Exactly what I needed to read, to work on my best year yet.
349429
I really enjoyed reading this book. It gave me a clear path for discovering my goals so I could have a plan in place on how to achieve them. Read through it once and plan to reread again with pen and paper in hand to to start working on my best self. I especially liked that it was a quick read with easy to follow steps so I could get started right away. Will be passing it along to friends and family that seem a bit stuck in life. However, we can all benefit from taking a few moments to reflect upon our life to discover our most authentic, best life.
1029253
I knew I was going to love this book when I got to this part in the Introduction: I had a beautiful leather bound Franklin Planner. I prioritized A, B, C items. I forwarded my list from day to day. I worked on Big Rocks and let go of the small ones. For about 2 days. I have spent so much time feeling guilty and lazy because I cant seem to prioritize my life and all the things I want to do like other people seem to. I am definitely someone who has believed that the right system would solve all my problems. In the past couple of years I decided to give that idea up and just work in a way that feels right to ME. And its not that I needed validation, but thats what this book does: it validates the idea that trusting myself to know when I am doing something because I really want to is more than enough. What a relief!
3100597
there are so many books out there on starting a magazine. many are filled with fluff. this book is a no nonsense, get 'er done, step by step reference that i've had glued to my side all year. use this book as your checklist.
1083070
Really motivated me to succeed at making my self over. Even with the holidays pressing down upon me. I got this!
2237981
A very pretty planner that I am excited to begin using next week. I especially love the 365 bible reading plan that it comes with. This is exactly what I need to help with my new years resolution of reading the bible more. I just hope I can stick to it!
1117414
It's exactly what I needed to track my work schedule with my holidays. And all the extra info that's included is priceless.
404803
Straight to the point and full of truth. It's exactly what I've been focusing on lately. Thank you for sharing.
3467334
This book and disk combo are exactly what my career needed.  I was struggling with my job at mid-career and Discovering Your Career in Business helped me define exactly where I needed to be to be happy.  I took the test on the enclosed disk and referenced my rating back into the book.  The book highlighted my true interests and strengths and  how I should redirect my career. I've changed my career goals and I'm excelling in a new position that I reallly love -- thanks to the authors for their insightful approach.
1200144
I really needed this book. I, like everyone else, have so much on my to-do list. I absolutely loved the information the authors presented in this book. Everything they discuss made sense. What I really liked most is that they cut to the chase and delivered the messages with no fluff and unwanted details. It's put together very well and I would highly recommend reading it! Thumbs up!
562663
The new year has come and gone for many of us, and for some this might have been a purchase to help get us off the couch and back into shape.  I know that is why I bought it initially.  What I didn't realize is the inherent motivational value this book can have.

I started the new year year at 242 pounds, overweight and lazy, breathing hard to get up my stairs at home.  Reading this at night, and during my down time, instead of sitting on the couch watching TV, really helped to ease my mind into actually doing it.  The recipes are awesome, with everything I could ever want.  Best yet, the book details cooking instructions, 4 weeks of meals and example exercises.  While the exercises have a little less value in this book because it usually takes knowledge of working out to understand the how-to, they are an added bonus.

Essentially, this book tells you exactly what you need to know.  Following it to the letter, like other diet books, would be a mistake and the author points this out.  In one portion, the author describes the book as a gateway to understanding how to eat healthier on a constant basis, not always having to refer to a book or chart, but rather you gain understanding in what to look for and what will work and not work for you.

I have finished reading this book, and 1.5 months after, I am down 20 pounds.  I didn't follow the entire 4 week food regimen, or do every single exercise.  Instead I used it for ideas, recipes, and adding exercises into my growing repertoire instead of my growing waist line.

I highly recommend this book, male or female (although it does take a bit of a male presentation, as it is from Men's Health).

Diets are guidelines to life, not restrictions or boundaries to be skirted.  This book really shows you that, and if you take anything away from it, do so in a positive manner, because that is the only way that this will ever work.
3441812
I love this book! It gave me exactly what I needed to hear and nothing I didn't need.  Sweet and to the point!  I have lost 20 pouns so far and hope to lose more!
1841831
Great way to start off the year! Loved it. Recommend it to all my friends and family. Make sure to get the journal with the CD set.
497837
I love the simplicity of this book and it's contents. It is small enough to tuck into my purse so I can grocery shop based on what I feel like making for my weeks meals. She hits the nail on the head with food prep being the key to success and spending some time at the gym or in your own home doing the fitness part. It's an easy read, not complicated ingredients or recipes. I have tried a couple of them and have modified my own spin on them using the basic principles. I am so glad I picked this up recently.... my New Year is off to a healthy start.
674062
This is a great book for anyone who has goals they're wanting to crush in this new year!!
1404598
This book is awesome. I can't recommend it more highly to any millenial (or anyone!) who wants to tap into a more optimal and meaningful work lifestyle. As someone who has already made it through my quarter-life-breakthrough phase (or perhaps I'm still in the tail end?) I recognized while reading it that this book would have been SO essential for me 6 months ago. I will definitely buy for friends, and hope you treat yourself to a copy. It's worth it. It is also a really easy read and not bogged down with too much information. It is simple, to the point, and really accessible.
2598774
I've wanted to be a writer since the day I learned to write, and 2010 was a good year, so I keep telling myself, "I am a writer!" I think Sage Cohen would approve. She reminds readers in her book, The Productive Writer, that what we tell ourselves matters. What others tell us matters too, and we need to work to make sure they give the right message. Then we should watch where we set our sights, as that too might make a difference to how much or well we write.

With a new year starting and new projects in the works, this was a great time for me to read The Productive Writer. I need to organize my social life on the internet. Sage Cohen has ideas for that. I need to set goals; she tells me to set them higher then praise myself for achieving less. Did you know people usually only achieve a quarter of what they aim for? So aim for four times what looks achievable, and see what happens.

The book comes with wonderful poetic language that makes it an intriguing read even while it educates. It comes with honest depictions of a real life writer that makes me feel like the author's taking me seriously. And it comes with a valuable array of charts and examples that bring the impossibility of being productive down to the level of "Yes, I can."

Indeed, Sage says it's time we stopped overusing that mantra of "Just say no." Stop saying "no" to ourselves and our dreams and try saying "yes" instead.

Yes I can. I will edit my novel. It will be good enough (though never perfect). I will organize my time. I will advertize. I will communicate. I will enjoy being a productive writer in 2011. Thank you Sage.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
968222
This book gave me the tools to deal with life positively and maturely, despite the adverse situations it can throw at you. I feel lighter and more confident to deal with a lot of things that were on my mind before reading this book. I liked that it was practical, easy to read and easy to remember the things it taught me. It was exactly what I needed to read before the hectic Holidays came up.  I am even gifting it to my friends and colleagues this Christmas!