Life Strategies: Doing What Works, Doing What Matters (Paperback)

by Ph.d., Phillip C. Mcgraw (Author) "Now I know we're unlikely to read about your problems and challenges in the New York Times, or see you tonight on CNN-at least I..." (more)
Key Phrases: life dimension, life manager, perceptual defense, Admit Deny, People Do What Works, Michael Jordan (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Author and reader Phillip McGraw is at the forefront of a group of self-help gurus rethinking Americans' decade-plus-long celebration of victimhood. Calling himself a realist, he outlines 10 ways to take responsibility for and change your life. His reading mirrors the style of the weekend motivational seminars he conducts, designed to spark the listener into action. The lively pace crackles with such gems as, "My dad had taught me there are times in life where you just don't want to miss a good chance to shut up." While tape 1's side A bogs down during an account of Oprah Winfrey's beef-industry battles, side B dives quickly into the meat of the audiobook, featuring anecdotes from McGraw's own life and the 10 "Life Laws"--the rules by which McGraw believes the world plays. (Running time: 5 hours, 4 cassettes) --Kimberly Heinrichs --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly
After advising Oprah Winfrey in her successful defense against accusations of slander by the beef industry, McGraw, a behavior specialist and trial expert, now makes appearances on Oprah's program as a member of her "Change Your Life TV Team," joining such other luminaries of self-help as Suze Orman, John Gray and Iyanla Vanzant. While McGraw's presentation may play well on the small screen, it suffers on the page from lack of focus, awkward writing and a relentlessly hectoring tone. At the outset, McGraw browbeats his readers: "You are either winning or losing in your life, plain and simple. You live in a competitive world." His strategy for winning is built around 10 "Life Laws," which include the following: "You Either Get It or You Don't"; "You Can't Change What You Don't Acknowledge"; and "There Is No Reality; Only Perception." He also gives 16 homework assignments: the first, to list the five things in your life you have failed to acknowledge to yourself; the second, to write "The Story I'll Tell Myself If I Don't Create Meaningful and Lasting Change After Reading and Studying This Book." McGraw does a good job of identifying many self-defeating behaviors, but it will be up to readers to determine for themselves the efficacy of his methods of changing them. 500,000 first printing; major ad/promo.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion; First Edition edition (January 19, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786884592
• ISBN-13: 978-0786884599
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (297 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #221,960 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

68 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, aside from Dr. McGraw's tough style, November 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Life Strategies: Doing What Works, Doing What Matters (Hardcover)

This book is great; I recommended it to all the friends whom I thought needed it. I agree fully with all the life laws, they are the basics of human improvement. I do, however, think that Dr. McGraw's style is a little too intimidating and I did lend the book to someone who got either depressed or frightened on numerous occasions throughout the book. If you are strong and willing to change your life to a more effective, more productive one, read this book.

43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It can be that simple, November 13, 2000

By	C. Walsh (Clearwater, FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Life Strategies: Doing What Works, Doing What Matters (Hardcover)

I found that this book was very helpful to me, primarily because I don't have any one big problem, just a desire to improve an average life. And it has indeed helped, in a very short time. I agree that if you have a significant psychological issue, reading the book and following the "Life Laws" to fix it may be insurmountable. One-on-one counseling on how to use the life laws would probably be necessary. However, if you want to tweek your life a little like you would the settings on your computer...the book is worth its weight in gold (to me anyway!). I always felt that I wasn't really "happy" even though I didn't have anything making me particularly "unhappy". Dr. McGraw has helped me realize that I never pin-pointed what I needed to do to give myself the feelings that signal happiness to me. And as Life Law #10 proclaims "you have to name it to claim it". All of the "Life Laws" are really basic common sense, but all of us need to be reminded every now and then.

114 of 123 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars YOU ARE IN CONTROL OF YOUR DESTINY, June 4, 2000

By	Steven K. Szmutko (EWING, NJ USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Life Strategies: Doing What Works, Doing What Matters (Hardcover)

Each of us has the power to make those decisions which ultimately determine the course of our precious lives.

"Life Strategies" is one of those rare finds, a self-help book that does not wallow in big words or esoteric concepts. Mr. McGraw outlines his steps for success in life in simple, direct, yet engagingly written chapters. The organization of the book is excellent throughout and reflects an author who has had extensive experience in dealing with people from all walks of life. He deals with concepts such as self-reliance, individual responsibility and similar notions often downplayed (or ignored outright) by other authors seeking to play into the culture of victimization. You will find none of that in Mr. McGraw's book; his main theme is that we are responsible for our own lives and we do not have to allow ourselves to be knocked about like a punching bag on a windy day.

Once you pick up the book, it is difficult to put down; you will find yourself nodding your head at what you have always known in your heart, but do not always acknowledge in your daily life. This book is well worth the time.