Steve Chandler's powerful motivational book, 17 Lies That Are Holding You Back & the Truth That Will Set You Free, is a book
that many will find life-changing. Its purpose is to expose the
societal and personal lies that "hold people back." One might
very well ask: "Back from what?" The answers, as the book
explains, are many. Life is full of dreams and decisions that
call us forward. But for some people, those dreams are never
fulfilled and those decisions never made. Chandler uses personal
and anecdotal evidences to explaining the subtle life-denying
power of these lies.
Motivational books are often challenging. And books that
challenge us to open or change our minds are a hard read. Some
readers might dismiss a few of these lies as not applicable to
them. Or plain not true. But if they are willing to accept
Chandler's challenge -- and challenging this book most definitely
is -- they will discover, happily or unhappily, that their own
minds have accepted some lies. The nicotine-addicted chainsmoker
might disagree when Chandler knocks Lie #9 ("The longer I have a
habit, the harder it is to break.") off its pedestal. They might
want to show him medical evidence that proves the addictive
nature of cigarettes. Satisfied that they have proven him wrong,
they may not feel motivated to simply decide not to pick up the
next cigarette.
Chandler's contention is that many people subconsciously or
unwittingly are lying to themselves. The lies are many but they
share a common denominator: they are often crutches used to make
people's lives easier. And why, Chandler asks, do we want an
easy life when self-esteem, joy, fullness of life and inner
strength often come from doing what is difficult. Chandler is a
motivator and therefore an optimist. His writing is honest,
direct and often personal. Chandler gently -- he is not a
judgmental or harsh author -- skewers these popular excuses and
crutches.
For instance, in the chapters dedicated to Lie #5 ("I don't have
the time.") Lie #6 ("There's nothing I can do") and #15 ("That's
just the way I am") Chandler shows the spiritual, emotional and
physical benefits people get when they hold to these self-
pitying, self-righteous, and self-justifying excuses. Other
lies, like Lie #16 ("What doesn't kill me makes me stronger") and
#8 ("I'm sadder now but wiser.") seem wistful and romantic. But
in describing the power of Lie #16 on his own early writing
career, Chandler shows that unthinking romantic emulation of a
"hard-drinking" writer's life can be quite dangerous.
17 Lies That Are Holding You Back & the Truth That Will Set You Free, is a mere 237 pages. And yet it is full of life-changing
insights that will give those readers motivated and unmotivated
alike food for thought. Many readers will argue with Chandler at
every turn. And yet, because his insights are well-reasoned and
stay with the reader long after the book is finished, even these
readers will be find that many of their future actions and
choices have been changed because of the book. This excellent
book, which also comes in audiobook format, is highly
recommended.