In anticipation of the arrival of 2010, I'm doing a book review. It is usually during this time of the year folks are thinking about changes for the new year and if you are serious about change, this book is for you. Yes Changing Your Course is a Self Help/Inspirational book BUT please read on! You think that books of this nature are written by the self righteous or the born rich. You may also assume that these books don't relate to my situation, or don't take your financial situation into consideration. If you have any of these feelings, I'm glad to introduce you to Bob and Melinda Blanchard. The Blanchards (as they are collectively known), are serial entrepreneurs; authors, resturantuers, chefs, and have a host of other titles under their belt. Their latest pen is another addition to their Live What You Love brand.
The Blanchards approach to living what you love is more realistic than any book I've read thus far. They are not cheerleaders, and they are not telling you that everything will be a cakewalk during the process. Just as when they experienced setbacks while setting up their resturant in Anguilla, they want you to be realistic about the importance of being ready to take a detour when necessary. They focus on the work you will need to do to achieve your goals and if you really want to change something, how the hard work will not be work but instead process. The authors are literally giving you their map to achieving success.
Changing Your Course is a wonderful book that is built on the acronym D.R.E.A.M. Yes, we hate acronyms, but so do Bob and Melinda, however their 5 steps fit perfectly for living your dream, so we excuse it for a moment.
The Blanchards steps are Decide, Research, Evaluate, Act, and Maintain. Although these ideas may seem obvious, I found the things they are telling you to D.R.E.A.M about, may not be. In chapter one they suggest you decide what will make you happier. It could be redecorating, a diet, a new career, or getting out of a relationship. One great thing about this book is that it's not about one particular type of change but changing anything you feel will make your life more passionate. In chapter three they give you advice on evaluating your options, the money topic (not as scary as you think), and fear; the number one reason people do not change things they are unhappy about. In the end they discuss how to maintain what change you accomplish. Maintaining your dream is like maintaining your weight; if you decide to go back to your old eating habits after reaching your goal, expect to pull out those old garments.
My advice is: When reading a book that will help you achieve a goal it is important to read with a positive frame of mind and an open heart . Besides, if you're working on self improvement, isn't that a positive thing? Something to be happy about? If you are going to voluntarily take advice on how to live what you love, you can not take the advice waiting to inject negativity into the process. If you are experiencing negative feelings you may want to rethink if this is the time to attempt such changes. But if you feel this is the time for ________, then I suggest picking up this publication and putting these 5 steps into action.
If it is for a New Year resolution or a New You resolution, I wish you all the best.
*I would like to thank all of you who have helped me change my course this year by supporting my blog. I hope 2010 brings you all the strength to make the changes you want and further bless the blessings you already attain. I hope you'll keep on reading and feel free to contact me at rezrek@yahoo.com to add names to the update list, delete your name, or anything regarding this blog. PLEASE leave comments if the mood strikes you.
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