Road Rules: Be the Truck. Not the Squirrel. Learn the 12 Essential Rules for Navigating the Road of Life

I'll be the first to admit it was the title that drew me into reading this book... Road Rules: Be the Truck. Not the Squirrel. Learn the 12 Essential Rules for Navigating the Road of Life by Andrew J. Sherman. Just something comical (to me at least), comparing life skills to trucks and squirrels (and by extension, road kill). I wasn't sure he could keep the analogy of life being like driving throughout the whole book. But to my surprise, he actually pulled it off, and the result is a solid and unique way to look at personal life skills. Contents: Introduction Road Rule #1: Be the Truck. Not the Squirrel. Road Rule #2: Share the Road Road Rule #3: Happiness is a Clear Windshield Road Rule #4: Embrace Your Dashboard Road Rule #5: Pay Careful Attention to the Road Signs of Life Road Rule #6: Be Guided by Your Navigational System Road Rule #7: Don't Fear the Back Roads Road Rule #8: Be an All-Weather Driver Road Rule #9: Accidents Can Happen Even to the Best Drivers Road Rule #10: Objects in the Rearview Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear Road Rule #11: Life Is A Four-Way Intersection Road Rule #12: Don't Judge A Driver by His Vehicle Random Thoughts and Bumper Stickers Looking at the 12 rules, you can probably figure out relatively quickly where he's going with each analogy. For instance, a truck is a strong, durable vehicle that gathers momentum and is driven with a purpose. Squirrels, on the other hand, are running from place to place, eating acorns and minding their own business until they happen to wander into the path of a truck. Road kill! Sherman starts from this point to guide you through actions and mindsets that place you in the position of becoming a truck on the road of life rather than the smushed squirrel at the side of the road. I was personally impacted by rule #7. Not fearing the back roads shows how you often need to change paths and take alternative routes to get where you're going. It may be that the established path is taking too long, or perhaps there's an accident that has brought your progress to a halt. Unless you are willing to look for a different road to your destination, you're going to be stuck (or severely delayed) and prevented from reaching your destination. Something I have to keep reminding myself of... Sherman does an excellent job in drawing applications from various and diverse sources. He may go from classic spiritual passages to modern pop music lyrics all in the space of a paragraph. But instead of looking like random thoughts, he does successfully tie them into a cohesive message. If you've read other personal improvement books, Road Rules will not offer up any deep mystical truths that you've never encountered before. But what it *will* do is remind you of important truths that will change your mindset next time you turn the key and pull out of your driveway.

I'm not the type to usually a get book like this. In fact, I was a bit cynical at first as to whether this book could offer anything truly of substance. However, I was quickly more than pleasantly surprised to see how insightful this book actually is. It offers concrete advice and really trains you how to get your chaotic life back on track. As someone who knows what 'hectic' means as I have to juggle with finishing up university, working a part time job, managing a serious relationship and leading a community youth group, I know what it's like to have life become overwhelming. I personally benefitted from this book and highly recommend it for everyone else!

Every once in a while I read a book that just "clicks" with me. Road Rules is one of those books. Andrew Sherman has written a book that reminds us of the simple rules for living a good life in an honest, straight-forward and entertaining way. His use of road signs, lyrics and other cues that we see and hear every day in our cars is a unique way to relate the truisms that we all know we should adopt in our lives - but are sometimes too busy to make the time for. I recommend getting this book for drivers from 16 to 116.

This is a great book for anybody who wants to get ahead in life! Mr. Sherman relays life's lessons in an informative yet entertaining style. It's interesting how you can take something as simple as the operation of a car and translate it into life's experiences. I thoroughly enjoyed this book will be sure to get a few copies for Christmas gifts. Now I'm ready to "Share The Road" with my fellow drivers!

A book not to miss, with great compassion and insight into the human condition, Andrew Sherman provides essential wisdom, insight and concrete tips to enhance the ways we each pursue our individual life journeys and goals at any age and situation. An excellent read, if you only have time for one personal and professional development book this year, this is the one. Sherman surprises us by how much he can pack into a single volume. Especially relevant as we self-assess during this time of year and in the current economic climate, Road Rules is a must read, providing a framework by which we can live and thrive.