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Summary: This Book Is Going To Change My Life
Review: Only after reading this book did I realize how empty and meaningless my life was. I was doing everything to please everyone else, and nothing at all to please myself. I let my parents arrange my marriage for me, and I gave in to my wife's nagging and ended up with 2 kids and bought a minivan, and I let my in-laws come to the house for extended stays which I dread but never say anything about, I never hang out with the people I like because my wife doesn't like them, I never watch the movies or television shows that I want to because my wife doesn't like them and I work in a job that I hate but stay there because the pay is good and I need to provide for my family, and the list just goes on and on and on. But after reading this book, I have seriously been considering just giving it all up - leaving the family, quitting my job, maybe try out something a little more creative for a career, like a circus performer or a Disney cartoonist or a Hollywood screenwriter or something, and try to hook up with someone who is more compatible, like Cameron Diaz or Elizabeth Shannon, or Nicole Kidman maybe, I heard she's available now. You just watch Dr. Phil, I am going to make something out of my life before I leave this world, and I will have you to thank.
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Summary: Too selfish
Review: While this book MAY be of use to people already on a selfish kick as a literary tool to validate their injuries to others, or a boost to persons with very low self esteem, I find it hard to swallow that the reason we lack happiness is because we are not selfish enough. Taking care of self is important, but not to the exclusion of everyone else. Life defining moments often include committment,responsibilty, diligence and delayed gratification. This book could be misconstrued to lead some to think of SELF happiness at the EXPENSE of others unhappiness. The high divorice rate, the day care generation, and increased "rages" of every kind, including terroristic acts all come from an overabundance of self importance. If everyone is so able to be totally self contained, and self centered, where does compassion for others "less fortunate" or less selfish come in? We blame, shame and finger point to a lack of individual selfishness as the reason for all the unhappiness in the world, sorry not buying it. I agree what we do with SELF matters and to spend too much time on self gratification isn't healthy. No man or woman is an island on the planet, like ripples in a pool, others are effected by YOU. I think we need more GIVING of self in this world, not more selfish, self centered people. The meek will inherit, not the selfish. All compassion is lost when the only focus is on self. This could be a license to kill for many people. Ruining relationships, committments, and lives. To "promise" everyone can be happy if they put self first, is good for selling books, but not good for society.
Rating: 
Summary: Make Sure You're Ready for This Book
Review: I have to admit, sometimes I find Dr. Phil to be too brusque, but I admire his stance on the victim excuse. Make sure before you read this book that you're ready to face some painful facts about yourself, but if you do, you won't be disappointed. A great self-help book, but not an easy journey to take.
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Summary: IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE
Review: "I believe that people CAN change for the best, literally in the blink of an eye--IF what they're hearing or reading truly resonates with their innermost authentic selves, with who they really are at the core, before the world took them away. This is the essential self that can truthfully answer 'Yes' to the following two questions, 'Is my life good and getting better because of what I believe?' and, 'Are the lives of the people with whom I interact enhanced for knowing me?'"Any vague feelings of dissatisfaction that you might be feeling with your life, any growing uneasiness, could be your authentic self whispering to you, 'Come back.' And you might realize--after reading Dr. Phil's profoundly wise and easily accesible book--that the longest journey you've ever taken was the one away from yourself, and that ultimately, you never left. It's as easy as you make it. "We're all impostors in our lives until we remember how to 'live from the inside out,' and act on what we know. Dr. Phil shares valuable, step-by-step guidelines and suggests that we remember 10 defining moments in our lives, seven critical choices that we've made, and five pivotal people. I invite you to make one of your critical choices reading this book, one of your defining moments following the exercises, and one of your pivotal people Dr. Phil." Kathleen Hawkins, Spiritual Strategist(TM) and author of Spirit Incorporated: How to Follow Your Spiritual Path from 9 to 5.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Disappointed
Review: Very Disappointed :o(Hmm...I must have been the only reviewer who actually tried to do the exercises in this book. I spent a lot of time on the first half of the book only to discover that when you get to Chapter 7, Locus of Control, there is no information on how to score the tests in appendix a and b and yet the chapter is all about how your score affects you. I am very disappointed and have emailed Dr. Phil in hopes that he will at least put the test scoring information on his web site. Meanwhile I've spent a lot of time on the previous chapters and now feel like I wasted my time and my money. Disappointed.
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Summary: His Best Book To Date
Review: I have read Dr. Phil's other books and I think this is his best book to date. He made himself vulnerable by sharing his own experiences and telling us where he has come from and what mistakes he has made along the way. He provides some wonderful techniques for people to do some self exploration into what runs their lives. I found the exercises very insightful and doable. Through the exercises I discovered a lot of things about myself. That knowledge gives me the tools to make different choices to create changes in my life. We are each responsible for our life choices and this book helps us clear up the past so we can create and authentic future.
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Summary: Books like this don't reach the Top 100 unless they are good
Review: I want to give an overall review, nothing specific as that has been done. The book deals with real world environmental effects, your real makings, pure facts that are scientifically supported. There is a touch of spirituallity in that you see your true emotional self, your true human self. The book is properly ordered or chronological (step by step which is important in this book.) The question then lingers, do I buy it? Fantasy books can make the top 100 and be [not very good], But there is absolutely no way these types of books get this far without warrant. It worked for me, that's why I came back here to give this review, as I have never given a review in my life. I would like to recommend another good book that is as worth this and helps, SB 1 or God By Karl Mark Maddox.
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Summary: Really getting to change
Review: This book...and the Cd I have listened to several times...is a way to actually get, step-by-step, through the many roadblocks to being who you truly are. Not at all psychobabble, but practical, easy to understand steps with clear information regarding the whys and how-tos, giving attention to supporting a person through the points where it would be easy to stumble or give in to fear of whatever...including change. I have already made great progress, and I have just begun. He has made clear to me why self-help and therapy are so often not effective and shown clearly what is. The proof is in the changing, which is happening.
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Summary: Getting Real Can Be Life-Changing!
Review: Dr. Phil McGraw's book, 'Self Matters,' has changed my life, and I truly believe that if given the time, attention and commitment, it can change anyone's life--the right way--from the inside out! I'm not one who believes in quick fixes or magical words to change my life--I've always known that if I wanted to do it, it had to be me stepping up to the plate. In 'Self Matters,' Dr. McGraw stands as a wonderful and steadfast guide in this journey of self-discovery--I never let myself down because I felt (even through the words on a page) that he wasn't going to let me down either. By guiding me step by step through the process of outlining why my life seemed jumbled and incoherent, I was able to discover how my decisions, moments and people (as well as my own internal dialogue) throughout my life have influenced and colored my present negatively and will continue to do so in my future if I don't change the way I perceive them. My 10 Defining Moments, 7 Critical Choices and 5 Pivotal People revealed SO much about why I've continued to make decisions that pulled me away from my authentic self and my true wants and desires in my life. Dr. McGraw helped me to admit to myself that since I could not go back in time and change things that happened to me, I had to reconnect with myself in a way that would allow me to move forward from the inside, putting myself in a place where I could function from my heart and soul. This book is not a quick fix nor is it something that will change your life overnight. It takes a concerted effort everyday until the tools and lessons become automatic and empowering. It took a long time for your life to get to the confusing place it is, it will take time and proper effort and commitment in order to free it from those chains. In 'Self Matters,' Dr. McGraw shows you how to use the vital and necessary tools to change your life into a more meaningful, happy and satisfying existence. I can honestly say that I have never done anything as important in my life than to bring myself back to me and those I love. I'm now one who 'gets it,' and that's such a powerful feeling! You can 'get it,' too if you really, really want it. I believe 'Self Matters' and Dr. Phil McGraw can show you how!
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Summary: What a reality check!
Review: This is probably one of the best self help books I've ever read. He is right on the mark with his comments and ideas. There is a bit of humor in there too in his straigh-forward delivery style. This book has changed my perception of myself and made me take a long hard look at many things. I have reevaluated myself, the choices I've made as well as where I want to go in my career. This book also gave me the courage to communicate to my step children in a whole new way. If you like Dr. Phil's tell it like it is style, you'll love this book on "being your authentic self"!!!!
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