Overcoming Obstacles With Spunk! The keys to Leadership & Goal Setting is so much more than it's title states. While it is an ideal resource for those looking to take on the role of a leader in life, it is a great motivational tool for the average person looking to live a better life.
Having attended several of L. Diane Wolfe's seminars, I have a slight advantage over the average reader of this book in that I can hear the vibrancy behind the text and picture her speaking to an enraptured room. That being said, the tone of the book reflects her upbeat attitude even for those who have not had the pleasure of hearing her speak. Almost a year ago, I attended Diane's How to Publish Your Book Now Seminar. It was there that I learned she is not only a gifted and motivating speaker, but she gives of herself so freely and shares her abundance of knowledge in a way that you can't help but want to come back for more. Her book is the same way and one of the things I loved most about it is, that having met her in person, I know that she lives by the words in this book. I read many motivational and self-help books, some to help me be a better person and some just out of curiosity. Many come off as "yeah, yeah, I read this all before" or seem all about the author's self-promoting. Some come off as preachy, some as unrealistic, some as just plain boring. As an avid reader, I try to read everything I can get my hands on, but I have to say my favorite books are fiction and filled with action and suspense. So often times I have to make myself get through the non-fiction books because I feel learning and expanding my horizons is important. I will admit, I wanted to read Diane's book out of curiosity, because I had enjoyed her publishing seminars and I wanted to see what her motivational book would be like. Having read books like The Secret, The Laws of Attraction, The Management Skills Book, etc., I was impressed with her approach. While the other books were good, they didn't really accomplish what they set out to for me. They all seem to impart great words of wisdom, but didn't really make a difference in my life, because after a week or two, I would just revert back to my normal ways. In Overcoming Obstacles with Spunk, Diane addresses the fact that while certain changes are ideal, we are human, life will throw us curve balls every chance it can and there will be times when we slip back into old habits, whether we want to or not. Another great aspect of this book, not only does Diane tell you upfront what the focus and the five keys to your success are, but she brings you insight from other authors and sources as well. From the beginning you realize this book is not about her, it's all about you, the reader, the student. She thoroughly covers each of the five keys: developing a positive attitude, learning people skills, raising self-esteem, overcoming fear, and setting goals. She spaces them out and gives practical guidance on how to achieve and maintain these goals interspersed with colorful analogies. I love that at the end of each chapter she has "In a nutshell....", where with a few sparsely worded bullet points she summaries the points of that chapter. Although, I enjoyed the stories and analogies in the chapters enough to want to re-read them, it is nice to be able to flip to the end when I need a refresher on certain points. I was even motivated enough to go out and get a wire bound set of index cards to jot them down on, so that I can have them handy when I need them. (In fact, I would buy a set of motivational cards if she offered them, as I'm sure many others would also. If you read this Diane, Hint Hint.)
In a nutshell... this book does everything Diane has set out to accomplish with it. Although Diane says she is originally form Oregon, when you pick up this book it's like being ushered into a southern parlor and offered a cold glass of tea on a hot summer day. I think there must be some southern genes in her ancestry. Overcoming Obstacles with Spunk! is a must read and great tool for anyone wanting to enhance their life. As I commented on another post and to phrase it for the younger generations, it's Spunkylicious!!!
What a great review of a great book! Having read "Overcoming Obstacles," I thoroughly enjoyed this post, as I identified with your observations on not only the content, but Diane's approach on relaying what she has to say to the reader. I envy you having attended some of her seminars, as I'm sure they are as motivating as this book, only tenfold!
ReplyDeleteThis is the kind of book that you want to have handy to refer to, as you said, when you need a refresher! Diane has an innate ability to inspire and motivate, and this book reflects that, along with the helpful and insightful information the book so eloquently conveys.
Chris thank you SO much! Spunky is speechless.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you as well, Crystal!