The 15-second Principle [Paperback]

Al Secunda (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1999

With its clever "15 second" approach to setting and achieving goals, this innovative new book is one of the most ingenious motivational guides to come along since The One Minute Manager and Chicken Soup for the Soul.

The premise is simple: By taking small steps, big goals can be readily attained. On the surface, our greatest goals, dreams and ambitions can seem intimidating-requiring a commitment of time and energy that's psychologically daunting. Now, motivational speaker and management consultant Al Secunda offers a surprisingly simple solution: work on your goals just 15 seconds a day. It sounds impossible. But when you break down your long-term goals into a series of mini-actions that are easy to plan and easy to do, your dreams are slowly and steadily integrated into your everyday life. Real change is not only possible-it's inevitable. That's The 15 Second Principle: the exciting new action plan that's making dreams come true all over the world...fifteen seconds at a time.

"The 15 Second Principle can bring its readers more productive, passionate, and creative lives. These personal stories are universal and timeless." -Deepak Chopra, M.D.

"Inspiring new insights about excellence, dream realization, and self-acceptance." -LaVar Burton

"These charming stories and life-distillation bypass the intellect and go staright to your heart and soul. The 15 Second Principle offers tools and support to help you unleash your courage and reach the outer limits of your hopes and dreams." -Buzz Aldrin

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...Al offers genuine help for anyone striving to reach his or her full potential." -- Dr. Jim Loehr, President and CEO, LGE Performance Systems, Inc.

"...The 15-Second Principle can bring its readers more creative lives because these stories are universal and timeless." -- Deepak Chopra, M.D., Director of Educational Programs, The Chopra Center for Well-Being

"The 15-Second Principle is full of practical wisdom with powerful illustrations. I highly recommend it." -- Jack Canfield, coauthor of the series Chicken Soup for the Soul

"The 15-Second Principle will effortlessly and quickly get you wherever you want to go now!" -- Mark Victor Hansen, cocreator, #1 New York Times best-selling series Chicken Soup for the Soul --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 157 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade (May 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425165051
• ISBN-13: 978-0425165058
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,397,204 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEST investment you can make in yourself, April 21, 1999

By 

Michael Lutynski ([e-mail]) (Glendora, CA--USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The 15-second Principle (Paperback)

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.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tying it all together, December 28, 2004

By 

M. Morris - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 15-Second Principle, The , Revised Edition (Paperback)

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.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read THIS book!, July 10, 2001

By 

Katie Ralston (Santa Monica, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The 15-second Principle (Paperback)

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!