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I bet you’re saying huh? What in the world does that stand for? Hold that thought.
Books That Move You to Action
A little over a year ago I was browsing through Barnes & Noble when I came across a book that would forever change the way I see the world (yes this is a recurring theme on the blog).
It was the cover. The cover of the book was made out of beige and red material. It stood apart from the other books because of it’s quality. Someone had taken great care to produce this book. It said, “Buy Me”.
I pulled the book off the shelf, and found a corner to sit down and flip through it. But instead, I read it. Cover to cover. I read the entire book and then I started over again from the beginning. I loved everything about this book from the cover, to the glossy pages filled with meaningful and moving photographs, to the carefully selected quotes. But what I loved most was the message.
It wasn’t a radically new message, but it did give me a new language to describe something that I already believed, that we get what we focus on in life. That “just by shifting ever so slightly the way we see things” we can get more of what we want in life and less of what we don’t want. It was like Law of Attraction but based in Science. And that Science had a name, Asset-Based Thinking.
What is ABT?
ABT is the opposite of DBT. And DBT is how most of us currently face the world. DBT stands for Deficit-Based Thinking.
Let’s use a story from another book to illustrate the difference. In Soar With Your Strengths by Donald Clifton, the book opens with a parable about a school for animals. At this school, animals would learn how to Run, Jump, Swim, Climb and Fly. On the first day of school Rabbit was top of his class in both running and jumping, but when it came time for his swimming Rabbit didn’t even want to get in the water – and flying terrified him. That night Rabbit went home and told his parents that he didn’t think school was for him, but his parents just shook their heads and said: “That’s too bad, you’re going back tomorrow and you’re going to get a diploma”. The next day Rabbit went to see his school Counselor. He explained to the Counselor that he was struggling with Swimming and wanted to see if he could drop the class. The Counselor said, “well it looks like you’re doing great in Running. How about we take you out of running and put you into two period of swimming so that you can work on that instead?” Rabbit just groaned. That night Rabbit dreamed of a school where Rabbits did nothing but run, Birds did nothing but fly, Squirrels did nothing but climb trees, and Fish did nothing but swim. A place where you could spend every day concentrating on what you love and do best, instead of on your weaknesses. That’s ABT.
DBT puts the focus on improving weaknesses, and focuses on what’s not working. ABT, by contrast, let’s you focus on what you do best. It gives you a new set of tools for dealing with setbacks, disappointments, and anxieties. ABT focuses on what’s working, “it favors inspiration and aspiration over desperation”.
And that’s exactly what you’ll learn in Change The Way You See Everything Through Asset-Based Thinking. This book takes about 45 minutes to read cover to cover, but the ideas and applications could take a lifetime.
As a side note, one of the authors of CTWYSETABT is now on Twitter, Follow Hank Wasiak here. And watch Hank and Kathy describe ABT vs. DBT in the video to the right.
Have you read Change The Way You See Everything or Change The Way You See Yourself? I’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions below.
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Erica OGrady is the CXO of Peanut Butter Media. She is currently HOMELESS while working on a project called Twilight & Tea. Erica is a Writer, Adventurer, Explorer who Still Believes in Santa and Following Your Bliss -- For more information Text ERICAOGRADY to 50500
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So, by the end of that third paragraph I was green with envy and thinking to myself, “I never get to sit in a bookstore and just read an entire book spontaneously!” And then by the end of the post I was laughing at myself because I clearly need this book..and I just ordered it. While these aren’t new ideas this book sounds interesting if only because you *can* sit down and absorb it all in one sitting (I’ll wait until the kids go to bed). Also sounds like it could be a good book for journal writing prompts. Thanks for the recommendation.
Katherine – I know you'll love it. I'd love to hear your thoughts once you've read it!
Erica:
Wow, What a great post and it is indeed an honor and an inspiration to me to read your blog and your story. Thank you so much for letting us know how our book has helped you in your life. As an authors we put so much of our heart soul into creating a book like CTWYSE and it means so much to hear from a reader like you. Your post has brightened my life and it’s wonderful to have you as part of the ABT positive conspiracy.
Keep up the great work.
Hank Wasiak
Hank, it's completely my pleasure. The work you and Kathy have done has changed my life.
For me, graphic design was ABT, but marketing myself was DBT. Hence I no longer do graphic design.
Sounds like this book is right up my alley! Now if only I could force myself to put away the laptop and pick up a book once in awhile
I think most us techies have that problem these days. I feel your pain.
In mountain biking we are taught that our wheels go where we look.
But out nature hurtling down the mountain is to look at that big boulder (WHAM!) or that fallen log (YEOUCH)….
The trick is to keep focused on that 6-inch wide portion of clear patch no matter how big the boulders are. Then you can make the ride without injury.
I keep trying to apply to to life in general, so maybe this is a book I should hunt down. Thanks!
James – it's definitely one of those life-changing books. And I highly recommend it. Focus can be a tricky but powerful thing
Thanks for pointing me toward this book when we were at Powell's in Portland… and thanks for bringing it up again, it's due for another read!
Jeremy
My pleasure Jeremy. I totally forgot about that trip to Powell's. Thanks for reminding me of some awesome memories!!!
So I was having one of those weeks then I read this post. Thanks for this!
Went and bought the book and really enjoyed it. Like you I finished in in about half an hour cover to cover. It put a new twist on the rest of my week and helped me to change my restrictive thoughts over the last couple days.
Just the pick up and redirection I needed.
Thanks as always for your insight Erica
Dean
Dean – my pleasure. I've had lots of weeks like that lately. It's tough times for small business owners these days, and it's great to have a new perspective on things
Great post and video nailed it for me. Chief Bliss Officer of the Bliss Ring is a keeper!
Hey Jo-Lynne – just wait. There will be more on The Bliss Ring including a way for you to participate
It's the Fire In My Belly!
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