Tag Archives: book reviews

Book review: Maybe You Should Give Up

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I swore I was not going to take on the task of another book review until I had completed my own manuscript and made a valiant effort to get it published. I have become a professional procrastinator when it comes to my own affairs. So when I received an email from Byron Morrison, I became distracted and intrigued. I consider that the mark of a curious person and a procrastinator. The title, Maybe You Should Give Up caught my attention and Byron’s last name is similar to mine. So I replied. We emailed, I looked at his website and I thought, What do I have to lose?

The title of the book is Maybe You Should Give Up and the subtitle is 7 ways to get out of your own way and take control of your life. I need to get back in control of my life and my time and 7 ways to do it seemed quite manageable to me. 50 ways would be way too much. Even 10 might be too many but 7 is a good number. But this isn’t about numerology, although I would love to go there. This is about getting stuff done. The 7 ways are essentially identifying the 7 “mental rocks” we are being weighed down by and removing them to get going again. The book stated, “Stop carrying boulders. Give up on them. Leave them behind.” Sounds simple but can you do it? I wasn’t sure I could. Honestly, I wasn’t even sure I could read the whole book and write a review, let alone learn anything from it. HOWEVER, I decided to read and immediately take action from Byron’s advice. And you know what? It worked! I don’t want to divulge the secret things on my to-do list that I finally pulled the proverbial trigger on but I started acting instead of allowing fear and self-criticism to stop me. In essence, I gave up on trying to be perfect which the book recommends. I had drafts of emails waiting to be sent out until they were perfect. I perused them and hit the send button. I will never be able to be rejected if they are sitting in the drafts folder. Truthfully, I already received a couple of rejections but they felt better than not acting at all.

The book is well-written, easy to read and peppered with anecdotes from Morrison’s life experience and his work as a life coach. I highly recommend this book and you can pre-order your copy here.

I have been promised an autographed copy. I can’t wait!

Book review: ‘How to raise great kids’

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I am blessed to receive so many emails from readers, companies and generally cool people.  So many, in fact, that I simply don’t have time to review all of the products and requests that come through the pipeline.  Not the Alaska pipeline.  But the blog pipeline. Back on Thanksgiving Day 2016, I got a really nice email from Jim Gromer. And yes, you read that correctly.  It was Thanksgiving Day 2016 and I am just getting to this review.  I am embarrassed to admit this delay but I wanted to do this one and it took me far longer than it should have.  However, I am trying to raise great kids and I guess that is where the majority of my time goes.  To parenting and work, laundry, etc.  Well, you know the drill (total pun intended with the Alaska reference!)  We are all multitasking, right?

Anyway, my point is, sometimes, in a few sentences or so, you can tell someone is a kindred spirit; that you really have to take a longer look at this inquiry. That, if this person had been in your high school or was your neighbor, you would be friends.  I am like that.  I am intuitive about people.  At least, most of the time.

So let me tell you about the book ‘How to Raise Great Kids’ and how you can get it.  You can click that link ahead of time or you can wait and I can tell you what I like about it.  This book has tips for learning, games and general all around fun with your children.  What I loved about the concept was the onus was put on the children to be great…..raise great kids.  I like that.  Then some of the pressure is off…..it becomes a partnership and both parents and children are responsible for their greatness.  And the children are expected to be respectful, have fun, gain self-confidence and more.  Now, I know you are thinking, ‘I know everything about parenting….what could I learn?‘ Trust me, you don’t know everything.  None of us do.  And the minute we realize that, we become better parents instantly.

There is nothing better than a great book....well, a great book signed by the author!

There is nothing better than a great book….well, a great book signed by the author!

This book is filled with tips for communication, hygiene, safety, instilling faith and confidence in little ones and the list goes on.  The chapters are short and filled with great suggestions.  If you are parenting or know a parent or are invited to a baby shower, this is a gem of a book.  Here’s the link: How to Raise Great Kids…..don’t be like me and wait.  Enjoy!  Parent away!  And the author’s advice and my advice:  cherish every minute of it….yes, parenting can be really fun!  It sounds like an oxymoron but it is not!

Oh, and here’s my favorite line – “Life is messy but when you cherish the golden moments and power through the inevitable tough times, you give your family a fighting chance to leave a positive legacy.”  Sage advice from Jim Gromer!.