Wall Street Book

I was initially disappointed that this book focused so much on business or work performance. However, in the later part of the book, I saw how what he was proposing, his fundamental tenet, that we focus on energy (that is, health) rather than time, would be revolutionary if it were implemented on a wide scale. The work place would change drastically. The structure, the simplistically punative systems, the oversight, all of these things would have to change to accommodate the well-being of the people doing the work.

So I was won over to the focus on business--change that sphere and the possibilities open up for greater personal effectiveness. But of course, businesses don't like change. And so he is trying to effect individuals at the top levels to embrace this idea in all areas of their lives and work.

Another disappointment was that "story" for him essentially means self-talk and self-concept. I was hoping it had to do more with imagination. And while he does give a lot of credit to imaginative self-concept and visualization, he is essentially leading people to create a self-concept and lifestyle that are positive and in harmony.

Grandiose language about an "ultimate purpose" tends to irritate me and Loehr emphasizes that as a way to help people prioritize or focus on what they should focus on. He is catering to type As, so the language and the press toward perfection de-motivates me rather than motivates me (not a type A).

However, I did like his notion of embedding and self-indoctrination. I feel this is an area of self-help psychology that hasn't been adequately brought into the light and Loehr doesn't shy from it. I'm hoping he hasn't written the last word on it because the exercises and suggestions don't seem quite adequate, but he at least gives more guidelines to follow for making a desired change actually stick than many people.

I've kept this book because I feel its a good one to go back through periodically. He emphasizes getting honest with oneself. I think we all develop self-illusions over time. Sometimes we kick them only to have them show up again. Sometimes new ones arrive with new circumstances. It's good to have a guide for reviewing these and reasserting personal truths and priorities.