Rating: 
Summary: Shallow and without resonance
Review: It is astonishing to read the remarkably high reviews given to this book. I am now on my second attempt at reading it, but have decided that my time is much too valuable to continue to force myself to try and derive merit from this relatively unremarkable book. After not getting anything practical or meaningful from my first reading, I picked the book up again only because someone I know had read it and had gotten benefit from it. I figured that it was worth a second try; perhaps I had missed something the first time I read it. I had not. (In fairness I should mention that I have never gotten pass Chapter 5.)I would have to say that the book is primarily for those who have never before done any serious self-examination or soul searching. Without the wisdom and self-knowledge gained from a prior meaningful engagement with the deeper self, it will in fact seem that Dr. McGraw is onto something new or profound. He is not. He co-opts common sense into something he calls Life Laws; confuses his credentials as a trial strategist and doctor of psychology (not to mention his association with Oprah Winfrey) with true wisdom; and uses the book as a platform from which to berate and bully others into accepting his premises as credible simply because he says they are. I understand that he has appeared on Ms Winfrey's show and that she is a fan and supporter of this book. Perhaps, he has shown more compassion and wisdom on his appearances there. Little has shown up in this book. At the risk of sounding arrogant, I would encourage anyone considering basing their approach to the challenges they face within themselves and in their lives to remember that far greater Truths are available elsewhere that can be applied to everyday life. I am not a religious person, but the Spiritual Laws taught by the Spiritual Masters (Jesus Christ, Gautama Buddha, Mohammed), particularly in the mystical interpretations of their teachings, have far more to offer than can possibly be learned through the "Life Laws" presented in Life Strategies. Even the present day spiritual writers (Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson, Joan Borysenko) have far more depth in their philosophies and writing. I don't mean to plug these authors. I merely want to illustrate that there is absolutely nothing new or freshly interpreted in Life Strategies. For those who are looking for both the practical and the profound (something beyond sports metaphors and winning and competition as a paradigm for living), I would encourage you to investigate the writings of authors such as Emmet Fox (try the books Sermon on the Mount and Find and Use Your Inner Power); Ervin Seale (Ten Words That Will Change Your Life, and Take Off From Within); John Randolph Price (The Superbeings, terrible title, but useful principles) and Frederick Bailes (Hidden Power for Human Problems, and Your Mind Can Heal You). For an interesting modern-day parable try the book An Encounter With a Prophet. These books are all available from Amazon.com. They all teach principles that can meaningful change your life, not just help you to manage it or strategize it. Each one demonstrates that there is Power and Truth available to us, and from within us, that are far greater than the "Life Laws" as taught by Dr. McGraw could ever hope to deliver. They demonstrate that strategy without purpose, or principles, leads us only to that empty place from which we began. In any event, the book Life Strategies is perhaps a place to start for the uninitiated, but absolutely not the place to end up when looking for meaningful expressions of our beings in life.
Rating: 
Summary: Check Yourself
Review: This is a great book for evaluating what you are doing and why you are getting the results you are getting. You see, what Dr. Phil does for a living work in tandem with legal teams to design winning strategies for high profile clients. Basically he takes all his expirience in developing winning strategies and lays it out on the table for you, but first tailoring to more common life challenges than the courtroom. If you have any doubts as to how good he is, and how simple his wisdom is, just try to catch him next time he's on Oprah. The real value in this book goes far beyond the information he gives you, the real value is what you learn about yourself from the excercises he has you do in your journal. If you want insight into your current life strategies, why you (still) use them, and why you get the results you're getting from them, then this is a great book for you.
Rating:
Summary: Dr. Phil, Direct and to the Point
Review: I have read a lot of books on self-help but none are more usable than Life Strategies. Dr Phil puts the blame where it needs to be and make the reader understand that they and only they control and direct their life. I enjoyed the book most because it made me wakeup and finally take control of my life back when I was really in control of it the whole time. I recommend this book to anyone who once and for all wants to open their eyes and take back over their life and live it as it should.
Rating: 
Summary: simple to a fault
Review: I listened to the tapes in my car and only my stubborn nature, and hope for something better, kept me going to the end. It is so simple, it's unbelievable. No tips, directions--NO ANYTHING. Suck it up, work hard, you reap what you sow. You have now read the book-heard the tapes--there is no more.
Rating: 
Summary: too specific!
Review: I think that if you don't have your goals already very clear to you, it'll be kind of disappointing to read this book.People like me, unfortunately still looking for their goals in this life, will have a hard time when they come to think of it. Don't try to fool yourself, if you're not focused at the moment, then don't read it. You'll feel disappointed with yourself, like I did. But you can try, maybe you can get a glimpse of what you want by reading other people's experiences! Who knows?
Rating:
Summary: Straight-Talking Dr. Phil offers No-Nonsense Self-Help
Review: Readers who are also fans of the Oprah Winfrey Show may be familiar with Dr. Phil McGraw, who appears on Oprah every Tuesday afternoon. As a featured regular on the show, he offers opinions and solutions to a variety of life issues. I've watched Dr. Phil often, and my only "complaint" with his Oprah segments is that they are too short! (Dr. Phil generally leaves us "wanting more".) Even if you aren't familiar with the good doctor's television appearances, you will get to know him quickly, and come to highly value his advice once you've read LIFE STRATEGIES. Whether you're a "veteran" reader of self-help books, or a total newcomer to the genre, you'll like what Dr. Phil has to offer. In his book, Dr. Phil describes ten "Life Laws" that may help you get through just about any kind of problem life throws at you. The reason this book and Dr. Phil's advice are so helpful is that he minces no words, pulls no punches, uses no double-talk or psycho-babble. Instead, this straight talking Texan "gets real" with readers about the causes of their problems, and offers practical, sensible actions that readers can actually use. As Phil says in the book, there's no "playing with your inner this or inner that"; instead, in this book, the reader is helped to see the origin of their problem, encouraged to "take responsibility" for their own life, and then taught how to develop a "strategy" for solving the problem(s). Refreshing! That's what I call this kind of no-nonsense self help. If you're dissatisfied with your life, but also dissatisfied with the "usual" self-help gimmicky books, give Dr. Phil a try. He'll help you get real in a hurry!
Rating: 
Summary: Five Stars for the Principles, 1 Star for the Examples
Review: I thought McGraw did a great job of assembling some key principles of living, relationships and success. For these principles I give the book five stars. The only problem is that you can get the principles by reading the table of contents...which isn't necessarilly a bad thing but one expects to get more in depth explanations inside the chapters. What I got was a litany of arguments and examples for a "stereotypical American"-- a sort of Oprah-watching couch potato with low self-esteem. I didn't associate with McGraw's examples and I'm not sure there are many who do (at least not those who are taking the time to read a book about personal life strategies). In short, I felt that McGraw haad some brilliant life strategy ideas and then he played to the least common denominator in American society. But, I loved the table of contents!
Rating:
Summary: If you don't mind the direct approach this book is for you!
Review: In my review of Cheryl Richardson's 'Life Makeovers' I pointed out that an author's approach and style are what distinguish his or her work from the amazing number of self-help books available. I would call this book 'a blunter 'Life Makeovers''. For those who are unfamiliar with Dr. Phil's approach (he has appeared on talk shows, especially 'Oprah!') you will at first probably be turned off as I was. A 'client' will go on stage with him and start explaining the problem he or she has. He frequently interrupts and bluntly gets right to the most important underlying question. The interesting thing is that this is the approach used by the best psychologists/psychiatrists. When you distill the problems you have down to the basic issue it becomes much easier to face and solve. This book, by putting you in Dr. Phil's 'office', exposes you to this type of 'therapy'. Is it a substitute for professional help if needed? No. Is it an excellent way of trying to control your own destiny and see if you can solve your problems yourself? YES. You might not be able to solve them - but this book will be your best chance to discover if you can. I give this book a recommendation without reservation. At least give it a try - it may change your outlook - it may change your life.
Rating:
Summary: Yes, Yes, Yes!
Review: Life Strategies is wonderful. It is rare to see the wisdom of the ages distilled in such a clear cut and easy to read manner. McGraw writes in a simple and easy to read style that keeps you turning the pages. Phil gives you projects to do...that if you do them you really see yourself moving in the right direction. I love this book and recommend it without reservation. Kevin Hogan, ...
Rating:
Summary: Empower yourself to better your life... read this book!
Review: I am not usually in tune with the mainstream. I could not tell you very much about who is popular right now.... or if my style of dress is in or out. So, it is somewhat unusual that I would be aware of the fact that Oprah Winfrey has given Dr. Phil an entire day on her show (tuesday)... and as a result the "Dr. Phil craze" seems to have swept the nation. Who is the Dr. Phil?? Well, in the Texas trend of the times, what with "Geroge W" being president now and the "Texas Seven" on the lamb (not anymore, of course)... Phil McGraw is a straght talking Texan with a Ph.D. in common sense. His message: Don't like something about your life? Then change it. Create a strategy. Do what works. I like this guy. He offers nothing but straight practical advice with a constant reminder that self-reliance is the only way. Want to keep blaming others for all of your problems in life? Fine. Forget about this book. But if you want to make a change, check this one out. There is much to learn.
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