Rating: 
Summary: Doesn't just talk the talk - guides you to walking the walk!
Review: Cheryl Richardson's writing style and thought processes are what distinguish this book from other self-help books in this area. People in search of this type of book are frequently mystified either online or in the bookstore wondering which one is right for them. For a good majority of these people, including myself, I can enthusiastically recommend all of Cheryl's books.Cheryl's suggestions are pragmatic and realistic, yet she has the unique ability amongst writers in this area to suggest pragmatic and realistic solutions in a gentle, compassionate, and most importantly, non-condescending way. Anyone looking for a self-help book to literally give themselves a 'life makeover' (an *extremely* apropos title for this book!) should at the very least give this book a try. Is this the book for everyone? No. Everyone takes to different styles. Everyone's path to a 'life makeover' is different. However, I think this book will at the very least provide a jump start for people needing one. At its best, it will, via it's day-by-day structure, keep you on the path to a revitalized outlook on your life. I give this book a wholehearted recommendation and have recommended it to friends, which I do not often do. I hope the readers have the same results as I did.
Rating:
Summary: It's a Breeze
Review: Cheryl's natural style of writing makes this book a breeze to read and her steps are clear and simple enough for anyone to follow. It is a great follow-up to her last book. I just finished another life changing book -- The RoMANtic's Guide. It has revitalized my marriage and make me a lot more understanding how simple yet important romance can be. If this author hasn't been on Oprah yet, I bet he will be soon.
Rating: 
Summary: Decent book for beginners
Review: Depending on how many self-help books you've already read, this book could be a huge disappointment, or heaven. I think it'd be great for someone just entering the world of self-help. It compiles everything I've read in other books in short, easy-to-read paragraphs with a Take Action section at the end of each week. Most self-help books could care less if you take action or not. This one at least gets you to start. However I think anyone who needs the reason why to do anything or how it would affect your life to get motivated on taking action will be disappointed, and thats why I gave the book only 3 stars, because it lacks the substance and reasoning to get moving.
Rating:
Summary: A beacon on the path to self-improvement!
Review: Having come to a point in my life when I'm realizing things are not as they should be...yet not really knowing what to do about it...Cheryl's book was like a light in the darkness guiding me in the right direction. In just 10 days, this self-admitted procrastinator has started a personal journal, started 2 gift journals (an idea in the book), created 2 life maps (another idea in the book), and began taking proactive steps in reconnecting with friends that have drifted away from neglect. Last night, I created my list of goals for the NEXT 10 days. I'm so full of ideas and inspiration, thanks to Cheryl, that I now know which path to take...now it's up to me to stay on it.
Rating: 
Summary: UGH!!! For beginning beginners ONLY!
Review: I am so happy that this book was [on sale] or I would have cried. It seems to me like an outline of what a good self-help book should be. It is supposed to be a 52 week program that helps you change your life. I suspect this would be really good for people who are really frazzled and disorganized and don't know where to begin making their lives better. But for people who have a good life and just a few aspects that need overhauling, this book is NOT WHERE IT IS AT! They ask you to write down all that you learned in the past year, then about all the good things about you. Next, they tell you to get rid of what is draining you (people, places, etc). Then, you should give yourself time "just for you" and start a good exercise program and take time for reflection, for sleep and for prayer. They tell you to remember to laugh and allow yourself to be bored. All the chapters are about 4 pages in length. That's hardly a chapter! There is a page at the end of each "chapter" that has some good resources-- (other books that are probably lightyears better than this one) I supppose it is a good springboard for people who never even thought about how to help themselves change their life one bit. But, if you must buy it, buy it at a discount or get it from the library. Or just stick to better books by better authors who aren't afraid of delving a little deeper and explaining more and actually helping more.
Rating:
Summary: How selfish can we be?
Review: I found this book extremely irritating. The author's premise seems to be that a major problem in American society is that none of us is focused enough on our own needs. Please! If our culture becomes any more self-centered, we will each sit in a quiet cubicle and do nothing but examine our bellybuttons. Save your money.
Rating:
Summary: TAKE ACTION!
Review: I had read Cheryl's other best selling book called "Take Time For Your Life" and enjoyed it so much that I picked up this one. I recommend both these books. I read through this book once already and am now revisiting different chapters where I want to "take (the) action challenges" Cheryl suggests at each chapter ending. I have started writing a daily morning journal outlining my priorities for the day and the week. I have found this "action challenge" to be very helpful in completing tasks at work and at home, keeping me centered and focused on what I want in my life, including more fun and productive work time. I also appreciate the generous resource listings Cheryl provides. It definitely makes "taking action" easier. Such as great web site listings for finances, humor, health, etc.. Another book I enjoyed and recommend highly that has a "no work" approach to personal transformation is called "WORKING ON YOURSELF DOESN'T WORK" by Ariel and Shya Kane. In this book the authors write about a non judgmental way of seeing what is in your life as being a tool for lasting transformation. And it works! Since reading this book my life has become more satisfying, meaningful and rewarding. The Kanes have some great audio tapes too, such as "THE ROOTS OF SATISFACTION."
Rating: 
Summary: Good overall, but a couple of weird suggestions
Review: I liked the tone of this book, it's all about taking care of yourself and prioritizing your life so that what matters to you comes first. There are very good suggestions, like making a list of 25 good things/improvements/etc. you've done in the past year. It's amazing how often we only see the bad and never the good in our lives, so this is an eye-opener. Cleaning your work area not only betters your physical space but it's amazing how lighter you do feel when you are not thinking (subconsciously or otherwise) about the files and folders that are everywhere. I would recommend this book to anyone who is feeling overwhelmed by life and work, and while not all the exercises were my cup of tea, at least try the ones that make sense to you. That said, there were a few suggestions that were a little bizarre. For example, when a friend calls to complain, to tell them they have 2 minutes and then they have to come up with a solution to their problem. I understand if this is someone who continuously calls to whine about their boring life, but I'm sorry, if a friend needs comfort, then they should get comfort, not a "2-minute" limit. Also, the suggestion to change your call back time from one day to a week made me laugh out loud. I'd be out of a job if I told people I would get back to them in a WEEK! This is just not feasible and I sure don't want to do business with people who take a week to get back to me. Overall, like I said, this is a good idea, but take it, like everything else, with a grain of salt. This won't work 100% for everyone. I've taken some ideas I liked and ignored what I know won't work for me.
Rating:
Summary: Master of the Obvious
Review: I was highly anticipating reading this book due to the reviews and interviews with the author on various tv shows. However, I found the advice trite and obvious. Doesn't everybody know that cleaning their office will make their work more efficient? Isn't it obvious that I should spend a balance of time between work, self and family? Such advice is insulting to an intelligent person and spirtually I found the book extremely hollow.
Rating:
Summary: Gentle and BEST method to improve the quality of your life
Review: I've done my share of self improvement programs, but rarely have I found a book that changed my life so much and so profoundly. Instead of attending a $2000 week-long change-your-life-forever program, this year long, gentle process changes your life gently and permanently as you modify your thinking in a more positive and powerful way. Our habits and lifestyle weren't created overnight, so how can any overnight program expect to modify years of negative self talk and bad habits? Life Makeovers gently works through each of the issues you need to deal with to improve the quality of your life. I've been doing it for over six months and the changes have been profound. A friend I've been doing it with has had drastic changes, becoming, as I call her, a little Madonna/Buddah with a peaceful and serene aura about her as she has changed her life from one of confusion, anarchy, and loads of negative self talk into one of peace and balance, as well as developing a powerful concentrated focus and doubling her business. I recommend this book for everyone and would sincerely recommend that mothers and fathers do this process with their children over 16 years old as a family year-long process. My friend and I have now started a Life Makeover group in Israel and it is rocking! Thanks Cheryl Richardson for helping all of us take the little steps we need to renew our life's purpose and energy!
| 
