The Best Year of Your Life: Dream It, Plan It, Live It [Hardcover]

Debbie Ford (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 28, 2004

The author of The Right Questions builds on the principles of her earlier books to counsel readers on how to turn insight into action, proposing specific ways to achieve personal goals through taking action and living a desired life. 50,000 first printing.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Debbie Ford's straightforward, heartfelt style makes an old-fashioned idea seem fresh in The Best Year of Your Life. Her concept of "dream it, plan it, live it" is a detailed version of advice we've all heard about the need for clear plans, firm action and a refusal to be sidetracked--but with her gentle voice and step-by-step suggestions, the message comes across in a new way. In particular, her advice on creating mental snapshots of specific memories provides an excellent new technique for the ages-old concept of living in the moment.

Each of the three short sections include writing activities to help track your own process and short, regular affirmations that, if made part of a daily routine, can assist you in staying the course you plan for yourself. She demands plenty of honesty with yourself, and refuses to allow excuses any room on a regular basis. The result is a refreshing mix of support and toughness that lets you set your own pace as you work to map out your life goals and aim towards acting with what Ford describes as "conscious intent".

A number of stories from her own life and clients are included, and provide inspiration for readers at different stages. The examples cover a wide range, from losing a few pounds and keeping it off to making explosive changes in a relationship or career, and the resource guide that finishes the book is a welcome accompaniment if you're looking for more details on a specific technique references in one of the stories. --Jill Lightner

About the Author

DEBBIE FORD is the national bestselling author of THE DARK SIDE OF THE LIGHT CHASERS, THE SECRET OF THE SHADOW, SPIRITUAL DIVORCE, and THE RIGHT QUESTIONS. She is the founder of the Ford Institute for Integrative Coaching and conducts workshops and lectures across the country.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne (December 28, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060723947
• ISBN-13: 978-0060723941
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #616,876 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Debbie Ford, #1 New York Times best-selling author, educator, founder of The Ford Institute for Transformational Training, and Executive Producer of The Shadow Effect, a cutting-edge transformational DVD, is an internationally recognized expert in the field of personal transformation. A pioneering force in incorporating the study and integration of the shadow into modern psychological and spiritual practices, Debbie has appeared on Oprah, Good Morning America, and is the featured expert on the forthcoming ABC TV show, The Ex-Wives Club. Debbie's eight groundbreaking books, including The Dark Side of the Light Chasers, Spiritual Divorce, and The Best Year of Your Life, have sold over 1 million copies, are translated into 32 languages, and are used in institutions of learning worldwide. For more information, visit www.debbieford.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Are you ready for change?, January 12, 2005

By 

Nicole T - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Best Year of Your Life: Dream It, Plan It, Live It (Hardcover)

I really enjoyed Ford's empowering message for motivating action!

I want to "make over" my whole life, including the need to lose weight so for Christmas I asked for Debbie's book along with Deborah Low's, "Quest for Peace, Love and a 24-Inch Waist" and have discovered that both authors support the same thought processes--very motivating and inspirational--answering the question, "how can I stay committed to my dreams and goals?", with practical, inspiring advice.

Since completing them both, I am able to see my life as a creative, ever-changing experience of which I am in complete control. If you need to make overall changes in your life, get Debbie's book but if you need to make peace with your body and lose weight, get Low's. If you can afford both, do it.

57 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars NCZ's and self-discipline, June 22, 2005

By 

Karen Beth Martin "book belle" (Oxford, MS, USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Best Year of Your Life: Dream It, Plan It, Live It (Hardcover)

I'm a self-help book junkie and most of them are just books to read and get what you can from them. Most of them don't actually outline what you need to DO and this one doesn't really either. However, when you get past the normal self-help info in this book (it is in this one too!) you can really glean some good things from it. I was particularly drawn to the NCZ idea (No Cookie Zones) and her line that "Self-discipline is the greatest gift you can give yourself." I love that idea and it really resonated with me. So, while this book does have a lot of the "stuff" that other self-help books have, it also has some really great advice that you can use in everyday life. It is a short easy read and Debbie makes it very enjoyable. Well worth the time and money.

68 of 73 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Book for Both Men and Women, April 17, 2005

By 

D. Buxman "A Seeker of Truth" (Pueblo, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Best Year of Your Life: Dream It, Plan It, Live It (Hardcover)

Before buying this book, I noticed that there were substantially more reviews submitted by women than men. I would like to note, however, that this book has excellent insights for both sexes and would make a great gift. Although it stands to reason that the basic principles should be universal, some self help books have a decidedly sexist slant. Anyway, I enjoyed this book immensely. The chapters were brief and interesting. After finishing the book, I was able to go back to the end of each chapter for the basic building blocks necessary to start the best year of my life. The steps aren't overwhelming or complicated, but they make good sense.