Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot
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Cure for the Common Life: Living in Your Sweet Spot

3.92 of 5 stars 3.92  ·  rating details  ·  933 ratings  ·  124 reviews

It's only Sunday and you're already dreading Monday. You spend 50+ hours at a job you hate andcome home too exhausted to pursue anything other than reality TV. You are not alone: 87 percent of workers don't find meaning at work and 80 percent believe their talents are unused. The resulting attitude impacts health, relationships, and a fundamental sense of happiness, but be

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Hardcover, 220 pages
Published January 3rd 2006 by W Publishing Group
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Elle
Elle rated it 4 of 5 stars
Tired of feeling common? Not sure where you fit in the world? Tired of your everyday routines? Not sure where your sweet spot is anymore? You know that moment where you know you are doing what you were created to do, that moment where everything just makes sense. The Cure for the Common Life is here to help you find your sweet spot again. Lucado goes chapter by chapter to remind you to look at the things that are truly your strengths rather than the things you may just be doing or were throw...more
Lisa
Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars
Shelves: non-fiction
Filled with encouragement, Lucado’s little book gives Christians a boost to discover our uniqueness to showcase the glory of God. Not ourselves, not even to contribute to society, but to praise and glorify our Creator. What an intriguing and refreshing way to think of ourselves in God’s eyes.

The spirit has given each of us special gifts to make a big deal of God.
How do we find them? This book is divided into two parts: the first is an exploration of our uniqueness; the second, a w...more
Victor Gentile
Max Lucado has a new book, "Cure For The Common Life" published by Thomas Nelson. I have read that Max Lucado is called America's Pastor and after reading this book it is even more true.

I understand that on the Basketball Court there is a spot from which a player can do no wrong. Every time, without exception, the player, when he hits this one spot, can stand, toss and, without fail, dunk the ball in the basket. This spot is called that players, "sweet spot" In...more
Sharri
Sharri rated it 4 of 5 stars
Shelves: non-fiction
Why am I always so suspicious of self-help books written by big-name ministers? Partly, I suppose, because I'm suspicious of the whole self-help genre, with their grandiose titles and by-lines advertising that THIS book will be the one to fix your poor, broken life. And partly because I fall into the trap of thinking that we Christians, of all people, should have our lives together and not even need a book like this. {Not true: Christians are saved DESPITE our imperfect lives, not because of our...more
Dana Rongione
Do you ever wonder if you're where God wants you to be? Do you ever feel like you were made for more than what you're currently doing? Do you ever feel out of place in your job or ministry? Max Lucado's book, Cure for the Common Life, addresses these issues and more. It is a guide to discovering your sweet spot in life, the place where you find peace and joy in using your talents and abilities as they were meant to be used. Lucado puts forth the idea that "you were born pre-packed--for a pu...more
Meg
Meg rated it 5 of 5 stars
Shelves: non-fiction
I really needed to read this book. Much of the advice Max Lucado gave were things I had already guessed. To figure out what God wants me to do in my life, I have to identify my strengths and gifts. To do so, I have to think of the times in the past where I was happiest doing certain things, or when I found that things came easiest for me.

This book becomes more valuable where it asked the right questions for me to think about. The latter part of the book had worksheets and guides tha...more
Kayce
Kayce rated it 5 of 5 stars
Do you feel drained by the “commonness of your life?” The day to day patterns that cause you to go through the motions without fulfilling you? You were never designed to live that way! God wants you to thrive, to be completely satisfied and to engage in your gifts that he equipped you with before you even came out of the womb.

I’ve had this book for years and never actually read it. Luckily, the small group bible study I co-lead decided to begin a Christian themed book club while we a...more
*Christie*
What a great book to start out the New Year. This book is a gorgeous testament to God and to the Divine Nature in everyone. It proposes that while we may be successful at many things, there are specific areas in which God wants us to live our lives and in which we will be the happiest. He calls this your "sweet spot." It was different for me to get used to a different translation of the bible, but it didn't matter after awhile. I love the concept that we were all pre-packaged with...more
Mendy
Mendy rated it 4 of 5 stars
I have been wanting to read this book for a very long time, thinking it would change my life in unimaginable ways, I know alot of pressure to put on an inanimate object. I can't say that it moved beyond words. It did make me think about my life, choices I have made and/or are making. I feel that for the most part I am living in my sweet spot. And according to my daughter I am seeing as how how we have have two dogs that spend most of their days asleep on the couch. Instead of pointing me in a di...more
Debbie
if you've ever wondered, where did my burning childhood dream to be an artist, a mucisian, a pro-bono lawyer go to? did it simply disintegrate? this could be the book for you. it may re-center your position in life, question the very occupation you are involved in at the moment and you may find yourself shifting simply because you managed to pull out an answer from deep within. I'm saying 'may'. but you never know.
Ian Hastings
I have read several of Lucado’s previous books and always find some nuggets of wisdom and inspiration that I can apply to my life. However, like many prolific authors in this genre, after a while, one book starts to sound a lot like the one before.
This IS NOT true of The Cure for the Common Life. In addition to the typical inspirational fare, Max gives us a framework to figure out what we are supposed to be doing with our lives. Using the acronym S.T.O.R.Y. (strengths, topic, optimal c...more
Andrew
In the Cure for the Common Life, Max Lucado believed that people need to be living in their sweet spot and enjoying their life. Lucado teaches readers to love themselves and be unique because God made everyone special. He wanted everyone to find out what gifts God has equipped them with and to pursue their calling. Studying your story will help you find the clues to fulfilling your purpose. We have to not let others define who we are supposed to be and what we are supposed to be doing. The book ...more
Becky
Becky rated it 3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for: Those struggling to find their way
This book is to help you find what you were really meant to do with your life . . . finding your God given talents and skills. It gives you a Christian perspective on what you are here for. It has a skill assessment in the back of the book too to help guide you along in the process.
IrenesChristianReviews
You were created a unique individual. This book by popular author Max Lucado shows you the way to find your uniqueness. As in most of his books the author has some meaningful one liners. The book starts with one about your purpose: "God packed you on purpose for a purpose." This could almost be the title for the book. When God designed each of us he put different talents and desires in our hearts. This was not done randomly but by his design so we could do His will.

"C...more
Eric
Eric rated it 4 of 5 stars
Ever wonder what your purpose is? Or are you bored at your job? God has a time and a place for you to be. Doing what he needs you to do. When we find our sweet spot in life, we find happiness that can only be granted by God.
Ed Soehnel
I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Max Lucado and rate it among my top tier of books I’ve read. The book helps the reader explore their past to determine their sweet spot so that they can make informed choices about doing what they are good at and what they enjoy. I’ve read books like this, but none that take the approach offered here. What I most enjoyed was the solid Biblical references the book uses to help the reader explore their unique gifts and talents given by the Lord. It quotes many Bib...more
Sue
Sue rated it 5 of 5 stars
A must read and reread for those of us who yearn to use their talents and interests to the fullest. Living in your "Sweet spot" as Lucado terms it is a "zone, a region, a life precinct in which we are made to dwell." This book is based on the principal that God designed each of us with unique talents and life makes sweet sense when we truly find our calling. Jump to chapter three and read the first few paragraphs and you'll read the essence of Lucado's message. Anyone (Chr...more
Laura
Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for: everyone, but specifically those who don't enjoy their jobs
Recommended to Laura by: I'm a Max Lucado fan who doesn't want life to be ho-hum :)
I have to admit that when I had a moment to read, I wasn't as eager to pick up this book as I am with fiction. It feels like it takes discipline for me to read nonfiction. It's just not as fun. When I did open this book though, each time I was glad I did. In the beginning, I was thinking how Max's writing style lends better to his quote-filled gift books and devotionals (which I love), as he's very fond of alliteration and there a lot of potent short sentences. It quickly gained a better flow, a...more
Kelly
Kelly rated it 5 of 5 stars
What an amazing book! I loved it! It's written with really short sentences so it's easy to read and remember - great for one that is supposed to help you make changes to your life. Makes me think and inspires me to be more confident in who the Lord created me to be in the beginning. It also has really helped me with parenting, actually. Good job, Blue, for getting it for me!

Here are some underlined passages in my book --

What engineers give sports equipment, God gave you. ...more
Laura0141
Title:
Cure for the Common Life
Author:
Lucado, Max
Publisher:
W Publishing Group
Format:
Paperback
BCID:
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/5987...
No. of pages:
220
First sentence:
"Sweet spot."

The title of this book really appealed to me on a rainy day in Glasgow when life seemed incredibly common. This is the first Max Lucado book I've read and I was most impressed. Using People Managemet Internat...more
Mari
Mari rated it 5 of 5 stars
If you are looking for Inspiration(which we all are) if you are looking to better understand how and what you can give to the world to Inspire others this is a starting point. I believe this book spoke to my soul and really questioned me in depth of who I was meant to be in the crazy world. I adore Max Lucado's books for the way he story tells and gives life examples of real people who overcame and continue to overcome life's obstacles.
Malinda
Great book. Gives you a lot to ponder. If you're used to reflecting on where you've been and where you are going to, you probably won't read anything you didn't know before. However, I think this is a great book to read if you need a little perspective on life. It's a quick read, for sure, and a great tool for those who need or would like a little guidance on their life (i.e. where you've been, where you are, and we're you're going).
Doug
Doug rated it 3 of 5 stars
Shelves: 2011-books
This was my first Lucado book and it won't be the last, I really like his writting style, though I'm not a fan of the way he uses different translations of the Bible to make his points. That feels a tad manipulative to me. I'd rather see him use one translation through the whole book. Also, I didn't realize the back half of this book was a workbook of sorts not written by Lucado. That was disappointing for me, though I could see it being helpful to someone at a crossroads.
Liz
Liz rated it 5 of 5 stars
I have read many books on life purpose and this is one of my favorites. This non-fiction book gives tangible examples and exercises to help people get out of the duldrums of life into really living. I believe there would be fewer depressed people in America if they read this book and were aware of their personal "sweet spot." Passion would ignite the spark within that makes all the difference.
Tina Zellman
The book was directed to those searching for their career "sweet spot" to help "cure" the "common life." I enjoy my career, but still some good points. I liked the chapter on children. It encouraged parents to read their kids' strengths and guide them versus writing their children's stories (activities and careers) based on the parent's inclination for their child's life.
Chelsie
This book did not disappoint me. Then again I usually love everything Max Lucado writes!He talks about why people are so unhappy in there jobs and waste all there gifts that God has equipt them with(to serve him). He recommends you look into your childhood at thing you were good at and proud of in order to spot and harvest your gifts. What I love about this book is that he doesn't want you to just drop everything, quit your job and not support yourself or your family in order to serve God proper...more
Heather Hampton
This book is based on the idea that God creates every individual for a specific purpose and that we will only be truly happy when we are fulfilling our purpose. This book challenges you to find out what God's purpose for your life is and tells you how to do this. It also has a great study guide in the back that would be wonderful to do as a small group.
Amy
Amy rated it 3 of 5 stars
Jolene lent me this book thinking that it would be helpful for the team building packet I put together for the start of each school year. While not as helpful as she might have envisioned, I appreaciate her thoughtfulness and did take the concept of "Sweet Spots" and "Life Themes" from the book.
Trisha
Trisha rated it 2 of 5 stars
Part of my on-line book clubs

I don't typically read inspirational books. so it seemed okay as far as a book trying to inspire someone....

But, for me, it came off too "this is what you need to do" instead of openning up the possibility of "how would these things fit within your life".....
Karen
Karen rated it 3 of 5 stars
Shelves: religious, 2011
Lucado is a little cheesy sometimes, but the content of this book is great. He referenced some great verses that were rewording to look up on my own. This book helped me feel much more fulfilled at work and realize that (luckily) I am heading down the right career path for me. This book has also spurred me on the figure out ways to use what I'm good at to serve. This book helped make me feel unique and like there really is a plan for me. I recommend it.
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Max Lucado has touched millions with his signature storytelling writing style. Awards and accolades follow Max with each book he writes. Max is the first author to win the Gold Medallion Christian Book of the Year three times—1999 for Just Like Jesus, 1997 for In the Grip of Grace and 1995 for When God Whispers Your Name. In 2005, Reader’s Digest dubbed him “America’s Best Preacher.” In addition...more
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