April Read/2

Title: One Word That Will Change Your Life

Author(s): Gordon, Jon; Britton, Dan; Page, Jimmy

Call Number: 248.4 G663O 2014

Subjects: Commitment (Psychology); Christian Life; Motivation (Psychology); Self-Actualization

Number of Pages: 100

ISBN: 9781118809426

Book Description (from the front flap):

            What if one thing could improve your life in incredible ways? What if One Word could mean the difference between repeated failure and newfound success?

            In this beautifully illustrated, full-color revised edition, One Word That Will Change Your Life will inspire you to simplify your life and work by focusing on just One Word for the entire year. That’s right! One Word can create clarity, power, passion, and life-change.

            Each year, resolutions are rarely kept and goals are easily forgotten But One Word sticks. By living a single word that embodies the essence of your life at this moment, you’ll find renewed purpose and meaning throughout the year. Join thousands of people and hundreds of schools, businesses, churches, and sports teams who have found their One Word…and discover how to harness the transformational power of your One Word.

My Read:

            It’s a small yet powerful book. First of all, I like the color of red; it means positive, hope, and energy. Readers are inspired and reminded by the bright color throughout the book. It’s interesting to me that they choose the crimson color. Secondly, the phrase from page x in the Introduction chapter“…we have designed this book so that you can read it in just 49 minutes. In this case, less is best. Simple is powerful” piqued my curiosity. I wonder how and where the authors got the number “49.” Imagine that they have tested not only on themselves but also did experiments on others or did certain surveys to get the answer and number. It’s intriguing to me.

            I concur with the authors’ comment about “Simple is powerful.” As modern life and under the influence of high techs and inventions of various gadgets lead us to a life super charged and overwhelming; the need to have a simple and less stressful sounds a bliss and close to impossible. One Word life seems logical and practical. “One Word creates laserlike focus that lasts” –page 6. The reasons why New Year’s resolutions didn’t last long and became forgotten vary. One of them is too many goals and no action made us lose tracks and become aimless. Remember: Simple is powerful.

            The authors have the action plan for readers: page 85-89

Prepare your heart: Look in

1.      Unplug from the noise

2.      Ask a few essential questions: What do I need? What’s in my way? What needs to go?

Discover you word: Look up

            The One Word that makes sense to you is not good enough. The authors imply that the best word would come to you if you pray or you listen inwardly.

Live your word: Look out

            Keep your one word visible and have it in places you can read and see as frequently as possible. Share your One Word with your inner circle: family, friends, colleagues, etc

Spread the word

            What’s your One Word for this year?