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The Art of Taking Action: Lessons from Japanese Psychology by [Gregg Krech]

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Gregg Krech

The Art of Taking Action: Lessons from Japanese Psychology Kindle Edition

by Gregg Krech (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

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Drawing on Eastern philosophy, Buddhism, Japanese Psychology, Zen, the Samurai, and Martial Arts, Gregg Krech offers an approach to ACTION that guides you to doing what is important for you to do in the time you have available. Most of us associate Eastern wisdom with meditation and contemplation. Krech offers a complimentary collection of wisdom on the Art of Taking Action that will help you take action even when you don’t feel like it. This isn’t just another “how to get things done” book. It’s about how you do what you do, and the impact that your action (and inaction) has on the world.

Students of Zen, Yoga, Taoism, meditation, mindfulness and Japanese culture, will resonate with ideas and practical strategies such as: Overcome by Going Around, Non-attachment – Effort and Outcomes, The Rhythm of Activity, The Stress of Not Getting Things Done, Procrastination Disguised as Busyness, Working with the Conditions We Encounter, Impermanence and Legos, and more.

Krech brings more than 25 years of experience teaching and studying Japanese psychology to create a unique collection wisdom on “Taking Action” that is both practical and profound. If you are ready for some “movement” in your life, this book is just what you need.

Print length

238 pages
Language

English
Publication date

November 16, 2014
Reading age

18 years
File size

1186 KB
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Editorial Reviews

Review

The Art of Taking Action is the best book on developing habit/building character that I have ever read. The book's insight is superb, with numerous examples of road blocks that people face when they try to make changes. An excellent book -- introducing Eastern Psychology to the West in a very practical way.

--Ying Studebaker, former Director of Wellness and Health Coaching, Ohio State Univ. Health Plan.

The Art of Taking Action is a practical and inspiring book on cultivating an active, purposeful life. In the world of daily responsibilities to family, work and community, it's a useful and guide to moving forward actively and gratefully and brings balance to contemplative practice.

--Rev. William Masuda, Shin Buddhist Minister

In The Art of Taking Action, Gregg Krech has created a set of cables for jump starting projects of any size. And once the project is on the road, Krech uses wit and timeless spiritual wisdom to provide a map for the entire journey.

--Victoria Register-Freeman, author, Love Stories from the Bible

In "The Art of Taking Action," Gregg Krech has not just pointed out the importance of action to our lives, but formulated a system for deciding what truly "should be done" and then overcoming the obstacles that get in the way of following through. Happily, Krech not only has a grasp on what it takes to get going and keep going, he also has a gift for making Japanese wisdom both accessible and interesting to read.

--Morris Sekiyo Sullivan, Sensei, Volusia Buddhist Fellowship

About the Author

Gregg Krech is one of the leading authorities on Japanese Psychology in North America and is the founding Director of the ToDo Institute, an educational center for purposeful living in Vermont. He is the author of the award-winning book: Naikan: Gratitude, Grace & the Japanese Art of Self-Reflection (Stone Bridge Press, 2002), which has been translated into five languages, and the editor of Thirty Thousand Days: A Journal for Purposeful Living. His work has been featured in a wide range of publications including a feature interview in THE SUN magazine, as well as articles in Tricycle, SELF, Utne Reader, Fitness, Counseling Today, Cosmopolitan and Experience Life. Gregg presents to diverse audiences ranging from mental health professionals to Zen practitioners throughout the world. He has been a featured speaker at national conferences on Buddhist Psychology, Mindfulness and Psychotherapy and Attention Deficit Disorder. His other books include A Natural Approach to Mental Wellness (ToDo Institute, 2011), and A Finger Pointing to the Moon (ToDo Institute, 1996, 2007). Through his books, distance learning courses and residential retreats Gregg has introduced thousands of people to an approach to life that emphasizes character development over symptom reduction, and continues to point people towards doing something meaningful with their life in spite of their limitations and problems. He currently lives in residence at the ToDo Institute in Vermont with his family, and their Golden Retriever, Barley. --This text refers to the paperback edition.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00PR814K0
Publisher ‏ : ‎ ToDo Institute Books; 1st edition (November 16, 2014)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 16, 2014
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1186 KB
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 238 pages
Lending ‏ : ‎ Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #204,376 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #17 in Practice Management
- #48 in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Kindle Store)
- #49 in Work-Related Health

Customer Reviews:
314 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		70%
4 star		15%
3 star		9%
2 star		2%
1 star		4%

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Top reviews from the United States

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Frank Costello

WOW - This Is An Irritating Read

Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2018

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For anyone who truly has issues taking correct and timely life actions due to depression, procrastination or loss/lack of focus, this book is useless (and an insult). The book offers no help other than the classic NIKE slogan of "Just Do It"! If people could "Just Do It", they would be doing it. It's kind of like saying people should pulled themselves up from their bootstraps.
The book is an exercise in ego pumping for folks that already are accomplished and get life's little tasks done without much trouble. It's a reaffirmation for the successful that they are great and doing everything well.

God help those who really have issues. This book misses the boat of so many levels.

1. Knowing that you have a problem does not fix the problem - that's why people spend money to buy the book for help.
2. Telling folks to get off their butts and "Just Do It" is far from helpful.
3. The author continually preening about how great and successful they are because they do all the right stuff is insulting.
4. All the Japanese Psychology Mumbo-Jumbo is difficult to read and comprehend.

Don't be fooled, the Japanese have more problems than we do.

My Advice - Take immediate action and DO NOT buy this book.

102 people found this helpful

Helpful

Lars Lentz

Made me take action.

Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2016

Verified Purchase

So well written, this book caused me to look at my life and realize that my life is not a to do list. I am routinely overwhelmed and naturally an anxious person. By giving me a different set of tools, this book has given me hope to overcome my own paralysis and inaction from being overwhelmed. Amazing how just thinking a bit differently can make all the difference. Highly recommended.

52 people found this helpful

Helpful

Ryan M Jones

The most important concept for improving your life...

Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2015

Verified Purchase

This book warrants my first review after years of reading books on Amazon. I've read many self-improvement books, and this book has made the most tremendous impact on me. Its primary concept is so simple yet so powerful: do what needs to be done regardless of how you feel - take action according to the needs of a situation, not according to the needs of your emotional state. Simply put, focus on doing rather than feeling. When you do this consistently, not only will your productivity increase but your mental health will substantially improve. DO consistently and DO gently - it's not about forcing yourself to do things or psyching yourself up to JUST DO IT! and intensifying your life. It's about consistently doing what you know needs to be done without thinking about it. There's a ubiquitous misconception in our comfortable & stimulating modern society that we should feel fully motivated to do something and feel good while doing it. Once you realize that is not true - you do not need to feel motivated to take action and you do not need to feel good while getting something done - then you will be on your way to significantly improving every facet of your life. And over time you will feel so much better in general. It's not hard. It just takes practice and consistency. I'm truly grateful for this book's many great ideas to help implement the wonderful concept of taking action. Very highly recommended.

107 people found this helpful

Helpful

Reid Wegner

Good alternative to conventional productivity advice, but does not go deep enough into its subject

Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2015

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I was glad to have read it, but the format detracts from its efficacy. The first half of the book is based on "Morita Therapy," which, if you aren't already familiar with it (as I wasn't) is both novel and helpful. But the author proclaims a deliberate effort to avoid producing "just another productivity book," and in doing so constructs the latter half of the book out of personal essays from a variety of contributors, and even a poem, nearly all of which are repetitive, anecdotal, and do not offer any deeper instruction than what is discussed in the first half. A bit disappointing in that respect, as the first half feels like an intro and seems to leave a lot of room for exploration. I don't regret buying it, but I would have preferred to pay half as much for half the book.

95 people found this helpful

Helpful

Got me taking tons of real life action.

Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2020

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Unexpectedly insanely good. Actually got me taking action and I am THE worst. Yes, tons of real life action. And I was psyched about it.

Seeing this in my review queue makes me think i need to browse my highlights from the book again because that always sparks something in me.

I have read so many self help books and this one is sneaky. It seems like it's not the best thing you've ever read....but it actually is. I highlighted so many things. And again...most things sound good but dont put me in action mode. This one really got me doing things.

If you have problems with taking action for any reason, just get this book. It is weirdly effective.

11 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Yukaene Rivera

This book is amazing! One of the approaches it uses is Kaizen

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 8, 2015

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This book is amazing! One of the approaches it uses is Kaizen, which I have been using for the past year with good results. The book uses three approaches Naikan, Morita Therapy, and Kaizen. It quotes a Kaizen book I love One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way by Robert Maurer. I wish had enough money to send that book to everyone on the planet!!! Now The Art of Action takes elements of these simple but very effective approaches as means to initiating action in our personal lives. The contents of this book could completely transform your life if you apply them. I would definitely get it and the Maurer book I mentioned earlier and you will not be disappointed. Though this book goes into Kaizen, the Kaizen book offers a lot more in depth explanation, examples, and supportive techniques so dont pass it up.

24 people found this helpful

Ann

This book has been instrumental in helping me to take action and take care of myself

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 16, 2016

Verified Purchase

Within the pages I gave found sound advice and encouragement without the taint of platitudes. I have learned from these words and have taken action. I will read this book time and again to reinforce the simple yet powerful messages.

5 people found this helpful

Kimarli

Actions over thoughts

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 11, 2021

Verified Purchase

Very easy to read with a strong message that one must apply themselves to overcome obstacles. Actions change thoughts, then thoughts inspire actions.

A great book for our time

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 5, 2015

Verified Purchase

A great book for our time, if you are on the cusp on middle age, then this book I think helps to remind you that you just need to get up and start whatever it is your planning like you would have done say in your 20's or 30's.

8 people found this helpful

Steevo

Very comprehensive, practical advice

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 3, 2018

Verified Purchase

I chose a five star rating due to how practical, down to earth the advice contained in the book was.
I really enjoyed the section on procrastination.
Sound advice.