HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2009-01-07, Page 20Page 20 The Huron Exposhor • January 7, 2009
9i
< •
N:*Xt."1'.•';4':_";;T;t::;!v•-
•
'
,:40.0.k=k;-!,7*VO •
Won Count: psychotherapist offers self-help -boo
, with, advice ..on `how to really change your life'
0.7 •427),44 : .
Dowinitme Milhurn
4111111SEMM
As the new year rolls in, so do New
Year's resolutions — a time when
most of us resolve to remedy one
aspect of ourselves that may be less
than ideal.
But changing even the smallest de-
tail of your daily routine is a some-
time arduous process, and many
people lose their grip on the goal
ahead.
Huron County psychotherapist
and author Norman Barlow is offer-
ing up some assistance.
Author of How to Really Change
Your Life, Barlow has ventured
off into the choppy waters of writ-
ten self -assistance manuals, but he
said that his approach is worthy Of a
read.
"This book is a MapQuest to ac-
complishing whatever it is you want
to achieve," said Barlow earlier .in
the month. "That's the book in a nut-
shell."
According to Barlow, that means
the book avoids the "heavy philoso-
phies," and "intense discussions and
ideas" around achieving goals in life,
and instead focuses on the practical
steps necessary in order to make de-
sires a reality. It's simply a how-to
guide, he said.
"I wrote the book because I was
frustrated with so many [self-help
guides] I had purchased that prom-
ised to give me a blueprint in order
to achieve my personal goals," he ex-
plained. "They turned out to be more
philosophical than anything else —
great for having deep conversations
over coffee, however they don't give
you a step-by-stepplan."
44:Ptee.4t3.‘
Norman Barlow
Barlow became an expert in the
self-help field before he switched on
his word processor to write How to
Really Change Your Life. A profes-
sional psychotherapist and speaker,
he has worked with individuals and
groups toward gaining insight into
"their purpose in life, and to tap into
their potential."
But it's his
own struggle with
self -dissatisfac-
tion that sets the
tone of the book.
Barlow chronicles
in short detail his
battle with the
• bulge— how he ap-
plied simple steps
to winning the
fight against ex-
tra body weight.
It's these
steps, he saicl,
that are univer-
sal to changing
any aspect of per-
sonal life.
"It's a collec-
tion of timeless
principles," he
said. "Some are
universal, some
learned through
experience work-
ing with many
different , people
in different walks
of life, combined
with my own
study of other
authors in the
field."
The book it -
1/4
'114.4
. ,
a
• colour photocopying • business cards • flyer design, printing, inserting, & mailing
• contact MaxEllickford at 519-527-0240. • seafort11®bowesnet.com
; , . ••• 4 •
'
•
•
7 '
splf is a modest 164
pages of straight to the
point strategy under
simple headings like;
Become Clear and Fo-
cused, Keep It a Secret,
and Consult a Success-
ful Role Model.
But Barlow said that
one of the simplest
things you can do to
start changing your life
is to ..stop focusing on
what you don't want,
and direct your focus on
what it is you do want.
"For many people, 77
per cent of our thoughts -
are negative in nature,
changing that is one of
the very first steps."
He admits its not
easy, though.
According to Barlow, -
it's typically only when
people experience "mas-
sive
pain," be it physi-
cal, or emotional, that
they come to a place that he calls
"the breaking -point."
"It's a place of power, where people
say to themselves that it is no longer
going to be this way. I'm going to do
whatever I can in order to make a
change." -
How to Really Change Your Life
has been around for more than a
year and has garnered Barlow some
rave reviews from community read-
ers.
"[After a speaking engagement]
one lady held up my book and said,
have this book— It's the only self-
help book you'll ever need.'"
He added that a local teacher has
introduced the book to her class as a
reading exercise.
Barlow said that he began work-
ing on the guide in 2005, however,
he adds he has been researching for
more than 20 years. -
His hard work and your could -be
guide to personal transformation is
available locally at Fincher's Book
Shop in Goderich as well as online
at wwvv.amazon.ca.
In partnership with shop owner
lbm Fincher, How lb Really Change
Your Life is available in-store for $5
below tie $15 retail cost to Volvo em-
ployees who are faced with job loss: -
and may be seeking another career
path.
Barlow said that the principles the
books contains can help guide read-
ers to find their' professional poten-
tial on the job -front.
For more information, you can visit
Barlow's Web site at www.norman-
. .7.
barlow. com
!1.
•
•
•
•
< 40' •