Freakonomics-you have to read it to believe it!

How is it that the Economist Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner, Freakonomics, the vendor has sold millions of copies? The financial incentives in the success of the book and a broad range of critics for the fact that it explains the behavior of the perplexing human. The authors examine the activities generally and, in particular, that the merit of social rejection: crime, cheating, corruption, terrorism and racism. The book constitutes a seemingly unrelated facts, two of the victim's eyes opened as to the reasons for the widespread activities of aberrations.

Authors, for example, that the reason for the 1990s crime sharp was not better law enforcement or good for the economy, but the legalization of Abortion in the past 20 years. The availability of abortion to reduce the unwanted children of unwed mothers, which otherwise harmful conditions on the back of their children were born: the conditions that spawn the adult criminals of the same type. How many of the other experts, the reason for the drop in crime than Abortion judgment? 0 (Zero).

Levitt and Dubner offer exciting economic explanations as to why the real estate agent may not sell your house top dollar. Why? Because of the extra $ 10,000 the home seller is not sufficient incentive, as compared to the extra $ 150 is a real estate agent, after expenses.

Two of the authors give the capellans that cheating occurs in almost all human usage in the design awards and penalties. Factors indicate how their work to keep the students ' test scores teacher convex. Readers also white collar cheating at the Office of destination. See their own lunchroom bagel delivery!

Freakonomics shows how information (in particular, the sensitive information) is an effective form of currency in the hands of the right to be heard, that may lead to the high and mighty "downfall". Economic benefits will flow to the person having access to inside information to them, which is large enough to hold it. Still, why, the Internet is leveling playing field between the haves and have nots, "information. Levitt and Dubner, in fact, that some of the past decade has been one of the most costly crime, based on the document, manipulating and spoofing. It comes as no surprise that the ignorance and fear to go, on the one hand, and at the same time, and for those who can take advantage of both can easily lead to visibility.

Frequent readers of Freakonomics explains how it is possible information about the characters (in particular in statistics) to contribute to the social, political and economic agendas. One of the number indicates the street gangs financial structure: the top bosses to make six figure income be less than the minimum wage, and the minions may 1 in section 4 the chance of being killed. Readers See how a typical prostitute can earn more than a typical architect, (in the event that someone wants to know this). The authors describe how people overestimate the risks to the safety of the trend of the two, to make choices that are based on fear rather than logic. You might be surprised that backyard swimming pools, two children's bag, the greater the risk of life as in guns.

Do you want to know how bad the schools to harm the children's futures? Read Chapter 5 for each parent. In the same chapter, shall be adopted in accordance with the classification of the standardized test results of the eight korreloivien in higher socio-economic factors. Chapter 6 is the first name of the child through the correlational analysis, will help his future socio-economic status.

Although Freakonomics is a brilliant analysis and many of the lack of statistics, the authors foistware ? the reasons for the free information and assistance in the light of the conclusions of the presentation of the theme. The book is a fun and rambling in the novel (and in some cases, the amusing) way to evaluate the human condition, the overturning of traditional lines of solution templates.

What are the three things that people often buy, but do not use? What is really worth a penny? Why Sumo actor, of the reasons for the defeat on the part of the grant, they easily win the match? Freakonomics is in these replies, and dozens of burning issues. The book is full of factoids and with wit, engrossing read, and a lot of talk, laugh, and the experience!

Judith e. Pearson, Ph.d. is a licensed hypnotherapist, Advisor, author, speaker and Coach NLP Motivational private practice strategies, Inc., Springfield, Virginia. He is a certified clinical Hypnotherapists http://www.natboard.com/National Board Executive Director. He published recently by the weight, you can reduce the weight of the Hypnotherapy and NLP and Hypnotherapy Practitioners program: a handbook. This web site is http://www.engagethepower.com./

Book Review - The Rainbow Machine by Andrew T Austin

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AppId is over the quota

Copyright: 2007 Real People Press

The Rainbow Machine is a book definitely different from most books on NLP or hypnosis. As Steve Andreas notes in his introduction to Andy Austin's book, it notes that the book indicates the spirit of neurolinguistic programming and he uses all these with "utmost skill, creativity, and outrageous playfulness." Steve Andreas touts Austin's creativity in writing the book. Clearly, the book is not just one of basic techniques or one that spells anything out. Instead it is a book written in many ways in the spirit of the Haley classic, Uncommon Therapy.

It has multiple short chapters. Essentially it has 56 chapters, if one includes the appendix on sub-modalities, all in a short 220 pages. The stories are brief, many of them anecdotal, illustrating the use of various neurolinguistic, as well as provocative therapy, types of techniques. Also spattered within the text are several chapters which provide some useful outlines of different things, such as on learning in general, the hemispheres of the brain, suggestions, binds, reframing, the yes set, deletion, and in the appendix a discussion of sub-modalities. This is in the midst of what are mostly different case examples dealing with different problems utilizing NLP, language, and other creative methods to facilitate change. It also has a very interesting chapter called The Right Man Syndrome (Narcissism), which discusses some of the patterns of thought and belief in individuals who are narcissistic.

Austin is quite tongue-in-cheek at times, but also shows a great deal of insight into the human psyche and how to facilitate change. This is an entertaining and thought provoking book. It is a great book to read when one needs a break from some of the dryer more technical books on neurolinguistic programming. It is a wonderful book to pick up and just read a chapter or two. The book makes no grand claims. At times he seems content to observe and describe human variation. Other times he gives compelling instances of creative intervention and efficient change.

In sum, this book is unique and well worth reading. This book inspires excitement about the process of being a change agent utilizing NLP to help others in their lives.

Rich Liotta, Ph.D., is a Psychologist, Author, Trainer, Consultant, and Photographer. As an Author and Fine Art Nature Photographer he strives to encourage appreciation and stimulate potentials toward growth and change. As a Trainer and Consultant he is passionate about providing tools to help people enrich and transform their lives. He offers workshops and seminars, including sponsored events, on a variety of topics. He is a Certified Trainer of Neuro-Semantics, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, and Ericksonian Hypnosis. He owns Enrichment Associates Consultation & Training (http://enrichmentact.com/) with his spouse Rosemary. His more community oriented blog is http://changepathsblog.com/. He is a believer in human potential, abundance, and beauty in the world!

Review of Simon Clarkson's Book - DayDreaming

IP is over the quota
IP is over the quota

I recently discovered that there are several positive thinking books available on the market, I have discovered one that interested me, Simon Clarkson has published 'DayDreaming'. This is a book aimed at the individual who is looking for success through a positive mental attitude and wants to take control of their lives.

It is a book that emphasises the power of positive thinking not dissimilar to The Secret in principle, but written by an Englishman in simple terms.

The book explains how Simon applies the power of positive thinking in all of his thoughts, actions to his everyday life. What Simon explains to his reader is that if something is important to us sufficiently so and we desire it, it can and will happen.

The world that we live in today is full of people who are negative and don't believe that they are either good enough or deserve it, whatever it is. What Simon writes is that the world is indeed there for is all to tap into, the important thing being, we need to develop our positive thinking techniques to concentrate on these issues.

Simon goes into detail of his own personal experiences in life, these are quite touching but, the important issue being it is the power of the human being. We all possess these powers but very few people apply them and this is a huge issue we all appear to have.

A great memory that I recall, is one that's when I was a young boy and I would balance on a high wall, my mother would invariably shout" be careful otherwise you may fall". And guess what invariably I'd fall. The point being once you have been told something your brain will think that it will happen and more often than not it does.

Apply the same thoughts to positive thinking techniques within our lives and you can transform your life. How simple can it all be, surely if we changed our thoughts, wouldn't life be a lot better for all mankind.

In conclusion what Simon Clarkson's book does, is to encourage us all to think positive, healthy good thoughts and you never know when you actually tune in, it will happen. If you were to carry out very simple research it would prove that most successful, prosperous individuals all have one thing in common: the same trait.

Dream it, feel it, touch it, smell it, even imagine playing a video in your mind and all these dreams will come true.

Book Review - 'Why Marriages Succeed or Fail And How To Make Yours Last' By Dr John Gottman

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AppId is over the quota

Dr. John Gottman says: 'If there is one lesson I have learned from my years of research it is that a lasting marriage results from a couple's ability to resolve the conflicts that are inevitable in any relationship'. The following book is not just a couples therapist's opinion but a compilation of the findings of the work of a relationship expert and scientist who researched his topic over the past 40 years.

Summary

In this book, Dr. John Gottman gives his readers the ability to find out more about their relationship through self-tests and evaluations. Beyond that this book also provides practical exercises, quizzes, tips, techniques and proven strategies to improve your relationship or marriage.

More in details

Based on his years of research with real-life couples, Dr. John Gottman first answers the question 'What makes marriage work?' By reading this book you will learn that there are significantly different marriage styles, which he calls 'The Good, The Bad and the Volatile' and that frequent arguing doesn't necessarily have to lead to divorce if other factors are in balance.

Dr. John Gottman is famous for 'The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse', the warning signs in every relationship tumbling towards martial disaster. Dr. Gottman argues that these pitfalls - criticism, defensiveness, contempt and stonewalling - can be observed in couples who are moving towards less and less satisfaction in their relationship.

This book is not just another set of opinions of a relationship therapist, instead this is the result of his work with thousands of couples over many years of empirical study. This research has enabled Dr. Gottman to predict which couples relationships will last with 94 percent accuracy where normal relationship experts are only able to predict this in 10 percent of their cases.

About the author

As mentioned above Dr. John Gottman has collected significant amounts of data researching couples in what he calls 'The Love Lab'. He has also written and co-authored 40 books and published 190 academic articles. He has appeared on television in shows like Good Morning America, Today, CBS Morning News and Oprah and published some of his work in various publications like The New York Times, Women's Day, Reader's Digest and Psychology Today, just to name a few.

Together with his wife, Dr. Julie Schwartz Gottman, they founded the Gottman Relationship Institute; they schedule appointments for marathon therapy and lead relationship workshops.

Recommendation

This is a 'must read' if you are interested to improve your relationship and really, who doesn't? The best case would be if both, husband and wife, would read the book, but it is already very beneficial for one to read and introduce the concepts to the other.

Personally John Gottman's work forms the basis of my work with couple clients in my practice and his concepts work with great success.

Want to know more? Have a look at my blog.

Nathalie Himmelrich is the founder of 'Reach for the Sky Therapy' on Sydney's Northern Beaches and specialises in 'relationship related issues'. She is working with individuals and couples using techniques ranging from Counselling, Neuro Linguistic Programming to Journey Therapy. She supports clients in their personal growth in a supportive and professional environment.

Visit my website: http://www.reachforthesky.com.au/ or visit my blog: http://reachforthesky.wordpress.com/ and sign up for our newsletter today.

How the Brain Works in Making Decisions

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IP is over the quota

Each of us continues to evolve as a person, not just because of our genetic make-up, but also because of the decisions we have made and will continue to make throughout life. Understanding how we make decisions and working at making better decisions is the theme of Jonah Lehrer's book, How We Decide.

In this book Jonah Lehrer summarizes the latest neuroscience research on what happens within a person's brain when making decisions. The author uses real-life stories and research studies to illustrate how the brain works when making decisions. For anyone intrigued with the science of what happens within the brain when decisions are made, this book is well-researched, informatively insightful and will be easily understood by those with a limited knowledge-base in the area of neuroscience.

Many decisions are made based on our emotions and feelings which are a result of cumulative life experiences. A person's emotional brain is able to quickly amass all information within the brain to give a person a gut feeling, an instinct, when solving some types of problems. The more experiences a person has had in particular areas, the more a person can depend on the emotional brain to make a decision. "...Intelligent institution is the result of deliberate practice."

Some situational problems require focused attention and analysis. Therefore, it is important to realize the type of decision that needs to be made and the thinking that may need to take place.

Many people are uncomfortable with uncertainty when making particular decisions and often times that uncertainty may lead to ignoring bits of information. At such times people often do not think through to analyze contradictory information. The brain desires to experience pleasant and pleasing emotions but that can easily lead to people minimizing or dismissing evidence that contradicts their beliefs.

As the author states, "We always need to be thinking about how we think. Sometimes we need to reason through our options and carefully analyze the possibilities. And sometimes we need to listen to our emotions. The secret is knowing when to use these different styles of thought." Focusing attention, analyzing and learning from the mistakes of what we experience leads to readjustments in thinking. We become better at something and also reap the benefit of becoming better decision makers. "...self-criticism is the secret to self-improvement."

The ability to use emotions and focused analysis in the right situations results in a person who continually thinks about how to think. That becomes the key to becoming better decision-making. As the author states, "This is the most astonishing thing about the human brain; it can always improve itself. Tomorrow, we can make better decisions." To understand how our brain makes decisions is to not only better understand ourselves, but it also enables us to better understand our fellow human beings.

How We Decide...an interesting and enlightening read.

How We Decide by Jonah Lehrer, who also wrote Proust Was a Neuroscientist.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company New York, New York, 2009, 302 pages.

Parenting With the Enneagram

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IP is over the quota

Two Enneagram Books

In this article, I will review two Enneagram books by Elizabeth Wagele, the Enneagram of Parenting and the book she wrote for children, to help them better understand themselves, Finding the Birthday Cake.

Both books have helped me and my son tremendously! Both books offer helpful quizzes for parents to use to evaluate their children to see which Enneagram style they use.

And in both, the author cautions the parent that the Enneagram style may not become set in stone until they get older. While they are still young, the best thing to look at is their behavior and their tendency.

She uses a lot of cartoons in both books to illustrate each type and painting a picture of what each one is like not only makes each type seem cute and endearing, but also makes the distinctions between them clear.

"Elizabeth Wagele is a writer, cartoonist and musician who lives in Berkeley, CA, with her husband, Gus, where they raised four children and enjoy visits from their grandchildren. In 1994, HarperCollins published The Enneagram Made Easy, which is now used all over the world. She followed that with books on relationships, parenting, introverts, a children's book, and a CD on Beethoven where she plays excerpts from his piano sonatas and discusses his personality."-from Elizabeth Wagele's website

The Enneagram of Parenting

What I found helpful about this book is the way it translated each type into child language and behavior. She really did a good job of explaining how each personality type would express itself in school, at play, during mealtimes, at bedtime, and she described how they would react to stress. She also explains what they need from us as parents, and gives helpful suggestions about how to meet your child where he is, depending on his type.

Finding the Birthday Cake

Though I read this book as well, it is actually written as a story book for children, to teach the Enneagram to them in a way that makes it easy for them to understand. My son has read it several times and feels quite clearly that he and I are both fours (we are) and is clear about the others in our family, too.

In fact, he understands it so well that he enjoys guessing about people outside the family and can make a case for the type he thinks they are based on what he has observed in their behavior.

For more information about these books, go to Parenting with the Enneagram.

Jeanine Byers Hoag is a certified holistic health practitioner and is the author of The Life That's Waiting for You: Four Simple Steps to Identifying & Living Your Life Purpose. Her website is [http://www.istheresomethingmore.net]

There Are So Many Phobias and Disorders That People Suffer From - Discover What They Are

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AppId is over the quota

Have you ever met someone who was afraid of something they shouldn't be afraid of, as it was somewhat out of the norm - and I'm not talking about the fear of drowning, or being afraid of heights, because it's okay to be afraid of things that can hurt you, and a little fear keeps us from doing things that can cause us problems later. Nevertheless, far too many people are afraid of such things as darkness, or going outside.

If you'd like to learn more of the phobias that people have, there is a great book the you should read, and it will help you understand these folks who have these fears and phobias, and how to help them get over their fears, and understand how to deal with these personalities as you meet them. The name of the book that I'd like to recommend to you is;

Phobias - Diseases and Disorders" by Gail B. Stewart, published by Lucent Books Incorporated, San Diego, CA, (2001), 96 pages, ISBN: 1-56006-726-8.

In this book the author puts you into the mind of those who have dreadful feelings of fear, or who suffer from a phobia disorder. Once you put yourself in their perspective, it becomes readily apparent how debilitating this could be. The author explains in chapter to the history and early research on phobias, although today we know much more than we ever did back then.

Luckily the author brings you up to speed. And although this book was written in 2001, and neuroscientists have learned more since, it is a good basic fundamental book to read. There is also a chapter on the challenges of phobias, and how they can cause social problems, the book explains simple phobias, and fears that we all have, whether justified, or not necessarily.

If you've ever watched someone have a panic attack, there is a chapter about that which explains what's going through their mind, and how they lose control. Once you understand this and you watch them ramp up with fear, you can bring it back into perspective for them by talking to them a certain way. In fact in chapter 6 the final chapter the author explains how to overcome phobias if you happen to have one, and how to help and consult others to help them overcome their own fears.

Personally, this was a great book to read, because I am someone who enjoys wearing T-shirts which say; "No Fear" - and now I know how the other people feel, but rather than feel sorry for them, I think from now on I'm going to try to help them. Wish me luck. And maybe you should buy this book and do the same thing. Please consider all this.

Lance Winslow is an Online Author, his latest eBook about Boat Detailing is now available in the "Lance Winslow Small Business Series" titled; "How to Start a Boat Cleaning Business" (a Nook Book available at the Barnes and Noble Website). Lance Winslow is semi-retired and Founder of the Online Think Tank http://www.worldthinktank.net/ - You may contact Lance Winslow by email for dialogue, discourse, discussion, or debate on interesting topics.