Personal Development for Smart PeopleI have been extremely priviledged to have been given the opportunity to review Personal Development for Smart People - the new book by Steve Pavlina of StevePavlina.com; one of today's most popular personal development authors. This book is transformational and inspirational. It is also extremely workable and practical. There is so much information in this book that I hardly know where to begin. The book will be an outstanding success - the best of its kind ever written - in my opinion! What is so different about Personal Development for Smart People is that it is so obviously written by a man who really knows what he is talking about - and comes from a place that makes sense deep down inside. Do you know what I mean? It is not vague in any way - you are not left dangling in mid-air wondering if you are 'doing it right' as you follow the instructions and advice given. It is simple and straightforward although the exercises can be extremely demanding. It is not for the faint-hearted as you are asked to confront areas of your life that you might not necessarily want to confront! I truly believe though, that if you follow the advice given in this book you will turn your life around into something joyful, rich, purposeful and meaningful not only for yourself but for all of those connected to you.
I have read many books on this subject over the years. I have gained much from them, but never have I read such a comprehensive one as this! What Steve Pavlina's Personal Development for Smart People does is give the reader something entirely different - really. Steve Pavlina himself has come from a place of self-destructive behaviour that almost threw him in jail. During a particularly rough time in his life where his freedom was threatened, he developed a curiosity about personal development, in particular how do we grow as conscious human beings and how do we intelligently guide the process? He set out to discover the Universal Laws of Consciousness - to find the common pattern behind all successful growth efforts. These laws had to be universal in their application - ie. in whatever area of life they were applied to, for example health, finances and relationships. He understood that as these laws were dealing with the subject of pure conscious thought, then the solution wouldn't be as crisp as a mathematical solution - but as near to it as possible. He writes that it took the best part of two-and-a-half years to discover these three Core Principles : Truth, Love and Power. He recommends we all align ourselves with these core principles and the book goes into great detail on how we do this, in a very clear, concise and easy-to-follow manner. If we can learn which of the core principles we have been misaligning with, then we can get to work on correcting it and thus discovering the joys of acheiving success in all that you want to achieve. The book sets all of this out in a very straight-forward and clear way, so that you can follow it without a sense of vagueness you sometimes get from these types of books. It is very direct and you will have no trouble following the instructions. By using these core principles we are able to speed-up the growth process bringing more of what we want and desire into our lives, rather than limping forward in a slightly hesitant way not quite sure of where are are heading. Throughout the book there are numerous exercises and tasks that throw light on where our current beliefs, thoughts and actions are leading us. These exercises are not always easy but they are extremely enlightening! Truth is the first principle that Steve deals with in his book. He tells us that by consciously seeking truth we can accelerate the growth process - turn your back on falsehood and denial. This chapter is rich with advice and exercises on discovering truth and applying it to achieve desired results. We won't have personal growth without first being honest. The chapter on Love as the second core principle asks us to question our connections - with ourselves and with others. I found this chapter intriguing. It encouraged me to look at my current connections and realise that I have the choice at all times to choose what I want to connect with and what I want to disconnect from. By choosing the connections that resonate with me, I am learning to bring myself into alignment with the principle of love. Steve does a far better job at explaining this than I do - but it is eye-opening stuff. Power is the third principle that Steve writes about. If our power is strong we have the ability to improve our lives beyond belief. However, if our power is weak, then we succumb to others all too easily and become a 'victim'. I found this chapter totally compelling and exciting. By understanding that your sense of power can be increased dramatically by taking responsibility for your life is very liberating - developing power is one of the hardest lessons to learn but it is essential if we are on the path of personal growth. It can't be ignored. By choosing to develop your power you are finally giving yourself the chance to create the life you truly desire. Personal Development for Smart People provides a very inspiring section on goal setting. This is different from the norm. By reading through this chapter you will learn how to set goals that are really inspirational. He has a way of writing that really gets to the nitty-gritty on how to do this. How if we select the right goals, motivation will drive us forward rather than willpower. However, willpower is also a good way to keep us moving forward - relying on self-discipline is like a second wind that keeps us going towards our goals. He suggests we build our power by practicing regularly - like developing a muscle. Set new challenges that will push you close to your limits. I loved this chapter as it is full of great ideas that can be worked into every day life - all pulling and pushing towards your desired outcomes. I would recommend this book wholeheartedly to anyone who is looking for help in turning their life around from a safe, limited, slightly restrictive life to a successful and enriched life filled with joy, love and abundance. There is just so much information here that makes sense and clear instructions are given on how to use that information to the best effect. I am off to read it again and you will read it too if you have sense! You can buy a copy of the book from Amazon through clicking the graphic below:
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