Why Your Best is Good Enough

by Kevin Leman

Writing in his well-known, upbeat style, Dr. Kevin Leman helps those who struggle with self-doubt to value their talents and gifts and accept their shortcomings. He points out why the lifestyle we develop as a child determines our degree of success or failure and explains how, regardless of the past, each person can develop a healthy lifestyle today.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Self Help

272 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 2010

About the author

Dr. Kevin Leman, an internationally known psychologist, radio and television personality, and speaker, has taught and entertained audiences worldwide with his wit and commonsense psychology. The best-selling and award-winning author has made house calls for hundreds of radio and television programs, including The View with Barbara Walters, The Today Show, Oprah, CBS's The Early Show, Live with Regis Philbin, CNN's American Morning, and LIFE Today with James Robison, and he has served as a contributing family psychologist to Good Morning America. He is the founder and president of Couples of Promise, an organization designed and committed to helping couples remain happily married. Dr. Leman is also a charter faculty member of iQuestions.com. He has written over 30 best-selling books about marriage and family issues, including The Birth Order Book and Sheet Music: Uncovering the Secrets of Sexual Intimacy in Marriage. Dr. Leman and his wife, Sande, live in Tucson. They have five children.

Connect with Dr. Leman on:
BirthOrderGuy.com
Facebook
Twitter

Reviews

[Ragnell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has good advice that isn't hampered by the author's repeated references to religion until the last chapter when he reveals he can't imagine how anyone can experience true joy and remain agnostic or atheist. Also tgat when he counsels someone who feels religion is unnecessary, he talks that patient into finding God as part of their therapy. Yeah. I fully appreciate the help that an appropriate faith can be in recovery and personal growth but I'm probably not hitting this guy up for therapy.

A shame, because he sets out the advice in a structured, simple and easy to digest manner. He gives GOOD advice that he ties to the Bible, but sadly he doesn't realize that this good advice is universal and that religions (his and mjne included) are all packed with TERRIBLE advice, and usually it's the bad advice that varies from god to god.

So I'm stuck here with a book full of good self-image building advice that I cannot recommend to my nonChristian friends, written by a man I wouldn't trust personally not to use my issues to try to convert me if I were to see him.

He quotes Kenneth Burns a lot, so maybe it's a better idea to just read Dr. Burns

[Rudy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid title for this book would be Self-Esteem 101. It's an easy to read, highly practical, and often entertaining look at the issues that cause so many to struggle in the day-to-day grind, while offering simple applications that help the reader to put his or her best foot forward each day. There is a lot of topical revisiting throughout each chapter, which at times can feel a bit redundant, but that's OK—repeating the processes herein are intended to build positive habits. Stick with it and you, too, may find simple and beneficial wisdom for everyday life.

[LAMONT D · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOTS OF PRACTICAL ADVICE AND ACTION POINTS TO TAKE IN YOUR LIFE AS YOU THINK ABOUT HOW YOU RELATE TO YOUR KIDS, GRANDKIDS, SPOUSE AND THOSE YOU COME IN CONTACT WITH EACH DAY. HOW EACH OF US STRUGGLES WITH FEELING LOVED AND ACCEPTED FOR JUST WHO WE ARE. WORTH A SECOND READ TO OVERCOME THE THINKING THAT INHIBITS US FROM BEING OUR BEST.

[betanine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr Leman addresses a number of issues that I've been struggling with accessible, understandable writing and practical advice that I can put into practice. A lot of this book addressees perfectionists who feel like failures. Those who don't struggle with this or know someone who struggles with this is not likely to get much out of this book.

Now Dr Leman is a Christian and some of his advice comes from that perspective. I personally would have expected more Christian talk in the book. As a Christian, I have no problem with this, but I would forewarn none Christian friends that the last few pages of the book go this direction. Still I would recommend it to anyone struggling with perfectionism or anyone who is trying to understand someone who does.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give this book 5 stars because I found it somewhat of a game changer for me! I wouldn't say there was any groundbreaking idea of how to change myself more than "stop being critical. its okay to fail. etc" but that was all I needed. I find that I'm aware of things more after reading this and that's all I had hoped and expected. I really enjoy Kevin's books!

[Dolly · Rating 2 out of 5]

So your parents traumatized you, it's up to you to change your view of yourself and make youreslf better.

[Carleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Do you see yourself as plain vanilla in a tutti-frutti world? That could be true, but just remember that vanilla is still the most popular flavor!" -Dr. Kevin Leman

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great. Would be five stars if there wasn't so much God talk.