62 of 66 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Non-traditional, highly effective guide to success, November 15, 2006
This review is from: You Can Have What You Want: Proven Strategies for Inner and Outer Success (Paperback)
I first read this book in the UK edition and it changed my life. I'm a hyper-rational, Harvard MBA who's built a life around planning, thought, and careful analysis. While it worked great for managing projects, my approach just hadn't produced a life I was enjoying.
Michael balances psychology, spirit, and pragmatics. I usually avoid this kind of book as being unbearably fluffy, but Michael has a knack of taking a deeply pragmatic approach that makes his points quite tangible.
The book covers a huge amount of territory, from attitudes and mindset to tactics, learning, and relationships. Some of his advice is fairly standard, but some is new, and all is presented in a conversational way that makes it possible for me to "get it" in a way I haven't, before.
Pre-book, I was an executive coach, consultant, and ex-entrepreneur, doing all the "right things" to make my business fly. Great credentials, lots of experience, yada yada yada. But was I looking forward to my life each day? Nope. Not really.
Much of what Michael says made me realize I've never questioned my own rules for living; he's great at challenging underlying beliefs. When he discusses self-esteem, for example, he points out that there's no reason to believe your opinion of yourself is even accurate. So why sweat it? (You may be right, you may be wrong, but it doesn't matter. Believe in yourself for no good reason, and you'll still have a happier life.)
Goals? They should be immutable and a tool for utter focus, right? Sure, says Michael. And feel free to change them the moment they're no longer bringing you joy. Heresy to an uber-goal-directed-person like me. Planning, the raison d'etre for MBAs? Sure, think about the future, but don't overdo it. Have faith in following your heart, be willing to take action & work for what you want, and the Great Life will follow.
I didn't believe it. But the hyper-rational approach wasn't getting me there, so the only rational thing was to give faith a try. I began shifting from doing what's "right," "responsible," and "sensible" to doing what's fun and joyful. In the next two months, I closed more business than in the prior year.
Michael's approach helped me dig into my definition of success, and begin to reorient my life around what makes me happy, rather than just what brings me money.
Post-book, I'm making major shifts that are taking me in completely unexpected directions that are all fun, enjoyable, and exciting. Michael's book is great. Give it a read.
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19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's within your reach now!, November 15, 2006
This review is from: You Can Have What You Want: Proven Strategies for Inner and Outer Success (Paperback)
I was lucky enough to buy this book a few months ago in England. WOW!
Michael Neill writes in a very friendly, humorous style that I enjoyed so much that I bought copies for my closest friends.
On my first time of reading 'You Can Have What You Want' I missed out the simple experiments Michael offers (in his own words you can try them or not, it's your choice) because I was enjoying the read. On the second time of reading (and 3rd, 4th..etc.)I did try the simple experiments and found them to be, well, easy, and very powerful. As Michael says, "It doesn't have to be no pain no gain. Rather, No pain NO PAIN!
My life has changed for the better since reading this book and the best part about it for me is that it has been bloody easy:)
Whether you buy this book now or in a few days time is your decision. The sooner you do get your hands on it, the sooner you can have what you want.
Be Well and Enjoy!
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13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
No-Brainer, A Great Book!, November 8, 2006
This review is from: You Can Have What You Want: Proven Strategies for Inner and Outer Success (Paperback)
Michael Neill has written what is destined to become a classic in the area of "self-help" literature. We all struggle with how to have what we want while doing whatever it is we're meant to do with our lives. You Can Have What You Want sets up a paradigm that is like magnetic north in helping you navigate your dreams and also has a whole series of sign posts which Michael calls the "Obstacle Course to Success" to help you get where you want to be. An easy read, you feel like you're having a conversation with Michael rather than reading a book. In addition, it's peppered with practical exercises that you can try out in your life immediately.
It's fun, funny and chock-full of great ideas and wisdom. A solid 5-stars!
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