Customer Reviews

15-Second Principle, The , Revised Edition

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The best praise for a self-help book is to describe how much and how quickly your life changes direction for the better.

I started reading "The 15 Second Principle" seven weeks ago, and since day one, it has helped me to realize my dream project, the creation of a unique computer game. The problem was that I wanted to start, but had been procrastinating for over three years. Now daily progess is being made, and it THRILLS me; I am finally feeling fulfillment in this important area of my life. (It's also exciting to see friends who've read the book realize their dream projects as well.)

The technique is so simple, and related so artfully, that it gently chipped through all the barriers my mind had erected:

"There's not enough time"; "There's too much to do"; "It has to be perfect"; "I'm not good enough"; "Who am I to be doing what I love to do?"

If I had to choose a favorite part of the book, it would have to be the unusual celebrity stories. Maybe it's because Al Secunda is a gifted storyteller. Maybe it's because the stories are inherently entertaining. But the underlying ideas jolt to life when you can relate to someone who is familiar and successful (and imperfect).

I recommend this book without hesitation to anyone who has a seemingly unapproachable dream, goal, or passion. The book is wise, intelligent, entertaining, and comes from the heart. Put another way, "The 15 Second Principle" is THE BEST investment you can make in yourself. I feel so strongly about it, that I am adding my full name and e-mail address to these thoughts.

You've been here, looking for the next book that's going to change the way you think, which will change the way you live.
You've read book after book and learned a lot. You've even applied the tools you've learned in a hit-or-miss fashion and benefited greatly.
This book ties it all together - it's a bridge from Eckhart Tolle's "Now" to Napoleon Hill's "Rich."
Mostly, it's about one simple question: Am I having fun?
I've got a dream project that had languished for a while. Al Secundo reminded me why I wanted to do the project in the first place - I thought it would be fun.
I made a 15-second commitment and gave myself permission to stop as soon as I quit having fun. The results were amazing - especially compared to the old state of mind I used to bring to the work.
Will this change my life? Or yours?
I believe it's possible and here's why: He diagnosed my past failures better and more completely than anyone else. I come at performance from a place of anxiety - it's been my fuel and I've done some good work, as well as spurts of excellence, but I've lived like a starving man worrying where he'll get his next meal.
Al says excellence can be nourishing, not draining. It can be freeing, not confining. All we have to do is take that 15 seconds to remember our dreams and remember they're supposed to be fun.
This is no quick fix guide. It's a fundamental shift in thinking and it's not easy. But I believe in my gut that it's TRUE.

if you've ever spent 15 seconds procrastinating, overwhelmed, complaining, regretting, worrying, blaming, etc., then you've got to read this book.

Al Secunda has written a powerful little guide for anyone wanting to have a richer, fuller, more rewarding life. Although the subject matter is profound, Al writes in a conversational, easy-to-read manner. Humorous stories are used to convey deep, meaningful insights and lessons, making it not only informative, but entertaining. The tests and exercises are easy to follow. This book flows well. I found it hard to put down.

If you're like me, you've probably read many other books of this type, but it's the actual 15 second principle itself that is truly different and not something I've seen or read elsewhere. Al Secunda used his years of personal and professional experience to develop this concept that is so simple, it's brilliant ! Most of all, it WORKS! Before even finishing this book, I was able to not only begin, but complete a big project I previously dreaded so much I had put it off for over a year-and I did it in far less time than I initially thought it would take! I can't say I was so motivated by any of the other books I'd read. Read THIS book!

This isn't a bad book, but it wasn't what I expected. From the title, I expected that the book would be designed for people who are short on time--written concisely and able to be read in short chunks. However, just leafing through the book you can see that there is page after page of solid narrative. There are almost no concrete ideas for what to do with little bits of time one might find. I have bought several books of this sort lately and would highly recommend purchase of The Now Habit by Fiore instead of this title.

I'm a sucker for motivational books, only to find they are all idealistic and impractical rubbish. But this one is not one of those. It is by far the best of its type that I have read.

I keep re-reading the funny stories and find something new every time. It is a human, humane way of taking that first step - over and over again - just showing up and making a dream happen one small mini-action at a time. It is so doable, that is what I love about it. It is about forgiving ourselves and taking another action - 15 seconds at a time is so easy.

Awesome book! I used the ideas about the Pleasure Priority to keep relaxed--not attached to the outcome--alternating between precision/relaxed and non-precision/relaxed; never do I enter the world of tension! WOW what a concept! I am closing THREE X's as many deals and having a blast--sales were never like this before! Great Book. Wonderful Ideas. Very well laid out. I look to Al Secunda's next project with anticipation!

I was browsing the Internet a few weeks ago and suddenly saw a book entitled "The 15 Second Principle" listed in a database. Mathematical research has discovered that it only takes 15 seconds to start anything, i.e., a though, a movement, etc. An interesting sideline here: In the pitstop in the national automotive races, it takes exactly 15 seconds to change the oil, tires, wash the windows, etc. As a matter of fact, the pitsops rules only allow 15 seconds for this. The book caught my interest, and I purchased the book on my next outing to a bookstore and quickly read the cover notes (15 seconds to read the cover notes!!?). I thought that this may just be another "trick" to get someone to buy another motivational book which would be a "quick fix" in our already rushed society. Not at all! I manage 22 financial analysts in my company and have often found myself saying that I don't have time to learn this or that and "who in the heck" could achieve something in 15 seconds....? No matter how scattered or busy we are, we can find a small amount of time each day to devote to our dream or goal even if we only think about it. According to the author, even thinking about our dream or goal brings us closer to taking action and taking action on a regular basis will finally bring us to achievement and mastery. I read the book (not in 15 seconds), began devoting a portion of each day to what was my secret goal--that was to learn to play golf. By taking this writing and principles to heart, I have in less that two weeks already located a golf coach and taken a step on to the golf course. I can't guarantee that I will make a Hole-in-One on the 17th Hole of St. Andrews in Scotland, but I will arrive there if I control my mood, attitude and feelings as this book directs. I am excited! I am thinking about giving each one of my employees a copy for their own personal use as a special "surprise bonus" and watch them surprise themselves as they follow the principles of mastery to acheive their own dreams or professional goals. I honestly believe that if you are introduced to the book and are "too busy" to read and follow, at least in part, some of the author's suggestions and proven principles, then you are too busy period and will probably use your own "15 Seconds" to whine away the dreams and goals which you could have achieved by a simple short commitment and conscious belief....

This is the most readable, useful book on achieving dream goals I have every read. It has literally changed my life. I am fortunate to be in Al's workshop and have applied these steps every day. I was unhappily stuck in work I detested but failed at all my previous attempts to break into a more creative life. Now I have my own business creating and promoting "vibrational art" and feel able to handle any obstacles I encounter. This book is a real manual on how to achieve dreams and handle any stops along the way. It was the most powerful investment I made in my future.

After I read this great book, I've contacted Al to ask him more questions. He was just as amazing as I thought, very approachable and supportive. The book really helps, but only if you welcome this help in your life. It takes only 15 sec to remember what really matters in YOUR life. For example, have you noticed how smart can you be giving advice to others? Why can't you help yourself then?.. Why do you procrastinate? Why do you affraid to start?.. When you have these moments of fear, anger, depsession or disappointment, just try to look at yourself as a different person. Just pretend it's not you, who needs advice, but your friend. I am sure you'll be able to see your situation differently, and most importantly, you'll be able to see what needs to be done. This book will help you to find the answers to YOUR questions in life...It's a keeper!