From the Bookshelf of The Pragmatists…

The Power of Story : Rewrite Your Destiny in Business and in Life

Jim Loehr

Start date: September 1, 2007

Finish date: March 1, 2014

Discussion: Power of Story

Why we're reading this: This book as a clear set of questions and a very interesting exercise of rating system that is based on t…more
[close] This book as a clear set of questions and a very interesting exercise of rating system that is based on the so called “China Study” where an entire generation was subjected to life altering changes through the power of writing. If you are seeking a change in your life, this book is about as simple and straightforward as it gets and based on the principle of collaboration.

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Power of Story

Desired Change in Life
By Zsolt , Mr. Pragmatist · 7 posts · 3 views

last updated Mar 21, 2014 05:30AM

What Members Thought

Jun 11, 2011 Jen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: nonfiction

I was initially disappointed that this book focused so much on business or work performance. However, in the later part of the book, I saw how what he was proposing, his fundamental tenet, that we focus on energy (that is, health) rather than time, would be revolutionary if it were implemented on a wide scale. The work place would change drastically. The structure, the simplistically punative systems, the oversight, all of these things would have to change to accommodate the well-being of the pe I was initially disappointed that this book focused so much on business or work performance. However, in the later part of the book, I saw how what he was proposing, his fundamental tenet, that we focus on energy (that is, health) rather than time, would be revolutionary if it were implemented on a wide scale. The work place would change drastically. The structure, the simplistically punative systems, the oversight, all of these things would have to change to accommodate the well-being of the people doing the work.

So I was won over to the focus on business--change that sphere and the possibilities open up for greater personal effectiveness. But of course, businesses don't like change. And so he is trying to effect individuals at the top levels to embrace this idea in all areas of their lives and work.

Another disappointment was that "story" for him essentially means self-talk and self-concept. I was hoping it had to do more with imagination. And while he does give a lot of credit to imaginative self-concept and visualization, he is essentially leading people to create a self-concept and lifestyle that are positive and in harmony.

Grandiose language about an "ultimate purpose" tends to irritate me and Loehr emphasizes that as a way to help people prioritize or focus on what they should focus on. He is catering to type As, so the language and the press toward perfection de-motivates me rather than motivates me (not a type A).

However, I did like his notion of embedding and self-indoctrination. I feel this is an area of self-help psychology that hasn't been adequately brought into the light and Loehr doesn't shy from it. I'm hoping he hasn't written the last word on it because the exercises and suggestions don't seem quite adequate, but he at least gives more guidelines to follow for making a desired change actually stick than many people.

I've kept this book because I feel its a good one to go back through periodically. He emphasizes getting honest with oneself. I think we all develop self-illusions over time. Sometimes we kick them only to have them show up again. Sometimes new ones arrive with new circumstances. It's good to have a guide for reviewing these and reasserting personal truths and priorities. ...more

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Apr 14, 2013 Zsolt rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: action-ready

I read this book number of times and I have approached several people to do the writing exercise with. For years, everyone who picked up the book in my circles told me it is great, and how much they are interested to read it. To date nobody ever followed through with the writing exercises that I know of. Presently I am working on the exercises alone and still looking for an equally or more motivated person than I to do the work, laid out by Dr. Loehr.

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