Confidence: How to Succeed at Being Yourself [Paperback]

Alan Loy McGinnis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1987

Discover how you can: build inner strength, handle rejection, develop your uniqueness, keep your flaws in perspective, make friends with your body, find a place to excel, expand your network of love, and help others become more confident. These and other practical guidelines, along with fascinating stories and anecdotes, show how you can increase your self-confidence without falling into the trap of self-worship. A book to help you succeed at being yourself.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alan Loy McGinnis (1933–2005) was a best-selling author, family therapist, business consultant, and popular speaker. After a twenty year career as a minister, he became a counselor and co-founded the Valley Counseling Center in Glendale, CA. In the 1970s, he began researching friendship and authored The Friendship Factor, published by Augsburg Fortress in 1979 and revised in 2004. A popular speaker, he also authored more than fifty articles and several more books, including Bringing Out the Best in People, Confidence, and The Balanced Life, all published by Augsburg Fortress.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: AUGSBURG BOOKS; 2nd edition (January 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806622628
• ISBN-13: 978-0806622620
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #292,680 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #59 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Health, Mind & Body > Personal Health > General
  • #65 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Health, Mind & Body > Self-Help > Self-Esteem
  • #74 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Christian Living > Faith

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book helped change my life..., May 7, 2004

By 

N. Joli "Joli" (NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Confidence: How to Succeed at Being Yourself (Paperback)

I know you've heard that phrase before, I know I have. And yet, I did not experience this until after having read this book. I didn't even think I had a problem with confidence, any more than the next person, that is, until I started reading it. McGinnis touches on so many points and issues that many of us have, but do not realize are related to how we view ourselves. He also points out where a lot of our "flaws" are connected to our past AND how we can help change that. "Confidence" teaches you to accept yourself and love yourself. It is a book that approaches this topic from a spiritual and religious perspective (but this not overdone). Reading this book helped me to change my view of myself as well as to move forward from the past and address the emotional issues that were hindering me. I give it 5 stars and I think everyone should read it...I know that I am glad that I did.

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Learn to understand your self will take you futher in life, August 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Confidence: How to Succeed at Being Yourself (Paperback)

This book is quite challenging for the everyday person. You will learn your weaknesses that are probably really destroying your life. As you begin to read you start to understand what is really happening. This book gets you to understand that self-confidence is the building block of your life and it starts early in life as a newborn. You will learn to focus on your strong points and not your weaknesses. How you view your self as a person and that god creates us all. We all endowed in us remarkable capacities to reach for the maximum. You will learn that comparison causes us to be obsessed with our limitations. So reading this book would change anybody's thought and beliefs of themselves and to be your self.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Advocates Healthy Self-Esteem, May 5, 2004

By 

Dr. W. G. Covington, Jr. (Edinboro, Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Confidence: How to Succeed at Being Yourself (Paperback)

Dr. McGinnis writes, "One of the strangest things we observe in therapy is that people who doubt themselves often cannot accept compliments." He prefaces this observation with a call for balance, saying this book is not designed to present an exaggerated look at self-esteem. The other extreme to be avoided is low self-esteem and false modesty. The approach taught in the Bible is to "love your neighbor as you love yourself." That is the balance he advocates.

I love writers who reinforce something I'm already doing. Such is the case with this author who tells his readers to keep a journal. There's other solid advice given such as spend time in solitude, praying and seeking God's Wisdom. We're reminded that we are always in a state of flux and will be as long as we live.

In developing this balanced approach to life even further, he quotes Karl Menninger in saying that to be well-adjusted a healthy person needs a combination of play, love, and work. Yes, work is part of the mix. Self-esteem comes from a sense of purpose. Discovering who God designed you to be is part of life's joyous adventure. He notes, "God's blueprint for us is often written in our natures."

The power of imaging is explained in this book. Like me, he visualized himself becoming a doctor before he finished earning the degree. He describes how faith is an integral part of this imagination process.

Dr. McGinnis successfully brings his discussion to a logical conclusion by talking about the connection between love of self, love of others and love of God. Those, of course, are what sum up the commandments. Jesus told us that. This book adds some substance to that ongoing exploration. Reading it and applying its teachings will enhance your life's quality.