The Power of Self-Coaching: The Five Essential Steps to Creating the Life You Want

I'm pushing sixty. I've been in and out of therapy and have been reading self-help books all my life. I ordered this (the CD version) with little hope. Not much seems new anymore. Surprise! I was almost immediately engrossed. Luciani is wonderful. Using plain talk and simple analogies, he sums up what all the niche-marketers and long-winded "experts" are currently trying to sell us as "new." There's nothing new here. But Luciani's approach is refreshing, smart, and absolutely sane. If you want to make a change (or changes) in your life, "The Power Of Self Coaching" will absolutely make a difference in your approach and give you information and activities that will not only show you how to change, but will inspire you to change. How can anyone not love an author who wants his epitaph to read "I'd Rather Be Reading This"?

I think this is a helpful book. As self help books go I would say this is one of the better ones. I read the author's first book and then purchased this book. Initially I thought the information would be very similar to his first book but it isn't. In this book, the author offers the 5 step process and there are tips and helps through the first part of the book. It takes awhile to get to the actual 5 steps that are referred to on the cover of the book. Over half of the front part of the book is an analysis of issues, I don't think the author needed to spend that much on that subject for me. However, if this is the first book you are reading from this author then this information and analysis is helpful.

Dr. Luciani has written an amazing program that enables the reader to create the life they want. It is written in a fashion that can be grasped by virtually any reader. What good is a treasure map if one cannot understand the directions? And I do consider this book a treasure map with X `s throughout. You will find many treasures along this journey of Self-Coaching. The book progressed in an intelligent and purposeful manner that concluded with the grand prize of understanding `why'. Why do I do this? Why am I `stuck'? Why can't I succeed? Why? Why? Why? As I approached each new discovery, it was with a slap on my forehead! Why couldn't I see this before!? But what matters is what happens from here on out. Spirituality is not a focus in this program, but I have found personally that it enhances my spiritual experience. An important element of the program for me, because I don't fit the classic mold of any particular psychological label, but have traces of many, it was important to me that I could tailor his program to fit `me'. My experience with Self-Coaching has been nothing less than miraculous, and I've had many good, some great (published, and personal) teachers in my life. In my husband's words "Besides me, Self-Coaching is the best thing that has ever happened in your life". After nearly 28 years with me, he knows of which he speaks because he knows me better than any other living person, and has observed my comings and goings through the maze of `self-help' and `therapy-land'. Take it from one who has been around the block a few times......GET THE BOOK! You won't be sorry! Life is too short to miss the real thing! Harmony

A recent review of this book prompted me to add my two cents. I have read Dr. Luciani's book and feel that his techniques are truly unique and unlike any other self-help book I have read. I would definitely say that Dr. Luciani's approach is cognitive (more similar to Dr. Ahraham Low's seminal work than other CBT authors), however, I have no problem agreeing with the author when he says his insights were more intuitive, growing from his twenty-five years of work with his patients. Dr. Luciani's most significant contribution is his central, orienting thesis of control. From developmental roots of insecurity, there is an impetus to compensate through various controlling strategies (which, overtime become habits such as, worry, perfectionism, etc.). To me, this is truly a novel way of viewing struggle. Using this concept (along with the Self-Talk technique in the book), I have been able to dismantle a lifelong inclination toward worry, rumination, and anxiety. Trying to control life made it impossible for me to trust life or myself...until now!

I don't have depression or anxiety and I swear I will never go to a psychologist or psychiatrist. I rarely even go to regular doctors, but am slightly more convinced of the importance of dentists. Imagine my surprise when I found myself reading Dr. Luciani's book, realizing that many of the habits of insecurity and control could be found in my own life. I came across Dr. Luciani's philosophy of Self-Talk and his views on the habit-based nature of anxiety and depression on his website. Through reading his thoughtful and empathetic answers to truly troubled individuals seeking comfort and understanding, I was moved to read Dr. Luciani's articles and then to purchase The Power of Self-Coaching. I still won't go to a doctor, but Dr. Luciani's book made me realize that my lifelong anxiousness and fear of failure are habits that I can break through sustained positive affirmation. Self-Coaching is a great tool for everyone struggling to deal with the stress of modern families and careers, regardless of whether you have a diagnosis of anxiety or depression, or are just feeling nervy all of the time.