You know how, when Oprah really loves something, she wants to give it to everybody? ("And YOU get a car and YOU get a car and YOU get a car...") That's kind of how I feel about this book. If I could afford it, I'd buy a case of copies of "Today We are Rich" and seek out all the people in my life who I think need or would want to read its wisdoms. And in my mind, that number is many.
It's not that Tim Sanders writes in this book about any earth-shatteringly new concepts in business/self-empowerment. It's just that he is the kind of author who excels tremendously at pulling together those ideas and morales that we should think more about (instead of checking our Facebook feeds for the 20th time in a day). And, in particular here, those ideas would be the principles of confidence.
In a nutshell, they include:
• Feeding your mind good stuff: Filter out the negative thoughts and people in your life, feed your mind the right kind of "mind food" (more gospel and good books, less cable news commentary)
• Moving the conversation forward: Don't let doubts hold you back; facing up to your own worst-case scenario and realize you could still survive it
• Exercise your gratitude muscle: Express your gratitude and start each day grateful (this chapter is what finally motivated to get serious about starting a gratitude journal)
• Give to be rich: When we give to others, we boost our way out of feeling burned out (Sanders' talks a lot about giving to causes that mean a lot to you—this has prompted me to think more seriously about finding causes related to literacy because the older I get the more I understand how important books and reading are to my life)
• Prepare yourself: Get smart about whatever issues you're facing; read, read and read some more ("Carry books with you wherever you go" Sanders writes; I'm on it! :)
• Balance your confidence: "Total confidence requires a belief in yourself, other people in your life, and in something greater than yourself."
• Promises made should be promises kept: "If you finish what you start and what you say you'll do, anything is possible."
You may think I've "given away" what this book is about, so no need to read it. But I say you should DEFINITELY still pick a copy up!! Sanders is a great writer (who is easy to read in his conversational tone) and you'll want to read more about the stories he shares on how each one of these principles has been taught to him through his relationship with his grandmother Billye. Who, I might add, tuly sounds like one hell of a woman ....
A few more gems of thought I loved:
— "Gratitude is a capability built up through exercise and focus. It's an ability to perceive, receive and produce the position emotion of gratefulness."
— "Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it."
— You always have a gift to give. ALWAYS.
— "Show me someone who lights up a room, commands respect, and charms everyone, and I'll point out the underlying energy that makes it all possible: confidence."