Customer Reviews

Confidence: How to Succeed at Being Yourself

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Okay, it's not always easy to publicly "admit" that one has purchased a book about how to develop self-confidence, but I did... This book has been a most wonderful blessing in my life and I highly recommend it to everyone -- especially if you struggle with confidence issues!


Here's what's AWESOME about this book:

1) The author has been a therapist for many years and fully understands the hidden roots that cause a lack of confidence. He shares many stories from his clients and it's quite amazing how many of these, you'll find yourself relating to and understanding...

2) He provides a step-by-step guidance for how to develop self-confidence. With time, as you practice these concepts, you'll see your self-confidence (like a plant) slowly transforming, which really helps to bring forth a new, confident you.

3) The author doesn't throw around worthless, "I feel good" statements, but instead, drives to seek out the root causes of the issues, which all-too-often enslave us to our perpetual feeling of worthlessness. It's these roots that have to be "dealt with" in order for real change to happen.

And finally, one warning: If you're completely allergic to God (or the idea of changing your life via God's power), you probably won't like this book. The author is not here to "just make you feel happy", but instead, he use the Christian belief system (God) to drive about life-altering change in your life.

As I've said before, this is an awesome book that everyone should read. It has been a wonderful blessing in my life.

The late Pastor McGinnis was the most honest and practical self-help author I have ever read. I believe that he wrote this book with helping people as his first objective, unlike some authors who are just in it for the money. This book uses his unique balance of realism and optomism. If you've read other similar books, this one should stand out. In it he acknowledges that humans have limits and are not perfect, but then gives a realistic new mindset and practical advice. Highly reccomended.

I found this to be an especially well-written, helpful book. Lots of tips and good advice.

This book mentions God, Jesus, Christ, or quotes Scripture multiple times in each chapter. I freely acknowledge that some people might find this helpful, but I did not. Written for depressed Holy Rollers. Skip it if you don't fit that description.