Life Strategies: Doing What Works, Doing What Matters [Relié]

As a counsellor, I can tell you that this excellent book contains sound, realistic advice, and I will highly recommend it to anyone looking for self-help material. First of all, you really have to be prepared to take an honest look at yourself and identify your personality type. Based on the Ten Laws of Life, the author makes some powerful points aimed at improving your quality of life, both spiritually and physically. Above all, the author has a writing style all his own that truly calls "a spade, a spade."

If you are living in denial about what is going on in your life, the book is probably not for you. McGraw is a realist, so do not expect to find a lot of flowery words and gushy sympathy written on the pages. At times you may feel the author is being arrogant, but once you understand his approach, you will realize that is not the case. The simple fact of truth is that while sympathy may feel comforting, sympathy, in itself, is not going to solve life's problems, and the objective of this wonderful book is aimed at helping the reader deal with some of the challenges of everyday life in a REALISTIC way. "Life Strategies" is deserving of far more than a five-star rating!

The titles of the chapters really give a good overview of what the book is about. The book takes goes through the different steps to reach a goal of success. He assigns "homework", like writing letters, making lists, or filling out questionnaires which help find the flaws that hold a person back. This book is worth buying because it works. It worked for me; I am only a senior in high school. It helped me improve my grades and my relationships with my peers and my teachers. This book can help you in any situation, whether it is trying to get along with your boss or trying to lose some weight for spring break, this book can help. Dr. McGraw's introduction is not the most exciting, but hang in there it gets a lot better!

"Life Strategies" is one of those rare finds, a self-help book that does not wallow in big words or esoteric concepts. Mr. McGraw outlines his steps for success in life in simple, direct, yet engagingly written chapters. The organization of the book is excellent throughout and reflects an author who has had extensive experience in dealing with people from all walks of life. He deals with concepts such as self-reliance, individual responsibility and similar notions often downplayed (or ignored outright) by other authors seeking to play into the culture of victimization. You will find none of that in Mr. McGraw's book; his main theme is that we are responsible for our own lives and we do not have to allow ourselves to be knocked about like a punching bag on a windy day.

Once you pick up the book, it is difficult to put down; you will find yourself nodding your head at what you have always known in your heart, but do not always acknowledge in your daily life. This book is well worth the time.