The On-Purpose Person: Making Your Life Make Sense : A Modern Parable (Hardcover)

by Kevin W. McCarthy (Author) "Once there was a very successful person..." (more)
Key Phrases: important wants, person program, On-Purpose Person, Ideal On-Purpose Day, Purpose Statement (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
A richer tomorrow awaits in this easily applied and entertaining guide to making life make sense. -- Gordon M. Quarnstrom, Evergreen Park Courier, October 16, 1997

Product Description
IS YOUR LIFE FILLED, YET UNFULFILLED? Do you feel pulled in a thousand different directions? Are your days and weeks so busy you hardly have time to think? Does your schedule seem totally out of control? Have you been trying to live up to everyone else's expectations while your own plans and dreams go unfulfilled? Then let The On-Purpose Person show you how to discover-and accomplish-what's most important to you!

Tap into your highest potential with The On-Purpose Person! Nothing adds more fullness and meaning to life than discovering your purpose and living it out seven days a week!

With The On-Purpose Person, you'll be on your way to discovering your life's purpose within half an hour of picking up the book! Presented in an entertaining story format, its principles are clear and easy to apply. You'll find yourself translating them into practice immediately-whether you're still in your teens or are well into retirement.

"The simplicity and directness of this book really hit those of us who are striving for balance in our lives. Living the balanced "on-purpose" life requires the kind of structure and encouragement that are provided here."-Steve S. Reinemund, president and CEO, Pizza Hut

"The secret of success is: Do more of what you're good at and less of what you're not good at. That's what The On-Purpose Person is all about."-Stanley C. Olsen, cofounder, Digital Equipment Corp., developer, Black Diamond Ranch

"What a refreshing book! The On-Purpose Person should take its rightful place in every thinking person's bookcase."-Michael Gerber, CEO, The Michael Thomas Corporation, and author of The E Myth

"The On-Purpose Person is the book to read before you read What Color Is Your Parachute?"-John W. Rosenblum, dean, The Darden School

"The best tool I've seen for turning good intention into positive actions. Highly recommended for anybody, but especially for those who need a way to organize unstructured time-like clergy!"-Bishop William C. Frey, dean, Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry

"In my psychiatry practice, I see many patients struggling to find themselves. I help them focus on their assets and get moving-much like The On-Purpose Person does. The only difference is that I use psychiatric jargon, attach labels, and charge fees. What Kevin is doing, if it were to become well-known, would put me and other psychiatrists like me out of business."-Walter J. Muller, III, M.D., The Group for Psychiatry, Psychology, and Social Services

"Many books assert that one must have a goal to be happy and successful. The On-Purpose Person is the first one to show me how to determine what my goals should be."-Thomas P. Page, attorney at law, Mateer, Harbert & Bates, P.A.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Pinon Press; 1ST edition (August 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0891097058
• ISBN-13: 978-0891097051
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #177,019 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The On-Purpose Person, December 10, 1999

By	Kirk W. Squires (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews

Recently I was reminded that most men lead lives of quiet desperation. I had forgotten that I was one of those men back in 1992. Like most, I have been on a hero's journey to discover the treasure of a life of meaning and purpose. Far too often I have chosen the futile pathes that masquerade as meaning and significance for my life. I have read every self-help book under the sun and listened to every personal development tape series in existence. Nothing has had greater impact in my life than The On-Purpose Person. First, it is a parable that is elegant in its simplicity. It can be read in about 2 hours. It avoids the cook-book how-to approach that accompanies the multitude of inspirational literature. Second, it is a truly interactive book. The author engages the reader with compelling questions along the storyline. I found this quite refreshing. It's like having the mentor you've always wanted. We all want someone in our lives to not let us get away without being who we really are.

The greatest value I perpetually gain from the book is the growing sense of profound identity that we all seek. Only by discovering my reason for being here, or, my purpose, did I harness my profound identity. I thank God for this, for I have lived almost 1/2 of my life without clarity about my profound self. I had too much practice affirming my mediocre self to notice.

I gained distinction in my life between purpose, vision, mission, and values. The author masterfully illustrates the distinctions and linkages between them. I learned that my life was truly off-purpose resulting in feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, fear, and meaninglessness. After reading the book, I have become anchored in my true purpose which gives me substantial feelings of hope, boldness, clarity, and peace.

The only complaint I have about the book is that I wish it had been written 20 years ago. Had I received the special message in the book then, I would have made wiser choices educationally and professionally. I'm glad to say that all is redeemed when you're on-purpose. A must-read for anyone in transition and people who need to revitalize their lives.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Getting On-Purpose, May 20, 2001

By	Timothy J. Sharer (Wayne, NE USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book was given to me by a friend eight years ago in response to a plea for some assistance in organizing and managing a very busy life. What I was looking for was a book on time management. What I received was a book on life management. This book almost singlehandedly enabled me to organized my life in several key areas: family, church, job, and being a full-time graduate student trying to finish a Ph.D. One might be skeptical of a book you can read in over an hour having that profound an effect, but do not dismiss the ideas and claims of Mr. McCarthy: they work. This book reads like a story and is most engaging. No two people will ever interpret or use the book in the same way. I have given this book to people as a gift, knowing that it will meet needs in their life, if not immediately, at some point in the future. When so many sources are claiming to "change your life", this one not only makes claims, it fulfills them. It is a must read for any person needing to prioritize their life and to find simplicity in becoming an "On-Purpose Person."

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for anyone looking to gain more out of life!, April 12, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Palm Springs, CA) - See all my reviews

One of the best books I've ever read. Create and discover your "purpose" in life with the help of Kevin McCarthy. Then, learn what you need to know to stay on the right path to that purpose. Read it for yourself then give it as a gift to someone important in your life!