Customer Reviews

The Sixty-Second Motivator

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is a simple, easy to read explanation of motivational interviewing - probably the most effective way to help people change. Using a story format helps not only with remembering the information, but with knowing how to apply it, either for yourself, or for someone else. I'm a psychologist, and I'm trying to use this technique more in my work, so I've read professional books, watched DVDs, talked to colleagues, etc. I can honestly say this little book has probably helped me just as much as any of those. Highly recommended.

Forget the motivational seminars, DVDs, and CDs. This little book has more insights into motivation than anything else I have seen! No hype here.

The author has taken complex concepts and made them easy to understand in an entertaining way. I use the practical tips not only to motivate my patients, but also to motivate myself!

Having read Jim Johnson's No Beach No Zone weight loss book, I knew WHAT to do, plain and simple, and WHY it was important. So why wasn't I doing what the book laid out as a proven plan for weight loss? It's all about motivation. There's even a chapter on motivation in his weight loss book - but this book takes it one step further, into the science of motivation. Personally I think both books dovetail into one another well, especially if your lack of motivation happens to be in the field of losing weight. The science of how to lose weight permanently, and the science of motivating yourself to do anything. Once again, this is all based on research and not what one guy thinks.

One of the best surprises about this book is the way it is written. Without giving away too much, I can tell you that this book is more of a story than a collection of facts, and reads almost like a mystery. One thing's for sure, it's extremely engaging. I read the whole think in one sitting; the research and strategy don't take volumes to explain or lay out. I'm not one to read huge volumes, and Jim Johnson always makes a concise read devoid of medical mumbo-jumbo. The actual motivation chart takes up one page and really makes you think about what makes your own self "tick". The only excuse for not getting motivated is if you aren't willing to give up one hour of your time, and a little more time spent thinking straight.

Review by Richard L. Weaver II, PhD.

Using Jim Johnson's book, The Sixty-Second Motivator, in just 1-2 hours (the time it takes you to read this book), you can learn what it often takes courses, lengthy DVDs, and major volumes to teach. Johnson bases this work on research results (rather than simply on his own personal experiences), but in a friendly, low-key, well-written, enjoyable, easy-to-understand manner, he offers practical tips and valuable insights about why we do and do not do things. This book is more of a story than a collection of facts, and it reads more like a mystery. Do you want to know what makes you "tick"? This 80-page book has the answers. It is value-packed!The Sixty-Second Motivator

This is a great little book. It is written in a light style that makes it easy to read and digest the principles that Jim spells out. If you have ever tried to make a change and been unsuccessful in accomplishing your goal this little book will help you to understand why you failed and how you can increase your chance of success. I found it to be helpful both with my own personal goals and in better understanding what may help to motivate my clients to achieve their stated goals.

I read this short book within a space of an hour. It is straight to the point, and is written in the style of a story. The author is a Physical Therapist and tells the story of when he was a student and he visited a senior Physical Therapist in a hospital as part of his training. He learned how to motivate someone within 60 seconds to undertake therapy by increasing importance + confidence in the patient. Although this book was essentially about how someone was able to increase his patients' motivation, this can also be applied to other areas of your life - for any goal. It is an easily understandable read and if you are looking for a way to increase motivation quick then look no further than this book.

Both my husband and I enjoyed this book a lot. We found it to be a neat, well organized little book written in an easy-to-understand, straight-forward style that is genuinely enjoyable while at the same time providing valuable insights about why we do or do not do things. While we found it quite analytical about key factors concerning motivation, the book didn't make us feel intimidated or "preached at". The tone of the book came across to us as friendly, low-key, very helpful, analytical and a valuable "keeper" to refer to in life's future situations.

One note though. Readers who zip through the book and don't bother to honestly reflect on the questions at the end of the book will probably not "get it" and be disappointed.

This is an excellent read and one book you will finish reading. They say that most poeople don't finish books they buy, but this one is soo relevant to our lives that you will want to read it cover to cover several times! Keeping it in my day planner for a random quick read infusion throughout the day helps keep me on track!!

Like any book in this genre this book will not actually help you unless your "motivated" to change your own behavior. It's simple, easy to read, and practical. It shows you the keys to changing your perspective on on how motivation actually works in yourself and others. I enjoyed it.

If you've ever done any kind of goal-setting exercise you know everything contained in this book. The writer claimed to have combed through tons of research, but the bibliography consists of five books/articles.

Here's a six-second motivator for you: Find out what is stopping you from achieving your goals and think about ways around it ("I can't lose weight because I can't exercise. I can't exercise because my feet hurt when I do. My feet hurt because I don't have proper shoes. I know, I'll buy proper shoes!"), and be detailed as to why you want to achieve the goal (you might not care about losing weight until you realize your 20 year high school reunion is coming up. The reunion is a specific reason that's good enough to make you want to lose weight). That's it.

[...] If the book was substantive it wouldn't matter, but the style only adds to the book's annoyance.

I hate authors who capitalize on the knowledge you already have in order to make a few dollars. It works because it resonates with something inside you. The "something" is the knowledge you already possess. Don't fall for it!