Life's 2% Solution: Simple Steps to Achieve Happiness and Balance

As I was introduced to the simple yet profound process Marcia Hughes details in this book I realized that the 2% solution was EXACTLY what I needed to be reading at this time in my life! Thank you Marcia for the gift of this book! I am 100% certain that by following "The 10 Step Action Plan" detailed on page 27 that I will accomplish the personal goal I have set for myself (my 2% project) and begin to achieve more balance and happiness in my life. I am detemined as a result of the inspiration from this book to stop "stringing and unstringing my instrument" and to start "playing my song"! A great gift for anyone who is looking to create a more meaningful and rewarding life. For a client, a coworker or the numerous friends all hitting those milestone birthdays I will definately share this with others!

Yeah! This book gave me permission to devote 2% of my time (doesn't it seem silly to even think twice about that?) doing something important to me. A working mom, I know that taking care of myself and my needs makes me a better person both personally and professionally. Yet there never seems to be enough time. Life's 2% Solution showed me how to find the time I need and make it count. This book isn't a magic pill -- you have to stick with it and implement on your own, but it was an enjoyable read with lots of great examples and exercises. I'm recommending it to all of my friends.

Too often I find myself actually believing that all the noise of life is real. Finding the perspective to step back and focus on that which is truly important is much harder than it should be. Ms. Hughes' approach of devoting just 2% of one's time to one's true passion seems too simple to to work. However, I'm inspired to give it a trial. Deep insight into finding and following life's passion coupled with a readable style and engaging anecodotes make this a must read for anyone searching for calm and direction. I'm looking forward to Ms. Hughes' next work!

It was very exciting to me to realize that I could spend 2% of my time every day on something that is precious to me and not just feel thrilled myself, but be a better mom and more effective at work. Half an hour a day is just the right amount--long enough to get focused and make a little progress, but not so long that I feel guilty. Somehow it feels like playing hookey and I love it!! I'm getting up half an hour early and writing down the amazing stories my grandfather used to tell about growing up in rural Ireland. After that I can face the day more relaxed with a sort of smug feeing inside knowing I've already accomplished something that really matters.

Not only one of the most intelligent and insightful personal improvement books available, Life's 2% Solution masterfully tackles real life problem areas which other books of this ilk self-righteously avoid. While many self-help books leave one feeling briefly inspired only to hopelessy return to the duldrum of daily life and the ever present feeling that change would be nice but ultimately requires more effort than one is able or willing to give, Marcia Hughes makes no pretense about the possibilities of change. Her solutions are simple enough for a child to grasp yet valid enough for an expert. The reader can leave this book feeling a new kind of inspiration about life change - not a pipe dream but a real plan that will work as it does not require the reader to completely change everything in their life "cold turkey." The reader is given litte things they can do each day whose benefit is so obvious they could not be ignored. While many books appear to be a publisher's quick answer to a certain niche, Hughes' book is an act of compassion that was obviously a lifetime in the making. One of the few books available to solve the problem of how to actualize oneself in a world of rigid compliance.