Courage: Overcoming Fear and Igniting Self-Confidence [Hardcover]

Debbie Ford (Author), Wayne W. Dyer (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 24, 2012

From Debbie Ford, the author whose inspiring words have helped millions of readers, Courage has the power to change your life. A tried-and-tested, process-driven approach to conquering our fears, accepting our flaws, and tapping into our potential, Courage will help readers discover the confidence they need to accomplish anything.

In this personal and powerful guide to self-actualization, Ford uses the years of wisdom she has accumulated as a spiritual teacher and personal growth coach to deliver an indispensable tool for anyone eager to become their own best self—a perfect fit for readers of Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer, and Judith Orloff, for new readers of Debbie Ford, and for longtime fans of her national bestselling books The 21-Day Consciousness Cleanse, The Dark Side of the Light Chasers, The Secret of the Shadow, and more.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne (April 24, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006206892X
• ISBN-13: 978-0062068927
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 0.9 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,113 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Debbie Ford is a terrifyingly dynamic life coach who could coax a storm cloud into purging itself of unhealthy tendencies toward lightning and thunder.” (People )

“The clarity with which Debbie Ford communicates has inspired, comforted, and fueled me to continue growing and aligning myself with my life purpose. I am forever grateful to her for sharing her compassionate wisdom in the ways she has.” (Alanis Morissette )

“Debbie Ford systematically outlines the process to wholeness and transformation.” (Deepak Chopra )

“Debbie Ford guides us past the self-punishing patterns that often bind us. Her ideas are exceptionally compelling.” (Marianne Williamson )

“Debbie Ford teaches us to recognize, embrace, and ultimately love all aspects of ourselves.” (Dean Ornish, M.D. )

From the Back Cover

New York Times bestselling author Debbie Ford offers her most personal, powerful, and practical work to date—a proven process for overcoming insecurity and fear and unlocking the courage that resides within.

Every day we are confronted with hundreds of choices that either make us feel confident and strong or rob us of the things we desire the most. When we lack confidence, we feel unworthy of having what we want, of speaking the truth, of making decisions that improve our lives. When we feel weak, helpless, or powerless, we lack the strength to ward off the thoughts of defeat, negativity, and fear that fill our minds and prevent us from moving forward and living in harmony with our deepest desires.

For decades, Debbie Ford has been helping people break free from the emotional baggage that has held them hostage. In Courage, Debbie Ford provides a life-altering path to discovering confidence and authentic self-expression. By learning to accept all of who we are, including our histories, our flaws, our misgivings, our weaknesses, and our fears, we discover that what keeps us stuck and feeling weak is nothing more than an illusion of the past. By showing us how to be confident, stand in our strength, and feel great about ourselves, a new self emerges with the power to accomplish anything. Introducing seven guiding principles, Ford expertly leads readers out of the common pitfalls of fear and insecurity and into the strength, power, and freedom of a courage that has been present all along.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne (April 24, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006206892X
• ISBN-13: 978-0062068927
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 0.9 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,113 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Debbie Ford is an internationally recognized expert in the field of personal transformation. She is the bestselling author of nine books -- The Dark Side of the Light Chasers, The Secret of the Shadow, Spiritual Divorce, The Right Questions, The Best Year of Your Life, Why Good People Do Bad Things, The 21-Day Consciousness Cleanse, The Shadow Effect and Courage. A transformational coach, speaker and teacher for more than 20 years, Debbie is the creator of the renowned Shadow Process Workshop, the executive producer of The Shadow Effect transformational documentary and founder of The Ford Institute, the world renowned personal and professional training organization. A pioneering force in incorporating the study and integration of the shadow into modern psychological and spiritual practices, Debbie Ford's books 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.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The one quality that enables everything else April 25, 2012

By Ali Binazir

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

"How many times have you felt yourself shrink? How many times have you made yourself small enough to fit into some role that you wanted no part of? How many times have you kept your mouth shut when you wanted to scream loudly, or handed over your power to someone who didn't have your best interests at heart? How many time have you succumbed to an impulsive or addictive behavior rather than making a clear-minded choice?"

Most of us know of Debbie Ford as the supremely competent, confident, elegant, multitalented woman with the ability to transform an audience with her words and presence.

What we may not know about her is that she was once a scrawny 'Scaredy Cat' little kid (actual nickname from her dad) who has gone through drug abuse, divorce, betrayal, bad business partners and a whole lot more. Oh, and cancer since 2001, which she hasn't really talked about much until right now.

Several times, the extent to which Debbie shared stories that one would normally not recount in public surprised me. From the ill-advised romance with the European count, to the very personal details of her relationships, business mistakes, workaholism, and near-fatal disease, it's all here.

And therein lies the true value of this book. Like many other excellent self-help books, it has useful exercises designed to change your thinking and behavior. But let's face it - you're probably never going to do those exercises. So what's going to stay with you from this book are the *stories* -- from Debbie and her workshop students.

The stories are potentially transformative, because when you hear about another woman's story of rediscovering her beauty, power, strength and courage out of an initially hopeless situation, you just might see yourself in her.... And that just could be the elixir for you to snap out of your uninspiring job, loveless marriage or other slump - or just to live a little more joyfully each day.

I really liked Part II of the book containing the seven 'codes' for "moving from your head to your heart": Divine Guidance, Surrender, Emotional Freedom, Heartful Compassion, Loving Heart, Inspired Vision, and Supreme Beauty. There are several lifetimes' worth of wisdom and healing in those chapters.

This is no ordinary book. This is a work of searing honesty that can only come from someone who has looked rehab, divorce, betrayal and even death directly in the eye and come to appreciate life for the miracle that it is. Get it for yourself or a woman you love. Courage, the single quality that enables everything else in life, is a gift of everlasting value.

-- Ali Binazir MD MPhil, author of 'The Tao of Dating: The Smart Woman's Guide to Being Absolutely Irresistible', the highest-rated dating book on Amazon (4.9/5.0 stars) Read more ›

38 of 41 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars If you want a massive breakthrough, read this book April 26, 2012

By Marisa Harris

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Despite all my success in my life. which included recovering from stage 4 pancreatic cancer, I have always felt underneathe that I wasn't good enough. I, also, always felt disappointed and frustrated that I hadn't gone after my deepest desires. How could I when deep down I felt unready and unprepared? Fear said to me, you'll be rejected and you'll be embarrassed. This book and the seven codes it contains, has had an electrifying effect on both my internal world and my external world. The internal changes in me are nothing short of a miracle. I no longer feel that I am not ready or too inexperienced. I don't have the space to tell you how this shift occurred. You have to read the book. Externally, I have taken powerful steps that cause me to say, "Is this me?" And, I answer. "Yes. I know who I am--experienced, talented, and and needed." If you want to do more with your life, and if you want to feel fantastic about yourself, read Debbie Ford's book. It will transform your life.
Marisa Harris, Integrative Life Coach and Cancer Coach.

27 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book the Ages April 24, 2012

By Jeffrey S. Malone

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Having read everyone of Debbie's books, I thought I had seen everything she had to say about real transformation and personal growth. Reading this book, took me to a place inside myself I had never been to before in any work I have done or anything I have read. This book is the real thing full of both universal wisdom and raw authentic stories that draw the reader to the inevitable conclusions so needed to create a courageous inspired life. This is her best, most powerful book ever and is a must read for anyone wanting more in their lives. No matter what, get this book and change your life

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Gooey but useful October 29, 2012

By Deb

Format:Hardcover

So, this book may not be for everyone. Some may be put off by the overriding premise of tapping into the unlimited power of the Courageous Love Warrior's Divine Confidence. Others may feel the author's approach may just be a "spiritual bypass" to deeper psychological healing. Still, others may feel it's just a bit too out-there and new age-y to be grounded in "real-life." And, if you're one of them, this book may be a little too much to handle.

But, if you can be open to opening the book and seeing what fits for you--while discerning what might not--then go for it.

Those disclaimers aside, I did find the book to have some useful information and insight on embracing the dark side of life in order to be able to appreciate and enjoy the light (kind of Jungian, I suppose). In her own words, the author shares her mission of the book:

"This book is not just motivational, although it will motivate you. It's not just inspirational, although it will inspire you. It's not just educational, although you will learn many things from it. It is transformational. At the core, this book will shift how you see yourself, others, and the world...I promise that your life will alter when you see what has been hidden from your conscious view. When you take the time to explore your behavior without self-deception or illusion, you will be able to clean up the past and glimpse the future you long for." (p. 13)

The essence of the book is embracing your fears and letting go of the stories that hold you back:
"After accepting that you have your particular brand of fears and acknowledging the cost of letting them direct your life, you begin to get some breathing room in which you can observe them more clearly and with greater understanding.... You begin to embrace your fears rather than being ruled by them...Although suppressed fear is the culprit behind terrible suffering, when fear is embraced it acts as the fuel that propels you to a world of courage and confidence. Befriended fear is a worthy ally urging you to move forward in the areas of your life where you are unfulfilled or emotionally challenged." (pp. 34-35)

And, the author's approach to this personal transformation process is via tuning into the Courageous Love Warrior within and helping her (yes, it's a goddess) live by codes of: divine confidence, surrender, emotional freedom, heartfelt compassion, a loving heart, inspired vision, and supreme beauty.

Yeah, it's a bit spiritually gooey at times, but some of the stuff that sticks can be pretty useful and eye-opening. The worst-case scenario: you'll roll your eyes a few times and put this book down in spiritual overload. The best-case scenario: you'll activate the goddess within and live happily ever after. The most realistic scenario: you'll realize how you sometimes get in your own way and you'll figure out some tricks to making your life a bit easier. Read more ›