Personal Development Recent Picks

December 2010

The title-underlined links will take you directly to our catalogue.
Some featured items are linked via a book cover to enable you to read more reviews.

The sixty minute family : an hour to transform your relationships-- forever / Rob Parsons. 2010
"Combining practical wisdom and accessible advice with a wide range of case studies, this book addresses 10 key problem areas for parents and spouses and how it’s possible to overcome them. From the most effective parenting styles to how to permanently transform parent/child relationships for the better, this important book covers all the most serious issues parents struggle with on a day-to-day basis. Issues addressed include: how to make time for family, taking the time to talk, how to handle conflict, how to discover the magic of traditions, how to save your marriage from "a creeping separateness," how to appreciate the extended family, and how to get your family through the tough times." (Amazon.com)

The courage to be free : discover your original fearless self / Guy Finley. 2010
"We were not born with the persistent negative, self-doubting, self-limiting thoughts and feelings most of carry around. Those limitations are not part of our "original equipment". In the words of bestselling author and beloved teacher Guy Finley, "When you realize no else on this earth can be like you... that no other soul may know the beauty, sorrow, light and darkness you alone are given to see, then you will no longer want to be like anyone else on this earth. You will, at last, be the fearless individual your heart of hearts has called you to be." There is a world of wisdom in this small gem of a book. Guy Finley is a master at opening our eyes, our ears, and our hearts to the plain and simple truths of this life. We are not our sense of inadequacy, our compulsions, our defeated thoughts and feelings. We can choose the fearless path because we were, in fact, born fearless." (Global Books in Print)

Born for love : why empathy is essential-- and endangered / Maia Szalavitz and Bruce D. Perry. 2010
"In this provocative book, renowned child psychiatrist Bruce D. Perry and award-winning science journalist Maia Szalavitz interweave research and stories from Perry's practice with cutting-edge scientific studies and historical examples to explain how empathy develops, why it is essential for our development into healthy adults, and how it is threatened in the modern world. As 'Born for Love' reveals, recent changes in technology, child-rearing practices, education, and lifestyles are starting to rob children of necessary human contact and deep relationships-the essential foundation for empathy and a caring, healthy society. Sounding an important warning bell, 'Born for Love' offers practical ideas for combating the negative influences of modern life and fostering positive social change to benefit us all." (Book cover).

Happiness at work : maximizing your psychological capital for success / Jessica Pryce-Jones. 2010
"What exactly does happiness mean at work? And why does it matter? According to Jessica Pryce-Jones, it's not some abstract idea but a practical reality with a clear impact on you and your workplace. 'Happiness at Work: Maximizing Your Psychological Capital For Success' reveals that the happier you are, the more you'll achieve, yielding tangible benefits to you and your organization. Sharing the results of her four-year research journey in simple, jargon-free language, Pryce-Jones exposes unexpected secrets about being happy at work. Moreover, she provides readers with the information, knowledge, and skills to make the most of the nearly 100,000 hours most of us will spend in our jobs over a lifetime. Timely and insightful, 'Happiness at Work' uncovers what really works at work and gives you the tools and motivation to create not just a happier tomorrow, but a happier today." (Book cover)

Mindsight : the new science of personal transformation / Daniel J. Siegel. 2010
"A Harvard-trained physician, Dr. Siegel is one of the revolutionary global innovators in the integration of brain science into the practice of psychotherapy. Using case histories from his practice, he shows how, by following the proper steps, nearly everyone can learn how to focus their attention on the internal world of the mind in a way that will literally change the wiring and architecture of their brain. Through his synthesis of a broad range of scientific research with applications to everyday life, Dr. Siegel has developed novel approaches that have helped hundreds of patients heal themselves from painful events in the past and liberate themselves from obstacles blocking their happiness in the present. And now he has written the first book that will help all of us understand the potential we have to create our own lives. A book as inspiring as it is informative, as practical as it is profound, 'Mindsight' offers exciting new proof that we aren't hardwired to behave in certain ways, but instead have the ability to harness the power of our minds to resculpt the neural pathways of our brains in ways that will be life-transforming." (Global Books in Print)

Control stress : stop worrying and feel good now! / Paul McKenna; edited by Michael Neill. 2009
"Everyone has some degree of stress in their life, but hardly anyone has the skills to deal with it. An astonishing 50 per cent of the reasons why people go to the doctor are stress-related, and one recent scientific study showed that in the current economic climate, more people are missing work from stress-related problems than ever before. More than just a book, this is a stress control system, with a powerful hypnosis CD that will help you achieve deeps states of relaxation, have more energy and be more effective in your everyday life. As you learn to change your response to stress and worry, you will be able to stay at your best for longer and bounce back quicker than ever before." (Global Books in Print)

Your life on purpose : how to find what matters & create the life you want / Matthew McKay, John P. Forsyth, Georg H. Eifert. 2010
"So many of us postpone pursuing our goals and dreams because we think we'll get to them later, when we have more time or feel we're worthy of them. As a result, many of us go through life feeling weighed down by daily responsibilities and our own self-doubts, entirely disconnected from a sense of real purpose. 'Your Life on Purpose' is about doing what matters to you every day instead of waiting for the perfect time to feel fulfilled and alive. With this book as your guide, you'll learn to move past daily distractions, fear of failure, and self-judgment, and zero in on the passions that connect you with your true self. You deserve to live a life of purpose, aligned with your deepest values. It's time." (Book cover)

Urban mindfulness : cultivating peace, presence, & purpose in the middle of it all / Jonathan S. Kaplan. 2010
"The city is an exciting yet demanding place to live. Although you love the tremendous energy and diversity of the urban environment, the day-to-day grind of going to work and navigating crowds, traffic, and lines can leave you feeling weary and disconnected. Respectful of the challenges and advantages that arise when you live or work in the city, 'Urban Mindfulness' provides practical advice for transforming everyday experiences into opportunities for contemplation, stress relief, and fulfilment. Filled with insightful reflections and exercises you can do at work, at home, or even while riding the subway, this guide will help you achieve and maintain the sense of peace and calm that you've been seeking." (Book cover)

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