How to Change Your Life in 7 Steps

by John Bird

In this highly-accessible self-help book Big Issue founder John Bird explains his seven simple rules that could help you change your life. Whether you want to get a new job, quit smoking, stop drinking or go back to college, How to Change Your Life in 7 Steps explains how you can take what you've been given and turn it into something you'll be proud of, rather than spend your life wishing for everything you haven't got.

For 99% of us life doesn't come knocking on the door; you have to go out and get it. But the trouble with aiming for the stars is that you're likely to end up in the gutter. John Bird has learnt through his work with the homeless that if you start by putting just 3% of your energy towards your final goal rather than a gutter-hitting 99% you will eventually make the changes you are looking for.

John's six other rules are as straightforward as this first one, 'Start With 3%'. He writes with passion about the dangers of thinking like a victim and of not telling the truth; he shares with us the importance of thinking for yourself and never putting others down, and he encourages us not to define our successes by the failures of others and to recognise our own achievements.

Written in his unique no-nonsense style this is a book about 'cutting through the bullshit and making the most of what you have.'

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

96 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2006

Reviews

[Shriya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I guess I am addicted to the Quick Reads series.

Another great book, to the point with thought provoking, inspirational words. I have always been curious about The Big Issue, my answers have been solved. A mixture of John's adventure with advice. I plan to read it again this weekend.

This book has also been added to the Mood Boosting Books for the 2012 campaign.

[Asma · Rating 1 out of 5]

The one thing I can say is, it did not change my life. Not even one bit. I don't even remember the steps.

[Ahmed Atia · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best book I've ever listened to.
Clear perspective over the process of one's moving forward..

[Nicoleta Fedorca · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a nice quick read with practical advices easy to follow.

[Nynke · Rating 2 out of 5]

An account of how Bird became a better person. And good on him too! Many people are not able to break their bad habits and believes as easilly as he seems to have.

Haven't learned anything new though.  These are all tips that are well known and often repeated, here accompanied by anecdotes from Bird's own life.

Comes across a bit bitchy in places.  Also the generalizing can be problematic for people who do not fit in the conventional boxes.

[Shahrun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and informative read which has come along at just the right point in my life. It summarises and agrees with my current thought processes. Glad I read it, now let’s see what I can put into practice!

[Natty Peterkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very readable and concise book, Bird manages still to pack in a lot of compelling life lessons he clearly learned the hard way.

[Taron · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a very quick book to read, but it was pretty good and I enjoyed it.

[Seemy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never knew much about John Bird prior to this book , but it's little wonder why he has achieved a lot in his life with dramatic change. His story and advice is in perfectly harmony and in line good success, self help and timeless principles that are consistent traits found in many successful people in many aspects of life...

Not bad...worth 3 stars the least

To Our Continued Success!
Seemy
www.Waseem.tv/Blog

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[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Bird wrote tips of how to change your life in steps that he used to change his own life. He went from being a troublesome violent teenager that struggled while living on the streets to the founder of The Big Issue (a magazine that is edited by professional journalists and sold by homeless people to make a living.)

[Astrid Paramita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow, this book changed my life. John Bird write the small steps in a way I could say, 'I can do that, it is not THAT hard.' It made me feel better about myself :)

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant. Made me actually change a few things, and gives me hope to change more - and for the better.

[Slow Man · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all need a sweet little short book like this. This is indeed a quick read. The points John Bird talked about are effective and inspiring. Anyone can start small and achieve small goal.

[Eslam Elsheikh · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a wonderful quite forward book.
It is simplicity in showing you the way to success and self-evaluated..

[Diana Yeghiazaryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your successes are only mistakes that have worked , combined with a bit of luck.
Confidence is really a big trick that everyone's playing on everyone else.

[Abhishek Mishra · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first and last self-help book I read. Not much put off by the book as much as by the genre.

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better than expected for a small self help book.
There are some proof reading errors which are annoying as a reader and a particular problem in a book designed to encourage adult literacy.