The Tools: Transform Y...

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Barry Michels

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The Tools: Transform Your Problems into Courage, Confidence, and Creativity

by Barry Michels, Barry Michels

3.54 of 5 stars 3.54 · rating details · 460 ratings · 118 reviews

“This blew my mind more than anything else I’ve learned this year.”—Dr. Mehmet Oz

“Breakthrough material that ignites your own capacity to transform your life.”—Marianne Williamson

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Change can begin right now.

The Tools is a dynamic, results-oriented practice that defies the traditional approach to therapy. Instead of focusing on the past, this groundb...more

ebook, 288 pages

Published May 29th 2012 by Spiegel & Grau (first published 2012)

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Jan 10, 2013 James Rye rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

At the core of this book are some good ideas that most cognitive therapists would be familiar with. The authors have drawn from their many years of therapeutic practice to identify key areas of human difficulty and suggest ways of facing those problems.

The reasons for the low rating are:
1) I felt there was a lot of "padding" in the book to give it more length than it merited. There was a good core, but to me it didn't seem to justify the length.
2) Anybody who seriously expects me to embrace "hig...more

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Jul 31, 2012 Donna rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: library, health, 2012

I didn't manage to finish this book before it had to go back to the library, but I read most of it. It was ok, but some of the ideas were worded in a way that made you think that there was some outside spiritual force involved. There isn't when you actually read the chapter itself so this is an unfortunate use of words.
The ideas of the Tools is good, but as with all these type of books, if you are looking for a magic wand to end your problems you won't find it. You do have to put in the work!!

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Mar 05, 2013 Heather rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, top-of-2013, non-fiction

Make that leap, use this book to exponentially improve your life. This book gives you practical ways to conquer some of life's biggest issues! I LOVED this book. In fact, this is one of the most important books I have ever read!

*view problems as "portals to enter the world of untapped potential" and see problems' purpose as primary avenues to growth
* simple--but not necessarily easy--techniques called tools which change not only attitudes, but behaviors as well.

for those--
-If you ever find yours...more

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Feb 23, 2013 Deb rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

**There’s a tool for that**

Pain.

It’s one of those inconvenient givens of life. Although we spend so much energy trying to avoid it, it makes a regular appearance in our daily lives: in our constantly playing thoughts of “things shouldn’t be this way; ” in the insecurities that hold us back from doing what we want to do and being who we want to be; and in the negative thought clouds that can easily black out the bright spots in our lives.

What a pain.

In their book _The Tools_, Phil Stutz and Bar...more

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Nov 17, 2012 Jess rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: psychology

I was really interested by the ideas is this book, mostly because they are extensions of a lot of things I've been thinking about lately. The section about consumers vs creators particularly hit home, as lately I've felt especially beat down by the barrage of ads every single place I turn in life and the realization that their sole purpose is to create dissatisfaction.

To be honest, part of me feels stupid revealing that I've read a "self help" book. Mostly, they are just another thing to market...more I was really interested by the ideas is this book, mostly because they are extensions of a lot of things I've been thinking about lately. The section about consumers vs creators particularly hit home, as lately I've felt especially beat down by the barrage of ads every single place I turn in life and the realization that their sole purpose is to create dissatisfaction.

To be honest, part of me feels stupid revealing that I've read a "self help" book. Mostly, they are just another thing to market to the people of a broken culture, another promise of betterment or happiness that is external and superficial and fleeting. This book seems the opposite of that. The authors discuss practical methods for changing thought and behavior in response to relatable problems that we all have. They later go on to extrapolate each of those methods in terms of society as a whole, with the idea that we will never be able to address the huge challenges that we face without individuals taking responsibility for themselves and realizing their connections to each other. One of the thoughts that often sets me right on the Nihilism Express is that even if I could make positive change in my own life, that there are still so many people out there who are too selfish or lazy or ignorant to even think about needing to make the sorts of change that absolutely need to happen for us to not a) continue destroying the Earth and b) continue destroying ourselves and each other with hate. I think, as the authors posit, that approaching new ideas with an open mind and stopping letting fear rule our every action and looking at ourselves honestly and understanding our own motivations for what we do and being grateful for what we have rather than letting the marketing industry tell us all the things we need and connecting to each other and the force of life are all probably the most vitally important things we can do with our time. This book is a well-articulated look at the need to do those things and some pretty good ideas about how to start doing them.(less)

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Oct 15, 2012 Loy Machedo rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Let me break down the analysis of this book into 3 parts.
Part 1 – What is this book about.
Part 2 - Outline of the Tools
Part 3 – What I really think about this book.

Part 1 – What is this book about?
By combining 60 years of hands-on working experience using the elements of Jungian psychology with the kind of practical approach found in Ellis' Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, Psychiatrist Phil Stutz and Psychotherapist Barry Michels have designed an innovative approach to help clients sufferi...more

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Jul 03, 2012 Derrick rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I saw a review for this book, I think in Time Magazine, and thought it would be a great self help book. The authors are both psychologist that provide tools to deal with life problems in there psychotherapy approach with there patients. This book provides many of those examples.

The tools are
1. The Reversal of Desire - When you need to take action that you have been avoiding. This says we need to welcome trips outside of our Comfort Zone when actions need to be taken. I can say there have been th...more

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Jun 28, 2012 Paula Hrbacek rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Tools is a self-help book that offers mental methods that can be used to change your attitudes and reactions. It’s not the type of book you read. You read, think about it, let it sink in, and then read some more. As such, it’s a good book to read before bed when you have time to relax and let your mind wander. It will take some time to digest, but offers plenty of food for thought.
Phil Stutz is an atheist who came to believe in higher powers that direct our lives. He insists that the tools u...more The Tools is a self-help book that offers mental methods that can be used to change your attitudes and reactions. It’s not the type of book you read. You read, think about it, let it sink in, and then read some more. As such, it’s a good book to read before bed when you have time to relax and let your mind wander. It will take some time to digest, but offers plenty of food for thought.
Phil Stutz is an atheist who came to believe in higher powers that direct our lives. He insists that the tools use these higher powers to transform us, help us evolve and grow. At first, I was a bit put off by his atheistic view, but I told myself to be patient and listen to what he had to say anyway. Little did I know that I was choosing to use one of his tools when I made that choice. One of the tools we can use to solve our problems is to choose to love people just the way that they are.
Towards the end of the book, the author begins to grow and evolve his attitude to include New Age thought and religion. He explains that by using the term “higher power” instead of God, he is trying to reach all people, no matter what they believe. Much of what he says can be found in religion. He begins to quote Jewish belief, Alcoholics Anonymous and the Bible, and to relate the tools to those belief systems as well.
When he gets into the topic full swing, he explains that religion is the best belief system of them all. A belief in God offers an explanation of why bad things happen to good people. Atheists don’t have that explanation, and New Age thought doesn’t go that far. Believing that everything happens for a good reason is paramount to mental health because it offers a stimulus that propels self will into willpower and a drive to overcome and make it through the problem.
Self will gives us a choice about how we react to situations and people. The Tools explains those choices. In a way, it’s much like Dorothy’s realization that she has always had the power to return home, she just had to want to use it. We all have the power to change our own lives. If you want it, here it is.
(less)

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Jun 22, 2012 Tony rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I thought it was outstanding! Two psychiatrists accepted that "this just really isn't working" when they realised that encouraging their patients to talk endlessly about their past wasn't giving them any relief in the present day. They found they hadn't been trained to do anything else and so were forced to devise 5 visualisation exercises of their own that anyone can apply and practice for lasting inner change. The tools are simple and they worked for me - and they also have their own philosoph...more

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May 10, 2012 Kasandra rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

An excellent self-help book that addresses the main problem of changing your life, either in therapy or with the use of a book, or both: it's not hard to change thinking and behavior at first, but it is hard to stick with it, and most of us give up, forget, or find temporary relief and then think we can stop being "different". This book advises that the tools within are to be used for the rest of your life, similar to the difference between going on a diet (and then gaining weight back after) an...more

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Nov 28, 2012 JDK1962 rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Torn between one and two stars for this book, but finally went with one because of what I perceive as the underlying disingenuous nature of it.

I'm a big fan of taking action to change things, and if something works, it's hard to argue with. But this book managed to turn me off because it was positing unseen spiritual forces ("the Source") that we either need to believe in a priori, or exercise The Tools until we arrive at that connection. However, they're just playing with semantics: the authors...more

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Sep 13, 2012 Victoria rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This book has been flying off our shelves at work, so I'm going to see what it's all about!
---
Now that I'm finished, I feel that my rating (5/5) requires a nuanced review...especially given how split the readership seems to be in regards to the ratings. Whether or not I'll achieve the nuance and success in explaining...we'll see.

So, overall this is an excellent book for people who want a real way to take control of the psychological issues that they face in their lives. Out of control emotions,...more This book has been flying off our shelves at work, so I'm going to see what it's all about!
---
Now that I'm finished, I feel that my rating (5/5) requires a nuanced review...especially given how split the readership seems to be in regards to the ratings. Whether or not I'll achieve the nuance and success in explaining...we'll see.

So, overall this is an excellent book for people who want a real way to take control of the psychological issues that they face in their lives. Out of control emotions, worrying, fear, shyness, inability to stay committed to a goal or set of rules (ie, eating well or not smoking, etc), and so on. There's tons of possibilities and not everyone will fit the extreme examples that the authors use in the book. I think that we could all use some help from at least one of the tools that they discuss. In fact, as I was reading the book I kept thinking in the back of my head that I need to buy a copy for this person or that person because they clearly need one tool or another to deal with some issue that they have. I simply can't afford that number of books, so instead here I am reviewing.

Yes, the book's perspective and explanation of how the tools work can be incredibly off-putting, especially for atheists or people who really dislike touchy-feely-ness. Essentially the authors refer to 'The Source' and other 'Forces' to help explain how the tools work, such as making a connection with The Source in order to utilize it's power in order to regain control over your thoughts and feelings and move on with life. The truth is, while they even say that if you want to think of The Source as God and that this is perfectly fine, one could name this 'power' just about anything: Energy, The Force (Star Wars fans?), Mother Nature, The Cosmos, The Gods, The Transcending Power of Society, that-thing-that-makes-us-connect-as-human-beings-that-we-can't-explain-but-clearly-has-an-effect-on-us, or something else! Honestly, I'm pretty sure that you could even use the tools without having a belief in this spiritual explanation of what's going on in the background when you use the tools - the authors even say that this is totally okay. One of the authors was raised an atheist and discusses his own journey in using the tools.

In regards to another criticism that I've read - that the authors are critical of consumerism and yet want people to buy their book. Well yes, and they address this quite directly. They note that a consumer would read the book through and not take any real meaning away from it, likely forgetting the tools and never using them again, if ever. Rather, the authors are pointing out that many of us are consumers in hopes that we'll find meaning, satisfaction, and self-worth through external means, such as buying the new object of status (a tv, the nice home, fancy clothes, etc), whereas true meaning and inner strength come from within. This doesn't mean that you can't live well, but rather that until you find your inner strength and happiness, you'll just be on a never-ending quest of consumerism in hopes that you will find it.

Finally, I wanted to quote a few passages from the book but since my library loan was a limited 7-day loan (best bets shelf), I had to return it today. I'm hoping to buy it soon, so perhaps then I can add more here. Not that this review isn't long enough already. Give the book a chance, and if you really can't stand the spirituality perspective that they discuss from time to time (mostly at the end), then just keep reading and leave the spirituality vocabulary aside so that you can at least try out the tools and see how they work in action.(less)

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Jun 17, 2012 Madhavi Ghare rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

We always hear that we've got to move on, let go and what not.. but how does one achieve this? What, specifically, does one have to do to get over one's fears, for example?
Well, this book provides you with some straightforward exercises to do this, and also other things.
Although none of the ideas expressed in this book are in any way different, I will still say that having these specific steps at hand really helps.
And the way that they have been explained makes it simpler to put into practice.
Of...more

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Jun 15, 2012 Tara Lynn rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

If you've read self-help or metaphysical stuff before, this is not new. Calling them "tools" may be, and they are presented in a way that's unique to these authors. But imagining myself at the end of my life when considering doing something -- well, I've been doing that for years, especially for big decisions. And pushing through pain by saying I accept it, well, Alanis Morissette told me in song years ago what I already knew, too -- the only way out is through.

If, however, you are new to this t...more

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Apr 03, 2013 Colleen Wainwright rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: self-help, spirituality, psychology, recovery

First of all, if you are not a Believer, you're going to have difficulties with this book and the tools found within. The authors do a kind of sneaky-Pete maneuver, sucking you in via the secular self-help standpoint, shifting into a hard-core spiritual stance about 3/4 of the way in. I wasn't surprised; all five of the tools are variations on principles arrived at by various spiritual traditions for the pursuit of a happy, meaningful, fulfilled life, i.e. one of service and gratitude.

Secondly,...more

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Jan 16, 2013 Sarah Stewart rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: deep-thinking-books

I am starting to feel like I'm going to lose credibility because I keep saying, "Wow, this book was mind blowing." Its like the cream of the crop of the psychological literary offerings out there all came into my life THIS YEAR. I have always had issues with a therapy-centric community that feels that talking about and identifying your issues was enough. I craved specific things I could do to work through areas where I struggle. That is a good summary statement of this book. It addresses common...more

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Aug 22, 2012 Reid rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-reads, counseling, psychology, review, self-help

I received the “advance reader’s edition” free from Random House Publishing, so I hereby thank them for providing me with a valuable book. I honestly felt some obligation to read this sooner than later, and to write a review, but I do so happily, since I appreciate the book.

The authors present 5 simple metaphors and visuals to help think through, and overcome, common psychological difficulties and to help reevaluate priorities. Some of the resulting “thinking” is from the unconscious according t...more I received the “advance reader’s edition” free from Random House Publishing, so I hereby thank them for providing me with a valuable book. I honestly felt some obligation to read this sooner than later, and to write a review, but I do so happily, since I appreciate the book.

The authors present 5 simple metaphors and visuals to help think through, and overcome, common psychological difficulties and to help reevaluate priorities. Some of the resulting “thinking” is from the unconscious according to the back cover, and I believe that’s probable, what with the simple and effective metaphorical visuals. In fact, it’s the combination of the ideas with the simple succinct and visual expression of them that have power, and the follow up instruction to take specific action with the images in mind. Probably all of us are familiar with similar ideas, and act on them successfully at times, but the authors’ goals here are to empower us in moments of greatest resistance and difficulty, to immediately recognize cues in our thoughts and behaviors and use these tools for better functioning. And ultimately, they are describing and summarizing the skills required for an attitude toward life that is one of effort, striving, progress, maturity, self expression, creativity, gratitude and love.

Tool/Idea 1: To break out of your comfort zone of immediate gratification and resistance, and move forward toward your anticipated Pain. I appreciate the metaphorical example of a football running back charging straight into the hulking defense. They provide other visuals, but I won’t describe them - it’s probably better to be motivated to either read the book or create your own visuals. I will say, though, there are plenty more supporting ideas in the book than just this list of the tools.

Idea 2: We get trapped in a Maze of repetitive thoughts of psychological “injury”, “harm” and “injustice”, perpetrated by others upon us, and we can counter this paralysis of unproductive and obsessive thoughts with an outflow of love and generosity of spirit and acceptance.

3: Embrace your Shadow, your inner weakest self that you try to hide from others, which will allow you to be more fully self-expressed with the assertiveness of inner authority rather than fearing that others are the sole authority with power to judge you.

4: To counter excessive worry and a less than peaceful mind, feel and express Gratitude toward the providing universe.

5: Allow the contemplation of an unfulfilled life Spark your willpower to act creatively and uniquely.

Their encompassing summary idea is to use the above ideas (the visual tools) in order to be a more fully functioning psychologically healthy individual, capable of creativity and abundance of spirit, and one who has faith that problems are meaningful, i.e, to be active courageous creators in life for the betterment of others and humanity.

I enjoyed the book and plan on using the tools. (less)

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Feb 17, 2013 John Martindale rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: religion, self-help, social-psychology, audiobook

I didn't expect to find Yoda sharing the secrets for how to tap into the Force. Books like this bring out the skeptic in me, it was hard to get through it. I wonder if how I felt is similar to how the likes of Michael Shermer and Richard Dawkins feel when they read works by Christians--If so I pity them as they research. Phil Stuzz does share some decent "tools" like gratefulness and some other psychological tricks, and I have little doubt that some people trying these tools "feel" something tha...more I didn't expect to find Yoda sharing the secrets for how to tap into the Force. Books like this bring out the skeptic in me, it was hard to get through it. I wonder if how I felt is similar to how the likes of Michael Shermer and Richard Dawkins feel when they read works by Christians--If so I pity them as they research. Phil Stuzz does share some decent "tools" like gratefulness and some other psychological tricks, and I have little doubt that some people trying these tools "feel" something that seems like a higher power, energy, life source or force, call it what you may. But isn't it most likely that these tools just trigger a brain state that feels kinda transcendent? Why construct a bunch of metaphysical BS to give explanation to an inner spark resulting in new abilities?

So yeah, to Stuzz there is the mysterious Force of evolution, a life source that wants the highest for us. It will bring horrible things in our lives so we can grow from them. It always has infinite power and energy waiting to be tapped, all you have to do is use the tools in this book, and you can become a Jedi Master, conquering all of life's problems through the Force.

Consider this quote from C.S Lewis, its as if he read and responded to this very book: "One reason why many people find Creative Evolution so attractive is that it gives one much of the emotional comfort of believing in God and none of the less pleasant consequences. When you are feeling fit and the sun is shining and you do not want to believe that the whole universe is a mere mechanical dance of atoms, it is nice to be able to think of this great mysterious Force rolling on through the centuries and carrying you on its crest. If, on the other hand, you want to do something rather shabby, the Life-Force, being only a blind force, with no morals and no mind, will never interfere with you like that troublesome God we learned about when we were children. The Life-Force is a sort of tame God. You can switch it on when you want, but it will not bother you. All the thrills of religion and none of the cost. Is the Life-Force the greatest achievement of wishful thinking the world has yet seen?"

The fact that so many people buy into this new age nonsense just baffles me. Though I am a Christian, I am incredibly non-superstitious. I always give preference to natural explanations of phenomena. It does seem like I am a hair-breadth from from being a philosophical naturalist. Scientism has vast explanatory power (but I still think its lacking). Christianity has rich historical foundations, and offers a complex and very comprehensive world-view, to me it seems quite reasonable to hold some of the presuppositions that I have. But man, this new age stuff seems so ridiculous to me. (less)

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Nov 16, 2012 Elyssa rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I read about this book in The New Yorker:

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/20...

I was intrigued and borrowed it from the library. I liked that the authors are trained therapists and have a basis in classic counseling techniques. From this, they created their own counseling approach, comprised of practical tools. They both share their own struggles that led to the development of their techniques.

This book will not be appealing to others unless you can tolerate concepts of 'higher forces' and som...more

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Apr 28, 2013 Michael Beaton rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A good book as far as it goes. Which sometimes seems further than it actually does. The chapter on the shadow was promising, but ultimately weak. Underlying is an appeal to religious (as opposed to spiritual) notions of god....Which to me is a weakness. It grounds it in a limited source.

I was unimpressed by the authors not only suggestion, but assertion that they have mastered aspects of the Shadow beyond what Jung understood. I know Jung knew he was only beginning the conversation into these de...more

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Apr 22, 2013 Lucy rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The Tools outlines a spiritual approach to overcoming negativity and hardship. Written by two psychologists - master and protege in Tools techniques - the book serves as an introduction and a handbook.

Five Tools are described, illustrated by stories of real patients. Each chapter begin with a problem, described through a real-life case. The authors then introduce the Tool and explain how it helps people overcome the problem. Each chapter concludes with several pages of frequently asked questions...more

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May 27, 2012 Mad_Maudie rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: fans of Oprah Winfrey

I'm stuck between a three-star and a four-star rating, so I rounded up. I guess a 3.5 is accurate because I would take off half a star for profanity, which some people might find objectionable, and I deduct another point for the awful illustrations that I guess are meant to be cute.

Now, as for the tools themselves, I've started using them, and I can say that they do help. No, I'm not miraculously a different person overnight, but the writers don't make that promise. They're vrey direct about st...more

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May 05, 2012 Annamarie rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: psychology

I was sent an Advanced Readers Copy of this book, and I could not have been more excited to have received my first ARC, but just like ice cream on a hot summers day the excitement was short lived. In between the discolored red gradient I was browbeaten with this idea that the tools were the only way to live a successful life and that anyone that does not comply exactly with the rules is a consumer of the modern day culture, and without following their rules then you as a person are doomed to liv...more

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Nov 13, 2012 Laura Thomas rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle-ebooks

I really liked this, more than I thought I would. Partially I think I liked it because I'd read the New Yorker piece, so I was primed to be open to these guys.

Plus I've used and am still using the tools, although not as often as I did. They do work - especially in my case, because I have a big bugaboo with shrinking in the face of disapproval. I step back from the hard stuff, in other words. So when I can really do the first tool on avoidance - step INTO the pain of what it is - I really find my...more

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Sep 19, 2012 Shannon Tolman rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

This is a hard read, not because its well written or because it makes one particularly introspective.. The air of condescension combined with the new age spiritual garbage really puts me off, and what's with the diagrams? The concept is not hard to follow, adding the stick men diagrams in an effort to ensure we all fully understand each "tool" is almost insulting, I'm fairly certain if we've picked up this book we are literate.. The diagrams are redundant.

I'm half way through, I'm going to finis...more

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Sep 05, 2012 Nancy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I feel this is a very important and insightful book in human evolution. Stutz and Michels offer a way for each person to assume responsibility for their own individual development while contributing to the overall well-being of society as a whole. These guys are psychotherapists who felt the old model of spending years listening to clients talk about the past and saw a need for a new model that helped people grow and move forward in quickly in their lives without getting bogged down in the past....more

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Jul 20, 2012 Craig Leimkuehler rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It's too early to tell if this book will change my life but I thought it was straight forward, honest and easy to understand. The authors have five rules or "tools" by which you should live your life. I am not totally convinced that these "tools" will solve every problem every time but they are certainly worth considering. I was a little leery when they started talking about The Source but after reading the entire book I understand where they were coming from and I agree with them. They correctl...more

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Apr 17, 2013 André Gomes rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audible

I have to confess that I'm little bit skeptic about many ideas present in the book, but anyways, the book has a lot of interesting stories of people with psychological challenges and how they face it and get over it using the tools.

The Tools in summary are:

Build on top of by Heather's review (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...):

1. Reversal of Desire: Overcome avoidance of painful or difficult situations and get out of your confort zone.

2. Active Love: Deal with anger, prevent yourself pers...more

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Jul 10, 2012 Fiona rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I got this book for freee through Goodreads First Reads. What I immediately liked was the fact that this book was easy to read, it didn't use a lot of jargon and was aimed at the average person. To me this made it not only accessible but easy to follow and understand. The chapters were clearly set out and were quite comprehensive often with diagrams to clarify points that were being made.
It was easy to relate points in the book to situations in my own life which I found particularly helpful as I...more

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Jul 11, 2012 Gernot rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

The book is twofold:
The description of the Tools, which are some nice intervention which you will find many alike in modern Therapy.
Nevertheless they are - as far as i can say it - good.

The second part is a spiritual concept which you can like or not.
The authors somehow switch between atheism and universe-theism, which is ok for me as long nobody tells me what the "higher power" wants me todo.
Too often this is just what this person wants me todo...

So - if you are not afraid of some spiritual con...more

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