Has anyone actually read Steves book and..

[JorgeHTQH]

Has anyone actually read Steves book and may be able to give their honest personal review about the book?..

Someone other than Steve? or his wife .. :>)

I was going to buy it on Amazon but only saw like 4 reviews. And even though they were all high ratings I still would like to see many many many more unique reviews of what they thought of the book and how the book affected them.

I would sure like to have a hard copy of a good personal development book in my hands within the next few days.

Thanks,
Jorge

[Savage]

I have a batch of blogger reviews that I'll post when I get a few more, but here are some of the first to arrive in my inbox if you want to take a look at people's first impressions:
http://www.holistic-life-living.com/personal-development-for-smart-people.html
http://theabundancesite.com/journal/160/BookReviewPersonalDevelopmentfor
http://simplisticthoughts.com/2008/09/25/personal-development-for-smart-people/
http://tools-for-thought.com/2008/09/15/review-personal-development-for-smart-people/

Many of the reviewers either haven't the received the book yet, haven't started reading it, are in the midst of reading it, or just haven't posted their reviews yet. Since the book launched ahead of schedule, most of the blogger reviews won't come online until October.

The availability of the book is still limited in offline locations. It appears the book publishing industry doesn't move nearly as fast as the blogosphere.

If you want to see a lot of reviews, give it about a month and you should find plenty. One good way to do that is to use Google's blog search to do a search on my name. That way you can see what other bloggers are saying.

[Dannyboy1]

Originally Posted by JorgeHTQH

Has anyone actually read Steves book and may be able to give their honest personal review about the book?..

Someone other than Steve? or his wife .. :>)

I was going to buy it on Amazon but only saw like 4 reviews. And even though they were all high ratings I still would like to see many many many more unique reviews of what they thought of the book and how the book affected them.

I would sure like to have a hard copy of a good personal development book in my hands within the next few days.

Thanks,
Jorge

I'm extremely picky about my books. I'm on page 57 right now and I have to say, I really like it. The blogs on this site are great, but the book is really on another level. Maybe it's because I've grown a great deal in the past year and I'm just ready to hear it all now, but this book is really clicking with me in a way that other self improvement books have not. I think it's an investment that will pack back 100 fold for me. But, that's just my opinion. I really can't believe anyone who buys this book is going to feel like they didn't get much more than their money's worth.

[JorgeHTQH]

ok great... thanks for your words..

Actually I figured it should be more than a good read based upon the articles that I have read on this site..

I think that this is the only site in which I have actually took the time to print and completely read some of the articles here, especially the series on Self Discipline.

It's hard for me to read a book from cover to cover if it doesn't GRAB me right from the start.

I'll go ahead and get the book, read it, live it and see what happens :>)

Thanks,
Jorge

[RRR]

I've read the book. I try not to "guru" Steve, but this is a very good book. The principles are simplistic, comprehensive, practical, applicatable, and wise. The word elegant comes to mind. It gives you a very simple process of looking at every aspect of your life through the combination of truth, power, and love, and points out how problems in your life arise from an imbalance or weakening of those qualities.

If you read Steve's website you'll like the book. Hopefully you'll apply what you learn.

Ps. Steve. Have you ever thought about how important becomming a computer programmer has been toward your writing ability? The ability to be consise and find underlying patterns, to apply them in various situations instead of reinventing the wheel, these are all things one learns in computer programming; I feel years of computer programming are very evident in the elegance of this book. (Edit: I feel almost as if I'm quoting you from the blog involving Ultima..I'll check it out)

[The David]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Many of the reviewers either haven't the received the book yet, haven't started reading it, are in the midst of reading it, or just haven't posted their reviews yet.

Typo!

His empire is falling!

Save the king!

*Ahem* Anyways, I'm not too concerned about reviews because the worst thing I can imagine happening is that the information isn't extremely original. And I get the feeling it is original.

[Savage]

Originally Posted by RRR

Ps. Steve. Have you ever thought about how important becomming a computer programmer has been toward your writing ability? The ability to be consise and find underlying patterns, to apply them in various situations instead of reinventing the wheel, these are all things one learns in computer programming; I feel years of computer programming are very evident in the elegance of this book. (Edit: I feel almost as if I'm quoting you from the blog involving Ultima..I'll check it out)

Wow -- that's an amazing insight.

I didn't give that much thought while I was writing the book, but looking back, I can clearly see that I approached the writing of the book much like designing a software program.

Specfically, I remember deciding that the chapters had to have strong cohesion and loose coupling, which are concepts from modular programming. I wanted the ideas in each chapter to belong together and form a complete thought, and I also wanted there to be minimal overlap between one chapter and the next. This is very challenging to do (with software and with writing), but the payoff is that you end up with something that feels elegant.

I also used the programming concept of encapsulation, where low-level concepts are contained in a hierarchy beneath high-level concepts. So you can relate to each concept at different levels. When viewed from the highest level, everything looks pretty simple.

I think anyone who reads the book will notice that it's much more structured than other books in the field. Each chapter is designed to serve as a complete piece on its own.

So yes, I'm sure that being a programmer for so many years gave me a different mindset toward writing the book. I can see elements of object-oriented programming in the book's design. Even the chapters in Part I are layed out with declarations (definition and explanation of concepts) followed by functions and procedures (actions and how-to exercises).

That's a neat way of looking at it. At the time I didn't even realize I was thinking in those terms because they're so deeply internalized from years of programming.

Onward to:

promote_book();

[Niki]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

I also used the programming concept of encapsulation, where low-level concepts are contained in a hierarchy beneath high-level concepts. So you can relate to each concept at different levels. When viewed from the highest level, everything looks pretty simple.

promote_book();

Well thanks for putting your class library on paper and thanks for making it public and crossplatform. I'm pretty sure I will integrate it into my wetware!

[Dan.Linehan]

Open source personal development?

Or was that open minded?

[RRR]

Wow -- that's an amazing insight.

My own programming finally pays off

[Gene]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Wow -- that's an amazing insight.

I didn't give that much thought while I was writing the book, but looking back, I can clearly see that I approached the writing of the book much like designing a software program.

When I was reading your book I also had the belief that your programing experience was a factor in the way you presented the content of your book. I like it.

[Bruce Achterberg]

Originally Posted by JorgeHTQH

It's hard for me to read a book from cover to cover if it doesn't GRAB me right from the start.

I'll go ahead and get the book, read it, live it and see what happens :>)

Thanks,
Jorge

Sounds like you should start at the section on self discipline first.

If you're that concerned, read Steve's free sample chapter.

Personally I wouldn't find it difficult to read a book that I knew is highly likely, beyond almost all reasonable doubt, to be good (Steve's book will no doubt be better than good). I'm really picky with what I read, too (probably more pick than other people; I have a pretty specific criteria).

I find that if you make the right decision from the start, even if the beginning of the book doesn't seem great, it's best to give the book the benefit of the doubt and keep reading. So far, every time I've thought a book that I thought was good wasn't very good, I eventually started to like it as I put things in proper context or I stopped resisting what I was reading.

If you have trouble getting through books, just read a bit every night before you go to bed. I tend to have trouble finishing books if I don't do that, since I rarely read books during the day (too noisy, and I have nowhere comfortable to lie down and read. I mostly like using my bed for sleep, not furniture).

I'll point out that you used a pretty vague definition of "book." When you say "book," are you referring to the writing quality? The content quality (i.e. the actual ideas presented)? The practicality? The storytelling and narrative-style expression (or lack thereof)?

Perhaps if you define this, you can figure out why you find it hard to read some books, do something about remedying that issue so that you become more self-aligned and talent-aligned, and then

I know lots of people who just accept certain traits of theirs as static, unchangeable "parts of themselves," which is, to me, logically ridiculous and personal development-wise, pretty unsound.

If you have an aspect of yourself that isn't allowing you to be effective and utilise your potential, change it so that it is. You'll probably find that in doing so you become *more* of yourself, not less, since you'll be expressing and aligning with more of your potential.

[JorgeHTQH]

Thanks Bruce, I needed that. I'm no longer looking at this as just a book but more of a life changing tool. Believe me, I have a lot of things to change in my life especially within me. Looking forward to receiving it... Thanks again..

[seeker5]

Originally Posted by Gene

When I was reading your book I also had the belief that your programing experience was a factor in the way you presented the content of your book. I like it.

I didn't notice the link to his programming experience, but I remember reading through it (I'm on chapter 2), and browsing through the whole book for a while that I was really enjoying how organized and structured it all seemed. It seems like something I will be able to pick up easily and refer to different sections time and time again to get deeper insight.

[BlueCrane]

I am reading Steve's book (the electronic version) at the moment and will publish my review some time next week - in German, maybe I'll do one in English too.

So far I find it very helpful, concise (no fluff at all) so that you really have to focus when you read it, and innovative in showing us connections where we thought none existed, or at least never saw them.

[Andre Kibbe]

Originally Posted by JorgeHTQH

Has anyone actually read Steves book and may be able to give their honest personal review about the book?

Hi Jorge,
This is Andre Kibbe, from the Tools for Thought blog. I did a fairly extensive, chapter-by-chapter review of the book (which Steve linked to above). I won't try to reiterate the review here, but to cut to the chase: I really loved the book, mainly because it it focused on core principles rather than the "life hacks" that have become fashionable in the personal development space. My only critical comments had to do with a few brief passages that were a little too New Age for my sensibility, and pretty much the whole chapter on Spirituality.

A friend of mine, to whom I lent the book after reading it twice, said that it probably won't do well, since it doesn't offer any quick fixes. He's right in a sense, since it's not a collection of tips and tricks (except for one section in the Habits chapter), but the title says it all -- this is personal development for smart people, not people looking for quickie advice they could easily get on any number of blogs.

[Brian E]

Also, the book is very dense with information. You could read only a page and be able to meditate on it a while.

[Dive Bomb]

I've been reading the book so far and I've been enjoying it. It is very dense with information like the poster above me stated. Some of the information does repeat itself, but I've only read the first three principals. I'm up to Oneness now. There is alot of content and information, so the repitition may very likely serve you well.

[JorgeHTQH]

Andre Kibbe wrote:
>My only critical comments had to do with a few brief passages
>that were a little too New Age for my sensibility, and pretty
>much the whole chapter on Spirituality.

That has been a major problem for me as well. In fact when I started reading steve's views on spirituality that kind of made me put up my guard and question other areas.

However, I don't think the new age type stuff will affect me as long as i dont take it into my being.

There are a lot of good principles presented on this site especially in the sections on self discipline and hard work... Those are the type of things I need.

But it's almost like going to a church where truth and error are being mixed in together. And in that case I would run...

[BlueCrane]

Originally Posted by JorgeHTQH

Has anyone actually read Steves book and may be able to give their honest personal review about the book?..

Brian is right : there is no fluff in this book, I find it very practical and useful ... really love it actually.

I have published my honest personal review here this morning, but it is in German; your name suggests that you might speak the language.

[Chris Cade]

I'm halfway through it, and I think it was incorrectly titled. It really should be "Spiritual Development Disguised for the General Public"

So far, it's an excellent book that sheds light on some of the more subtle things we do in life that are holding us back... as well as hitting the reader over the head with a 2x4 on big things that also hold us back.

A lot of the topics are more spiritually focused... at least as the general public would likely see it. "Oneness" is not a common personal development topic - that's more for the spiritually inclined.

The truth of the matter though is that personal development is really a sub-set of spiritual development, so the title isn't really that far-fetched. I also admit my direct bias as I operate a network of spiritual websites (over half a dozen to date).

I am looking forward to finishing the latter half of the book, and after I do I will post my review to my website and also Amazon.com

[Savage]

Originally Posted by Chris Cade

A lot of the topics are more spiritually focused... at least as the general public would likely see it. "Oneness" is not a common personal development topic - that's more for the spiritually inclined.

I see Oneness as one of the most practical principles in the book. It has had a huge impact on how I manage my relationships with people and how I run my business.

Can you walk up to someone you've never met, and with no script or advance planning about what you're going to say, have a deep and meaningful conversation and depart as friends with a loving hug in 30 minutes or less? I've done this many times. But before I understood Oneness, I'd have thought it impossible for me.

Imagine how much easier it is to do business when you can become best friends with someone during your very first meeting -- simply by tuning in to the permanent connection that exists between all human beings.

IMO this is extremely practical -- it can transform every relationship you'll ever have for the rest of your life.

The mindset of Oneness is one of the reasons spiritually-minded people find it easier to form deep connections with people they've just met. But you don't have to be interested in spiritual development to adopt this point of view and use it liberally.

[Dannyboy1]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Can you walk up to someone you've never met, and with no script or advance planning about what you're going to say, have a deep and meaningful conversation and depart as friends with a loving hug in 30 minutes or less?

Sounds like a challenge to me!

I think I'd have a harder time doing it with one of my buddies... "Dude! What the hell are you doing?!"

[Savage]

Originally Posted by Dannyboy1

Sounds like a challenge to me!

I think I'd have a harder time doing it with one of my buddies... "Dude! What the hell are you doing?!"

We're talking men and women here, not just your favorite huggable sex. Obviously some people will be more receptive to it than others, but you should be seeing your hugs reciprocated most of the time. If you really embrace oneness, the other person will offer you a hug as you depart.

It's easier to do this if you're in a place where oneness-minded people congregate, but that isn't a requirement. I hugged people I'd just met at Blog World Expo.

The hug isn't the most important thing though -- it's just a symbol -- so don't see it as a goal unto itself. The point is to be able to connect with people easily by assuming that you're already connected.

You'll find that people will be very open and friendly once you internalize this mindset. You'll barely even need to cold-approach people because they'll find a way to come up to you. They'll sense your receptivity and will start up conversations with you.

[Dannyboy1]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

The hug isn't the most important thing though -- it's just a symbol -- so don't see it as a goal unto itself. The point is to be able to connect with people easily.

I think a hug challenge is a great idea as long as it's done in an altruistic and not a creepy way. That would be a great way for someone to "break the rules" and stir things up in their mind... make them realize you CAN truly connect with a total stranger. I may try and do this... hmmmm....

[Savage]

Originally Posted by Dannyboy1

I think a hug challenge is a great idea as long as it's done in an altruistic and not a creepy way. That would be a great way for someone to "break the rules" and stir things up in their mind... make them realize you CAN truly connect with a total stranger. I may try and do this... hmmmm....

If you need help to get moving on it, read Chapter 6.

[Dannyboy1]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

If you need help to get moving on it, read Chapter 6.

I think I'm gonna try it with a cab driver. Now THAT would be a test!

[Savage]

Originally Posted by Dannyboy1

I think I'm gonna try it with a cab driver. Now THAT would be a test!

Cab drivers are often very talkative, and it's an easy situation to open someone, so that's a big plus. The hard part would be getting them out of the cab for a hug, unless you have bags in the trunk for them to unload. There's also the distraction of them driving the cab, which limits the amount of attention they can give you. I agree this would be tough.

Erin and I have a friend in NYC that got so deep into Oneness, he used to go around Manhattan hugging the lightposts. I should pose this challenge to him. I'll bet he could do it. First time I met him, he hugged me within 30 seconds.

Of course you can always go to a public place and hold up a sign that says Free Hugs.

[seeker5]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Of course you can always go to a public place and hold up a sign that says Free Hugs.

I imagine you might need some Courage for that too.

[Savage]

Originally Posted by seeker5

I imagine you might need some Courage for that too.

Any path with a heart requires Courage.