times in our lives.Sometimes everything falls on our head all at once.Then we have no breathing space.We cannot see clearly were we are going,and what we should do.We are stressed to the maximum.This book shows us a way to analyze ourselves in different prospectives.How to handle things that are good,bad,overwhelming and at the same time destructive.

We need guidance sometimes,and this book has helped me see the light of many things.Friends that unless you share with them their misery will dump you like a sack of potatoes.They use you and throw you away.

Almost losing a loved one, the desperation of that moment,what can you do, so that you can help your loved one live longer and not die in front of you that such thing does not happen.To extend life for many years more.Is it in our power to do so?I think to a certain extent we can extend it.It happened to me.

How to react when you are not welcomed in a different culture.How to accept defeat and yet move on.

I think that we should really analyze how we interact towards each and NEVER take each other for granted.But see the love that is within all of us, and try to express it in every way we can.With a smile, a caress,and a look.It makes the person that sees it feel happy and wanted.

2 Stars Warning - voice used in audio can be irritating
My rating is specifically directed at the “audio” version of this book. The narrator’s voice is not very pleasing to listen to and can become in fact a little distracting. Rather than listening to a clear professional voice, there’s a nasal quality to it and a bit of a lisp. You hear a lot of her tongue, swallowing & spit in her mouth…a bit gross. If you don’t need the audio version and you are sensitive to these types of sounds (it can over time become as irritating as listening to someone who makes tons of slurping noises while eating), I recommend you read the paperback book version instead.

5 Stars What would you do if you weren’t afraid?
“At the bottom of every one of your fears is simply the fear that you can’t handle whatever life may bring you. The truth is: If you knew you could handle anything that came your way, what would you have to fear? The answer is: NOTHING!” ~ Susan Jeffers from “Feel the Fear… And Do it Anyway”

This is one of my Top 10 favorite self-development books. Easily. If you haven’t read it yet, I have a feeling it will make it to your Top 10 list as well.

Please (please please) get it. And read it. And mark it all up. And do what Susan suggests. It has the potential to change your life.

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Has anyone told you lately that you are truly amazing? Probably not unless you are one of the very blessed few who have at least one powerful encourager in your life that truly does care about you.

I was 6 feet tall when I was in the 7th grade. I weighed all of 140 lbs. Skinny doesn’t begin to describe it. Toothpick would come a little closer. With the unruly and wiry hair that I tried to grow long and fight to keep straight, most of my friends called me ‘Q-tip.’ You can imagine how that did wonders for my self esteem. Yeah, not much.

I was reminded by my father that I wasn’t planned when I was born. I guess not. Three kids in LESS THAN three years. My brother was 2 years old, about to turn 3. My sister was 1 year old, 9 days before she turned 2.

My father suffered most of his life with what we now know as bi-polar disorder. Major moods swings and a plethora of attitudes that did not serve in my best interest (or anyone else’s for that matter.) He constantly reminded me that I was an ‘accident’ and with the constant psychological abuse that he put on me, I felt more like an intruder on this planet than a little boy.

As I got older and begin to discover personal development and what it could do for me to heal my past and create my future, I begin to develop new beliefs about myself. What I discovered, changed my life. I discovered that the facts proved that I was not an ‘accident’, but indeed, my life was/is a miracle.

I discovered through reading personal development books that the chances that I was ever conceived to begin with were tens of millions to one. In fact, I learned that I had beaten out somewhere between 10 and 90 million other ’seeds’ that were all vying to fertilize one egg. Tens of millions of potential suitors and only one was going to get a date. In fact, the others were going to die. It wasn’t just a race and competition for affection. It was a battle for life.

Stop and think about this. If any other seed had fertilized that one egg, neither you nor I would be here right now. Ever wonder why you’ve always felt ‘’special”? Maybe you felt ”lucky”? Well, you gained access into the inner sanctum to fertilize the egg and millions others died off who didn’t make it.

I don’t know about you, but that fact alone makes me feel pretty amazing! Now I’m not asking to you believe in some kind of esoteric, metaphysical or spiritual concept. I’m sharing this as an established fact. Go check out these stats with a medical doctor. Now, if those odds haven’t made you feel as amazing as they make me feel, then think about this.

Go back 5 generations in your family. That would be to a great-great-great grandparent. Having extensive genealogy records for my family, I know who my great-great-great grandfather was and where he was born.

He was born in 1795 in Kentucky. Just 18 years after our country declared its independence. He met his wife by some set of circumstances which I’m not aware of. Nonetheless, just imagine your own experience, or perhaps that of your parents (or grandparents) and know that the odds weren’t good that he and this particular woman, got together.

Now add to the equation that the odds that they ever conceived and had the particular child that they had, were also in the 1 in several millions odds. Now, THAT child grew up and met someone else and the process goes on and on.

My point? Imagine the odds that you ever arrived here on this planet. Trillions to one. Your life is amazing. You may not feel like it. You may feel the lowest emotions that a human can feel. Nonetheless, the FACT remains that YOU ARE A MIRACLE!!!

Perhaps in another article, I’ll get into to the amazing biological, skeletal/muscular make up of your body (which is itself a miracle.) For right now, just allow yourself to consider and deeply think about, how YOU got HERE.

You, my dear friend, are no accident. You are amazing! You were a miracle the day you began your existence on this planet. And, you still are. Most people are never taught to love themselves.

Most people are never taught to really understand how awesome they really are. Through a lot of emotional and psychological damage that we get from very ill-informed sources in this world, we never face the REALITY of who and what we really are.

I’m here, telling you, YOU ARE AMAZING! I know it. You have talents, skills, intelligence and heart to do miracles in your own life. You have potential that you haven’t even begun to tap into its power.

You’ve likely either forgotten or, you never knew how the facts that support you as being a phenomenal being. Take some time today and think about what I’ve shared with you here. Think about the dreams, hopes, desires and incredible vision inside of your mind. I’m not asking you to ”believe” anything.

I’m just giving you the FACTS. You are amazing! You can do, be and have more than you’ve ever dreamed possible. Let yourself awakened to the TRUTH about you. Get your dreams off of the shelf and dust them off. Let them live again in your heart, soul and mind.

Keep believing that you can and will accomplish them. Then, expect them and watch your awesome life unfold.

A host of dysfunctional and self-destructive patterns arise at minor and acute levels if an individual dislikes him- or herself. Despite the importance of self-esteem, surprisingly little attention has been focused on building it directly, until now. Designed in an easy-to-use format, The Self-Esteem Workbook presents a course in self-esteem based on new research and sound principles. Checklists, fill-ins, and exercises show readers how thoughts, emotions, physical health, and behavior impact their self-esteem. Periodic checkups help them gauge their progress, and final sections offer strategies for preventing relapse.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Self Esteem Workbook
The book arrived in a very timely manner and was in excellent condition. I was very satisfied with my purchase.

5 Stars Very impressive!
I LOVE this book. I’m only on chapter 4 and am amazed at the things I have learned. This book really makes you think and understand things and change without realizing it. This book helps you to undertand the way you should feel about yourself, it identifies right and wrong thinking about yourself and it helps you to see who you are inside. Which is a good thing! I’ve always either been terrified to really look at myself or I’ve just known i wasn’t worth anything. Now I’m in the process of rethinking this and knowing better. This workbook is a must own for anyone who doesn’t KNOW that their self worth is equal to everyone around them and KNOW who they are and what makes them who they are.

4 Stars Self Esteem helper
I’m still reading and working with this book. It is very helpful and informative.

5 Stars Wonderful Addition to my Coaching Library
I bought The Self-Esteem Workbook because I am a Life Coach who specializes in Creating Confidence and Dealing with Divorce. It holds lots of valuable information that I know I will be able to put to good use in my coaching practice. Anyone who enjoys a good self-help book will love this one. Lots of great information written in an easy to read format. Fun exercises. I highly recommend The Self-Esteem Workbook.

Viki Stanley-Hutchison, [...]

4 Stars Yes, I bought this book
It is a great workbook. I really haven’t finished it. Its not a work book where bam your self-esteem increases in the first chapter but the work book is a read over and over and works with you in completing one chapter experiences before beginning the next.

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