Customer Reviews

One Minute for Yourself

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I use the concepts of One Minute for Myself - personally every day, and also professionally as I conduct self-care workshops and presentations. To take care of yourself FIRST so that you have the energy to care for others, makes ultimate sense, but too few of us allow ourselves this necessity. This parable gets through to people - One Minute seems reasonable, the questions are powerful, the payoff is evident! I'm so glad that Amazon carries this book because it's hard to find in stores!

This book changed my life by helping me to no longer live dishonestly with myself. By taking a minute here and there for my "self," I met my "self" and learned just exactly what I want to do and how I want to live. I find freedom in every decision now, by letting go of those things I do not truly care for, and focussing only on the good. Now I am able to find the good in everything. More importantly I know a most important truth: I am who I am.

This book is the second I have read in the One Minute series. Once the reader grows accustomed to the parable presentation, the principles are much easier to grasp. The author in this volume interestingly defines selfishness as neglect of self.

There are three basic concepts promoted: take care of me, take care of others, and take care of the relationship I have with others. Johnson asserts that a person is most loving when his own needs have been adequately addressed. He feels that self-denial is destructive to ourselves and others, rather than helpful.

Jesus encourages us to "love others as we love ourselves." Based upon this admonition, there is a biblical basis for what the author is stating. Until we love ourselves and give attention to our own needs and desires, we are not truly free to love. Once we have taken "one minute" to look inward and assess our own needs, then we are much better equipped to relate to the persons around us.

This book is an easy read -- I finished it in one sitting. If you have been raised to think that self-denial is always good and self-indulgence is always bad, I encourage you to read this volume. For the price, the insights gained are well worth the money spent.

I was drawn to this book because it looked light and simple, and the idea of taking one minute for myself seemed to be manageable even with my crazy schedule. Well, this book delivered a lot more than what I expected! It introduced to me the possibility of having a great life when I actually stop, look, and listen to myself; By simply asking "is there a better way to take care of myself right now?" I was often amazed that there actually were lots of choices! I didn't have to repeat whatever I mechanically did in the past that did not work for me (this seems obvious but I am amazed how often it happened unawaredly.) Cool stuff!

Spencer Johnson is a great story teller and he made my reading experience fun and effortless. This reminded me of two very cool books that I've come across; Being Here: Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment, and How To Create a Magical Relationship by Ariel and Shya Kane. The books are a collection of simple and profound moments in life, and I have come to learn from these beautiful stories that the current moment of life is where magic happens! We can take great care of ourselves and each other by taking an honest look of what's happening in each moment of now, and not judging what we see. Life has become a journey that's expanding and rewarding in a least expected way! The Kanes' books are so inspiring and I feel very fortunate to discover them and to share them with you!

Spencer Johnson's books are not profound but they can be life-changing. Sometimes people who can help the most cut through the clutter and verbiage we can get bogged down in and get to the heart of the matter. Johnson does this in his simple, narrative books and One Minute for Yourself is no different nor no less effective.
Can you imagine having 365 minutes to yourself a year? Can you imagine what you can do for yourself in sixty seconds of silence and peace? Most people don't or even believe that short of a time period can make a difference...but it's true. Johnson cuts through the garbage we pile on ourselves from self-help gurus and shows you how easy it can be.
Some days I take a minute for myself. Others, I dive into my work and stay immersed there. It's easy to look back and see my most effective days and my most overwhelming days. Taking a minute to reflect, to dream or just to relax makes a big difference in my daily effectiveness. As a matter of fact, I think I'll take one now...

Easy to read and follow. The chapters literally take just a minute to read. Be kind to yourself and get this book.

One Minute for Yourself presents a common sense, super-easy to follow recipe to re-connect with one self, friends, family, and all other people around us. It tells us the all-too-obvious: Take a minute here and there, pause, and just think about what you really need to be a little happier. The rest will in many cases follow by itself.

I call this Zen extra-light, as in Zen and other Eastern philosophies this "time-out" or meditation as it might then be called, is made a core practice to find oneself and unity with the world. May this be a light start for our hectic western world to reflect here and there and regain sight of what is important.

Mom of 4 best book I ever read.
RIght to the point.
Spencer Johnson you are the best writer.

thank you

Although this book is out of print now, the invaluable lesson taught to just take a minute before making a decision has helped me at work and at home.

Just buy it! What's it gonna hurt? It has good advice that you might already know told through a somewhat contrived, but necessary tale. It's worth the money to have read it and then keep it within view whenever you are questioning yourself. Don't hide it, until the lessons become mantra.