The One-Life Solution: The Boundaries Way to Integrating Work and Life

by Henry Cloud

The newest hit from the million-copy selling author of BOUNDARIES and INTEGRITY. Additional Information The One-Life Solution The Boundaries Way to Integrating Work and Life By Henry Cloud Bin

Genres: Leadership, Self Help, Business, Personal Development, Nonfiction, Personal Growth, Faith

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Dr. Cloud has written or co-written twenty-five books, including the two million-seller Boundaries. His most recent books are Boundaries for Leaders and Necessary Endings. He has earned three Gold Medallion awards, and was awarded the distinguished Retailers Choice award for God Will Make A Way.

As president of Cloud-Townsend Resources, Dr. Cloud has produced and conducted hundreds of public seminars around the country. He speaks on relationships—marriage, parenting, dating, personal growth, and spirituality. His seminars are often broadcast live to over two thousand venues at a time.

Reviews

[MsSmartiePants ...like the candy... · Rating 5 out of 5]

Currently re-reading and following the project of a Life Audit.
This is an outstanding book written by a successful corporate consultant (Phd. Psychologist) with experience in coaching executives in very large corporations. These executives, as with all of us, experience the same type of issues and have misguided attempts at dealing with these issues such as: bringing in Time Management Seminars, Conflict Resolution Training, etc.
The premise is that while these attempts at getting to the solution to the problem are good, they are inadequate.
There is a universal issue undermining executives and employees' abilities to resolve conflict, allocate time wisely, execute with excellence, generate and develop creative ideas, deal with difficult people, etc.
The issue lies within each of us: Boundaries. A must-read for those seeking to relate effectively, with integrity and humility in our personal and professional lives.
The author is a nationally recognized expert on corporate management as well as personal relationships, and the author of many books, several particularly on the subject of boundaries.

[Daunavan Buyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cloud is an amazing author and thinker - this book was extremely helpful in getting me to understand some of the ways I can break out of some bad habits and reconcile / put healthy boundaries around some toxic relationships. Highly recommended.

[A.C. Bauch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having enjoyed Boundaries so much, I've wanted to read another Cloud and/or Townsend book. This one seemed as though it would be helpful, as I'm ever struggling to achieve that elusive work-life balance. (Also, I've given the book to a couple of people as gifts, so I wanted to be able to discuss it with them.)

Overall, I found a lot of helpful information in this book. Some of the content was a review of Boundaries, although I read that book some time ago and needed a brief review. And while I've read some of the hints and strategies in other books (especially adult ADD/ADHD books), I appreciated having them paired with the boundaries info and placed in a work-life context.

One aspect I liked about this book, which I also liked about Boundaries, is the combination of theory and application. Books that tell you "why" without explaining "how" frustrate me, and I'm glad Cloud avoids this, instead providing real-life scenarios and solutions. He speaks from experience, and anyone who reads his book(s) reaps the benefits.

[Carol Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this because I need to reclaim my personal like AND achieve greater professional success, just as the subtitle says. It's so good. Yes, this is about productivity, but Dr. Cloud gets behind the usual time management advice -- all good -- to encourage the reader to look at why that advice might be so hard to follow. Why do I keep letting my boundaries get crossed? What voices am I listening to?

Sometimes some hard personal work has to come before, or at least t the same time as, getting things done. I'm still working on that.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book to both read and study. He has a unique way of showing how intergrity helps solve common problems. I plan on reading it again!

[Daniel Park]

Audiobook.

One of the coolest concepts that I picked up from this book was about bad content and bad communication. How can we disagree without being disagreeable? There are a few tools that Cloud suggests, such as the compliment sandwich. Whenever you make a statement, the other party is determining whether you can be trusted... a friend or a foe. So sharing bad news in a way that helps them to perceive you as a confidante, is important to getting a positive message across, even in disagreement.

[Wesley Pratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masters study integrating personal conduct with correct behavior for a more perfect life

This book is astonishingly direct and to the point and easy to understand on how to get your life together for the best possible outcome in the short term and long-term. I’m a big fan of Tony Robbins, but this book is more concentrated and direct for me especially at my age, 61. Dr. Cloud makes integrating my life and focusing my effort and retraining my thinking, and habits quite simple. I will keep this on my shelf as a reference, for the rest of my life. Highly recommend.

[Mikhael De vera · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audit is particularly useful. With all the noise the world spews at us, we may unconsciously become many people. Similar to many self-help books, this short read of easy enough to understand English aids us by identifying the boundaries necessary to kindle our mission, vision and goals. A timely read for one who is distracted and a little of track. I will definitely check out the workbook. :)

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this and have gobs of notes to review when needed. It made me see some things differently, showed me where I needed to fix myself, and brought the hammer down on points I knew but hadn't followed through yet. From the 10 laws of boundaries to what boundaries help you do, the popular term I believe this book addresses is "wholeheartedness." It focuses on all aspects of life, thus living "one-life." I believe this book can speak wisdom into anyone's life, if you allow it.

[Ling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a yes girl.

Truly.

I hate to let people down. I let other define what my worth is and it got me pretty bad since the lockdown.

This book is like a dictionary to me, it was tough to go through. I have to annotate but the ideas and concepts are good.

A few takeaways:
-set boundaries
-keep learning (growth)
-find out what is the problem
-contain and don't let it spread

Dedicate to all the yes people out there.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

4++ stars. This is a well written compilation of many life lessons I have learned, many the hard way. Being retired and not having to deal with destructive people or bosses now, it was easier to absorb the recommendations in a detached but understanding manner. Cloud summarizes his key points very well and in several places. In tone and purpose this book complements the works of Steve Covey and Rick Warren.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read many books by Dr. Henry Cloud, and this one is a great composite of so much of his wisdom!

[Aaron Cash · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is OK is so powerful. Feeling encouraged after reading this book. So grateful.

[Jayde Schwerin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and enlightening read. Thank you.

[Dr. Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Succinct but packed with excellent tips on boundaries, communication, and managing time and energy. Consolidates lessons from other classic leadership and personal development books.

[Tyler Harrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 - absolutely fantastic. Keeping this on hand as tool to use moving forward.

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henry Cloud really understands boundaries! When you start dressing your own boundaries, you're on your way to flourishing! Cloud always uses great examples and metaphors.

[Ben Gomez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Real snoozer.

[Ümit Sevgi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yazarın John Towsend ile birlikte yazdığı "Sınırlar" kitabının bir çok yönden tekrarı gibi geldi. Sadece iş yeri sorunları ve onların olası çözümlerine daha fazla yer vermiş.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are human, than you have issues with boundaries in some areas of life. At least according to the author of this book. I tend to agree. The book was a little slow moving at times, but overall reading it has encouraged me to think about my own boundaries in life. He uses a great analogy of boundaries being like fences - you need yours to be defined and easily apparent to your neighbors. You shouldn't be going into other peoples' yards and fooling with their stuff, and you shouldn't allow them into yours either. I have used this visual several times in the past month to help me identify and process my own boundaries in a various situations.

He talks a lot about boundaries as related to work, but the lessons are easily transferable to the rest of life. If you have a particularly tough relationship at work, this would be a great read. I will save this on my book shelf for future reference for sure.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr Henry Cloud reminds us that the achievement is up to us. We are the instigators of the boundaries that will or will not allow for the outcomes we desire. Whether this be in the relationships we form in or out of the work environment. It includes practical time management issues, including interruptions whilst attempting to work on important projects, phone calls and email. This is a challenging book as you are called upon to be serious about who you are or might become, what do you 'really' desire? It is up to you.

[Jason Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this about 5 months ago. It was one of the first non-fiction books I've read, but it helped me identify my core personal values, a vision for my future, action-oriented mission statements, and how to set and enforce boundaries in my personal and work life. Definitely a great read, and it inspired me to read several more books by Henry Cloud and John Townsend, as well as a slew of other books.

[Jenni Biegler]

I am still reading this but appreciate a section that highlights how technology has a way of taking over our time and attention and diverting it from more important things or people in our lives. I find myself starting to resent how text messages have a way of intruding on family time and/or dates with my mate. People have access to us 24/7 and unless we are intentional about setting boundaries with our electronic devices, we will always have a crowd of people with us.

[Kathy Hogeveen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some real keys for taking ownership of your life are covered in this book. My top three were the law of motivation; "It is about getting to essence of why you are doing what you are doing--and owning that essence", internalizations and patterns; my unconscious response to certain words, and of course the audit! I highly recommend this book with its explanations of practical steps to help you make the necessary changes to achieve your personal and professional goals.

[Mark Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I suppose when you are good at writing about one thing, your work begins to reflect it no matter the content. The other title for this book would be "Boundaries at work" but for the sake of not wanting to alienate readers or to scare them off from this purchase it was more cleverly titled! =) The content though specific to work is similar to his other works but the good content comes in the last two chapter or so.

[Scott Cheatham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great audio book to take in while working out and doing some other things. Cloud covers the whole of life and gives workable solutions to some of life's most troubling time management issues. Work/Family solutions have to merge into a "one life" process if we're going to successfully manage ourselves.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first the concepts seemed pretty obvious, but as you delve in further the author does provide some good suggestions for how to respond to situations in the workplace. I like how he mentioned vital and urgent tasks as well as handling the "rocks" in your life.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a huge fan of all his 'boundary' books, this one included. Anybody that has access to check in @ work remotely from home, vaca, etc. should read this. Reclaim the small part of your life not spent at the office!

[Stan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful integration of mental/emotional boundaries with respect to how use our time. Dr. Cloud creates paradigms from which we can peer into the motivations of why we do what do and how to set limits on the use time.

[Neil Steinwand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely written for the secular market, this book rehashes some of his other material into a leadership/self-help focused book. Still, the content is excellent and the author's faith still present.