The Best Non-Self-Help Book I've Read for Self-Help
929922
When I initially agreed to read this book--I truly thought it was going to be another "self-help", "harness your brain's power" book.  I was still interested--as these concepts always intrigue me.  Then--the book wasn't that--and, I absolutely loved it.  Katz introduced us to his gifts of the mind through a fictional, suspenseful story.  This was a wonderful way to challenge our thought processes--and teach something without actually teaching or preaching.

I loved the author's writing style and I loved the character interaction.  Everyone was open to new experiences--and everyone had a curious spark for learning.  This was the perfect setting for this novel.  I couldn't put it down--and I found his perspectives interesting, and perhaps even feasible and reasonable for my own life.

Would I recommend Five Gifts for the Mind by Eran Katz?  I love learning about the mind and the brain's potential.  I love learning even more when I don't feel that I'm back in my college psych or sociology lectures.  This book is perfect for anyone--at any level of education--to consider the gifts and the possibilities of the mind.  The fictional story is interesting, well written and engaging--I had to follow the characters through their quest--and make my own discoveries and realizations along with them.  I loved this book.  While it's not a "self help" book--so to speak--I think the writing style and format makes it so accessible to such a wide audience that it suits its goals perfectly.  If you are interested in the mind and in harnessing its many powers--give this book a read.  The format will surprise you--but, the story will also enlighten you as you go.
4310998
Self-help books are notoriously bland because they treat the reader as if he's Mr. Potato Head. All you're supposed to do is sit there on the end of the table and soak up whatever supposedly new and insightful perspective the author reveals. This is supposed to help your business and personal relationships, but does it? No, it doesn't, because you have difficulty applying the self-help book to your everyday life.
How many self-help books are available today? Thousands? How many self-help books truly inspire and challenge the reader to propel themselves into a different realm of thinking and reasoning? One. It's this book, The Journey.
The Journey took me on my own journey, into a world of self-discovery that made sense. I can actually take the functionalities within this book and apply them to my life, thereby changing my world and the world of those around me for the better. After I finished the book I felt as though I had been enlightened with an inner peace and a higher sense of wisdom.
Read this book. Experience your own journey.
2708333
My counselor recommended this book to me. I had no idea what to expect. It's very well written. Instead of your normal self-help book, it's written as fiction and has a story. So you find yourself actually caring about what  happens in the story and learning all the principles they're trying to reach you as well. Genius.
2932421
I've read a half-dozen books about quitting drinking in the last few months and this was by far the most helpful.  The author gives the reader specific steps to take rebuilding a non-drinking life, interjecting his advice with plenty of his own experience.  There is no self-pity in his tone;  instead, he gives the reader utterly honest advice interspersed with blasts of humor that I really appreciated.  Each chapter ends with a summary and a set of worksheets.  The tone is humorous, but the advice is not a joke. I personally need to re-read the first chapter once a day for awhile.  If you only buy one of these kinds of books, buy this one.
2822373
Wow. This book "solves" so many questions people have about their lives so simply, so elegantly it left me wondering why it took "the kind universe" so long to help people understand how to get on the road to and build their own happiness.

Let me attempt to explain: What's wrong with "traditional" self-help is there's no "self" in it. We read about other people's "success patterns". They sell us on why their "patterns" work best. Problem is they don't work for us precisely because they're other peoples'. This creates a nice self-help industry, but doesn't help readers become any happier--or even help them realize what does make them happy! Does this make sense?

Newburg's genius is giving us a "process" for identifying, understanding, and incorporating into our lives what uniquely makes us happy. He has put the "self" back where it belongs, at the center of the process. Warning: he's also put the responsibility (and fun) for understanding and action back where it belongs, with us, not with Dr. Phil, Steven Covey, or Tony Robbins.

I know why he had to publish this himself. It's the last "self-help" book-- the only "self-help" book you'll ever need. Why would an industry that exists because people are searching for "themselves" actually tell you how to find yourself? That's business suicide.

Anyway, thank-you Dr. Newburg, thank-you. If you don't like this book, I'll give you your money back.
1093786
I love this book.  I have read many self help books over the years and this is now one of my favorites.  It is broken up into small "pieces" - very easy and enjoyable to read.  Rachel interviewed people who have been through amazing life changes.  It was interesting hearing the different stories and how each person grew in their own way.  Rachel gives tips at the end of each chapter, making it simple to go back and pick out confidence boosters that I want to remember and work on.  After finishing the book I felt better about myself....happier.  Cheers to you Rachel!
2689812
I'd been a parachurch counselor, helped a lot of couples and individuals in my life regarding their marriages/relationships and naturally have read a lot of books on the subject and gone through counseling myself.  Dr. Phil's book is hands down the absolutely best, no-nonsense book in these regards. It's well written, conversational, and unlike anything you've ever read because it gets past the psychobabble and into the heart of "deal breakers" that occur in a relationship. I was forced to look at my own marriage after a life-altering crisis and I can honestly say that this book continues to help me get back to the reality of my motivations, bad patterns and needs. It's the first book that also helped me to really understand my spouse. If you really want to save yourself and your relationship, RUN, don't walk to buy this book.
2602805
As we all know there are loads of self help books out there.  This one is the best I have read as it explains step by step a way for you the better your life.  I also appreciated how it also helps you understand what others may be dealing with and explains how to take it easy on yourself and have compassion for others.  It's a gem.
3491536
I have bought, borrowed & rented many of these kinds of books - and never found the depth contained within this workbook. Beth Funk has delivered a masterpiece in the "self-help - self-examination" genre. For anyone that has ever had difficulty shaking the blues and those suffering from more serious bouts of depression, panic, and trauma related disorders - this book could help you put, at least part of your life, in order. I learned so much about myself and how I had been sabotaging my own happiness as a direct result of the trauma I had suffered in the past. Things I thought were no longer an issue, were just bubbling under the surface, never quite packed away. I had never experienced any level of personal healing until I read this book. There were times that I had to force myself to do the next exercise. But, I am so very thankful that I did. And with the "workbook format" vs- the typical read only version of self-help -- this becomes your book - the author has simply given you the tools to write your own journey and in doing so, make a difference in your life!

Please understand that this (or any book) is not a replacement for proper medical care and counseling. This is merely a tool to be used as part of, not instead of, a treatment plan.

I have made my way through the entire book on two prior occasions and just recently began the third. So, this is not one of those books that once you read it - that's it, shelve it and forget it. It can be used again and again.

Happy Reading!

RJ xx
2450162
I usually don't read self help books because I don't feel my life is that problematic compared to others but a friend recommended the book. Im glad I did. I recognized, through the stories and examples, some slightly negative habits of mine that I now realize may be limiting my potential, professionally and personally. The author in straightforward and simple language gives the reader the tools to help in self-actualization.
4457368
I have recommended this to everyone I encounter who is or has been involved with a narcissist, especially those who didn't know it! The best self-help book I have ever read. Anything by Harriet Lerner used to be at the top of my list but nothing can top this book. A fast read--even for me--and therapy in and of itself!
3039617
'Think Smart Not Hard'.

The title says it all, and I'm already in-agreement here.

I'm not usually a fan of self-help books, at least, not anymore. I overdosed on them as a young adult and completing personality tests even got me suckered into Scientology for a few days (which is a story unto itself). However, think of this as pragmatic advice from an accomplished guy who bootstrapped himself out of humble beginnings and went on to apply his techniques to get several degrees at once. This guy lives what he writes, and it shows. You can't teach ambition, perhaps, but you can certainly devise a plan to make the most out of your time and effort. That's what this book is for. It teaches you how to make the best use of your finite resources as well as directing you away from wasted effort, such as the chapter on 'Forgive Those Who Don't Deserve It'.

First, I gotta be honest, I was worried that this book was going to have a religious element. I'm a staunch atheist, and appeals to religion or spirituality piss me right off. This is the primary reason I avoid most self-help books unless the author is well-vetted as a critical-thinker. I don't even like Suzie Orman mentioning spirituality in her financial books...so yeah, it's a thing.

Second, I was skeptical that there were going to be silly affirmation style nonsense that you'd see on an Oprah book club list, but nope, none of that. Despite my bonafides as a critical-thinking atheist who pulls no punches when it comes to politically-correct nonsense, I STILL loved this book. Why? It's smart, and there's no fluff. It's not mindless affirmation or appeals to religious beggary. It's not scientifically illiterate twaddle you'd see recommended by Oprah or her various minions. It's practical advice from a smart guy who has lived what he writes.

One very important example in this book is about not fearing failure. This may be a deeply rooted fear for a lot of people who don't just fear failure, but also fear success. Being honest enough about your own mental state when trying to accomplish a goal is key. WD40 was the 40th attempt at this formula. Edison is even famous for saying that people often quit before realizing how close they were to success.

Another chapter that is something I already live is 'Learn to Say No'. This is HUGE. I won't give too much away (more than is given away already), but I cannot stress how vitally useful this is. For those who don't already do this, it's both advice and permission, so to speak This means having courage to say no, which delves into one having the fortitude to buck social convention (which I do happily as it is). Without saying 'no', people will happily fill your schedule with nonsense and pointless obligations.

The book also has some practical financial advice, and there's nothing in the book I disagree-with, and I was very skeptical of this happening.

All in all, I can honestly write here that I highly recommend this book for everyone. Roy did ask me to review this book honestly and in exchange I got a free copy, but by no means would I give a good review to a book I honestly thought was bad, or bad advice (or badly written).

Get this book. Read it. Re-read it. Learn from someone who suggests in Chapter 52 that we should 'Share Your Success With Others', because that's what this book is all about. :)

-Dan Burke
1732899
Having recently gone through a horrific breakup, I have armed myself with a plethora of self help break up books.  Some were useless; some had a couple good points, but this book has more to offer than any in my collection.  Lots of wisdom...lots of compassion...lots of practical advice...lots of psychological insight.  It has it all.  Is sensible and written in an easy to read, easy to understand style.

I always mark these books with highlighter pen when I read them the first time to go back and reread the most helpful points.  In this case, I practically highlighted the whole book.  Yes, it's that good.

Anyone suffering and feeling stuck, I highly recommend this one.
1750415
I found this book in a time of great need and personal crisis.  Note, a crisis doesn't have to be a big, instantanous event like a death or divorce.  It could just be a nagging unhappiness or feeling that things "aren't right" that is eating you up.  Either way, this book applies.

It helped me tremendously and I have since given this book to several friends in crisis.  Regardless of the nature of what you are going through, it can help.  If you have a friend that you are worried about but don't know how to help, this book might help them.

It is written in a very real, accessible way (no chanting or meditating necessary!) that is non-threatening to people who may not be used to reading "self-help" books.

I do not know if authors regularly read these reviews, but Laura Day, if you ever read this, thank you.  Know that you helped me to discover what I really want from life AND believe that I deserve it.
1303438
I don't normally buy self-help books, they're normally big on "asking the universe" or "putting on a smile." Not this book. It's the real deal. I cannot wait to put the advice offered in this book to use.
1315855
This has been one of the best self-help books I have read in a long time. I enjoyed it so much I have given copies to several of my friends. The principles I have tried really have worked in my relationship with family, friends, and my boss!  Lynda
4248651
I read a lot of books - 100+ a year, every year since 1989. I have read a ton of philosophy and "Self-Help" books -- many are excellent - but this is the best.

Tom Morris does a superb job of writing a fun, enjoyable - and life-changing book. His seven C's are absolutely spot-on. I have read this book cover-to-cover five times - and I enjoy it more, and get more from it every time. If you are only going to read one "how to live your life" book - this is the ONE. I assure you that this is a truly wonderful and incredibly helpful book.