Time for Top 1o Lists and such. So, here goes with my list (for what it’s worth), in NO particular order:

1. Who’s Got Your Back by Keith Ferrazzi — This is Keith’s sequel to his 1st NYT Bestseller, “Never Eat Alone”. In this book Keith suggests strategies for creating “Life-Line Relationships” and “tribes” that will support you in your UP and DOWN times. I haven’t finished this book, cause I loaned it  to a new friend. Hope she gives it back before I fly home.
2. In the Land of Hungry Ghosts by Gabor Mate, MD — Gabor is a physician in Vancouver, BC and, among other things, treats addicts in E. Van. I’ve long wanted to understand addiction — because of the massive addictions in my FOO and because of mine own addictive personality. Gabor suggests that many hard-core addicts suffer from ADD or ADHD and that it is these underlying conditions that create and sustain the persistence of the addictions. Mate suggests, also, that the “best cure” for persistent addiction is participation in a 12-step program.
3. Conquering Fear by Harold S. Kushner — Just picked this book up at Fry’s Superstore in Mesa, AZ on Christmas Eve. It called to me! And, I read 2 chapters before bed on Christmas Day. I love Kushner’s balanced look at strategies for dealing with FEAR. FEAR has driven my life as a Recovering Victim of Childhood Sexual Abuse … and I’m deeply moved and encourage by Kushner’s words. By the way, Kushner is a Rabbi and is most famous for his 1st book, “Why Bad Things Happen to Good People!”
4. What Color is Your Parachute 2009 by Richard Nelson Bolles — I buy and read this annual every year. In past year’s I’ve reviewed this book here at this blog. I’m not going to do that this year because I’m busy writing mine own book on Creative Careers. BUT, I do recommend that IF you are searching for WORK, BUY, READ, and MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, USE this book’s ideas.
5. Anything by Julia Cameron – Julia is my Thought Leader when it comes to freeing up writers. In 2010, I will be offering a number of workshops FOR WRITERS based, in part, on the strategies taught by Cameron. WATCH for news in your INBOX!

5 MORE books in a nonce! g

I found it in the remainders bin at Fry’s drugs in Mesa, Arizona last May.

Here’s the Skinny (pun deliberate) on the book:

Title: Skinny Bitchin’

Sub-title: A “Get Off Your Ass” Journal to Help You Change Your Life, Achieve Your Goals, and Rock Your World!

Authors: Rory Freedman, Kim Barnouin

Publisher: Running Press Book Publishers, Philidelphia, PA

Publication Data: 2008, 200+ pages, Illustrated

= = =

One of the best ways to deal with life’s challenges is to write about them. The act of writing, in particular, the practice of journaling is an unbelievably powerful way of dismantling problems.

Many would be journalers get stuck and wind up not doing any writing because they “don’t know what to write about.”

This workbook solves the problem by providing dozens of suggestions and questions to provoke the writer.

For example, I opened the book at random just now and found a page  with this suggestion:

“Quit ‘ saving’ your fancy underwear for a special day. Today is that day. Wear ‘em. “

Here’s 1 more example:

Make a list of all the good things that have happened to everyone you know. Realize that miracles are abundant and are always looking for a place to land.

The book has been carefully and deliberately designed to exactly address the ‘issues’ of its Target Audience: Women Who Run With The Sheep The exercises and actions are clearly designed to provoke dependent women into empowering actions.

Want more?

You will find the authors at www.SkinnyBitch.Net

My best series is …. Ta da …. Gabaldon’s Outlander! After all not only is she THE BEST story teller it is her approach to writing that created the NAME I use to characterize my clients …

“Genre Busters!”

What’s your Top 10 of the Past 10?

Unless you’ve been living in the wilds of Bora Bora you know that Parachute, as it is affectionately called, is THE Job Hunter’s Bible. And, I’m honoured — and a wee bit intimidated — to be asked to review it.

So, for more than a month now I’ve struggled with how to best share ‘the best of the best’. I’m afraid that my Inner Perfectionist has been controlling my typing fingers. This is of course, at one level, ironic and funny: The Unsticking Coach stuck!

Finally, I decided to take my own advice to those struggling with Writer’s Block: Just start!

So, here goes…

I was struck by two comments in the Preface.

First this: “I’ve worked particularly hard on the three most recent editions — 2008, 2007, and 2006 — and I think (immodestly) they are the best I’ve ever done.” Indeed. I bought my first Parachute in 1986 and since my coaching work focused I watch for and purchase the newest edition when it is released each fall. Parachute just keeps getting better.

Why? The answer lies in this the second comment from the Preface: “In fact I do not think of this any longer as, a book. It’s much more like a living organism, evolving, changing, growing. It takes on a life of its own year by year.” So, whether this is the first time you pick up, read, and use the ideas in Parachute, or the twenty-first; you’ll find the best and most up to date advice on finding a job and creating your ideal career.

At more than 400 pages Parachute is chock a block full of information and tips. So, how does a reviewer capture the essence of this classic? I decided to thumb through the book and highlight items and ideas that captured my interest and attention.

First though, I want to give a bit of an overview of the structure of the book and some thoughts on how to use it. Like the 2007 edition of Parachute which I reviewed last year, this edition is in 3 parts:

1. PART I: The Things School Never Taught Us About The Job Hunt [Bolles clear headed strategy for how best to conduct your job search]
2. PART II: When The Unexpected Happens: How To Deal With Change [What's changing in the world of work and how to cope with it]
3. PART III: Resuming The Search To Find Your Dream [How to identify and find the career of your dreams]

If you need a job quickly then focus on Part I. If you’re struggling with job change and career transition, scoot over to Part II. Finally, if you’re looking for meaning, balance, and want to do what you love (just as soon as you figure out what that is) then Part III is for you. Finally, if you really want to understand the how to’s of creating and developing your career, read the whole book. You won’t regret it.

Now, here are some of the parts that grabbed my attention as I thumbed through this edition…

• Unsure what your skills are? Page 43 lists 246 skills.
• Shy like me? Check out page 44 and see how to use the late John Crysta’s P.I.E. system.
• Wondering about the value of Social Networking sites. Check out Bolles thoughts on sites like LinkedIn, MySpace, and Tribe (page 54). Better yet read the whole darn chapter and find out the whys and wherefores of using the Internet for your Job Search.
• Having trouble describing your acheivements? Check out the EASY system delineated at page 71.
• See page 82 for a list of The Ten Greatest Mistakes Made In Job Interviews.
• See page 102 for tips on how not to lose the job in the first 2 minutes of the interview.
• Want the best salary? Page 119 graphically demonstrates the best time to negotiate.
• Unsure about whether you should take those career TESTS? Read Bolles 6 Rules About Testing, starting at page 162.
• Changing careers, check out Seven Rules for Choosing or Changing Careers on page 164.
• Want to start your own home-based business? See Bolles A – C = B formula for effective research, starting on page 193.
• Over 50 and starting over, read Chapter 11 “Entering the World of 50+”, starting on page 215.
• Since I’m The Unsticking(TM) Coach, my favourite chapter is naturally, Chapter 12 “How to Get ‘Unstuck’”. I particularly like Bolles’ notion of taping into your Safekeeping Self (See page 232).
• As a Dreamer I’m particularly drawn to ALL of Part III. At 60 I know that life is best when one does what one loves. READ and follow the ideas in Part III on using Bolles’ Career Flower process to discover, document, and plan your Ideal Career.

Phew! Lots to learn. Lots to use.

Grab your copy and get going.

If you need help and support, Ping me. I have a Special Offer for Blog readers. If you send a blank e-mail to tuc-busters@aweber.com with “I’d Like To Live My Dream” in the subject line you can have the following:

• 55 minutes of focused, 1-on-1 Unsticking(TM) Coaching,
• Verbatim notes of your coaching session,
• An audio recording of your coaching session,
• A complimentary subscription to my twice monthly ezine, and
• A special suprize gift.

Normally, you’d pay $ 200 for this. If you send your blank e-mail to tuc-busters@aweber before January 31st, 2008 you’ll pay only $ 45.00 (Canadians this includes GST). That’s less than the cost of a tank of gas — and it will take you a lot farther!