Breaking the Spell: The Truth about Money, Success, and the Pursuit of Happiness [Paperback]

Debbie LaChusa (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2, 2012

Research tells us money can't buy happiness. Numerous happiness studies have concluded that once basic needs are met, more money does not make people happier. Yet, it's the American way to climb the corporate ladder, Keep up with the Joneses, and strive for more money, more success, and all the status symbols that tell the world you've made it.

However, many successful and wealthy people report that even after getting it all they still feel something is missing. Celebrities and athletes who have achieved fame and fortune often fall victim to drugs, alcohol, and even suicide, suggesting they're still searching for something... they're still not happy.

Breaking The Spell takes a look at why, despite all of the research, so many people continue to pursue happiness in the form of money, success, and achievement. It investigates the influence of the following factors and makes a compelling case for changing our priorities and how we live our lives if we truly want to be happy:

• Our educational system
• Youth sports
• Professional sports
• Hollywood
• Self help industry
• Social media and the Internet
• Reality television
• Advertising
• Generational trends
• Personality type
• Addiction
• And even how we define success

Breaking the Spell strives to help us understand why, as a society, we have become so spellbound by the pursuit of happiness, success, and financial security, so that we may break the spell and finally be happy.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"If you've ever gone to a seminar to learn to start a business that promises millions, bought a success book or program or hired a coach to help you make more money, this book is for you. It will be the sobering whack on the side of the head that you need to bring your priorities back in line."    ~Business Insider

"While success is an admirable goal, a variety of factors have led too many people on a virtual wild goose chase for success. In this excellent book, Debbie delves into the reasons why so many people have gotten so sidetracked, ending up bankrupt and unhappy instead of financially free and blissful."  ~ Michael Angier, Founder, SuccessNet

"This book tells an engaging story sure to crack fissures through anyone's perspective."  ~ MJ DeMarco, Author of The Millionaire Fastlane

"Finally someone has the guts to come out of the closet with the truth about happiness, money and the 'self help' industry!" ~ Kimberly Englot, Author of The Now of Happiness

"In this quest for more, far too many people get caught in the web of exaggerated marketing messages and guru promises. Debbie LaChusa exposes why so many people have gotten caught in this web and offers suggestions for breaking free and recapturing our lives." ~Connie Joy, Author of Tragedy in Sedona

About the Author

Despite becoming a vice president in her thirties, building three successful businesses in her forties, becoming a millionaire, speaking internationally, and sharing the stage with celebrity teachers from "The Secret", Debbie LaChusa never felt satisfied. After spending seven years and $200,000 constantly trying to achieve more, she realized she had become spellbound. She looked around and saw she wasn’t alone, prompting her to embark on a yearlong investigative journey to understand why, so she could heal herself and help others. "Breaking The Spell" is the result of that journey.

Product Details

• Paperback: 354 pages
• Publisher: Illuminate Press (May 2, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615590780
• ISBN-13: 978-0615590783
• Product Dimensions: 0.8 x 5.9 x 8.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,977,926 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Debbie LaChusa is a consultant, author, blogger, and speaker. She founded Illuminate Press in January 2012 with a mission to write and publish books that question what is, expose the truth, and illuminate new possibilities.

As a speaker, Debbie has shared her expertise and experience on stages in the United States, Canada, and Australia, and she is a frequent guest on teleseminars. Debbie is a featured contributor for The Life Change Network and she and her businesses have been featured in Entrepreneur magazine, Home Business magazine, Forbes.com, CNBC.com, Inc.com, and Yahoo! Finance. She was also chosen as one of five expert bloggers for the Yahoo! Small Business blog.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected May 25, 2012

By Debra Roberts

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Maybe I should have done more research about this before buying. What I expected was some sort of overview of how we became a society driven by greed and then showing us a path forward out of this. As I write that last sentence I realize that, well, I guess that sort of is what the book is about. Not being one of the many who made unbelievable profits through the last few years, this didn't really hold any insights for me, as it's mostly the author's tale of being driven to acquire more and more as she adopted other people's definition of success.

So who do I think this book might help? If the recent ecnomic downturn has now filtered up to your life and the lack of freeflowing funds is forcing you to examine your life in ways you've so far avoided and you're not happy with what you find, this book might offer some insight and the stories of other's experiences may make you feel less alone.

This book can be summed up in four sentences: The only definition of success that has any worth is your own. Sometimes less is more. Use your common sense. A life lived not filled to the brim with material possessions can still be a richly lived life.

4.0 out of 5 stars Could You Be Spellbound? January 5, 2013

By KatesReads

Format:Paperback

I recently finished reading Debbie LaChusa's "Breaking the Spell" and found it really spoke to me. Even though I've never been involved in network marketing or attended any self-help type conferences I found quite a bit that I could identify with.

The economic downturn left many of us struggling with the way we'd always thought of the world and what was important. Success had been defined for us at an early age by a society that monetizes everything. The book details how we got to the tipping point that led to the financial melt-down and how we've been programmed to think about success and happiness.

LaChusa, through telling her own story, points us in the direction of `breaking the spell' that material success has a hold on us and suggests ways that we can get back in touch with what is really important to us as individuals.

I recommend this book to anyone that is looking for more out of life than just material wealth and the status of so-called financial success. There is more out there for us.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great advice for self-help junkies December 1, 2012

By Law Kat

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Finally, some straight talk and common sense in an industry full of exagerrated claims and (often) unethical marketing practices. Thank you for writing this!