Customer Reviews

Be Yourself, Everyone Else is Already Taken: Transform Your Life With the Power of Authenticity

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I hated this book...at first. As I now fight to get out of my own way and fully embrace and take on what Robbins is saying, I'm lamenting how right he is and how much I need this book. And so do you. I can't say I love this book. Not yet, anyways. I barely even like it. But I need it. And so do most people. I think it takes courage to follow his advice. I think it's hard to be one's authentic self in this day and age. How many of us go through life trying to be something we're not? Trying to say and do all the right things, to not mess up, be perfect. Not offend. But that is not what leads to growth. That is not the path to fulfillment.

The most ironic part of his book for me was the realization that we all go through life wanting everyone else to be honest, real, authentic with us - yet, how many of us are able or willing to do the same in return? Basically, we all want (and expect) from others what we ourselves struggle to deliver.

This book does a solid job of making the case for what it costs you to not be authentic. It does an even better job of teaching you how to get to get clear on who you are, what you want, and how to achieve this - all the while being respectful of others. I think many of us get caught in the trap of being less of ourselves so as to not offend or make others uncomfortable. I'm realizing as I read his book than anything less than authenticity is the most offensive way of being and that if we really care about and love others, we must first and foremost love ourselves enough to be ourselves, not some feeble facsimile of what we think others want us to be.


Here's my concern - everyone should read this book and follow Mike's teachings. But who among us has the enough humility and self-awareness to acknowledge how full of it we are? I just don't think many people are saying to themselves, gosh, if only I was more authentic...

So even if you think you don't need this book, buy ten copies and give it to everyone in your life who does. At least they'll be happy and more fulfilled, even if you're not ready to do the same.

I didn't want to read this book. I didn't want to like it. But I did and I do and hope you do too.

I am in awe of this book. Absolute awe! Strong words for sure and words I haven't used before in any of my 80+ reviews, here on Amazon, of the best of the best books I have read in the last fifteen months.

I thoroughly enjoyed author Mike Robbins' first book, on the subject of "appreciation." As I wrote in my review for that book, good topic, fine book and an impressive debut for an author of any age, and especially impressive debut for a young author.

For his second book, Mike Robbins selected a much tougher, but even more important topic. In a world where -- every day -- we read about the escapades of two-faced business executives, politicians, and sports "stars," a serious book on the subject of "authenticity" is timely and important to each of us, as well as to our society. But, what a tough subject about which to write. Compared to many other personal development areas, books or even articles on this subject are much rarer. Making it even tougher, claiming to be an expert on authenticity seemingly would invite a hailstorm of personal challenges as to "how real are you Mike Robbins?"

Mike Robbins' approach is NOT to claim to be the world expert on authenticity, or the world's role model for authenticity. Instead, Robbins has written a heart-warming story of one man's search to understand and constructively use the power of authenticity. There is no preaching at the reader, instead the style is more like a fireside chat with a very close friend...much like the Cheryl Richardson style of writing I so enjoy.

Initially, this book was not an easy read for me. The subject of authenticity does not lend itself to easy homilies. My first read through was interesting and worthwhile...but certainly not life changing. But, then the magic started to happen. Suddenly, I was seeing authenticity issues in my everyday live...with my consulting clients, with friends, and even with my own actions. That sent me back to the book to read it more carefully, and to intellectually challenge Robbins' hypothesis as to the five principles that he believes most impact authenticity. Then, I challenged the eight stars in a coaching group in which I participate to a mini-debate about the power of authenticity and its impact on everyday inner peace. Suddenly, the wisdom of Robbins had unlocked an exciting new world for me.

As a voracious reader, I am often reading thoughtful books on business and personal development issues. The best add to my knowledge, and do so in an enjoyable manner. A rare few stretch my thinking to delightful and useful new dimensions of life. This book has done that, and much more. I have already seen impressive results from the wisdom of this book, and I have just scratched the surface of understanding the ways that true authenticity can improve one's life.

This is the kind of subject you would expect the likes of Wayne Dyer, Eckhart Tolle, etc. to be serving up for us, not a relatively young second time author. Mike Robbins, I am in awe of what you have accomplished with this book and of what I expect will be the impact of this book.

One final note: Looking to just burnish your image? Be forewarned that this book should not be confused with a marketing or PR primer. This is a Debbie Ford, hold up the mirror to the reader style book...done with beautiful compassion and genuine humility by this author. This is a wonderful primer for a better life, not a quick-fix image makeover tutorial.

Mike's authentic voice in this book makes it very believable. As a "self-help" book reader, I have read literally hundreds of them over the years, some have been good, some great, most okay. A lot of self-help books can come across as preachy and pollyanna and too new-agey for me, this book is FAR from that.
I appreciate Mike's real and vulnerable and sometimes raw examples from his own life...it's who he is, how he lives his life, and he provides real insight and tools for doing more of that in my life as well.

I think that now, more than ever, authenticity as a real-world practice can be a bridge to a better world for us all. I'm grateful that an author as accomplished yet humble as Mike Robbins has delivered such a powerful and life-changing message. I encourage everyone I know and work with to read and use the important learning in this book. Full disclosure: I admire Mike as an author, a man, and a dear friend.

Mike Robbins' book "Be Yourself, Everyone Else is Already Taken" will guide you in the process of something that is crucial. Real success blossoms when you get it right inside yourself. Mike calls this the *power of authenticity.* You owe it to everyone you care about to empower yourself from the inside. You'll have more patience, strength, courage, and loving energy. Success is attracted to the truly authentic person. Mike's section on "Transform Your Fear" is essential to anyone who wants more and better in life. Get this book. It will strengthen you.

Mike Robbins wonderful new book, BE YOURSELF, EVERYONE ELSE IS ALREADY TAKEN, is a brilliant, insightful guidebook on the path to freedom . . . freedom from the fear of being unacceptable and unworthy . . . freedom from the fear of not being "enough." Inside you - right now - a voice is crying out to be liberated from that prison of fear. Your heart longs to be free from pretense, deception, and insecurity. Your deepest, most "authentic" being, is crying out for honesty, acceptance, and unconditional love. Nurture that yearning and give that voice a song by reading and digesting this delicious, empowering book! I highly recommend it!

Mike Robbins: Thank you for writing such an honest, dare I say "authentic" book!

It is so true, we have been trained since birth to "calm down", "be quiet", and "fit in", whether this was coming from school, family, religious organizations, the media, or all of the above. We start saying these things to our children as soon as they are born, and it is reinforced literally everywhere. What if we said, instead, to ourselves and our children, "MORE! MORE EMOTION! MORE OPINIONS!!" ??

It's no wonder then, why we all struggle with sharing who we really are with the world. There are very few examples of people living authentically and we all have so little practice at it.

But we want it. I want it.

Thank you for reminding me that I'm my own worst critic. I enjoyed going through the exercises, especially, "Why do I want to grow and improve myself" Am I motivated by authentic reasons? What's driving me?

I am inspired to be more of myself and to let go of my perceptions of others' perceptions of me. I really see how this is limiting me.

When I read this book I enjoyed because Mike Robbins did not come off as the "guru." I really felt I was learning from someone who I was able to identify with. Obviously the author did a great job of communicating his authenticity so the message was very congruent! If you are into self-help this one is worth a spot on your shelf.

I have read a few self-help type books, and they are often unrealistic. This book was realistic, fun, and an easy read. The goals were practical - therefore, I got a lot out of it. I highly recommend reading this book.

I have had the pleasure of reading Mike Robbins' first book, "Focus on the Good Stuff"...which was powerful in its own right (read this absolutely amazing article on how a young man's life was changed forever as a result of reading it: http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=52790618686&h=o1Pfr&u=6ZXye ).
Mike's "voice" as a writer has matured and deepened. It was great to read and to see such vulnerability and humility expressed in a "self-help" book. I have recommended "Be Yourself" to my business associates and colleagues as a great gift to give to their entire staff. Businesses, non-profits, and families alike could benefit greatly from a large dose of authenticity, and this book brings it!
Check it out. Your life could be changed too.

This book is really easy to read and thought provoking at the same time. It really made me think about how I showing up in my life and how I wanted things. It gave me to the tools to get from where I was to where I am- more myself, freer in my life and having more fun. I encourage everyone to read this book...