Although I agree with everything the book says--you can find the same content in almost all self-help books--I'm skeptical that
585587
This wasn't the sort of book I was looking for when I went searching for "Conflict Resolution"; I was looking for something more scientific and situation-oriented. I bought it anyway.

Although I agree with everything the book says--you can find the same content in almost all self-help books--I'm skeptical that producing change is as easy as the book represents. Still, I'm a sucker for this sort of thing.
1368504
I don't know the scientific validity of the information in this book, but it sure sounds good. Nothing seems extreme or absurd whether it be diet, exercise, or supplement recommendations. Any information or recommendations I have found in the book and checked do not seem to have any serious contraindications. I also appreciate the fact that author is not trying to sell me services or supplements, or pie in the sky promises, magic bullets, or easy answers.
1130350
She is saying the same as many others.  I don't fault her sincerity, but as I was reading, she was laboring the points she raised to the point of beating it to death.  If you've never got in touch with your spiritual side, and all this is new to you, then you will find this book helpful - perhaps.  For most of us who have encountered this model of thinking, there's nothing new here.  She may well be saying it in a way that reaches others, but for me ..... she could cut a lot of the stuff out and just get to point.
2234725
It's all good advice, organized and clearly presented. But most of it I've heard before. I suppose it's helpful as inspirational material, or the trigger to help some to finally dig in and clear out the clutter. I found a few nuggets that were new to me, like the advice to remove cabinet doors from kitchens in rental units for an instant update. Apparently the author moves often and some of the advice seemed more relevant to that lifestyle. It has lots of recipes for homemade cleaners (using soapnuts, Borax, etc.).
44210
I'm sure this will help different people.  However, the emphasis on here is almost totally on self... and I believe other factors are involved, besides myself. But it is definitely me who decides if I am going to act or react into a situation.

So, I was a little disappointed in the book, but that is only me.  You might like it very well.
2280725
From the beginnings of Dale Carnegie and Norman Vincent Peale on down to the present, I have read countless versions of "positive thinking" and "believing it makes it so" versions of the self-help movement.  I have had no better and certainly often no worse luck than anyone else on the human journey, but I long ago came to believe that the real "secret" to all of these books (and now CDs and DVDs) is the profit it brings to the authors.  The Bible is really not that clear on "ask, believe, receive" as to what you receive - and as every realistic, believing person knows, sometimes the answer is "no."  Taking these things literally can be devastating.  Everyone is looking for the easy way out and some mind-game to create the life of our dreams.  I still think there aren't any substitutes for hard work, good judgment, and a little bit of luck along the way.  When "The Secret" was really all the rage, I decided to give it whirl since it was a while since I had delved into this genre, having found it wanting in the past as to really changing my life.  The dang disc broke my DVD player, which was almost new, so what do you make of that?  I am foolish enough to admit that I have put up the dollar bill with $1,000,000 written on it; I have written "checks" for items I visualized coming into my life and stuck them on my refrigerator.  I feng shui'd the "love" corner of my home only to have the object of my heart tell me he met someone else.  I am not cynical and I believe a  positive attitude and a sense of gratitude throughout life tends to make the world go 'round a little better. While I often have not received things I "want" I have had many unexpected blessings I didn't even ask for. I am amazed that people do not realize that most of these things - while perhaps containing a modicum of common sense positive attitude - are designed to make money for the promoters.  I know some people swear by the miracles they have experienced but I don't know anyone personally who has ever drastically altered their lives by following these self-proclaimed gurus.  I know it all falls into the realm of free speech, but that doesn't mean the rest of have to be gullible and line the pockets of what used to be referred to as "snake oil salesmen."
1393648
Some good stuff in here and some not-so-good. Adams does admit that taking advice from a comedian is possibly b.s., but that doesnt total get him off the hook. While some ideas are useful to me, some of his thinkingoverreliance on hypnosis, psychology (were wet computers)is to say were all the same. He is clearly smart but we are not all alikemost of his advice is simply from his life experiences. In a land of 330 million Americans, I am dubious that his advice would provide useful to all given this approach. I did find some life hacks useful while for others I rolled my eyes (for instance this b.s. notion that you can succeed after enough failureAdams got incredibly luck and he admits this but doesnt point out most people do fail)

A fun read.
4113891
I am a relatively organized person and this book did give me some new ideas on doing better which were easy to implement.  The only problem I had with the book is that the author is very opinionated.  According to her, I have too much time on my hands because I read more than five books a month.  Isn't one of the main goals of homeschooling to foster a love of reading in our children and wouldn't modeling our love of reading be a good thing.  The author is lucky that I do read more than five books a month or I never would have gotten around to reading hers.  You can get good info out of this book but just be ready for some strong personal opinions.
4514150
Am I the only one who thinks that the stuff in here is mostly common sense? Focus on the positive, and you can change your life for the better? (Not that this premise works all of the time.) This seems to be a rehashing of "ideas" that fill the self-help section at any Barnes & Noble or Borders bookstore. Save your money--there's nothing revolutionary here.
2817594
The book is a affirmation of what works. Also recommended is the webinar by the authors:  http://stewardshipbook.com/landing/stewardship-conversation/

Tons of leadership books out there, Covey, Bennis, Kouzes, but finding the ones that emphasize how to be a humane or authentic steward and essentially servant leader, not so prevalent.  Some key points are the notion that one cannot do it alone; choosing partnerships over parenting; equity and fairness in all thing, including pay and ownership; and creating minimum social distance.

When one discounts ego, self-interest, charisma, "I cannot be accountable if I'm not in control," isolation, or an emphasis on everyone being good Bartlebys, and then all of the various dysfunctional ingrained habits or, say, abusive personality traits, we're simply left with the often discarded variables that are key to effective leadership: empahty, compassion, cooperation, measured risk, support, encouragement.  Simply, the book empahsizes how to create and maintain a healthy work place.

I'm oversimplifying, but I depart on two points: Having a faith in idealism also means that even in the most oppressive, top-down, disconnected workplace, opportunities can arise for positive ripples (difficult but not impossible).  Nor do I completely agree on the place of fear in the workplace; yes, it's a natural response, but fear should be replaced by trust.

Also recommended is the webinar by the authors:  http://stewardshipbook.com/landing/stewardship-conversation/
1809592
While Jen can be funny at times, I found this book to be a water downed version of everything out there on The Secret or New Thought movement. I didn't find anything new but I guess it's always good to hear again?

Additionally, I liked the book more when I read it but listened to the last part of the book which was read by Jen - AWFUL. I think she sounded funnier in my head. Her stories also didn't help me reflect or see things differently.

Sounds like the book has helped a lot of people though so if you've never picked up a self help book, give it a go.
2850504
I'm a do-it-yourselfer most of the time when it comes to astrology, not a pro. Every solar return book I have read has some new and different things from the others, and this one is no exception. Would I want this book as my only one if I could only afford one? No. But, it is a useful addition to what I already have because it does contain quite a few ideas I haven't seen anywhere else. I was disappointed there was only one major rule for marriage, and when I tried it out on my own solar charts, it didn't hold true. Some other rules I tested did, though.
1891110
When I received a copy of Joseph James Slawek's book from Handlebar Publishing I was already reading another book on leadership and I was interested in seeing what "Ingredients for Success" would add to my search. I found much that was useful and some great points for discussion as well as one area that raises some concern. My concern does not take anything from the value of the book but it is serious enough to give the book only three stars.

One of the helpful points is in chapter 3 (the third principle: Know, Develop and Use Your Unique Abilities) in which the writer states that not all leaders are five-talent people, two-talent people and one-talent people. Our goal as leaders is not to become  5 talent leaders but rather to become the best leader we can with the abilities God has given us.

He also reminds us that we can't do anything we want. That is a good point in a society that seems to tell us that everyone can do anything they want. Listening to the American Idol competition is a good example of what happens when people think that can do anything they want--of course it is good entertainment.

I think all ten principles spelled out in the book are helpful but I found it strange they were based on three parables from Matthew 25 when there are so many other places in the Bible that seem more fertile ground for leadership principles.

However, there was a red flag for me in the first chapter that gave me pause and hung over me through the book. In chapter one he seems to raise his book to the level of divine authority. Slawek states "...these are concepts that come from God's word; therefore it is beyond a man's opinion...It is the God of the universe speaking personally and profoundly to each and every one of us. That should send a shiver up our spines."

I have to admit a shiver went up my spine but not for the reason the author suggests. What caused me to shiver was the thought that the writer seems to think he has just written principles that rise to the level of divine authority. As good as these principles may be they are not on the same level as the Bible.  In fact one of the key concepts in the book (the 2 x 4 principle) is contradicted by another passage of Scripture in which God promises not double the  increase but 30, 60 or 100 percent increase.

In my theology the canon of Scripture is closed.
3449677
I saw this book on a web site i really love that had a review. I found the concepts interesting so bought the Kindle verssion. I thought it would be more of a science book, more technical I guess. It has this quality I attribute to self-help books where it tells the same story over and ovef, like it is trying to get you to buy into it.i am 70% done, and it still seems like it is telling g the stories of people and how the core concepts fit in to those central themes. I am still waiting  for the actionable stuff, "how do I put this into practice?" I do still intend to finish it, and on some level feel like when an applicable situation arises, so I guess something must be sticking after all that repetition. It is a good e as you read.
1115289
I'm pleased with every part of this book that actually presents data and direction, but FAR too much is devoted to "You'll feel great!! Just give it a shot! All these people loved it!" nonsense. To be fair, Cordain is right - I've been Paleo for several weeks and I do feel awesome, I've lost several pounds, I'd recommend it to anyone - but I already bought the book, I don't see why the author needs to spend multiple chapters convincing me to try the program.

My advice: Everything useful in this book can be found for free online. Do some Googling, and save your money for all that grass-fed beef.
3311125
I regard Chuck Carlson as a trusted source of good, solid financial information.  After all, this is the guy who gave us such investment classics as Buying Stocks without a Broker, The No-Load Stock Investor and Free Lunch on Wall Street.  Thus, when he penned Eight Steps to Seven Figures, I had to get a copy and glean its secrets.

Now, one could say that his use of statistical data may well be an attempt to cover up the fact most of the material found in the book could be gleaned with a fair bit of old-fashioned horse-sense.  However, for me, much of the information served to confirm what I have always suspected, but had precious little in the way of evidence to support.  Carlson's use of statistical data to back up his claims does indeed make his book look impressive, and the statistician in me does have to take issue with a few things associated with his numbers, such as:

1) I can understand his reticence to disclose personal info on those sampled, but I found it odd that he did not disclose the sampling method (basically, how did he go about getting his sample?  Most likely, it came from those who subscribe to his investment newsletter).  Nor did he report the response rate to his survey.

2)  He was not really consistent in the reporting of his results.  In some cases, he reported averages, and in others, he reported medians, and in no cases did he report variations or present us with distributions associated with the various answers to questions.

3)  He seeks to make the leap from his sample of millionaire investors to all investors like them, and from those individuals to the reader.  However, without knowing something about the composition of his sample, we really can not infer anything useful in general which we may reasonably apply to ourselves, at least with any degree of certainty.

That is why I say that the contents of the book, if true, would mean renewed hope for the Hopeless (aka, the typical wage-earning, rent-paying, or if unlucky, mortgage paying, indebted schmuck).

Since I regard Chuck as a trusted source, I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt; however, interested readers should take note of the following:

1) In reading the book, it sounded like most of the respondents are fairly well-to-do, and can be considered white-collar or managerial-class workers.

2) Most of them have been investing for at least twenty years, with their investment success coinciding precisely with the extended bull market lasting from 1980 to 2000.  The bull market may have had more to do with their success than their investing acumen.

3)  We really do not know what their total returns were (on a compound average basis) nor do we know what their asset breakdowns were, so we do not know the extent that IRAs and 401ks  , the two critical pillars of Carlson's eight step approach, played in the respondents' investment success.

4)  Most of them appeared to have had an intimate experience with poverty at some point in their lives, which they recalled vividly, and this experience spurred them to save frantically.  This alone makes them atypical as compared to the general American public, who as a group have a negative savings rate.

Thus, although I really can not say how applicable the statistics in the book may be, I can say that the book contains many juicy, common-sense tips that anyone, be they white-collar or blue-collar, well-to-do or of modest means, male or female, can put to use.  While you could glean the general ideas and the eight steps by reading solely the preface and introduction of the text, you would miss out on a lot of valuable insights and information.

I highly recommend the book to anyone looking to achieve or maintain financial safety and security.
1282739
Although I agree wholeheartedly with the ideas in this book, entire sections of it appear to have been taken almost verbatim from a popular personal development program now called "The Landmark Forum" (formerly known as the "est" training) without attribution.  This program has been around for almost four decades.