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Hide Your Goat: Strategies To Stay Positive When Negativity Surrounds You
Hide Your Goat is for every person who has ever said, “Why me?” It is for every person who feels like everywhere you turn, you meet problems, obstacles, difficulties – large ones, small ones, all sizes. Filled with thought-provoking questions, ideas and solutions, this book will help you stay positive while dealing with life’s disappointments and the negativity that encompasses our society. Whereas, you can’t change the people and circumstances that try to get your goat, Hide Your Goat will help you stay positive when negativity surrounds you. The book focuses on six core principles.
• The Courage to Recognize Who You Are
• The Strength to Accept Where You Have Been
* The Wisdom to Discern Where You Are Heading
* The Knowledge to Acquire What it Takes To Get There
* The Awareness to Exclude Who Is Stopping You
* The Power to Change What Holds You Back
Hide Your Goat makes you aware of how your daily life intersects with a diverse group of people from different backgrounds, opinions and personalities. This book will make you think about yourself and dive deep below the surface to uncover feelings, thoughts and emotions that expose your goat. Regardless of its origin, the expression “gets my goat” is something that resonates with all of us. The fast-paced and stress-filled schedules we maintain “open the gate” to allow people and circumstances to “get our goat.” It’s time to discover, herd, teach, feed, gate, exercise and in the end, Hide Your Goat!
• The Courage to Recognize Who You Are
• The Strength to Accept Where You Have Been
* The Wisdom to Discern Where You Are Heading
* The Knowledge to Acquire What it Takes To Get There
* The Awareness to Exclude Who Is Stopping You
* The Power to Change What Holds You Back
Hide Your Goat makes you aware of how your daily life intersects with a diverse group of people from different backgrounds, opinions and personalities. This book will make you think about yourself and dive deep below the surface to uncover feelings, thoughts and emotions that expose your goat. Regardless of its origin, the expression “gets my goat” is something that resonates with all of us. The fast-paced and stress-filled schedules we maintain “open the gate” to allow people and circumstances to “get our goat.” It’s time to discover, herd, teach, feed, gate, exercise and in the end, Hide Your Goat!
- GenresNonfictionSelf Help
152 pages, Hardcover
First published May 29, 2013
20 people are currently reading
261 people want to read
About the author
Steve Gilliland
39 books18 followersA member of the Speaker Hall of Fame, Steve Gilliland is one of the most in-demand and top-rated speakers in the world. Recognized as a master storyteller and brilliant comedian, he can be heard daily on SiriusXM Radio’s Laugh USA and Jeff & Larry's Comedy Roundup. With an appeal that transcends barriers of age, culture and occupation—plus an interactive and entertaining style—Steve shows audiences how to open doors to success in their careers, their relationships and their lives. Presenting to over 250,000 people a year, more than two million have now heard him speak, with audiences encompassing nearly three dozen industries. Steve has the distinction of speaking in all 50 states and in 15 countries. As one newspaper stated, “Steve is what happens when the humor of a stand-up comic collides with the inspiration of motivational speaker."
In addition to his brilliant speaking career, Steve is a prolific, accomplished author, evidenced by four of his books—Enjoy The Ride, Making a Difference, Hide Your Goat and Detour—perennially making the publisher’s bestseller list and his being named Author of the Year. His thought-provoking writing style makes his articles a favorite with nationally prominent magazines. He influences the lives of millions through his presentations, books, CDs and DVDs. An extensive array of these products has been utilized by small businesses, Fortune 500 companies, U.S. and Canadian government agencies, churches, school districts and nonprofit organizations. Speaking the language of active business leaders, his books and CDs identify practical lessons that grow people and their businesses.
In addition to his brilliant speaking career, Steve is a prolific, accomplished author, evidenced by four of his books—Enjoy The Ride, Making a Difference, Hide Your Goat and Detour—perennially making the publisher’s bestseller list and his being named Author of the Year. His thought-provoking writing style makes his articles a favorite with nationally prominent magazines. He influences the lives of millions through his presentations, books, CDs and DVDs. An extensive array of these products has been utilized by small businesses, Fortune 500 companies, U.S. and Canadian government agencies, churches, school districts and nonprofit organizations. Speaking the language of active business leaders, his books and CDs identify practical lessons that grow people and their businesses.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 1, 2018
This was a quick easy read! I have heard most of the ideas in this book before. A few good thoughts to start out the new year!
September 29, 2018
This really missed the mark for me.
I had the opportunity (and pleasure) to see Steve Gilliland in person at our company's Transportation Summit this summer. He was by far my favorite part of the day, and his segment left me with tears of laughter rolling down my face. I hustled home eager to purchase every book by him that I could get my hands on.
The biggest disappointment for me was that his hilarious personality does not appear in this book. It's rather dry and repetitive. The "goat" references didn't do a thing for me. I was truly slogging through 80% of this. To be fair, the book was reminding me more of someone I knew than myself, so I spent a good portion wondering if I could discretely pass a copy of this to her without insulting her.
Chapter 3 - aka "Teach Your Goat" (honestly I'm cringing) - was the one chapter I found myself dog-earring a few pages in. Solid advice such as:
While you are at work, conduct yourself professionally. If you cannot conduct yourself appropriately, you are not going to earn the respect of others.
If you are holding on to hurt, pain, or rejection, cut it loose. If you're pouring your love into a leaky vessel - someone who can't use it much less return it - cut it loose.
There wasn't anything earth shattering here. It could have been reduced to half its size (start with the hokey metaphors...). I am hoping the other few books I purchased are better and that this one just wasn't directed at what I'm actually looking for. Gilliland is still an amazing speaker that I would encourage anyone to see if given the opportunity.
But for the book....2 Stars.
I had the opportunity (and pleasure) to see Steve Gilliland in person at our company's Transportation Summit this summer. He was by far my favorite part of the day, and his segment left me with tears of laughter rolling down my face. I hustled home eager to purchase every book by him that I could get my hands on.
The biggest disappointment for me was that his hilarious personality does not appear in this book. It's rather dry and repetitive. The "goat" references didn't do a thing for me. I was truly slogging through 80% of this. To be fair, the book was reminding me more of someone I knew than myself, so I spent a good portion wondering if I could discretely pass a copy of this to her without insulting her.
Chapter 3 - aka "Teach Your Goat" (honestly I'm cringing) - was the one chapter I found myself dog-earring a few pages in. Solid advice such as:
While you are at work, conduct yourself professionally. If you cannot conduct yourself appropriately, you are not going to earn the respect of others.
If you are holding on to hurt, pain, or rejection, cut it loose. If you're pouring your love into a leaky vessel - someone who can't use it much less return it - cut it loose.
There wasn't anything earth shattering here. It could have been reduced to half its size (start with the hokey metaphors...). I am hoping the other few books I purchased are better and that this one just wasn't directed at what I'm actually looking for. Gilliland is still an amazing speaker that I would encourage anyone to see if given the opportunity.
But for the book....2 Stars.
February 16, 2020
I haven't finished this yet, although I'm about mid-way through. Mostly, it's because I don't gravitate towards non-fiction or self-help books.
That being said, I do feel that what I have read of this has helped me to rein in some of the behaviors that do more harm than good, to keep negative thoughts and words to myself, particularly when they would do no good, and to focus on positive outcomes, rather than current or past negatives.
On the other hand, I feel that the goat analogy, while amusing, is a bit inconsistently delivered as the book progresses. Not a deal breaker, but it sometimes left me confused as to what it stands for.
I think folks who dig this sort of book would like this.
That being said, I do feel that what I have read of this has helped me to rein in some of the behaviors that do more harm than good, to keep negative thoughts and words to myself, particularly when they would do no good, and to focus on positive outcomes, rather than current or past negatives.
On the other hand, I feel that the goat analogy, while amusing, is a bit inconsistently delivered as the book progresses. Not a deal breaker, but it sometimes left me confused as to what it stands for.
I think folks who dig this sort of book would like this.
July 20, 2017
This book did not end up being at all what I thought it would be! I thought it would be more of a business strategy book for a positive culture (or something along those lines) yet it was more of a self-help book (in my opinion) talking about how if you feel good about yourself and change the way you respond to what people say or do, that is how you maintain your own positive attitude.
The lessons were right on. Some of the metaphors were a little "out there" but overall it was a pretty quick read. I highlighted many key points and am confident I will skim though it again at some point.
The lessons were right on. Some of the metaphors were a little "out there" but overall it was a pretty quick read. I highlighted many key points and am confident I will skim though it again at some point.
May 3, 2019
This somewhat of a "baby's first self help book." I read it for work and was hoping it would have more of a work-life focus, but it was very general and not specific enough for me. There were definitely some funny parts and some helpful parts, but I got more out of hearing Steve Gilliland speak than I did out of reading his book. I'd recommend people watch him on YouTube in lieu of reading this book.
September 4, 2018
I enjoyed this book. It was a good review of things I already knew. The author included a lot of geat quotes. Fairly quick read.
May 5, 2019
A thought provoking read
I chose a 5 star because this book makes you analyze not only how others treat you but how you have been treating them.
I chose a 5 star because this book makes you analyze not only how others treat you but how you have been treating them.
March 12, 2020
This book was awesome.
April 13, 2020
khó nuốt !! nhiều cái pải nghĩ 2p mới hiểu cái câu đọc nghĩa là gì ?? :)
Want to read
December 30, 2025SM
February 26, 2017
Great book.
December 1, 2025
Transparency: I only perused this book. I had full intentions of reading the whole thing, but after reading a few pages, I realized it might not be a good fit (and it wasn't), so I switched to speed reading.
I could tell I was going to have issues when, in the first chapter alone, the author:
- Talked down to the reader in the very first sentence
- Referenced God and religion as general motivation instead of a personal one
- Used an example of a time when a friend was jealous of him instead of him being jealous of someone else for the 'Jealousy' vice section
- Then followed it up with the 'Humility' section and talked about how humble he is
- Talked authoritatively but made no move to cite any research
After perusing through the rest of the chapters and seeing that it didn't get any better (there was an unsettling and recurring "Grow the f*ck up and get over yourself" rhetoric), I decided to read his bio on the back cover.
His only credential, if you can even call it that, is that he's an award-winning speaker. About what? It doesn't really say. There's 4-5 paragraphs about how important he is and how many important people and companies he's spoken in front of, and don't you know how important and rare this award he has is? (And did you catch that part in Chapter 1 where he told his friend he was chosen for a fancy committee only for his friend to get *jealous?*)
He has no credentials to write a book like this. I thought it was going to be written by a psychologist. Or maybe even an HR Director.
Don't bother with this book. Find something else.
I could tell I was going to have issues when, in the first chapter alone, the author:
- Talked down to the reader in the very first sentence
- Referenced God and religion as general motivation instead of a personal one
- Used an example of a time when a friend was jealous of him instead of him being jealous of someone else for the 'Jealousy' vice section
- Then followed it up with the 'Humility' section and talked about how humble he is
- Talked authoritatively but made no move to cite any research
After perusing through the rest of the chapters and seeing that it didn't get any better (there was an unsettling and recurring "Grow the f*ck up and get over yourself" rhetoric), I decided to read his bio on the back cover.
His only credential, if you can even call it that, is that he's an award-winning speaker. About what? It doesn't really say. There's 4-5 paragraphs about how important he is and how many important people and companies he's spoken in front of, and don't you know how important and rare this award he has is? (And did you catch that part in Chapter 1 where he told his friend he was chosen for a fancy committee only for his friend to get *jealous?*)
He has no credentials to write a book like this. I thought it was going to be written by a psychologist. Or maybe even an HR Director.
Don't bother with this book. Find something else.
August 18, 2013
This book was recommended to me and I'm glad I took the recommendation. It's a wonderful book. Gilliland goes in straight and to the point. Throughout the book he really has you thinking about those weaknesses we all have and how to counter them so they don't overcome us. I'd highly recommend this book for any who's looking to change the direction of their lives and who is hoping to live more fully.
September 28, 2014
I really loved this book and would highly recommend it. It will be helpful to me both professionally and personally, with many tips for "hiding my goat". I have so many parts highlighted that I plan to review regularly to remind myself of so many of the important and pertinent tips. I loved how the author gave examples on how the strategies pertain to work and home. Excellent read and plan to read again and again.
Read
April 26, 2015Common sense, easy to read reminders
Every now and then we need to be reminded of things we might already have knowledge of but forget to practice. This is a book that I will periodically read to keep me grounded. Very easy to read and understand with lots of great quotes and examples. Helpful!
Every now and then we need to be reminded of things we might already have knowledge of but forget to practice. This is a book that I will periodically read to keep me grounded. Very easy to read and understand with lots of great quotes and examples. Helpful!
October 4, 2021
A bit repetitive throughout, but still a good read. it didn't explain HOW to hide your goat, as the title would imply, rather, what can cause your goat to rear up. Mr. Gilliland is much better in person.
August 4, 2013
Wonderful book but I think I need to read it again to really start implementing not letting people get my goat.
December 28, 2016
I thought this book was entertaining as well as knowledgeable. It teaches you how not to let folks get under your skin. I took from it that people around you watch you more than you know.
June 6, 2015
Have seen Steve Gilliland speak several times and really enjoy listening to him. Bought the book but never finished it. It is a little too dry for me.
January 25, 2016
This was very insightful and gave me a great deal of perspective in dealing with people.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews