Customer Reviews

Getting Past OK: A Straightforward Guide to Having a Fantastic Life

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This is Not your father's self-help book. "Getting Past OK" by Richard Brodie, truely is "A Straightforward Guide to Having a Fantastic Life".

Brodie, only incidentally the author of the original Microsoft Word wordprocessing program, gives you plain talk and no mystical mumbo-jumbo about how to literally take control of your own life: first by shedding the disfunctional bad habits of procrastination and perfectionism, etc.. Then he challenges you to decide what is most important to you, in your one life (this is up to you -- he makes no attempt to influence your choice of values and goals). Then he helps you learn how to achieve that focus on "what matters" to you.

He deftly synthesizes his own rich personal real-world experiences as an erstewhile millionaire, with insights from great thinkers on the human condition such as Mohandas Gandhi, and findings from the rapidly emerging branch of the science of evolutionary psychology called "memetics" (about which he has written another really great book, "Virus of the Mind" http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0963600117/grs

A "meme" (or "idea-virus) is any idea, which is good at getting itself replicated from one mind to another, not because it is true or beneficial or rational, but simply because its nature makes our minds susceptible to accepting it and passing it on.

So, Brodie warns us that some of our basic assumptions and even our most cherished belives may not be "true" -- they may just be the particularly effective idea-viruses that ended up in our mind. We will not be truely in control of our lives and able to achieve a truely fantastic life, until we honestly self-examine and reconfirm our beliefs.

"Whatever you choose to do from this moment forward, make it mean something to you. And have a fantastic life" -- Brodie

Getting Past OK is Brodie's first attempt to share his wisdom and a wealth of experience with the public. This is one of the finest reads on living a juicy life that I have personally read. Definitely worth having and giving to those you care about. Kevin Hogan,...

This is the best self-help book I have read. In very clear terms, without a lot of "psycho-speak", Richard Brodie details an easy plan for getting what you truly want out of life. He outlines the ways that you sabatoge yourself and how to overcome these things. While I was reading this book, he made it seem so obvious that I was wondering why I had never thought of these things before.

He outlines in clear steps--with some introspection required on the readers part--how to create a fantastic life for yourself.

I obtained a copy of this book after reading Brodie's "Virus of the Mind," which was great. I have devoured dozens of similar books on personal growth, and consider this to be the best of the lot, easily on a par with Your Erroneous Zones, and The Road Less Traveled. A very entertaining, common sense approach to understanding the way the world works, and how to get the most out of life. In my humble opinion, if this book had a catchier title, it would become a major bestseller

Perhaps because I have a similar background as the author, this book really struck a chord with me. It is as close as I have ever seen to a "how-to" guide for living a great life. The structure of it was great and I really liked the fact that the chapters were short and to the point. The tone is conversational and the advice is sound and often eye opening. I found myself repeatedly thinking -- wow, that's true, no wonder I am frustrated. If you are looking for a more high level philosophical approach, then maybe this isn't the book for you. But if you want a logical practical guide to improving your life, I have yet to read a better book.

Perhaps most importantly, this book is not about how you "should" live your life. It is about defining what a great life means to you and then following up and making the necessary changes while putting aside fear. I can't say that this book has changed my life yet. No book can do that. But it has helped me identify some less than ideal patterns and gaps in the way I approach things and helped me commit to making some serious changes for the better. I only wish that I would have read this book earlier in my life and avoided many of the mistakes that I have made along the way.

I haven't finished the book as I am into the exercises for finding out one's 'purpose in life'. However, I am thoroughly thrilled in discovering more about 'my' purpose. I have a good life now and have applied much of the author's ideas to my own life for a number of years. Life is good! This subject was something I thought I would research when I retired, but I found I don't want to wait for 'until when....or as soon as whatever happens...'.anymore.

This book is great! I picked it up while browsing in the book store, and before I knew it, I had been reading for a half hour.

Brodie presents ideas in a way that allows the reader to view them in a personal context, and use the framework provided as a basis for change and personal growth. These ideas make sense!

Brodie's knowledge is shared in a warm, personal style, using anecdotes and the writer's own experiences to illustrate points and demonstrate how to apply the book's concepts to your own personal development.

Recommended for those who need to "get past ok" and especially for those who don't know it yet!

I'm really pleased this book is still in print. I read it when it first came out (and highlighted the heck out of it). I've read it at least five or six times ever since. Along with "The Power of Choice" and "How To Be Loved," this book is a reflection of Richard Brodie's experience of Werner Erhard's est training, put into Brodie's own very personable words. A lot of people were turned off by the presentation of the est training and thereby missed out on its fundamental perspectives. Brodie's book corrects that for many people. Brodie's conversational and playful presentation make his messages very easy to swallow and digest. Of the three books I mentioned, I'm not sure which one I'd recommend the most. Each book would be great for different people. For yet others, Luke Rhinehart's "Book of Est" might be the way to go.

Getting Past OK is an excellent, practical self-help book. It is straightforward, easy to understand, and chock full of sage advise for living well and 'living on purpose'.

In a nutshell, author Richard Brodie, has distilled the best information from a slew of self-help books and training programs into a tight and coherent primer for personal growth and development. Chapter by chapter Brodie leads you through a clear and cogent process of transformation from victim to victor.

In my private practice as a professional life & career coach at Peak Performance Group, I recommend it as essential reading to all of my clients. Save yourself a lot of time and money and pick up a copy of Getting Past OK so you can do exactly as the title suggests. You'll be happy you did.

If you have any questions or are looking for additional recommended titles feel free to contact me.
Enjoy!

Gave this book as a gift to someone in need of some self esteem strengthening. From all indications, the information presented in the book helped with some identity issues.