Rating: 
Summary: Really 4.5 Stars...
Review: "I couldn't put this book down! Reading John's remarkable story of how he overcame such huge obstacles to achieve tremendous success is really: MOTIVATING!" Zev Saftlas, Author of Motivation That Works: How to Get Motivated and Stay Motivated
Rating: 
Summary: Read it Again....deserves 5 Stars
Review: I read through this book again and I believe it deserves 5 stars. Why is that? Well, based on my experience, there are but a few fundamental principles, laws, truths, etc. that lead to success in whatever arena of life one focuses on. That said, every teacher (or in this case, author) has a unique view point on these ideals or provides a different way of looking at these principles/laws/truths that speaks to readers in a more enlightening way. In my opinion, I believe that this book does a solid job of providing a tangible and actionable framework for designing on paper (not just mentally) a strategy for creating success in all the critical areas of life - health, wealth, love/relationships and true exprssion. Since the average person's most challenginig issue surrounds money (understandably so when 3 out of the 6 billion other people on our planet live on $2 or less a day), most advice books tend to focus on money. Similarly, we are fed ideas which lead the average person to believe that if they were just in a position to buy anything they desired materially, happiness would be automatic. There's a larger picture here: we can never really feel 100% fulfilled unless all areas of our lives are in their ideal state. John Assaraf's book therefore 1)does a convincing job of articulating the importance of "total success" (described above) as a more apt life goal 2)provides an easily understood framework for analysis of these issues and 3)provides a tangible action plan for achieve total success. I sincerely believe that any individual who reads this book (along with those listed below) and that has passionate desire and a dedicated heart--coupled with the willingness to apply the principles outlined not just read about them--WILL achieve their goals. Less than two years ago, I moved from the USA to pursue my goals abroad (after more than 6 years of thinking, wondering, etc.). I am so happy that I did and it is through the application of principles similar to what the author discusses that I was provided with the means to do so. All doors opened to me. Other Helpful Books
***Think & Grow Rich (Napoleon Hill)
***Power of Your Subconscious Mind (Joseph Murphy)
***Conversations with Millionaires (Mike Litman and Jason Oman)
***It Works (RJH) (...)
Rating:
Summary: Great BOOK and a Great INTERVIEW!
Review: If you feel that success is somehow reserved for people without major challenges, and to whom every advantage has been given, then you are not alone. John Assaraf thought that way too. But, he now says, "I was dead wrong." Even while he was still a street kid, he came to realize that regardless of his circumstances, there were people in worse situations who were going after "having it all." In this book John reveals the secrets to 'having it all' - to have what money can't buy. Things like good health, great families, enriching careers, faithful friends, and plenty of spiritual connectedness. John also gives a great explanation of the 6 functions of the conscious mind (reason, will, memory, perception, imagination, and intuition) and the 3 functions of the subconscious mind (the operator of our bodily functions, the regulator of our habits, and the connector to the rest of the world). He then shows you how to use your mind to bring about what you want in life.
I interviewed John Assaraf on "The Inside Success Show" and was captivated by "The Steet Kid." I can assure you, he not only has real direction in his life now, he has real high powered focus!! Here's some other things I learned from John: ** How John Assaraf got into, and then out of, selling drugs
** What one decision you can make that will make you happy - FOREVER!!
** Why you need to understand how your subconscious mind works
** How you can design your perfect life and the make it happen
** What are the 7 Power Factors that are like booster rockets
** And much, much more ... If you're ready to experience the magic of aligning your life up with your desires and having it all, then get this book and pay attention to what 'The Street Kid' has to say. Randy (Dr. Proactive) Gilbert, Host of The Inside Success Show (TheInsideSuccessShow.com) and best-selling author of "Success Bound"
Rating:
Summary: Powerful Directions from an Authentic Source
Review: If you read only one self-help book for improving your overall life this year, you should make it this one! Even if you have read and benefited from other self-help books, you will find this one will energize and redirect you in helpful ways. The world would seem to already have enough self-help books. Why would anyone need another one? My answer is that as long as most people are living lives below their potential, we need better self-help books. Having read many books in this genre and attended many seminars by their authors, I'm always struck that experiences where people use a method to set their lives on the right track after having gone wrong have the most impact on making me feel motivated to try their approach. John Assaraf's story is one of the most powerful that I have read. He started on a life of crime, as a drug dealer, much to his parents' chagrin. Despite knowing it was wrong and wanting to quit, he couldn't. Later, having found legitimate business as an opportunity, he was handicapped by a severe form of colitis that caused him much pain, embarrassment and inconvenience. His personal relationships didn't go well either, and he has been divorced twice. Most of us don't have such hurdles to overcome, including moral ones, so finding a way out to a better life should contain lessons for us all. That makes his voice authentic. The material itself is a vital combination of the work of many self-help gurus including some whom I admire including Napoleon Hill, Tony Robbins and Deepak Chopra. I found that Mr. Assaraf's writing is clearer, simpler and more direct than those authors. As a result, you will get their learning in a more effective dose. The book is organized as a workbook, with many exercises to do. In case you want to repeat the exercises, you can get additional copies of the exercises from Mr. Assaraf's web site for free. I thought that was a nice and helpful touch. I especially endorse his encouragement to change your daily habits. He suggests that you take action (on the plans you will write), meditate, exercise, visualize what you are striving for, spend time learning, eat better, and appreciate (love, be grateful and have fun). This is one of the few self-help books that emphasizes the need to be balanced in all these areas. Very nice! I also liked his seven power factors: persistence, attitude, discipline, vision, purpose, focus and action. I find that one cannot have enough persistence, and always appreciate books that reinforce that point. As a result of reading this book, I decided to become much more persistent about several projects I am working on. Thank you for encouraging that approach! Don't just read this book. Study it. Mark it up. Do the exercises. Then, live what you write!
Rating:
Summary: It's your choice - learn to ski!
Review: Last year, at Book Expo America, I encountered a man in a very snazzy suit, with a broad smile. John Assaraf introduced himself, seemed to know who I was and was very glad to see me. He showed me his book, "The Street Kid's Guide to Having It All", and later sent me a copy. He went from a petty thief and drug dealer to a happy and successful entrepreneur who does everything legitimately, and with a great deal of energy and passion. His concept of attracting the positive is very similar to the abundance mentality I discuss in PrinProfit. And the sort of grace and style he showed me on the trade show floor is apparently a thoroughly integrated part of his personality. Being generous and ethical even allowed him to walk away from a business outlay of $300,000--and the way he handled himself in that painful interaction led directly to a offer to be involved with a successful dotcom business that earned him several million dollars. He's a master at imaging exactly what he wants, and then letting the universe deliver it to him. These two sentences from the section of his book called "The Great Law and The seven Natural Laws That Will Change Your Life Forever" pretty well sums up the attitude of this remarkable man: "You can choose whether to stay warm in winter or gripe about the cold. Better yet, you can decide to learn to ski." John impresses a lot of other people. His blurbs include Brian Tracy, Robert G. Allen, and a few other people you've probably heard of.
Rating:
Summary: Well-Balanced Success Planning
Review: So many mentors stress work-related issues only in their success plans. But not so with John Assaraf. It's refreshing to see Health, Spirituality, Family and other life areas developed in a well-rounded plan for true success. Great book with planning pages for making copies and reusing: a workbook within a book. I like that!
Rating: 
Summary: Good guide
Review: The exercises are the most important thing in this book. You must do them to get anything out of it. This book is really similar to the tons of other sel-help books out there. But this will give you another angle to look at your goals and be successful. It's a very quick read. The book doesn't come with a magic pill to be successful, it just reinforces what you should be doing to be successful. I do like the exercises. They help one break down their past beliefs and replace them with new beliefs that will empower them. Good luck and Power to You!
Rating:
Summary: Great Concept, Only Little Bit is Missing...
Review: The reason why I became interested in this book, in the first place, is the fact that it is a personal success story by a man who has seen the worst and the best. He knows how it feels to be in the lowest place, but he also knows how grand it feels to be the winner, a millionaire, a father and successful business man. This alone convinced me that his book is something extraordinary, and I should listen to what he has got to say. After all, he is not theorizing, but speaking based on his own experiences. This book, unlike so many other "self-help" books, is much fun to read. It does feel like you are in one-to-one discussion with the author himself. After all, I couldn't lay down the book once I started reading it. The author also provides several wonderful workbook exercises that are designed to guide you on the right path. Doing these exercises will ensure the maximum benefit. The only factor that was left out from this book is the importance of feelings in creating success. That is the reason why I only give it 4 starts instead of full 5 stars. However, if you were to combine what this book teaches in what Darel Rutherford's "Being the Solution" teaches... I could promise that you will be successful. The success principle works with mathematical exactitude. There is no reason to sit back. Invest your money in these two books. I shall meet you on the top! Good Luck!
Rating:
Summary: Real info for real people
Review: This book is phenomenal. It is less a book and more a guide that will help you to help yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Easy Read, Good teaching points
Review: This is a very good read. If you do not often read books concerning personal development (aka self-help), this book is a good place to start. In brief, I think it is helpful to list some of the most intriguing/valuable portions of this book: 1) Most people spend more time planning their vacations each year than they do their lives (says the author). In other words, everything that is worth anything happens because of good planning. A billion dollar business doesn't just happen by luck or happenstance does it? Well neither does the life of your dreams. It takes dedicated, practical planning in the major areas of one's life to get to the ideal state--in health, wealth, peace of mind, love/relationships and true expression (i.e. doing exactly what you want to do). 2) The way you use your mind determines whether or not you succeed-know the functions of the conscious and subconscious mind and how to use them effectively. One's mind is the most precious resource one has. It's like a computer; when you learn how to work it more efficiently, you extract more value from it. 3) Learn the laws of life. Life can be strain-free, happy and very orderly if you know the rules--some call these rules natural law (as the author does), some call them universal law. Once you know the rules and how to apply them, the sky (or higher) is the limit. 4) Take advantage of both your physical and nonphysical (i.e. spiritual and mental) resources and you will assuredly "have it all". In fact, it appears that every study of those who have achieved successful living in all areas of one's life points to the fact that the physical/nonphysical combined elements is the only way to achieve maximum success. It seems clear that all those who have been able to achieve all they desire in all the major areas of their life realized that the nonphysical component is the key. I give this book 4 out of 5 stars because I feel that the author's work could have been more impactful had he spent more time on the most critical element in his equation for success--the mind, particularly one's subconscious, and how to use it. Perhaps in later works he shall do so. I would probably buy his next work if it included real stories of people who used is particular method for success achievement and were able to "have it all". I like the fact that he also demonstrates that money and happiness/good character, etc. are not an either/or trade-off. We can all have great relationships, wonderful friends, careers love and good character, WITH all the money we can ever use and then some. I am also impressed that he gives of his money and time to nonprofits and charities. I wish the author continued success and am happy that he does indeed appear to "Have It All". I would recommend reading this book along with Joseph Murphy's book "The Power of Your Subconscious Mind" for maximum impact.
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