Reviews for How to Overcome Self-Doubt

The average rating for How to Overcome Self-Doubt based on 2 reviews is 3.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2017-01-05 00:00:00 Alyce Ware How to Get Out of Debt, Stay Out of Debt, and Live Prosperously, by Jerrold Mundis It's a bad sign when I start reviewing book while I'm still reading it. If I'm taking the time to review, it means I'm not enjoying the reading, I'm not compelled to turn the pages, and I'm not finding the reason I'd hoped for--the why of my reading. With this book, I can sum my feelings up in one sentence: I hate books that take forever to get to the point. I will now elaborate: This author spends the first several chapters explaining what debt is, what types of debts there are, ways people go into debt, why it's bad, etc. For example, all of chapter 3 is devoted to telling people how to determine if they have a debt problem, like for those in denial. Hello? If we didn't have a problem with debt, then why would we be reading this book? Additionally, none of his examples or categories specifically fit my family's financial situation. Not very helpful. Not to knock this author down alone (a point he actually makes--we are not alone with our problems, such as debt--he is not alone in a horrible writing pattern), I have found the same problem with other financial success books. The same problem is also seen in health and weight loss books, and in marriage enhancement books. All these authors, editors, and publishers need to remember, the people wouldn't come to the books if they didn't know they already have a problem or an issue they want to work on. Save the finger wagging for an appendix, or for later chapters. Give a quick tiny summary of why other things don't work or why what we're already doing isn't working, then please, explain your program! If I have to read chapter after chapter until I find what your specific solution is, you will have lost me way before then. (In the last health book I read, the author picked apart diet after diet, chapter by chapter. After 50 pages of this, I skimmed and skipped to the last two chapters where he finally explained his method, his solution. Sigh. Will they ever learn?) So far, I'm about 15% of the way through this book. If I have to read much more without being engaged, I'll have to stop. Skimming chapters is a lot harder to do in an ebook than a paper book. I don't care if his program works. I don't care if I could learn from it. If the author doesn't tell me quickly, I have to stop. Who has time for this? The first solution to making debt disappear is to make or save money. Time is money. Time wasted on unnecessary reading in a book = time lost that could have been used to make money. Rant over. I am just frustrated with the book. I don't want to give up in case there's something I could learn, but so far, nothing. And the author seems to look down on people in debt, like they're irresponsible or something, including himself in the group, even though not all people with debt are like that. He thinks most of us are in denial. Um, nope. I know exactly my situation, how much we make, how much we own, how much is in our bank account, how much we need each month, the terms of our credit cards and loans, etc., etc., etc. So I find myself getting angry at being talked down to. I'm sure there are people out there who aren't like me, and are clueless about their actual financial situation, so maybe this book is geared more towards them. In one scenario, the author describes an "anorectic spender," one who lives so frugally that he never spends in anything nonessential, to the point that he deludes himself into thinking there is not enough money, therefore he borrows to get through (although he doesn't have to???). Um, confusing. Conflicting as well. At one point the author is telling you you shouldn't spend money you don't have on frivolous things like designer clothes, then the next he is telling you that not spending on such luxuries will send you into debt by creating a scarcity mentality. What??? The one thing I've agreed with that I've read so far is that you shouldn't play the victim and justify why you went into debt. (Don't focus the blame on circumstances. Accept responsibility and work to change. I haven't read far enough, but I hope these concepts are coming.) I have now slogged through 22%, and 4 chapters, reaching (finally!) part two. The author promises in his last sentence that "all you have to do is turn to the next chapter," to "reverse your situation and begin to liberate yourself from debt." It can't come soon enough. If only I could believe the solution will be in the next chapter. Liar. A few paragraphs into the fifth chapter, the author writes, "The techniques and strategies you'll use to free yourself from debt begin in chapter 6." (How much more of this can I take??? As a reader, I'm being strung along...) Okay, now, chapter 5 is time for an exercise in mindfulness, a visualization exercise. He wants you not to define yourself by your debt. Great. If you do define yourself by what you owe, this is definitely the book for you. Another way I'm not connecting. I do not define myself by my debts. Yes, I have them. Yes, I owe money. But I don't cripple myself under the weight of them. I still have to live my life, and meet the needs of my family and other obligations. I am not a number. Since this is a lesson I have already learned, I wish the author could add an aside: if your answer to this question is "do not apply," please turn to page... I made it through chapter five. On to chapter 6, I know I'm going to finally to learn some techniques. Right? He said so last chapter. He spends several pages reiterating how important it is not to be in debt denial. He's done this already for a fourth of his book. And then, redundantly again, step one: "freely admit it's there." Seriously? Step two: "reread chapters 1 through 5." (Thanks, but I'd rather bang my head against a wall.) And the author continues, ending with the last step of "proceed(ing) as if you didn't have any denial." (Again, denial would mean that I'm not even reading the book in the first place.) Later in the chapter he goes on to describe another step which is actually using a form of denial: "Give yourself 30 days worry-free from debt." You are supposed to gather up all the bills and notices and whatever and put them in the "friendliest container you can find," then put the container away and "forget about the bills and notices for the next thirty days... truly forget about them. They don't exist. They're not your problem." I'm sorry but this is just a form of DENIAL which is what he just told us NOT to do. You are lying to yourself if you try to believe that your bills are now not your problem, even if for a 30 day break. He wants you to "then go about your life and have a good time." He ends this chapter with a postscript that you can skip this step if you've never been late on a payment before. Once again, a disclaimer such as, "if your answer to this question is "do not apply," please turn to page...," would have been so nice to have here. Finally on the last page of chapter 6 (the promised technique!), "just for today, one day, do not incur any new debt." Um, okay. That's it? Chapter 7 begins with telling the reader that they are to live the "no debt for a day" principle one day at a time (along with another plea to go back and read chapters 4 and 5, yet again!--No. Just no.). There's even a mantra you are supposed to repeat 3 times, forcefully and with conviction. (Not happening.) Silence. Shocking. The big reveal leaves me speechless. I have no words. Actually, I do, but this review is long-winded enough that I'll just stop here. I've made it through 7+ chapters (33%). Although it looks like chapter 8 features how to use a spending record, and this chapter might actually get into a little more of the how-to (which is why we wanted to read the book in the first place, right?), I am not willing to waste more time on it. Save yourself the time and money from reading this book. Dave Ramsey with his "gazelle" intensity focus was much more succinct and to the point, even though he took a bit to get to the point in his book. Read online strategies from Ramsey or Ric Edelman, and save yourself a lot of pain from trying to get through this book.

Review # 2 was written on 2015-11-28 00:00:00 John Shedlock I nabbed this book on sale because my brain interpreted the title as being on how to build savings as well. I was a little surprised that it was basically a Debtors Anonymous guide, but here's the thing : everything he says about debt can be applied to saving. This book is excellent for diagnosing your personal resistances, for roadmapping your financial goals, and for promoting a non-sexist, egalitarian way to balance finances with household labor (including emotional labor!). Blew my mind. I'm glad I read it.