Cup of Joe Photo

Dude, Where's My Country?

Michael Moore is great at expressing his views. Whether I agree with all his positions or not, I have to give him credit for exercising his voice. What would America look like if we all expressed the opinions we hold sacred as loudly and clearly as Mike? Hmmm, there's something to consider.

Synopsis from Barnes and Noble
If Moore's earlier work Stupid White Men didn't shake up the Bush administration, this latest exposé is another shout for attention. Moore, whose credits include the bestseller Downsize This! and the award-winning documentary "Bowling for Columbine," challenges Dubya to either step down or explain his 25-year involvement with the bin Laden family, his relationship to the Saudi royal family, the Taliban's visit to Texas, and the Saudi connection to 9/11. He also attempts to sort out Bush's web of tall Texas tales regarding Saddam Hussein and the war in Iraq. In addition to pages of notes and credits, Moore includes a helpful chapter called "How to talk to your conservative brother-in-law." Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Eat, Pray, Love

Yes, Yes, and Yes. I absolutely loved the lessons Elizabeth Gilbert came to recognize on her radical journey of self discovery. I may totally sound like a woman here, but there is such great value in evaluating your life and redefining the terms of your happiness. Yes, I definitely sound like a woman. So what, my best friend is a woman (Ingrid), I live with girls, I grew up with sisters and I work for brides and their mothers. OK, before I get side tracked too much, I really want to recommend this book for those of you with a desire for adventure on the journey inward. Enjoy the Blessings and Wisdom shared. And then apply them:)

From Barnes & Noble
Oddly but aptly titled, Eat, Pray, Love is an experience to be savored: This spiritual memoir brims with humor, grace, and scorching honesty. After a messy divorce and other personal missteps, Elizabeth Gilbert confronts the "twin goons" of depression and loneliness by traveling to three countries that she intuited had something she was seeking. First, in Italy, she seeks to master the art of pleasure by indulging her senses. Then, in an Indian ashram, she learns the rigors and liberation of mind-exalting hours of meditation. Her final destination is Bali, where she achieves a precarious, yet precious equilibrium. Gilbert's original voice and unforced wit lend an unpretentious air to her expansive spiritual journey.

Your Best Life Now

Joel Osteen has an encouraging message, filled with Faith and Hope. This was my first time listening to one of Joel's books. I appreciated his words and stories. I hope you will be encouraged by them too.

From Barnes & Noble Televangelist Joel Osteen's message of hope and encouragement has won him praise from actor Chuck Norris and author Joyce Meyer. In Your Best Life Now, he encourages believers to discover their innate, God-given strengths and abilities to overcome obstacles and achieve authentic success.

Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking when Stakes Are High

The keys to effective communication are complex. If they weren't, we would all communicate with each other perfectly. When I was in college, I chose a "interpersonal communication" class over the horrifying "speech class". Back then, I thought I knew it all. Today, I realize I don't know much. I'm on a constant quest to learn how to do things better. Communicating with others, especially when there could be conflict, is a skill worth practicing. Enjoy.

Communicating Best When It Matters Most A crucial conversation, as opposed to a casual exchange, is a discussion between two or more people about tough issues where opinions vary, stakes are high, and emotions run strong. When a topic needs to be breached that could easily lead to disaster, such as approaching a boss who is breaking his or her own safety or quality policies, or critiquing a colleague's work, or talking to a team member who isn't keeping commitments, talking openly is a must, but can be very difficult. Mastering your crucial conversations can kick-start your career, strengthen your relationships, revitalize your organization and your community, and even improve your health, according to the authors of Crucial Conversations.

Atonement

Since I was in Vegas last week, I didn't have time to finish my current book. I did however see a cool movie yesterday that I'd like to recommend instead of a book this week. Atonement is a beautifully shot love story with compelling dialogue and imaginative flashback sequences to keep the viewer engaged. It's worth a look. Enjoy.

Buy and Hold

In these times of an economic downturn, there are great ways to capitalize on lower real estate prices if you have money to invest. I read this book a couple of years ago. It was recommended by another real estate educator. I have found David's philosophy presented within these pages a solid strategy for my future. Enjoy.

Description from Paradoxal Press DON'T MAKE A MOVE IF YOU WANT TO GET RICH. That's the word from America s leading real estate expert, David Schumacher, who discovered that the way to lifetime financial security is to buy smart and never sell. He s built a $20 million fortune using his own savvy advice. Forget about flipping properties. Say goodbye to late-night TV no money down scams. Here s a shrewd, moneymaking, step-by-step investment program providing proven advice on how to: --Pick the right property with the most profit potential --Choose locations that will be tomorrow s hottest neighborhoods --Negotiate lucrative real estate deals that can make you wealthy --Turn your property into a moneymaking cash machine --Use your property to make even more money with David s insider techniques. Packed with charts, graphs and David s real-life examples and axioms, here s your ticket to a sound financial future.

90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death and Life

I received this book from my sister at Christmas. I set it aside with some other books and forgot about it. Then last week I got the audio book from Simply Audiobooks in the mail. I had, months before Christmas, put it on my rental list. It came and I listened to it. I am much more likely to hear a book than read a book. Anyway, the book was good, but not great. I did like the part when the author described his time in Heaven. But much of the book is about his recovery and depression coming back and living again. It is another reminder for me to value those around me whom I love. It may be our time to go, at any time. Cherish your loved ones:)

Synopsis on Barnes and Noble After colliding with a semi-truck, Don Piper died and went to heaven. Ninety minutes later he returned to life on earth. After years of silence, he is now sharing his life-changing story. As he is driving home from a ministers conference, Baptist minister Don Piper collides with a semi-truck that crosses into his lane. He is pronounced dead at the scene. For the next 90 minutes, Piper experiences heaven where he is greeted by those who had influenced him spiritually. He hears beautiful music and feels true peace. Back on earth, a passing minister who had also been at the conference is led to pray for Don even though he knows the man is dead. Piper miraculously comes back to life and the bliss of heaven is replaced by a long and painful recovery. For years Piper kept his heavenly experience to himself. Finally, however, friends and family convinced him to share his remarkable story.

Tuesdays with Morrie

I suppose it's official. I really like Mitch Albom as an author. As I was walking yesterday and listening to the author read his book, I smiled. I also laughed and got choked up at times. Mitch is a writer that I really like to like. His style is consistently his own, and I enjoy the humanity of his perspectives. I can relate to him and his experiences, because he touches on universal topics and emotions that we all experience. Once again, he has woven these into a compelling and thought provoking book. Enjoy!

Synopsis Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher. Someone older who understood you when you were young and searching, who helped you see the world as a more profound place, and gave you advice to help you make your way through it. For Mitch Albom, that person was Morrie Schwartz, his college professor from nearly twenty years ago. Maybe, like Mitch, you lost track of your mentor as you made your way, and the insights faded, and the world seemed colder. Wouldn't you like to see that person again, ask the bigger questions that still haunt you? Mitch Albom had that second chance. He rediscovered Morrie in the last months of the older man's life. Knowing he was dying, Morrie visited with Mitch in his study every Tuesday, just as they used to back in college. Tuesdays With Morrie is a magical chronicle of their time together, through which Mitch shares Morrie's lasting gift to the world.

Why We Buy

Honestly, I didn't finish this book. It's a mammoth examination into the science of product placement for businesses who sell product off the shelves. Parts of the book were fascinating to me, such as the direction most people move through a retail environment, to the size and effectiveness of text in a window display. But the book for me seemed to go very slow, and I found my mind wondering often. So perhaps I'll come back to it another time, or maybe not. There are soooo many good books to be experienced. I hope your having fun reading (or listening) to the books that interest you.

The worth of a book is to be measured by what you can carry away from it. ~James Bryce

From the Publisher Is there a method to our madness when it comes to shopping? Hailed by the San Francisco Chronicle as "a Sherlock Holmes for retailers," author and research company CEO Paco Underhill answers with a definitive "yes" in this witty, eye-opening report on our ever-evolving consumer culture. Why We Buy is based on hard data gleaned from thousands of hours of field research -- in shopping malls, department stores, and supermarkets across America. With his team of sleuths tracking our every move, from sweater displays at the mall to the beverage cooler at the drugstore, Paco Underhill lays bare the struggle among merchants, marketers, and increasingly knowledgeable consumers for control. In his quest to discover what makes the contemporary consumer tick, Underhill explains the shopping phenomena that often go unnoticed by retailers and shoppers alike, including: How a well-placed shopping basket can turn a small purchase into a significant sale What the "butt-brush factor" is and how it can make sales plummet How working women have altered the way supermarkets are designed How the "boomerang effect" makes product placement ever more challenging What kinds of signage and packaging turn browsers into buyers For those in retailing and marketing, Why We Buy is a remarkably fresh guide, offering creative and insightful tips on how to adapt to the changing customer. For the general public, Why We Buy is a funny and sometimes disconcerting look at our favorite pastime.

Coloring Book

Nothing says Presidents' Day like coloring books and department store sales. If you're not going shopping today, perhaps you'd like to color. I'd like to help. You can click here and color online (lots of fun) or you can download coloring pages here for each of our 43 Presidents. Whichever you decide to do, whether it be shopping or coloring, have fun. Normally, I'd be shopping, but I'm feeling very under the wheather, so I decided to color George W. as a red head. I'm easily amused:)

LOOK WHO IS STARTING HIS DAY WITH A CUP OF JOE!!

The Audacity of Hope

Another Democratic author. What is happening to me?! This book actually rocked me too. I embrace the journey of discovery and the fact that we are all in process. The world is many more shades of gray than simply black and white. Enjoy!

Synopsis "A government that truly represents these Americans--that truly serves these Americans--will require a different kind of politics. That politics will need to reflect our lives as they are actually lived. It won’t be pre-packaged, ready to pull off the shelf. It will have to be constructed from the best of our traditions and will have to account for the darker aspects of our past. We will need to understand just how we got to this place, this land of warring factions and tribal hatreds. And we’ll need to remind ourselves, despite all our differences, just how much we share: common hopes, common dreams, a bond that will not break." from The Audacity of Hope In July 2004, Barack Obama electrified the Democratic National Convention with an address that spoke to Americans across the political spectrum. One phrase in particular anchored itself in listeners’ minds, a reminder that for all the discord and struggle to be found in our history as a nation, we have always been guided by a dogged optimism in the future, or what Senator Obama called "the audacity of hope." Now, in The Audacity of Hope, Senator Obama calls for a different brand of politics -- a politics for those weary of bitter partisanship and alienated by the "endless clash of armies" we see in congress and on the campaign trail; a politics rooted in the faith, inclusiveness, and nobility of spirit at the heart of "our improbable experiment in democracy." He explores those forces -- from the fear of losing to the perpetual need to raise money to the power of the media -- that can stifle even the best-intentioned politician. He also writes, with surprising intimacy and self-deprecating humor, about settling in as a senator, seeking to balance the demands of public service and family life, and his own deepening religious commitment. At the heart of this book is Senator Obama’s vision of how we can move beyond our divisions to tackle concrete problems. He examines the growing economic insecurity of American families, the racial and religious tensions within the body politic, and the transnational threats -- from terrorism to pandemic -- that gather beyond our shores. And he grapples with the role that faith plays in a democracy -- where it is vital and where it must never intrude. Underlying his stories about family, friends, members of the Senate, even the president, is a vigorous search for connection: the foundation for a radically hopeful political consensus. A senator and a lawyer, a professor and a father, a Christian and a skeptic, and above all a student of history and human nature, Senator Obama has written a book of transforming power. Only by returning to the principles that gave birth to our Constitution, he says, can Americans repair a political process that is broken, and restore to working order a government that has fallen dangerously out of touch with millions of ordinary Americans. Those Americans are out there, he writes --- "waiting for Republicans and Democrats to catch up with them."

The Assault On Reason

Until recently, I was not a fan of Al Gore. I cast my ballot for George W. in 2000. At that time, I suppose I voted for who I thought I should as an OC Republican without giving it much more thought. These days, I'm educating myself, and like Al Gore, I realize "that we have Trouble, right here in River City. With a capital T and that rhymes with G and that stands for Government". Mr Gore has concerns and questions that seek answers and action. His voice is just one of many challenging Americans to think about what we are being told. He encourages (me) to pay attention to what is happening in our great country, and to engage in the public forum exercising reason.

I would love to hear your opinions. Please leave a comment.

From the Publisher A visionary analysis of how the politics of fear, secrecy, cronyism, and blind faith has combined with the degration of the public sphere to create an environment dangerously hostile to reason. At the time George W. Bush ordered American forces to invade Iraq, 70 percent of Americans believed Saddam Hussein was linked to 9/11. Voters in Ohio, when asked by pollsters to list what stuck in their minds about the campaign, most frequently named two Bush television ads that played to fears of terrorism. We live in an age when the thirty-second television spot is the most powerful force shaping the electorate's thinking, and America is in the hands of an administration less interested than any previous administration in sharing the truth with the citizenry. Related to this and of even greater concern is this administration's disinterest in the process by which the truth is ascertained, the tenets of fact-based reasoning-first among them an embrace of open inquiry in which unexpected and even inconvenient facts can lead to unexpected conclusions. How did we get here? How much damage has been done to the functioning of our democracy and its role as steward of our security? Never has there been a worse time for us to lose the capacity to face the reality of our long-term challenges, from national security to the economy, from issues of health and social welfare to the environment. As The Assault on Reason shows us, we have precious little time to waste. Gore's larger goal in this book is to explain how the public sphere itself has evolved into a place hospitable to reason's enemies, to make us more aware of the forces at work on our own minds, and to lead us to an understanding of what we can do, individually and collectively, to restore the rule of reason and safeguard our future. Drawing on a life's work in politics as well as on the work of experts across a broad range of disciplines, Al Gore has written a farsighted and powerful manifesto for clear thinking.

U2 3D

OH MY! I'm skipping a book this week in favor of an absolutely insane creative project recommendation. U2 3D. We in So Cal are blessed to have an IMAX theater at The Irvine Spectrum, which is about 20 minutes from my home. On Friday night, I went to check out what all the buzz was about and my mind was blown. Technology has triumphed again! This movie is exactly the way I like to experience a concert. Up close and personal. You really can't get any more close than this, and the 3D experience is so perfect, it's literally like being in the crowd, and then in the air, and then over the drums, around the Edge and in Bono's face. Go see it this week. Run, don't walk!

Stumbling on Happiness

This weeks highly recommended book comes one day behind it's usual Monday slot, but I just finished listening to it yesterday. It is well worth the read/listen and I wish I'd read/listened to it years ago. I'm really into how the brain works and why we do what we do with our lives. This is a book that is entertaining as well as informative about our thought processes and surprising research on our memories and choices. If you're fascinated by these topics, Stumbling on Happiness is the best book I've found.

Several years ago, on a flight from New York to California, I had the good fortune to sit next to a psychologist named Dan Gilbert. He had a shiny bald head, an irrepressible good humor, and we talked (or, more accurately, he talked) from at least the Hudson to the Rockies--and I was completely charmed. He had the wonderful quality many academics have--which is that he was interested in the kinds of questions that all of us care about but never have the time or opportunity to explore. He had also had a quality that is rare among academics. He had the ability to translate his work for people who were outside his world.
Now Gilbert has written a book about his psychological research. It is called Stumbling on Happiness, and reading it reminded me of that plane ride long ago. It is a delight to read. Gilbert is charming and funny and has a rare gift for making very complicated ideas come alive.

Stumbling on Happiness is a book about a very simple but powerful idea. What distinguishes us as human beings from other animals is our ability to predict the future--or rather, our interest in predicting the future. We spend a great deal of our waking life imagining what it would be like to be this way or that way, or to do this or that, or taste or buy or experience some state or feeling or thing. We do that for good reasons: it is what allows us to shape our life. And it is by trying to exert some control over our futures that we attempt to be happy. But by any objective measure, we are really bad at that predictive function. We're terrible at knowing how we will feel a day or a month or year from now, and even worse at knowing what will and will not bring us that cherished happiness. Gilbert sets out to figure what that's so: why we are so terrible at something that would seem to be so extraordinarily important?

In making his case, Gilbert walks us through a series of fascinating--and in some ways troubling--facts about the way our minds work. In particular, Gilbert is interested in delineating the shortcomings of imagination. We're far too accepting of the conclusions of our imaginations. Our imaginations aren't particularly imaginative. Our imaginations are really bad at telling us how we will think when the future finally comes. And our personal experiences aren't nearly as good at correcting these errors as we might think.

I suppose that I really should go on at this point, and talk in more detail about what Gilbert means by that--and how his argument unfolds. But I feel like that might ruin the experience of reading Stumbling on Happiness. This is a psychological detective story about one of the great mysteries of our lives. If you have even the slightest curiosity about the human condition, you ought to read it. Trust me. --Malcolm Gladwell

Nooma

Today, I am stoked to let you know about this series of DVDs called Nooma. I saw two of them on Friday night when we had a few friends over and they blew my mind. They are powerful, down-to-earth, thought provoking talks, aimed at helping you consider deeper meaning and purpose for your life. The host, Rob Bell, and an incredibly talented film crew created 18 of these dvds. Each are about 12 - 15 minutes long and come with notes and discussion questions. The packaging is SWEET too. Like I said, I'm stoked on his idea of sharing faith and substance. If your not into "spirituality", this may be a great introduction. You can preview each episode on their website. I'd really love to know what you think about this idea. Thumbs up or thumbs down. Hey, Happy Monday.

Working The Room

As I continue to work on my public speaking skills, this book was recommended. Nick is the coach for engaging your audience. This book can be applied to any inter-personal communications. He recommends that you listen to those whom you are addressing. It's a bi-directional practice. If you decide you want to improve this area of your life, here's your book. Go get it.

Book Description Do you remember the topic of the last speech you heard? If not, you're not alone. In fact, studies show that audiences remember only 10 to 30 percent of speech or presentation content. Given those bleak statistics, why do we give speeches at all?

We give them, says communications expert Nick Morgan, because they remain the most powerful way of connecting with audiences since ancient Greek times. But as we've evolved to a more conversational mode of public speaking, thanks to television, we have forgotten much of what the Greeks taught us about the nonverbal aspects of speech-giving: the physical connection with audiences that can create an almost palpable emotional bond.

Morgan says this "kinesthetic connection" comes from truly listening to your audience-not just with your brain but with your body. In this book, he draws from more than twenty years as a speech coach and consultant, combining the best of ancient Greek oratory with modern communications research to offer a new, audience-centered approach to public speaking.

Through entertaining and insightful examples, Morgan illustrates a three-part process-focusing on content development, rehearsal, and delivery-that will enable readers of all experience levels to give more effective, passion-filled speeches that move audiences to action.

A Christmas Story

I'm assuming that almost everyone has seen my favorite Christmas movie. I actually saw this movie when it first came out in theaters in 1983. My dad took us that first year, and I've loved it ever since. If, by chance, you haven't seen it - I strongly recommend you rent it. Perhaps it will become a classic with your family traditions too.

This 1983 comedy celebrates the sort of Christmas a young boy may have had in the 1940s.

Young Ralphie Parker wants only one thing: a Red Ryder Carbine Action 200 Shot Range Model Air Rifle. His parents don't want him to shoot his eye out and refuse to get it. Wacky hijinks ensue as Ralphie develops some very creative ploys to convince his mother and father that this is the only thing they should give him.

Amazing Grace

I'd like to highly recommend a movie that Ingrid and I watched Tuesday night. Amazing Grace was not one of my picks. Ingrid usually picks the movies of substance, while I pick stupid comedies like "Balls of Fury" (which I bought as soon as it came out on tuesday morning). Amazing Grace is the story of one man who had the courage and perseverance to combat social injustice in the 19th century. It is the story of his internal struggle against selfish choices that could forward his political aspirations. I was moved by this man's passion and focused intent. He chose the road less travelled. It is worth seeing and further pondering.

Winning Vocabulary

Sometimes I try a book just for fun. I usually get lucky and pick one's that I enjoy. This is the first book in a long time that I felt was a waste of time. I'm not implying that one's vocabulary is not important. It certainly is. My opinion of this book, however, is rather low. If any of you have a better recommendation, I'm all ears.

Description - It has long been recognized that the person who can express his or her thoughts clearly and precisely is the person who gets to the top, who achieves their goals. This course offers the listener the opportunity to "fine-tune" their vocabulary, incorporating the latest learning techniques to enable the listener to retain and recall words and usage, all in an easy-to-listen-to package. Practical help for teenagers wanting to enhance their educational opportunities, for businessmen wanting to increase their chances for promotion, or anyone interested in expanding their knowledge of language and communication skills. Perfect to listen to while commuting, or instead of the radio or television.

PS On a happy note, I had a fabulous day yesterday playing street hockey with the neighborhood kids;)

Books

Well, I finally finished reading Wicked about a week ago. Reading a fiction book was a good break in the mix of the business books I've been listening to. Reading takes me a lot longer to do than listening. Even though it takes longer, I just ordered myself 3 books to sit with over the holidays. Books make great gifts. For yourselves or for others. If your interested, these are the three I ordered. Happy reading:)

"The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles"
Steven Pressfield; Paperback; $10.36

"The Now Habit: A Strategic Program for Overcoming Procrastination and Enjoying Guilt-Free Play"
Neil Fiore; Paperback; $10.17

"Founders at Work: Stories of Startups' Early Days"
Jessica Livingston; Hardcover; $17.15

Life as a Book

I'm so excited about this new chapter in the "Book of my Life". I'm going to postpone my regular business book recommendation until next week and fill you in on what you can expect from me as I pour out more "Joe" in your "cup of joe" daily.

1. I plan to reveal more of my thoughts, ideas, and inspirations.

2. Respond to your comments. I'm looking forward to this commitment. I'll do my best to reply daily, but at least by the weekend. So check back often and let's dialog.

3. Continue to share my images...of course:)

I'll be posting tons from Rimrock this week as well as Chicago and images from the Cypress photography class I spoke at 3 weeks ago. In the meantime, enjoy this rockin' gem of a moment captured by my boi, Isaiah. This is my daughter Mikayla's favorite image of the two of us! Thanks Isaiah, "I'm glad you went"...

Perfume

OK, I'm going to recommend another insanely visual and rare film. My wife found this one and I have to admit, it's a killer. Be warned, this type of cinema is not for everyone.

Perfume - Movie Trailer - Watch more amazing videos here

PS, I'm STILL not finished with reading WICKED. That is why I prefer audio books...

Awaken the Giant Within

Tony Robbins is a great self awareness coach. He uses easy to understand analogies and illustrations to make his points and he has wonderful energy and enthusiasm. You can learn many life changing perspectives from his books, but you have to read (or listen) to learn. Enjoy:)

"Awaken the Giant Within" - How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial Destiny! was written by Anthony Robbins back in 1992. It is 544 pages of the man's motivational techniques and self help tips. Awaken the Giant Within covers a wide range of topics, from goal setting, to Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), personal finance, and relationships.

The book comes across as fast paced and entertaining, just like he is on his many infomercials. It covers a lot of material, with much of it requiring you to make positive changes and work on yourself. So it is probably best skimmed, before going back to chapters that relate most to your life.

Robbins uses a lot of techniques that are either influenced by or are taken from the pseudoscientific principles of Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). But Awaken the Giant Within is more than a book derived from NLP, it is a manual for life. If one technique or chapter does not work for you, there are plenty more in the book that can.

Anthony Robbins has copped plenty of criticisms for his infomercials, his personal life, and his high priced seminars, but Awaken the Giant Within is a self help classic.

Awaken the Giant Within Book Quotes

"After making a true decision, even a tough one, most of us feel a tremendous amount of relief. We've finally gotten off the fence! And we all know how great it feels to have a clear, unquestionable objective." Tony Robbins
"The truth is that we can learn to condition our minds, bodies, and emotions to link pain or pleasure to whatever we choose. By changing what we link pain and pleasure to, we instantly change our behaviors." Tony Robbins
"The past doesn't equal the future. All great leaders, all people who have achieved in any area of life, know the power of continuously pursuing their vision, even if all the details of how to achieve it aren't yet available." Tony Robbins

Wicked

This book totally has me hooked. I'm reading fiction and loving it. I'm still not all the way through (I read slow) but I wanted to recommend this book for sure (and fiction in general) as a way to relax. The book is very different from the Broadway show. Both are equally engaging. Enjoy.

Thank you for the books a few of you recommended last week. It's nice to hear from you:)

When Dorothy triumphed over the Wicked Witch of the West in L. Frank Baum's classic tale, we heard only her side of the story. But what about her arch-nemesis, the mysterious Witch? Where did she come from? How did she become so wicked? And what is the true nature of evil?

Gregory Maguire creates a fantasy world so rich and vivid that we will never look at Oz the same way again. Wicked is about a land where animals talk and strive to be treated like first-class citizens, Munchkinlanders seek the comfort of middle-class stability, and the Tin Man becomes a victim of domestic violence. And then there is the little green-skinned girl named Elphaba, who will grow up to become the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, a smart, prickly, and misunderstood creature who challenges all our preconceived notions about the nature of good and evil.

Happy Monday

Good morning friends! You may be surprised to know that I'm actually READING a book. I'm 100 pages into to a 400 page book. it's a fiction and I'm captivated, and reading in my free time. It's a wonderful change of pace, sort of mixing things up a bit. I'm also half way through another audio book. I'll post about it next week.

I'm looking for a few recommendations for great books you have enjoyed recently. Please leave a comment if a book has impacted your lives. I look forward to your input. Thanks:)

A book is a part of life, a manifestation of life, just as much as a tree or a horse or a star. It obeys its own rhythms, its own laws, whether it be a novel, a play, or a diary. The deep, hidden rhythm of life is always there -- that of the pulse, the heart beat. ~ Henry Miller

For One More Day

I've been a big fan of Mitch Alboms since reading The five people you meet in Heaven a few years ago. His latest book is equally captivating and inspiring. I got through it in two days. It's a book that challenged my idea of my relationship with my parents, and the sacrifices they made for me. As a result, I hung out with my Dad on Saturday doing one of his favorite activities, walking through the OC Auto Show. He and I both share a love for fast cars and we totally bonded and enjoyed each other's company. I have a new appreciation for the limited time we have with those we love. Enjoy each moment:)

Albom’s tribute to family and particularly motherhood is his second novel and the first to feature a female protagonist. It explores questions of regret, divorce, and how we would spend one special day with the ghost of someone we loved.

Pauline “Posey” Benetto raises her son bravely as a divorced woman in the 1960’s. The boy, Charley, never really appreciates her sacrifices, spending much of his life chasing the elusive love of his father, who left when Charley was 11. The book begins on the night when Charley, now a middle-aged alcoholic whose family and work life have disintegrated, decides to take his own life. He makes a midnight ride to his small hometown, staggers into his old house, which he believes to be abandoned, only to make a startling discovery: his mother, who died eight years earlier, is still living there, as if she never left.

The two of them then embark on the “one more day” that so many wish they had with a lost loved one – a day to ask question, seek forgiveness, and reexamine the life you thought you had. The book was chosen from hundreds of candidates to be the first ever featured by Starbucks in its stores nationwide.

The Tao of Pooh

This is an unexpected recommendation from my long list of great books. I read about this book years ago and never got to reading it. I actually didn't like reading back then. I'm open to this book now. I have just started reading it, so I hope you won't be disappointed. If it sucks, I'll post and let you know. If anyone has comments, I'd love to know.
Enjoy!

From Library Journal Author/narrator Hoff calls Winnie the Pooh a "Western Taoist" and uses the unassuming bear to introduce Eastern philosophical principles. Pooh epitomizes the "uncarved block," as he is well in tune with his natural inner self. Pooh enjoys simple pleasures and the daily progress of life. Hoff contrasts this unpretentiousness to other characters created by Winnie - the - Pooh author A.A. Milne, including Owl, whom he describes as a "mind that tries too hard," and Eeyore, the eternal pessimist. In a clear and crisp voice, Hoff explains the central tenets of Taoism and further illustrates them with familiar excerpts from The House at Pooh Corner stories (1923), Chinese proverbs, maxims, and tales from Lao Tzu and others. The result is at once thought-provoking and charming. This is a small literary event that will leave all who experience it a little more serene. For most collections.

The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich

Wow, this is a revolutionary book. A lot of people may say "No Way!", it's not possble to only work 4 hours a week and travel the world, living your dreams at the same time. This book replies loud and clear "Why the heck not?!". Tim's ideas will blow your mind. I'm beginning to implement a few of them right away. It is said that "knowledge is power". The information in this book is powerful for transforming your mind, however, you must take action for the transformation to effect your life. Who's up for the challenge? Enjoy!

Book Description
What do you do? Tim Ferriss has trouble answering the question. Depending on when you ask this
controversial Princeton University guest lecturer, he might answer:

“I race motorcycles in Europe.”
“I ski in the Andes.”
“I scuba dive in Panama.”
“I dance tango in Buenos Aires.”

He has spent more than five years learning the secrets of the New Rich, a fast-growing subculture who has abandoned the “deferred-life plan” and instead mastered the new currencies—time and mobility—to create luxury lifestyles in the here and now.

Whether you are an overworked employee or an entrepreneur trapped in your own business, this book is the compass for a new and revolutionary world. Join Tim Ferriss as he teaches you:

• How to outsource your life to overseas virtual assistants for $5 per hour and do whatever you want
• How blue-chip escape artists travel the world without quitting their jobs
• How to eliminate 50% of your work in 48 hours using the principles of a forgotten Italian economist
• How to trade a long-haul career for short work bursts and freuent "mini-retirements"
• What the crucial difference is between absolute and relative income
• How to train your boss to value performance over presence, or kill your job (or company) if it’s beyond repair
• What automated cash-flow “muses” are and how to create one in 2 to 4 weeks
• How to cultivate selective ignorance—and create time—with a low-information diet
• What the management secrets of Remote Control CEOs are
• How to get free housing worldwide and airfare at 50–80% off
• How to fill the void and create a meaningful life after removing work and the office

You can have it all—really.

Ready For Anything

Are you ready? Ready for anything? David Allen expands on his "mind like water" life preparedness message, for those who want more of a good thing. I find it necessary to be reminded of great information. Now, to apply it..... This is a great reminder of how to live and manage the constant flow of things pulling for our attention. Relief is attainable:) Enjoy.

In READY FOR ANYTHING: 52 Productivity Principles of Work and Life, David now asks readers what is holding them back and provides them with the essential guide for anyone wanting to work and live at their very best. The book is based on David’s hugely successful online newsletter, Productivity Principles, with over 100,000 subscribers. He has fully expanded, edited and organized his principles into an organic whole—one that offers wit, inspiration, and know-how to keep readers’ heads clear and “ready for anything.”

In each of these succinct and motivational chapters, David focuses on a single essential principle for achieving relaxed control, ease and a lifestyle of stress-free productivity. You’ll learn how to master the martial art of work by following each lesson, grouped by these four major themes:

*clearing your head
*focusing your attention
*creating structures that succeed
*taking effective action

Discover David Allen’s 52 powerful Productivity Principles for working and living at your productive best.

Peaceful Warrior - Movie

Ingrid and I watched this movie last week, and many, many, of the lessons kept coming back to me these last few days to apply and consider. This is the type of movie that challenges our perceptions. Based on the best selling book by Dan Millman (The Way of the Peaceful Warrior) the movie challenges the viewer to consider the deeper meaning of life and our relationship to one another. I hope you'll enjoy the challenge.

Arrogant, talented Dan Millman seems to have the perfect college life: a stunning gymnast's body of incredible strength, handsome looks, good grades, plenty of money and a shot at the Olympic qualifiers in men's gymnastics. Still, Dan wakes up almost nightly from terrifying nightmares and odd visions he can't explain or dismiss. One night, awakened by yet another nightmare, Dan goes for a run through his foggy neighborhood and comes upon a well-lit service station. Behind the counter, an old man seemingly moves without regard for space or time. One moment, Dan is paying for his snacks, the next the old man is on the roof of the station. Stunned by the impossibility, Dan begs the old man, whom he instinctually names Socrates, to share the secret of his abilities in order to achieve his goal of Olympic Gold. The old man puts him through a regimen that changes his diet, training, and lifestyle. Before long, his life is ruined, and he loses his friends, his girls, and is almost thrown off his Gymnastics squad. Thus begins a journey of discovery for Dan that will shatter every preconceived notion he has about academics, athletics, and achievement, Guided by Socrates, Dan will consider a whole new ideology--one that values consciousness over intelligence, strength in spirit over strength in body. But in order to succeed, Dan must somehow let go of all of his expectations--and simply live in the now.

Alfred Stieglitz: The Eloquent Eye

Happy Monday! I usually recommend a book on Monday, but today I'd like to recommend a wonderful film on an American Master Photographer. It is helpful to understand our roots as photographers and those who have paved the way to make photography an accepted art form. This film is all about the exceptional effort put forth by Alfred Stieglitz to get America exposed to the art of photography and validating it as contemporary art. Enjoy.

Stieglitz, who is revered as one of the most innovative photographers of the 20th century, played a primary role in fostering new talent. Through his three galleries in New York City, he mentored emerging artists such as Arthur Dove, Marsden Hartley, Ansel Adams, Eliot Porter and Georgia O'Keeffe; and introduced avant-garde Europeans such as Henri Matisse, Paul Cezanne, Auguste Rodin and Pablo Picasso. American Masters examines the achievements and legacy of this influential artist with Alfred Stieglitz - The Eloquent Eye. This revealing look at "The Father of Modern Photography" features a rare interview with Georgia O'Keeffe, Stieglitz's wife and muse, as well as archival footage of other artistic giants he inspired, including Edward Steichen and John Marin. Additionally, the film presents countless images from the Stieglitz archives, ranging from early European peasant life to later views of New York's urban landscape.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven

This is a great little book you can read in an evening. (Or you can rent the movie if you only have two hours)
It's funny how some of the books we read really stick with us. This is one that has stuck with me. It challenged my perspective on life and the afterlife. I now consider much more carefully how my words and actions will either help or hurt people. We have great power by what we say and do. This book offers insight for the journey.
Enjoy.

#1 New York Times bestseller by Mitch Albom

From the author of the number one New York Times bestseller Tuesdays with Morrie comes this long-awaited follow-up, an enchanting, beautifully crafted novel that explores a mystery only heaven can unfold.

Eddie is a grizzled war veteran who feels trapped in a meaningless life of fixing rides at a seaside amusement park. As the park has changed over the years -- from the Loop-the-Loop to the Pipeline Plunge -- so, too, has Eddie changed, from optimistic youth to embittered old age. His days are a dull routine of work, loneliness, and regret.

Then, on his 83rd birthday, Eddie dies in a tragic accident, trying to save a little girl from a falling cart. With his final breath, he feels two small hands in his -- and then nothing. He awakens in the afterlife, where he learns that heaven is not a lush Garden of Eden, but a place where your earthly life is explained to you by five people who were in it. These people may have been loved ones or distant strangers. Yet each of them changed your path forever.

One by one, Eddie's five people illuminate the unseen connections of his earthly life. As the story builds to its stunning conclusion, Eddie desperately seeks redemption in the still-unknown last act of his life: Was it a heroic success or a devastating failure? The answer, which comes from the most unlikely of sources, is as inspirational as a glimpse of heaven itself.

In The Five People You Meet in Heaven, Mitch Albom gives us an astoundingly original story that will change everything you've ever thought about the afterlife -- and the meaning of our lives here on earth. With a timeless tale, appealing to all, this is a book that readers of fine fiction, and those who loved Tuesdays with Morrie, will treasure.

Getting Things Done

Happy Monday:)
I just finished this book by David Allen and I must admit...I dream of being more organized. I hope that by implementing a personal system based on my patterns it will help me to plan in advance, rather than wait until the last minute to do things. I'll need to go through this book a second time to begin my program, and I'm excited about David's approach. Check back in a month and I'll give you an update on my progress. Enjoy

Featured in Fortune, and labeled by Fast Company as “the guru of personal productivity,”
David Allen has over 20 years experience as a management consultant, productivity coach,
and educator. In his bestselling book, GETTING THINGS DONE: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, Allen shares with readers the proven productivity strategies that he has developed consulting at such top organizations as New York Life, the World Bank, Microsoft, the Ford Foundation and the U.S. Navy.

Part I of GETTING THINGS DONE, describes Allen’s whole system, Part II coaches you through implementing the system, and Part III explores the subtler and more profound benefits you will experience when you incorporate these core principles into your work and your life. Allen’s program is instantly accessible and requires no new skills at all—just a new way of approaching things that enter the threshold of your work and life.

"You need to do something about what you are thinking and you need to think about the things that you are doing."

-David Allen

Curse of the Golden Flower

Inspiration comes in many forms. This weeks "book of the week" is a movie. I often look to films for visual inspiration. Yesterday, I watched "Curse of the Golden Flower". This movie is another perfectly gorgeous masterpiece from director Zhang Yimou. Two of his previous films have been just as inspiring to me (Hero and House Of Flying Daggers). I can relate my vision for wedding photography to his idealism and lavish beauty in the scenes. His meticulous work as a director (and cinematographer) are extraordinary.

View the movie trailer here. Enjoy!

You, Inc.

This is the latest book in the Beckwith arsenal. I'm about half way through it, but it's so well written I thought it best to share it with you now. I'm a big fan of Mr. Beckwith. If you read the book, you'll see why.
Enjoy.

Book Description As founder of Beckwith Advertising and Marketing, Harry Beckwith learned early on in his career that no matter what product is being sold, the most important component of the sale is you. Here Beckwith teams up with his wife, motivational speaker and former sales executive Christine Clifford Beckwith, to provide tips, anecdotes, and insights based on their 30 years of selling experience. Written in a traditional homespun style, the Beckwiths offer doses of humor and practical knowledge to anyone who wants to learn how to seal the deal and thrive in business.

Excerpt from You, Inc.
Living Is Selling
It's easy to dislike selling, or even the very idea of it.

From childhood, you are conditioned to dislike it. In frontier tales of snake oil salesmen, plays like Death of a Salesman and Glengarry Glen Ross, and movies like Boiler Room, the images of salespeople radiate gloom. Selling is dishonest, dehumanizing, and cruel, and only the slick survive.

For a time, some do. But let?s skip that momentarily. Let's deal, instead, with an easily overlooked fact:

Living is selling.

Start from childhood, and remember all the sales calls you made. You worked up a sales pitch to get your parents to take you to Disney World, raise your allowance, and extend your curfew. You pitched them on sleepovers, a nicer bike, perhaps your first car. For that matter, you sold them on the accident that "Wasn't really my fault" and on a report card that seemed to suggest some backsliding. And on and on.

Your childhood sales career prepared you for adulthood, when you tried to sell your college on admitting you, an employer on hiring you, and the car dealer on dropping $500 from the sticker price. You sell your friends on going to your favorite restaurant. A husband and wife sell constantly: What movie shall we go to? Who takes the dog to the vet? Who?s going to get the groceries?

And on and on.

The question is not, are you a salesperson? The question is, how might you become more effective? Just as important, how might you make your life richer?

As it turns out, the answer to each question answers the other.

Cash Flow Quadrant

I read this book a few weeks ago and it's definitely worth your time. Work smarter, not harder. Enjoy!

Rich Dad's Cashflow Quadrant will reveal why some people work less, earn more, pay less in taxes, and feel more financially secure than others. It is simply a matter of knowing which quadrant to work from and when.

Have you ever wondered...

What is the difference between an employee and a business owner?
Why do some investors make money with little risk while most other investors just break even?
Why do most employees go from job to job while others quit their jobs and go on to build business empires?
Why, in the Industrial Age, did most parents want their children to become medical doctors, accountants, or attorneys... and why, in the Information Age, are these professions under financial attack?
Have you noticed that many of the brightest graduates from our universities want to work for college dropouts... dropouts such as Bill Gates, Richard Branson, Michael Dell, and Ted Turner? Dropouts who today are the mega-rich of society.

This book will answer some of these questions and also assist in guiding you to find your own path to financial freedom in a world of ever-increasing financial change.

It is a book written for...

people who are ready to move beyond job security and begin to find their own world of financial freedom
people who are ready to make deep professional and financial changes in their lives
people who are ready to move from the Industrial Age to the Information Age
It's time to get out of the rat race. Rich Dad's Cashflow Quadrant shows you how.

The 10 Qualities Of Charismatic People

I finished this book last week and I've realized that what I like about books are the ideas that make a strong impression. Often, these are simple things. In this book, the idea that really jumped out at me was that confident people stand up straight and keep their chins slightly raised. As I said, simple things. But these ideas, when you're ready to receive them make a big difference. I hope that you pick up one little idea from each book you read. Make a habit of reading, your life will be changed.

I found this brief summary online:)

Ideas from The 10 Qualities of Charismatic People Secrets of Personal Magnetism by Dr. Tony Alessandra ́ Patricia Morgan © 2004 Look at the words and phrases below that Alessandra discovered in his research and describes in his book about charismatic people, those to whom we are attracted. Are you interested in becoming charismatic? If so here are some concepts to develop. 1. Emotional Self is attended to: take responsibility for your emotions. 2. Psychological Self: you become what you think about. Choose your thoughts wisely. 3. Intellectual Self: • Confidence: while being honest and sincere “fake it until you make it.” Take some risks. • Healthy skepticism: “if something is too good to be true, it is.“ Watch for others to prove their integrity. • Risk-taking: become comfortable with learning from mistakes. • Resourcefulness: requires being flexible, creative and sometimes doing something unusual. 4. Heightened Awareness: • Be aware of your environment and other’s behaviours. • Be aware of your gut feelings and intuitive knowing. • Have a vision and mission. 5. Winning Image—create a positive impression. Avoid annoying habits. Be fit. 6. Actively listen: 60% of poor communication is due to poor listening. Seek first to understand. 7. Persuade through others’ goals and involvement. 8. Flexible Personality: • Confident • Tolerant • Empathetic • Positive • Respectful 9. Spiritual Self: • Understanding: Does not include judgment. • Aspiration: Worthy aspirations are based on giving and sharing. • Intention: It may not matter as much what you do as why you do it. 10. Happiness: It just might mean wanting what you get. Patricia Morgan is a certified counsellor, speaker and author of Love Her As She Is and She Said: A Tapestry of Women’s Quotes She can be reached at 403-242-7796 or patricia@lightheartedconcepts.com or www.lightheartedconcepts.com

Green Eggs and Ham

Today, I thought I'd share a different approach for the "book of the week".

I got back yesterday from a wedding in Napa, full of excitement - like a kid in a candy store. It was such a wonderful weekend:) I had lunch in Oakland on Friday with my favorite photographer there, Michelle Walker. (It's Michelle's B Day tomorrow if you want to send her an email) She showed me her amazing collection of travel photography and we ate some great food. The wedding on Saturday was awesome! Perfect weather and a fabulous couple. You'll see images tomorrow. I had such a blast shooting for these clients. They were so grateful for me to be a part of their Big Day. The images totally rock! I also got to spend some time after the wedding with my favorite photographer in Napa, Meg Smith. I showed her images from the wedding and we drank some of my favorite wine from a local vineyard, Franciscan. It was a joyful weekend spent in childlike wonder.

So, I am recommending that you consider the joy and wonder that many children experience, and the lessons that can be learned from the great Dr. Seuss. What are your Green Eggs and Ham, and what can be learned from Sam-I-Am?

I'd love to hear that you all reread the book with fresh insight and childlike enthusiasm. Enjoy, and apply salt to taste.

Amazon.com
This timeless Dr. Seuss classic was first published in 1960, and has been delighting readers ever since. Sam-I-am is as persistent as a telemarketer, changing as many variables as possible in the hopes of convincing the nameless skeptic that green eggs and ham are a delicacy to be savored. He tries every manner of presentation with this "nouveau cuisine"--in a house, with a mouse, in a box, with a fox, with a goat, on a boat--to no avail. Then finally, finally the doubter caves under the tremendous pressure exerted by the tireless Sam-I-am. And guess what? Well, you probably know what happens, but even after reading Green Eggs and Ham the thousandth time, the climactic realization that green eggs and ham are "so good, so good, you see" is still a rush. As usual, kids will love Dr. Seuss's wacky rhymes and whimsical illustrations--and this time, they might even be so moved as to finally take a taste of their broccoli. (Ages 4 to 8)

Secrets of a Passionate Marriage

As you know, I often recommend business minded books. It just so happens that I've been listening to so many of them recently. I never went to business school or took business classes in college (i just did my art), so my current education is with audio books from contemporary gurus. This book is not a business book, though it may be able to help you "get busy" with your spouse in more fulfilling ways.
The liberating concept behind Dr. Schnarch's approach is that he gives insight into improving intimacy, in the most intimate act. If you're looking for a deeper, emotional connection with your spouse, give this book a listen and then share it with your lover. Your marriage can be more passionate! Enjoy.

Book Description With the pioneering classic Passionate Marriage (over 500,000 copies sold) and his current bestseller Resurrecting Sex, Dr. David Schnarch has helped thousands take their relationships to new and lasting heights of love and intimacy — in many cases when divorce seemed the only option. From his unique perspective, sexual difficulty and other common problems are not a sign of weakness, but rather the hallmark of the crucial work of all emotionally committed relationships. Dr. Schnarch’s first major release on audio, Secrets of a Passionate Marriage moves beyond traditional sex therapy approaches that work "a little," and provides the groundwork for a way of relating to oneself and one’s partner that ensures real improvement over a lifetime. Combining humor with his decades of expertise, Dr. Schnarch offers listeners insights into: emotional gridlock — why this critical phase is necessary for the healthy evolution of all relationships, how to "self-soothe" your anxieties to open to the full range of human eroticism, the three psychological dimensions of sex — how to make an ally out of what you’re really thinking during sex, and much more. Designed to give listeners the courage to confront themselves and their partners with integrity and compassion, Secrets of a Passionate Marriage is sure to bring what Dr. Schnarch calls "electric sex" along with renewed commitment to the relationships of all who hear it.

QBQ The Question Behind the Question

From the Publisher The lack of personal accountability is a problem that has resulted in an epidemic of blame, complaining, and procrastination. No organization-or individual-can achieve goals, compete in the marketplace, fulfill a vision, or develop people and teams without personal accountability.

John G. Miller believes that pointing fingers and blaming others cannot solve the troubles that plague organizations. Rather, the real solutions are found when each of us recognizes the power of personal accountability. In QBQ! The Question Behind the Question, Miller explains how negative, inappropriate questions like "Why do we have to go through all this change?" and "Who dropped the ball?" represent a lack of personal accountability. Conversely, when we ask better questions-QBQs-such as "What can I do to contribute?" or "How can I help solve the problem?" our lives and our organizations are transformed.

The QBQ! Promise

This remarkable and timely book gives a practical method for putting personal accountability into daily action, with astonishing results: problems are solved, internal barriers come down, service improves, teamwork grows, and people adapt to change more quickly. QBQ! is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to learn, grow, and change. Using this tool, each of us can add tremendous worth to our organizations and to our lives by eliminating blame, complaining, and procrastination.

This is a book that was given to me years ago by my very successful friend Brian Davis. It introduced the idea of taking responsibility for all aspects of my life. It's an idea that has compounded with time and practice. I'm far from perfecting this, but I'm much further along because of this book and others that encourage action and results. Are you ready to stop procrastinating?

The Success Principles(TM): How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be

Jack has skills. This is a practical book on how to overcome the fears that paralyze us. Additionally it's full of inspirational stories, (which I love). Jack has an enthusiastic approach to teaching which makes it easy to read or listen to. Enjoy!

Amazon.com If there's anyone qualified to write a self-help book on success, it's Jack Canfield, who's worked his way from scraping by as a teacher to holding a Guinness world record for having seven books simultaneously on The New York Times® Best Sellers list. As a coauthor of the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series, he's sold more than 80 million books, and now lives "in a beautiful California estate" with his days of dining on spaghetti and tomato paste long behind him. "All you have to do is decide what it is you want, believe you deserve it, and practice the principles in this book," he says, and success is yours.

His advice is straightforward (examples: "reject rejection" and "surround yourself with successful people"), but rather derivative, with quotes from the likes of JFK, Colin Powell, Aldous Huxley, and fellow motivation author Napoleon Hill.Canfield's definition of success is primarily monetary, and he includes plenty of anecdotes depicting average folks who saved themselves from the brink of bankruptcy after following his principles. He could tone down the braggadocio; readers don't need to know that he's stayed in resorts in Hawaii, Italy, Australia, and Morocco. Despite those gripes, his cheerleader-caliber enthusiasm should benefit anyone looking to improve their lot in life. --Erica Jorgensen

From Publishers Weekly
When it comes to success, Canfield knows of what he speaks: he is co-creator, with Mark Victor Hansen, of the seemingly endless Chicken Soup for the Soul series. He presents 64 success principles that he claims "always work"—and draws on his own experience and that of others to illustrate them. Sixty-four principles may seem like a lot, but each receives a concise, easy-to-digest chapter that challenges readers to risk creating their lives exactly as they want them. Many of the principles are familiar—e.g., "Take 100% Responsibility for Your Life"—but Canfield has a nifty way of summarizing them ("Reject rejection"), and some are inventive: "Become an Inverse Paranoid" means see the world as out to help you instead of out to get you. He also offers specific techniques, such as positive-thinking exercises and visualizations. A section on transformation provides even more on how to overcome self-defeating beliefs, fears and habits. Further sections offer principles on building good teams and better relationships at the office. Canfield acknowledges his predecessors in the success advice field, such as Napoleon Hill, and is also clear that while he gives information, motivation, and inspiration, readers must contribute their own hard work. Canfield's energy and enthusiasm bounce off the page; many will flock to this inspiring (and very rich) teacher. And those starting off in business or in need of a refresher course may consider this title required reading.

What Clients Love

Harry Beckwith scores again! This time he shares practical advice on how to give your clients what they deserve and desperately want. This book is four stars!

From the Publisher
Harry Beckwith is the author of Selling the Invisible and The Invisible Touch, both marketing classics. Now he applies his unparalleled clarity, insight, humor, and expertise to a new age of mass communication and mass confusion. What Clients Love will help you stand out from the crowd -- and sell anything to anyone. From making a pitch to building a brand, from designing a logo to closing a sale, this is a field guide to take with you to the front lines of today's business battles. What Clients Love will help you get focused, stay focused, and follow the essential rules to success -- by doing the little things right and the big things even better.

Publishers Weekly
The author of Selling the Invisible tries to top that book's bestselling success with this breezy collection of one- to two-page friendly lecturettes on how to keep your business profitable. He might just do so, as it's difficult to imagine a book better suited in format to harried executives: they could gulp down the entire volume over the course of a single flight. Beckwith has somehow also managed to take a format where so many authors have tried and failed, and written a useful, direct and even at times inspiring book. In this age of information overload, Beckwith pulls some valuable lessons out of the bygone days of the 1970s, when, he says, consumers had infinitely fewer products and services to choose from, but seemed generally happier. Other valuable lessons for today's hard-charging businessperson include: "Hard sales lose business," "No superlatives" and, in order to understand how to run a successful business, "Study Starbucks." Beckwith is even able to take a simple thing like a name-e.g., Kinko's-and show how that chain was able, through its name (although the ubiquity of its open all-day-and-night locations didn't hurt), to crush the competition, whose names all sounded alike (e.g., InstyPrint, SpeedyPrint, etc.). Pocket-sized and packed with nuggets of wisdom, this is a rare winner in a glutted field.

The Alchemist

I've got to give props to Matthew Jordan Smith for this recommendation. He said that he has all of his interns read this book and then they talk about it. I bought the paperback and read it in a day.You should pick this one up!

Where your treasure is, there too will be your heart.

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Like the one-time bestseller Jonathan Livingston Seagull, The Alchemist presents a simple fable, based on simple truths and places it in a highly unique situation. And though we may sniff a bestselling formula, it is certainly not a new one: even the ancient tribal storytellers knew that this is the most successful method of entertaining an audience while slipping in a lesson or two. Brazilian storyteller Paulo Coehlo introduces Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who one night dreams of a distant treasure in the Egyptian pyramids. And so he's off: leaving Spain to literally follow his dream.
Along the way he meets many spiritual messengers, who come in unassuming forms such as a camel driver and a well-read Englishman. In one of the Englishman's books, Santiago first learns about the alchemists--men who believed that if a metal were heated for many years, it would free itself of all its individual properties, and what was left would be the "Soul of the World." Of course he does eventually meet an alchemist, and the ensuing student-teacher relationship clarifies much of the boy's misguided agenda, while also emboldening him to stay true to his dreams. "My heart is afraid that it will have to suffer," the boy confides to the alchemist one night as they look up at a moonless night.

"Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself," the alchemist replies. "And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with eternity." --Gail Hudson --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly
This inspirational fable by Brazilian author and translator Coelho has been a runaway bestseller throughout Latin America and seems poised to achieve the same prominence here. The charming tale of Santiago, a shepherd boy, who dreams of seeing the world, is compelling in its own right, but gains resonance through the many lessons Santiago learns during his adventures. He journeys from Spain to Morocco in search of worldly success, and eventually to Egypt, where a fateful encounter with an alchemist brings him at last to self-understanding and spiritual enlightenment. The story has the comic charm, dramatic tension and psychological intensity of a fairy tale, but it's full of specific wisdom as well, about becoming self-empowered, overcoming depression, and believing in d