Summary of key concepts and findings

Live the Life You Love

According to Barbara Sher, "Nothing will make you happy but doing what you love," (p. 1). Her 1996 book, Live the Life You Love presents a self-help and motivational system focusing on helping people to discover and manifest their talents. At the outset, Sher asserts that traditional methods of positive thinking do not work. The author encourages a healthy acceptance of personal differences, urging her readers to not try to change the personality, but rather, to change ideas and concepts about the self. Sher's main motivation in writing Live the Life You Love is to help people listen to and manifest personal dreams. However, the book is not only a set of lectures; Sher provides her readers with proactive solutions and concrete exercises to complete throughout each chapter. These exercises are the heart of Live the Life You Love.

Barbara Sher's program for success entails recognizing and acknowledging individuality and uniqueness. She implores her readers to discover hidden talents, and more importantly, advises them how to apply those talents to the real world. The book is divided into ten lessons. In Lesson One, Sher describes the different types of motivation, reminding people that what motivates one person will not necessarily motivate another. For example, some people are more driven by competition, while others need gentle encouragement.

Lesson Two is devoted to networking and support systems. Entitled "Gather Your Allies," this section focuses on the importance of healthy relationships on the quest to live a more joyful life. Sher advises listening to sound advice from trusted allies and instructs her readers to seek solace and support during troubled times. One of the key elements in Sher's program is writing in a notebook and on index cards, and in this chapter, she reminds people to date all entries to better keep track of progress.

Lesson Three of Live the Life You Love is called "Understand Your Feelings." In this valuable chapter, Sher identifies key emotions, including "problem feelings" that come in the way of success or dream fulfillment. The author also offers several exercises that help the reader to identify and work with emotions, which can work either for or against personal fulfillment.

Lesson Four is entitled "Clear the Decks for Action," which refers to the cleansing of clutter. Sher elucidates the various functions that clutter serves, such as to provide the illusion of business or a sense of importance. Clearing clutter can therefore be a powerful emotional and mental release.