Drop: Making Great Decisions - Book Review

Title: Drop: Making Great Decisions; Use Neuroscience to Retrain Your Brain and Make Better Life Choices

Author: Dr. Helen McKibben

Publisher: Feelings Management Press

Publication Date: May 14, 2024

Length: 167 Pages

About the Author
Dr. Helen McKibben's approach to counseling combines the study of the body, the brain, and the connection between them. She created the technique of dropping to the blank screen because she saw two significant, recurring needs in her clients: First, to learn how to manage triggered feelings, and second, to understand why her clients felt the way they did. Dr. McKibben has a doctorate degree in psychology and thirty-five years of clinical work.

New Definition of Self-Esteem
Traditionally, self-esteem has been defined as whether a person likes himself or not. However, Dr. McKibben defines self-esteem as the ability to listen to one's first instinctual thought, feeling, or idea and make independent decisions. High self-esteem allows you to look inward for guidance rather than relying on others to shape your thoughts, feelings, and actions.

This book demonstrates how to use the "Drop to the blank screen" method to pause and respond with how you feel, what you observe, or what you want to do, instead of deferring to others. Developing high self-esteem can transform how you see yourself and how others interact with you. With insights into how self-esteem affects all our decisions, this book offers a comprehensive guide to making better choices in life.

My Thoughts
This book provides a great deal of insight into the importance of self-esteem in our decision-making process. The author provides detailed information on how to "Drop to the blank screen" in the following situations:

• Improve sleep
• Increase self-confidence
• Become a more effective parent
• Enhance athletic performance
• Attract healthier friends and partners
• Heal addictions
• Handle disruptive people

Dropping to the blank screen is more than a simple relaxation or meditation technique. Dr. McKibben teaches us how to respond to people thoughtfully instead of just reacting.  By using memory retrieval and decision-making, the method aims to convert emotions into responses based on high self-esteem and the ability to lead a fulfilling life. 

I have already started using this technique in communication with family members and friends. IT WORKS!!! There are many parts of the book that I will reread and study to use the method most effectively. 

UPDATE: I purchased the audiobook edition of this book on Audible. Dr.McKibben does an excellent job narrating the book and explaining the "Drop" technique. The interviews with clients really come alive in the audiobook. I have been gradually learning this technique and it is making a difference in the way I communicate with others. 

My Rating: 5 Stars Out of 5

FYI - Thank you to Stephanie Barko, the author's publicist, for sending me an Advanced Reading Copy to review.

There is Always Enough Time for Courtesy

 

Title: It Begins With Please and Doesn't End With Thank You; Transforming Business Etiquette Into Sales Performance

Author: Edwin P. Baldry

Publisher: River Grove Books

Publication Date: October 19, 2021

Length: 260 Pages

About the Author
Edwin P. Baldry is CEO and co-founder of EPBComms, an international enterprise that connects the worlds of business communications and financial technology.

Be Courteous, Kind, and Genuine
Do good manners and etiquette make a difference in business and in all interpersonal relationships?
YES, THEY DO! The author explains how good manners pertain to the core practices, principles, and protocols of business and sales.

My Thoughts
The target audience for this book appears to be business and sales professionals. However, there is plenty of valuable information here for the improvement of all communication skills and just getting along with other people.

Mr. Baldry gives many examples from his own sales career about how the use of good manners gave him an advantage over his competition. It is all about building relationships.

This book provides specific pandemic protocols that can be used in remote communications. There are practical guidelines for etiquette when using social media platforms.

I loved a poignant story the author told at the beginning of Chapter 17. He made a sales call at UPS and later sent a handwritten note to thank the young professional for seeing him. The recipient of the note pinned the letter up in his cubicle and it was still there months later when Mr. Baldry returned for another visit. The author believes people are starved for personalized touches like this and they will hang onto them.

This is a well-written book with practical examples of how to use good manners and etiquette in everyday life. There is always enough time for courtesy!

MY RATING: 5 STARS OUT OF 5

FYI ~ I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley to read and review.

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Michael Hyatt Launches Platform University

Michael Hyatt has worked in the book publishing industry for most of his career. He got his start while a student at Baylor University and has since worked in every aspect of book publishing. He was CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers from 2005 - 2011.

In 2012, Mr. Hyatt wrote Platform; Get Noticed in a Noisy World - A Step-by-Step Guide for Anyone With Something To Say or Sell. This book has been a tremendous success and has helped thousands of people develop a platform for their business or cause.

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I signed up for Platform University because I think this is an excellent opportunity to increase my knowledge and experience for a very reasonable price. I am 100% in and plan to give this my best effort.

You can sign up for Platform University during the Early Bird Registration period for $20.00 a month. The price goes up to $25.00 a month on January 30. You can end your membership at any time. (This is not an affiliate link ~ I will not get any compensation for your membership.)

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