Take Control: Master the Art of Self-Discipline and Change Your Life Forever

We know what we have to do to have a better life, but too often we don't know how to get it. We're distracted by the "follow your bliss" mind-set and forget that if something is worth having, it's worth working for. I used to think I had no self-discipline, but this book helped me realize that we all have it; it is a skill that can be honed. Being the cheapskate I am, I borrowed the book from the library. After I checked it out for the 4th time, I realized it was worth purchasing. I re-read sections now and then for re-enforcement. Janke isn't the most eloquent writer, but that's a plus in this book. You're not getting a bunch of pretty words -- you're getting hard hitting and practical advice on how to take control of your life. While some of it may be fairly commonplace, the way he presents it -- relating it to his experiences as a Navy Seal -- makes is very powerful.

As the mother of 4 kids, grandmother to 7, and owner of my own business I have the opportunity to read many self-improvement books and see tons of speakers. I saw Mr.Janke speak at a Borders store here in Chicago and I have never been the same since. Take Control is the single most effective book about responsibility, character, discipline, and over-achieving in life on the market today. I have since purchased 20 books for my employees and one for each of my children. Truly a book that you should keep on your shelve and pass along to others. I hope to see more from this author and wish we could get this book into schools.

Like the previous reviewer, I've been a fan of Mike's work since his reading his book "Power Living" and listening to his tapes (he also has videos coming out by the way). I devoured this book practically in one sitting. Mike's viewpoint that self-discipline is truly the path to taking control of your life is dead-on, and he proves it not only on every page of this book, but by the way he lives his life (I've come to know Mike over the past few months, and he's one of the nicest guys around). This book re-ignited my inspiration to improve my life and my business, and has given me some great tools to help me along the way. I especially liked the chapter on Professional Discipline...but the book also has some excellent info on exercise and nutrition. Another nice thing about this book is that it encourages the reader to be self-reliant. Mike doesn't pretend to have all the answers, like a lot of self-improvement gurus. He just gives you the tools, and shows you the quickest path from here to there.

This was a truly inspiring read. I became a fan of this author after ordering his first book, Power Living, as well as his audiotapes. Janke's basic premise is simple, and what you would expect from an ex-Navy seal-by using the power of our mind to discipline our body and our attitudes, we can control our own destiny. This may seem the stuff of your average book in this genre, but Janke equips the reader with the tools to accomplish the goals of this book. I partcularly liked the "take control" tips, "mission debriefs" and "100 Secrets for Power Living" which will come in handy when I pick this book up again. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a no gimmick approach to taking control of their life.