Customer Reviews

Appreciative Moments: Stories and Practices for Living and Working Appreciatively

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What a delightful book! I took it with me on an airplane last week and was sorry to have the plane land and have to put it down. This book is beautifully written, well edited, warm and engaging. The book is a series of little stories, all revolving around the theme of showing appreciation. I was often reminded of things I already know, in a gentle and often quite amusing way, and found myself motivated to slow down and smell the roses more!

This book is going on the top of my "what delightful book should I give to my girlfriends on their birthdays?" list. And the next time I have a not-so-wonderful day, this will be the book I pick up to read a story or two to get myself back into an appreciative space.

Well done Ed Jacobson! I look forward to reading your future books.

Jan Dahlin Geiger Get Your Assets in Gear! Smart Money Strategies

Reading this book is like chatting with an old friend. First there's a discussion of perplexities that can confound our lives, then some talk about how these ideas apply to our lives right now, and finally time is spent creating and putting into practice strategies for solutions. That is what Ed Jacobson does in this book.

He takes a topic as mundane as refrigerator magnets and imbues it with great meaning. His chapter about savoring our lives and experiences will change how you experience the smell of Thanksgiving dinner in the oven. His comments on the gift of feedback will enhance your appreciation of feedback you may receive as well as your ability to give feedback that is meaningful and "appreciative".

In my counselor education classes as well as stress in education seminars I will use this book as a valuable reference/resource to reinforce lessons on attending skills, empathic listening, observings and meditation and minduflness.

To this point I have not been a fan of "positive thinking"; feeling that it is a complex concept that is often oversimplified--most of the problems of living do not easily lend themselves to a "if life gives you lemons make lemonade" solution. That being said, Ed Jacobson has studied positive psychology in depth, assimilated it in all its complexity and made it readily accessible to everyone who read this book.

I have read this book one chapter per day over the course of a month, and it has not only altered in apositive direction and lightened my perspective but also given me additional skills for dealing with the invevitable problems I may encounter.

If you are too busy or too stressed to read a book, go get this one! To make the world a better place, start with yourself - with living and working appreciatively - and you will see how the world changes. Ed Jacobson brings his considerable speaking skills into the pages of this book. His easy style is woven into each stand-alone chapter with simple, practical application ideas. Appreciative Moments is an important book for every human being on the planet. I plan to give as Christmas gifts to friends and family alike.

"Appreciative Moments" is a book I keep on my work desk at all times. When harried or confused I take an "Ed Break," reading a few pages of this provocative book. In five minutes I am more relaxed, more clear, and more capable to return to the task at hand...which has often "solved itself" in the meantime. Don't miss this book to bring more value and meaning to your entire life.

This little book is a very readable and practical application of "Appreciative Inquiry" (AI) to real life - at home, at work, in relationships, for yourself. I learned about the AI point of view in my work as in interviewer/writer/coach, and immediately incorporated its elegantly simple approach. Simply put: the WAY in which you phrase a question helps define the answer. The WAY in which you address a problem defines the path to solve it in the most constructive and positive way.

As I learned about AI, I learned what a big name Ed Jacobson is. What he has done in this book is to take everyday situations, and with humor and humility, demonstrate how a simple twist of point of view to the positive - and grateful - can make all the difference. The short chapters stand on their own, each addressing a common situation, followed by practical little pick-me-ups to apply immediately to change the course of your day.

Susan Turnbull, author of The Wealth of Your Life; A Step-by-Step Guide for Creating Your Ethical Will

"Why am I here today?" That's a quote from this book you need to have on your bedside table, in your briefcase, your car, your suitcase, anywhere you will be able to read it anytime you might need to be catapaulted into the precious positive parts of life. Written with humor, humaness and warmth, it will serve as your guide to traverse everyday stresses and unusual strains emerging from them not stressed out and discouraged but with positive feelings and productive outcomes. Try it - you will like it! Read it all in one sitting as an entree or,better yet, a chapter at a time as a treat.

I just finished this extraordinary new book and want to recommend it to anyone who wants practical, easy-to-follow, suggestions on how to get more out of life, appreciatively. This book is organized in short, self-contained chapters with wonderful "Practices" illustrating each concept. You will never answer a telephone again without putting a smile on your face. You will learn how to let your childhood and adult heroes guide you through difficult situations. Try it, it really works! Most importantly, you will learn to savor so many moments that would otherwise go unnoticed. If you try some of the book's practices - they're easy - you will find that you can actually learn to appreciate the most stressful situations, from the corporate meeting to Thanksgiving with the relatives.

Use this book as a guide to becoming a happier worker, a more appreciative partner, a better parent and friend. You will even learn to find more time for yourself - to appreciate yourself. Give yourself the gift of this book and start living your own "appreciative moments". I did!