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Take up the challenge and change your thinking!
Have you ever been in a bookshop only to stumble across a book with a title that just stands out to be read! That happened to me recently, and the book in question was 'Change Your Thinking'.
Once I started reading it, I was hooked and couldn't put it down until I had finished it.
The author of 'Change Your Thinking' is Dr Sarah Edelman, a lecturer, trainer and psychologist in private practice here in Australia.
As indicated by the book's title, it is all about getting rid of those self defeating thoughts and behaviours that are holding you back from reaching your full potential.
'Change Your Thinking' is different from other self development books in a couple of outstanding ways.
First and foremost, it is easy to read.
Secondly, it contains a lot of excellent examples, mini-case studies and exercises to challenge the way that you currently think.
These examples, case studies and exercises clearly demonstrate how to put into practice each of the different psychological principles that are discussed throughout the book.
And to make sure that you are staying on track as you read through the book, the solutions to the exercises are published in the back of the book.
The content of the book is solidly based around the concept of cognitive behaviour therapy, which is frequently referred to by the acronym CBT.
According to Dr Edelman, CBT involves the use of two strategies, namely, cognitive strategies and behavioural strategies.
She explains that cognitive strategies 'involve learning to recognise the thoughts, beliefs and attitudes that make us feel bad, and reframing them into more realistic, psychologically healthy ways of thinking'.
She describes behavioural strategies as 'undertaking certain behaviours that help us to change the way we think and feel'.
The key, she says, is to experiment with 'new behaviours, such as confronting rather than avoiding situations that we fear or abandoning perfectionist behaviours; using assertive communication; practicing deep-relaxation techniques; problem solving; goal setting; utilising social support; and activity scheduling'.
Just looking at the titles of the different chapters within the book will give you an immediate feel for the book's contents. Examples of those chapter titles include:
• Overcoming frustration
• Managing anger
• Coping with anxiety
• Maintaining self-esteem
• Recovery from depression
• Taking charge
• Effective communication
• Being happy
'Change Your Thinking' has been described as a book that can provide its readers with 'positive and practical ways to overcome stress, negative emotions and self-defeating behaviour using CBT'.
Having read the book myself from cover to cover, I agree wholeheartedly with that summary of the book.
I agree too with Dr Sarah Edelman when she says that reading her book can help all of us to 'feel better in situations where we might otherwise feel bad. It can also help us to develop more of the traits that are associated with human happiness – a sense of control over our experiences, good self-esteem, optimism and greater willingness to take social risks and connect with people'.
Life is too short and precious to be weighed down by anxieties and frustrations that often are of our own making.
So why not take up the challenge to 'change your thinking' by reading this excellent book.
For more information about 'Change Your Thinking', or to purchase a copy, go to the relevant section of the 'ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Shop Online' site. To do so now, CLICK HERE