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85 reviews for:
The Tools: Transform Your Problems into Courage, Confidence, and Creativity
Phil Stutz, Barry Michels
3.45 AVERAGE
85 reviews for:
The Tools: Transform Your Problems into Courage, Confidence, and Creativity
Phil Stutz, Barry Michels
3.45 AVERAGE
Watch the documentary stutz to get a much better understanding of the Tools. I made the mistake of reading the book after watching the documentary while the documentary should have been enough.
I really like the guy from the documentary. I felt his integrity, empathy, light and passion coming through. So I was like, why not read about the tools to go deeper? I want the real version of this. The more academic the deeper version.
I was very disappointed. This is such a shallow book in so many ways. Starts with promise but abandons it very quickly. It is as if one was asking give me the Hollywood version of some established therapy tools, some self help stuff, a bit of woo woo and a sprinkle of patronising. Voila.
Having seen the documentary I have immense respect for Phil Stutz. I don’t think that this book is a good representation of his work. I wanted more I got less.
I was very disappointed. This is such a shallow book in so many ways. Starts with promise but abandons it very quickly. It is as if one was asking give me the Hollywood version of some established therapy tools, some self help stuff, a bit of woo woo and a sprinkle of patronising. Voila.
Having seen the documentary I have immense respect for Phil Stutz. I don’t think that this book is a good representation of his work. I wanted more I got less.
First of all, if you are not a Believer, you're going to have difficulties with this book and the tools found within. The authors do a kind of sneaky-Pete maneuver, sucking you in via the secular self-help standpoint, shifting into a hard-core spiritual stance about 3/4 of the way in. I wasn't surprised; all five of the tools are variations on principles arrived at by various spiritual traditions for the pursuit of a happy, meaningful, fulfilled life, i.e. one of service and gratitude.
Secondly, what probably works well in therapy—i.e., with regular, ongoing support—is going to be far harder to accomplish on your own, without help. Which is the case with any program of self-overhaul, of course. But with with more pedestrian changes—fitness, diet, physical skills, etc.—there's a ton of available routes for support; not so much with this.
Finally, I just flat-out disagreed with one tool, possibly two, as a sane method for change. The Reversal of Desire—basically, a way to kick your own ass out of torpor and into action—is mean. MEAN. I get that at a certain point, we need to screw our courage to the sticking place to, uh, murder Duncan. Or just to get shit done. But there's a big difference between putting on your Big-Girl Pants and whacking yourself on the bottom, even if it's all metaphorical. I feel somewhat similarly about the Jeopardy tool, which involves imagining yourself on your loser deathbed to motivate you now.
I waver between three and four stars here. There's a lot to like about the plan outlined here, and it's going to be exactly right for a sliver of the population. Don't want to discourage anyone from finding the help they need. I may even use one or two of the gentler tools. But I don't see myself adopting this soup-to-nuts.
Secondly, what probably works well in therapy—i.e., with regular, ongoing support—is going to be far harder to accomplish on your own, without help. Which is the case with any program of self-overhaul, of course. But with with more pedestrian changes—fitness, diet, physical skills, etc.—there's a ton of available routes for support; not so much with this.
Finally, I just flat-out disagreed with one tool, possibly two, as a sane method for change. The Reversal of Desire—basically, a way to kick your own ass out of torpor and into action—is mean. MEAN. I get that at a certain point, we need to screw our courage to the sticking place to, uh, murder Duncan. Or just to get shit done. But there's a big difference between putting on your Big-Girl Pants and whacking yourself on the bottom, even if it's all metaphorical. I feel somewhat similarly about the Jeopardy tool, which involves imagining yourself on your loser deathbed to motivate you now.
I waver between three and four stars here. There's a lot to like about the plan outlined here, and it's going to be exactly right for a sliver of the population. Don't want to discourage anyone from finding the help they need. I may even use one or two of the gentler tools. But I don't see myself adopting this soup-to-nuts.
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
I was initially encouraged as Phil wrote about his frustration in therapy with not being able to give his clients any actual help; this is how I have felt while in counseling. However, the tools themselves are a bit too new-age psychobabbly for me. I can go along with many of the descriptions of what's gone wrong with us, but the extensive visualization required to use the tools doesn't work for everyone. Jeopardy is the only tool that I expect to hold on to from this book.
This is the stuff cults are made of. The self-help in this book is nothing innovative; a lot of what you’ve read before. The difference here is that the authors say it will only work if you believe in the “Higher Force” and “The Source.” It’s one of those…. It only works if you have faith in it and put your trust in us. And, there will be more books, so this is just the beginning of your commitment to our teachings. And, the fact that they are therapists to the stars makes me think this is the next Scientology. A lot of the language in The Tools reminds me of the kind of language presented in [a:Amanda Montell|18005649|Amanda Montell|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1605313645p2/18005649.jpg]’s [b:Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism|55338982|Cultish The Language of Fanaticism|Amanda Montell|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1603741877l/55338982._SX50_.jpg|86301080].
reflective
made anki deck to remind me those imp ideas
This will probably take a few reads to cement in my brain. They took useful tips from many areas - the themes were familiar to those in zen theory, but were simplified to a practical approach.
While listening to this book was a good experience, I would not recommend doing this as an audiobook. I do believe that I will go back and reread this, book in hand. That way I can actually try the exercises and get more out of these "cosmic forces" they speak of.
Fascinating. I listened to the audiobook and felt a little restricted not having any margins to write in. Definitely will look for a copy I can keep for myself.