2 comments about Short Stories and Metaphors.

1. The stories are based on the adverse effects that behaviours, attitudes and actions have had on the lives of others. Therefore, if the readers can benefit from recognising symptoms of their own issues that have caused problems, then there is the possibility that they can take corrective action before suffering strikes them.
   John Smale has created analogies, examples and metaphors for the world and humanity. In this way we can learn afresh by looking at ourselves from a new perspective and overcome problems.



2. 5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
   This book uses the real art of the storyteller to bring about positive change, January 15, 2007
   By Hypnotherapist (London) - See all my reviews
   
   The stories are based on the adverse effects that behaviours, attitudes and actions have had on the lives of others. Therefore, if the readers can benefit from recognising symptoms of their own issues that have caused problems, then there is the possibility that they can take corrective action before suffering strikes them.
   John Smale has created analogies, examples and metaphors for the world and humanity. In this way we can learn afresh by looking at ourselves from a new perspective and overcome problems.

No comments about How To Use Your Mind.

5 comments about Settle for Excellence (Stop Chasing Perfection).

1. After completing "Settle for Excellence" you will be inspired to "Seize the Day". I found it to be an excellent guide to self introspection. It will leave one feeling inspired and motivated to pursue overcoming the ever present barriers that seem to hold some of us back from obtaining various desired outcomes. This easy to read easy to follow book will help you understand certain behavior patterns, use tools you already have, and alter those behaviors allowing you to reach the goals you once thought unattainable. The best part about this process is things don't have to be perfect. A conclusion of stating this work is "Excellent" would be an understatement....It is "Perfect"!
   
   [...]



2. It's ironic that a book entitled "Settle for Excellence (Stop Chasing Perfection)" is actually the closest self-development book to perfection I've ever read (and I've read nearly five hundred). It becomes clear very early on that this is a piece of work far beyond the level of excellent.
   
   Topher's style is friendly and easy, and will be easily understood by all readers no matter what their level or previous exposure to self-development. There is no doubt that while reading this book you will be inspired to take positive action.
   
   I would like to thank Topher for this great book and I highly recommend it to everyone who has an interest in being all that they can be.
   
   This book is awesome. Read it.



3. An excellent book cutting through the jungle of self - help literature in a easy to digest and easy to read style. Very refreshing and more importantly very effective, I am happy to recommend it, nice one Topher."



4. Terrific book.
   
   The true stories from the author's life are very powerful persuasive teaching stories which deeply affect you on a conscious and unconscious level. Originality and truth working together are often hard to find in self-help books. Highly recommended.



5. Are you eager for more energy??? Topher gives fantastic advice on how completions create energy, I NEVER thought about it this way before (see page 190)! Another jewel from this book is Topher's secret to happiness. It lies in making your standards for happiness simple enough to obtain. After reading this book, I absolutely had to purchase his Mental Game of Life DVD set off of his Web site!

4 comments about The Weight, Hypnotherapy And You, Weight Reduction Program: An NLP And Hypnotherapy Practitioner Manual.

1. Certified clinical hypnotherapist Judith E. Pearson, Ph.D. presents The Weight, Hypnotherapy and You Weight Reduction Program: An NLP and Hypnotherapy Practitioner's Manual, a guide written to help hypnotherapy practitioners seeking give their clients a fully-scripted, ready-to-use weight reduction program. Chapters cover the eight sessions of the Weight, Hypnotherapy, and You program from stopping emotional eating with stress reduction to making sensible food choices, boosting motivation to exercise and more, how to enhance success by coaching stuck clients and recommendations for follow-up sessions, and a wealth of tips, tricks and techniques. Though intended for hypnotherapists, the sound principles behind adopting a healthier lifestyle are quite universal. An accompanying CD includes copies of useful handouts such as a Client Workbook with take-home readings and assignments. Highly recommended for professional hypnotherapists.



2. I am so amazed at how much thought went into this program for weight loss. The author has a way to deal with why a person over eats, exercising, when a client isn't progressing, eating disorders and how to teach the client self hypnosis. The program is meant to enhance the work of other professionals who work together as a team, to help the client who wants to loss weight make lasting changes. The author as the layouts for brochures, different ways to marketing the program, handouts, recording CD's, a workbook for the client's on a CD and case studies about how hypnosis helps with weight loss.
   There is also information on what you need to know and understand about weight loss to help the client. I have been looking for a program for the last six years and this is the best program yet. The author has made my job easy by including all of the information I need to get started. I am so appreciative to the author for putting this together so practitioners and their client's can benefit from it.



3. Finally, a turnkey hypnosis program for practitioners that's just what I would want--based on solid research and the author's own admitted trial-and-error. It's like a gift to hypnotherapists, which in turn, is a gift to our clients of the most effective program anyone can come up with, given our current state of knowledge. I've seen and purchased programs before, but they seemed incomplete to me. Judith Pearson has saved me an inordinate amount of time making my own mistakes and having to research on my own to develop an effective program. Her mastery of NLP adds to the effectiveness for those of us who aren't certified masters of it.



4. What a wonderful compilation of Hypnosis, Imagery, and language (Metaphors and NLP)! My clients are responding very positively and continue to make tremendous strides forward. I use it not only for weight mgt clients, but have success incorporating the information into stress reduction and self-worth suggestions. Thanks to the author for a marvelous tool. The CD workbook is a great addition.

4 comments about Changing Belief Systems With NLP.

1. "Changing Belief Systems" is a thorough review of beliefs and how to change them, from a perspective afforded by Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP). Robert Dilts has, as always, taken a difficult subject and translated it into a readily understandable model. The book was a logical progression from logical levels, to how we represent a belief internally, and from simple beliefs about capability to core beliefs and beliefs about our own identity. All the while, the author explains the unique relationships of beliefs and belief systems, and how we can go about changing conflicting, or other, beliefs so that they support us. I recommend the book for those interested in an efficacious model of beliefs. It is educational and practical, although somewhat dry reading.



2. In this book, Robert gives the reader a firm idea of how and when beliefs are formed and the true power that beliefs can have upon every aspect of a persons being. Throughout this book, I noticed myself thinking that I was receiving good information about beliefs but very little in the applications of NLP. This book is structured from basically a transcript of a seminar where the subjects were seemingly psychologists and serve hardly any true practical value for means of demonstration in how to allow someone to change their beliefs. What I mean by this is, his subjects immediately dropped into trance at will and used statments like, "I have an identity complex with..."...These are statements you're not going to hear from a typical patient. Many of the examples he used in changing peoples beliefs were very vague and you're still left wondering what to do with all the knowledge you've been given. Overall, this book focuses on beliefs and what they are and attempts to talk about changing them but does so poorly and NLP is only slightly used. I would recommend this book after you've read some of the much more useful books by John Grinder and Richard Bandler such as Trance Formations.

   Email comments/questions welcome.





3. Firstly, I have to agree entirely with the previous reviewer who claimed that there isn't much NLP in this book. Since both Bandler and Grinder insist that NLP is the modelling of excellence - and everything else is just technique, this book is all about technique and very little to do with NLP. it is, moreover, mainly to do with a technique which, though high in the popularity ratings, actually makes little sense in the form in which it is presented here.

   The so-called Logical Levels model was developed in the late 1980s, and this *appears* to be its first public appearance in book form. And a very underwhelming appearance it is.

   Unlike most of this author's other books, the main text is simply an edited transcript of a training session run by the author somewhere in Europe (Holland?). And the difference is remarkable.
   Instead of the usual pseudo-scientific, dry-as-dust style found in many of his other books, this time Dilts comes to life as a warm, enthusiastic character. Unfortunately, the actual contents of the presentation do not measure up to the style, and with the best will in the world this book is a far cry from the classic NLP seminar transcripts such as 'Frogs into Princes'.

   As more and more NLPers are beginning to realise, despite the hype, the Logical Levels model is neither logical, nor anything to do with true "levels" in the sense that Bateson used the term (the Logical Levels model is *supposedly* based on Bateson's "Logical Levels of Learning" model).

   The basic purpose of the book is apparently to illustrate how the Logical Levels model can be used in therapy to change beliefs. To do this, the author carries out two interventions which form the core of the text. Unfortunately what we actually get is a demonstration of how very directive, even dictatorial, some NLP techniques can be (wholly at odds with the 'permissive' style of Milton Erickson - whose work is often cited as one of the original sources NLP was based upon).

   The final outcome is quite frankly a bit of a pig's ear. Dilts' explanations for what he's doing, and why he's doing it, vary in clarity from adequate to virtually non-existent.
   We get the subject's initial reactions to their experience (a notoriously unreliable measure of the efficacy of this kind of event) and absolutely no follow-up details.
   My own impression was that the two subjects were somewhat overawed by the opportunity to work so closely with one of the 'big names' in NLP, and were doing their best to match whatever it was they thought he expected of them. What I did NOT get was any sense that the sessions had brought about genuine, long term, beneficial changes.

   Dilts fans may well enjoy this book. Others may find it a high price to pay for very little useful content.




4. This book is in perfect condition and arrived well within the timeframe stated. I live in Australia so this was much appreciated.

1 comments about NLP (The Pocketbook).

1. Before you dive headlong into the dizzying realms of this relatively new science or before you spend a fortune on the ever-growing multitude of books on NLP, buy this book FIRST!
   
   This book really is a GREAT introduction to NLP and because it's small with only 120 odd pages, it gets straight to the point. No waste, white-wash or waffle!!
   
   If you're new to the subject, it's perfect, you'll be very well informed in only a couple of days reading.
   
   If you're already well aquatinted with NLP, but need a summary of all the main points; for example because you're taking an exam on the subject; then again Gillian's book is just right.
   
   Either way I believe you will be very pleased at the value for money this book offers.
   
   From Gillian's own introduction:- "NLP is described as the study of human excellence & demonstrates how to communicate effectively & influence others [in business & pleasure circles].
   
   There are plenty of references throughout to guide you if you want to delve deeper into the subject.
   
   Easy to read, clearly & attractively laid out and full of positive tips to motivate you to improving your business or your life in general. It has many eye-catching pictures to illustrate points and a few humorous examples to develop ideas.

1 comments about Simple Steps to Riding Success: Feel the Power of Positive Riding With Nlp Sports Psychology Techniques : Includes Exercises & Case Studies.

1. Even if you don't ride horses, this is a fantastically useful book. The book is exquisitely designed to provide you with easy, powerful, and practical tools for achieving your most ambitious and exciting life dreams.

   If you are a coach, you can easily apply the multitude of strategies and techniques in your work with clients.

   For added value and interest, the book contains inspiring stories of individuals who have used the tools to successfully achieve their own goals.

   It is brilliantly organized with excellent visuals to help you understand and apply the tools and concepts easily.

   The tools are NLP-based (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), so the book will appeal to those of you who want to learn about NLP as well as those of you who are familiar with NLP and want to develop your expertise further.

5 comments about NLP Business Masterclass: Skills for realising human potential (Financial Times Series).

1. When you turn to the chapter on "Alignment" you'll say to yourself, "Wow, this is the master formula for change".
   Are you a student of NLP, then take a few hours and study this simple to read easy to assimilate and act upon wisdom. I have been a student of this art and science for 15 years; this work is really head and shoulders above most of the other work. It is practical, fun to read and easy implement - give it a try.



2. I had high expectations of this book. But the material presented in it could not even come close to meeting them. This book does not add anything to what you already know.
   Determine what you want and take the necessary steps to achieve that goal. Have strong believes and principles but stay flexible and be able to adapt when required. Be open to others, listen to what they have to say. Share your point of view, but don't force it on people. Study "succesful" people and learn what makes them succesful. Then integrate that information into your own life.
   It's amazing the author needs 300+ words to deliver this message.

   There are many great books available on how to reach your full potential as a person, but this is not one of them.

   Save your money




3. I had high expectations of this book. But the material presented in it could not even come close to meeting them. This book does not add anything to what you already know.
   Determine what you want and take the necessary steps to achieve that goal. Have strong believes and principles but stay flexible and be able to adapt when required. Be open to others, listen to what they have to say. Share your point of view, but don't force it on people. Study "succesful" people and learn what makes them succesful. Then integrate that information into your own life.
   It's amazing the author needs 300+ pages to deliver this message.

   There are many great books available on how to reach your full potential as a person, but this is not one of them.

   Save your money.




4. Cannot these concepts be presented in plain English rather than convoluted jargon? If you, like me, have been looking for a book that will bring NLP skills to the real world, you've probably noticed that 90% of the titles are published by "Meta Publications" or "Metamorphus" or "Crown House" publishers - all seemingly established by nlp trainers. The usual approach of the books is to present transcripts of training seminars (with commentary annotations if you're lucky). At least this book ATTEMPTS something more than that.

   Unfortunately, it still requires that you steep yourself in the whole language of "meta-" this and "meta-" that and try to wrap your thinking about business situations in that quagmire. If I had not already worked my way through O'Connor & Seymour's "Introducing NLP", I would have given up on this book after a few chapters.

   Even more aggravating is the shallowness of the material once you learn the jargon. The book jacket promises to help you "get the best from your teams, motivate people, developed committed responsible staff, develop leadership." OK - so who doesn't? What it offers is little more than management principles you've been learning since day one. If nlp has the potential to "influence success and change" in corporate environments, it's going to take something beyond this item to achieve it.

   In the introduction Molden says one of his favorite books is Peter Brook's "The Empty Space." I think I get the joke now: Although every page of Molden's book is covered with words, the effect is to provide us with Empty Space on which we are to imagine all the "Magic" and "Ultimate Human Potential" that nlp is supposed to offer. Potential? Potential to continue buying nlp books until I give in and attend the "Master Trainers' " seminars and be initiated as a High Priest with secret handshake and jargon password? Does that work for you? Ah, then perhaps you'll want this book.

   Despite the praise of Don Mitchell (who rates all positive-thinking books with five stars) and George Zee (who loves EVERY badly edited nlp book ever printed): CAVEAT EMPTOR. If you are a management professional who wants to determine whether nlp holds promise for more effective corporate functioning... don't hold your breath looking for it here. Struggle through the jargon & amorphous conceptual landscape of O'Connor & Seymour first; then you'll be better equipped to evaluate the inflated claims for "the magic of nlp."




5. It surely must be me - that I did not find this book earlier. :).
   
   The examples are very relevant and the points simply hit home. Finally after reading (daniel goleman, dale carnegie, napolean hill, ...) a whole bunch of other books .... here is a book that provides a constructive way of making a difference. It'll surely change yours.
   
   Cannot stress this enough - get the book. Can't afford it new? buy it used. Buy it and buy it now!

1 comments about An Introduction to NLP.

1. How do people communicate? When I say I'm "frustrated" - in a particular context, HOW do YOU understand the exact shading of the word? Of course, you understand (if not colorblind) when I say "Robin's Egg Blue". So what do I mean when I say, "I'm feeling satisified"?
   
   How do we learn from birth to use WORDS to express THOUGHTS?
   
   Remember when drunken Aunt Mary once embarassed you at a family gathering (which you've avoided all your life now...), stating you were always destined to be fat like your mother? Are you fat, or still fearful of it today?
   
   How about when Freddy, in the 2nd grade, made some stupid but biting remark about you that even today you remember vividly and you STILL hate dodgeball?
   
   What is the power of words, indirect and direct, that affect us, years afterwards? And what about the power of the words we choose today? Can they make us healthier, more attractive, happier? Can we really find that good mate, if we undertsand ourselves first?
   
   It's science, you know. And you can easily understand it, and understand what you need to do to improve your communications and your relationships. This CD is priceless...absolutely invaluable. It's suitable for all groups - all ages. Share it with your lover, your friends, your family.
   
   This CD is so powerful, I gave separate copies to my children and my spouse. I've gifted several friends as well.
   
   My advice: Listen CAREFULLY. Savor each sentence. Work through the simple exercises. Take your time and let this information come in it's own time, perhaps over a period of weeks. Somehow I KNEW what was here...but no one had ever put it in such clearly defined terms.
   
   Priceless information that tells you HOW to decide for yourself.It's science, you know. And you can easily understand it, and understand what you need to do to improve your communications and your relationships. This CD is priceless...absolutely invaluable. It's suitable for all groups - all ages. Share it with your lover, your friends, your family.
   
   Also, get a companion book: "NLP & Relationships" by Joseph O'Connor.
   
   Priceless information that tells you HOW to decide for yourself.

3 comments about The Secret Language of Hypnotherapy.

1. This book has been written by a practising therapist with many years of experience.
   The contents include:
   Hypnotherapy
   Secret Language of Breathing
   Breathing Exercises
   Secret Language of Posture
   Posture Exercises
   Secret Language of Language
   Language Exercises
   Coping with : panic, anxiety, stress
   Phobias: public speaking, flying, spiders, snakes
   Personal Problems: anger, fertility, insomnia, confidence, impotence,
   premature ejaculation, jealousy
   Stop Smoking
   Weight Control
   Self Hypnosis
   How to Hypnotize
   An Explanation of Hypnosis
   Causes of Panic, Anxiety, Stress and Anger
   Goal Achievement and Visualisation
   Milton Erickson
   
   * Learn how to hypnotize
   * Learn Self Hypnosis
   * Includes scripts for you to use
   * Solve a huge variety of problems
   
   It also shows how to get much closer to achieving personal goals when
   spoken and thinking language, body posture and breathing are transformed.
   
   The book is set out so that techniques are explained and the ways in which they are used to help eliminate a huge variety of problems are given.



2. The author generously shares here of his experiences as a clinical hypnotist. As a practitioner myself, I see this book foremost as a resource for those of us in the field, although there is a lot for the general public here too. What I found most interesting was his take on the relationship between evolutionary patterns and weight management and why age/gender has to be taken into account.



3. (1)
   12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
   Book description, December 13, 2006
   
   This book has been written by a practising therapist with many years of experience.
   The contents include:
   Hypnotherapy
   Secret Language of Breathing
   Breathing Exercises
   Secret Language of Posture
   Posture Exercises
   Secret Language of Language
   Language Exercises
   Coping with : panic, anxiety, stress
   Phobias: public speaking, flying, spiders, snakes
   Personal Problems: anger, fertility, insomnia, confidence, impotence,
   premature ejaculation, jealousy
   Stop Smoking
   Weight Control
   Self Hypnosis
   How to Hypnotize
   An Explanation of Hypnosis
   Causes of Panic, Anxiety, Stress and Anger
   Goal Achievement and Visualisation
   Milton Erickson
   
   * Learn how to hypnotize
   * Learn Self Hypnosis
   * Includes scripts for you to use
   * Solve a huge variety of problems
   
   It also shows how to get much closer to achieving personal goals when
   spoken and thinking language, body posture and breathing are transformed.
   
   The book is set out so that techniques are explained and the ways in which they are used to help eliminate a huge variety of problems are given.
   
   (2)
   3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
   A great resource, November 12, 2007
   By James Malone "NewJersey Hypnotist"
   
   The author generously shares here of his experiences as a clinical hypnotist. As a practitioner myself, I see this book foremost as a resource for those of us in the field, although there is a lot for the general public here too. What I found most interesting was his take on the relationship between evolutionary patterns and weight management and why age/gender has to be taken into account.
   
   
   (3)
   3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
   If you have stress in your life then this is a must book for you, 16 Nov 2006
   By Maxine Cox (London, England)
   The following is a copy of a review for this book in the MENSA magazine. Even egg-heads love it!
   "There are some excellent sections in the book; the down-to-earth techniques on giving up smoking and conquering a fear of public speaking in particular. But, best of all, is a guide to self hypnosis and relaxation and coping techniques. If you have stress in your life then this is a must book for you."
   
   
   (4)
   5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
   A brilliant self help book, 15 Nov 2006
   By Mrs. K. Welland (Farnborough, Hampshire) -
   
   
   The secret language of hypnotherapy is a must for surviving what we call modern life. As we strive through life we have forgotten the most basic natural functions of our bodies, mainly to breathe and relax (both mind, body and body language). For example take the mighty tiger. On one side he is immensely powerful, he has to be, to run after and kill prey sometimes bigger than himself. On the other side he could be perceived as being lazy. While in fact he is totally relaxed and breathing as nature intended. He can not afford to burn energy recklessly.
   While on the other scale, we humans run around like headless chickens burning up far more energy than we can afford, with no proper recovery time (no wonder we are so exhausted!).
   This book teaches you to take time out, you need it and deserve it. If you are relaxed and breathing correctly you can think more clearly, have more energy and be able to prioitize your home life, work or whatever life throws at you, and above all conquer your problems.
   Perservere with the exercises, no one can go to the gym and get the body they desire by only going a few times. It will be worth it in the end.
   A easy to read and understand book, no garbage or waffle in site. Brilliant!!!!!