Getting Unstuck: Breaking Through Your Barriers to Change [Paperback]

Dr. Sidney B. Simon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1989

Psychologist and educator Dr. Sidney Simon presents a system to help the average person change. Readers first discover why they resist change. Then, when a specific roadblock is identified, the book outlines exercises that offer solutions to specific problems.

Product Details

• Paperback: 308 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (August 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446390240
• ISBN-13: 978-0446390248
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.9 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #90,092 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sidney B. Simon is internationally known for his pioneering work in Values Clarification, now retired as Professor Emeritus from the University of Massachusetts. Over 100 articles and some 13 books authored or co-authored came out of that adventurous academic life.

Smon was a guest expert on the Oprah Show, and also shared his wisdom on a Phil Donahue program about Fathers and Sons.

More recently, he has been active in a Florida literary arts community. Simon is a drama critic for the SANIBEL CAPTIVA ISLANDER, and a participant for the past five years in ART POEMS.

His just published book, LIVING AND LOVING IN THAT CONDO WITH A VIEW OF THE GULF, is a rich tapestry of story poems about people growing older in a mythical condo in Florida.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Exceptional Learning Tool for Getting Out of a Rut!, December 5, 2002

By 

Peter Messerschmidt "denmarkguy" (Port Townsend, WA, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Getting Unstuck: Breaking Through Your Barriers to Change (Paperback)

As testament to its continuing usefulness, my aging copy of "Getting Unstuck" is full of highlighted passages, pencilled margin notes and post-its. I RARELY write in books. Although many (some more "popular") books have been written on the topic of "getting your life out of a rut," I have found Dr. Simon's book to be one of the best in the "Motivational" genre. I highly recommend it!

I found this book at a time when I was stuck in a dead-end relationship and a counselor had told me to "Get on with YOUR life." That was almost 10 years ago. What I continue to find particularly appealing about this book is its straightforwardness. Instead of a lot of "buzzwords," "song and dance routines" and "feel-good exercises," the author follows a simple approach of "Here's where you are, here's where you COULD be; here's what to think about to get from "here" to "there."

The early parts of the book provide an overview of the different ways in which people do get "stuck" in their lives; then-- with some simple exercises-- the author helps you identify some of the "whys" and "hows" associated with changing the direction of your life.

The bulk of the book identifies and addresses the different "obstacles" we deliberately put in our way, and the implications of changing your life in the face of them. Topics covered include Self-esteem, options in life, our values, "Letting Go" (of old ways), fear, and dealing with our needs for "Cooperation" and "Perfection." Each chapter includes simple exercises and tools for identifying your own personal "pitfalls," as well as real-life examples of how to apply the principles learned.

The final two chapters deal with the all-important concept that it's not enough to "know HOW" to get unstuck-- you also have to more forward and actually "do" it. If this book has a "flaw," it is perhaps that this section doesn't *quite* have as much "meat" on its bones as one could hope for.

The book is not specific, in terms of having to do with work, or relationships, or family or any other *particular* area. Rather, it helps people identify, deal with, and move on from, the FEELING of being "stuck" in some aspect of their lives.

Final thoughts: Excellent book! (9.5 out of a possible 10 bookmarks). "Real" change is never easy, and often it can be quite painful. This book goes a long way towards easing that pain, and there is much to learn from its pages!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this book, March 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Getting Unstuck: Breaking Through Your Barriers to Change (Paperback)

I read this book many years ago and it propelled me to make changes in my life that I had been afraid to make but which were necessary to my growth and mental health. Ten years later I still go back to this book from time to time to remind myself of the major changes I went through in the past. It never fails to relieve my anxiety so that I can move forward.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars You' d better change, before the sun goes down, September 30, 2005

By 

Junglies (Morrisville, NC United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Getting Unstuck: Breaking Through Your Barriers to Change (Paperback)

Great Dan Fogelberg song. I have never been one of those people to go to self help books for help advice or support. I have been extremely fortunate throughout my life to meet large numbers of people and to make many friends some of whom are close enogh to tell me things I needed to know without fear or favour and without needing to endanger the relationship.

Fortune, favours the brave is the expression but I am not sure how true that is. I came to this book when an aquaintance confided in me about some problems that they were experiencing in daily life. As time went on and the depth of the problems as well as the breadth of them were becoming increasingly apparent, I realised that my friend was repeating the same mantras over and over again about the problems on both sides like the inability to communicate and the responses of each person involved. Our discussions came to suggestions but them in the domestic situation the same old stories were being repeated and replicated almost on a daily basis.

One day I came across this book whilst browsing through a book sale in the local library. A steal for 25c. As I read through it I firstly could not see why I might possibly need such a book but then began to recognise some of my own personal traits which I have accquired in recent years. I followed up with the exercises and persisted through to the end of the book. On reflection I saw that the main benefits I received were due to the recognition of certain behavioural routines I had sunk into which I carried on daily, not recognising that I was even in them. I resolved to change but did not find the book too helpful on that level and developed my own strategies.

But Eureka! It occurred to me that my confidant might be able to put the book to a better use given that the behaviours that were being talked about were exhibited on both sides of the divide. I purchased another copy and presented it to the person and requested that they at least looked at a few chapters before futher discussing the familial circumstances. A few weeks went by and nothing more was said or alluded to until about six weeks or so after I had made my admonition. The book had indeed, been useful. At first my friend had discarded the notion and had began to read from religious texts but after a particularly upsetting experience, despair caused her to pick it up again and read through. To cut a long story short, the book was read through once, the excercises were carried out during a second read and during a thirs read some of the strategies were brought into play. Although the book has not been shared with the other party the situation is now much improved and changes have been made.

In England, we say that the proof of the pudding is in the eating and in this case it is a clear case of digestion leading to satisfaction. On that basis I am happy to recommend this book to anyone over forty although it is just as applicable to the younger age group. Everyone can gain something from this book and because of that it is most useful.