The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to…

Highly recommended. Without having known of this fully, I've been quoting from it for years. The language and structure are a little too much like a workbook for my tastes but the ideas, recommendations and practices are sound and compelling and will appeal to many over-stressed folks. Those most skeptical of the softer psycho-spiritual works will be impressed. ( )

Instead of just saying people need to create new healthy habits, Loehr and Schwartz give ample evidence for why people dissatisfied with the way their lives are now should and how they can make new habits to improve their quality of life. According to the authors, the reason people generally don't make the life changing improvements that we want to make is that we really have little mental stamina for constant decision-making. Willpower just doesn't do it.

We are creatures of habit who take the path of least resistance when we are overwhelmed (which is often). The way to make sure that we can function at our best mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually is to tie the behavior you want to create to a core value in your life. Then systematically work to make it a habit. Once it is a habit, you won't have to force yourself to do it during times of high stress or busyness.

The other major theme in the book is that people are out of balance because we don't monitor our stress and recovery times. We tend to work, work, work and rest whenever we have a chance. Our spirit, mental capacity and emotional intelligence operate the same way as our bodies. In order to create a greater flexibility in any of those categories, you have to use the "muscle" and then let it rest (recover). Humans are not designed to go, go, go without breaks. We are rhythmic beings.

The book includes a website to take the free assessment and begin your own analysis so that you can create your own personal development plan.

The ideas presented make a lot of sense and made me feel better about the changes that I've tried to make that haven't stuck, yet. I now have the tools to make those improvements. Will definitely be putting these actions steps to use! ( )

If you want to be more productive and get stuck not having the energy or not being in the mood when you think you should be doing what's top on your "to do" list, you need to read this book. It's not the kind of self-help book that is just one author's opinion or theory, but presents sufficient evidence and analysis for the author's recommendations of how to manage your energy (and not focus so much on time). ( )

Capitulo 1 ( )

Definitely thought provoking, and it convinced me to sign up for a photography class I've wanted to take. ( )