7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Motivation and Inspirational, August 18, 2004
This review is from: Get the Prize: Nine Keys for a Life of Victory (Paperback)
Written in an easy to read and smooth style, author Larry Hehn gives nine points, each broken down in chapter form, on how to live a life of victory. I've read many of these types of books (trying to glean something from each) for it's very true that "an unexamined life is not worth living."
I am not sure who I'm quoting there, but it's so true. I would give a hardy recommendation to any looking to make improvements in their life to pick up a copy of this book and do some self reflecting. I know that there was much in here, especially for a book worm like myself, that won't be brand new advice, but there's always something to gain from reading well thought out words of wisdom. Sometimes you just need to hear things put a certain way for them to ring a bell inside your head.
I'd give this one a strong recommendation for using as a gift to the high school grad or the college student, I wish I'd had more of this kind of wisdom placed into my brain when I was younger, it might have made a big difference over time, often small changes, small habits, over time, can make or break certain dreams and visions.
Hehn uses some Biblical wisdom, but never in a preachy way, and lots of sports analogies (which are universal enough even non-sports people will catch his meanings). There are many little stories from his personal life and they made the book read more like someone was telling you a little bit about himself than someone was trying to "teach" something, which made a big difference in it's readability.
Lastly, I came away with the impression that Larry Hehn is a genuine nice guy and his work here was intended to help others.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A short, quick and compelling look at how to really live., March 26, 2005
This review is from: Get the Prize: Nine Keys for a Life of Victory (Paperback)
I was most struck by the profound similarities between the journey the author took, resulting in this book, with where I find myself today and where I want to be. The short quote on the back cover states this: "Like many of us, Larry Hehn avoided "the Prize" for years. Rather than use his unique talents to pursue his true vocation, he traded the full use of his gifts for the false security of a predictable income". That grabbed my attention.
The book itself is simple, and straightforward, but often it is in simplicity where we find truth. He addresses very basic philosophies that impact our lives, including choosing our attitude, recapturing child like wonder, acknowledging our weaknesses, taking risks, and how to take others with us by sowing generously and selflessly.
The book contains sections in the manner of a workbook, where you can write in personal views and answer some of the direct questions posed. The formatting allows one to read the whole book quickly, or take a quick section in a few minutes and work through it. It would be an ideal book for a study group to take on a section a week.
I found the tone to be light and encouraging, while at the same time direct and motivating. Sometimes wisdom comes in simple packaging, and here is a great example of that concept in practice.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Inspiring Book, December 13, 2005
This review is from: Get the Prize: Nine Keys for a Life of Victory (Paperback)
"Make a point of always knowing why you do what you do. Choose the high road and do everything you can to get you closer to the person you were meant to become. Drop all activities that keep you from getting there. Make every moment count. Live a life of purpose." ~ Larry Hehn ~
There are so many beautiful things that inspire me and this book is one of them. This inspiring book gave me renewed encouragement to attain my ultimate goals and aspirations in life. Mr. Larry Hehn, an accomplished speaker, excellent author and a creative illustrator, did a superb job in writing this inspirational and motivational book. He not only outlined the most important factors in achieving a life of victory by way of nine steps, but also citing examples from his own personal experiences. The nine keys are as follow:
1. Choose
2. Become Like Little Children
3. Ask
4. Commit
5. Do Everything
6. Work At It With All Your Heart
7. Sharpen
8. Sow Generously
9. Let Your Light Shine
The first key is all about the choices we make with regard to our attitudes, habits and relationships. It's always been a part of my philosophy to look at things at a positive perspective. There's nothing like having a positive frame of mind, good habits and dignified relationship, interaction and rapport with people that we interact not only on a day-to-day basis but in the course of our lives be it our friends, our co-workers, our families and loved ones.
One of the most inspiring key is to "commit." Mr. Hehn talks about commitments in following our dreams, personal growth and ultimately the satisfaction and fulfillment of our dreams.
"What is commitment, anyway?" the author asked. "It's pushing beyond your comfort zone. It's focusing on the prize and not the effort. It's earning the respect of others and causing untold resources to come available that you never knew existed. It's stepping out of faith and knowing that you are on your way to living a life of purpose and significance." When we commit to something, we should put not only our minds but also our hearts and souls to it a hundred percent.
Chapter Five is about doing everything with specific intent even when you don't feel like it and even when you think you can't. I always make it a point to go an extra-mile to the things I want to do and I give 110% to everything I set my mind on, be it my own personal projects or projects that are work-related. In line with the next topic which is Chapter Six and all about our jobs, working hard and working smart, I have an excellent work ethic and I'm a workaholic. I can't stand being idle. I'd rather be busy as a bee than being idle and doing nothing. And I have always admired friends and co-workers who have excellent work ethics, and have set goals for themselves and knew exactly what they want and where they are heading to.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" ~ Philippians 4:18 ~
The above quote is one of my favorite verses from the Holy Bible. There are times when I think of the things that are so impossible and hard to do or accomplish. All I have to do is to ponder on the above verse coupled with my earnest prayers and everything will turn out smoothly and voila - a job well done! There's nothing that can really stop us from doing the things that we truly want to do. If at first we don't succeed, don't be discouraged. It's not the end of the world! Try again until we have succeeded and we'll be surprised that each attempt to succeed comes with renewed enthusiasm and dedication.
"If we do all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astonish ourselves." ~ Thomas Edison ~
Chapter Eight is about "Sowing Generously." Mr. Hehn believes that sowing generously means sowing wisely, willingly and unselfishly. I totally agree with him and this is one of the best chapters in this wonderful book. I firmly believe in what Mr. Hehn has written -- "We reap what we sow." The same is true with - "If you want people to treat you with respect, you need to treat yourself and others with respect."
And the last chapter is about letting your light shine through by taking into consideration all these principles, studying them, applying them and teaching them through example.
I wholeheartedly recommended this inspiring book for your reading pleasure. It's a must-read! It's such a good book to be missed out. It's also a great gift not only this Christmas but for any occasions. You'll love all of Mr. Hehn's examples and personal experiences cited as well as the remarkable quotations, Biblical and otherwise.
"In a race, all runners run, but only one gets the prize. Run in such a way as to get the prize." ~ Larry Hehn ~
* * * * *TEN STARS* * * * *
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