Square One: A Simple Guide To A Balanced Life

by Joseph Maroon

After becoming a world–class neurosurgeon, Dr. Joseph Maroon felt he'd achieved success. At the age of 41, however, a rapid series of losses and setbacks led him into a baffling new reality–and straight into the darkness of depression. Maroon's unexpected savior was a slim, leather–bound book titled I Dare You, which taught him how to address four key areas so important to rebalancing his life: good health, a sense of spirituality, meaningful work, and strong relationships. In Square One, Maroon combines deeply personal anecdotes with illuminating scientific explanations to help readers consider their own priorities. With keen insights into what it takes to avoid burnout and to seek more joy and creativity, Maroon guides readers back to "square one" so they can lead more balanced and truly successful lives.

Genres: Health, Self Help

168 pages, Paperback

Published April 20, 2017

Reviews

[Jovita · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tiek išliaupsinta knyga, kad net jaučiuosi pasimetus. Eilinį kartą prienu prie išvados, kad amerikiečių aprašyta elgsenos analizė ir patarimai visgi netinka europietiškai, o gal net post sovietinei mano galvai. Ties šia knyga dedu tašką amerikiečių elgsenos tiriamajam žanrui. Tai tikrai nereiškia, kad esu nusiteikus prieš Amerikos rašytojus, toli gražu ne, bet man tas netikimas mūsų kultūrai yra per daug akivaizdus.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ARC electronic copy of this book was provided by Mascot Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Written in a conversational and friendly tone but full of quotes and facts based on research, this part-memoir part -self-help book is great for people interested in balancing their lives.
While I found that some of the information given for the four areas (health, work, spirituality and relationships) was very basic, the author managed to give it a twist (in some of the categories) and offer some strategies that are not so common in these type of books.
However, I found it to be too heavily based on Danforth's I Dare You - to the point that sometimes it felt like a rewriting of it.
All in all, I recommend it to people who haven't read much self-help on how to change their life-styles and routines, and are interested in finding balance.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much memoir as self help, this slight volume is exceptional reading for anyone going through a change. Suitable for middle school and high school on up to those entering retirement, this is a book about taking notice and adding balance.
Well researched with references to many authorities and books I count among my favorites, trusted experts in their fields as well as educated persons with curious minds and determination to make a difference in our world, this book is written in an easy to follow conversational tone. Simple language using relevant terms for today's audience make the concepts of the square approach clear to understand.
The book is divided into small, easy to digest sections. The author shares several viewpoints and approaches to make the concepts easy to understand by various methods.
Admittedly this is not new material but there are recent supporting studies referenced.

This would make a nice gift for some someone you care about who is struggling with their place in this world and needs support finding their path.

[Kotryna Žemaitytė · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tikriausiai susidėję mokslai, darbas, praktika nustūmė šios knygos skaitymą į šalį. Arba tai lėmė mano sudėtingas tokio tipo knygų skaitymas :)
Iš tiesų tai yra įkvepianti knyga, suteikianti neprarasti vilties ir nenuleisti rankų ypatingai sudėtingomis akimirkomis. Mane pačią pastumėjo daugiau judėti ir net prisiminti bėgiojimą :)
Visa knyga pilna pieštuko pabraukimų -įvairiausios frazės, kurios palietė sielos gilumas. Tačiau vieną norėčiau čia palikti:
"Kopkite į kalną ne įsmeigti ten savo vėliavos, o įveikti iššūkį, mėgautis tyru oru ir gėrėtis vaizdu. Kopkite, kad pamatytumėte pasaulį, o ne kad pasaulis pamatytų jus"

[Erika Krasinskė · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apibūdinčiau ją taip: nieko nėra neįmanoma 🙃
Įkvepianti istorija apie žmogų praradusį viską (įskaitant ir save) ir atsistojusį ant kojų, bei atsakiusį į klausimą "kodėl" 😊
Kodėl reikia būti empatiškam darbe (ir ne tik), bet mokėti ir atsiriboti.
Kodėl reikia rūpintis savo kūnu, sportuoti ir žiūrėti, ką valgai.
Kodėl reikia rūpintis savo vidiniu pasauliu, rasti ramybę, išmokti valdyti stresą ir nesibaigiantį bėgimą.
Kodėl reikia būti santykiuose su žmonėmis (nes tai viskas, kas gali būti svarbiausia gyvenime). 🤩

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Using his own out-of-balance life as a running example, the author shows you how to balance your life so that you create the best possible life. The balance is between work/career, relationships, physical, and spiritual. Since we have all probably been there, when one aspect life (usually work) dominates your life and causes your physical health or personal relationships to suffer, there is much to be gained from reading this book.

Recommended.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, some good examples of how to look at things in your life and how to change it for the better, of course reading things are not enough and you need to practice them.

[Dalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Svarbiausia - nugalėti ne kalną,o save.

[Dee Tighe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Inspiring.

[Mary Dickerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Square one is packed with so much information and is divided in easy to read chapters.
The "square" is an allegory to the 4 points that the author focuses on Work, relationships, health, and spirituality. The author suggests that by having all these areas in good standing, we can obtain a well-balanced life, and keeping this perfect square is something we should strive to achieve.


A balanced square is not only a great analogy but is also something so easy to remember, and I know it will stay with me after much time has passed after I had read this book.

The concepts and advice presented in this book are really easy to grasp. And if we want to achieve a balanced life, easy and to the point is always best. I prefer something that is quick and easy, rather than something so complicated that I either misunderstand, not understand at all, or that requires a lot of work to be able to use the book's teachings.

I recommend this book to the endless curious minds like me that love to learn and learn non-stop. To anyone looking for some help or a push to get a happy and balanced life. Or to anyone that already has a balanced life, but would like to share this gift with friends or family and present them with this very informative book.

[Karma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author asks us to focus on the four areas of work, relationships, health and spirituality. He asserts that when all four are in good condition, we will be able to make a perfect square, something we should strive for.

The book was written very well. The author who is a famous neurosurgeon shared personal details that brought the material home. He has lived a full life and that showed. There were frequent mentions to Williams Danforth's book I Dare You which was the inspiration behind this book. I am going to read that one too.

The simplicity of the idea of trying to make a square ensures that the book stays with you long after you have finished reading it.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley.

[Cristie Underwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest and in-depth advice for reaching your full potential. This advice is presented in easy to follow language that can be broken up and applied in pieces at a time.