Personal Development Books

I highly recommend this book. Before I read this book I was really struggling with the direction I wanted to go in life. Even though I have a master's degree in my profession, I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue in my profession. I've read a few books on career planning and I've taken a few assessment tests. While I found a few gold nuggets here and there, I just didn't have the clarity and assurance I was looking for. I read passion and purpose and it really helped me. Also, I contacted Marlys Hanson and she walked me through each step and helped me understand why I was struggling with my current position and she helped me see what I need to look for in my next position. The money and time I spent reading this book and being counseled by Marlys was one of the best investments I've ever made.

Before I completed the SIMA analysis presented in this book, I was ready to change employers, and even careers. However, I did not know what I wanted. The SIMA model is an excellent tool because it helps you identify how you are motivated to work, what you are motivated to work with, and what kind of results you are motivated to achieve. All of this is based on a careful analysis of your lifetime accomplishments - thus, your motivations are based on evidence from what you've actually done, not what you *think* you're interested in (e.g., if given multiple choice answers in the standard personality test).

I went through the book myself first and then contacted Marlys to help me "fill-in-the blanks". Marlys was very prompt in responding and turned around a full assessment within one week. The result is that I now understand why I didn't enjoy my previous jobs, and most importantly, I know what I need in my current job to derive satisfaction and enjoyment from my work. Now, I can clearly articulate my career and life goals because I know what my strengths are, and I will build upon them to achieve the greatest success. I look forward to being much happier and excited about my work as well!

Amazing insight contrary to most popular opinion. The exercise is an investment in time that pays off hundreds of fold. Better yet, the author is more than willing to take the exercise to the next level to really bring it all to life. One of the best investments I've made in years - in time and dollars!

I have spent many years as a psychologist counseling clients who lack a sense of fulfillment and meaning in their lives. I therefore read this book, and underwent the SIMA process, with great interest. I found that it was the most accurate, powerful, and comprehensive instrument that I have encountered to understand one's motivated abilities. I highly recommed this book to anyone serious about reaching their potential doing work that they enjoy.

Are you having a hard time deciding what you want to be when you grow up? Are you 43 and still wondering? Or maybe you're 53 and considering your second career. For those of us who have ever had such thoughts, Marlys Hanson's "Passion and Purpose" is the solution.

In this excellent work you will learn about Motivated Abilities, and why you should work to your strengths more than always trying to improve your weaknesses. You will understand why you are particularly good at some activities, and perhaps a bit less so at others.

After you have read the book, help with understanding your Motivated Abilities is available from Marlys' company, Marlys Hanson and Associates. While the book teaches the method of doing this analysis oneself, the experience of Marlys and her team will help you learn even more about yourself for a modest additional cost.

I wish I had found Marlys sooner, but am thrilled that I found her at all.

The authors of, "The Success Principles for Teens" could have titled their book, "The Success Principles for ALL."

I came across their book by accident and after reading several passages, I added it to my collection of books. The authors have done an excellent job in putting across the theme of, `...taking full responsibility for everything you do, think, and say. The book doesn't tell you how to live your life. It does provide the reader with instructions on how to achieve a better and happier YOU. According to the authors, "This book contains what [they] call the timeless `ingredients of success.' Just like there's a recipe for your favorite dish, there is a recipe for achievement too."

Their book consists of twenty chapters. At the end of every chapter the authors include a "My-to do-List." An example of the list after the first chapter is as follows:

1.The Kids on the Block"Realize that the person in charge of my life is ME. I am accountable for the quality of my life.

2.Search for the facts and look at things as they are, so I can improve them. Then create a new vision by seeing things as I'd like them to be.

3.Eliminate my excuses because (a) no one wants to hear them and (b) all they do is slow me down.

4.Acknowledge that blaming stems from denial and doesn't accomplish anything because no matter how much I blame things outside of myself, blaming won't change me or my circumstances.

5.Realize that I can change anything and everything simply by doing or thinking something different. Understand that it's not what happens to me; it's how I respond that matters. And how I respond is completely up to me.

6.When I ask myself a different question, I will trigger a different response, which will, in turn, create a different outcome.

7.Remember that results don't lie. The easiest and fastest way to find out if something isn't working is to pay attention to the outcome I am currently getting. [based on the equation E + R = O; Event + Response = Outcome]

8.Pay attention to alerts or signals that I get from other people or my intuition. These are often signs that can help me prevent unwanted consequences later on.

9.Keep in mind that I have everything I need to get the results I want."

The contents of the book are challenging, fast and easy reading. Best of all, however, once you start reading you don't want to stop, or put the book down. The reader, more often than not, will say, "I never thought of it that way." Or, "That really makes sense."

The contents, even though, directed to Teens, can definitely be helpful to adults as well. It is never too late to learn and practice how to take full responsibility of one's life in order to be more successful and happy. As the authors say in one of their many side, and inspiring notes "Surround yourself with the best, and you'll achieve more than the rest." The last chapter's side note states: "Nobody can prevent you from choosing to be exceptional."

I strongly recommend, "The Success Principles for Teens" to all Teens having a difficult time in life. To adults, and to the young at heart who feel they have missed something in their lives. "The Success Principles for Teens" is also excellent reading for Social Workers, parents, teachers, school administrators, to the clergy, and in particular, to everyone who wants to improve the quality of life.

This is a must read for teens and young adults.I bought it for my 17 year old and I wish I would have had it for my other children when they were teens.

Success Principles for Teens is the result of Kent Healy's partnership with Jack Canfield, co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. Healy, teen entrepreneur turned twenty-three year old author and motivational speaker, lends his youthful voice to this inspiring book.

"I learned that the only way you are going to get anywhere in life is to work hard at it. Whether you're a musician, a writer, an athlete, or a businessman, there is no getting around it. If you do, you will win - if you don't, you won't" This quote by Bruce Jenner, Olympic gold medalist in the decathlon captures the essence of this extraordinary compilation of success principles.

Encouragement abounds for teens desiring improved grades and healthy relationships with peers and parents. The first step is for young people to take responsibility for their own lives.

Chapters build on one another: goal-setting and facing fears, rejection and feedback, track small successes and focus on the prize. Main principles are gathered at the conclusion of each chapter with a to-do list. The book is a comprehensive and practical resource presented in a teen-friendly format.

"I take rejection as someone blowing a bugle in my ear to wake me up and get going, rather than retreat." Quotes like this one by Sylvester Stallone in addition to others successful and well-known people appear every few pages. Stories by teenagers who have overcome obstacles to attain their best are interspersed with true stories by both authors.

This book must find its way into every junior high and high school library. As an adult, I was inspired after reading through this book. I shared some of the stories with my teenagers and strongly encouraged them to read it also. It contains the spark necessary to launch today's youth into fulfilling adult lives.

Armchair Interviews says: Inspiring message for teens and adults/parents alike.

This book tells you everything you need to be successful or at least better your life. I'm a teen myself and I just read the book. Already I feel more motivated to strive for the life that I want. Before reading this, I had no ideas of what I wanted to get out of life or what I even really wanted to do with my time here on Earth. I've recommended the adult version of this book to my single mother because I beleive in the authors ability to help people better themselve and acheive their dreams. Every high-school student should read this book, or even read it at earlier ages.

Mr. Canfield and Mr. Healy have created a wonderful, much-needed tool for teens. Adults will benefit as well.

In my work with teenagers as an ADHD Coach/Consultant I recommend "The Success Principles for Teens: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be".

It is a very positive book that gives hope to teens that may be experiencing challenges in their life.

My three favorite principles are Principle 1: Take 100% Responsibility for Your Life, Principle 13: Ask! Ask! Ask! and Principle 19: Give Your Best to Be Your Best.

Thank you!

As a relationship coach, I am thrilled that Lencioni has applied his talents to the family arena. As always, the book can be read in one sitting, offers an approach that is easy to apply and makes sense. If your relationship with your spouse is basically strong this will be a welcome tool to reconnect you and create some sanity. It is also a good diagnostic. If you struggle with answering the first question, that is a good sign that your marriage may need some external support.

Running a family can be even more challenging than running a successful business. In `The Three Big Questions for a Frantic Family', Lencioni takes proven business skills and applies them to running a family.

This is another of Lencioni's fables, which tells the story of Theresa, a stay at home mom, and Jude, a freelance business consultant. Theresa borrows her husband's business know-how to organize their frantic family as well seeks to find a balance between business and family life.

Lencioni uses three big questions to target what is most important about running a family while keeping it in balance with having a successful career. These questions are useful to those of us seeking to make changes in our lives - particularly vocational changes.

When seeking a new career, it is important to consider how it will fit in with your family life, and the three big questions should be asked by every job seeker. I recommend this book as a great starting point for anyone seeking to make changes in their family and working lives.

Danny Iny
Author of the free eBook "Forget Everything You Know About Looking For a Job... And Actually Find One!"
[...]

Great book. I enjoyed it's concise style, and interesting "fable" approach.
I write more on my blog
[..]

Brian

Great book and great read. Another Lencioni hit. I would recommend it for all families. It would be great for newlyweds too, to help them start things right from the beginning.

First, I think Patrick Lencioni's books are somewhat unique. The books, from The Five Temptations of a CEO right on through to The 3 Big Questions for a Frantic Family, all use the tool of a story to get the message across. This style, alone, does not make them unique. The fact that the author gives you a 20-40 page non-fiction book at the end of the fable does indeed make them different.

Some people like the "lesson as story" type of books and others like the "lesson as fact" type of books. This book uses both methods. The first 168 pages tell the story of a family moving from chaos to focus using the 3 Big Questions. The next 52 pages present the same information in a non-fiction style. The author calls this latter section the Model in his various books.

Now for the specifics of The 3 Big Questions. The story of the Cousins family helps you see why all of the "extras" that are usually used in business strategy are removed from the 3 Big Questions model. This benefit is very important if you've read a lot of business books. If you jump straight to the Model at the end of the book, you're likely to find yourself asking why this or that is not included - as I did. When I went back to the beginning and read the story, I could see clearly.

Overall, the book presents a simple model that can be employed in an initial 30-90 minute meeting with the family or just the parents. After that, between 10 and 20 minutes per week is all that's needed to keep things moving along in a focused manner. I've read it myself and greatly enjoyed it. Now, my wife and I will read it together and see how we can adjust our current family model based on the new insights it provides.

To the author: excellent work here!

I received a tip about this book from my daughter's preschool teacher. They use it for school and when I picked it up, I expected this to be a teacher's manual. It does have lots of education material and should be a class! My husband and I enjoyed the funny little stories and I really got some great tips on the kinds of toys to buy for our preschool daughter and her newborn sister. Already, we have more toys that we probably need but this is a great guide to help us as the girls get older and then ask for everything. It really helps you put a value on the dollars you spend on toys these days. This is a great book for first time parents to read before they start toy shopping. There is a great chapter about technology toys.

I can't stop reading this book! Each chapter is better than the previous one and there is SO much I learned about toys. I'm pregnant with my first child and my mom bought me this book as a gift. She told me that I need to know everything about toys now so I do not make the same mistakes as my siblings who bought way too many toys that my nieces and nephews rarely play with. This is an amazing resource for preschool and kindergarten teachers too and the best part is that this book does not dictate what toys are the best. The reader is left to decide that based on what the authors have taught you. It's really a parenting book and class all in one! They have a website too.... toytips.com lists tons of toy reviews based on research for you to review. I LOVE that! I've looked at other websites that have reviews and opinions of a few parents and their experiences with specific toys but this is so much better than that! Great find. Great buy! Thanks, Mom!

I'm a stay at home dad who bought toys for my 5 kids this Christmas. I bought this book to learn how to choose and what kinds and types are better to buy. This book gave me the confidence I needed to figure out what toys were best for Lilly, Max, Zoe, Kate and Nick versus what they asked for (Xbox and Ipod, Barbie and My Little Pony) I made some good choices and I was pleased that they actually play with them. It seemed we have so many toys from last year that are just sitting in the playroom. I really like the chapter that talks about family board games. I never really thought about this before and now we play games every friday night (weeknights are out because of homework, ballet practice and swimming!) My wife thinks I am a genius and I'm never telling her this book helped me but I think it can help other guys like me so I felt compelled to write this review for all the other dads out there like me!

I am a pediatrician living in Ireland. A friend of mine in the United States told me about this book that he uses as a reference to help his patients with toy-related questions (categories of toys appropriate by developmental age, safety, etc.) He bought me a copy for Christmas. After reading this book, I realized that not only is this book helpful to parents but also to physicians. Toy safety and selection is not a course that is taught in medical school and this book is ideal for all pediatricians. I am familiar with other toy-rating and toy-suggestion books published and none come close to the detail and amount of research put into this book. If anyone is looking for a gift for their pediatician, this is IT!

I read this review from Fagan (below) and have to add to it. I am an emergency room nurse and we see many toy-related injuries. Most could have been prevented. I think if parents took the time to understand the importance of buying age-appropriate toys and then took the time to play with their children, we might see less accidental injuries. I bought a copy to keep at the hospital for our health care workers who will benefit from reading this book. It's nice to see two authors who care so much about what they write about. Thank you to Ms. Marianne Szymanski and Ms. Ellen Neuborne.

It's clear, clever, engaging and informative. It's smart and interesting and packed with great and pertinent information.

Too long we have ignored most of the human brain. Brian Walsh's book clearly shows us how to take advantage of the rest of it.
Parents should read it, too.

Former educator

Traditionally, teachers have relegated students into two camps: those who show potential and those who teachers pass up as being unfit for the academic track. Many schools employ the rout method of learning, and while this serves some students well, for others, this approach leaves them lost in the corridors of our educational system. In comes Brian E. Walsh's, "Unleashing your Brilliance" a book that shows us that with the right tools and ingenuity all students can excel.

Walsh exhibits a breath of knowledge in a text that covers every subject from how your brain learns (left and right hemisphere) to different types of intelligence, such as verbal, emotional, musical and naturalistic. After a thorough explanation of the thought process, Walsh offers examples of various learning techniques that can improve our skills, everything from taking short breaks while studying to jump start our thinking, to what types of background music stimulate our thoughts. Explaining everything from hypnosis to positive thinking, we are asked to change our early assumptions of how we were taught to learn.

Mr. Walsh makes many compelling arguments, the first being that schools adhere to conventional teaching methods that do not meet the needs of all students. He stresses that teachers need to understand the different personality types to bring the best out of each student. Tools to enhance learning can be as simple as making certain that students get plenty of physical exercise, to employing varied teaching techniques in the classroom. For instance, if tension arises in the classroom setting, Mr. Walsh suggests that a teacher..."defuse conflicts by balancing structured and unstructured activities through both inductive and deductive course material." Another topic covered is word-association brainstorming, an exercise that encourages a student to tap their creative energies. Walsh praises techniques like hypnosis and positive thinking. Being a perpetual skeptic, I actually had the opportunity to test this method last week when faced with a daunting project at work. I repeated to myself, "I have the ability to do this job and I will excel." At first I had absolutely no confidence in myself, but as I continued my mantra I actually found the self-assurance to accomplish the project to my complete satisfaction. Walsh offers the reader these as well as a myriad of other skills to stimulate and enhance learning.

The book is mapped out in logical order, beginning with the physiological and ending with practical techniques for learning. Every chapter has topic headings, and each section is broken up with quotes and/or cartoons that reinforce the material and help the reader remember the content. After each theory is explained, Walsh provides a website address, if the reader wishes to pursue the material further. At the conclusion of each chapter is a crossword puzzle with review questions. This is an extraordinarily enjoyable method to help jolt your memory and retain the information just gathered. The writing style is succinct and well thought out. Walsh successfully employs different teaching styles and techniques with his writing style; in short, "Unleashing Your Brilliance," mirrors the creative learning approach he is promoting. The book's premise, that we all learn differently and have the promise to be more effective learners, is a compelling narrative that will change the way you think.

Quill says: A very well written book that challenges traditional learning assumptions.

I've read a lot of books about superlearning, photoreading, success habits, brain functioning, mind mapping, memorizing. But here's a book that brings it all together in one place, full of way more realistic information than I'd known about before. In 273 pages, Brian Walsh gives a practical overview of state-of-the-art learning tools and techniques.

The book was a pleasure to go through! Not academic and heavy and boring, but a fun, informative read. Filled with great quotes, illustrations, internet links, practical information--heavy-duty reality--the structure itself is an example of facilitated learning.

In a sense, the book is a portal: one opening up a host of resources for the mind. Walsh points the reader to all kinds of ways for producing change. We learn how to break negative patterns and how to experience more productive and satisfying lives. He shows us how to best learn--and teach--a second language. He writes about brainstorming, about effectively influencing others, about real listening. We learn how we learn: what works and what doesn't.

It's a handbook for the human brain. I learned a lot by reading it. And I'm learning a lot by checking out some of the other sources referred to. If "unleashing your brilliance" is one of your goals, here's definitely a book to read.

"Unleashing Your Brilliance" by Brian Walsh is a well-written, well-researched book about the great potential each of us has within us. It's fascinating the way in which we absorb and process information. Brian's book gives a thorough, simple and comprehensible explanation of how we learn.

I'm drawn to self-help books that explore the human mind. I think the science of human understanding is vastly changing. Brian points out in his book that more progress has been made in understanding the human brain in the past five years than we had in the preceding decades. Imagine what we will know in five more years.

The techniques Brian introduces to stimulate thinking, creativity and learning are helpful. I used several of them before writing this review. I pinched my right nostril to get more oxygen to my creative, right brain. I cross-crawled (left elbow to right knee, right elbow to left knee) to improve my focus and concentration. I tapped my K 27 to increase the blood flow to my brain.

The book is targeted for teachers, parents and students wanting to improve performance. It is also designed for corporate HR personnel wanting to better understand how employees learn in the workplace. I recommend this book for anybody who has an interest in the human mind and its potential.

This book is great. Its been extremely helpful and useful. The book is filled with simple steps and actions to help you get your things in order.

I loved this book! Ms. Morgenstern has a completely unique perspective on 'clutter,' that takes the reader from looking at our physical space to living in the moment.

While she does recommend doing a certain number of specific exercises and tasks, mostly this gem of a book is about looking at your life NON-JUDGEMENTALLY, and simply sorting it out from an objective perspective.
One thing I love is that she does not recommend the somewhat judgemental 'chuck everything' approach. She instead wants you to look at your things, your schedule, and your habits - and notice what is relevant and what is outdated or detrimental to your present moment, now. I highly recommend this book. It is a fun read and a fun way to explore looking at how you set your life up, without making it wrong.

In conjunction with this book, I also highly recommend two amazing books, also about how to live in the moment and look at your life in a non-judgemental way: Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: The 3 Simple Ideas That Will Instantaneously Transform Your Life and How to Create a Magical Relationship: The 3 Simple Ideas that Will Instantaneously Transform Your Love Life by authors Ariel and Shya Kane. These books are astonishingly excellent guides that address the mechanical habits we frequently learn as children and drag into our present, regardless of how relevant or un-supportive they may be to our adult lives.
These books dovetail wonderfully with Morgenstern's chapters on Habit 'clutter' and her lovely chapter on living in the moment. Enjoy!

Almost everyone wants to become better organized. Thorough reorganization involves getting rid of the assorted rubbish that weighs you down and prevents you from moving ahead efficiently. Some of this junk is physical, but not all of it. Your junk can include an overbooked schedule, a mountain of action items that never get done and bad habits that steal your time. Organization expert Julie Morgenstern developed the "SHED" system to help people eliminate the messes that accumulate in their lives. Do you want to get rid of the bulky load of bricks you're carrying? Morgenstern can teach you how. Her approach to organizing is pragmatic and highly useful. She doesn't dwell on working smarter, improving your schedule or completing action items. Instead, she focuses on ridding yourself of your heavy load of junk, whatever it is, so you can start over fresh and light. getAbstract believes her book is perfect for anyone who wants a new, uncluttered start.

I love Julie Morgenstern's new book "When Organizing isn't Enough". Being a big fan of "Organizing from the Inside Out" and "Time Management from the Inside Out", I still felt like I could use some direction. This book was useful in getting me thinking about important things from a different angle. My life is a work in progress, and no one book is going to magically "cure" all the challenges, but this book is another tool to assist me in crafting a more purposeful life.

I almost did not write this because I do not like to be critical. However, I decided to write my honest response to this book because other people's candid reviews have saved me from spending money on books that do not interest me. The author is thorough and probably very accurate, but the book was tedious and over-detailed to me, especially in her frequent referrals to case histories that she descibed repetitively. There were few engaging illustrations and little humor.

David Lorenzo's book shares techniques that seasoned professionals have developed and refined over the course of their careers.

Career Intensity makes the rules of career management and business success accessible to newer workers. If you have not achieved the success you were hoping for, it's the perfect resource to jumpstart your career.

Buy the book if you are at the early stage of your career or in the process of making a career change. However, anyone serious about managing their career should read Career Intensity.

This is a terrific book from a guy who will do everything possible to help you succeed. I have only known David Lorenzo a short time but he has helped my business immeasurably.

His book - Career Intensity - is the best book you will ever read on planning your career or starting a small business. That's right - he covers both of those topics and more.

You only purchase this book once but it provides value over and over again.

Our careers are important. To just "go with the flow" is not a plan for success. David Lorenzo has written a great book for those just beginning their careers, or those of us who are well down the path. The book is filled with nuggets of advice that will inspire the reader to excel to higher levels.

It is an easy book to read, and has the power to be one of the timeless classics for everyone who cares about success.

Career Intensity will help you get off your [...] and get going. The advice it contains is valuable and effective. The most valuable attributes of this book are the positive tone and the inspirational stories. This is not an elitist manifesto that tells you how great the author is. It is a practical, down-to-earth guide that is beneficial to individuals in a corporate setting as well as people who are looking to start a business.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to make money and be happy doing it.

I have always felt that it's not enough to be good, you have to be perceived as superior by the people that determine your success. If you work in a company, that means you boss, senior management and your colleagues. If you run your own business, it's your clients, prospects and employees.

That's why David Lorenzo's book, Career Intensity, is so valuable. Lorenzo provides concrete ideas and steps to take that will show you how to ignite your career and "brand" yourself for business success.

I especially liked the stories of executives and entrepreneurs of all stripes that demonstrate his career intensity principles.

Building on our human desire to connect with others, motivational speaker Keith Harrell uses the acronym, CONNECT, to present a seven-step attitude development process for personal success.

'C'ommit to win; develop a be accountable attitude
'O'pen up to opportunities; use a change embracer attitude
'N'otice what's needed and do what's necessary; have a be aware attitude
'N'avigate by your purpose; utilize a be vision centered attitude
'E'xecute ethically; practice a be performance and integrity driven attitude
'C'hallenge your challenges; have a be responsible attitude
'T'ranscend beyond your best; with a be the difference attitude

Promoting the ideas that 'thoughts matter' and that 'success requires a personal connection', the author says you must first `care' to connect, by developing your ICARE (Intensely, Committed, Attentive, Ready, and Enthusiastic) statements. "When you have a mind-set that says ICARE, over time you will change your beliefs. Your beliefs will change your attitude. Your attitude will help change your feelings. Your feelings will help change your actions. And your actions will help you to connect." A lot of linkages before getting to the actions piece, hence the need for commitment to stay the course.

The book is easy to read and contains inspirational stories about the author and others that help to bring the points to life. Perhaps in recognition of the difficulties with developing a 'just do it' attitude, each of the seven-steps contains numerous other thoughts on attitude for a successful life. The book may be more useful for its provision of winning attitude ideas than for the structured self-help program it promotes.

Dennis DeWilde, author of
"The Performance Connection"

I have taken alot of notes from this book. I use the tips and have incorportated what Keith Harrell says into my daily work and home life. I think it's a great read for anyone at any stage in their life.

Keith Harrell is AWESOME!! I had the pleasure of meeting him in person about a year ago at a convention that i attended in Nashville, TN. All of his material is incredible and he really helps you to think in a positive manner and to be able to share it with others!!

Are your employees, clients, friends, spouse, children, and colleagues frequently missing your point? The root causing is likely your lack of connecting with them. Keith and Hattie have packed some valuable and practical tips in this fantastic read, grab a copy!

CONNECT is very well written and contains plenty of wisdom necessary to succeed in business as well as life.

Keith Harrell uses CONNECT as an acronym to get his points across.

C - is for commit to win. Unless there is a total commitment, most importantly with yourself, your efforts will fall short.

O - is for open up to opportunities. Too many people have a closed mindset. If you want to succeed, open to opportunities.

N - notice what is needed

N - navigate by your purpose. You need to understand and be guided by your purpose in life.

E - execute ethically

C - challenge your challenges. Don't run from your challenges. Challenge them.

T - transcend beyond your best.

Then he gives us the BE - Attitudes to go with each CONNECT point. Before you DO, you must BE and the BE - Attitudes are a good reminder of what we should be. If we simply try to do, we will not succeed. There needs to be alignment of who we are with what we do. Therefore, the BE - Attitudes.

Harrell not only gives us the CONNECT points and the BE -Attitudes, he goes into great detail explaining the importance of the points and how they effect our performance and success.

The book is filled with interesting stories that bring home the points. At the end of each chapter is a series of exercises designed to implement the theory of the book.

If you truly want to succeed in business and in life, you must connect with others. No one is an island. Keith Harrell does a great job of giving you the tools to connect. You still need to do the work yourself.

This book was recommended to me by a friend. I have been the victim of a stalker. She was a woman from my husband's past who's anger turned into obsession. I went through everything from being followed by car, her calling my workplace, constant drive-by's past my house, her sending friends to my workplace to harass me, she's even approached my children trying to befriend them! Above the real-life stakling, she cyber-stalked me on myspace without my realizing it until a few months ago. Last year, she became so brave as to start coming to my house on a regular basis to harass me...that is until I got the police involved. Bringing criminal charges against her slowed her down, but didn't stop her all the way. Come to find out that this gal had been charged with stalking and harassment by an ex-boyfriend a few years back, so I was not her first victim. Scary stuff!!!
This book helped me to understand the sickness and obsession that is behind the mind of a stalker. It gave me ideas on ways to protect myself and my family.
I think that we all need be aware of our surroundings, what we do, what we put on the internet and make sure to have the knowledge to protect ourselves from these sort of people.
Do yourself a favor; buy the book, read it, and share it with someone you love!

I have taught an upper division course on Family Violence for 20 years. After many years of searching for a credible and useful book on stalking I came across Det. Proctor's book on how to stop a stalker. I have also had 28 years of experience in law enforcement; therefore, I approached the book the first time I "studied" it from both an academic and an applied perspective. The true value of the book lies in the fact that the author bases it on years of field experience investigating and studying stalkers. He is to be commended for stating that he does not know everything and continues to learn new things about the subject. Two major typologies are developed. The first typology presents the elements of the crime of stalking--harrassment, credible threat, and course of conduct. The second typology presents the three types of stalkers--domestic, acquaintance, and stranger. Proctor draws on the two typologies throughout the book as he systematically writes about stalking. The book helps to understand the difference between romantic compulsion and stalking. Drawing on case histories Proctor provides insight into why they stalk, how they target victims, techniques of stalking, compulsion, and the impact on the victims' lives, as well as the victims' families, friends, and co-workers. Proctor does an excellent job of differentiating between male and female stalkers. The use of case histories is what makes the book come alive. Sound practical advice is provided for investigators as well as victims. I highly recommend the book for use in the classroom. My students were impressed and it generated insightful discussion--including personal experiences, on campus and elsewhere, as well as experiences of friends and family members. All criminal investigators and prosecutors should read the book as well. These are not easy cases to investigate and prosecute and Proctor' recommendations are both thorough and helpful.

A practical guide on how to deal with and survive a stalker. I applaud the author for writing about a subject that many in law enforcement and society itself dismiss cavalierly, until it is too late. We need to take these crimes seriously and deal with them early before they escalate out of hand. This book highlights the do's and don'ts to help victims persevere and overcome the abuse of a stalker. A definite eye opener.

If anyone is going through the hell of being stalked, or even think they are being stalked, they MUST by Detective Proctor's book "How to Stop A Stalker"
I have read other "stalking" books, and they have been helpful, but none to the extent of Detective Proctor's book.
The information, the suggestions, everything is a MUST for someone being stalked.
He UNDERSTANDS, something that I didn't feel from the other stalking books.
Detective Proctor knows the reality and horror of stalking in an easy read and extremely informative book.
This book is up to date (unlike some of the other Stalking books) and my only problem is that he doesn't have a sequel. Hopefully that is something he is working on.
I give this book ten stars. This book literally saved my life and it can save yours.
If you, a friend, or a family member are being stalked, you must read this book.

First off, the royal we becomes annoying really fast.

When he sticks to his topic, he's informative, enlightening, and even entertaining. He knows his stuff and he covers a lot of ground, including the Internet. I feel like I've learned a lot of information from him and I don't regret reading this book.

Too often, however, he veers off into "this is why me and my group and wonderful and have to face a whole bunch of idiots." Like in the section on sadism where he never gets around to giving the example he promised, but rather discusses problems he had with a jurist from another jurisdiction.

Overall, the tone is quite juvenile, and I had to keep reminding myself this was a man in his fifties, not early twenties. He comes off as a bit of a puppy. The name calling gets tiresome after a while. I'd also rather he not talk down to the reader. I didn't need him to clarify that no, dead bodies don't sit up and give statements to the police, thanks.

Those last two points are what keeps the book from getting 5 stars. It's a good book; it could have been a great book.

This book presents some interesting concepts on Process Design and Performance.

This is a classic text that hardly needs my endorsement. However, if I can bring it to the attention of people who might not have benefitted from its proven insights and wisdom, I am happy to do so. The basic notion of the book is that too many people run their companies in the silos of the traditional org-chart. This creates all kinds of communications and management problems that must be broken down to get the optimal performance from your firm. This need has only grown since the first edition of this book came out in 1990. This second edition came out in 1995.

The authors want you to think of what your company is trying to accomplish rather than as a bunch of fiefdoms hanging from a hierarchical org-chart. They use a matrix of three levels of performance (Organizational, Process, and Job/Performer) and three performance needs (Goals, Design, and Management). Using the nine areas these create the authors show you how to handle focusing, operating, and managing every aspect of your firm. Sure, the book requires more thought and concentration than your typical "business book", but the substance it provides is well worth the effort.

Use it.

Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Ann Arbor, MI

Don't let the date this book was published influence your decision to buy - it is timeless. I am on my second copy of this book and would characterize it as the best book on business process management that has ever been published. This is "The Book". Everyone I know in the Business Process Management field has this book. I recommend it to every client and every business improvement team member that I work with.

The information contained in this "gem" can help anyone involved in process improvement. Consultants, executives, managers, process team leaders, process team members - it doesn't matter whether you are working in manufacturing, finance, logistics, sales or human resources. It also doesn't matter whether you are new to BPM or have been in the field for 20 years. This book will change the way you think about organizational structure and approaching business process.

Trying to characterize what parts of the book were best, would be like trying to dissect what parts of the blue sky you like best. It is all great stuff - each chapter is better than the next, and will help you understand what needs to be done to make business improvement initiatives work. It is well written, easy to understand the concepts, with hundreds of useful illustrations and models to learn from.

I would give this book 6 stars if I could ...

This book will survive the trends, since most of the trends are based on the principles in this book. The names will change (Quality Circles, Just In Time, TQM, Re-engineering, Six Sigma, ...), but these principles and how well they are implemented will determine a companies' efficiency and quality.

As a business process and systems analyst, I have used the techniques in this book extensively to document existing and proposed processes and systems.

The diagramming techniques ensure thorough identification of all relevant interfaces and will assist in identifying those frustrating and toxic business processes that defy verbal description, but once diagrammed, seem to become clearly understood. I cannot count how many "Ah-ha" moments I have seen when confused managers, too deep in the trees to be able to see the whole forest, finally see the problems with their business laid out in clear pictures drawn with the techniques taught in this book.