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Summary: Useful, if you're agnostic
Review: I found this book very helpful and refreshing. However, I want to caution potential readers that Dr. McGraw has no use for the beliefs typically associated with religion: that there is a moral law, that sometimes duty can get in the way of "taking your turn" at self-fulfillment, and most importantly, that we have to answer to something more powerful than ourselves. I can't reconcile Dr. McGraw's assertion that "There is no reality, only perception" with my own beliefs, which tell me that truth exists beyond my capacity to see it and my tendency to bend it to my own advantage. I agree that we are powerful agents in our own lives, and that giving away that power almost guarantees unhappiness. However, I would have viewed the book as more compelling if Dr. McGraw had tried to fit morality, ethics, and standards of conduct into his theory of "life laws." So read it, use it, take what you can (and there's a lot to take)--but don't be shocked if you end up with some nagging doubts.
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Summary: If You Don't Want to Do Any REAL Work on Yourself...
Review: Don't get this book!! Having said that, this book has helped me to understand more things about myself than any other book I've bought. Nothing like the mamby-pamby books that tell you to get in touch with your *inner child*, Dr. Phil comes straight out and tells you if you don't like your life CHANGE IT. He gives you the tools to look at yourself, and if you really DO look at yourself, and are HONEST with yourself, you can work on the parts of you and your life that bug you.As to the reviewer who commented that Dr. Phil says 'everyone is accountable' and what about rape victims, etc., are you going to tell them they are at fault....NO! You missed the point! On page 65-66, Dr. Phil wrote: (about child victims) "What about things that happened to me as a child? ~~ I realize that certain realities, some of them horribly sick realities, are visited upon us when we are children. I am not suggesting that, as children, we choose all of the events and circumstances in our lives...we are neither RESPONSIBLE (capitals are not Dr. Phils, but mine) or ACCOUNTABLE for being raped, abused, or molested. This is not what I'm saying. What I AM saying to you is that while you may not have had the knowledge or power, as a child, to make certain choices and are therefore not accountable for those events, as an ADULT you DO have the ability to choose your reaction to those childhood events and circumstances...the past is over and the future hasn't happened yet." Dr. Phil continues: "Is it fair that it happened to you? No. Is it fair that you have to deal with that? No. It is fair that you have to live with it and manage it for the rest of your life? No. Are you nevertheless accountable for how you live with it and manage it? ABSOLUTELY. I suppose that your accountability is both good news and bad news. The bad news is that the burden is on you. The good news is that the choice is yours." I would think that the same advice applies to adult victims of violence. Dr. Phil's point is whatever you want to change, get it out in the open and deal with it. As I said, this is a very good book; it's helped me and I will continue to use it. I'm also buying a copy for a family member.
Rating: 
Summary: Not for those looking for compassion or sensitivity
Review: Phil McGraw has some good advise wedged tightly inbetween his testosterone driven commentary. I got this book because I thought it would be great to have a new perspective. However, it became difficult to get through because his "know it all-there is one way and it is my way" format enraged me. He devotes a chapter to "getting it" which by his definition means manipulating others to get what you want. Sure it works Dr. Phil, but maybe the reason for so much of the decline in the country isn't a lack of people having this tool as you suggest, but the fact that DO they have it. We have a political system which runs on insincerity. It seems people will say or do whatever they have to to win. Our own Dr. Phil would be proud. But what about honesty and integrity? Not so rewarding. It's more important to win-right Dr. Phil? And of course lets not forget howthis wonderful philosphy can help men say the right thing to women so that maybe they can sleep with them. Forget about the truth. Do what you have to do. Another chapter in this book is dedicated to accountabilty. Great, I'm all for it. However he goes too far by suggesting that anything bad that's ever happened to you is your fault. EVERYTHING. Maybe if he threw in a line about being accountable from a past life perspective it would support his stating that everything in our life we brought on to ourselves by our actions. Please Dr. Phil, tell that to the woman who was raped and had her arms cut off. What would you tell her? "You were wearing the wrong shoes that day, so you couldn't run fast enough...it's all your fault" How about the child that molested? Or the innocent person that's been framed and put on death row? Please! enough of this macho crap. Maybe if we ALL just tried to be more compassionate and understanding of eachother (as well as being accountable) instead of repeating the same mistakes over and over again throughout history, the world would be a better place.
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Summary: Dr. Phil McGraw:"Life Strategies"
Review: Having read many self-help books, I've come away feeling more sorry for myself and more justified in the 'It's not my fault' idea. It has been easier to blame others. Dr. Phil's book was refreshing. Let me change that. Dr. Phil's book was a slap in the face, a wake up call, and he did indeed "tell it like it is." If you want to actually change your life for the better, you must read this book. I admitt that it's not an easy book to read. Dr. Phil, literally, forces you to take responsibility for your own life and the misery that is in it: NO MATTER WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO YOU! He may tell you things in this book that others have already said; but, this will be the first time that you actually listen and understand. This will be the first time that you accept the 'reality' of your life and, with the encouragement and strength Dr. Phil gives you, you will change it for the better. This book has changed me for life. It's made, once totally lost, relationships into stronger and healthier ones. It brought my mother and I together when I thought that was an impossibility (and if you only knew THAT situation). I urge you to read this book and do ALL the assignments. It will be hard; but, the outcome is worth it!
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Summary: Straight Questions, Straight Talk, Straight Answers
Review: This is one of the best books ever written about how to take meaningful control of your life. I recommend that you read What Matters Most by Hyrum Smith before reading Life Strategies. The benefit of reading What Matter Most first is that you will become clearer about your own purpose in life and values before addressing the important strategic questions in Life Strategies. While you are reading Life Strategies, it is very important that you do the assignments in the book. After you have finished Life Strategies, I strongly urge you to read the Life Strategies Workbook which contains many more and different exercises and activities to strengthen and deepen your understanding of this material, and to guide your next steps into a better direction. I have reviewed these other two books, and you can read my reviews on those books' pages. Life Strategies is a book about becoming aware of how to make more progress in your life, then setting better goals for yourself, and establishing the plans needed to implement those plans. The book opens with an introduction that features Oprah Winfrey's famous battle against a law suit about her reporting about Mad Cow disease in the beef industry, and how the author encouraged her to keep fighting. Chapter one links Oprah's challenge to the readers by pointing out the mental attitudes that stall progress like denying the problem, not checking your assumptions about the situation, being paralyzed by fear, and taking on a false front or colors. In chapters two through eleven, you will learn ten key lessons for improving your life (which I have outlined below). In chapter twelve, you will do an important self-examination that will be very revealing, and you will set your goals. In chapter thirteen, you will find the seven-step strategy for achieving your goals. In chapter fourteen, you will get help with planning how to implement those plans. Many people complain about the references to Ms Winfrey in this book. I found them to be appropriate and helpful. If a powerful, persuasive person like her can feel overwhelmed, that validates that experience for us all. At the same time, seeing what she did to overcome that overwhelmed state is even more revealing. These references are mostly in the introduction and chapter one. So if you don't like that part, just follow the author's advice that there is power in forgiveness (law nine). In the first chapter on getting real, the two assignments are noteworthy. The first asks you to challenge your beliefs that relate to places where you have not admitted or acknowledged them. The second asks you to write down what you will say to yourself to justify not changing after reading Life Strategies. As you can see, this is tough love. People in very fragile emotional circumstances may find this to be too much. They should seek professional help. If you find yourself like a bug on a cork floating in the wrong direction in life's stream, this book is probably for you. To help you decide, let me tell you something about the 10 laws (which are listed also on the back of the jacket cover) and the strategies that take advantage of them. Law one -- "You Either Get It, or You Don't" -- This is about understanding why people do what they do. The observations in the chapter are very valuable: " . . . number-one fear among all people is rejection." ". . . number-one need among all people is acceptance." "To manage people . . . protect or enhance their self-esteem." "Everybody [has] . . . some concern about 'what's in it for me?'" "Everybody . . . prefers to talk about things that are important to them personally." "People hear and incorporate only what they understand." "People like, trust, and believe those who like them." "People often do things for other than the apparent reason." "Even people of quality can be, and often are, small and petty." "Everybody . . . wears a social mask. You must look beyond the mask to see the person." Law two -- "You Create Your Own Experience" -- You need to accept responsibility for the choices you make that create those experiences you both like and don't like. Law three -- "People Do What Works" -- Understand the payoffs you get from what you are doing now, and control the future payoffs to direct you where you want to go. Law four -- "You Can't Change What You Don't Acknowledge" -- Notice what isn't working in your life and start changing that. Law five -- "Life Rewards Action" -- Make careful decisions and then get busy implementing them. Law six -- "There Is No Reality, Only Perception" -- Be aware of how you define what is happening to you, and change those definitions to more helpful ones. Law seven -- "Life Is Managed; It Is Not Cured" -- Act like a doctor, not a patient. Law eight -- "We Teach People How to Treat Us" -- Renegotiate to get what you want. Law nine -- "There Is Power in Forgiveness" -- Free yourself of anger and resentment to get on with your life. Law ten -- "You Have to Name It to Claim It" -- Set your goals, and attain them! I am out of space or I would share more of the important lessons in this book with you. As someone who has done many self-help seminars and read many books in this area, I found this one to be the most helpful one I have read and used. BE SURE TO DO THE EXERCISES! Otherwise, you will get little benefit. To get the most benefit, teach someone about this material after you have implemented it yourself. You will find more opportunities to improve. Be the best person you can be with the best life you can have!
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Summary: Life Law#1,You either get IT,or you don't.You are IT
Review: For years I've been seeing Dr Phillip McGraw on Oprah's show.I love his,Tell it like it is attitude.I bought "Life Strategies," so I could take the journey into my ownself.The Ten Life Laws will stay with me forever.This book tells us what we already know,but are afraid to admit.That You are the only one responsible for all the good and bad in your life.I love the chapter on the different types of people.I've seen myself in alot of them,and also my family and friends.I can honestly say,I have changed after reading Dr Phill's book.Its going to be an on going process,and might take years,but I'm on my way.My favorite line is that "there will never be another You in the history of the World."I'm going to be giving "Life Strategies" to alot of my family and friends for Christmas presents.
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Summary: Life Law #1,You either get it,or you don't.You are it
Review: After seeing Dr Phillip C.McGraw on Oprah a number of times,and his in-your-face,tell it like it is attitude,I wanted to take the journey into my own self.Dr Phil's book is very simple to read,but you have to work.There's writen assignments in every chapter.The main point is what we already know,but are afraid to admit.You'll find out what I'm talking about after you read this fantastic book.The Ten Laws of Life will stay with me forever .My favorite line is" That You are the only You that will ever exist in the entire history of the world.Good or Bad,YOU are the one accountable for you life."
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Summary: This Book Could Be Your Wakeup Call To A Better Life !!
Review: Written by someone with plenty of experience and valid credentials, it can help you meet your problems head on and put you on the right track to permanently resolve them. Dr. McGraw doesn't say that its easy, and sometimes there's pain involved, but the results are worth the pain. This great work gives you the strategies to succeed, and puts you in control. The author doesn't beat around the bush. He presents the plans in an honest no-holds-barred manner, that is sometimes hard to take. He'll help you realize that none of us is perfect, which in itself is most beneficial. This book isn't difficult to read, but it does take some effort to do the reality checks that we all need to do from time to time, and to do the exercises necessary for success. You'll gain some valuable insights into why people behave the way they do. Dr. McGraw walks your through his "Life Laws" and "Strategies" to help you succeed. These include: Acknowledging and accepting accountability for your life; What payoffs drive behavior; Acknowledging that a change is needed; Taking action; Owning rather than complaining about how people treat you; Naming it and then claiming It. His method is helping countless individuals, who want to be helped and are willing to work at it. This is a book that you'll want to read and re-read as time goes by. You'll discover some interesting things about yourself, that you never even realized were hindering you and troubling you. The book can help you overcome many of the things that haunt you daily, from a career change that's needed, to habits that should be eliminated and getting out of ruts that hold you back. There's a lot of meat in this book and where else can you get so much valuable, authoritative, professional help for $ 10.75 ?
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Summary: Great Principles
Review: I really appreciated many of his principles. Helpful and Insightful. I like how practical he is. All in all I felt the principles help me see things in a different light and helped me be more effective.
Another book I just read that has some Awesome ideas also and some great insights about life and happiness and is definitely worth reading too is called "Working On Yourself Doesn't Work" by Ariel And Shya Kane...
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Summary: Author of The Golden Guru
Review: I loved Dr. McGraw's get real approach to life. I beleive that one of the most important concepts anyone can grasp is to take action, quit blaming others and to simply take control of your own life. Dr. Phil's first three chapters, Get Real, You Either Get It or You Don't and You Create Your Own Experience nail down the essence of what he is teaching. I highly recommend Dr. McGraw's book because he teaches us how to do what works and more importantly life is too short to not do what matters.
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