Breaking the Pattern: The 5 Principles You Need to Remodel Your Life [Hardcover]

The first reward can be knowing that you are moving possitively in the direction you visualize that you want to be in - your life, health, and relationships. The next reward is seeing those goals come into fruition. The last is true self-acceptance (which I am still working on) but I see that reward as being immeasurable.

I could really identify with his case studies - I felt there was a bit of me in all of them. I also liked his approach to goal setting and how to break it down on a daily/weekly basis so it is more managable.

The bottom line: if you are looking for some real ephonies in your own life, this is a great tool to get you there.

If you are tired of spinning in the same circular conversations, walking the same paths to the same unfulfilling destinations or can't seem to implement strategies to reach your goals, "Breaking the Pattern" might encourage you to remodel your life.

Charles Stuart Platkin has discovered five basic principles you can apply to your life in order to make changes, reach your dreams and finally live the ideal life of your choosing. He used the principles in this book to change his own life.

What started as a letter to a friend turned into self-reflection and through writing, Charles started to think more clearly. Through further interviews and discussions with friends and professionals the author started to find real answers:

1. What's a Pattern and How Do I Know What Mine Are? - A study of self-sabotaging and self-paralyzing behavior. Are you choosing the easy path of substance abuse, short cuts or just making bad choices and finding someone else to blame? What are your triggers?

2. Self-Evaluation and Reflection Workshop - A variety of exercises where you answer questions and then analyze the answers. One of the most important sections in this chapter is "Asking the Right Questions."

3. Failure Is an Asset Waiting to Be Discovered - Successful people seem to see rejection and failure as a reminder that they are still on the path towards their goals. Sometimes just having the goal and continuing towards that goal, no matter what, is a formula for success. The author explains how you can overcome fear and move beyond failure.

4. Taking Responsibility Leads to Freedom - An interesting look at blame, being a victim, making excuses, avoiding responsibility and being the martyr. A discussion of why many people surrender their responsibility to a higher power.

5. What Makes a Goal a Goal? - An interesting section on intrinsic rewards.

6. If You Can See It,It Can Happen - Do you have the discipline it takes to reach your goals? Ideas on how to set realistic goals and overcome obstacles in your way. There is a place to write down your ideas for short and long-term goals.

7. Making Change Happen and Transforming Your Life -What are your values? Are you open to possibility? How do you find the positive patterns?

8. Tactics and Strategies for Changing Your Life -In the final chapter, the author explains how our "internal commentary" can change our lives.

I loved all the inspirational quotes and stories, the positive and healing environment this book provides, and the idea that short-term failure is no excuse not to achieve long-term success.

Do you feel imprisoned by the past? Do you desire a more fulfilling future? "Breaking the Pattern" will help to set you free from the disappointments of the past so you can reach for a more positive future.

"Breaking the Pattern" is a well-written and well-organized collection of empowering ideas to help you modify your own behavior so you can finally leave failure in the dust. This is a book to help you reach your personal, relationship and career goals. It is perhaps one of the most important books you will ever read if you want to break free from destructive patterns of behavior.

~The Rebecca Review.com