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personal growth book summaries

Archive for personal growth

Self-Doubt – 2 Causes – 2 Solutions

By Nina East · Comments (3)
Friday, July 9th, 2010

There are two main elements influencing self-doubt. Fortunately there are also some simple ways to begin eroding your self-doubt and, consequently, build your self-esteem.

The frustrating paradox is that self-doubt actually creates unwavering certainty – certainty that you cannot do/say/be what you want, that you aren’t good enough, or that the risks far outweigh the possible gains.

bluequestionmark 150x150 Self Doubt   2 Causes   2 SolutionsThis is because of the nasty self-perpetuating cycle self-doubt creates. You doubt yourself in a particular area so you hold yourself back from doing/saying/being something. This in turn gives you evidence that you don’t “have what it takes”, which usually gets translated to “See? I’m not good enough”.

When asked about what affects or feeds their self-doubt, readers generally pointed to two things. Given the commitment to personal growth and self-improvement members and readers at PersonalGrowthPrincess.com have I wasn’t surprised at the insight. But because this seems to be a fairly universal issue, I also was not surprised that there were very few suggestions for what to do about it.

The first element feeding self-doubt is not trusting your inner guidance, your intuition. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say the problem is not knowing whether what you are experiencing is really inner guidance, or a fear or anxiety speaking.

We often “know” something but don’t trust that knowing. After all, how do you know when you know? This is usually a result of not practicing using this information, but can also come from trusting your intuition and ending up with negative consequences. That can magnify self-doubt.

The key distinction is that inner guidance always Read More→

Comments (3)
Categories : Confidence, Intuition, Self-Esteem
Tags : Justin Kruger, paradox, personal growth, self-doubt, Self-Esteem, self-improvement, Thomas Gilovich, Victoria Medevec

The Trophy Effect [Book Review]

By Nina East · Comments (0)
Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

The Trophy Effect The Trophy Effect [Book Review]
Motivational Press, Inc. (2010)
216 pages (paperback)

NOTE: The book is being featured in a Best-Seller campaign on Wednesday, June 16th. When you purchase the book from Amazon.com during this campaign  you will receive thousands of dollars worth of free gifts from some of Michael’s closest associates.
To participate, purchase the book at Amazon, then go to The Trophy Effect, enter your purchase code and you’ll be given access to all the bonuses.

Until you know what the trophy effect is, you might think the title is referring to how people are striving for more and more achievements, at the expense of fulfillment. At least that’s what I thought it would be about before I read it.The Trophy Effect, by Michael Nitti, actually gets the the heart of the reason people focus on their shortcomings rather than on their strengths and accomplishments.

The trophy effect is subconscious and innate, meaning that it originates in the mind, and you generally aren’t even aware of it. That’s what makes it so hazardous. It is a way of thinking and reacting that leads us to give up on things, magnifying feelings of doubt rather than hope.

The real clincher is that we usually don’t realize it is going on, which means we don’t realize it’s something we have control over. That’s because it is tied to our survival instinct, and it takes some serious effort – or at least consistent action – to override an instinct that is designed to help us survive the dangers in the world, whether they be real dangers – such as a speeding car jumping the curb coming right at us – or more imagined dangers – the fear of embarrassment, of not being good enough.

The Trophy Effect walks you through a process that helps you understand that your mind is not your self, and how the effect has been playing out in your life.

Not only did I read the book, I also had the privilege of a one-on-one “trophy effect” session with Michael Nitti.

I’ve obviously been around the personal growth block a time or two, so it’s hard to impress me. Most books are a new perspective on something else we’ve tried before (that’s why the book selections at Personal Growth Princess are so powerful – they are new and unique). And, of course, when I saw the title of the book, I thought I knew what I was going to learn.

I was wrong.

In his book, Michael Nitti leads you through, in clear, colorful detail, what kind of trophies you are really collecting, and why they simply serve to increase your self-doubt. What you learn seems counter-intuitive at first, but he aptly helps you see the logic behind it, and then you get to see and feel firsthand what the effect has been.

Of course, for the book to be fully effective, you need to be honest with yourself and be willing to try on a new perspective. And you will want to do the exercises. It’s like getting a blueprint for destroying self-doubt, but you actually have to use the blueprint as you build – otherwise you’re back to the same catty-whompas state of letting your mind rule your life.

I have to admiit, the work I did from the book and with Michael was so intriguingely powerful that I selected The Trophy Effect as the July feature book for members of Personal Growth Princess.
(Not a member? Read more about the benefits of membership.) Not only did I feel different immediately, the difference has stayed with me and continued to expand over the last several weeks. It’s not without effort, but the reasoning behind the trophy effect is so sound that your mind will be convinced.

I strongly recommend reading this book – or joining Personal Growth Princess to receive the summary and a special in-depth interview with the author on July 1.

Remember, The Trophy Effect is being featured in a Best-Seller campaign on Wednesday, June 16th. When you purchase the book from Amazon.com during this campaign  you will receive thousands of dollars worth of free gifts from some of Michael’s closest associates.
To participate, purchase the book at Amazon, then go to The Trophy Effect, enter your purchase code and you’ll be given access to all the bonuses.

Comments (0)
Categories : 5-Minute Book Reviews, Recommended Resources
Tags : best-seller campaign, Michael Nitti, personal growth, the trophy effect

1 Degree of Difference – Heat Up Your Personal Growth

By Nina East · Comments (0)
Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

At 211 degrees, water is hot………..At 212 degrees, it boils.

And with boiling water comes steam. ………….And steam can power a locomotive.

So many times it is that one extra degree of effort in business and in life that separates the good from the great.
The beauty of this idea of 212° – or one degree of difference – is not only the simplicity but all the places you can apply it in your life.

So what kind of life are you living? Are you living and growing in a 2110 style?

Or have you amped it up just a teeny-tiny fraction and are living and growing at a 2120 level?

You can apply the concept to that extra degree of  service,  the extra degree of  attitude, the extra degree of  leadership, kindness, commitment, focus, perseverance and the list goes on.

So what would be different if you went up just one teeny-tiny degree in your focus on personal development?

What would you be capable of?
What would you do?
What would you stop doing?
How would your life be different?

Take a look at the 2120 movie, published by Simple Truths, a company that sells inspirational and motivational books, gifts, etc.
(Simple Truths was started by Mac Anderson who founded Successories.)

ttwd 1 Degree of Difference   Heat Up Your Personal Growth

And while you’re at it, watch this other inspiring movie!
I’m a little partial to it – not just because it starts with sunflowers (which are my favorite) – but because it is about finding joy.

fjoy 1 Degree of Difference   Heat Up Your Personal Growth

Share your thoughts or reactions in the comment section below!

Comments (0)
Categories : Inspiration, Recommended Resources
Tags : 212 degree movie, finding joy, personal growth, simple truths

Self-Help Books – Why they give you the best advantage

By Nina East · Comments (0)
Monday, June 14th, 2010

Is buying self-help books a better personal growth strategy than attending seminars or working with a coach?

I was just reading an interesting post at clicknsave.com on this very topic. The author makes the bold statement that self-help books have a definite advantage over seminars, counselors, or coaches.

It really got me to wondering…are books better?bookstacksflying Self Help Books   Why they give you the best advantage

Obviously I’m a fan of books, but given the tens of thousands of dollars I’ve spent at personal development seminars, I’m a fan of them, as well.

On the surface level, the answer to the question would have to be “it depends”. It depends on you and how you process information. If you aren’t a reader, then buying all the self-help books in the world isn’t going to help you, other than giving you a quick boost of optimism and inspiration.

You have to actually USE the book in order for it to serve you – and if you do, then there are some definite advantages you get.

And when I say USE, I don’t mean using it to pick up people at the local coffee shop by leaving it out where people can see it! And I definitely don’t mean using it to prop up all the other self-help books piled beside your bed.

The point of the article I was reading is that books provide the best advantage because they are the only form of personal growth that can really accompany you wherever you go – whether in paper form or on your Kindle, iPhone, or other electronic device.

I like the idea of portable self-help and the advantage that gives.

But there are a couple of problems:    Read More→

Comments (0)
Categories : Choice, General Musings, Recommended Resources
Tags : book summaries, personal growth, self-help books, self-improvement

Book Summaries – the best path to personal development

By Nina East · Comments (0)
Thursday, June 10th, 2010

“With the economy headed for even more dramatic changes it’s as important as ever to know both how to stay ahead of the curve in business, and how to stay happy and fulfilled.”  – Tony Robbins

TonyVideo 300x177 Book Summaries   the best path to personal development

Wise words from a wise leader in the personal growth industry.

Of course, you already knew that reading books was important and valuable – that’s why you’ve been buying them, right? And then life steps in and all of a sudden weeks or months have passed and you still haven’t read that book.

Tony’s suggestion is that what we need to do is constantly find new ways to make ourselves more valuable – and that reading (and applying) the right books (great books) is an essential ingredient.

He also points out that in order to be more fulfilled in our lives, we have to have meaning beyond ourselves.
And remember, we’ve named 2010 The Year of Fulfillment here at Personal Growth Princess.

You already know that growing yourself so you can grow others is paramount. The years of self-improvement being “selfish” are long gone. Anyone who has ever had a relationship with another human being knows that the more we love ourselves, take care of ourselves, and grow ourselves, the more love, care, and generosity we have to give others.

The problem is…how to actually find the time to find new ways to make ourselves more valuable.

That’s what PersonalGrowthPrincess is here to help with. You can read more of the details about the foundation  here and here.

But the bottom line is if you are like most women, you already know what to do, and that you “should” be doing it, but you don’t have the time…or by the time you do have the time, you’re too exhausted to pick up a book and read it, must less understand and apply it!

Unfortunately we just don’t get more time. Time is what it is.We all have the same number of minutes in a day.

But, you can change the way you use the time you do have – and that will change everything. Read More→

Comments (0)
Categories : Recommended Resources
Tags : Happiness, Happiness Hypothesis, personal development, personal growth, self-improvement, Tony Robbins

How to turn a problem into an opportunity

By Nina East · Comments (0)
Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

dynamicthumb How to turn a problem into an opportunitySince you are a personal growth enthusiast, I suspect you are often looking for ways to turn problems into opportunities. That seems to be wired into the DNA of people who are into self-help, personal development, self-improvement, etc.

Of course, being in the midst of the problem is often the hardest time to even get your mind to shift to thinking about the opportunity inherent in it. I have a friend who always asks me “What’s great about this?” when I bring up something that is frustrating me. Usually this helps me shift, but every now and then I want to bop her on the head for it.  [superemotions file="icon_wink.gif" title="Wink"]  Every cloud has a silver lining, but when it’s cloudy, sometimes it just feels cloudy.

As with anything, practice and use increases your skill at not just finding the opportunity, but to remember to do so in the first place. It’s easiest to practice new “ways of being” before the problem arises. Once you’re in the throws of it it’s harder to do, unless you’ve been practicing it so that has become automatic for you, or almost automatic.

One model you can use to help yourself re-think problems is called the Dynamic Opportunity Model.

The Dynamic Opportunity Model was created by Thomas Leonard, founder of CoachVille – one of the largest and most innovative coach training programs ever. (Thomas is no longer among us, but Dave Buck, who inherited the company, has graciously given me permission to share this model with you.)

The diagram shows Read More→

Comments (0)
Categories : Goals, Mindfulness, Recommended Resources
Tags : dynamic opportunity model, Goals, personal growth, self-help, turn problem into opportunity

Don’t Worry, Be Happy. Or is it the reverse?

By Nina East · Comments (2)
Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

Don’t Worry. Be Happy. Nice little song from the late 80′s. Significant for being the first a cappella song to reach #1 on the charts. Perhaps also significant for getting stuck in your head. (Sorry.)

I bring it up because of a recent study published in Psychological Science which examined the question:

Is the happy life characterized by shallow, happy-go-lucky moments and trivial small talk, or by reflection and profound social encounters?1131650 women 2 Dont Worry, Be Happy. Or is it the reverse?

Popular wisdom, all songs aside, might make you think that the social butterfly who can flit from small-talk conversation to small-talk conversation, would be far happier than the group of people clustered on the couches having a deep meaningful conversation.

Ignorance is bliss, yes?

Not so, says this study – which is more reliable than previous studies because it did not rely on self-reported behavior.

Researchers found that higher well-being was actually associated with having less small talk, and having more substantive conversations.
(“Substantive” meaning a conversation in which meaningful information was exchanged. More along the lines of “I hear your new job has been really demanding. Tell me about it” and less “Oh, I love that dress! Where did you get it?”)

Here are some other interesting findings from the study:

The happiest participants spent about 25% less time alone and about 70% more time talking.

The happiest people also had about 1/3 less small talk, and twice as many substantive conversations.

From the report: “Together, the present findings demonstrate that the happy life is social rather than solitary, and conversationally deep rather than superficial.”

Of course, this was not a cause-and-effect study, so we can only take the results as correlational.

It could mean that happy people are natural attractors of deeper conversations, making people comfortable enough to talk about things that actually matter.
Or, it could be that deep conversations actually make people happier.

This raises the interesting possibility that happiness can be expanded or developed by intentionally having more substantive conversations, and resisting the temptation to stay at the “cocktail party conversation” level.

I think women have known this for a long time. We feel better about ourselves when we connect with other people, and if we can share something meaningful and important, we feel even more so. That’s not to say that a fun shopping spree doesn’t get the happy vibes going…but my guess is there are some pretty important conversations going on between dressing room doors.

Whether happy people naturally have deeper conversations, or deeper conversations make people happier, it’s good to know that both work in our favor. Personal Growth Princesses like deep conversations. We crave knowing more about ourselves and more about what makes other people tick. Maybe we are the best-positioned to get happy?!

I’m curious – what’s your take on this? Do you feel a greater sense of well-being after you’ve had a meaningful conversation, or after a series of surface level chats? Leave a comment below and let us know.

Comments (2)
Categories : General Musings, Happiness
Tags : Happiness, personal growth, Self-Esteem

Worry Less, Live More – Michael Beckwith’s ideas on anxiety

By Nina East · Comments (3)
Monday, March 29th, 2010

Like many personal growth princesses, I have use “card decks” to help me set my intentions for the day. You know, the decks of cards with spiritual and inspirational messages. While some people may use them in an effort to “tell the future”, that’s not my focus. Instead, I think of them as “prompts” – to give me an idea or message to focus on for the day, to provide a different perspective than usual. They help me remain more mindful and less scattered.

Lately I’ve been using the Life Lift-Off cards by Michael Beckwith. 414K4liXzTL. SL500 AA300  Worry Less, Live More   Michael Beckwiths ideas on anxiety They are a great set. Not stuffy and not woo-woo. Just practical, insightful suggestions for mindfulness.

The other day I drew a card that said “Worry Less, Live More”.

On the Personal Growth Princess home page we use the phrase “Read Less. Grow More”. Like anyone, I like the idea of more for less [superemotions file="icon_smile.gif" title="Smile"]  so this really struck home.

It struck home because, despite my lighthearted, playful, princess attitude, I also tend toward the worry end of the spectrum.

What Michael Beckwith says with this card is that “worry is like paying interest on money you haven’t borrowed yet, and it pays no dividends except more worry.”

How true is that?! Worry begets more worry, which begets more worry, etc. etc.

His suggestion on how to worry less and live more? Stay focused on the Now. Keep your attention on this moment, not what might or might not happen, and express gratitude for your life just as it is. This sets off a cascade of appreciation and positive thoughts, which beget more positive thoughts, which beget more positive thoughts…you know the rest.

Now, be clear. Beckwith and I aren’t saying don’t have goals and don’t dream about or plan for the future. But when the worry bug starts to creep in, shift your attention to NOW, and focus on what you are grateful for.

How do you keep worry at bay? Or, more positively, how do you stay focused on good thoughts? Leave a comment below and let us know!

Comments (3)
Categories : Mindfulness, Recommended Resources
Tags : anxiety, goal setting, Mindfulness, personal growth, worry

Personal Growth on National Puppy Day!

By Nina East · Comments (2)
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

Today is National Puppy Day!

ScoutPuppy Personal Growth on National Puppy Day!

Scout as a puppy

National Puppy Day is sponsored by the Animal Miracle Foundation & Network, an organization that supports adopting pets, not shopping for them.

Given that a portion of all profits from this site go to the Animal Protection Society – where I adopted my little girl, Scout -  it seems appropriate to honor the day in a way that also serves your personal growth.

So, here’s a fun freebie for you. Read More→

Comments (2)
Categories : Announcements, General Musings
Tags : National Puppy Day, personal growth

Piano Stairs – how adding fun can make us better [video]

By Nina East · Comments (1)
Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

We’ve all heard that if you make something fun you are more likely to do it. Especially important for those tasks of drudgery.pianothumb Piano Stairs   how adding fun can make us better [video]

But, how do you know that’s true? Maybe you have some empirical evidence from your own life?
If so, you probably also have plenty of instances where that didn’t seem to work.

TheFunTheory.com is a site dedicated to showing that something as simple as fun is the easiest way to change people’s behavior for the better. And isn’t that what personal growth is all about?

Here is a video demonstrating how to get people to take the stairs rather than the escalator – resulting in a 66% increase in people choosing the stairs.

If doing something fun like this can get people to change their physical behavior, in a way that enhances their health, where can you add fun in your life to get you to change your behavior, follow through more, keep in touch with people, work more efficiently, stay focused on your personal growth?

That’s what Personal Growth Princess is all about – giving you easy and fun access to the resources to help you do what’s in your best interests anyway. That’s why you see all the silly princess graphics and references…just keeping it fun to keep it working. [superemotions file="icon_biggrin.gif" title="Big Grin"]
p.s. You probably won’t be surprised to learn that TheFunTheory.com is a Volkswagon project.

What do you think?
Comment below and let us know where you add fun to help you do what you need to do.

Comments (1)
Categories : Choice
Tags : personal growth, piano stairs, The Fun Theory, Volkswagon
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