Category: Just Like That

Book Review of “Just Like That!” by AussieAuthors

Published on by Janet
Just Like That! Front Cover
Scroll down the Sidebar at Left to Buy "Just Like That !" on Amazon or on this site

When I posted the news of the first review of “Just Like That!” (by ReaderViews) I wrote:

“Right now I’m fully immersed in the marketing of the book. Somehow the world has to learn “Just Like That!” is available right? And well worth reading! Marketing is new for me, I don’t have a publicist (yet?) and I don’t have a marketing team.”

That was a month ago and while marketing is still new for me, I’ve since acquired a publicist and a marketing team! We start working together next month; I’m thrilled and this adventure keeps getting better.

The review of “Just Like That!” from AussieAuthors.com is below. Cheryl Wright from Aussie Authors is another helpful, friendly person I’ve met on this journey. The review is by Warren Thurston.

Review of Just Like That! How to Get Anything You Want

Author: Janet Poole

Author’s Website: www.janetpoole.com

Published with assistance of Love of Books www.loveofbooks.com.au

ISBN Aus:       9780980877502 (pbk)

ISBN USA:      9781439280607 (pbk)

Janet Poole’s book took me on a journey I wasn’t expecting. It was a journey that enabled me to discover parts of myself I didn’t know existed. Her book gave me the courage to make a decision that has plagued me since 1985. And that is do I or don’t I take the plunge and publish my own children’s writing. Following her guidance in chapter five about challenges and the powerful opportunities they open up for you, I feel confident that I can achieve my goal of publishing my own work.

The most important point that the author makes is that loving yourself is essential, if you want to help yourself and others. Until you can love yourself for whom you are, then your mind and body are consumed by negative thoughts. By loving yourself you open your mind to new ways of looking at life in a positive light. This love of oneself in turn flows outwardly to embrace those around you with love and to help them in a positive way.

What Janet Poole has articulated in fine detail is that by not letting go of demons that tell us that self love is degrading and selfish, keeps the body in a sluggish state. One that gives our body a false sense of security, where it uses negative thoughts as a security blanket. It’s like telling oneself, “If I sit here and don’t move nothing can harm me.” But if a person allows themselves to stay in an immobile mental state, they will never expand their knowledge of life. To expand knowledge you first must expand knowledge of yourself.

The summaries and exercises that are included at the end of each chapter I found to be an excellent idea. They reinforced the sometimes difficult ideas that the author was attempting to get across. I found the book was set out quite well and it made it easier to progress down the self discovery path. Doing what you love is not selfish; it is the key to becoming all knowing in the quest for knowledge of oneself and all things in the universe.

Another point the author makes quite well is that you alone are responsible for your life, and you cannot blame someone else for your life. Self-pity feels good momentarily, but it means that we are avoiding responsibility, and it shuts down our power. In today’s world we should always avoid the herd mentality; you should always choose what is good for you.

Readers who approach this book with an open mind will discover a wealth of information that enables them to see themselves in a new light. They shall see that they themselves have control over how life treats them. The real person who resides inside all of us can pave the way to true enlightenment and self fulfillment, no matter what our goals may be. This, as the book so richly describes is not selfish, it leads the way to helping others.

Janet Poole’s book is not one that can be read once and put away. It is a reference for life that each additional reading will enhance the understanding of oneself and the world one exists in. Those readers willing to take on new ways of thinking will find this book, as I did a revelation as to what makes us human.

I found this book to be one of the best I have read on the topic of self discovery, and highly recommend it to those seeking out new knowledge.

Reviewed by Warren Thurston
– Children’s Author

Link to AussieAuthors for “Just Like That!” review :

Why Mainstream Thinking Gives You Mainstream Results

Published on by Janet
“Time to Think Outside the Box”

Avoid mainstream thinking.

That is, if you want a happy life and to get what you want.

Rise above it.

“The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. 

If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. 

But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.”

Friedrich Nietzsche (German philosopher, poet, composer 1844 – 1900)

It’s  Time to Think for Ourselves

Many people believe the masses are correct i.e. mainstream thinking. “If everyone is doing it, it must be okay.” Wrong. Mainstream thought is filled with potholes. It is mostly the media, the government and our friends who tell us what to think. We no longer think for ourselves and that should trouble us.  Does this mean many people have become robotic? Do you hang out with the latest topic of the media? It’s likely all our beliefs are being manipulated. What about you? What do you think?

“The man who reads nothing at all is better educated

than the man who reads nothing but newspapers.” 

~~ Thomas Jefferson (Third US President and principal author of US Declaration of Independence 1743 – 1826)

I saw a well-written article a year ago about mainstream thinking on the site www.dailyreckoning.com and thought it explained the concept well. A site intended for investors, but the article applies to life in general. Although the article is a year old, it still applies today. In fact unfortunately for us, this article applies to the last several hundred years and will continue to unless we change. Here is an excerpt.

 Successful Investing in a Market Dominated by Groupthink

By Eric Fry

09/09/10 Laguna Beach, California – Mainstream thinking tends to produce mainstream results. The outliers of human behavior and consequence – for better or for worse – tend to reside outside of the mainstream…out on the thin tails of the probability curve.

Out on those distant tails, you might find the creative genius of a Bill Gates or a Thomas Edison…or of that Chinese guy who invented gunpowder. On the other side of the curve, you might find the incomprehensible perspective of a Pol Pot or a Hernando Cortes…or of that woman who underwent 31 operations over 14 years so that she could look like “Barbie.”

Then, occasionally, you find those individuals like Vincent van Gogh who were so idiosyncratic that you can’t really say which thin tail they would occupy.

But, by definition, most of us live our lives where most of us live our lives – i.e., somewhere near the mainstream. That’s mostly a good thing. It is safe, comfortable, and conducive to a lengthy and well socialized existence. Out on the Serengeti, for example, the “outliers” usually become lunch…or if they’re lucky, dinner, a little later in the day.

But mainstream thinking and mainstream behavior also possesses a very dark side. It lacks insight. It shuns self-examination. It repels intellectual honesty and creativity. Mainstream thinking, therefore, can sometimes nurture more detritus than a petri dish; more dysfunction than a sanitarium. In Ages past, mainstream thinking has nurtured idiocies as innocuous as the periwig or as horrific as the virgin sacrifice.”

It requires courage to think for yourself; to be an independent thinker. But it delivers the richest rewards. Deep down most people are concerned about encountering disapproval from those around them, becoming ‘lunch’ on the Serengeti for the mainstream thinkers; people who tow the line.

How to Be an Independent Thinker and Not Become ‘Lunch’ Continue reading “Why Mainstream Thinking Gives You Mainstream Results” →

Why Acquiring Knowledge Gives You Confidence and a Happier Life

Published on by Janet4 Comments

Spirituality is reaching frenzied new heights.
It seems that way.

Are you someone who wonders what all the fuss is about?

When I say ‘spirituality’, this is vastly different to religion. Worlds away.

The idea of spirituality encourages freedom of thought and action by following your own unique path to understanding life and forging a way to happiness. Religion usually encourages one to follow rules.

“Awakening begins when a man realizes that he is going nowhere

and does not know where to go.”

Georges Gurdjieff  (Influential spiritual teacher of early 20th century 1866 – 1949)

Many people still struggle to make sense of life, some are bored, some frustrated, some sad and distressed. That’s the main reason I wrote the book “How to Get Anything You Want – Just Like That!”.

Why Do So Many People Still Struggle to Make Sense of Their Life

A strong spiritual “muscle” makes it easier for you to have a happy life.

Your spiritual muscle turns life’s confusions into clarity, and the darkness into light. And once you have clarity and light, you have greater confidence; something you’ll always keep.

For many their spiritual muscle is sluggish and under developed.

You’ve heard the term “use it or lose it”, the more you exercise a muscle the stronger it gets. It is the same with your spiritual muscle.

How do You Strengthen Your Spiritual Muscle?

All it takes to start is to put in a little effort to acquire knowledge about life.

While it is most helpful for you to learn about how life works, how thought works, the brain, body, emotions etc, if that doesn’t yet appeal, then start by acquiring any knowledge that is new to you.

“Life” after all is everything, so your topic can be anything.

The idea is to get yourself to open to new ideas and acquire new knowledge.

“If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a man will have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability.”

Henry Ford (1863 – 1947)

How do You Acquire Knowledge?

You may have found yourself wondering how something works, how to develop your skill in a certain part of your life, or to explore a new hobby.

If so follow-up on it.

Otherwise discuss ideas with a friend or choose a moment to contemplate.

If it’s hard to find time to contemplate, use moments such as before you get out of your car at home. Sit there for a few minutes pondering life.

Effort? Uh Oh.

As with exercising your body, you need a little effort to exercise your spiritual muscle.

If it’s been underutilized it will probably need a little coaxing and this is normal.

Stick with it. The rewards are HUGE, so it’s worth doing.

“Those at the top of the mountain didn’t fall there.”

Author Unknown

The first step is the hardest but the good news is that the spiritual muscle has hidden secrets. Continue reading “Why Acquiring Knowledge Gives You Confidence and a Happier Life” →

How to Stop Criticism…Going Out & Coming In

Published on by Janet1 Comment

Free as a BirdEver wished you could stop criticizing others?

And wondered why you do it?

And of course on the flip side, we all love receiving a compliment.

Read on for an interesting way to accept others… and attract praise.

“Like the sky opens after a rainy day we must open to ourselves…. Learn to love yourself for who you are and open so the world can see you shine.”

James Poland

1) How to Stop Criticizing Others

Until you accept yourself for who you are, your enthusiasm for criticism will continue. The reason? You’re seeing yourself in others; you’re seeing your ‘flaws’.

We all have flaws and they’re okay, but because we deem flaws unacceptable we criticize. You only have one reality – yours. Everything is about you. It’s easy to criticize because we mistakenly take ourselves out of the situation and forget everyone has flaws, we included. So we sit in judgment of the other person, thinking it’s all about them, when it’s always all about us.

We consider ourselves spotless and above it all. However don’t blame or chastise yourself. Use this only to learn, and blame no-one.

Once you choose to accept yourself for who you are, flaws and all, you consequently accept others for who they are flaws and all. You develop compassion for others. They therefore stop pressing your buttons. Why? You move into what you think.

I accept me = I accept you.

Simple. Problem solved.  That was easy…

“You’re born an original.  Don’t die a copy.”

John Mason (Author of several motivational books)

2) How to Stop Others Criticizing You

It’s all very well to say we shouldn’t care what others think, but if you don’t like being criticized then the easiest way to nail it is to Continue reading “How to Stop Criticism…Going Out & Coming In” →

Book Review of Just Like That! by ReaderViews

Published on by Janet
Just Like That! Front Cover
Scroll down the Sidebar at Left to Buy "Just Like That!" on Amazon or on this site

Go for what you want. If you’re drawn towards a certain activity or direction in life go for it, regardless of how illogical it may seem. That’s what I suggest to readers in the book “Just Like That! How to Get Anything You Want” (the reasons for that are in the book!).

I’m doing exactly that in my life and part of that journey involved the writing of this book, the publishing of it and now of course the marketing. Each phase has given me amazing new experiences and understandings about life and who I am and has propelled, okay sometimes forced, me to grow. And I’m pleased with my progress. Some of the stuff I’ve discovered – both about myself and life – has been unexpected to say the least.

The New World of Marketing

Right now I’m fully immersed in the marketing of the book. Somehow the world has to learn “Just Like That!” is available right? And well worth reading 😉 ! Marketing is new for me, I don’t have a publicist (yet?) and I don’t have a marketing team. It’s just me but I’m keen and there are so many opportunities it’s almost overwhelming – in a good way for sure. And hence a few delays in posting new articles. But I love learning and I’m having the time of my life with this project, also meeting many helpful, friendly people along the way. I could easily work 24x7and assume this is the case for most authors who are as passionate as I am about the contents of their book.

Helpful Friendly People are Always There For You

One of those helpful people has been Irene Watson of www.readerviews.com. Irene is welcoming and supportive and quickly responds to all e-mails (with smiley faces all over the place). Irene has taken what can be a serious business – book promotion – and made it light-hearted and fun like it should be. See all her other helpful websites at the link above.

This week the first review of my book arrived from www.readerviews.com by Paige Lovitt (thank you Paige) and here it is:

You can also read the book review on Scribd and see more about the book “Just Like That!”. You can buy the book from Amazon or on this site via PayPal if you live in Australia (see buttons at left).