What's Holding You Back?: 30 Days to Having the Courage and Confidence to Do What You Want, Meet Whom You Want, and Go Where You Want [Paperback]

Sam Horn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 10, 2000

You never again need feel powerless in the face of uncertainty, awkward with strangers, or helpless in new situations. With What's Holding You Back?, Sam Horn shows you the way to a solid sense of self-assurance that doesn't depend on where you are or who you're with. This is a practical, user-friendly program that is filled with techniques you can begin using immediately. In With What's Holding You Back? you will learn how to:

-Walk into a room full of strangers and turn them into friends.
- Be a self-coach rather than your own worst critic, able to turn mistakes into lessons instead of failures.
- Converse with comfort and never again worry about what to say.
- Go places alone and have fun instead of being intimidated.
- Spring free from the comparison trap.

With Sam Horn's down-to-earth advice, amusing anecdotes, and no-nonsense wisdom, this valuable guide will benefit anyone-- regardless of background or circumstance-- who wants to move through life with ever-present grace, serenity, and strength.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fountain of wisdom. Page after page of good, solid advice." --Rabbi Harold Kushner, Author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People

"Practical, powerful, simple yet scientific strategies to correct common mistakes that create tension, turmoil, and unhappiness. Sam Horn has written an amazingly clear and concise self-help book to turn almost any personal problem into an opportunity for growth and success. Gor for it!" --Harold Bloomfield, M.D., author of Making Peace with Yourself and The Power of 5

"What's Holding you Back? is filled with witty quotations, which are themselves worth the price of the book. But there's more: step-by-step practical advice, like that of a wise and supportive friend, reminding us all of who we are and what we're capable of. Sam Horn's is an uplifting voice in the world," --Dan Millman, author of Way of the Peaceful Warrior

"I wish I'd received What's Holding You Back? during my early ears. I recommend every parent give it to their child. It teaches more than how to be confident; it teaches how to be the kind of person you want to be--regardless of what others think and say." --Wally Amos, author of Watermelon Magic: Seeds of Wisdom, Slices of Life

"A surefire confidence builder. This book is filled to overflowing with practical, innovative suggestions, supported by compelling stories, and numerous quotations. Sam horn has written with warmth and good humor...and confidence! I highly recommend this beautiful book to anyone who wants a stronger backbone." --Susan Page, author of If I'm so Wonderful Why Am I Still Single? and How One of You Can Bring the Two of You Together

"A must-read for anyone who would like to be more polished, poised, powerful at work, at home, in social settings, at school, and in sports." --Jack Canfield, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul

From the Publisher

"I wish I'd received What's Holding You Back? during my early years. I recommend every parent give it to their child. It teaches more than how to be confident; it teahces how to be the kind of person you want to be - regardless of what others think and say." -WALLY AMOS, author of Watermelon Magic: Seeds of Wisdom, Slices of Life

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (March 10, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312254407
• ISBN-13: 978-0312254407
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 0.9 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #46,645 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sam Horn is an award winning author, marketing strategist and keynote speaker with a 20-year track record of results with an international clientele including Intel, YPO, Fortune 500 Forum, KPMG, Cisco and NASA.

Author of 6 books from major publishers, including; The Eyebrow Test, POP!, and Tongue Fu! which have been translated into 17 languages and featured in New York Times, Investors Business Daily, Boston Globe, Publishers Weekly, Washington Post and Readers Digest.

Top-rated speaker (along with Jim Collins, Tom Peters, Tim Ferris) at the INC Magazine 500/5000 conference, two-time top-ranked speaker at The International Platform Association, and keynoter for ASAE, American Bankers Association and AMEX-SCORE Small Business Summit.

Marketing and Brand Strategist to more than a half million people world-wide and for such organizations as Boeing, HP, Amgen, Lockheed Martin, the U.S. Navy, Capital One, Genetech, eBay, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Embassy in London.

Pitch/Presentation Coach for Springboard Enterprises (which has helped women entrepreneurs receive $5.5 billion in venture capital) and for USA Today's Perfect Pitch and British Airways Face2Face competition in NYC and London.

Frequent media resource who has been featured on MSNBC, NPR, BusinessWeek.com, FastCompany.com and on every major TV network including NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox affiliates.

Sam is often referred to as the "Intrigue Expert" and is widely regarded as one of the best in the business at creating intriguing verbal and written communication for businesses and entrepreneurs.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 80 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars I bought the wrong book February 4, 2010

By Ann Tweardy

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was looking for a book on self confidence in dealing with people at work. While there are some useful suggestions, some of which I have already tried successfully, the purpose of this book is too broad for my use.

Many of the business networking tips are old news, and honestly are so recognizable in my management and sales team that I see them as manipulative, learned, and rehearsed, instead of as authentic comfortable, anxiety free communication. I can reproduce them in my own life, and have, but I was hoping to acheive more lasting internal confidence.

Also, a lot of the tips are geared to producing more social activity and gaining more friends. I am not interested in this particular goal, but if you are, sucessful and inspiring examples abound, and I truly believe they will work for you.

There are two more cons in my opinion.

As Sam seems to be a very outgoing person, when she applies the golden rule, she seems to think her assertive friendliness and corny humor will be well recieved. I am sometimes turned off by people who act as she suggests, and for whom she gives examples. I wouldn't like me if I acted that way. She needs to leave wiggle room for different persoanlities and tastes.

Also there are a lot of false assumptions, both about the nature of people, namely introverts, and also about the outcomes of situations based on using her techniques. In one case she gives an example of a woman who didn't do the thing according to the book, and failed. The speculation that she might have suceeded if only she had done it the author's way, almost sounds like a passive threat....."do it my way or else." Ok ...its not that bad, but we have no way of knowing what would have happened. I prefer factual accounts to her speculation.

For myself, I used the book to prioritize my own social and business communication goals. There is one section on quiet confidence that I found truly inspiring and have made my immediate goal. I am grateful to have found that and will continue to nurture that quality within myself.

My conclusion that it is a good book if you are a shy person, who longs to be an extrovert. If you are impressed with Sam and the success stories she recounts, you can be the most popular person on the block in no time. It is also very thorough list of the psychological aspects of communication, which are an important part of any well rounded education.

Thanks for listening.

42 of 45 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended! One of my all-time favorites! August 18, 2006

By Robin Polangin

Format:Paperback

Sam Horn's intelligent books always stand in a class of their own, with relevant and realistic ideas that can be implemented immediately. This memorable and practical book is a gold mine of inspiration and ideas, and frankly... is a ton of fun to read!

As a professional career coach, I have read hundreds of books in this genre - "What's Holding You Back?" is one of my all-time favorites! For two years, I have been giving this book to my clients as a gift, and have consistently received rave reviews and heartfelt appreciation in response. I truly believe it's an invaluable resource for helping individuals increase their confidence and clarity. I just recently pulled it off my shelf and re-read it for myself, and was once again reminded of its powerful impact.

Chapter 4, "Conversing with Comfort" is simply brilliant! The tips provided on these pages will have even the most introverted individual communicating and "networking" with ease. If you're already an avid `networker' or sales guru - this book will feel like a dear friend, reconnecting you to what you may know, yet often forget. It will no doubt inspire you to "try on" some new ways of connecting to others in a more meaningful way.

I offer my sincere kudos to Horn for this magnificent work, and offer a sincere "must read!" recommendation to potential buyers.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly practical and just the boost I needed July 29, 2005

By Monica L. Wofford

Format:Paperback

This book validated much of what I know and teach others, but sometimes forget to do. It was exactly the boost I needed to get out of a rut and move on to succeed in more areas of my life. Sam has a way of conversing with you when she writes that absolutely draws the reader in as if she were talking right there with you. I found "What's Holding You Back?" to be the key I needed to unlock what was holidng me back. If you struggle with internal dialogue, comparisons, and a tendency to allow fear to keep you from enjoying life, pick up this book immediately! You will be glad you did!