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The Art of Good Habits: Health, Love, Presence, and Prosperity
Take ownership of your happiness through simple but effective changes to the way you approach health, love, presence, and prosperity. The Art of Good Habits presents a step-by-step action plan to achieve your goals and maintain them for continued success. Join Nathalie W. Herrman on a life-changing journey toward wellness and satisfaction using this remarkable book as your road map. Gain empowerment and control over life's challenges with effective exercises and easy-to-understand principles. Discover how to look within yourself for answers and change your habits for the better. With this book's four-pillar system―honesty, willingness, awareness, and appreciation―you'll unlock the power of enlightened living. "A brilliant and comprehensive handbook . . . [with] viable solutions for our health, wealth, and overall physical, emotional, and spiritual well being."―Lynne Joy McFarland, bestselling author of 21st Century Leadership and film producer of The Time is Now "This book is an incredible value for anyone who wants to make positive habit changes in their lives."―Steve Scott, author of 23 Anti-Procrastination Habits
264 pages, Paperback
First published December 8, 2015
21 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 23, 2015
In The Art of Good Habits, you'll begin with a mass of thoughts, consider them, pare them down until you get to the essence of the matter. You have to first be honest with yourself about who you are and what you want. Only then can you start going after it. That's the principle of change discussed here.
I read an Advanced Reader's e-Copy and I can't wait for the printed version to do the work-book type exercises - there are lots of questions we need to ask ourselves so we can learn what we really think about things, not what we think sounds good when we talk to others. The book's approach is based on 4 pillars - honesty, willingness, awareness and appreciation.
Being honest about what we want from life and where we are in relation to our goals is the only way to be successful. One of the things that hooked me in reading the book was a 3-step exercise for people struggling with food/weight issues.
Read my full review at http://runwright.net/2015/10/23/the-a...
I read an Advanced Reader's e-Copy and I can't wait for the printed version to do the work-book type exercises - there are lots of questions we need to ask ourselves so we can learn what we really think about things, not what we think sounds good when we talk to others. The book's approach is based on 4 pillars - honesty, willingness, awareness and appreciation.
Being honest about what we want from life and where we are in relation to our goals is the only way to be successful. One of the things that hooked me in reading the book was a 3-step exercise for people struggling with food/weight issues.
Read my full review at http://runwright.net/2015/10/23/the-a...
January 3, 2017
The Art of Good Habits aims to help you improve four important areas of your life: Health, Love, Presence and Prosperity. In each of these sections, the author shares her personal experiences, the tools and mindsets she used to turn her life around and practical exercises to help you get at the bottom of your issues and make the change you need to in your life.
I like the fact the author's tone is direct and compassionate. She tells it like it is but without judgment. However, the book is poorly edited. Reading it felt like having a conversation with the author, although a very rambling one.
I like the fact the author's tone is direct and compassionate. She tells it like it is but without judgment. However, the book is poorly edited. Reading it felt like having a conversation with the author, although a very rambling one.
May 15, 2016
Divided into four parts: health, love, presence, and prosperity with several exercises for putting ideas into practices.
May 4, 2023
The book begins with generalizations. You could drop it at the beginning, seeing that the idea of the book boils down to the fact that if you don't like something, you just need to change your perspective on the situation. But, unfortunately, I am a principled reader of books until the end.
Briefly: affirmations, visualizations, stereotypes, too personal an example, a narrow view of the problem.
The author implies that she has dealt with all her problems, which means you can too! But the disclaimer removes all responsibility from the author, even though the author encourages her to take responsibility. Basically, we should be responsible for everything, but she is not responsible for her book.
So far, the overall impression is that I'm being sold something on the level of letting positivity into my life, being aware of every moment and rejecting all the bad. Good.
The author talks about love and relationships as if she's a family psychologist, not a fitness trainer, or knows the absolute truth in the last instance about HOW relationships should be and HOW love should look! with benefits! for society! And this assertion that one cannot love and be loved if one does not love oneself is not based on anything at all except some ancient stereotype. "Love is energy, it is compassion, it is gratitude, it is a cosmic phenomenon, a divine phenomenon, the answer to any question you have! But in general it's just a living energy that goes back and forth." Well, basically, no specifics. As is the case throughout the book.
There's a lot of water, metaphors, pseudo-spiritual and near-esoteric stuff in general, such as the author describing the improper cooking of turkey and writing off its toughness as absorbed agression. What?
On the other hand, this book could serve as a good motivation for someone, especially if that motivation is lacking and there is a huge impressionability and detachment from reality.
Briefly: affirmations, visualizations, stereotypes, too personal an example, a narrow view of the problem.
The author implies that she has dealt with all her problems, which means you can too! But the disclaimer removes all responsibility from the author, even though the author encourages her to take responsibility. Basically, we should be responsible for everything, but she is not responsible for her book.
So far, the overall impression is that I'm being sold something on the level of letting positivity into my life, being aware of every moment and rejecting all the bad. Good.
The author talks about love and relationships as if she's a family psychologist, not a fitness trainer, or knows the absolute truth in the last instance about HOW relationships should be and HOW love should look! with benefits! for society! And this assertion that one cannot love and be loved if one does not love oneself is not based on anything at all except some ancient stereotype. "Love is energy, it is compassion, it is gratitude, it is a cosmic phenomenon, a divine phenomenon, the answer to any question you have! But in general it's just a living energy that goes back and forth." Well, basically, no specifics. As is the case throughout the book.
There's a lot of water, metaphors, pseudo-spiritual and near-esoteric stuff in general, such as the author describing the improper cooking of turkey and writing off its toughness as absorbed agression. What?
On the other hand, this book could serve as a good motivation for someone, especially if that motivation is lacking and there is a huge impressionability and detachment from reality.
August 22, 2017
I picked up the book having no idea what it was about. In the first few chapters, I was surprised when coming across tips about dealing with overeating, which is something that I've had an ongoing struggle with. This book had a lot of good points, and was overall pretty interactive. It was a bit of a bore for me personally, having read a lot of other books that make similar points, however, I think that the way Nathalie presented her points was very unique and enjoyable. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who struggles with mindfulness.
November 7, 2021
HIGHLIGHTS:
1. The art of good habits is built on the pillars of spiritual principles: honesty, willingness, awareness, and appreciation.
- We refuse to own the divine spark within us and the power of our light.
- The body will rebel and so will our psyche. Our strong desire and physical urge are to return to the equilibrium that we know.
- External balance begets internal balance. The effects of our health or poor choices travel both ways.
2. FOOD: Consider our menu in advance.
- Prepare on the road meals for ourselves.
- Cooking with care, like planning with care is a spiritual practice.
- In learning to hear our inner voice, we become tuned in to a perfect guide for a body, a guide that will direct us towards certain foods and away from others, and also tells us when we are hungry, When we are full, and when we are just right and in balance.
3. AUTHENTICITY: Authenticity accepts the good and the bad. It celebrates wholeness and does not apologize for itself.
- Once our willingness to accept our vulnerability has been somewhat mastered, then we can willingly accept and appreciate the vulnerability of others.
- Recognizing the vulnerability in all of us makes for a kinder and gentler path through life.
- The practical side of clearing blocks is to catch ourselves in the act of harsh and critical thoughts and negative behaviors and be willing to change.
4. LOVE: What attracts over and across time is inner beauty and the energy of love.
- We get married and become interesting. We stop talking to each other and cease to be excited about possibilities that abound. Our purpose is to expand and evolve, not to settle. Have the courage to be authentically ourselves.
- Love is a way of being in the way of seeing that begins with a willingness and ends with appreciation.
- We have to own our part in creating negative drama and take responsibility for her actions. There is a finishing step of the resolution, and that is to say, we are sorry to someone we have wronged. Do better going forward.
5. TIME: In silence, we become mindful. A rich and fulfilling life is a balanced life.
- The simple reality is that we have clock time for practical, daily matters, and a lifetime for our big picture goals and the fulfillment of our purpose.
- There is the simple but profound gift of time, and our conscious ability to receive and appreciate that gift.
- We waste precious hours dealing with messes we have either created by being sloppy or that we have failed to clean up.
- We don’t have to respond to every email and text the second we get it. To do so it’s disruptive and interferes with our ability to create flow and momentum.
- We tend to inflate our importance in the scheme of things. We make bigger deals on our to-do lists and deadlines than is necessary. We “over-busy” ourselves and wear our busyness like a badge of honor.
- We are the gatekeepers of our time. It is our responsibility to schedule ourselves and create routines that serve our highest good.
6. CHOOSE: It is up to us to say no, and to say it without fear or guilt, to anything and everything that does not serve us.
- The more aware we are of what we’re choosing, the better choices we can make. It is our awareness that empowers us.
- We do not have to work less to create more balance, we can simply be less serious and rigorous in our approach to work.
- We can create the energy within ourselves to experience each moment with curiosity instead of expectation.
7. GROWING OLD: We have a tendency to disrespect the concept of growing old, and yet, it is a growing journey, not a diminishing one. We so highly value youth and physical beauty that we miss the beauty of wisdom and a life well-lived.
- The experience of time is an immeasurable gift.
- We need to learn how to pay attention to the experience of life‘s little things as well as the big things, and feel grateful for the natural rhythms of her lives.
- We can align ourselves with the flow of seasons and the natural unfolding of events without having to push and force our agendas. We can realize what is essential and what’s not, and enjoy the simple art of doing and being at the same time.
8. APPRECIATION: There’s no satisfaction in entitlement, only an unending need for more. Appreciation is being happy with whatever is offered.
- We have to bring attention to our feelings of entitlement and resentment.
- Our responsibility is to nurture every aspect of our lives and to recognize our incredible blessings and say thank you for the way that we behave.
- When we live our lives and treat the people and things that we encounter with care and respect, I resulting sense of gratitude emerges.
9. ABUNDANCE: Abundance is learning to quiet this mental noise and to simply become conscious of the gift of a moment and all the factors that contribute to that gift.
- By being aware of how our work connects us to humanity at large, and how it serves others, we can make the most mundane jobs deeply meaningful.
- We are rich because we recognize our blessings, and because we take care of what is ours.
10. BIGGER PICTURE: We also have a self-honoring purpose in life. We are meant to take care of our bodies, our feelings, and our spiritual evolution. We have a role in our education. It’s up to us to do the footwork and follow our calling, and it’s up to us to self-reflect.
1. The art of good habits is built on the pillars of spiritual principles: honesty, willingness, awareness, and appreciation.
- We refuse to own the divine spark within us and the power of our light.
- The body will rebel and so will our psyche. Our strong desire and physical urge are to return to the equilibrium that we know.
- External balance begets internal balance. The effects of our health or poor choices travel both ways.
2. FOOD: Consider our menu in advance.
- Prepare on the road meals for ourselves.
- Cooking with care, like planning with care is a spiritual practice.
- In learning to hear our inner voice, we become tuned in to a perfect guide for a body, a guide that will direct us towards certain foods and away from others, and also tells us when we are hungry, When we are full, and when we are just right and in balance.
3. AUTHENTICITY: Authenticity accepts the good and the bad. It celebrates wholeness and does not apologize for itself.
- Once our willingness to accept our vulnerability has been somewhat mastered, then we can willingly accept and appreciate the vulnerability of others.
- Recognizing the vulnerability in all of us makes for a kinder and gentler path through life.
- The practical side of clearing blocks is to catch ourselves in the act of harsh and critical thoughts and negative behaviors and be willing to change.
4. LOVE: What attracts over and across time is inner beauty and the energy of love.
- We get married and become interesting. We stop talking to each other and cease to be excited about possibilities that abound. Our purpose is to expand and evolve, not to settle. Have the courage to be authentically ourselves.
- Love is a way of being in the way of seeing that begins with a willingness and ends with appreciation.
- We have to own our part in creating negative drama and take responsibility for her actions. There is a finishing step of the resolution, and that is to say, we are sorry to someone we have wronged. Do better going forward.
5. TIME: In silence, we become mindful. A rich and fulfilling life is a balanced life.
- The simple reality is that we have clock time for practical, daily matters, and a lifetime for our big picture goals and the fulfillment of our purpose.
- There is the simple but profound gift of time, and our conscious ability to receive and appreciate that gift.
- We waste precious hours dealing with messes we have either created by being sloppy or that we have failed to clean up.
- We don’t have to respond to every email and text the second we get it. To do so it’s disruptive and interferes with our ability to create flow and momentum.
- We tend to inflate our importance in the scheme of things. We make bigger deals on our to-do lists and deadlines than is necessary. We “over-busy” ourselves and wear our busyness like a badge of honor.
- We are the gatekeepers of our time. It is our responsibility to schedule ourselves and create routines that serve our highest good.
6. CHOOSE: It is up to us to say no, and to say it without fear or guilt, to anything and everything that does not serve us.
- The more aware we are of what we’re choosing, the better choices we can make. It is our awareness that empowers us.
- We do not have to work less to create more balance, we can simply be less serious and rigorous in our approach to work.
- We can create the energy within ourselves to experience each moment with curiosity instead of expectation.
7. GROWING OLD: We have a tendency to disrespect the concept of growing old, and yet, it is a growing journey, not a diminishing one. We so highly value youth and physical beauty that we miss the beauty of wisdom and a life well-lived.
- The experience of time is an immeasurable gift.
- We need to learn how to pay attention to the experience of life‘s little things as well as the big things, and feel grateful for the natural rhythms of her lives.
- We can align ourselves with the flow of seasons and the natural unfolding of events without having to push and force our agendas. We can realize what is essential and what’s not, and enjoy the simple art of doing and being at the same time.
8. APPRECIATION: There’s no satisfaction in entitlement, only an unending need for more. Appreciation is being happy with whatever is offered.
- We have to bring attention to our feelings of entitlement and resentment.
- Our responsibility is to nurture every aspect of our lives and to recognize our incredible blessings and say thank you for the way that we behave.
- When we live our lives and treat the people and things that we encounter with care and respect, I resulting sense of gratitude emerges.
9. ABUNDANCE: Abundance is learning to quiet this mental noise and to simply become conscious of the gift of a moment and all the factors that contribute to that gift.
- By being aware of how our work connects us to humanity at large, and how it serves others, we can make the most mundane jobs deeply meaningful.
- We are rich because we recognize our blessings, and because we take care of what is ours.
10. BIGGER PICTURE: We also have a self-honoring purpose in life. We are meant to take care of our bodies, our feelings, and our spiritual evolution. We have a role in our education. It’s up to us to do the footwork and follow our calling, and it’s up to us to self-reflect.
November 26, 2019
Lists and meditation about ideas. Just wasn’t into this format right now
November 3, 2015
**Thank you to Llewellyn Worldwide, Ltd. for the ARC**
This is a great book! The cover’s cool, the description’s catchy, the dedication’s good and lastly, but not the least ofcourse.. it has a great content. What I love about this book is that it has a lot of explanation to do about a particular issue. Maybe not an explanation but an advice.
I love how this book might help a person. It talks about health, love, presence, and prosperity. My most favorite part was the HOW ATTITUDE AFFECTS OUR EXPERIENCE. The fact that this book’s honest and gives a point about life makes me want to recommend to all people I know having problems with such issues.
I highly recommend this book. But before anything else, just an opinion of mine.. if you would want to read this book, maybe it’s better if you’ll be honest with yourself. Know what you feel—what you want. Ofcourse, buying this book would not just require you to read it.. but also to follow advice. The things that you’ll learn here are just guides. Your choice still matters. It’s what matters the most, actually.
Here are some of my favorite parts from part three:
“And we are so busy in our minds, that we often miss out on the whole being side of things completely.” I know you know what this means. In this one sentence, you can see how powerful the words were in this book. It’s a great help and I think you’ll not regret getting a copy. (:
The book will be out on December 8, 2015 so definitely check that out! And stay tune for more book reviews.
SEE FULL REVIEW HERE: https://abookwithbea.wordpress.com/20...
This is a great book! The cover’s cool, the description’s catchy, the dedication’s good and lastly, but not the least ofcourse.. it has a great content. What I love about this book is that it has a lot of explanation to do about a particular issue. Maybe not an explanation but an advice.
I love how this book might help a person. It talks about health, love, presence, and prosperity. My most favorite part was the HOW ATTITUDE AFFECTS OUR EXPERIENCE. The fact that this book’s honest and gives a point about life makes me want to recommend to all people I know having problems with such issues.
I highly recommend this book. But before anything else, just an opinion of mine.. if you would want to read this book, maybe it’s better if you’ll be honest with yourself. Know what you feel—what you want. Ofcourse, buying this book would not just require you to read it.. but also to follow advice. The things that you’ll learn here are just guides. Your choice still matters. It’s what matters the most, actually.
Here are some of my favorite parts from part three:
“And we are so busy in our minds, that we often miss out on the whole being side of things completely.” I know you know what this means. In this one sentence, you can see how powerful the words were in this book. It’s a great help and I think you’ll not regret getting a copy. (:
The book will be out on December 8, 2015 so definitely check that out! And stay tune for more book reviews.
SEE FULL REVIEW HERE: https://abookwithbea.wordpress.com/20...
March 18, 2016
The Art of Good Habits looks at four main areas for improving your life - Health, Love, Presence and Prosperity. Each of these sections offers exercises to help you tune into your current views on the subject and then make mental changes in how you approach those areas. I didn't find too much practical advice, the text was more on a self-help or spiritual level. However, I did like the way that Herrman approached the topics and her writing style. Her tone was compassionate and her writing was direct. I don't know if this book changed anything about my life or my views (mostly because I already aligned with a lot of her advice) but it definitely caused me to spend some time thinking about the topics. The section I particularly liked was about presence and suggested a completely digitally disconnected time per day (such as a commute to work, making dinner, etc). I'm interested in adding that to my life. Overall, it was a pretty good book for this genre.
April 6, 2017
Well organized and well written, but more basic than what I am looking for in this topic right now.
But I do think lots of people would find it helpful.
But I do think lots of people would find it helpful.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews