4 comments about Weight Loss.

1. It somewhat helped me lose weight but the tapes are fourty minutes long and it was too much of a hassle.



2. Never would I have imagined an audio tape could make such a tremendous difference in my life. Listening to this tape for just a few weeks, I find my appetite decreased--absolutely no need for snacking between meals. Even when I prepare desserts, I don't eat them. Absolutely amazing!!!



3. On the positive side, I think Konicov has a good voice and maintains a good vocal pitch for the audio. He's good at including the kind of key reminders one expects from hyponosis: breathing deeply, positive thinking, etc. On the negative, Konicov veers too far from the issue at hand and indulges in extended visualizations that do not guide the listener to eat less and exercise more. Instead, there is a naive and distracting focus on the possible thoughts and reactions of some "other" third party.
   While there is a plethora of serious scientific research that supports the idea of a mind-body connection, Konicov does not draw on this, instead he dips into the worst kind of new age "hoo-ha" that has given the term "new age" (and genuine new age concepts) a bad reputation. Finally, his script has been poorly-edited: there are grammar mistakes and syntax errors, which after 30 consecutive days of listening I found particularly irritating. And the end result? No, I didn't lose any weight, my motivation did not improve, and my behaviors have not changed. If there had been no "hoo-ha" and if the text had focused more extensively on eating less and exercising more, I would have easily given this self-hypnosis audio 4 or 5 stars.



4. While going through a divorce, I tried this. When I took a nap or at night, I'd play it in my bedroom. Not only did I lose 35 pounds over a period of time, I slept better after listening to it. It gives very commonsense advice, but the repetition really helped me. I was so pleased with it, I bought others by Konicov for everything from improving my bowling, to decision making, to adjusting to the divorce.

5 comments about Winning Smart After Losing Big: Revitalizing People, Reviving Enterprises.

1. A MUST READ FOR MANAGEMENT

   Reading "Winning Smart After Losing Big" inspired me to contact to author - Rob Stearns. Rob was gracious enough to meet with a colleague and me over coffee in Cave Creek, AZ. My objective was to learn more about this inspirational book and the man that crafted and lived the words. Rob is the real deal. He boldly went were most business leaders fear to go - to candidly discuss and admit to losing in the big game of business and life. What makes Rob and "Winning Smart After Losing Big" special is that he provides the reader with step-by-step guide leading you past losing to winning. He uses examples from his personal experience coupled with real world chronicles of ordinary people that have survived crippling defeats only to rise and win yet again. "Winning Smart After Losing Big" and its message might have been written in an earlier generation by thought provoking authors such as Norman Vincent Peale or Earl Nightengale. Business schools should make this book required reading.




2. Move over Dr. Phil! Rob Stearns packed this book with practical advice that explains how to move onward and upward following any type of loss. Mr. Stearns outlines the thought processes and actions that take us from losing to winning. He makes it clear that while losing is a normal part of life, we are not puppets of fate but rather active participants in shaping our own destiny: it is up to us to take responsibility for our own actions and turn our losses into wins. This book tells us how in a conversational, no-nonsense, non-preachy style.



3. I have to admit, this book did inspire me. When I read it, the ideas expressed were so overly simplified I thought, "Hell, I could write a self-help if this is all it takes."
   
   We've all lost something at some point. We're all going to lose something again. However, Stearns's black and white assessments of winning and losing don't really apply to most of the situations you'll face. Simply put, Stearns says a win is when you get something you want or don't get something you don't want; a loss is the opposite on either side. What if you think you want something and later realize you don't, such as wanting to sleep with that girl you had a crush on in high school, but later learning she has chlamydia. Is that a win because you got to sleep with her or a loss because you caught an STD you didn't want?
   
   Because the book is so sparse on examples of the ideas he's pushing, you are encouraged to think of your own from your own life. As such I found myself thinking of things like my career, in which I was successful, but ultimately was unsatisfied with the work and decided to get into another profession. Did I win because going into my career I set modest goals that I met and exceeded? Or did I lose because the joy I'd expected never manifested itself?
   
   Speaking of the examples, this is where the book could have taken off but failed. Stearns has a few interesting stories, the best of which is his tale of venturing into post-Soviet Russia to tap into the scientific minds behind the Red Empire and bring their inventions to the West only to learn that the best invention to be had is a theorhetical self-defrosting freezer. This story really seems to be the heart of Stearn's theme, but is briefly touched only twice. Another story about his father is touching and serves its purpose, but the only other anecdote comes in the form of two stories about two friends who followed similar losing paths, with one ultimately pulling out of his tailspin and the other dying. The vague nature of the stories misses the point completely.
   
   Without real-life stories, most of Stearns's ideas come off as nebulous and half-thought out, with MSPaint quality charts and graphs allegedly illustrating his points.
   
   If you're at all curious, check this book out at the library. For seventeen bucks, you can pick up plenty of other better written books with more than 100 pages of content.



4. This is a book that compels you to think. It requires that you examine your own experiences honestly and recognizes that you, as an individual, are empowered to take charge of your life. If you need to be spoon-fed or are looking for magic answers, it's not for you. But, if you are truly interested in engaging your mind, read "Winning Smart After Losing Big." Then, read it again. And again.



5. As an underdog and a loser in life, I find the book not helpful at all. The writing skill is bad and examples are few. However, that still didnt make my rating a one star, if not for the fact, with my very negative opinion of it, that I had been curious enough to check the mix of the ten five star ratings from the previous eleven reviews, and not so surprised to find three readers anonymous plus seven one shot only reviewers. Pardon me if I got it all wrong, but I do despise such manipulation on Amazon.

No comments about The Problems Of Work (English).

No comments about Wake Up The Winner Inside.

3 comments about Building Your Self-Image.

1. Read this book! If you want to understand how God sees you, and how you can love yourself, get this book. It will change your thinking, your feelings about yourself, and your behavior. It's the best work on self-esteem I've ever read.

   Josh delves into the Scriptures and shows us that God wants us to love ourselves. More importantly, he shows us HOW... the three key components of high self-esteem, and how to acquire them, biblically.

   A great book for all of God's people! Lots of Scriptures, real-life illustrations, and easy to read format. Thank you Josh!




2. This is an awesome book for readers who need a little uplifting. It brought tears to my eyes one moment and the next a light went on. Thanks Mr. McDowell for your sharing it was great.



3. I have been struggling with depression and anger since I was 18 (I'm now 27). After realizing how much God loved me and accepted me and realizing that I was forgiven I totally overcame my problems. I no longer need medication for my problems. I have read numerous books on helping this problem, but this one did it. God miraculously healed me in one night after coming to these realizations. I pray that he will continue to improve my self-image. It is my prayer that many people will know my testimony and also read Josh's book. Praise the Lord!

1 comments about Conscious Women, Conscious Lives: Powerful and Transformational Stories of Healing Body, Mind & Soul.

1. A wonderful, inspiring and diverse collection of stories. Don't worry if you heart gets broken every now and then as you read...you'll also be healed and emerge stronger and better than you ever were before.

1 comments about Being and Caring: A Psychology for Living.

1. Being and Caring, is a journey of self, the author's clearly create an understanding of the step by step process of "Being". They open up an understanding that we wear masks, tell stories to cope with any situations that occur, when in fact life can be so much more enjoyable if we can drop the sories, and accept "what is", "just is". Making whatever happens to us mean something, robs us of the opportunity to be happy with whatever takes place, it is more than possible to be happy with whatever comes in life. I loved the opening of the possibilities this book created. A book I will return to for additional insights.

1 comments about Choosing to Love Again: Restoring Broken Relationships.

1. This book contains wonderful recipes for resolving conflicts in love, marriage, friendships, business relationships, etc, based on sound Christian principles. The author provides clear examples of issues that cause troubles in relationships and offers solutions/methods of how to resolve them. The most salient point of the book is that first one makes a choice to be committed to the relationship, then willingness to find ways to resolve the conflict becomes easier.

2 comments about Emotional Awareness: Overcoming the Obstacles to Psychological Balance and Compassion.

1. Emotional Awareness is a book made from the transcript of a near forty hours of conversation between the Dalai Lama and Ekman (a psychologist). They discuss a variety of issues pertaining to psychology and mental focus, including mindfulness, meditation, and compassion. Both individuals are quite focused and serious and their exploration is a deep, intense one. Perhaps the only flaw of the book is it reads so much like a conversation, which can make the train of thought hard to follow at times. The best part of the book, in my opinion, is the Dalai Lama's wonderful sense of humor and ability to get to the heart of seemingly complex matters in rapid fashion.
   
   I came across another book this week that I bought because it's endorsed by the Dalai Lama, and I strongly recommend it because it's outstanding, The Emotional Intelligence Quick Book



2. I have been looking for someone who really would build a bridge between psychology and Buddhism. In many talks, people seem to draw similarities between buddhism and psycholgy but Paul ekman has brought to light both the similarities and differences. He asks straight questions to Dalai lama who answers with no-nonsense approach. The areas of Hatred, Mindfulness and compassion are explored in great depth. Paul Ekman is true scientist with sincere motivation to help mental health realm by borrowing Buddhist concepts. He brings his own life experiences to light in the book which adds authenticity to the discussion. Psychology focuses mainly on psychopathology whereas Buddhism is for mainly geared for normal people seeking higher happiness. However there is lot of overlap and the books brings them to light. I wish Paul Ekman had shared more about his observation apart from the conversational style. Worth reading this interesting, open and lively discussion between honest and sincere people seeking truth.

No comments about Getting What You Want (and Deserve) From Rotten Bosses, Demanding Spouses, Phony Friends, Prying Parents, Annoying Neighbors, And Other Irritating People.