Reading Journal - entry #4 - The Power to Transform by Chris Majer

This is our final journal entry for the book The Power to Transform by Chris Majer. We must say that Chris Majer took us on an inspiring journey of self-discovery, and reform. According to Majer, upon reading this book and performing all the necessary assignments required, a reformation takes place. This reformation takes place by reformed thinking, which is put into practice, and the outcome is a reformed lifestyle!

Don't get us wrong - it doesn't of course happen overnight. But one could see changes, even in the way you view things, after reading and engaging in the exercises set out in the book. The book awakens in the reader a desire for better, and through practical advice, Majer takes the reader through a series of uplifting and self awareness exercises. These practical steps become the building blocks and foundation to a better you. However, in order to get there, Majer suggests that one should learn to observe oneself. Cultivating awareness of self and your surroundings and how you affect others, is "a lifelong journey" that will "deepen your capacity to [truly] see yourself."

Majer's book, The Power to Transform, takes the reader through several key factors that are imperative for real change. The book brings about honest, authentic, soul-searching discoveries, and motivates the reader to perform beyond his/her comfort zone. Are you a victim or a victor in life's circumstances? Are you committed to excellence or satisfied to perform in your comfort zone? Are you exercising your power of choice or are you using the shadow of fear as an excuse? Majer's book helps you to honestly look within yourself to see who you truly are, and to help shape the new you.

We must say, that although the book is really a 90 day read, we would encourage readers to reread the book to fully get the gist of what it really means to transform your life from the inside out! And don't forget to put into practice what you've learned!

Exciting, adventuresome, motivating, and inspiring, The Power to Transform by Chris Majer is a must read for everyone and anyone who is truly looking to take your future off default and instead choose to reinvent it.

Connect with the author on his website here.

Happy Reading!

Reading Journal - entry #3 - The Power to Transform by Chris Majer

According to Chris Majer in his book The Power to Transform, when we say we "can't", what we are really saying is "I am afraid to," "I am currently not competent to/at," or "I am unwilling to,".

In his book, Majer in a series of assignments, states that "the object here is to bring your awareness to the conditional tendency of using 'I can't' as a hiding place." Many people use "I can't" to mask pain, insecurity, unwillingness, or a means to giving in to one's inner critic.

However, Majer takes the reader on a journey of self-discovery. His theory is that if you become more aware of the deep underlying reasons why we say we "can't", then the revelation can lead us to make better choices.

• You should become aware of what your inner critic is saying.
• Note how much this inner voice influences your actions and decision making.
• What are you going to do about it? What choice will you make toward the desired course of action?

According to Majer, we "always have a choice." In choosing to act you are in fact choosing to believe that you are "inherently able" to complete the task. So the next time you catch yourself saying "I can't", Majer suggests that you stop and consider why you're saying it. Be true to yourself and to others. Answer why you choose not to follow a course of action. In assessing ourselves, we'll find the honest answer instead of hiding behind the shadow of "I can't". For the most part however, we have the ability to successfully complete what's asked of us.

Read The Power to Transform by Chris Majer. For more info, visit the author's website http://humanpotentialproject.com .

Happy Reading!

The Reading Journal - entry #2 - The Power to Transform by Chris Majer

Embarking on a project on "mental fitness", Majer began his career as founder and CEO of the Human Potential Project. He taught athletes that their goal was not only to become physically fit but becoming mentally fit was just as important. Majer later taught his fitness practices to the military and to organizations.

The book highlights flashbacks and stories of practical examples of overcoming and remaining mentally strong.  Majer highlights that facing the moment of crises head-on despite the anxiety we feel is far better than 'cowering' before the situation.

Key points in our reading:

“...like centering, [and] accountability, avoiding the impulse to blame others for our problems, is a valuable skill, one requiring practice, but which yields great dividends.” And the world of obstacles that exist in our path may be as a result of how we perceive them in our minds. Therefore, the limitations that we face are “merely the limitations of our own minds.”

So what are the limitations you face? Realize this. According to Majer, they are not limitations but your struggle within. Maybe it's a struggle to simply get out of your comfort zone or to get over your fear. He rightly pointed out that "there is no learning inside your comfort zone."  We should aim to replace our laid back state of being with a more adventurous one. Fellow examiner Leila Rose-Gordon in her article Face Your Fears and Overcome Them, like Majer also stressed the importance of getting out of that constant, persistence of remaining in our comfort zone and daring once again to realize your dream!  

Majer reiterates that the only way to really learn is through practice. This book really works on the 'inner you', a transformational process over the course of 90 days. So don't just read the book, but also put into practice what you've gleaned from your reading and do the exercises. We hope you're reading along with us, as we are getting ready to delve into Chapter 3 to begin to put into practice what we've learned.

Visit the author’s website, Human Potential Project to know more about the book and the author. Video clips, forums, and the subscription to the newsletter are also available.

Happy Reading!

The Reading Journal - entry#1 - The Power to Transform by Chris Majer

Harnessing inspiration from a variety of sources such as other motivational leaders, teachers, and coaches, Chris Majer author of The Power to Transform embarks on a journey of self discovery, team management, and developing innovative and strategic concepts in realizing the human potential. Majer is founder and Ceo of the Human Potential Project, a project which is "designed to deliver transformational education for athletes, the military, and corporate organizations".

In The Power to Transform, Passion, Power, and Purpose in Daily Life, Majer shares his knowledge and formulates his program for the individual. Irrespective of your status or your career goal, this book offers "easy-to-use" concepts that will produce change.

As the first book in our Reader's Journal forum, we will highlight key points and profound statements without giving too much away! Minutes into reading The Power to Transform, several fundamental points arrest the attention and lead the reader to the core message of this book, that is, the individual's power to make choices that will bring about a transformation in their own lives.

1. We have the capacity to continuously reshape our lives. 
2. We are not forever bound by our circumstances or occurrences.
3. We can choose to reinvent ourselves and our futures. 
4. Excuses are usually as a result of fear.

 Although many of us are already aware of these points, we fail to apply them which results in unrealized dreams and goals. These fundamental points speak to the heart of all human beings, because we all have something in our lives that we'd like to change. Maybe you'd like to become a better parent; or get that first novel out of your head and on paper; or make your business more enterprising. Whatever your goal or whatever your lack, according to Majer, you have the potential to reshape your life and reinvent your future. Put fear aside.

Okay. So let's bring it down to an everyday, practical level. You have a deep desire to write a novel, but you have a fear that you might not be able to do it. Or you think that maybe the manuscript will be no good. Or you have a fear that it will be rejected by the publishers. Well, write anyway! Choose to step out of your comfort zone and get the words out of your head and on paper. Write what comes to mind, challenge yourself and write, write, write! Here's a tip: keep a notebook and think about your characters (they are real within the pages of your book) and writing about them should come naturally. Also, you should know that readers make good writers, that's because we already know what we want in a story.

This is only the Introduction! Should you choose to implement these strategies in your life, then Majer promises a journey that is exciting, intense and rewarding. But he is not only promising change; he is also promising transformation.

Read The Power to Transform along with us, and feel free to discuss your findings and how this book has helped to transform your life.

Resolving to keep your new year's resolution

At the beginning of each year, people make resolutions for the new and upcoming year they are about to embark on. But making a resolution is a big thing and here's why: Resolution - a resolving, formal statement, a determination. Unless you have a determination to accomplish your goal, then don't make a resolution you can't keep. 

So this year DBR Books wishes to do something new for our readers.  We would like to give you a more enriching reading experience! We want to inspire you into action! Whatever your resolution, whatever your goal, we want to help you achieve it by inspiring you with outstanding phrases we see in our outstanding reads. Reads that will not only interest you, but reads that will motivate you to take charge of your life and to inspire the greatness in you! Our new reader’s forum, The Reader’s Journal, will help you to aspire to greater heights.

The Power to Transform - Passion, Power, and Purpose in Daily Life by Rick Majer is our first choice. Follow along with us as we dig deeper for a more enriching reading experience.

We are also inviting you to a share your enriching experience with us on Twitter @DBRBooks, and on our Blog.

Happy New Year!

Congrats to all our readers!

2013 was a great year for readers and authors. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank all writers who participated in last month’s Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month) Competition! Whether you won or not, your next novel is on its way, and you should be proud! Congrats to you all!

A special thanks to our readers who faithfully subscribed to and read every issue of The Books Magazine! Congratulations to the readers who participated in the 2013 Reading Challenge! We hope that you tremendously enjoyed reading outside your genre, we know we did! We had the opportunity to meet great authors and read some wonderful books. View the latest issue of The Books Magazine for a listing of books we’ve reviewed and authors we’ve interviewed in our magazine and on our blog. It is our hope that you will continue reading with us in the New Year! Already there is a new 2014 Reading Challenge issued by blogger enthusiast b00kr3vi3ws to challenge readers to get out of their comfort zones! Best of luck and keep us informed on your progress - follow us on Twitter @DBRBooks.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2014 from all of us at DB-R Designs, DBR Books, and The Books Magazine!


Happy Reading!

Book Review | The Little Bear and The Big Bear by Monica Dumont

There once were two bears. The big bear was always angry and the little bear was always happy. The little bear had wisdom to impart to a very grumpy big bear. The little bear recognized emotions such as frustration, anxiety, and anger, and he knew how to change the course of events by changing one’s attitude and response.

Sounds like a mouthful for a little book? Well, here’s the short version of it: happy little bear meets big grumpy bear; and little bear teaches big bear how to work out his problems and deal with his feelings.

Either way, long or short version, the book The Little Bear and The Big Bear written by Monica Dumont is designed to help kids’ ages 3 to 7 deal with feelings of frustration and anxiety. It’s a practical demonstration on how to identify negative emotions such as anxiety and sadness; and it is also an effective guide in helping kids to deal with their feelings one step at a time.

The book is also designed to help parents and caregivers recognize and assist kids with negative emotions. Author Monica Dumont notes that ‘the exercise (of taking one small step at a time) is meant to help parents bond with their child[ren] as well as to help their child[ren] develop new skills at dealing with everyday life. It is not meant to be used as a form of therapy.”

One should note also that the book encourages kids to share their feeling and help their peers to overcome negative emotions by recognizing the root cause of the crises. In verbalizing these emotions, kids are able to identify with them and deal with situations eventually on their own, which are good practical skills to acquire and develop.

The Little Bear and The Big Bear by Monica Dumont is available in soft cover paperback. Other children’s book titles by the author are:

·        Blueblah The Sleepy Raccoon

·        Emma The Bumble Bee

·        Alex and the Rabbit

Happy Reading!