Customer Reviews

Flipping the Switch...: Unleash the Power of Personal Accountability Using the QBQ!

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Flipping the switch is a very enjoyable read in which the author John Miller is basically asking the question: Would you rather be part of the problem or the solution? To be part of the solution, all it takes, according to him, is a shift in perspective. Instead of asking "why me?" switch to "what can I do?". It is a simple shift, which takes you from the victim's chair into the driver's seat and allows you to experience satisfaction and transformation in all areas of your life.

In this respect the book reminded me very much of the work of Ariel and Shya Kane Working on Yourself Doesn't Work: A Book About Instantaneous Transformation , How To Create a Magical Relationship and Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment. The Kanes also present the idea that a shift in perspective can transform your life instantaneously and take you from the realm of working on yourself and thinking, to the realm of being yourself and being enlightened. Instantaneous Transformation is accessible when you flip the switch and choose to be present in the moment rather than lost in your thoughts.

I highly recommend both the work of John Miller and Ariel and Shya Kane to anybody looking to live a "bright" life!

"Flipping the Switch" is a small but muscular tool. It helped me to get out of a cycle of complaining, pushing me to ask "What Can I do about this situation?" rather than "Why is this situation so annoying?" As a teacher, I have found I can sometimes dwell too much on the faults of the school system, or my colleagues, blaming them for the way things are, rather than truly trying to make a situation better myself. When I catch myself doing that now, I remember the QBQ, or the question behind the question: rather than saying "Why is the bureocracy preventing me from getting things done?" I ask, "What can I accomplish right here, right now?"

If you like your self-help advice in a quick-to-read, easy-to-digest format, you'll enjoy this sequel to the book, QBQ! The Question Behind the Question. In his first book, author John G. Miller explained that instead of whining, "Why does everything bad happen to me?" you should take responsibility and ask yourself, "What can I do to improve my situation?" That's the QBQ, and asking it stops you from blaming and complaining, and empowers you to find your own solutions. In this book, Miller takes personal accountability up a notch, and teaches you how to improve your relationships at home and at work by adopting the five "Advantage Principles: learning, ownership, creativity, service and trust." At times, the book can get a bit preachy, but the examples are entertaining and the advice is simple, clear and solid. If you're looking for a fast shot of effective, feel-good self-help advice, we recommend Miller's accessible program. Or to pose the question his way: if your QBQ is, "What can I read to learn how to solve my own problems?" this book is your answer.

Flipping the Switch further develops author John Miller's motivational "the question behind the question" philosophy.

I have not read QBQ, his first book. I became acquainted with Mr. Miller by reading Flipping the Switch. It is intriguing enough that I look forward to tracking down that first book.

Miller wants his readers to be efficient and effective in their daily lives, forgoing the blaming "who" and "why" type questions about life, love, happiness, and productivity for the "how" and "what" type questions. Instead of "Why me," he asks the reader to explore the "How can I" philosophy, as in:

"What can I do to solve this problem?"

"How can I contribute?"

Miller states that the blame game is not productive. Instead, he encourages his readers to look for the positive, the changeable, and the possible.

I thought he did a nice job reviewing the contents of his first book, QBQ, in Chapter 2. This makes Flipping the Switch readable without having read his first book.

My chief complaint is that it is too short for a hardback book (129 pages)! Hopefully, future editions will combine these two books into one (128 + 129 = a book with 257 pages, a much more appropriate length). At some point, as his philosophy is practiced, Miller will have to document real changes in people and businesses. Let's hear the success stories!

In his previous book, QBQ! The Question Behind the Question, John G. Miller shows how to change our thinking by asking questions in a different way. In Flipping the Switch, Miller provides more examples on how to ask questions to hold ourselves accountable in work and life. Doing this leads to five advantages Miller calls the Advantage Principles:

* Learning - Living an engaged and energized life through positive personal growth and change.

* Ownership - Attain goals by becoming a solution-oriented person who solves problems.

* Creativity - Find new ways to achieve by "succeeding within the box."

* Service - Do for others what you don't have to do, and build a legacy by helping people succeed.

* Trust - Develop deep and rewarding relationships.

The book takes only an hour to read and quickly pulls someone out of the doldrums and changes them into a ball of energy, hence Flipping the Switch. Asking QBQ helps us avoid becoming defensive and pointing fingers and changes a person's thinking from "It's her fault" to "How can I fix this?"

This follow-up book divides the examples into the five advantage principles to demonstrate how each principle works. It's not necessary to read QBQ! before reading this one as the concept is easily recaptured, but QBQ! is also a fast and enjoyable read and seeing more examples gives you more ideas on how to ask the question in a different way.

Whenever you feel down or frustrated, grab this book and get instantly energized, ready to tackle anything that comes your way in both work and personal lives.

Changing habits usually doesn't happen quickly, but QBQ can. Spend one hour with this book and save hours of needless aggravation and wasted time on handling things the wrong way.

I liked the first book and it really got me thinking of all those IQ's in my life and how to get rid of them. I think I expected the same thing with this book but for whatever reason I came away feeling let down. It just seemed like less substance than the first and more of a fluff of highlights while trying to cling on to book 1. NOT a bad read but not as inspiring as the first.

This is a great book. In a large corporation, one of our core values is "accountability". This book was an excellent addition to my staff's library and is the basis for discussion in management team meetings. The read was quick which lends itself well to a corporate environment. A must read for anyone who wants to improve their own accountability or their staff's.

I am a simple man, and require little to be happy. I thrive on the opportunity to improve myself, my relationships with others and learn how I can communicate better, more clearly and leave this world just a little better than it was before I was here.

This book, Flipping the Switch is all about knowing that I am responsible to make decisions. Ones that I can live with, and add value to others lives with these decisions. I KNOW that there are those who might think it nonsense or rhetoric, and I am sorry they cannot see genuine feeling for what it is.

Every chapter in this short book is filled with timeless principles of stunning simplicity which if implemented in one's life could be a superb spring board to the next great leader of this or any country, or even a club.

One of my favorite stories is about his dad showing that service is what counts in this life. Doing what others need and going beyond what they need because you genuinely care is rare in this 'only what's needed' culture (US). Interpersonal relationships don't work on an economic scale, so they do not mesh with dollars and cents, but always mesh with common sense.

If you want to know some things that you need to know on how to really succeed beyond the job, beyond the gym, beyond the marriage, and in EVERY relationship, including the one with your self image, this one short book will be one of the keys! Get it and read it. Live it.

Steve Weltman

I found Flipping the Switch to be the perfect refresher for QBQ.

Both QBQ and Flipping the Switch are a collection of humorous stories that have significant meaning. The stories help me relate to similar situations in my own life in which I can choose to take accountability or I can choose to complain. It is a wonderful resource in the pursuit toward personal accountability!

I would highly recommend Flipping the Switch. It is also a very quick read!

The perfect follow-up to QBQ! Whoever reads this book will be able to relate to what John is saying, and see how taking personal accountability can really change ever facet of your life. Please, argue with me that Leadership, Ownership, Creativity, Service and Trust and not the cornerstones of success in life, I dare you.

In this book, John straight-forwardly explains how to truly build upon each of these aspects by doing something as simple as asking better questions. In Flipping The Switch, John takes the insights, values and philosophies introduced in The Question Behind The Question and applies them to these five principles which he terms "the Advantage Principles."

Allow me to share a few morsels that have had great impact:

"Learning brings forth energy, enthusiasm, and a zest for life that's lacking in those who...have ceased to learn."

"Blame never solves any problems...without Ownership, nothing gets done, nothing is fixed, and nothing improves."

"Our goals become unreachable only when we stop reaching...Be creative. Keep reaching. You'll find a way."

"Service strengthens relationships and builds trust...most important may be the feeling of personal satisfaction and pride that come from rendering Service to others." Also, "Organizations don't serve people, individuals serve people."

"...spinning the message is a Trust Killer. Telling the truth, even if it stings, is the best approach. Where there is truth, there is trust."

These are just a few of the many gems that you will find in this easy-to-read, inspirational and powerful book. As with John's QBQ!, he supports his insights with powerful, easy-to-relate-to stories.

Buy it. Read it. Review it. Re-Read it. Work to live it.

I've only just begun living the QBQ! way and it's a lot of work; it's also truly rewarding. I am truly grateful to John for taking what he has been talking about in his training seminars and putting it on paper for all of us to read. John, thanks, Ken.