The Contented Achiever : How to Get What You Want and Love What You Get

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Summary: Inspiring Blueprint for Contented Achievement
Review: From the start the authors share numerous pearls of wisdom and quotes that help people achieve a balance in their lives. I was struck the with simplicity of the two-by-two matrix they created.

The cells were: 1) success-frustration 2) failure-frustration 3) failure-fulfillment 4) success-fulfillment

Personally, I found a number of things I do are successful, and others enjoy me doing them, but they are not a great investment of my time or resources. It is nuggets like these that make the book a great investment, unless of course you are in quadrant III and enjoy mental bankruptcy. The Contented Achievers are in quadrant IV.

Some of the sentences that have lingered in my mind include: "Like a trapeze artist, if you never let go, you can never get to the other side". (p.106) "There is always a next level in life no matter how successful you are." (p.147) "What's more important, knowing how to use the brake, the gas pedal or the clutch? (p.200)

When you read the book you will feel the authors' passion for life and willingness to share experiences so others can learn vicariously. I was moved by the episode they shared regarding a ethical stamp collection dilemma one faced and how the situation played out. At the end of each chapter there are several questions that I found challenging and introspective to answer.

Those interested in a balance in life, self-development, or their career will find this very useful (and fast) reading.

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Summary: The Contented Achiever Is A High Achievement!
Review: I believe that The Contented Achiever stands out in the crowd of books on self-improvement. I found this book to be thought-provoking, positive and creative. The Contented Achiever has a large number of creative suggestions which I found to be directly applicable to my life. I get the impression that the authors' beliefs are based on a profound knowledge of their subject gathered over a life-time. There are also great, well-positioned quotes to reinforce good points made throughout the book.

My favorite subjects pertained to "Creating Desired Results" which is a very simple series of steps to use to become the person you are striving to become. I found suggestions about dealing with clutter to be very practical and a chapter about "Creating an Environment for Success" to be insightful and especially thought-provoking. I also believe that the book would be especially useful to anyone experiencing some personal, or professional frustration in his/her life.

I highly recommend The Contented Achiever to those people interested in personal, or professional improvement. The simple, straightforward style used by the authors will make the book a refreshing and enjoyable experience.

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Summary: Are you living the life you want?
Review: I enjoyed this book so much that I got several copies to give away to friends. It was humorous, nostalgic, thought-provoking, cathartic and inspiring.

Not since I read Co-Dependent No More have I had a more graphic awakening to my own reality. This book provided me with a plethora of labels to apply to many dysfunctional life-situations and thereby provided many clues to personal problem-solving answers.

Even though I already know I am an extremely organized individual, still, I learned many new ideas to experiment with in my constant quest for even better methods for pursuit of a productive life both physically and emotionally. No one could read this book without coming away with something new to think about.

Big Boxes can hold many miracles...don't miss Chapter 6.

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Summary: I life it enough to give copies...
Review: I liked The Contented Achiever so much that I have given copies to students, clients, friends, and family members. The Personal Leadership Association sponsored a seminar focused on the principles and practices described in the book and invited co-author Chris Crouch to speak. Reading the first four chapters alone makes getting the book a great value; reading the second half will give you even more ideas and thoughts for implementation.--David Dyson, Dyson Institute

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Summary: Meaningfully Moving Forward
Review: Personable in tone, expansive in concept, The Contented Achiever shares with the reader both the opportunity as well as techniques for building, maintaining, not to mention achieving lasting appreciation while gently but avidly steering the participant toward a meaningful manner of acquiring, in simple fashion, the finer side of life. This book stands out as a pointed yet loving beacon of enthusiasm, warmth, humor and just plain good sense. It will move you forward. I'm already anticipating the next offering from these authors!

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Summary: Thought Provoking, Inspiring
Review: Rush, rush, rush. Push, push, push. Gotta achieve. Gotta make it! Life is complicated, but that's the fun. Go go go!

So is this what achievement is all about? Not really, say these authors. There's a system for success, and it's simple. In fact, simplicity in life is part of the magic. But it all starts inside. As the book explains, "what's in the well comes up in the bucket."

This is an interesting book because it's written by three authors-three people who have "been there, done that, and taught others." But the book is written in the singular. The authors realized that their ideas were bouncing all over the place, so they engaged a writer to "harmonize them into one voice." Clever idea, but a little unnerving at times, knowing that there are three people behind the message.

Readers will begin the journey through this book by Defining Success. Chapter 2 talks about Creating Desired Results, with the obligatory four-quadrant model. The dimensions of this one are Failure and Success, Frustration and Fulfillment. The Impact of Thoughts, Words, and Actions is explored in the third chapter. Values are addressed in a chapter entitled "Reflecting on Your Belief System" before an advisory chapter on getting clutter out of your life. The balance of the book focuses on creating an environment for success. It's a "typical" self-help book, but well put together.

Extra features include the inspirational quotes you might expect, sprinkled through the pages. A 19-question assessment at the back of the book serves as a summary, but could also be taken before reading the book as a sort of benchmark. The Points to Ponder at the end of each chapter add value to this book, moving the reader from absorption of good advice to a pensive and self-reflection mode to stimulate progress.

Rating:
Summary: Are you living the life you want?
Review: The Contented Achiever is an excellent book that helps us on our journey as to whether we are living the life we truly want! In the back of the book, there is a Self Assessment entitled "Are You a Contented Achiever?" My score told me that this book would absolutely be read next!

The lessons learned about being centered and living in the "now" have greatly impacted my life. The chapter on "Clutter" has created even more satisfaction and peace in my daily life. I ask myself the following question: Are there things that tie me to my past that prevent me from enjoying the present? Try it, you'll experience a wonderful sense of letting go and enjoying life more!

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Summary: great reading for organizations
Review: This book is a quick and easy read suitable for individuals or groups. For the "puzzle of life" the book provides, in outline form, key factors to build success and a belief system to allow one to enjoy the ride. I recommend it highly and recently purchased copies for my entire organization.

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Summary: Things are frequently not as they appear.
Review: We all are a product of our upbringing. Preconceived ideas of what we can achieve and what we are not worthy of achieving. Things that we can manifest into our lives and things that will be there for others only, not for us. I think the sum total of this is the realization that we are all worthy and that all that we desire in life can be ours. I loved this book because it made this concept so easy to understand and to grasp. The examples given are directly connected to the way we live our lives. It becomes so simple to understand the changes in our thinking that, when effortlessly made, can so drastically alter our lives. I have worked so very hard all of my life just to prove to myself that I can achieve the things that I was told were beyond my reach. I am sure that on a subconscious level the truths in this book were known to me. What an incredible treat to read this book and have the inner knowing that it reveals long held truths. I would recommend to all readers that you not only read this for yourselves. I would recommend that you buy copies and distribute them to all who you care for and all who you would like to help. What a service you would be performing for this universe.