Product Description
More than 8 million people have been trained in Social Styles by Wilson Learning and use it every day at work and home. Many say it's a life-changing experience. Your Social Style - whether you're a Driver, Analytical, Amiable, or Expressive - is the behavior you feel most comfortable with. When you know your own style and adapt it to others' Social Styles, communication gets easier, conflict lessens, and your influence increases. No wonder entire corporations have put all their employees through the course. Graduates will refresh themselves and newcomers will master the principles of Social Styles with this easy-reading handbook. Helps you understand yourself and others in a non-judgmental, proven, productive way. Wilson Learning is a global leader in human performance improvement solutions for Fortune 500 and emerging companies worldwide, headquartered in Minneapolis, MN and Tokyo.
Customer Reviews:
This Oughta Be Taught in Grade School.......2006-07-14
The Wilson Learning version of the social styles matrix is one of the most valuable interpersonal vocabulary lessons most of us should take. Although there have been modifications and restructuring of these principles over time, the basic message remains very clear and timely: There are recognizable patterns of social interaction; they can all be successful; they can be accomodated positively and negatively; and we can reach each other and encourage each other effectively by recognizing them and training ourselves to be flexible and empowering in our relationships with others.
The book is an excellent recap for those, like myself, who were formally trained by the folks at Wilson Learning. It is also an introduction worthy of passing on to any who have not had the privilege. I have purchased and shared three copies of this volume with my co-workers in the past two months, and we are having (once again) a whale of a time discovering how we behave towards each other and how those behaviors affect our productivity and job satisfaction.
Invaluable.
Libraso!.......2004-07-24
francisco@yoursocialstyle.com
On these day of tech-changes and everything is changing up side down, never has been as necessary as it is now to nurture relationships. When Visionaries like Peter Drucker mention that knowledge society is here and we can prove that, the theme of social styles, show us the extent of working relationships, and in personal life!
Cogratulations to the people at Wilson Learning,
Francisco
Customer Reviews:
Read this very good book syntopically with Cliff Hakim's 'We Are All Self-Empoyed'!.......2007-03-26
Danger in the Comfort Zone: From Boardroom to Mailroom: How to Break the Entitlement Habit That's Killing American Business
by Judith M. Bardwick
This is one of the very good books I had acquired while attending a boot-camp for entrepreneurs in the United States during the early nineties. (My copy is actually the earlier edition.) At that time, I had read it very seriously. I had really liked the author's ideas of earning mentality (or habit) vs entitlement mentality (or habit).
The many problems & scenarios which the author had described candidly about the American workplace were not much different, when I compared them with Singapore's. Contemporarily, Singapore's employers had encountered the same dilemma. It was only after the economic recession during the mid-eighties & then the Asian financial fiasco during the late nineties that employees' attitudes, in both the private as well as public sector, had changed tremendously. Likewise, employers' attitudes had also followed suit.
At first glance, the author would seem to have criticised employees but I feel the principal premise of the book is more to urge employees to take charge of their own lives by getting out of the comfort zone & moving into the stretch zone. That is true self empowerment: adopt the earning mentality rather than the entitlement mentality!
Of course, employers would have to play their part to gain employees' confidence & trust. Their 'command & control' attitude in the past would have to change.
Hence, I would strongly recommend readers to read also 'We Are All Self-
Employed: The New Social Contract for Working in a Changed World' by Cliff Hakim. This book was written in the mid-nineties.
I feel the two authors' brilliant ideas gel very well with each other. In fact, their combined work will make more sense when read syntopically. They will help you transform the way you think about & approach your employment in the corporate world.
To paraphrase the latter book: "It will inspire you to move from the role of dependent employee, ever-adapting to survive, to independent-Interdependent worker, ever-creating to succeed. You'll learn to embrace a "self-employed" attitude to achieve the success you have always yearned for. Adopting a "self-employed" attitude will prepare you for the inevitable changes that come with time, & help you create a new definition of success rooted in your own interests, skills, values, & desires. It will help you move from merely surviving on the job to engaging your creativity - embedded in the responsibility symbolized by self-employment - & successfully employing yourself in a way that draws on your talents, interests, & deepest values."
I had really enjoyed reading both books tremendously.
In some way & to some extent, the wonderful ideas from the two foregoing books had consciously as well as unconsciously contributed to my eventual decision to take charge of the second half of my life.
Not even one star. More like negative 5 stars.......2005-07-07
For those that like using these factors in your labor force I suggest you practice the techniques on someone in your family first, see how it effects them when someone plays with their mind - and I don't mean the family members you aren't fond of. Pick the ones you really care about and apply this strategy on them. I bet you end up getting a divorce or written out of a will or two, and forget about seeing the grand kids at Christmas.
This book sets the labor movement back to the stone age. It is unfortunate for big business that they must rely on humans to lift the corporate bale and God forbid that they have families and feelings.
It is very obvious that the author has never worked on a frontline with some outrageous quotas to make - no breaks, no air conditioning, not allowed to go to the bathroom without permission, and have to sit there without having any personal feelings about the situation. PUT OUT AND SHUT UP. That sums up the whole book.
Use fear? Why not go for a whipping stick like they do in other countries.
Yeah, that's corporate progress. Isn't that how we ended up with EEOC and the Department of Labor in the first place?
Steven Covey ............... look away............Dale Carnegie ...... cover your eyes..............
Especially disturbing........2001-11-04
An especially disturbing book because it provides management who wish to do so with a pseudo-scientific pretext for using fear as a tool against their fellow members of the organization. Additionally, these ideas applied promote factionalization among organizational members, which increases complexity by causing people to work for a subset, rather than the whole of an organization. This is encouragement to compete rather than cooperate. If this work were written by a foreign writer, I would guess that it's intent was to help perpetuate international business superiority by giving North American management poor, neo-Tayloristic ideals wrapped (warped) in an attractive package and presented as new thinking. Fear as a motivation is a tool of the insipient, including self-serving management. Management by Fear should find the same way as Taylorism, Management by Objective and other idiotic management principles, onto the old heap of intellectual rubbish we should be embarassed of. For constructive management theory, read about Japanese conglomerates we buy most of our better products from, or explore W.E. Deming's Profound Changes.
Highly Recommended!.......2001-10-16
At first glance, Judith Bardwick's influential book, first published in the early 90s, seems scarcely relevant in the opening months of the 21st century. After all, the sense of corporate entitlement that she documented was certainly swept away in the layoffs, restructurings and reengineerings of the last decade, right? Of course, anyone working in a large organization today knows that's not entirely the case. Bloated bureaucracies still exist. But more importantly, Bardwick's simple observation that external economic environments influence and even create internal workplace environments is just as true today as it was the day she wrote it. So too are her words of advice about managing and harnessing employee fear to motivate a workforce into a productive mindset. That said, not all of Barwick's observations have aged so well. For example, you'd be hard pressed to make the case today that the work ethic has died in America. Nevertheless, we [...] recommend this book not as a slice of management history, but as a relevant and practical discourse on employee motivation.
Entitlement Can Breed Complacency, the Enemy of Progress.......2000-05-09
Danger in the Comfort Zone looks at the unintended consequences of making rewards and recognition in an organization too independent of how the individual and the organization are performing. Mostly these consequences are harmful, by making people focus on keeping what they perceive belongs to them rather than responding to important challenges. In that sense, this book has a lot of parallels to Spenser Johnson's, Who Moved My Cheese?
This message comes as quite a surprise to humanistically-oriented managers who just wanted to treat people fairly and unburden them from unnecessary stress and concerns. The shock can be quite substantial to this message in large bureaucracies (another source of stalled thinking that leads to complacency). Ms. Bardwick is definitely from the Tough Love school of management.
Using a sort of behavioral model, Ms. Bardwick argues for making rewards and recognition more closely match the performance of the individual and the organization. All rugged individualists will automatically agree. What many people will miss is that her message is fundamentally a humanistic one, aimed at helping people and organizations to fulfill their potential with as little stress as possible. Think of this as realistic humanism.
Cynics will see her view as a negative one towards people, assuming the worst. I think that is an incorrect view. On the other hand, it is bad idea to view management as a behavioral experiment. B.F. Skinner didn't do so well when he put his child into a box to program him, after all.
If you like this book, you may want to read its follow on, In Praise of Good Business. That book is easier to agree with, but is less well written than this one. Both are thought-provoking, which is what is needed to overcome stalled thinking about working with people. A good counterpoint for this book is The Soul at Work, if you want to apply the scientific model to the problem in a different way.
Book Description
Investing doesn’t have to be stressful. Read this book to help you make money---and relax. You’ll find what you need to know about the stock market, what moves it, what makes a great stock, and insider tips on how to invest. It’s all in language you can understand, with easy-to-follow directions, so you can start building wealth today and sleep well tonight.
Inside you’ll find the secrets of investing professionals, as well as the essentials of building a Core Portfolio that works for you in good times and bad. It’s not about overnight success. It’s about slowly and surely increasing your financial well-being with tested ideas that have proven themselves worthy of your money.
In a few hours, you’ll learn more than most investors do in a lifetime. Ted Allrich spent more than thirty years on Wall Street, including ten as an investment adviser, and his knowledge will help you succeed.
If you want to understand the stock market, invest without stress, and make sound investments, this book is for you.
Average customer rating:
- The Most Complete Book I've Read on Retirement
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Comfort Zones: Planning a Fulfilling Retirement, 5th Edition
Marion E. Haynes
Manufacturer: Crisp Learning
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The New Retirement: The Ultimate Guide to the Rest of Your Life
ASIN: 1592009905 |
Book Description
This comprehensive retirement planning guide has proven its value to individuals and organizations over many years for one simple reason-it works. Fully updated and easy to read, Comfort Zones brings together all the major aspects of retirement, including relationships, health issues, use of time, living arrangements, finances, and more. In no time, youÂ'll find yourself getting closer to a more defined and tangible plan for your own retirement goals as you actively work through integrated worksheets, questionnaires, and tables along the way. Take control of your future today-set the tone for your retirement to enjoy the quality of life you deserve!
Customer Reviews:
The Most Complete Book I've Read on Retirement.......2005-09-14
This is one of the better retirement books around, quite possibly even the best of the bunch but I really can't say that, I haven't read them all. This book gives not only the most rounded discussion, but includes worksheets to help you define your goals and desires.
There are a few specific comments worth making:
Chapter 1 talks about retirement from a general sense, but the underlying tone is about the concern people have about being bored. I and the vast majority of people I know didn't have that problem at all. Instead we wonder how we ever found time to go to work. I wake up in the morning with nothing to do and by bed time it's only half done. There's the Arts Council, the community theater, church, two or three volunteer organizations, the grand kids, travel, Elderhostels and I'm outta time.
The chapters on money hint at some things but I think it would be better to say simply: After the house is paid for, the vehicle is paid for, the last kid is out of college, it doesn't take all that much to live.
There is one area that I wish the author would have covered. I realize that it would just be a guess, but what impact is rising oil prices going to have on retirement. Oil is now about $64 a barrel. In the future that price will double and double again. How does this impact the rest of the book? As a retired employee of an oil company I would value his guesses.
Book Description
Moving beyond traditional thinking, the author presents a relational approach that integrates psychoanalytic thinking with the latest findings from infant research to give therapists the theoretical framework to orient the treatment and maintain psychic equilibrium and safety during times of arousing and destabilizing affect and relational scenarios. Compelling clinical narratives bring the reader into the consulting room and show how the therapist may forge deep emotional connection within a bounded therapeutic relationship that relies upon mutual influence and self-revelation and opens up relational space to ultimately rearrange a patient's experience of self and other.
Customer Reviews:
Important Book.......2005-02-23
Moving Beyond the Comfort Zone in Psychotherapy is a wonderful and important book. With insight and compassion, Ms. Bridges has written a book that will appeal to therapists and those in therapy alike but for different reasons.
Therapists will appreciate Bridges' use of intersubjective/relational, attachment, and developmental theories to explore the relationship between the therapist and patient in order to affect therapeutic change and growth.
As a therapist, I appreciate the combination of sound, innovative theory as well as many case examples. Through these, Bridges helps therapists conceptualize and navigate their relationships with patients in an engaged, empathic manner that honors the safety and mutuality of the relationship by establishing negotiated rather than rigid boundaries. Bridges skillfully uses this framework to examine the often complex and intense feelings a therapist can have toward a patient (e.g., sexual and loving feelings as well as anger, hatred, and rage); exceptional requests (e.g., gift-giving, hugs, attending a patient's wedding); and disclosures by the therapist (e.g., balancing expressiveness and restraint). I found her perspective quite helpful in thinking about my work with patients: how to stay deeply engaged, even in the most challenging of circumstances, rather than distancing or acting out.
Those in therapy will also find this book helpful. It offers an inside view of therapy from the therapist's perspective. Bridges explores her feelings, thoughts, struggles, and clinical decisions as she navigates often complex and intimate therapeutic relationships.
A real contribution to the field.
Carolyn Stevenson, L.C.S.W., M.Div.
www.carolynstevenson.com
Customer Reviews:
An Educator that Marches to a Different Tune.......2004-11-17
I never associated the words "bold leadership" with "education" until I read Nelson Beaudoin's, "Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone: Lessons for School Leaders." Beaudoin's book is not a dry manual. It's a book by someone who knows how to tell a good story and, in the process, illustrate an important lesson learned through years of experience as an educator and administrator. For instance, Beaudoin tells a story about the many ways, both intended and unintended, that teachers impact their students. In the story, Beaudoin greets the mother of one of his students. She notices that he has recently had a haircut and says to him, "Good morning Mr. Beaudoin. You had your oil changed this weekend, didn't you." Puzzled about how the parent knew this fact, the mother admits, "My daughter told me once that you always get your oil changed on the same day that you get a haircut. I noticed your nice haircut, so it stands to reason that you got your oil changed too."
Beaudoin concludes the story with this observation, "As educators, we can have profound influence on students. On occasion, we are fortunate enough to find out what a difference we made, but more often than not what we contribute goes undetected. We can only hope that we use this gift of influence wisely."
Book Description
STEPPING OUT OF THE BUBBLE: REFLECTIONS ON THE PILGRIMAGE OF COUNSELING THERAPY is the story of courage and risk taken by those who seek to better their lives. Drawing on the wisdom of those who provided a foundation for counseling theory and and practice, Krehbiel shares his expertise and wealth of experience. By sharing personal experiences, you will find encouragement to move forward in the journey toward personal growth and development.
Customer Reviews:
understanding myself.......2007-05-01
After reading Stepping Out of the Bubble a year ago, I went back and read it again for a second time. I was able to pick up even more information this time around that helped me understand and overcome some of my own internal conflicts. This is a book you can read at any point in your life and always find information that pertains to that particular moment. Krehbiel has a way of explaining things that others may consider unexplainable. Whether you are a student, a teacher, or just a guy like me, this book can and will change your life.
A practical resource for better living.......2006-03-27
For me, "Stepping Out Of The Bubble" was reminiscent of the renowned books of author, M. Scott Peck, in the style of presenting profound insights into sensible, easy-to-understand language and clear ideas an average person can relate to. Practicing Licensed Professional Counselor and Nationally Certified Cognitive-Behavioral Therapist and author of "Stepping Out Of The Bubble", James Krehbiel proficiently shares a portion of his expertise, condensing great weight into accessible and workable solutions for a more fulfilling life's plan.
The "bubble" represents our security and comfort zone, but it is also the inner place where we store the pain of our past experiences and the unpleasant reality of that not being made conscious which keeps us bound in unhealthy and self-defeating patterns. Staying within this bubble limits our emotional responsiveness as we numb ourselves to the coexistence even as unresolved issues unconsciously filter forth. To step outside of the bubble is to courageously examine the contents in all honesty and to face life's reality outside of the bubble. Once outside the bubble, one can move forward to experience life in more emotional depth, fullness and passion. "Being a fully functioning individual is about being true to whom you are and letting things be the way they are," explains author, James Krehbiel.
With brilliant and compassionate understanding, Mr. Krehbiel briefly details methods used and pertinent case examples within his therapy practice. "Self-regulation is a goal of therapy. I educate people in the fact that all the answers are ultimately within." "Stepping Out Of The Bubble" strives to do the same, by giving information on how we become trapped in the bubble and how beneficial the making of conscious choices to leave, can be.
Some of the many topics included within this book are: being assertive, characteristics of an "authentic" person, the integration of each of our different personality parts, the difference between true guilt and false guilt, setting boundaries, addictions and addictions to "manic" relationships, awareness (staying in the moment or mindfulness), grounding, honoring one's inner voice, panic attacks, OCD and mood disorders. The section regarding kids and parenting was exceptional, in my opinion, and I found many points about discipline that made much sense. Also appreciated was the section relating to religion (dogma) versus faith (spiritual) as well as what needed to be said about pop culture.
I enjoyed reading "Stepping Out Of The Bubble" and would recommend it to anyone. It is enriching and inspirational.
Reviewed -by C.Gale Perkins-author.......2006-03-18
Stepping Out Of The Bubble by James P. Krehbiel, Is an outstanding book on Counseling Therapy. Krehbiel, is able to put life patterns and fears into perspective so that the lay person can fully understand the mystery that most think is behind counseling. His approach to show that so much of what we seek answers for is within ourselves and with the right counsellor we can become free and step out of the Bubble or Bubbles that a lot of us are in.
This book should be a gift to every teen and their parents, no home should be without it.
Gaining Courage to Live Outside of the Bubble.......2006-02-25
James P. Krehbiel's Stepping Out of the Bubble was a fascinating read. I found myself underlining various passages. His explanation of how we get stuck in the bubble (comfort zone), and how we find our way out is powerful. It provided me with hope as I move through my own personal journey. I found myself experiencing an emotional reaction to many of the case examples and concepts he explored. He definitely hit some "hot buttons" in my life. But Mr. Krehbiel also provided specific guidelines and tools for stepping out of the bubble. At one point he says, "Courage can be defined by those who live outside the bubble as opposed to those who live in it. I like to compare stepping out of the bubble to wading into the water."
His chapter which includes ideas on multidimensional thinking is appropriate in today's political climate. He indicates that true dialogue takes into consideration the appreciation for differences in opinions. He makes some profound statements about pop culture's affect on the lives of today's children. He also gives parents tools and resources for assisting their children in bettering their behavior. The book ends with a resounding "yes" to life with a hopeful, powerful way of perceiving and reframing life's problems. This was an excellent book!
My Review of a Great Book.......2006-02-23
"Stepping Out of the Bubble : Reflections On the Pilgrimage of Counseling Therapy by James P. Krehbiel is an amazing and outstanding book that provides help and direction to the many people that are suffering from problems described in this book.
I was amazed at how many of the problems and challenges, that the author writes about, are problems and challenges I have seen many people suffer with.
The counseling theory and practice information in this book provides a direction for people that have a problem and are willing to go to counseling and risk moving forward in their journey toward finding personal growth and development, and eventually stepping out of the bubble.
Many people have problems and challenges that they never seek help for and they and their loved ones continue to suffer. This book goes a long way in bringing the thought of counseling to people and helping people to better understand the counseling process.
To author James P. Krehbiel thank you for writing your great book. I am convinced your book will help many people and because of your book many more people will step out of the bubble. I recommend this book very highly and also feel it would be a great college text.
Average customer rating:
- Controversial, but another Triumph for Kendall!
- A good premise, very poorly argued
- Good Truths but a Big Error Inside
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Out of Your Comfort Zone: Is Your God Too Nice?
R. T. Kendall
Manufacturer: FaithWords
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Believing God:
ASIN: 0446697354 |
Book Description
R. T. Kendall asks readers to take a closer look at the God of the Bible: to get to know him and love him, and to not be ashamed of who he really is. Kendall believes that Christians have migrated toward a nice God image that calls for our comfort and offers easy answers to the difficult questions of faith. Kendall brings a fresh, unique perspective to this topic. A deep and clear theological understanding of the Bible reveals the correct and balanced picture of Gods nature. This understanding draws readers back to the real Godnot the one they like or wish for, but the very God of the Bible: unembellished, unvarnished, as he truly is. The awesome benefit: then Christians can worship in spirit and in truthand enjoy God more authentically.
Customer Reviews:
Controversial, but another Triumph for Kendall!.......2007-01-16
I would have to respectfully disagree with the two previous reviews. The author does not base his entire theology on assumptions or personal experience alone. Dr. Kendall is in fact a Theologian, a respected bible scholar and was pastor of Westminster Chapel in London fo 25 years. He was personally mentored by Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones, another respected Theologian. He is endorsed by modern bible scholars and well known conservative Christians such as Billy Graham, James Dobson, and Joyce Meyer. Kendall's supernateral spiritual experience occured very early in his ministry (1955!), but his subsequent theological studies only confirmed that experience. Does that sound familiar? Such was the case with the Apostle Paul and his supernateral revelation. Predestination and the sovereignty of God are nothing new, but as old as the apostles. The scriptures indicate that the early church believed this way (and these scriptures are given in the book). Half the Christian church of our modern day subscribes this belief, as did John Calvin.
This is a very interesting read, you will be provoked to think about the deeper matters such as God's sovereignty vs. man's will. How do they work together? How CAN they work together? (They can.) Kendall provides plenty of OT and NT scriptures for his theological points. And yes, humorously, Kendall does describe some of the cultural taboo differences of Christians in other countries/ churches. I don't think he's trying to make a huge theological point, except not to judge one another too harshly. The Christians in England are wondering why so many fat Christians in the US? Isn't gluttony a sin? You get my drift..... The question of the whole book is this: Are we willing to take a bold look at God the way HE has revealed himself, or are we more comfortable with the God of our current culture? The weak, albeit nice- God.
A good premise, very poorly argued.......2006-12-19
I have no doubt that RT Kendall is sincere in what he believes, but I also think he is wrong in many of his assumptions. In fact, this book seems to suggest that Kendall's entire theology is based on assumptions that are never tried or tested. For one thing, it is assumed that God's sovereignty is tied to predestination alone; which is interesting considering the fact that God operates both within and outside of time. Also, it is interesting that Kendall's entire doctrine of predestination is based entirely on a 'spiritual experience' which apparently completely obliterated the need for critical thinking. (The great theologian, Thomas Aquinas, had a similar spiritual experience which caused him to say "My words are straw" and to stop writing and speaking for the remaining years of his life. I think Kendall could learn a lot from St. Thomas at least as far as writing is concerned.) Also included in this book is a detailed analysis of what a pharisee is like, but many details in this chapter suggest that Kendall does not even fully understand the nature of phariseeism.
I agree that we are often guilty of making God in our own image, instead of letting him make us in His image and Kendall does a good job of pointing out that often we have tried to tame God, and that this sort of 'taming' is nothing short of idolitry. However, Kendall seems to go to the oposite extreme by presenting a God whose wrath outweighs his Love, and who is down-right mean rather than compassionate and kind. In the chapter on predestination, Kendall almost goes so far as to suggest that God is actively involved in bringing suffering to the world. Is this the God of the Bible?
I get the sense that this book was written in a hurry and with very little forethought. In fact, it amazes me that such a book is allowed to be published at all. I think the subtitle: "Is your God too nice" is the best thing about the book because it is thought-provoking. In fact the one star I'm giving this book is given because of that subtitle. Take that question and read your Bible again. Rather let God speak to you on His own terms than on the terms of a well-meaning, but misguided theologian.
Good Truths but a Big Error Inside.......2006-07-19
What an interesting book: The author claims that he had a supernatural experience in which it was revealed to him that predestination is true. Now that's a first. That unusual record makes this worthy as a gift to send to persons who believe in predestination. But there is an error in the book in the hypocrisy chapter, it accidentally promotes excusism by basically saying how certain persons claims such and such is wrong yet do other wrong things themselves. Specifically I'm talking about chapter 5 page 113-115 in which he tells a story, which he says he's told in another of his books before, about a pastor who encounters various Christians. One of them for example is against smoking because it's a waste of money and yet was wearing an expensive dress herself. Another person the pastor encounters smokes, but when the pastor asks if he wants to eat on a restaurant (on Sunday), the person says to him that it's wrong to buy anything on the Sabbath. The pastor in the story then says a little while afterwards, "I wonder what is with us. There must be something!" And strangely, the author, disregarding the pastor's comment, says, "Whatever the case, this is true with so many of us; it seems there are one or two areas at least in which we have strong views about something. These views may unnecessarily make us think they compensate for other liberties."
That is true for some people.
It would have made more sense if Kendall left out the pastor's ending comment since his comment begged for an answer so to speak. For example I would have said to the pastor, "She's right it's a waste of money to smoke, but if you are going to be so concerned about money wasting, see that you are not being frivolous yourself, such as with the clothing you buy. If you're wearing an expensive dress and tell a smoker he's wasting his money, he may see your dress and think you to be a hypocrite and so not listen to you. And about buying on the Sabbath, Scripture says not to offend a brother's conscience on something like that."
Also, many people use Kendall's response / comment as a way to excuse themselves from doing what is right. For example if you tell a woman she should cover her hair when she prays, many will say, "Well what about greeting the brethren with a kiss?" or in other words, "You're not perfect, so how can you tell me to do that?" Which is a terrible response to being corrected or being given good advice. It would have been good for Kendall to advise not to do that.
Average customer rating:
- worth its weight in gold
- I can't take this book seriously
- Comfort Zone Investing another useful guide
- This may be the best book ever written on investing
- An excellent resource for any investor
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Comfort Zone Investing
Gillette Edmunds
Manufacturer: Career Press
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Retire On the House: Using Real Estate To Secure Your Retirement
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How to Retire Early and Live Well With Less Than a Million Dollars
ASIN: 1564145913 |
Customer Reviews:
worth its weight in gold.......2002-11-07
Useful as Gillette Edmunds' other book ("How to Retire Early and Live Well") is, I wished it had been possible to read this one first! For anyone who's been duped into believing stock funds are the only viable long-term hedge against inflation, who's been sold a "conservative" asset allocation and then watched it lose 25% of its value, this book is a lifesaver.
Simply by working through the steps here and understanding what mixture of "saver," "investor," and "speculator" you are will result in greatly increased clarity and vastly lower stress. Belongs at the top of the list of books the typical financial advisor would prefer you not know about!
I can't take this book seriously.......2002-11-01
I bought this book on the strength of his previous book Retire Early and Live Well, which I thoroughly enjoyed, though I did wonder about his sources and conclusions.
This book, on the other hand, I don't trust at all. I'm contemplating returning it for a refund.
In the first section he tells you that the goal of this book is to match the reader with their investment type - saver, investor, speculator. Are you the cash & bonds type, or are you the type to invest in IPO's?
The problem is he repeats himself worse than a Victorian novel. Why does he need to repeatedly tell you what he's going to tell you? Why not just get to the meat of the book already?
The second part of this book is a breakdown of the different investment types and various investments that make up each of the three types. He focuses heavily on the negatives of each investment type.
"Marketed as simple and easy to own, stocks are actually the most complex and emotionally challenging of all asset classes. Powerlessness, unmanageability, regrets, fear, social pressures, herd behavior, and complexities galore are the norm."
"The purchase of CDs and money market funds can lead to confusion and complexity. CDs have different interest rates and different maturities. Unpredictable forces including the Federal Reserve, the economy, and inflation undermine the interest rate on CDs, money market funds, and savings accounts."
"Unmanagability is a big issue with municipal bonds."
In fact, nearly every investment type is portrayed in this light with the exception of Real Estate and Real Estate Investment Trusts.
In fact, the Real Estate section starts with "Many groups and individuals have a vested interest in keeping you in stocks, including financial journalists." He goes on to say "A sense of powerlessness, unmanagability, and helplessness are infrequent with real estate. Stock prices move quickly. An individual stock can lose half or more of its value in minutes. Real estate prices change slowly."
And for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) it's the same: "REIT investors experience less powerlessness than stock investors. REIT returns are less volatile than stock returns. The worst year for REITS since 1970 was negative 17 percent. The worst year for U.S. stocks was negative 26 percent. " Etcetera.
And here comes, what I believe is the crux of this book: "My REIT report, REITs for the New Decade, explains everything you need to know about REITs in less than 100 pages." There it is, the book is an ad for his REIT report.
I actually had to chuckle at the transition from REITs to Corporate Bonds.
"The biggest emotional hurdle with REITs is a sense of bein out of sync with your fellow investors.... You must have the self esteem to run outside the herd to be happy with REITs. Those who need the herd to push them along will not stay in REITs very long.... Corporate Bonds... Unmanagability is the main issue here."
The change was so abrupt and obvious from his sheer praise of REITs (oh and by the way, buy my report) to more doom and gloom for anything that wasn't REITs.
The third section is a series of questions that "any serious investor should answer" along with several sample responses, which, by the way, show people who went from bad investments to - you guessed it - real estate.
Todd: "He had great success with real estate, and no success with any investment that was trendy or could be purchased on a whim."
Dillon: "Twelve years ago, I had about 75 percent of my money in stocks and 25 percent in real estate, REITs and oil and gas. Today my ratio is opposite."
While this is one of the few books to address investing as an emotional and potentially addictive (read: 12 steps) activity, it's heavy handed scare tactics are unwelcome. Since we'll all be living off of our investments one day (when we retire), it's important that you understand the process and risks of investing and your emotions regarding investing. I just don't think this is the book to help you with it.
Much more well rounded are The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need (Andrew Tobias) or The Millioniare Next Door (Thomas Stanley).
Comfort Zone Investing another useful guide.......2002-06-18
Gillette's latest, Comfort Zone Investing, provides a sound, practical guide for removing the inherent "flip the coin" jitters that many lay investors I and my clients (I'm a CPA) both experience as we save for retirement or other major life events (college funds, weddings, etc.). I particularly liked his grouping of investment vehicles into "savings", "investment" or "speculation" and his down to earth analysis of each. I would highly recommend this book for first time out investors as well as those who have alrady built a sizeable portfolio.
This may be the best book ever written on investing.......2002-06-18
In my investments, I have made many more emotional mistakes than I have intellectual. Finally there is a book out that says this is true for most people. This may be the best book ever written on investing. It is the first book any beginner should read. It will save you a lot of trouble. Just knowing whether you are a saver, investor, or speculator will save thousands of dollars and many nights of lost sleep. Savers like myself should have never been fooling around in the stock market.
This book debunks the myth that stocks are the best investment for the long-run. Stock returns may or may not be high, but most investors are incompatible with the volatility and games that go on in the stock market. They end up getting caught up in all the hype and buying at the top of the bubbles and then their grandiosity drops into depression as the market crumbles and they selling at the bottom. I know, I did it with two tech funds. Since most of us do not have the personality to ride out the ups and downs of the stock market, stocks are not the best investment for us, whether they do well in the future or not, because we need to face up to the fact that we won't get those returns. Plus I am tired of fighting with my wife over where I invest our retirement money.
The best thing about this book is the depth of information on many different investments. It tells you what sort of person will do well and who will do poorly with stocks, bonds, real estate, mutual funds, Ginnie Mae funds, tax lien certificates, CDs, money market funds, REITs, index funds, stamp collections, and many more types of investments.
Buy this book. You will save far more than the cover price immediately and you will start getting a good nights sleep regardless of what the market does.
An excellent resource for any investor.......2002-06-04
I've read both of Gillette Edmunds' investing books, and Comfort Zone Investing is even better than his first. It's a great book for our current uncertain climate, but I think it would make a good read regardless of what the market is doing. I have made many of the mistakes he discusses, especially in becoming over-attached to my stocks on an emotional basis. I wish I had read this book two years ago!
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