Customer Reviews

Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People

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I hate writing this review because I really like this guy. I've read his other books and he has achieved so much in life. I bought this because of that and it isnt a bad book by any means. I just found in reading it that once you get one of the powerful phrases what more can you fill all those pages with. It's the golden rule redone. I just felt like the ten things, which no one will argue with, could have all been said and done in a nice little booklet instead of a whole book. Found it true but weak.

Rich DeVos has been a personal mentor of mine for many years without him ever knowing it. I have read all his books and even seen him speak.

Rich's new book (and I encourage you to read his prior releases as well) is like a pocket mentor. A short book filled with the most powerful words that can uplift, motivate and empower you to make others feel so good!

With much negativity out there today, the postive feeling one comes away with after reading Rich's book is overwhelming.

These will be my stocking stuffer for many Christmases to come.

This book reminded me of what I knew but forgot to apply in every day life. I respect the author because what he has been doing through his life. Rare role model of my life since his act and talk go together with his life. Before I forgot ,I have to read again and again to refresh my memory.

A very quick read, fantastically written and very practical.
A must read for anyone in a leadership role or following someone else, has a family or is all alone, wants to make other people feel special and wants to feel special themselves.

The book I read this week was Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People by Rich DeVos. Interesting book, written by the cofounder of Amway and Chairman for Orlando Magic. DeVos has ten simple chapters named by the phrase and then in each chapter he writes about the usage and importance. Although I think DeVos does a great job using examples from his own life, I think it may be slightly boring if I repeat these stories, especially if you intend to pick up this book. Instead, I will give you the phrases and I will give my explanation of importance. Let's get to it!

"I'm wrong"- It's important as a leader to be able to confess when you have done something wrong. If you don't know how to admit when you are wrong you come off as arrogant, and as a result, your team trusts and respects you less. If you admit when you are wrong, you come off as human, and have a great potential to build rapport.

"I'm sorry"- Again, no one is infallible. Once you admit you are wrong, it's alright to tell someone you are sorry. This is usually best served if, in the moment of your arrogance, you argued with somebody. If the two phrases are used effectively, they can stop a storm of a fight and hurt feelings. If you treated someone unfairly or did something "wrong" then it's okay to apologize. I promise you won't come off appearing weak.

"You can do it" and "I believe in you"- Encouragement... everyone wants it. It's a large reason that many people work as hard as they do. Someone encouraged them and they felt so excited that someone cared. It feels really good to have the support of those around you when you are going to pursue a difficult task. Many times when I lose faith in myself to do something BIG, my friends and family are there to give me a few words of encouragement and I gain the momentum to get whatever task done.

"I'm proud of you"- After somebody has done something BIG it's nice to give them this phrase. It's another reason people do great things. It starts when we are little, we get all A's and our parents say "I'm proud of you" and give you a big hug. Attention is very important and everyone craves it. After that child was given that attention they crave that feeling again so they shoot for all A's again. As a leader, it's important to manage people's behaviors by acknowledging that they did something great. If you do it right, the behavior will become a routine and you will have effectively led that person to greatness.

"Thank you"- I think this is a phrase that isn't said as much as it was in past generations. Telling someone thank you is a wonderful way to build that person up, create a stronger relationship, and differentiate yourself from every other person out there. My grandma has stressed the importance of writing thank yous to people. I have been better and better about writing them and now I have the top drawer of my desk filled with thank you cards, envelopes, and stamps. Writing a thank you card is one of my favorite ways to show appreciation, however, the words can be said at anytime, not just in a card. I have made it a habit to always thank people in the service industry. Your waitress, cashier, office staff... thank them all!

"I need you"- If you need something, ask for it. In my post on Never Eat Alone, I write about the importance of asking people for favors. If you tell someone you need them for something, it brings them closer to you and builds up that relationship. Depending on the task you needed help with it might be a good idea to send them a thank you card too.

"I trust you" and "I respect you"- Some people may have the impression that you trust or respect them by the responsibilities you give them. However, they don't know for sure unless you tell them. So, just say the words, it will make them feel great, and probably even make them smile!

"I love you"- Everyone has had these three little words said to them, even if by your parents. They amaze me so much. When someone says them to you, they have so much power. Every family should be built on love, and people close to you may feel that you love them, but they don't know until you say it. Don't hold back, say it...

"I am happy for you"- This one wasn't in the book, but I feel it is especially powerful. My grandpa introduced this one to me when I was young. I can't remember who he said it to or when it was, but it stuck with me. I remember I said it to someone on the phone one day when I was with him within the last couple years. He told me after I hung up the phone how powerful those words were... little did he know, I got it from him!

So there you go... You are armed with a very powerful arsenal of phrases. I want to take this moment to explain the importance of tone. A widely repeated statistic on communication indicates that communication is 7% words, 38% body language, and 55% tone. Woah! 55%! If you are going through the checkout lane in your local grocery store and the cashier is disengaged, looking down the whole time, and monotonically says "how are you today?"... you don't even feel obligated to respond... it's because they are not communicating! Use your body language and your tone of voice to appropriately communicate your message. Make the recipient of your message feel engaged and obligated to respond to you! Communication is the most important skill to master in the business world. After you can effectively communicate, it's all downhill towards wealth and happiness.

This book was good, but I spelled out a lot of the transferable information on this post. If you are interested in DeVos' life, which is pretty fascinating, I recommend you give this book a shot. If you have any questions on the book don't hesitate to ask. I would be more than happy to help anyone that wants it.

Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People is a simple but powerful book. The ten phrases aren't life shattering, but they are things we often forget to say. It will enrich your life.

Rich DeVos is an inspiration to all of us. This latest book reaffirms truths that need to be remembered.

I've read so much about the Rich DeVos and also his earlier books and I truly admire him for his principles and his achievements. I also like him for his humility and lack of flamboyance.

I'd like to think that the Orlando Magic derive their inpiration from him. I also hope the Magic win the NBA championship this year if only to prove that a non-star studded team can win a champrionship purely on inspiration and grit & determination.

Written by the co-founder of Amway, a positive-thinking guy, this 5" x 7" self-help book is the perfect size to carry along with you. It can be read in snatches as each of the ten phrases has its own chapter. The author practices being a "life enricher." From a Christian businessman's perspective, this book gives the reader a handle on the art of positive thinking. Use it as a resource tool. It's a favorite of mine.

This is a powerful book! Powerful in it's simplicity, and in the personal nature of it's author, Rich DeVos. There's not anything new in the power phrases in this book, rather it's the daily use of these phrases, and how one of the richest and most respected men in America uses them to empower others. It deserves to be read daily.