Mastering the Seven Decisions guides readers to a profound understanding of how to fully integrate seven life-changing Decisions into their daily lives.
The Responsible Decision The buck stops here. I accept responsibility for my past. I am responsible for my success. I will not let my history control my destiny. The Guided Decision I will seek wisdom. The Active Decision I am a person of action. The Certain Decision I have a decided heart. Criticism, condemnation, and complaint have no power over me. The Joyful Decision Today I will choose to be happy. The Compassionate Decision I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit. The Persistent Decision I will persist without exception.
It's funny this is mostly all basic stuff that we all should know, and much of it we already do, at least some times. But he tells it to us from a new perspective that makes you want to renew your efforts to apply these good principles. The best part is the beginning of the book where it goes over each of the 7 principles. A lot of the rest of the book is just filler where he repeats himself a lot to make a whole book out of pretty simple concepts. There are some great stories in his examples though. I loved the story about the Civil War victory. On the other hand, I didn't care for his example of using PT Barnum as a great success story for making a living turning humans into zoo specimens. However, I think the principles are very wise, especially the buck stops here and finding wise councilors. It's so refreshing to hear someone that doesn't buy the common theme heard today that "all wisdom comes from within" which is baloney. What a wonderful opportunity we have today to gain wisdom from the collective experience of so many generations before us!
Personally I found this book had very good ideas on motivation, however, I believe it was too brutally dismissive of people (friends and family) that are, or could be in your life, that were not, somehow directly related to monetary fortune.
My friends are those who have helped through sad and bad times. They have picked me up when I have fallen and encouraged me to develop professionally, offering their services as professionals or just their tools whether it was a laptop to work on or, if they have nothing else to offer, a couch to sleep on when I've fallen on hard times; people of great quality but not necessarily fame, fortune, or a life goal, and whom I'm not going to leave behind in the conquest of success, after all, they've helped me get this far. I'm not a millionaire even though I have mingled with them and all of them have friends from all backgrounds and abilities; Friends in business and friends in life.
The overall message of this book, if I'm to understand it correctly, implores you to associate only with those that will see you get financially rich at all cost, including those that could be near and dear to you and to be told "an indecisive person is dangerous" does not sit well with me at all.
I read this book cover to cover and repeated a couple of chapters but I found myself, in the most part, irritated by the language used though the anecdotes were often entertaining.
Obviously like most books of this kind, it will work for some and not for others and I always feel that reviews are given by those who've had enough interest to read through to the end hoping that it will hold their interest and what other advice might be gleaned. I read it through to the end hoping that the book would get better and that strength and success in life were a measure of the people you had around you and what you did with that support and not by a measure of how much you were able to impress them or strangers by (in the subtlety of the book) flashing your cash, or the promise of it in the hope of getting good credit.
I am very, very impressed by how the writer, having suffered terrible tragedy in his life, not only managed to pick himself up but excelled in his finances and social status of his career and I'm glad to say developed many a friendship along the way. He's happy with his lot and ultimately, he's a success so if he wants to share in a book how and why then he absolutely should.
Finally, I'm not saying this book is bad, it's just not for me or those that think like I do. Those who value their indecisive or uninfluential friends or those whos, friends have no other dream than to make a couple of babies, watch films together and be a shoulder for friends (like you) and strangers to cry on. You can still have those friends, but don't let this book turn you away from them if you're pursuing personal success.
Good luck with your success, whoever and wherever you are.
An incredibly eye opening read. I read this at a time where I really needed it, and was ready to grow. This book really could be life changing for some people.
Andrews walks you through 7 simple and easy steps to gaining personal success. This book has given me the motivation to begin again, and stick with it.
Excellent book with a unique perspective on how to own your personal success. I appreciated the references to his previous book The Traveler's Gift as it help build on the previous examples he provided. Would encourage more people to take the time to read both books.
I grew up on Norman Vincent Peale so positive thinking comes natural for me. There are several take always I will incorporate. Face my fears head on! Make them a priority. Set goals, be more persistent, push myself. Overall a good book.
The advice is good but I don't like the format or the author very much. Very self-helpy. It's the author's commentary on his other book the Traveler's Gift.
After listening to Andrews' book Mastering the Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success I am hooked on this author. In fact, this became a "MUST OWN THIS"! for me and I gave them as gifts at Christmas to everyone in my family. Very inspiring!
Just listened to this a second time in twice as many years. I'm thinking a once-a-month, or perhaps once a quarter and certainly at least once a year would be a good prescription for me. He includes affirmations with each category. The Responsible Decision The Guided (informed) Decision The Active Decision and so forth...
post script -- I posted this review Nov. 2009 and just re-listened to in June 2015. My how time does fly. And yes, I need to now get my hands on the book and do the suggested writing exercises.
I enjoyed reading this book. I would like seeing some high school and college freshman use this alongside a mentoring situation as a way to help them process life goals, education goals, and things that might be hindering you, blocking you from a fuller life. But again, I think a mentoring situation would be great. Some of the exercises were kind of incomplete, leaving you hanging, and needed to go one step further (hence working alongside a mentor).
Just read this for college, I tried to "eat the cherries and spit out the pits" with this book, but his teachings become strictly heretical in places and his teaching is all too "ME"-based.
I advise Christians to steer clear of this book
"Popular" or "famous" does not mean TRUTH...one can gain the whole world, yet lose their soul
Good advice based on sound principles (mind the company you keep, find mentors on the way, etc.), paired with exciting stories to illustrate how each decision made a difference for someone important or famous. There's nothing new here, and Andrews perhaps repeats his points a bit more than necessary, but his storyteller's instincts are right on, and so are the Seven Decisions.
Have watched the DVD on The Seven Decisions and his philosophy is great -- very common sense that emphasizes one being responsible for decisions we make -- not blaming others, feeling guilty for past, etc., etc. Watch the DVD and then get the book.
I read this book in no time! I absolutely loved this book. It was what I needed at this time. I believe it is to be now my most favorite book! Everyone must read this to have a wake up call. How simple are these lessons.
he puts a lot of emotion and excitement in his voice and was a good audiobook. It failed to get 2 more stars from me because it was a bit repetitive and most of it was said in a way I have heard before...but then again, I like this kind of stuff.
Read this at the request of my husband who has been listening to it as an audio book. He says it has kept him on track while he pursues his dream of self employment. It is applicable in all walks of life.
It happened again-I after listening to the audio version, I have to go get the hard copy now! I highly recommend this book because of how practical it is. I'll go back through it when I have the paper version and do the suggested work too.
Andrews cites biographies as evidence that these seven principles determine success. I love the premise that these principles are personal decisions & the implication that success can be decided. I also appreciate the specific biographies used in the book that are now on my to-read list.
This was a reread so I frankly read with as much focus as I did the first time around. However, it is a book worth reading many times until the seven decisions stick. They haven't stuck yet so I will be reading it again.
If you're ready to pursue your dreams or make positive changes in your life, this is a wonderful book to get you moving, inspired and ready to persist!
I would dare say that this is a must read for all those seeking wisdom in their lives... simple, very accessible, not really anything new, just well put together...