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Begin with Yes
Law of Attraction, Meet the Law of Action
The Law of Attraction tells us that whatever we focus our attention on, consciously or not, we attract into our lives. Think happy thoughts, enjoy happy experiences. And vice versa.
Begin with Yes introduces the Law of Action, a principle that reverses the order - and is equally powerful: What we do affects how we think, and the kinds of experiences we have. When we take small, manageable steps, we feel more positive and our lives flow more smoothly.
Begin with Yes is all about setting things in motion and opening new doors. Getting unstuck. In this short, engaging conversation, counselor, coach, and motivational speaker Paul Boynton maps out a surprisingly easy, logical, and liberating alternate route to a better life. In short, not only does Begin with Yes make change seem possible, it provides concrete examples that show the way.
The Law of Attraction tells us that whatever we focus our attention on, consciously or not, we attract into our lives. Think happy thoughts, enjoy happy experiences. And vice versa.
Begin with Yes introduces the Law of Action, a principle that reverses the order - and is equally powerful: What we do affects how we think, and the kinds of experiences we have. When we take small, manageable steps, we feel more positive and our lives flow more smoothly.
Begin with Yes is all about setting things in motion and opening new doors. Getting unstuck. In this short, engaging conversation, counselor, coach, and motivational speaker Paul Boynton maps out a surprisingly easy, logical, and liberating alternate route to a better life. In short, not only does Begin with Yes make change seem possible, it provides concrete examples that show the way.
128 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2009
88 people are currently reading
455 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
February 10, 2019
The premise of this book: that focus on positivity and taking manageable steps based on that is really great. I appreciate that. It definitely did not change my life to buy this book! The concepts were very simple, and great for people who are perhaps new to positive psychology or Law of Attraction.
February 15, 2017
Wonderful book! A must read for everyone!
July 24, 2014
This felt almost like more of a peptalk than a self-help book, and I found it an effective one.
Boynton's main idea here is positive action. Or rather many positive actions, that will take you each a step closer to big dreams. And the author definitely encourages the reader to dream big.
Personal stories provide examples of how the "Begin With Yes" approach can help in various situations. Some of these are composites of individuals the author has helped through coaching, while others are real individuals, several involved in the New York City theater scene.
While the author clearly believes in (and practices) his approach, he keeps the message realistic. These are steps to help make your life happier, not a magic formula to make your life perfect.
Self-help isn't a genre I do much reading in normally, and my personal outlook is already not too far off from the author's philosophy, but I still found this to be thought-provoking, enthusiasm-boosting.
I also appreciated the author's efforts to make the book LGBT-inclusive.
This is an accessible, quick read, and it will inspire you to start working toward those dreams.
Boynton's main idea here is positive action. Or rather many positive actions, that will take you each a step closer to big dreams. And the author definitely encourages the reader to dream big.
Personal stories provide examples of how the "Begin With Yes" approach can help in various situations. Some of these are composites of individuals the author has helped through coaching, while others are real individuals, several involved in the New York City theater scene.
While the author clearly believes in (and practices) his approach, he keeps the message realistic. These are steps to help make your life happier, not a magic formula to make your life perfect.
Self-help isn't a genre I do much reading in normally, and my personal outlook is already not too far off from the author's philosophy, but I still found this to be thought-provoking, enthusiasm-boosting.
I also appreciated the author's efforts to make the book LGBT-inclusive.
This is an accessible, quick read, and it will inspire you to start working toward those dreams.
August 16, 2014
I have been following Paul's "Begin With Yes" on Facebook for some time, but only just today read this book. Because Paul's Facbeook posts are always directly in line with my own beliefs, I was very pleased to find that his book is equally so. The market is saturated with people telling you that all you have to do is be a positive thinker, but in most cases those self-proclaimed gurus don't take it any further than that. What Paul provides us with here is the piece of the puzzle that's missing from most positive thinking programs, and that is the idea that you must take ACTION before anything's going to happen. You can be the most optimistic positive thinker in the world, but if you don't actually DO anything, where's that optimism going to get you? Nowhere! And that's the crux of Paul's very simple book: taking small, manageable steps toward a better life rather than just wishing for a better life. My hat is off to Paul for getting these Truths out into the human consciousness. You don't need tons of time to take the little steps he outlines. You simply need to be willing to DO something. And the first simple little step to take, in my humble opinion, is reading this book. It only took me about an hour - and it's been one of the best-spent hours of my life.
October 25, 2013
This was a good book. It's not a complicated self help book, but more of a reminder of the things we need to do to make our lives successful by just getting started, surrounding ourselves with people who are uplifting, helping others, dealing with setbacks, feeling the fear and doing it anyway.
Like I said, it's not complicated, but it's common sense and a good reminder of the little things we can do every day that help us to create the life we want.
Like I said, it's not complicated, but it's common sense and a good reminder of the little things we can do every day that help us to create the life we want.
June 26, 2012
Paul Boynton captures the in-"spiration" with this short, but gets-right-down-to-it discussion about getting to work and making life happen "Now"! I loved this book so much, I underlined and highlighted it throughout and then sent it off across the country to my daughter so she could get hold of it's "take action" message too! The words and insights just leaped off the pages!
October 8, 2018
After being told how wonderful this book was I was very disappointed in it. It gives examples of looking at life in a more positive way. Several examples of how different people accomplished goals and dreams by doing so. It really felt more like a lecture and not a guide of conversation. I have read other books that are similar that I would recommend first.
February 24, 2015
Quick but profound. I appreciate the act first rather than thoughts first approach as it is more realistic for my attitude.
Its a gentle kick in the pants for those who know they want to make a change in their life but struggle with positive thinking.
Its a gentle kick in the pants for those who know they want to make a change in their life but struggle with positive thinking.
January 10, 2015
too basic
No new concepts. Limited content for the money. Huge disappointment. Wish more info on getting started. Where is the how to?
No new concepts. Limited content for the money. Huge disappointment. Wish more info on getting started. Where is the how to?
July 28, 2021
I liked the conversation style short book. It was a great conversation about common sense to me. What you reflect outwards will often be paid forward. Just as letting someone ahead of you in traffic can indeed make that person feel better but you feel better. How often to you smile at someone and they smile back?
Also take initiative and just do one task at a time. One little task will lead to the next and before you know it you got a project done. We have a choice of doing or sitting it out. Which is yours?
Also take initiative and just do one task at a time. One little task will lead to the next and before you know it you got a project done. We have a choice of doing or sitting it out. Which is yours?
December 26, 2017
It's clear the author of this book is a genuinely good guy. The tone is positive the whole way through. And the message is one I wish I could immediately upload into the brains of all my students. 1) This is all about taking small actions. Because actions, no matter how small, sets things in motion. 2) Change the way you use your words. For example, don't say "I can't play the violin." Instead, say "yes, I could play the violin if I found a teacher and rented an instrument.
May 3, 2020
I like the question and answer format of the book. Very easy read with a lot of advice or direction that I was already aware of. It's nice, however, to be reminded in a gentle way of how much power we do have to change our own life course. I like that he also describes it as a plan of action, whether you are an optimistic person or not to begin with. Not all of us are blessed with the real or fake eternally happy gene. We all have a call to action that further empowers us.
December 29, 2017
A short book with quick-and-easy direction to get "unstuck" and make things happen. Great for those wanting to get organized, learn or create new things, change what's normal in life and develop a new attitude. Not rocket science, but offers guidance to change.
March 22, 2018
A thin book in big writing so didn't take too long to read.
There's nothing new in this book for me, but it was good to be reminded of the basic premise of making small action steps forward towards goals.
The 'yes' doesn't mean saying yes to everything, but reframing things as yeses.
There's nothing new in this book for me, but it was good to be reminded of the basic premise of making small action steps forward towards goals.
The 'yes' doesn't mean saying yes to everything, but reframing things as yeses.
January 13, 2019
I have followed Paul Boynton’s work for a while now. I love his hopeful and positive attitude about life. He is an inspiration. I don’t necessarily believe in the Law of Attraction but this doesn’t stop me from appreciating his work.
June 5, 2020
Its short, to the point and quite impactful. It is must read if you are digging in self help and positive thinking books section. Further, this book is really not traditional motivation book it has some fresh ideas which are quite convincing and practical.
June 11, 2018
Pretty interesting approach to life. 4 starts from me
January 13, 2019
3.5 stars. A short, sweet read. Nice to start the year with.
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September 26, 2020How to not limit self; how to explore living out of the box
November 3, 2020
This was more of a motivation book than a self help book. Take active manageable steps to go after change.
February 11, 2021
AMAZING!!!
Life changing and cannot wait to start using these principles in my life and see the happiness unfold to me!!!
Life changing and cannot wait to start using these principles in my life and see the happiness unfold to me!!!
July 18, 2022
Excellent help for changing the things that make your life happy. Brian Hutchinson was a fine narrator.
March 29, 2020
This book is exactly what I needed in my life right now. It's what everyone needs in their life right now. Simple. Brilliant. LOVED EVERY WORD!
April 3, 2016
Having met Paul Boynton after reading this book, it has been incredibly eye opening to realize his entire being is the embodiment of the straightforward, simplistic, actionable philosophy of the book. Every encounter with him reinforces my understanding that this fundamental philosophy has allowed for incredible success in Paul's life. The book is poignantly and succinctly written with a conversational nature that welcomes repeat reads and the lifestyle message conveyed appears to me to be universally applicable no matter your goals, aspirations, or current situation. It is one of the few books in recent memory that I have reread in such short succession of completing it.
June 29, 2014
Gentle, yet thought provoking; kind, yet direct; reading Paul Boynton's 'Begin with Yes' is like having a conversation with a good friend over a glass of wine. Each page of this book has its soothing ways that allowed this reader to take a personal inventory which prompted me to ask myself, "why don't I start with YES everyday?" "Funny" how my days have gotten better by paying attention to one simply three letter word!
May 10, 2014
This is a book that changed my life. Seriously, it changed the way I view everything. Begin With Yes is about making a conscious decision to keep taking steps forward, moving toward your goal, no matter how small those steps are. If the journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step, then the journey toward your future begins with yes.
January 25, 2011
Although I think a lot of the advice is very sound, most of it is stuff I've already learned through experience, although I guess it'd be really useful for people who hadn't. I just feel like it would have sunk in more with more anecdotes, examples, and explanations of how things worked.
February 27, 2015
Interesting and easy to read. The book's format is a little odd - it's in a Q&A style - but that makes it go a little faster. Great common sense advise on taking small actions to effect big changes in whatever area of life that concerns you most.
September 28, 2015
I really enjoyed reading this book. A friend let me borrow and I finished in 2 day. This book reminds you how important you are and allow yourself to get what you want by keeping an open mind and say yes you will accept!
November 3, 2016
This is a quick read but didn't contain any new insights for me; frankly, I prefer his Facebook posts. The question and answer format is odd. Boynton's philosophy is excellent but this book presents it very superficially.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews