One Decision: The First Step to a Better Life

by Mike Bayer, Dr. Phil McGraw (Narrator)

From Dr. Phil show regular and author of the New York Times bestselling Best Be You, Only Better, a plan for taking immediate steps to improving your life

Foreword by Dr. Phil McGraw

It is estimated that we make 35,000 decisions every day. Right now, at least one decision we make will have a powerful ripple effect across all aspects of our life. But One Decision isn't about taking one overwhelming big step; it's about starting with a single, important choice we can make every the decision to be authentic. To be you, and to do so without doubt, second-guessing, without worry or anxiety. It is the decision to know who you are, to be who you are, and express yourself authentically.

Whether you find yourself up against a new challenge, deciding on a change in direction, or in need of a total reinvention, Coach Mike has created a powerful blueprint to help you connect with your authenticity and adjust your thinking so that your life reflects who you truly are. With the tools in this book, you will be able to transform what you've previously seen as obstacles in your life into new opportunities. He shows you how to stop constantly over-thinking the "big" decisions, or simply choosing not to choose, so you can reconnect with your gut instincts and make all of your decisions with confidence and peace of mind. And, this book helps you navigate the forces that routinely drive your decision making, ensuring that you're motivated by facts instead of fears, clarity over confusion, and evidence over emotion.

One Decision is an inspiring and practical action plan to help you improve your life, find your purpose, improve your mental health and relationships, work on your physical health, and even make more money. Drawing on twenty years of experience helping individuals from all walks of life make real and lasting change, Coach Mike has a refreshing approach for motivating you to take a risk, be bold, and take real action toward a better life.

A PENGUIN LIFE TITLE

*This audiobook includes a PDF of charts and exercises from the book.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Business, Personal Development, Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published December 29, 2020

About the author

Mike Bayer, known as Coach Mike, is Founder and CEO of CAST Centers. Mike Bayer is a personal development coach who has changed the lives of numerous families, executives, and artists by empowering them to break free of destructive patterns and cycles.

Reviews

[ROBERT L · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Decision helped me look at where my skewed perceptions can hold me back and how to quickly make changes in my thinking and actions. This book helped me put pen to paper and work on areas of my life so I can see it in front of me.
Thanks Coach Mike.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bayer is a life coach and shares his insights on living life. The one decision he encourages is for us to be authentic. It is a decision we need to make day after day and he gives us a framework to help us do that.

While there are many good points in this book, the one that stood out to me was whether we make decisions using emotional reasoning or evidence based reasoning. It explained so much of the behavior seen in the U.S. after the 2020 presidential election. “If we're making decisions that are based on feeling, that is emotional reasoning, whereas if we are making decisions that are based in actual, verifiable evidence, that is evidence-based reasoning. When we are reasoning with emotion, we believe that feelings are facts. When we are using evidence-based reasoning, we are able to recognize and then set aside the emotions and lean primarily on the evidence when making decisions.” (208) “Decisions made as a direct result of emotional reasoning are often rash decisions that don't come from or serve our Best Self.” (220) That can cause problems.

Moving from emotions to evidence in making decisions is just one of the strategies Bayer presents in this book to help each of us be our best self. It is the E in his FORCE acronym for issues in making decisions related to our Best Self. This is a good book for those who want to better understand how to make good, life building decisions.

[Kranna · Rating 1 out of 5]

I will be completely honest with you I did not read his book but while he was promoting the book on Dr Phil he belittled and basically did not say anything positive to the young man other than grow up my one decision I made about this book is not to pay for it to make a review so others know that even if you're a life coach doesn't give you the permission to be a bully #bully free

[Siarra Gomez · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.8 - very good and face paced read! I'd recommend this to a younger audience who is looking for their purpose and "best self", however, being and adult in my late 20's I still had a few things to take away from this book. And I'm not made about it!

[Blogmeid · Rating 4 out of 5]

*** I read the dutch version ***

Als coach binnen zijn Cast-centers weet Bayer als geen ander dat één beslissing zo krachtig kan zijn dat het je hele leven verandert. Om dit voor zoveel mogelijk mensen voor elkaar te krijgen schrijft hij in Eén beslissing over een 4-stappenplan waardoor je hele perspectief al zodanig aangepast wordt dat er ruimte is voor de Force. Binnen dit stappenplan krijg je handvaten om van obstakels in je leven kansen te creëren.

Het is de Force die mogelijk maakt dat je niet langer in oude patronen vervalt. Je leert ze herkennen en kan makkelijker schakelen naar meer gewenste resultaten. Binnen de Force ben je beter in staat om één beslissing te nemen die past bij je authentieke zelf, waardoor het beter voor je uit zal pakken dan wanneer je deze kennis niet ter hand had gehad.


Het doel van Eén beslissing is om de lezer zijn of haar authenticiteit te helpen ontdekken, helpen ermee te verbinden en op basis hiervan beslissingen te maken. Hierin geeft Eén beslissing een zeer goed startschot, want uiteindelijk is het aan de lezer zelf om door te pakken en er ook daadwerkelijk iets mee te doen. Eén beslissing is zeer praktisch toepasbaar, met een redelijke quick fix waardoor juist dit boek voor velen een goede handreiking kan zijn. Met de focus op authentieke beslissingen is Eén beslissing in lijn met Bayer zijn vorige boek Je beste ik.

Terugkijkend naar Je beste ik, is het duidelijk dat dit boek niet zozeer een vervolg is, maar dat het wel passend is en zeker een aanvulling kan zijn. Eén beslissing biedt meer variëteit dan zijn voorganger, waardoor het als boek an sich meer bewerkstelligt. Wel wordt er in dit boek meerdere keren verwezen naar Bayer zijn eerste boek.

Eén beslissing is sterk in de toegankelijkheid waarbij er goed uitgelegd wordt. Ook is het sterk in de doelgerichte, actiegerichte aanpak wat snel gegeven wordt.
Hierdoor gaat het boek minder diep, al hoeft dit in dit geval geen belemmering voor resultaat te zijn. Ook is het soms iets te voor de hand liggend en kunnen vooral de persoonlijke verhalen wat langdradig zijn.

Eén beslissing heeft een activerende cover welke in stijl is met zijn voorganger. De onderverdeling tussen tekst en ondersteunende afbeeldingen is erg goed en de hoofdstukindeling is praktisch en logisch. Door de invulvelden door het hele boek heen krijgt Eén beslissing ook een hoog werkboekgehalte. Dit maakt dat het hele boek erg gericht is op het praktische. Bayer wil duidelijk dat de lezer met zijn boek onder de arm aan de slag gaat en die ene beslissing op de juiste manier leert te maken.

Bayer zijn schrijfstijl is er één die nu al een duidelijke signatuur heeft. Hij schrijft vriendelijk en vertrouwd, al zij het soms wat simpel. In de recensie van Je beste ik werd het omschreven als: “Het voelt als een fijn gesprek met iemand die je al langer kent”. Ook in Eén beslissing is ditzelfde waarheid.

Eén beslissing is een aanrader voor hen die vanuit hun authentieke zelf willen leren beslissingen te nemen om zo van obstakels in hun leven kansen te maken. Wel valt het ten zeerste aan te raden om Je beste ik eerst te lezen.

4 Sterren

[Kris Emanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated the anecdotes to drive points home and for finding a lot of things to share this type of growth work to my own students. I didn't expect to find so many teaching strategies in this book.

I like the framework and I think this would be a good starter ok the personal growth journey. Now, for myself, I have been on the journey so much of what I'm noticing is repetitive themes but that just highlights the importance of these themes.

I also appreciate that the author opens up to their own struggles. That representation piece absolutely matters so thanks for sharing your truth Coach Mike!

[Denise Hatcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because it was easy to read and filled with acronyms to reinforce the author’s ideas. At the start he explains we all make thirty-five thousand daily decisions and each one impacts the next. A lot of the content is in other self-help and positive-thinking books, but the author, Mike Bayer, shares personal stories from his life-coaching clients. Truthfully, I skimmed this book while on my trainer on a rainy day, and it helped my ride go quickly and confirmed that our perspective greatly impacts our lived experiences.

[Van-Anh Nguyen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better decisions start with finding the opportunity that exists in every obstacle. You may often struggle to see opportunities because you focus on imagined disappointments and misleading generalizations. Or you allow confusion, rigidity, or emotions to take hold. But, if you consider facts over fears, embrace new ideas, and let purpose guide you, you can confidently make decisions that will lead you in the right direction. And it's easier if you have people to help you.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Decision is a thought provoking self-help book written by Mike Bayer. Coach Mike gives some great advice on how to put your feet on the right path to becoming your best self by making decisions that support what you want your life to look like. This book will stay on my shelf and I will be returning to it in the future.

[Zhivko Kabaivanov · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Decision (2020) is a guide to understanding the various thinking patterns that determine whether we see obstacles or opportunities.

It breaks down why we often base decisions on the bleak outlook created by rigidity and confusion and provides practical tools for fostering an opportunity mindset and making life-changing decisions.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Get ready for acronyms! FORCE makes sense, but REP? The four O's? They are not as intuitive. I read this book through once and got a lot out of it, but it would really be better to have this book handy for reference. Each idea makes sense, but to put them all together after one reading is a little overwhelming.

[Nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

One decision to change your life - seems simply enough, except it isn't. This book delves into the concepts of decisions that we make subconsciously, and consciously, and how we can learn to always put your best self forward. This isn't a sappy self help book, it gives you strategies and homework to better yourself. A life changing read.

[McKell Hales · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for working through problems and identifying certain roadblocks in your way of success. I don’t give it 5 stars because at times it felt a bit pushy. But sometimes that’s what people need! Just not my style of motivation. However I loved the exercises throughout the chapters that allowed you to pause and write your thoughts.

[Hetal Sonpal · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a simple 'self-help' book to take your life, one decision at a time. Emphasizing on the importance of 'focus', Mike says to look at the importance of each facet of life, be it in work, health, career, and family and give them the importance that each deserves, rather than constantly trying to 'balance' it all.

[D · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried to like this book, but just never could get into it. I find the narration of his voice off putting & monotonous as well. I guess there was some practical advice in here, but this was not a motivating or clarifying book for me. I wish I could be more specific, but it was just so blah.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life Changing!

I’ve read so many books that claim to help you make good decisions but his is the final answer! I was so moved by the book that I think my life is changed from this moment!

[Michelle Stanton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved Mikes take on fortune telling!

Lots of examples, what story we tell ourselves, importance of facts.

Too many questions but that is my weakness. Good job, I like this author.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting

If you live life as your best self, gathering a team around you, the decision will be better than making emotional decisions. It seems like this book takes a lot of philosophy and boils it down. Not sure I would read again.

[Emma Werkman · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️. This was just okay. I found myself tuning in & out of it & listening on 2.0 to try to get through it faster. While there were some “aha!” moments, nothing really sticks out as a true take away

[Gil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great read. Great practical exercises. I really identified with several of the examples which made it easier to get into it. Many "Aha" moments.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many references to the authors first book Beat Self. This book gave me more options to ponder. “I surrender control and I choose to have peace.”

[Neal Renna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Got this book from Walmart because I did not want to drive 40 minutes to a Barnes and noble. It’s what you would expect, there are better books out there.

[Bart Mulzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

In between 3 and 4 stars. Good book to get a few ideas about staying positive and seeing obstacles as opportunities.

[Louis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book illustrating how to turn obstacles into opportunities by making decisions from my genuine self.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great stories, great advice, easy to understand and clear action steps. What more could you want from a self-help book?

[Gato Negro · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I hadn't already read so many of these kinds of books, I might have rated this higher, but they are all starting to sound alike...

[Sherry Blackwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I seem Mike on TV, I thoroughly enjoy him. He's a good, not great, writer and has a good message.
We are all one decision away from making our lives better or worse.

[Dinesh Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just awesome. The book and dialogue is so well thought out and truly impactful.

[Deanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great advice, well written and easy to grasp.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical steps for increasing your chances of making better life choices. Clear, motivating, and actionable. Worth the read.