I was really struggling with a writing project I had…to the point that I was procrastinating, plain and simple. I couldn’t seem to begin.

Fortunately, a little book was suggested that might help.  I read it immediately and utilized the information in order to complete the project right away.

The book was, Do the Work by Steven Pressfield; his follow-up to The War of Art.

I really needed to read it and will do so from now on whenever I find myself procrastinating! Immediately after completing my project, I re-read The War of Art which was also a great book but didn’t have quite the effect on me as did this latest one. I got more out of it this time. Apparently, the timing of the message made a huge difference.

When I posted my struggle with procrastination and this project on my Facebook page I was inundated with comments from lots of my friends — many of them fellow authors — who had (and several who are right now) struggled with this same problem; procrastination.

Procrastination is a killer to one’s success, and it typically does not take place in a vacuum. Rather, it is a function of what Pressfield calls “resistance.”

Actually, it’s resistance that is the killer; procrastination is merely a symptom. And, not just to writers but to entrepreneurs, those who want to lose weight, do the “right thing” in the face of negative peer pressure or — as the author pointed out — practically anything that “we know we need to do.”

This is so important, let me share with you exactly what he says about this on the inside flap of his book:

“DO THE WORK. Our enemy is not lack of preparation; it’s not the difficulty of the project, or the state of the marketplace or the emptiness of our bank account.  THE ENEMY IS RESISTANCE. The enemy is our chattering brain, which, if we give it so much as a nanosecond, will start producing excuses, alibis, transparent self-justifications and a million reasons why he can’t/shouldn’t/won’t do what we know we need to do. START BEFORE YOU’RE READY.”

Is resistance — in the form of procrastination — an issue for you, as it is for me?

Then you might want to purchase Do The Work. It’s a short, quick read that just might help you bust your way past what’s holding you back from realizing your greatness.

One of the most tremendous books I’ve ever read came across my desk recently. It’s entitled, BEING TREMENDOUS: The Life, Lessons, and Legacy of Charlie “Tremendous” Jones.

Much more than just a book, though, it’s the remembrance of the life of a great man (truly one of my heroes). It was edited and compiled by his daughter, Tracey, now President of Tremendous Life Books, a company her Dad founded many years ago out of his desire to equip and build people through books.

So, of course I asked Tracey if she would share some “Charlie Tremendous” stories from the book.

I loved our discussion; I hope you do, as well!

TremendousLifeBooks.org

By the way, if you’re already a fan of Charlie Jones, you’ll learn some new things about him. You’ll also have access to a bunch of videos, both from the DVD included in the book, as well as lots of QR codes.

I can’t think of a nicer Holiday Gift, or a cooler book to have on your coffee table.

NOTE: If you are having trouble playing the interview, please make sure Adobe Flash Player is installed in your web browser. If not, then download Flash Player. Or right-click here and select “Save Link As…” to download the audio file to your computer.

Since our country’s housing and financial crisis occurred, I’ve often felt like Don Quixote tilting at the windmills of public opinion and belief.

Not only have I claimed the meltdown not to be the result of Free-Market Capitalism or having had anything to do with it whatsoever; I’ve provided many an “amateurish” explanation, as well.

So, I was delighted and ecstatic to hear that one of my heroes; John Allison, had just come out with a book on this very topic.

It is entitled, The Financial Crisis And The Free Market Cure. This is an absolutely fascinating look at what really caused the crisis and the thinking/action needed to get us back on the road to liberty and abundance.

Important: This is not about Democrat versus Republican or Conservative versus Liberal; it’s about why free minds and free markets work (if, by work, one means abundance, prosperity and a higher standard of living for all) and why government — when operating outside its legitimate functions of protecting its citizens from force and fraud — does not.

Ask Most People What Caused This Crisis

If you were to ask most people today the main cause of the housing and financial crisis they would answer something like, “unfettered Capitalism”, “deregulation” or “not enough government oversight.” And, as Mr. Allison proves with compelling yet easily-understood facts…they couldn’t be more wrong.

Capitalism? Hardly. That such a large number of people believe it to be the cause in the first place is not only a shame, but perhaps the biggest problem of all. After all, it’s difficult to defend a concept when you don’t understand it and cannot define it. Capitalism is *not* the same as “corporatism”, “cronyism” or, as it’s often called, “crony-capitalism.” (Actually, Crony-Capitalism is to Capitalism what Chinese Checkers is to Checkers…NOTHING. But, I digress.)

There was a high degree of cronyism — not Capitalism — which led to the crisis.

Deregulation? Not one bit. It was not deregulation but horrible — as the author accurately terms it — “MIS-regulation.”

And, it was a huge amount of interference from the government and the government-sponsored entities that operate with government’s full force and backing. The Federal Reserve, several presidents, congressmen, government-sponsored entities, regulators; they all had a huge hand in this monstrosity that took place. And as usual, the fix was more (and all-too-similar) government solutions to the government-caused problems.

Mr. Allison lays it out for the reader in a very logical and easily-understandable fashion.

What Are The Author’s Qualifications for Writing This Book?

That the Harvard Business Review named him one of the decades top 100 most successful CEOs is certainly a nice shot of credibility. More importantly, however, during Mr. Allison’s tenure as CEO, his bank grew from $4.5 billion to $152 billion in assets. And, they were hugely successful during a time when many banks failed spectacularly.

This was accomplished via rational, long-term thinking, a desire to provide exceptional value to customers, employees and shareholders alike, and by acting from a base of uncompromising values.

Key Point: It is interesting to note that BB&T did not participate in sub-prime lending, choosing to write only conventional mortgages.

Having learned of Mr. Allison several years ago and watching some of his lectures, my expectation was that the book would be enjoyable to read and with great knowledge, information and insights that would never be gained from listening to the usual experts. It is that, indeed!

The bonus, however, is that anyone who wants to learn how to become a principle-based leader and a hugely successful individual, both in business and in life itself, can gain a TON of wisdom from reading and studying this book.

But, that is simply the bonus. What this really is…is one’s opportunity to understand why the crisis really happened. If you are already a believer in Capitalism but not sure where to separate fact from fiction regarding the financial crisis, you’ll love this book.

If you tend to want to believe that Capitalism is the enemy and that big government is the friend of the poor, I ask you to read the book, even if you choose to read it with total skepticism. That’s okay. But, at least read it. Then, come to your own conclusion.

I believe this book is a Masterpiece!

Constant bad relationships? An unnatural and exaggerated fear of heights? Despondence for no particular reason? Sabotaging your abundance time and again? Deathly afraid of getting lost? Something different but nonetheless devastating?

A new book by noted psychologists Drs. George Pratt & Peter Lambrou (and coauthored by our own John David Mann) helps us dig deep into our subconscious in order to unlock the door to what’s really holding us back.

In his foreword, famed talk-show host Larry King quotes coauthor Pratt:

“Whether it’s an unresolved hurt, persistent low self-esteem, or vague sense of anxious unease, most of us struggle with some version of what we call the fog of distress. It clouds our lives, interfering with our relationships, our careers, even our health. And no matter how many hours you spend on the couch, talking it through just doesn’t always do it.”

“Why not?” asks King.

Pratt explains, “Because there’s typically a disconnect between what we logically know about ourselves and the place in the brain where our emotions live. Sometimes you just can’t get there from here. You have to find alternative ways to get that information to click.”

Throughout the book, the authors discuss “energy psychology” and share dozens of case studies involving a wide assortment of personality challenges. The one constant in all these cases is that something deep in the subconscious, based on an event that happened long ago (and, in many cases, that is totally forgotten by the sufferer) has manifested in the current, debilitating challenge the person is experiencing.

According to the authors, there are seven — what they refer to as — “limiting beliefs,” and at least one is at the root of whatever conscious form the problem has now taken. There are four steps that each sufferer is taken through. And while I’ll name them…

1. Identify
2. Clear
3. Repattern
4. Anchor

…each step comes with its own set of instructions. The reader is taken through a series of exercises, and I have little doubt that if the reader followed them faithfully, he or she would most likely be able to work through what is keeping them from the happiness and joy the authors believe we were created to have.

Because (to paraphrase the authors) the subconscious is to the conscious “as an elephant is to a flea,” the subconscious rules. This is something that most of us who have studied personal development know. However, along with compelling case studies and step-by-step instructions to work within this context, Pratt and Lambrou take it a step further. Their four-step process goes beyond addressing the mind and emotions and works directly with the biofield, at the cellular and energetic level. This is key!

The book will be released next week but can be pre-ordered at the authors’ website, where you can download the Foreword by King, the introduction, and two of the authors’ audios.

My call is that it’s an excellent book. At the very least, you’ll find it to be a fascinating explanation as to how the mind works (and can play some devastating tricks on us) and, at best — if you are willing to invest the time and energy in following their instructions — you could make some hugely positive changes in your life.

What happens when a successful businessman loses his job, his savings, his self-respect and his hope? And, on top of that, has a daughter in need of an operation? Well, if he happens to be the protagonist in The Traveler’s Gift: Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success by Andy Andrews, he jumps back and forth through time (via a dream) and receives wisdom-filled advice from some of history’s greatest achievers.

“Not likely to happen”, you say? Well, you’re right. But don’t let that stop you from losing yourself in a couple of the most enjoyable hours you can ever invest. The bonus is that you’ll learn and re-learn some principles that truly can enhance both your personal and professional success.

The principles are familiar. They should be; they’ve been taught since forever.  That’s because they work (which reminds me of Jim Rohn’s famous line, “Beware the person promising to teach you ‘new fundamentals”).

The magic, however, is not just in the principles themselves, but in how they are related. Andrews, a former stand-up comedian; now an internationally-known speaker and multi-bestselling author, is also a historian. Accordingly, the story’s protege, David Ponder, learn these lessons mainly from important historical figures at critical, difficult points in their own lives. They include a couple of past U.S. Presidents, a Biblical King, a Civil War hero and others. Combining actual events and exceptional storytelling along with the mentorship makes the reader feel a part of history.

I read this book when it was first published many years ago. Knowing that the author has had several other very well-received books out since then that I hadn’t yet read, it seemed like a good idea to re-familiarize myself with this one. Good idea. Somehow it was even more enjoyable this time around. Perhaps, this is because there were two decisions of which I especially needed to be reminded.

The actual principles/decisions are:

1. The buck stops here. I am responsible for my past and my future.
2. I will seek wisdom. I will be a servant to others.
3. I am a person of action. I seize this moment. I choose now.
4. I have a decided heart. My destiny is assured.
5. Today I will choose to be happy. I am the possessor of a grateful spirit.
6. I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive myself.
7. I will persist without exception. I am a person of great faith.

Nothing new? Sure. Then again, as the king in the story also told us in Koheles/Ecclesiastes, “there is nothing new under the sun.” But that shouldn’t stop anyone from giving themselves a huge gift, by reading…The Travelers Gift.

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Note: Some of the Amazon reviews imply that the book has a Christian-based agenda. While the author is of the Christian Faith and makes some Biblical references, I did not infer any agenda being communicated other than to teach some very nice, success-based principles. If I were to use a “Twitter Hashtag” in response to those reviewers, it would be #GetOverIt