Self-Discipline and Losing Weight
Time Management
Anger Control
Teaching Children Self-Discipline
Women and Self-Discipline
Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder and Self-Discipline

Awaken the Giant Within: How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical, and Financial Destiny ASIN: 0671582089 Customer's Rating: 3 Summary: Flawed Guru, Great Message, Not As Easy As It Sounds Comments: Tony Robbins starts off in his over-the-top style by getting you excited about a variety of self-improvement techniques. I give him credit for at least providing actual exercises instead of just a lot of woo-woo philosophy like most self-help books. However, although many of these are great techniques in theory, some would take a long time to master - definitely no "quick fix" here. I bought the PP2 tapes and did them all, but some days the exercises were just not successful. Looking back now, I can't say that I accomplished many of the goals I set. Maybe if I had thousands to spend working with a "life coach" one-on-one to train me, I would have had better results. If you're new to positive thinking, etc., you might get great insights from this book. If you've heard it all before, you'll probably hear a few things that may be new and perhaps helpful. And yes, you'll either love him or hate him. Fascinating how most reviewers either want to worship at his feet or assassinate him -not many in between. I guess when anyone makes that much money, he's expected to be perfect, and a lot of people get REALLY resentful when he's not. Point of interest - in the early days, he paid out big money to prevent a number of lawsuits when his staff accidentally got the wrong kind of wood for a "firewalk" seminar. About 40 people ended up in the hospital with burns. (Yes, the event is a partial trick - do some research if you're interested). Lots of hype, but a few great ideas. s

Thoughts and Feelings: Taking Control of Your Moods and Your Life ASIN: 1572240938 Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: First Class Book on Cognitive Behavior Therapy-- Comments: A while back, I was doing extensive research before writing up a discussion on the use of cognitive behavioral therapy. I went to the original texts by Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck, and they were great for theoretical info, but this book was THE BEST for simple, easy to understand discussion of how to use the principles and techniques of cognitive behavioral therapies to help control anxiety, depression, self esteem, moods and other aspects of your life. It provides short, simple explanations and well thought through exercises you can use to take great charge of your life. It is an excellent book for therapists who want to have a quick referral resource for patients and it is a super self help book. Like the authors say, it is not a replacement for treatment by a doctor, but it sure goes a long way for helping some basic issues. I've used the techniques listed here along with biofeedback interventions (see more about them and how to read articles I've written on my website listed in my profile). Bottom line-- for self help in cognitive therapy, consider this the layman's bible, and an essential bibliotherapy resource for therapists.

Silva Mind Control Method ASIN: 0671739891 Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: Know yourself. Grasp your potential! Comments: Before proceeding any further let me tell you won't waste your time from reading such a book like this. There's sufficient scientific evidence from the practical findings done by Jose Silva and there's enough literature on the field of brain activity and visualization which NOW strongly support his remarkable techniques. Any Psychologist is witness to that. I first learned about Jose Silva Mind Control Method by reading this practical and amazing book. After trying some of the techniques outlined on it and seeing and enjoying the amazing results I decided to attend a seminar in MEXICO CITY in 1987. I graduated from the Basic Course and to my surprise EVERYTHING improved in my life since then EVERY DAY, IN EVERY WAY!. My grades as a student, my personal finances, my relationships with others, my job, my health. I don't mean that there was anything wrong or I was in any special need for something. I think what I received was the knowledge to use all the special faculties I was endowed with as a Human being. I do sincerely recommend this book and I wish you to practice the dynamic meditation Jose Silva presents. Personally I practice every day the simple meditation which I believe is in no conflict with any religion or philosophical point of view, quite the contrary I believe is a natural state of being. One last word, you need not to be an outstanding visualizer to make Silva Method work, it only takes to be a HUMAN BEING with the desire to be better and the courage and discipline to do it. Believe in yourself!

Training the Mind and Cultivating Loving-Kindness ASIN: 0877739544 Customer's Rating: 4 Summary: important techniques and lessons for all Comments: What do salty sailors, communists, ad execs, and Tibetan Buddhists have in common? The Power of Slogans! From 'Have a Coke and a Smile' to "Be all that you can Be", the brain loves a good saying. This book is Trungpa's translation of the 59 slogans used to instruct Tibetan Buddhists, with his commentary on each. Trungpa is unassailable as an instructor: the 11th generation of a line of chosen Tibetan Trungpas, he went to oxford on a scholarship and then moved to the US in the 1970's where he founded what remain as among the foremost Buddhist/meditative institutions in the country. I tend to believe Buddhism gained a little more than it lost en route to japan, so I prefer the zen stuff, but this book has a lot to offer anyone. Some nitpicking: For a guy who dedicated his life to bringing jargonless Buddhism to the west, the book is a little full of 'mystical-sounding foreign words' though thankfully the glossary is very fine. And plenty of important Buddha concepts don't shine through (cause and effect, and the big mirror concepts don't get too much play here) so just make sure this isn't the only book you read on the topic. And some of the slogans are simply not too memorable and consequently lose their force; 'always be grateful' is dandy, though 'the mahayana instruction for ejection of consciousness at death is the five strengths' seems like an important one that alas probably won't be dancing off too many tongues at the critical moment. Still this is a fine book, a great book for beginners or advanced alike, coming from any tradition whatsoever. and the small format fits well, making it a great book for commutes or travels. Enjoy! (& remember: just because I didn't like the book as much as you doesn't mean you should vindictively vote against my review!)

Reinventing Yourself: Becoming the Person You Want to Be ASIN: 0944337147 Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: An insightful approach to life improvement. Comments: Barnes Boffey provides an extremely personal and insightful view of the process of "reinventing yourself." His comments arise out of his training and expertise in the field of Reality Therapy, in which he has served as a counselor and consultant. Boffey provides rich insights into the necessary components of change. His points are emphasized with personal stories of his own development and change throughout his life. This book is a wonderfully written, interesting comment on life change. It is a refreshing addition to this area of the literature.

How You Feel Is Up to You: The Power of Emotional Choice ASIN: 091516681X Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: An effective, highly recommended book. Comments: Dr. Gary McKay and Dr. Don Dinkmeyer are practicing psychologists who have co-authored several books. How You Feel Is Up To You: The Power Of Emotional Choice is their latest offering, in which they teach readers how to gain control of their feelings. They say their book "is designed to help you gain control over your strong unpleasant emotions--guilt, anger, depression, stress, anxiety--and increase your joy and happiness. The doctors first discuss emotions, explaining how and why they're created. They then show how negative emotions can be replaced with positive feelings like joy and happiness. The trick is in learning how to change your thinking. Five basic principles are the key to changing the way you think. First you must learn to accept your feelings and yourself, then remind yourself to live in the present, rather than the past. Thirdly, you need to recognize the purpose of negative feelings. Then you need to become aware of your thoughts, and finally, develop a plan for change. Each of these principles is fully discussed, with detailed instructions and exercises for incorporating them into your life. Self-discovery exercises are sprinkled throughout the book, to help guide you through the steps. The doctors also provide real-life examples from their private practices. McKay and Dinkmeyer say that "choice is powerful; it sets you free." They explain that "while you may be able to do little or nothing about a change that results from external circumstances in your life, you can decide how you will respond. Your response is in your control." They offer practical help in learning how to gain control of your responses, so that you can choose your emotions. Readers who are tired of anger, depression, guilt, and all the other familiar negative emotions will find How You Feel Is Up To You an effective teacher of the skills they need for making healthier and happier choices. Sandra I. Smith

Ninja Mind Control ASIN: 080650997X Customer's Rating: 2 Summary: Ashida Kim...most people either love him or hate him... Comments: This book is concerned with the control of one's own mind...something not intuitively obvious from the title. If anyone believes this book will allow you to control peoples minds like Obi-Wan or something, you will be very mistaken! The main content of this book deals with breathing techniques and the kuji-in methods of focusing chi, derived from the Buddhist art of Mikkyo. On a purely design note, the pictures tend to be rather blurry, and Kim insists on using chinese throughout the book to supplement the japanese words for the 9 kuji-in. As with all of Kims books (and indeed any book on the subject of Ninjutsu), read them and then decide for yourself what to believe and what to ignore.

Your Erroneous Zones: Step-By-Step Advice for Escaping the Trap of Negative Thinking and Taking Control of Your Life ASIN: 1559944323 Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: Breaking away from needing approval. Comments: This book showed me a way out of 14 years of self-destructive behavior. The ideas expressed are SO simple and after reading just the first few chapters I knew that I had finally stumbled onto a gold mine of "how to live the happiest life possible." I would like to comment about the review from Feb 2002, Dr. Dyer does not "over-stress the idea of complete personal autonomy" in regard to marital relationships. What Dr. Dyer stresses is that if a person gives up something unwillingly; because of guilt, worry, or out of the need for approval, etc., then THAT is the point where it becomes an erroneous zone (self-defeating behavior) giving freely and lovingly to a spouse/significant other must come from personal choice"> This is an outstanding book! I have my mom's original copy from 1976 and never read it until now. Some of the references are a little dated (songs quoted, cultural-norm examples) but the message transcends time. I HIGHLY recommend this book, especially if you feel you've lost control of your own happiness.

Choices: Taking Control of Your Life and Making It Matter ASIN: 006008829X Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: Something for everyone Comments: Choices is a series of short essays, each two or three pages long, each illustrating a point the author wants to make. Some are New Age-y: A woman closing her business is surprised when someone says, "I feel that I should speak to you..." Others are more straightforward and down-to-earth. I couldn't relate to all -- even most -- of the stories here. If you haven't had the experience, the story is meaningless. Several involve getting tough about relationships. Two essays were especially powerful: "She saw a monster in her bedroom" is about a woman who realizes she must leave to escape a "monster" husband -- at age seventy-one. Beattie concludes, "It's hard to be a newcomer at anything." "He had to backtrack" is the story of a young delinquent who turns his life around after a gifted counselor roots out long-buried feelings. I see each episode as a turning point rather than a choice: each time the protagonist hit bottom, his or her life changed. It's not always about choices: the delinquent doesn't face a crossroads. I'd probably recommend this book to clients whose lives felt out of control, who wanted role models and examples of taking charge, or who wanted to understand the concept of change. One negative: Each chapter ends with a small lesson that could be omitted. It's overkill. The book's power comes from the stories and the way Beattie tells them. The lessons themselves are not particularly new or original. Leave them out.

The Prism Workbook: A Program for Innovative Self-Management ASIN: 0393701190 Customer's Rating: 5 Summary: PRISM Workbook Comments: I am Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Miami, Florida, and I have been using this workbook for years. I have used it with juvenile delinquents, sex offenders, and domestic violence offenders. It is an excellent way to engage resistant clients and incorporate goals and measure successful treatment completion. I have also used it with families who need to learn to communicate and with stress management. I use it when teaching graduate counseling classes. The chapter on Active Listening is a practical way to teach person-centered therapy and gives the students a chance to role play.

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