Customer Reviews

Personal Development for Smart People: The Conscious Pursuit of Personal Growth

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I really enjoyed this book and am currently reading it a second time. Unlike so many 'personal development' and 'self-help' books this one doesn't make sensational promises. There is no religious subtext or reference to pseudoscience for credibility. Instead he's identified several key areas we must address to lead happier, more satisfying lives: Truth, Love, and Power. He clearly explains what he means by each of these and specific ways to improve in each area.

It's written in a very straightforward style with almost no filler. I read with a highlighter and will highlight a sentence every few pages in a typical book. After a single reading there's almost no pages without a yellow streak and many have several. The ideas are strong and stay with you throughout the day, making them easy to apply and learn from.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The first half outlines Steve's framework for personal development based on 7 principles: Truth, Love, Power, Oneness, Authority, Courage, and Intelligence. The second half applies these principles to various areas of life: Habits, Careers, Money, Health, Relationships, and Spirituality.

Throughout both sections many practical tips and exercises are provided which I found quite valuable. I also loved the book's organization - it was very logically and flowed smoothly from one chapter to the next.

One thing I found missing was the use of diagrams or pictures. I particularly expected mind-maps at the start of each chapter. I also would have liked to see a little more content in certain chapters in the second half of the book. Despite this, I still think the book deserves 5 out of 5 stars.

I have posted a fuller review on my website. Disclaimer: I received a free electronic review copy to review for my blog.