Taking the Stairs & Liking It: Seven Steps to an Amazing Life

by Lauren Speeth

184 pages, Paperback

Published June 20, 2025

About the author

Master storyteller Lauren Speeth has cast her vision “beyond film and music” over the years with audiences around the world, to critical acclaim. Her interests run the gamut, from books about the American experience to 3-D films about Irish spirituality, to music about love and life. Her most recent book is in the self-help genre: Taking the Stairs and Liking It: Seven Steps to an Amazing Life. Her first was a coffee-table book on American poverty entitled Tracks of Hope. This was followed with Intelligence & Compassion in Action: The Seven Pillars for Social Entrepreneurs, which has been translated into Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Ukrainian and is under revision for 2026. In her novel "Thread for Pearls," her foray into historical fiction, she shares what she has come to understand as the fundamental human experience of resiliency and hope. As with all her other works, hope is an abiding theme, and she brings it to bear each day at Elfenworks Productions, LLC.

Reviews

[Jolomi]

This has been a great read. I would call it a living book, every chapter and page brings hope and life showing it can be done. Its pages inspire you to stand up from where you are and take the steps. I have been so blessed that I am now teaching high school kids, in Mutendere, Lusaka Zambia, from the book, weekly, to take the steps and start climbing into the lives they imagine for themselves . Thank you Dr. Speeth.

[Michael Doane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taking the Stairs & Liking It is a refreshingly grounded and compassionate guide to personal growth one that replaces quick fixes and motivational hype with clarity, intention, and lived wisdom.

Lauren Speeth’s central metaphor is both simple and powerful: real, lasting change happens when we choose the slower, more intentional path and commit to showing up consistently. Rather than promising transformation overnight, the book invites readers to embrace progress through thoughtful, manageable steps that build resilience and self trust.

What makes this book stand out is its balance between insight and action. Each of the seven steps is clearly explained and paired with practical reflections that encourage readers to pause, assess their habits, and make meaningful adjustments without self judgment. Speeth writes with warmth and humility, making the book feel like a conversation with a wise guide rather than a set of instructions handed down from above.

The tone is especially effective for readers who are tired of feeling pressured to “optimize” every aspect of life. Taking the Stairs & Liking It validates the difficulty of change while empowering readers to reclaim agency, patience, and purpose in their personal and professional lives.

This is a book for readers who want sustainable growth, deeper self-awareness, and a life shaped by conscious choices rather than shortcuts. Thoughtful, encouraging, and genuinely useful, it’s a guide that readers can return to again and again.

[Tatiana Andrienko-Genin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am writing to recommend the book that made me stop and think of the purpose of my own life. Taking the Stairs & Liking It is an inspiring and deeply personal guide to building a meaningful life, one intentional step at a time. Dr. Lauren Speeth builds off the timeless wisdom from President Jimmy Carter which she “codified into a methodology”, weaving the insights from her own journey, to offer practical, compassionate direction. The book is warm, reflective, and empowering – a perfect guidance for anyone seeking clarity, purpose, or a fresh start. If you are on the cross-roads, or just thinking of the value of your life accomplishments, this book will help you see your road ahead and will fill you with inspiration to take it.

[Eleanor Pilcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taking the Stairs & Liking It is a refreshing and deeply practical reminder that meaningful success is built step by step, not in shortcuts. Lauren Speeth delivers a clear-eyed, encouraging guide to personal growth that replaces hype with honest transformation. Each of the seven steps is grounded, accessible, and immediately useful, making the journey toward an “amazing life” feel tangible rather than abstract.

What sets this book apart is its emotional intelligence, Speeth doesn’t just teach progress, she teaches endurance, self-trust, and perspective. This is the kind of book you return to during moments of doubt, burnout, or transition. Uplifting without being unrealistic, and empowering without pressure, it’s an essential read for anyone committed to lasting personal evolution.

[Don Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not the usual self-help book. Dr. Speeth lays out several several concrete and achievable steps toward improving your life and reaching your goals. Highly recommended.