Shut-Up And Practice... Deeply
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Coyle's premise is that the notion that people are born with natural talents is a myth. Talents are developed by hard work and deep practice. Coyle argues that the development of skills can be traced to the development of myelin, a wrapping of insulation around our neurons. The thicker the myelin, the more efficient the circuit.

All skills, all language, all music, all movements, are made of living circuits, and all circuits grow according to certain rules. (The Talent Code, pg 6)

To develop skill operate at the edge of your ability. Make mistakes. Slow down. Correct errors. Try again.

Deep practice is the process of repetition, chunking, and 'learning to feel it.' He encourages readers to try to practice in that zone just beyond comfort where mistakes are common and even welcome. While you want to focus on the struggle you must go deeper than that. You need to be deliberate about struggling. The pattern Coyle recommends is:

1. Pick a target.
2. Reach for it.
3. Evaluate the gap between the target and the reach.
4. Return to step one.

There is, biologically speaking, no substitute for attentive repetition. Nothing you can dotalking, thinking, reading, imaginingis more effective in building skill than executing the action, firing the impulse down the nerve fiber, fixing errors, honing the circuit. The Talent Code, page 87

The other two primary factors Coyle argues for are Ignition and Master Coaching. These are helpful concepts, but I'll focus my reflections on what was most helpful for me, Deep Practice.

I found Coyle's presentation of this material helpful. Its in the vein of "Outliers: The Story of Success" and in my opinion a helpful follow-up. While I'm in no position to evaluate Coyle's scientific claims I got the impression that he is far from an expert on myelin and its importance in skill development. Though this is a book written for a popular, non-scientific audience I'd be interested to hear from his critics.

What's so helpful about this book is that it removes all excuses for good old fashioned, hard work. You want to get better at something. Just shut up and Practice, deeply. There's really something to be said for that, especially in a world where it seems like nearly everyone around you is incredibly talented in something you are not.

My primary criticism of this book is that he focused mainly on skill development. The application of these principles is easily made to learning a any physical ability such as playing a musical instrument or playing a sport. But what about mastering history or chemistry? Most of our professions are a combination of skill and complex interactions with a vast body of information. Perhaps this is beyond the scope of his book, but he left me hungry for more.

A good read. I'm going to read "Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning next."
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Based on the Amazon reviews, I was really excited about getting this book. In fact, this is one of the few times that I opted for Amazon Prime's one-day delivery. Generally, the best books I read are the ones I want to read very slowly and contemplatively. With this one, I found myself racing through in search of an idea that I hadn't already read some form in Eckart Tolle's "The Power of Now" or "The New Earth." At the core of Dr. Rao's book are the chapters on Mental Chatter and the Witness and I think the material in the other chapters hinge upon your ability to experience the transformation that can come by diligently practicing the exercises taught therein. So to the extent that it helps readers who've had no previous exposure with these concepts, this book can be a great help. I do like the hour glass analogy, wherein Dr. Rao suggests that we only fix our attention on the present moment which like the grain of sand passing through the narrow opening the middle. But overall, if I had to recommend one or the other, I'd recommend Tolle's books and audio presentation over what I'm seeing here.

There even seems to be a disconnect in Dr. Rao's writing style, in which he seems to be shouting at the reader while -- telling you at the same time to quiet the chatter in your head to derive your resourcefulness from being calm. If you've ever read Tolle or heard him speak, you'll know the lives the calming presence that he teaches about.
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Barbara Brown Taylor demonstrates her craft as a preacher so effectively that she has earned the title of one of America's best.  In her book When God is Silent, Barbara brings to light the difficulty many that preach face as they approach the Biblical text and message.  In forthright honesty she gives expression to areas that both teach and frighten a preacher when they are preparing a homily: famine, silence, and restraint.

 Taylor speaks to a culture that has become accustomed to its throwaway lifestyle.  Words are disposable.  With so many words now being assimilated into the English language, our minds are over satiated.  This rich diet of fast food newsprint, magazine gluttony, and a blitzkrieg of entertainment television has numbed the ability of words to move and stir our being.  In the midst of abundance, we are in a state of famine--a famine that is silent.

 What do we do when we don't hear the voice of God?  Taylor paints a picture of a God who has grown silent in order that we may pay attention.  The canvas of silence is one we avoid with all our might.  Upon the canvas, the colors are vivid primary tones that our culture tries to dull with noise and activity.  Her point is well taken...God is not really silent, people have just muted God out.  But she warns preachers to be wary of using too much language to fill voids of silence, for silence is the antacid to settle our indigestion caused by over feeding on our vernacular.

 What Taylor does best, is allow the reader to reflect on whose word is being proclaimed on Sundays.  She uses the old adage of `less is more' to articulate that holding back on word usage allows for the silence to speak, almost like a ray of sunlight peaking through a cloud covered sky.  Recognize our loss by over using words and restrain ourselves from saying too much.  Let silence speak, for it has more profound things to say than any preacher can.  Using vivid imagery, she gives sound advice to all who step into the pulpit to proclaim the good news.  Sometimes, what you don't say or leave unsaid speaks louder and lasts longer.  After all, its God's good news for us, not our good news for ourselves.
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I bought this book at the airport and read it cover to cover on a recent trip.  What an inspiration.  It gives us the permission to shut up (and to suggest that other people shut up too).  I'm already using it in a class on public speaking!  I also find it useful for teaching a class on living in France, for students heading off to study abroad.  The respect for reserve in France has much in common with the introvert qualities described by Cain, and it is important for Americans to appreciate the virtue of privacy and minding one's own business, instead of being offended by people's lack of "friendliness."
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Among the many insightful and articulate lessons offered by Loch Kelly in this training CD, he mentions that the shift into freedom is comparable to upgrading our mental operating system so that we can enjoy a fuller and more awakened experience of life.  In the short time that I have been listening to this CD and practicing the collection of glimpses that comprise the training, I already recognize a "rewriting" of the habitual mental acrobatics that I have come to (begrudgingly) accept as the chatter of my brain. These are not complicated or lengthy meditations...they are streamlined inquiries into how we've fallen into habits of thinking and doing and if we just untie the knots induced by misinformation, we will begin to sense a greater and vaster awareness that is always available and present.

Loch skillfully instructs us to consider alternatives to the narrow mind field between our ears and proceeds to give detailed suggestions to guide us up, away from, and out of the confined space of continuous ruminations. These meditations are nugget-sized pointers/glimpses that trigger an opening into the vaster spaciousness of non-dual awareness. The trigger allows the awareness to occur, and once glimpsed, the encouragement to return again and again to that awareness is ensured.  This is true development of the spirit and the psyche and may very well be the catalyst for the awakening of many.

Listening to this CD has "upped my game" in
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Powerful suggestions and clearcut exercises for both the beginning practitioner as well as those who have been on their journey to enhance their daily practice
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If you are one of those people who cannot shut down your "monkey mind", please look into anything by Tom Kenyon.  Sacred Chants, in particular, is extremely soothing - perfect for meditation, yoga or, as I do, loading onto the iPad and falling asleep to.  His sound therapy is life changing.  Buy this.  Today.  "Sacred Chants" is also excellent.
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This live recording of Buddhas' Fun guided meditation took my dusty practice and polished it to a brilliant finish for me.  Johwa Choi is the voice of reason en route for exploring deeper consciousness.  No wonder I was having such a hard time meditating well, before.  I realize now, that I'm just not capable of spontaneously creating the wisdom -filled self-guidance I needed in order to reach a true meditative-state, by myself.  It's too difficult to flow in meditation while guiding the experience, at the same time, as it progresses.  Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, you need to get your hands on this CD for the best advice on meditation, I've ever encountered!  Now that I've listened and followed the suggestions behind the context, I can attain a profound meditation experience, on my own!
The calming voice said, "Don't trace your thoughts, trace your breath."  When I did as instructed on the first track, my breathing became so alive and it was wonderful to experience it that way: in just 10 short minutes.  I was in awe!  My mind was marveled by the sensation of my breath and my body naturally reacted to the extra attention I was giving myself, with affectionate responses.  I was able to notice the gentle rise and fall of my chest and abdomen, the cool and warmth of the breath itself and my brain was so serene yet so sharply focused, at the same time.  "Take it easy," is the title of track 2 and its basic premise.  This track is half as short as the first yet very empowering.
In track 3, you are lead away from, "too silent meditation."  You are told and influenced to, "wake up and do meditation."  I found this track especially appealing because it follows up with a warning you really need to be aware of in case you take the two previous tracks' guidance too far.  Isn't it true that you should relax while meditating but you shouldn't be asleep?  This track directs you through an awakening experience in 11 minutes.
The next track is longer (about 18 minutes) and it reminds you how to redirect your focus to where you want it to be.  "The more you give attention to the traffic jam, the more you will listen to them.  The more you can enjoy the fresh air, the freer your mind will be."  When I heard that, I thought it was so fundamentally profound, yet so easily forgotten when in practice and in life, in general.
The last track is by far my favorite and it is the longest (about 23 minutes.)  It takes you through an extreme journey in and almost out, of consciousness, several times.  It ends with a prolific message:  "There is no way that you cannot be you."  I could imagine Buddha's fulfilled smirk, as so often he is depicted to have, once I heard that final wisdom and I could feel true fulfillment in my own heart, as well.
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This book of reflections, co-authored by a practicing psychologist and an ordained minister (who herself was once a practicing attorney), is designed to provide lawyers with a daily "meditation" on issues related to the difficult situations they face on a regular basis.  Each calendar day, a quotation is presented, along with a discussion of its application to the difficulties of the practice of law.  The book is designed so that you can jump right in, for example, to today's thought:

  "After all, it is those who have a deep and real inner life who
  are best able to deal with the irritating details of outer life."

The authors then point out, correctly, that as lawyers, we can only change our own behavior, not that of others, giving cogent examples that illustrate their point brilliantly.  The wisdom presented here is not just life-affirming (and profession-affirming!), but if remembered at critical points, could certainly improve the lawyering skills of many.

As a lawyer who has taken a different road after many years of practice, what I find in this book is advice and wisdom that is easily applicable to anyone working in a service-related profession.  "The Reflective Counselor" could just as easily be titled "The Reflective Accountant" or "The Reflective Surgeon" (albeit with occupation-specific examples).  Anyone in a high-pressure environment, where the concerns of the client or patient should come first, would benefit from the very practical counsel offered here.
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As an extrovert, I haven't bothered reading any of the books or articles about how to deal with being an introvert. And when Michaela Chung came to me for help in reviewing the contract Skyhorse Publishing had sent her, I still didn't feel obligated to read her blog or any of her articles. Skyhorse had asked her to write this book, and my job was to ensure that the contract was fair and protected her interests.

But then I had a signed copy of The Irresistible Introvert in my hands, and felt I should at least read the introduction. It was a revelation. I realized I had little understanding of my many introvert friends, didn't know why they let me talk so much, why they seemed to hesitate before expressing their opinions, and why I was puzzled that they were able to handle large groups of people gracefully despite my labeling them as shy.

I soon found myself reading further. And I urge extroverts to read this book as well, to better understand those around them.

One revelation was that introverts do not fall into strict categories. As Chung says, they are not timid or vivacious, silly or serious, quiet or courageous. Introverts are often just as confident as extroverts, but they express it differently.

I have a close friend who is an introvert, but I see her as attractive, confident, extremely capable, and articulate. When we're in a group, she listens attentively as the extroverts dominate the conversation, and only interjects the occasional comment. But when we're alone, she often talks almost as much as I do!

What I've learned from this book is that we extroverts need to give our introvert friends time to assemble their thoughts. As Chung points out, my thoughts form themselves as complete sentences in my head, and tumble out as soon as I have a chance to open my mouth (or my computer). Introverts, on the other hand, take time to process the thought and put it into words.

If you're an introvert, you need this book to help you understand yourself, not allow others to pigeon-hole you, and to bring out what Chung calls your quiet charisma.

If you're an extrovert, you need this book to understand some of the important people in your life that you may have underestimated, and not had the patience to listen to.

Barbara Florio Graham, [...]
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...then you need this book.

Yes, yes, drills and exercises are tedious and often boring. But the piano is a demanding mistress and you need to understand fingering and how important it is. If your fingers are out of position, or do not execute a passage properly, it will be painful and consume much of your time to work out - if you don't simply give up on the song as "too difficult".

While there are different arrangements for any given song, from the easy-play, to the "as the composer wrote it" difficulty level, particularly in Classical music, each song has its unique requirements. Proper technique is essential to maximize your ability to play the given song. And proper technique can only be achieved through an understanding of how you achieve it.

Exercises are the means we employ to attain that level of proficiency to approach the ability to play difficult songs. But, truth be told, even easy songs require much the same technique as difficult tunes if you want them to flow off your fingers and produce the wonderful success and pleasing interpretation of the song.

I hate to practice. But as a teacher, I must. And because I teach, I have to know, understand and be able to convey the importance of proper technique. So I assign these kinds of exercises to help put the fingers into top form so any song a student is given to learn, they will be able to master it in time and with proper execution of technique, producing a desirable result - which encourages and supports their desire to continue to improve.

 Afterall, isn't that why we play, to enjoy the pleasure and experience of being able to play the songs we love, and to play them well?
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Ohhh, the dreaded open mic night, we've all witnessed it, but have you ever actually experienced it from the other side? Have you ever imagined the feelings that come with performing in public? This is when strangers are judging you, in what resembles a brief trivial flash to them, but a life-changing, pivotal, climactic juncture for you. Try to envision standing alone on stage, fueled with emotional excitement and intensity, mixed with the agony and sensitivity that comes with performing in front of strangers. This timeless moment can be more then just a little daunting. "Conquering The Coffee House" should be on the syllabus of required reading for anyone wanting to get through the anguish and turbulence associated with operating in front of any community. Distractions, banter, making mistakes, and conditions you may not have even anticipated are furnished here, helping to guide you in a direction conducive to your sanity. Musicians, poets, performance artists, public speakers, and all creative varieties will find this material beneficial to the freedom and liberation of tearing down those walls.

This eBook is a beginner's guide to successfully performing your music at open mics, but translates into much more then an individual with an instrument. If you've never had the advantage of collecting the knowledge, awareness, and understanding first-hand for these types of situations, and would like to avoid some of the pitfalls attributed with them, "Conquering The Coffee House" is your pilot. Would you rather travel on an unfamiliar, unaccustomed course, blindly and aimlessly? No need, when you can actually navigate through a serene pathway instead, as a result of the insight obtained in this eBook. Enlightenment can be crucial and advantageous to all domains of life, including the strange passages that most inventive entities delve into. The talents they maintain are only part of the equation vital to completing the formula of visionary euphoria. Gathering the confidence via the expertise and wisdom of those who have already journeyed down a comparable route is a powerful tool. The author not only prepares you, but also strengthens your spirit on the expedition of the unknown and unexplored.

"Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress."
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This small package is full of 'gems'.  The greatest fear many people have is the public speech or presentation before colleagues and  clients.  Usually they make a lot of mistakes due to this fear.  They ill plan and practice.  They speak too long and provide background that is unnecessary or boring.  They provide too many slides and then proceed to read them to their audience.  And in what is usually a horror, they try to begin with a joke.  This usually produces embaressing silence.

Asher's small book, in an extremely tight fashion, points our the mistakes and tells the reader how to overcome them. His content is KISS!  If you read and follow his directions and suggestions, not only will you be a better speaker, but you will be more interesting and overcome most of your fear.  This is well tested and used by many Senior Managers and CEO's, along with a vast array of other professionals in their business and personal life.

Of all the self-help and improvement media there is out there, this provides a wealth of 'bang for the buck'.  Speak and present better, have more confidence, be more interesting and overcome this fear which helps produce pain and a poor outcome.

Asher's book can get you there.
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Imagine yourself at a crowded conference table in a dark room.  There are many present, but no role call.  Each person is known only when he or she speaks, but you cannot speak.  In fact, you sometimes cannot even hear.  On  the rare occassion that a light briefly shines, your eyes are usually  closed.  Every decision, reaction, thought and feeling in your life is  determined by the voices at this conference.  Usually the loudest and  shrillest voice dominates.  To the authors, this is a picture of your inner  life.
The authors attempt to enlighten the reader so that he begins to  bring the shadow people into the light.  In essence the book is a call for  conscious, intentional life. Instead of a mute observer and victim, the  authors hope to strengthen the innermost Self so that the voices can be  heard, not denied; heeded without dominating.
Like much written from a  Jungian perspective, I found this book both frustrating and helpful.  References to Greek myths multiply at an alarming rate, but I found that  prior knowledge of the pregnant meaning of each myth name was not essential  to benefit from this book.
The authors explore family of origin shadows,  relationship shadows, shadows in the workplace and the midlife experience  of shadow.  Four primary defenses against self-awareness of the shadow  occur as running themes: money, power, sex and addiction.
It is  interesting that there is little or no reference to mortality, aging and  legacy shadow issues.  Perhaps the ages of the authors (at most 51 years?)  has resulted in a less comprehensive view of shadow work.  If so, I hope  they will update this work in 20 years.
I recommend this work to others,  like myself, who are consciously working through midlife questions.  This  book may open new vistas for these seekers.  For those looking for a  "how to" prspective, this book will be a disappointment, only  nine pages provide practical advice.
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Dr. Schlessinger is a best-selling author, award winning radio therapist and a former professional licensed marriage and family therapist.  The book is a collection of documented phone calls to her radio show sprinkled with her consultations.  Given her background in marriage and family therapy, it is not surprising that this book is weighted heavily in issues, examples and discussions in these areas - and almost exclusively from a woman's perspective.  So unless you are interested in these areas, you'll find yourself skipping entire sections of the book.  That being said, I found these refreshing pearls of wisdom both from the good Doctor and from her callers:

1)  Closure isn't necessary - or sometimes even possible...most of the wish list rarely comes true.  And it is very wise to let go of a persistently rotting rope, isn't it?

2) Trying to make things be different by going over them again and again only fixates you in the past.  Letting go of that rotting rope with your hand firmly gripping a better philosopher, a wise counselor, or a loving friend or relative as a cheering squad gives you the possibility of greater peace and happiness

3) "The longer you behave in certain ways, the more it comes to define you, not only to others, but also to yourself."

4) Too much talking.  Whine less, do more. "I have learned that there is great power in taking action in directions where I have complaints or have been wronged by someone - and most of all, by taking forward steps instead of dredging up the past and displaying my suffering.

5) Perspective.  How are you doing: "Better than some and not as good as others."

6) You are what you give (to others and yourself).  You are what you do - first do good, then feel good.

7) Endure. "The point of documenting all these calls and letters is to give you enough scenarios that one might strike you as way to close to home; and better still, before it become "impossible."  For some of you, then is now.  You are already whining and feeling perpetually trapped...yet the whining state is just about the only condition you imagine is possible.  Let me repeat an important concept: enduring.  What we can't change (or fix) must be endured.  That means the whining stops because you set your mind, heart and soul to how to make the best out of a situation you'd rather not be in...but it is too late.  You must be polite, nice, helpful, positive, kind, patient; you know, some of that actually is potent salve to make the unendurable even pleasant.  And enough of that might change the situation completely and for the better."
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Four years ago, after some fortunately minor health problems, a friend of mine went to see a doctor trained in both Western and Eastern medicine.  That may have been the best thing he ever did for himself.  The doctor  strongly suggested that he learn to meditate: That it would bring him inner  calm, peace, happiness, the ability to think more clearly, perform better  in business and enjoy his family more.  He was right.  Take this gift from  John Gray and learn the wisdom and the steps to succeed and feel at peace.  The steps that are recommended help you avoid the "stalls"  described in "THE 2,000 PERCENT SOLUTION" by Donald Mitchell,  Carol Coles and Robert Metz.  For example, "Set Your Intentions"  pushes aside The Procrastination Stall; "Remove The Blocks To Personal  Success" eliminates the other common stalls: The Communications Stall  (the message is not understood), The Disbelief Stall (I can't do it), The  Tradition Stall (I've always done it this way), The Bureaucratic Stall (why  is there so much paper to fill out), The Misconception Stall (based on poor  assumptions) and The Unattractiveness Stall (leave it alone, it may be  dirty).  Read both books to achieve personal happiness, the ability to move  your career forward and grow your business at 20 times the normal rate and  the inner and emotional peace that comes with success.
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In his book "The Power of Intention" Dr. Wayne Dyer talks about a regular practice of meditation as essential to purifying your connection with the Source and manifesting all of your desires.  Through meditation, you can establish a direct link with the field of energy that makes all things possible.  It also allows you to connect with and get into harmony with your authentic inner self.  In "Getting in the Gap" Wayne Dyer outlines a simple-to-follow, yet effective, technique for practicing meditation.

Many of us have heard about meditation, and perhaps even tried a few different techniques.  One of the most challenging things about meditation is achieving a complete focus in the absence of thoughts.  And yet, only when your mind is completely calm and quiet can you begin to get in touch with the Divine Spirit.  The meditation practice outlined in this book, called Japa, allows you to get to that gap between your thoughts in minutes.  With regular practice, using the Japa technique, you can learn to stay in the gap for extended periods of time.

This book is very slim, with just enough information provided for you to be able to begin the meditation practice.  There are six chapters:

1. Why Meditate?

2. The Gap and Why

3. Getting in the Gap

4. Staying in the Gap with Japa

5. FAQs Regarding the Gap and Japa Meditation

6. Testimonials about Japa Meditation

What I found to be the most valuable part of the book is the audio CD that it comes with.  On this CD, it is essentially Wayne Dyer guiding you through the entire meditation step-by-step - and anyone who has listened to him before knows that he has a very powerful and soothing voice that greatly helps in the meditation experience.  In the appendix, the book also includes the complete transcript of the CD, so that you can follow along or refer to it later when you don't have access to the CD.

In summary, this is an excellent book for anyone who wanted to start meditating or who tried other methods and found them too difficult.  It is a wonderful complement to the Power of Intention program, in which meditation is an important component.  It is also great on its own, as a self-contained meditation guide.