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Rating: 
Summary: Just Waiting to Be Developed
Review: Cooper's grandfather once observed, "We only use about 10 percent of our potential in the course of a lifetime." The young grandson was strongly urged to seek out what the grandfather referred to as "the other 90%." Cooper cites studies which suggest that "we only use not one-tenth but one ten-thousanth [italics] of our capabilities!" This book was written to suggest how to locate and then develop the vast underdeveloped potential which all of us have. The material is organized within four sections, each of which is a "Keystone" of human fulfillment: Trust, Energy, Farsightedness, and Nerve. No brief commentary such as this can do full justice to the scope and depth of the "journey" of self-exploration which Cooper urges his reader to take. However, it may be helpful if I share these brief but representative excerpts. First, Cooper asserts that each of us has three separate but interdependent "brains", each of which he analyzes. "From a practical standpoint, reaching the peak of your true potential depends on developing and apply an energizing, authentic level of intelligence and bringing it to everything you do. For this to happen, you must combine the perceptions and impressions of the gut, heart, and mind." To conclude his book, Cooper shares a poem he wrote for his and others' children: "...To lead by example,
Love as if you will live forever,
Work as if you have no need for money,
Dream as if no one can say no,
Have fun as if you never have to grow up, Sing as if no one else is listening,
Care as if everything depends on your caring,
And raise a banner where a banner never flew." With both precision and eloquence, Cooper offers a variety of strategies and tactics to establish and then strengthen the four "Keystones" and, in process he suggests how to fulfill at least much (if not all) of the potential of each of the three "brains" (gut, heart, and mind). It remains for each reader to absorb and digest all this in ways and to the extent she or he deems appropriate. Ultimately, each reader must embark on what is certain to be a difficult journey to personal fulfillment. In some respects, it is inevitably a solitary journey. But in other respects, it will be guided and informed by what Cooper has so generously shared in this book. Those who share my high opinion of The Other 90% are urged to check out David Whyte's The Heart Aroused and David H. Maister's Practice What You Preach.
Rating: 
Summary: Great information, great book, excessively wordy at times
Review: Dr. Robert Cooper is a neuroscience scientist who tries to convince us to take a vastly different view of human capacity and potential from that which we were taught when we were young. We were taught that we are beings of limits. There are limits to our capacity to learn, limits to our abilities and other limits that keep us from becoming what we want in life. The book provides practical and detailed methods to learn to excel in life. Dr. Cooper draws on the most recent research in neuroscience, psychology and other areas of science to provide the steps to start using the remaining 90% of your brain instead of just the 10% used by most people.
Rating:
Summary: DISCOVER YOUR FULL POTENTIAL - REACH FOR THE STARS!
Review: For years psychologists indicated that we, as humans, only utilize approximately 10% of our full potential. From my studies in psychology, I have encountered recent statistics which indicate this figure is exaggerated and that we actually use far less than this 10% figure. In "The Other 90%", the author uses four keystones as suggestions for reaching our full potential: trust, energy, farsightedness and nerve. To define trust he begins by combining the three areas of intelligence - brain, heart and gut, and examinimg this combination in decision making. Energy becomes a factor when we are faced with where and how to best put it to use. If we use our energy in a negative way, we will quickly drain our energy supply. Rather, we should focus on the important elements of our life and use our energy in a positive and constructive manner. Having farsightedness encourages us to reach for the stars and not sell ourselves short when it comes to our capabilities. If we constently set easy personal and career goals, we will not utilize our untapped potential no matter how many years we live. Most things in life do not come easy; they require hard work, commitment and perserverance. We should set realistic goals, but never settle for less than what we truly want to achieve. When there are no short and long-term goals in sight, we lose hope; hope is a critical element that keeps us motivated. Finally, there is nerve, and quite often we are afraid to pursue our hopes and dreams for fear of making mistakes or encountering failure. We learn from our mistakes, and we never fail until we cease trying. Everything in life, from personal relationships to a chosen career, is a risk. Life comes with no guarantees. It is important to realize and accept this fact and still find the nerve, strength and confidence to pursue those things in life which we believe will make us happy and allow us to become the best person we can possibly be. In this light, we truly utilize the other 90%+ of untapped potential to our best advantage. The book has great concepts; however, there is a minor irritation. With so many stories presented, one can become sidetracked on inconsequential details, and critical messages can are often lost in a sea of words. Overall, it is still a book well worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: The Elusive Search for Id.
Review: I must admit, the title of this book is what originally snared me. For many years, I have been wonderously curious about the theory (or is it urban legend?) that the average human only utilizes 10% of the brain's intellectual capacity. Well, OK, how does one access "other 90%?" So you see, the title of Robert Cooper's book, THE OTHER 90%, spoke to me immediately. Dr. Cooper has been described as "An acclaimed educator on how exceptional leaders and teams liberate untapped human capacities and excel under pressure, Cooper is also recognized for his pioneering work on the practical application of emotional intelligence and the neuroscience of trust, ingenuity and leadership." Seems as though Dr. Cooper has found the other 90%? Maybe, maybe not. THE OTHER 90% typifies many other books in the self-help genre in that Dr. Cooper has not really broken any new ground within. There is no "Eureka!" There is no "90%" Holy Grail. Having said all that, reading Dr. Cooper's book and given the other resouces I have located in the past, there leaves little doubt as to the existence of the mythical and elusive "other 90%." Consequently, attempting to provide a practical guide to arousing the sleeping giant within (a little Anthony Robbins seeping through!), Dr. Cooper throws the reader toward a search for oneself albeit one's inner self. This, like the teachings of Robbins, Brian Tracy and many others, is tantamount to locating and discovering the vast potential within each of us. The methodologies and theories between all of these self-help gurus are comparable in nature when looking "outside-in." They get there in differing ways but all-in-all, these pioneers preach from the same rock. Of course there will always be varying opinions on how to attain this seemingly unreachable peak but the impetus behind Dr. Cooper's approach is one of practical application. This is something of a departure from the previous guides to getting in touch with the intangible Id. Dr. Cooper has approached this great conundrum in a different manner; anecodotal and creative challenges from his grandfathers elicited Cooper's search for his hidden greatness, ultimately his other 90%. Dr. Cooper's theorum in reaching the other 90% is built around Four Keystones: 1) Trust, 2)Energy, 3) Farsightedness, and 4) Nerve. Trust is centered around building and maintaining exceptional relationships. This keystone provides one with a support system designed to maintain high levels of thought, energy and emotional stability, all essential foundational attributes. He further instills that one should not react based on one "internal source;" rather one should trust and utilize one's heart and gut as well as one's mind to react and respond to issues. This provides a synergy of sorts within each of us creating more focused direction. The energy keystone is pointed toward "increasing your calm effectiveness under pressure." Ah, the proverbial nhirvana! Again, practical exercises and pauses to ensure that our minds, hearts, and guts are working in concert to promote the most congruous solution to the immediate fire. You've heard it before: count to ten, deep breaths, meditate, take a walk, etc. Do what it takes to create, maintain and manifest at a moment's notice, the calm spirit within. All wonderful suggestions and wholly practical albeit unoriginal. Farsightedness is the keystone I believe to be the most important. Einstein posited, "Imagination is more important than knowledge." Well, if this is true (and Einstein is the posterboy for tapping into the other 90%), then farsightedness, or having to ability (imagination) to dream of great things, is what we should all strive for. The crux of the farsightedness keystone: Strive for the big prize lest you acheive only the small prize. Here is the source of most of the missed potential in our lives. To spew an overused idiom, "thinking outside the box" to create often irrational and untapped possibilities and options is the key to discovering new ground within. Summarily then, imagination is more important than knowledge. The fourth and final keystone: nerve. Lets face it, this emotional attribute holds many great individuals at bay. Nerve, or the ability to muster courage at a moment's notice is one of the great barriers to greatness. Do you have dreams, ambitions, desires that you've failed to act upon? Why? Cooper postulates that nerve is one of the major contributing factors lacking in most. To that end, Cooper urges the reader to nurture habits of pushing the envelope or taking the extra step not taken to begin the process of creating the "nerve" necessary to overcome internal barriers. Here, Cooper provides great advice. So, the upshot is that once you've finished reading THE OTHER 90%, you'll not be thinking like Einstein but you may have a better idea of the tools needed to tap into your "untapped potential." Don't look for miracle cures or the "one" hidden secret; its not here. However, reading this book will create an awareness for moving forward, perhaps breaking new ground. Frankly, if you read nothing else, read the section on Farsightedness; this is worth the price of the book.
Rating:
Summary: Shining Brightly
Review: This book gets your attention! What I enjoyed most about this book is the authentic heart to heart stories that stand out about doing what matters most in your life. It inspires and gives you a direct action plan to help you excel in all you do. For techniques for better health and fitness to discovering your own unique expression in life. Its helped align and clarify my values, natural talents and strengths in a direction best suited for me. Roberts writing is clear and direct and delivers a crystal clear message on becoming more of who you are. His message shines like a spotlight to help guide one in this journey of life. Thanks Robert for a clear view.
Rating:
Summary: Good Read, Great Concepts
Review: This was an easy read, with great concepts. I have applied some of the things in this book, and I am all the better because of it. I recomend this in the personal library....a reference book to keep us on track.
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