This is like Joel Osteen, but without the Bible. The same message is present, but instead of saying it in religious phrases and ideas, he says it with NLP concepts. I've had plenty of my times immobalized on the couch, chair, bed, whatever, and it's not a good place to be. But the way I got out of that problem has no remote similarities to anything Robbins has to say. I find Robbins' kind of self help rather ironic, in a painful way. Anecdotes suggest he has an immediate impact on a number of people, but by his own admission, he says his goal is to keep people at peak performance. Decoded: the effect wears off and you have to keep looking to him for more inspiration to keep it going. That doesn't apply to everyone, but it seems to happen an awful lot. I have no other explanation for his websites that ask for membership and that offer tons of products. If people were really able to look into themselves and help themselves on their own terms instead of looking for another person to help them help themselves, then that would be self help. All media in this branch of marketing would be more honest in calling their genre "Help" and not "Self Help."

In my opinion I think this is one of Tony's best books. His powerful stories illustrate each point very well, and this book contains a lot of great information not in his tapes - and it's also great that Tony is able to explain it all in such a clear and very entertaining manner. This is the second copy of this book I have purchased - I gave away the first and it made such a difference in that person's life that I did not want to ask for it back. Use the many exercises in the book - they can really change & improve your life if you commit to doing them. This book is as relevant and useable today as it was in the 90's. You won't regret the money you spend on it.

There are so many times when I want to relax with a novel - yet at the same time I don't want the typical negative influences of modern thrillers or serial killers etc to influence my mind on my path to success and positive growth. What to read? Well I was lucky to have Horatio Alger's books recommended to me by someone who found them here on Amazon (thanks Amazon) - Alger was the Tony Robbins of his time - only he wrote `rags to riches' novels - usually about very broke - poor - folks on the street, turning around their lives and becoming very successful - now, they are not just as simple as that - the two things that make them useful are the mental methods explain and the practical methods explained on how the change was achieved. Both of the two methods taught are just as useful today as they were when written. Re-discover Tony's 15 year old book, and discover Alger's 100 year old books! They are all great to turn around your life! Here are a few to consider:

Young Captain Jack: The Son of a Soldier
The Young Bank Messenger: A Classic Rags to Riches Story!
Slow and Sure: The Story of Paul Hoffman the Young Street-Merchant
Randy of the River: The Adventures of a Young Deckhand
Phil the Fiddler: A Classic Rags to Riches Story!
Paul the Peddler: The Fortunes of a Young Street Merchant
Paul Prescott's Charge: A Classic Rags to Riches Story!

See you at the top!

I've read quite a few books in the personal development genre and I think this is one of the better ones. I read some of the one star reviews that criticize the author because he got a divorce. Although I'm somewhat old fashioned on this issue too, I think judging this book based on that is a serious mistake. The only question is whether the author offers insights and strategies that you can use to improve your life. The answer to this question is a resounding yes. While you won't agree with everything in the book or find everything relevant, I think there's no question that you will find many useful ideas. If nothing else, it will reinforce what you already know, but haven't necessarily applied.

Another book I like in this genre, but with a bit different focus is Leadership for Life - Your Guide to Becoming A Transformational Leader

Tony Robbins is a self help guru for a reason--the guy knows his stuff. In this one, he tells the reader how to take control of your life, basically, from your emotional well being to your financial status. He doesn't hold punches and gives it to you straight, which I liked. I've read several of his other books, including Unlimited Power : The New Science Of Personal Achievement and will read more because they seem to really help me out personally.

I found this to be the better of Tony's two books (the other being 'Unlimited Power'). While the stories can at times be drawn out and I wished he would get to the point, it can't denied be that this book contains a lot of great information and its also great that Tony is able to explain it all in such a clear and (mostly) entertaining way.