January 2024 MBR The Self-Help Shelf

The Self-Help Shelf

Self-Care for the Creative
Stefani Fryzel
Muse Literary
https://museliterary.com
9781960876126, $20.99 PB, $0.99 Kindle, 370pp

https://www.amazon.com/Self-Care-Creative-Survival-Creatives-Sensitive/dp/1=
960876120

Self-Care for the Creative: A Survival Guide for Creatives, Empaths and Hig=
hly Sensitive People is highly recommended for artists who navigate differe=
nt emotional and creative landscapes. It addresses the specific needs of cr=
eatives, with an eye to presenting self-care strategies to support their se=
nsitive natures and navigate blocks that may stifle their creative forces.

These strategies are concrete, easy, and meaningful in a way that more gene=
ral self-help titles don't address, producing insights into the creative mi=
nd and the myriad of life influences that can all too easily quash it. Stef=
ani Fryzel's book is brutally candid with the depth of her inspections as s=
he considers how creative people move through life's challenges at the expe=
nses of their own inspiration.

From protecting one's sensitivity to their environment, to building a physi=
cal creative space that protects and fosters those who struggle with emotio=
nal quandaries, Fryzel creates a unique program of opportunity and response=
 that is designed to strengthen and build creative forces. Her presentation=
 of examples of creative processes and realizations weaves case histories i=
nto suggestions that reinforce the special nature and struggles of the crea=
tive individual.

Libraries and readers seeking a specific self-help book that promotes the c=
reative impulse will find Self-Care for the Creative packed with concrete s=
trategies for kind self-care and routines and choices that support these ef=
forts.

The Power of Conscious Connection
Talia Fox
Ideapress Publishing
https://www.ideapresspublishing.com
9781646871353, $28.95, HC, 198pp

https://www.amazon.com/Power-Conscious-Connection-Habits-Transform/dp/16468=
71359

Synopsis: "The Power of Conscious Connection: 4 Habits to Transform How You=
 Live and Lead" by Talia Fox is much more than just another book on busines=
s and/or personal management. It is an introduction to a movement that enco=
urages the reader to be more present, more engaged, and more attuned to the=
 intricacies of our interconnected world. Fox deftly crafts a passionate pl=
ea for us to reimagine our roles, not just as leaders, but as global citize=
ns, capable of inspiring and influencing change through conscious connectio=
n.

Harnessing the power of her signature model, the LOVE (Listen, Observe, Val=
ue, Engage) system, Fox illuminates the profound impact of these four habit=
s. Each page of "The Power of Conscious Connection: 4 Habits to Transform H=
ow You Live and Lead" will stir you to the core, awaken your senses, and ch=
allenge you to commit to a new way of living and leading. It's about feelin=
g more alive, more connected, more fulfilled. It's about inspiring you to p=
lay your part in co-creating a world that truly matters -- a world that we =
all would love to live in.

"The Power of Conscious Connection" is more than a leadership guide -- it o=
ffers a blueprint for a more conscious, compassionate, and connected world.=
 This book is a call to action. It is a call to join the movement, to chang=
e the narrative, and thereby create a world that values conscious connectio=
n.

Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "The Power o=
f Conscious Connection: 4 Habits to Transform How You Live and Lead" by Tal=
ia Fox (who is the CEO of Kusi Global Inc.) is effective, inspiring, and en=
hanced for the reader with the inclusion of an Appendix (LOVE System Checkl=
ist) and three pages of End Notes. While also available for in a digital bo=
ok format (Kindle, $8.99), "The Power of Conscious Connection: 4 Habits to =
Transform How You Live and Lead" is especially and unreservedly recommended=
 for MBA students, academia, corporate executives, business managers, and n=
on-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject. Simply state=
d, "The Power of Conscious Connection: 4 Habits to Transform How You Live a=
nd Lead" will prove to be an enduringly important pick for community, corpo=
rate, and university library Business Motivational Management & Leadership =
collections and supplemental MBA curriculum studies lists.

Editorial Note: Talia Fox (https://kusitraining.com/our-team-2) has become =
an inspirational leader in every sense of the word, often referred to as th=
e Jedi of Inspiration by her clients. With over two decades of experience i=
n transforming thousands of executives from all sectors, Talia has become a=
 visionary for leadership and legacy building. Her extensive background in =
psychology and education has given her the tools to assist leaders in devel=
oping successful strategies for complex missions, ranging from defense syst=
ems to healthcare initiatives. Holding an M.Ed in psychology and being a Ha=
rvard University Fellow, she is a well-respected name in the industry. As C=
EO of KUSI Global, Inc., Talia uses her knowledge and expertise to make a d=
ifference in our world today -- turning ideas into actionable plans that ha=
ve real-world results. With her passion and dedication, she is revolutioniz=
ing the way we view leadership. She helps leaders harness the power to revo=
lutionize the human spirit.

The Opposite is True
Efren A. Delgado
Ad Hoc Publishing
https://www.adhocfiction.com
9798987715222, $29.99, HC, 584pp

https://www.amazon.com/Opposite-True-Unexpected-Counter-Intuitive-Psycholog=
y/dp/B0CKLV6HJ7

Synopsis: As humans, we have all and forever struggled with our imperfectio=
ns. We are psychologically conditioned to hide them. We disguise them, and =
we spend our lives fighting to overcome them. Yet, our many flaws serve a g=
reater purpose -- if we are willing to see the truth. Our weaknesses can ac=
tually reveal great benefits, not only in how we view ourselves, but in def=
ining our purpose.

With the publication of "The Opposite is True: Discover Your Unexpected Ene=
mies, Allies, and Purpose Through the Eyes of Counter-Intuitive Psychology"=
, former FBI special agent and dedicated student of psychology, Efren Delga=
do offers a unique perspective on human nature, encouraging you to harness =
your imperfections-your weaknesses, vulnerabilities, insecurities, and emot=
ions-and transform them into your greatest strengths.

Told through captivating real-life stories-including from his extensive cou=
nterintelligence and counter-criminal FBI careers-engaging fables, and insi=
ghtful research from psychology, science, and literature, Delgado unveils t=
he hidden patterns of human behavior that govern our interactions with our =
work, the world around us, and the world within us-ourselves.

"The Opposite is True" shows how to: Master an advanced empathy mindset to =
skyrocket your productivity; Uncover three essential rules for deeper self-=
awareness and better connections with others; Change past traumas into powe=
r skills for real-world resilience; Expand your mental perspective with the=
 profound power of gratitude, happiness, and humility; Recognize adversity =
as the catalyst for purpose, action, and success-and how to adapt your thin=
king to utilize it.

For anyone seeking clarity, wisdom, and actionable insights to navigate lif=
e's challenges, "The Opposite is True" is an ideal DIY guide to embracing t=
he paradoxical and surprising truths of your existence, to take refined act=
ion, and unlock your unrealized potential. "The Opposite is True" unravels =
surprising and counterintuitive truths, propelling you toward genuine succe=
ss and discovering the hidden virtue of imperfection and learn how to striv=
e for excellence-not perfection.

Critique: Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "The Opposit=
e is True: Discover Your Unexpected Enemies, Allies, and Purpose Through th=
e Eyes of Counter-Intuitive Psychology" is an extraordinarily inspiring and=
 unreservedly recommended pick for personal, professional, community, and c=
ollege/university library Popular Psychology and Self-Help/Self-Improvement=
 collections. It should be noted for readers with an interest in emotional/=
mental health that "The Opposite is True" is readily available in a paperba=
ck edition (9798987715208, $24.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $9=
.99).

Editorial Note: Efren A. Delgado (EfrenDelgado.com) is a former FBI Special=
 Agent with 25 years of national security, law enforcement, and private pro=
tection experience, and who has now added author and speaker to his threat =
assessment and consultation profession. His advanced behavioral studies in =
graduate school and at an FBI specialized unit near Quantico complimented h=
is work experiences in counterintelligence, counterterrorism, and violent c=
ivil rights investigations. Efren's years of examining and combating spies,=
 predators, and tyrants extends beyond criminality, revealing how true stre=
ngth lies in humility-not oppression.

Coach Yourself!
Antonia Bowring
Wiley
www.wiley.com
Blackstone Audiobooks
https://www.blackstonelibrary.com
9781119931454, $27.00, HC, 224pp

https://www.amazon.com/Coach-Yourself-Increase-Awareness-Behavior/dp/111993=
1452

Synopsis: "Coach Yourself!: Increase Awareness, Change Behavior, and Thrive=
" by Antonia Bowring is a self-help guide for people who are committed to i=
ncreasing their awareness about behaviors that aren't serving them at work =
or in the rest of their lives, and then taking the necessary actions to mov=
e forward.

If you are ready to explore changing habits and behaviors to improve how yo=
u show up in work and life, "Coach Yourself!" is specifically intended for =
you. With practical and accessible frameworks exploring the power of perfor=
mance coaching, Top NYC Executive Coach Antonia Bowring teaches readers to =
use her performance coaching formula: increased awareness + changed behavio=
r =3D flourishing individual and thriving work performance.

Bowring also offers recipes, frameworks, and tools you can use to navigate =
the exhilarating, and inevitably bumpy, journey through your professional l=
ife. Within the pages of "Coach Yourself! you will discover:

Foundational definitions and concepts, including discussions about the diff=
erent kinds of coaching, the benefits they bring to the table, and the proc=
esses they use

The importance of your values, and how they anchor your progress through yo=
ur coaching journey

Communication strategies used by the world's most effective problem-solvers=
 and decision-makers in the world

While "Coach Yourself!" will be an essential guide for professionals and le=
aders, anyone can pick up 'how-to' self help manual and apply the framework=
s to all the various aspects of their life. That's because the essence of c=
oaching is that we have the answers inside ourselves, and the role of the c=
oach is to help us access our own answers.

Critique: Insightfully informative, life enhancing, impressively well writt=
en, and exceptionally 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "=
Coach Yourself!: Increase Awareness, Change Behavior, and Thrive" will prov=
e to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to personal, community=
, and college/university library Self-Help/Self- Improvement collections. I=
t should be noted for personal reading lists that "Coach Yourself!" is also=
 available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.00) and as a complete and =
unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, $42.99, CD).

Editorial Note: Antonia Bowring (www.ab-strategies.com) is a highly credent=
ialed, top New York executive coach. She works primarily with founders, C-S=
uite executives, and leadership teams. One of Antonia's areas of expertise =
is helping neurodiverse leaders create the necessary scaffolding to leverag=
e their gifts and maintain their focus. She is a frequent speaker to compan=
ies and groups on topics ranging from the leadership mindset, ADHD in the w=
orkplace, and communication best practices. Her articles through the Forbes=
 Coaches Council are widely read and The American Reporter named her one of=
 the 10 leadership coaches to watch in 2022.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promo=
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 (dot) com

Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugal=
muse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publish=
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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review