Tomes pertaining to the quest for success and how to improve your
lives are to publishing what sitcoms are to television. There
certainly is no lack of them, wherein it seems that every week some
author touts that he or she has the magic formula. The trick is to
separate the winning strategies from those that don't merit a
second look.
Roger Ellerton's Live Your Dreams Let Realty Catch Up distinguishes
itself and stands out from the rest with its original approach, as
it focuses on NLP (neuro-linguistic programming).
NLP originated in therapy, and it is now been applied in all areas
of human endeavor-education, health, sports, business and
interpersonal relations.
According to Ellerton, three basic elements comprise NLP: your
neurology-sense organs, or how you absorb information, linguistic
or the language that you use to recall and make sense of a
particular experience, and programming or your habits, patterns,
programs and strategies.
Succinctly summed up, the NLP communication model is about how you
make sense of the world around you and the behaviors you manifest
as a result of your personal interpretations. As pointed out, if we
know how to communicate better with ourselves and with others we
could live a more rewarding life.
Divided into eight chapters, the author provides the reader with
well-rounded advice and the tools necessary to implement NLP into
our daily lives. Beginning with establishing the underlying
foundation, Ellerton informs us that NLP is not just techniques,
but it is also discovering how and why people who are high
achievers accomplish what they actually set out to do. On the other
hand, it is a plan of action assisting you in ascertaining those
thinking and communication patterns preventing you from becoming
successful.
Five simple steps to success are enumerated: having an outcome,
taking action, using sensory acuity, flexibility and having a
physiology and psychology of excellence. These five principles are
explored in detail and are a recurring theme throughout the book.
A wealth of practical information, devoid of superficial and
trivial data occupies each of the subsequent chapters that delve
into personal insights pertaining to how to know yourself and
others, improving your communication skills, making personal
improvements, freeing yourself from the past, achieving what you
want in life and making a difference in business. Each section is
knit together into a cohesive whole, wherein the material is
presented in simple, accessible language that is not overwhelmed
with unnecessary technical jargon.
Suggestions are concise, detailed, and well-organized, intertwined
with examples, diagrams and exercises that help the reader
reinforce the principles of NLP. One point worthy of mention,
however, is that unfortunately the author did not include section
summaries-something that would have facilitated the retention of
the material. It would have also been useful to include a brief
bibliography.
Ellerton knows his subject matter and his passion both spiritually
and emotionally for NLP is contagious. Readers will be inspired
with practical and intelligent advice, and definitely worthy of
one's time to read and slowly digest the material contained in Live
Your Dreams Let Realty Catch Up. It is, as mentioned on the back
cover, a great resource for individuals, managers, coaches, parents
and for anyone looking for or assisting others with personal
changes.