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Be Amazing: Discover Your Purpose, Conquer Your Fears, and Fulfill Your Potential
A Roadmap to Living an Extraordinary Life from the Bestselling Author of Begin with Yes
Be Amazing is a motivational and inspiring call to action for people who want more out of life, guiding them and helping them discover how to be amazing in their everyday work and personal lives. Using the signature gentle, conversational style that made Paul Boynton's Begin with Yes so popular, Paul captivates readers with stories of extraordinary people in everyday circumstances, and then zeroes in on the qualities and habits that make them so amazing. By distilling the universal qualities that yield such amazing results, Paul helps readers understand the simple commitments and actions that they can employ in their own lives that will help them be amazing, too—at home, at work, and the pursuit of their passions.
Be Amazing shows readers how they can accelerate into lives that are rich and fulfilling, thanks to simple principles that are both universal and easy to understand and apply day-to-day. Learn how generosity and kindness will propel you toward success. Discover the power of setting intentions. Be inspired to serve your community and reap the surprising rewards of doing so. And perhaps most importantly, be empowered to be you.
Simple, direct, and full of hope and practical wisdom, Be Amazing will help lead you to the life you've always wanted, while helping others along the way.
Be Amazing is a motivational and inspiring call to action for people who want more out of life, guiding them and helping them discover how to be amazing in their everyday work and personal lives. Using the signature gentle, conversational style that made Paul Boynton's Begin with Yes so popular, Paul captivates readers with stories of extraordinary people in everyday circumstances, and then zeroes in on the qualities and habits that make them so amazing. By distilling the universal qualities that yield such amazing results, Paul helps readers understand the simple commitments and actions that they can employ in their own lives that will help them be amazing, too—at home, at work, and the pursuit of their passions.
Be Amazing shows readers how they can accelerate into lives that are rich and fulfilling, thanks to simple principles that are both universal and easy to understand and apply day-to-day. Learn how generosity and kindness will propel you toward success. Discover the power of setting intentions. Be inspired to serve your community and reap the surprising rewards of doing so. And perhaps most importantly, be empowered to be you.
Simple, direct, and full of hope and practical wisdom, Be Amazing will help lead you to the life you've always wanted, while helping others along the way.
144 pages, Paperback
Published January 7, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 18, 2022
Did not love. It's more "if you want to be happy, smile" then anything else.
October 18, 2019
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Living in the cold and bitter UK, I have inherited an equally cynical sense of humour, since sarcasm accidentally became my first language from an early age, which may come across as quite gloomy and self-deprecating at times. In comparison, 'Be Amazing' reads like an actual ray of sunshine, so bright and enthusiastic that it could almost be blinding, but instead, I found it a genuine and heartwarming read. It was like holding a cup of hot chocolate on a cold day; comforting and practical.
This is not a book full of well-meaning, yet empty platitudes, but meaningful advice, which can be deployed in any reader's life depending on how serious they are about being amazing. Most importantly- for me, at least- it contains personal anecdotes from the author and their experiences, but without overshadowing the main context of the novel, which is YOU.
That is how YOU are addressed throughout this text and the second-person Question and Answer format is sure to placate even the most anxious or pedantic of readers if they too are genuine in their desire to flourish as a person and achieve the goals of their 'spirit blueprint.' (I did find this terminology slightly "cheesy", but it does aptly summarise the idea of identifying what elements nurture your spirit and are important in your own life.)
Overall, this is a book to be read thoughtfully, rather than speedily, I listened to the advice in the book and took breaks to consider what is most important to me- how do I want to be amazing? It may not have changed my personality, sometimes I did find the overwhelming positivity as being just that (overwhelming), but this just meant I needed to take a break to think and reflect- but it has changed my outlook. I think this will be a book I return to whenever I want a boost in morale or to encourage myself about the progress I have made in my own goals, because as Paul S. Boynton has written; we all have the potential and we all deserve to 'Be Amazing.'
(I also really want to have the pancakes mentioned at Walla Walla, Washington, because they too sound utterly, well, amazing...)
Living in the cold and bitter UK, I have inherited an equally cynical sense of humour, since sarcasm accidentally became my first language from an early age, which may come across as quite gloomy and self-deprecating at times. In comparison, 'Be Amazing' reads like an actual ray of sunshine, so bright and enthusiastic that it could almost be blinding, but instead, I found it a genuine and heartwarming read. It was like holding a cup of hot chocolate on a cold day; comforting and practical.
This is not a book full of well-meaning, yet empty platitudes, but meaningful advice, which can be deployed in any reader's life depending on how serious they are about being amazing. Most importantly- for me, at least- it contains personal anecdotes from the author and their experiences, but without overshadowing the main context of the novel, which is YOU.
That is how YOU are addressed throughout this text and the second-person Question and Answer format is sure to placate even the most anxious or pedantic of readers if they too are genuine in their desire to flourish as a person and achieve the goals of their 'spirit blueprint.' (I did find this terminology slightly "cheesy", but it does aptly summarise the idea of identifying what elements nurture your spirit and are important in your own life.)
Overall, this is a book to be read thoughtfully, rather than speedily, I listened to the advice in the book and took breaks to consider what is most important to me- how do I want to be amazing? It may not have changed my personality, sometimes I did find the overwhelming positivity as being just that (overwhelming), but this just meant I needed to take a break to think and reflect- but it has changed my outlook. I think this will be a book I return to whenever I want a boost in morale or to encourage myself about the progress I have made in my own goals, because as Paul S. Boynton has written; we all have the potential and we all deserve to 'Be Amazing.'
(I also really want to have the pancakes mentioned at Walla Walla, Washington, because they too sound utterly, well, amazing...)
November 24, 2019
If you are looking for an optimistic and uplifting self-improvement book, you have found it in Be Amazing: Discover Your Purpose, Conquer Your Fears, and Fulfill Your Potential by Paul S. Boynton.
Paul Boynton is the kind of guy who always looks for the good, the positive, the amazing in every situation and finds it. He wants to help readers find it too - you get what you look for. This book is an easy read full of "remember this" information and loads of affirmations. He wants to share his happiness and joy, and he does.
The one thing I didn't care for is his question/answer format. Just tell readers what you want them to know; please don't presume to know/anticipate questions they might have. I found this highly annoying.
Thanks to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Paul Boynton is the kind of guy who always looks for the good, the positive, the amazing in every situation and finds it. He wants to help readers find it too - you get what you look for. This book is an easy read full of "remember this" information and loads of affirmations. He wants to share his happiness and joy, and he does.
The one thing I didn't care for is his question/answer format. Just tell readers what you want them to know; please don't presume to know/anticipate questions they might have. I found this highly annoying.
Thanks to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
December 1, 2020
This feel like this is a anthology of stories, thoughts, and questions that were thought provoking. These question and subjects made for great table topics. I would recommend it to someone looking for examples of bettering themselves.
December 16, 2019
Be Amazing is a good uplifting book. The question and answer is a bit annoying. He could just inform the reader what he wants them to know.
January 29, 2021
My decision to read this book was more based on the subtitle than the title. The title sounded a little self-serving, but as I read the book, I realized that I want to be amazing not for my benefit but for how my being amazing can help others. This made me feel better about reading the book and sharing a review of it.
The book outlines six qualities that you should have to be amazing and four steps to get there.
The six qualities are:
1. Offer unexpected acts of generosity, kindness, and other thoughtful behaviors.
2. Don’t necessarily strive for being the best but do strive to be the very best you can be.
3. Have an intention that becomes a narrative—even if it’s only one sentence long.
4. Be as accommodating as possible.
5. Create a community, serve the one you’re in, or bring disparate communities together.
6. Be authentic about and focused on things you feel passionate about
The four steps to get there are:
1. Find your “spirit blueprint.”
2. Make a decision.
3. Discover what amazing will look like.
4. Make it happen.
After reading the book, I noted that:
I am called to be an amazing course creator who creates courses that help people feel comfortable with and learn how to use software.
And my intention (Quality Three) is to:
Create a safe place for people to learn.
Some of my favorite highlights in the book include:
• “What makes each of us unique is not a problem; it’s an amazing blessing.”
• “Being amazing is much easier—even effortless—whenever we are passionate about what we’re doing.”
• “Being amazing means doing your personal best (which is much different from being ‘better than’).”
• “…flowers don’t compare themselves with other flowers, they just bloom.”
• “The first thing standing in our way is our thoughts, and the second thing is our unwillingness to take action.”
• “What we think is reality is really just our reality, not the reality.”
• “If we see our potential, we will be eager to seek out opportunities and step into the unknown where amazing waits.”
• “…taking action is really the only way we’ll ever move from hoping something will happen to actually making something amazing happen.”
• “When we are feeling stuck, we need to dig deeper, not give up.”
• “Every time you hear that negative voice [in your head], take the message and flip it.”
• “You teach through your actions.”
• “Being amazing is about you being you.”
This book contained a lot of stories about amazing people and how they were amazing. While I enjoyed and got some inspiration from these stories, I wished there were more substance and less storytelling. But overall, I enjoyed the book and have gotten a lot out of it.
The book outlines six qualities that you should have to be amazing and four steps to get there.
The six qualities are:
1. Offer unexpected acts of generosity, kindness, and other thoughtful behaviors.
2. Don’t necessarily strive for being the best but do strive to be the very best you can be.
3. Have an intention that becomes a narrative—even if it’s only one sentence long.
4. Be as accommodating as possible.
5. Create a community, serve the one you’re in, or bring disparate communities together.
6. Be authentic about and focused on things you feel passionate about
The four steps to get there are:
1. Find your “spirit blueprint.”
2. Make a decision.
3. Discover what amazing will look like.
4. Make it happen.
After reading the book, I noted that:
I am called to be an amazing course creator who creates courses that help people feel comfortable with and learn how to use software.
And my intention (Quality Three) is to:
Create a safe place for people to learn.
Some of my favorite highlights in the book include:
• “What makes each of us unique is not a problem; it’s an amazing blessing.”
• “Being amazing is much easier—even effortless—whenever we are passionate about what we’re doing.”
• “Being amazing means doing your personal best (which is much different from being ‘better than’).”
• “…flowers don’t compare themselves with other flowers, they just bloom.”
• “The first thing standing in our way is our thoughts, and the second thing is our unwillingness to take action.”
• “What we think is reality is really just our reality, not the reality.”
• “If we see our potential, we will be eager to seek out opportunities and step into the unknown where amazing waits.”
• “…taking action is really the only way we’ll ever move from hoping something will happen to actually making something amazing happen.”
• “When we are feeling stuck, we need to dig deeper, not give up.”
• “Every time you hear that negative voice [in your head], take the message and flip it.”
• “You teach through your actions.”
• “Being amazing is about you being you.”
This book contained a lot of stories about amazing people and how they were amazing. While I enjoyed and got some inspiration from these stories, I wished there were more substance and less storytelling. But overall, I enjoyed the book and have gotten a lot out of it.
June 20, 2020
This self-improvement book includes steps to find your passions, pursue them, and become amazing at them rather than just “good enough.” Lots of examples and inspiring everyday people. A nice little one sitting read with my morning coffee and happy thoughts to continue on my day.
May 31, 2021
I wanted this to be a terrific book. Instead - it is OK. It is written in a chatty and conversational fashion. I like Boynton's writing style. But the ideas are self evident. Nothing is new or innovative here. It offers clear ideas to explore and think about, but it is all pretty obvious.
March 6, 2024
This book was very average but the author just seems like such a nice guy I had to give it at least three stars. This might be good if you've never read any self-help book ever and you just genuinely need a pick me up, but there's definitely nothing new or innovative in here.
March 4, 2020
3.5 stars
March 24, 2021
easy read, helps to reframe thinking n motivate
December 14, 2021
It was a good book but not very long.
December 28, 2019
I really enjoyed "Be Amazing" and found it to be very uplifting. It shows us how to create an amazing life for ourselves. This was a good read. I'm not sure how I feel about the question and answer format, but the information presented is invaluable. I would reccomend it.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy free of charge. This is my honest and unbiased opinion of it.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews