Archive for the 'Reviews' Category

The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallwey

Published by Stefan on May 4, 2008 in Articles, Reviews and Self Improvement. 0 Comments

I picked up this book while I was in Los Angeles at a bookstore near the hotel I was staying at.  I heard about this book from David DeAngelo, because apparently Timothy Gallwey is the one who created this whole concept of “Inner Game.” 

Since then, the Inner Game concept is well-known (especially throughout the community) and it’s something that fascinates me.  I decided to read the book itself and see what I could learn.

I wasn’t disappointed.  Timothy Gallwey talks about the idea of Inner Game, but in this books case in the area of tennis.  However, the concepts and principles basically apply to all aspects of life.  There are major comparisons of the Inner Game of sports and when it comes to approaching and meeting women. 

In the introduction, Tim talks about how every game is composed of two parts: Inner Game and Outer Game.  Or, in the area of meeting and dating women, there is the composition of Inner and Outer Game.  I also like to think of it as Psychology and the Mechanics.

The outer game is played against an external opponent to overcome external obstacles, and to reach an external goal.  Mastering this game is the subject of many books offering instructions on how to swing a racket, club or bat, and how to position arms, legs or torso to achieve the best results.  But for some reason most of us find these instructions easier to remember than to execute.

It is the thesis of this book that neither mastery nor satisfaction can be found in the playing of any game without giving some attention to the relatively neglected skills of the inner game.  This is the game that takes place in the mind of the player, and it is played against such obstacles as lapses in concentration, nervousness, self-doubt and self-condemnation.  In short, it is played to overcome all habits of mind which inhibit excellence in performance.

We often wonder why we play so well one day and so poorly the best, or why we clutch during competition, or blow easy shots.  And why does it take so long to break a bad habit and learn a new one?  Victories in the inner game may provide no additions to the trophy case, but they bring valuable rewards which are more permanent and which can contribute significantly to one’s success, off the court as well as on.

Continue reading ‘The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallwey’

Popularity: 37% [?]

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Timothy Ferriss - The 4 Hour Work Week Review

Published by Stefan on April 17, 2008 in Articles, Miscellaneous, Reviews and Self Improvement. 1 Comment

The 4 Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss

The book I just finished reading for my 8 Week Book Reading Challenge is called The 4 Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss.

I originally learned about it from my roommate and then later by people I’ve met. It’s been getting a lot of hype and publicity, being a New York Times bestseller. I had heard a lot of great things about the book, so I decided to check it out.

And after thoroughly going through the book, I am happy to say that it is an amazing book and I’m glad I picked it up. It really opened my eyes to a lot of great ideas and a new way of looking at things in life.

The book is all about how to “escape the 9 to 5, live anywhere, and join the new rich.”

Most people spend their entire lives WORKING and looking forward to retirement, which is when they’ll finally get the opportunity to travel and be free to do the things they really want in life. Whereas Timothy believes that retirement isn’t the goal, but rather we should LIVE and ENJOY our lives today.

That’d be great, except most people live in the cultural hypnosis that we need to work 40+ hours per week to be successful and wealthy. Or that we need to go to college or university and then afterwards find a job and work until we’re 60 until retirement.

Continue reading ‘Timothy Ferriss - The 4 Hour Work Week Review’

Popularity: 40% [?]

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Eckhart Tolle - The Power of Now Review

Published by Stefan on March 17, 2008 in Miscellaneous, Reviews and Self Improvement. 5 Comments

It took me about a week and a half to finish reading Eckhart Tolle’s popular book, titled “The Power of Now” for my 8 Week Book Reading Challenge. I was sure to spend extra time re-reading certain concepts and principles so that I could have a better understanding of his materials.

While difficult to read and comprehend at times, The Power of Now is without a doubt a remarkable book.

I kept hearing more and more about it through friends and other members of the “community“, so I decided to check it out.  And, interestingly enough, Eckhart Tolle happens to live in the Kitsilano area in Vancouver (where I live).

The book is written in a cool FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) fashion.  Because spiritual enlightenment can be difficult to understand, he focuses on answering questions from others throughout the book.  I found this very useful and it helped me have a clearer understanding of his ideas.

The primary principle in the book revolves around the concept of “being fully present.”  Or, in other words, “living in the NOW.”

“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have.  Make the Now the primary focus of your life.  Whereas before you dwelt in time and paid brief visits to the Now, have your dwelling place in the Now and pay brief visits to past and future when required to deal with the  practical aspects of your life situation.  Always say “yes” to the present moment.  What could be more futile, more insane, than to create inner resistance to something that already is?  What could be more insane than to oppose life itself, which is now and always now?  Surrender to what is.  Say “yes to life — and see how life suddenly starts working for you rather than against you.”

Eckhart talks about how people are constantly thinking compulsively throughout their day-to-day lives.  This is what I usually refer to as “stuck inside your head” or in a completely “logical” state of mind. 

They’re either thinking about the PAST or the FUTURE, rather than embracing the moment fully for what it is.

In relation to approaching and meeting women, the secret to receiving positive responses and generating high levels of attraction revolve around your emotional state”, or as Eckhart says “being in the moment.”

And, ironically enough, conditioning guys to think less and be more and more “in the moment” is the one thing that is stopping the typical guys I coach from massive success with women and dating.  It’s usually because they’ve been CONDITIONED their entire lives to be compulsive thinkers and analytical, and their lifestyles reflect that — for example, sitting at home avoiding parties and social activities to be on the computer.

Continue reading ‘Eckhart Tolle - The Power of Now Review’

Popularity: 53% [?]

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

The pH Miracle - Balance Your Diet, Reclaim Your Health Review

Published by Stefan on February 29, 2008 in Articles, Health & Fitness, Reviews and Self Improvement. 5 Comments

The fourth book I decided to read for my 8 Week Book Reading Challenge is on the topic of health, titled The pH Miracle: Balance Your Diet, Reclaim Your Health by Dr. Robert Young.

I decided to read this book because I’ve been learning about the pH balance for several months now from different sources.  Health has been such a major focus in my life for the past several months, so I was interested in learning more about it. 

What is pH balance?

Just like how your body must maintain a certain body temperature (98.6) to stay healthy, it must also maintain a certain level of pH, which is almost equally important to your body’s temperature.

Continue reading ‘The pH Miracle - Balance Your Diet, Reclaim Your Health Review’

Popularity: 47% [?]

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

How I Gained Muscle Mass with Anthony Ellis

Published by Stefan on February 19, 2008 in Health & Fitness and Reviews. 5 Comments

This is the third book I’ve read so far, on my 8 Week Book Reading Challenge.  It’s a weight lifting program called “Gaining Mass” by Anthony Ellis, a New York City based fitness consultant who specializes in designing fitness and diet program for the “not-so genetically gifted” majority.

The reason I decided to re-read this book (it’s probably my third time reading it by now), is because I’ve set my #1 life priority to focus on my health and bulking up.  I value my health and my body so much, that this year I sat down and set goals for myself to get this area of my life handled.  One of my goals has been to bulk up and gain a lot of muscle mass, then to cut down and be ripped.

This has been a goal of mine for about 3 years now and I’ve made a tremendous amount of progress.  To give you some history, I used to weigh 135 lbs and was a scrawny weakling.  Since I got my hands on the Anthony Ellis program 3 years ago, I’ve managed to gain 30 lbs or so and now weigh around 165 lbs (at 5′10″).  I’m happy to say I’m not a scrawny weakling anymore, and now feel I have an “average” build.

Continue reading ‘How I Gained Muscle Mass with Anthony Ellis’

Popularity: 62% [?]

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

The Four Agreements Review

Published by Stefan on February 11, 2008 in Reviews and Self Improvement. 2 Comments

The second book in my 8 Week Book Reading Challenge is the popular book called “The Four Agreements“, by Don Miguel Ruiz.

I heard about the book from my partner Cheyenne, who mentioned that it was a good read.

The book is structured around Four Agreements, which are essential to living a fulfilled life and being free.  They are agreements that you make with yourself.

Don Miguel talks a lot about freedom — the essence of what we all desire.  But, what holds us back is fear.

To be alive is the biggest fear humans have.  Death is no the biggest fear we have; our biggest fear is taking the risk to be alive — the risk to be alive and express what we really are.  Just being ourselves is the biggest fear of humans.  We have learned to live our lives trying to satisfy other people’s demands.  We have learned to live by other people’s points of view because of the fear of not being accepted and of not being good enough for someone else.”

Continue reading ‘The Four Agreements Review’

Popularity: 30% [?]

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

Michael Jordan - Driven from Within Review

Published by Stefan on February 6, 2008 in Motivation, Reviews and Self Improvement. 5 Comments

I decided to read Michael Jordan’s biography, titled “Driven from Within” as my first book for The 8 Week Book Reading Challenge. 

I know I’m supposed to read a book per week, but this book was so awesome that I couldn’t put it down and finished it within 3 days of starting it.

Driven from Within is a book about MOTIVATION, DRIVE and AUTHENTICITY.  It’s how Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player of all time, became who he is.  He shares a lot about his own values and beliefs, which drive him to become the best. 

It all started with an appetite to prove.  Whether it was competing with my siblings or trying to get attention from my parents, I wanted to show what I could do, what I was capable of accomplishing.  I wanted results, and I was driven to find out the best way to get them.

Continue reading ‘Michael Jordan - Driven from Within Review’

Popularity: 25% [?]

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

The 8 Week Book Reading Challenge

Published by Stefan on February 3, 2008 in Miscellaneous, Reviews and Updates. 7 Comments

 

To get myself in the habit of reading again on a regular basis, my roommate reyalP and I have agreed to read a book per week for the next 8 weeks (150+ pages per week, basically).

In the past, when I’ve been reading and feeding my brain with productive information, I’ve felt a lot more motivated, driven, and mentally sharp.  It’s been like FOOD for my brain to consume, which keeps me on the ball and achieving.

Continue reading ‘The 8 Week Book Reading Challenge’

Popularity: 24% [?]

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

January ‘08 Membership Drive Review

Published by Stefan on January 28, 2008 in Reviews. 2 Comments

 

The other night was a lot of fun.

I always enjoy attending membership drives and have a lot of respect for those that show up, as it demonstrates ones commitment and willingness to evolve and become better.

I can still remember my first membership drive as if it were yesterday.  As a previously shy and insecure young boy, I was scared shitless hiding in the corner of the McDonald’s, trying to wrap my head around what I had just gotten myself into…

At the time, there were very few active members and limited resources within the community.  There was no book “The Game”, or VH1 reality TV show, or very many DVDs or audio programs. 

But, I was motivated and was HUNGRY.  I had the “eye of the tiger”, which led to an ultimate transformation, creating who I am today.
Continue reading ‘January ‘08 Membership Drive Review’

Popularity: 17% [?]

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!