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Amazon Price: $15.95 (as of August 28, 2012 5:57 pm ?
This life-changing handbook by best-selling author Cheryl Richardson offers you 12 strategies to transform your life one month at a time. Designed as a practical, action-oriented program, each chapter challenges you to alter one behavior that keeps getting you in trouble.
The book is filled with personal stories of how Cheryl and others have learned to make the practice of Extreme Self-Care their new standard for living. With chapters such as ?End the Legacy of Deprivation,? ?Take Your Hands off the Wheel,? ?The Absolute No List,? and ?Does That Anger Taste Good?? you will stop the endless cycle of self-betrayal and neglect that stems from daily violations of self-care.
Each chapter includes a relevant resource section that offers books, Websites, audio programs, podcasts, and more should you want to explore a particular topic further.
The Art of Extreme Self-Care is a sane and sensible program that gives you the permission you need to dramatically upgrade your life!
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Product Details
- File Size: 183 KB
- Print Length: 136 pages
- Publisher: Hay House (January 1, 2009)
- Sold by: ?Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
- Language: English
- ASIN: B000SGMXMY
- Text-to-Speech: Enabled
- X-Ray: Not Enabled
- Lending: Enabled
Customer Reviews
A Gem
?February 9, 2009
By Norma Lehmeierhartie
I first became acquainted with Cheryl when I worked at Wainwright House and took one of her classes there. The warmth and energy that she exuded as a teacher is found in her new book. The Art of Extreme Self-Care: Transform Your Life One Month at a Time, by Cheryl Richardson is a short book?just over 100 pages?but it is just packed with great information. Just as she has de-cluttered her home, Richardson has presented a thoughtful book without any fluff, just substance.In 1994, Richardson saw a coach, Thomas Leonard, who introduced her to the concept of Extreme Self-Care. Extreme self-care is for women like Richardson once was; women who took on the role of caretaker to their detriment. She writes: ?I was a good girl, and it was sucking the life out of me.?
The following are some of the concepts of Extreme Self-Care:
* Surround yourself with people who give and take
* Eliminate clutter
* Create a soul-nourishing work and home environment
* Get finances in order
* Don?t make commitments based on guilt or obligation
* Make pleasure a priority
There are 12 chapters and Richardson encourages the reader to tackle one chapter a month.
Each chapter is filled with her personal stories. It is obvious Richardson has worked through each chapter herself. She even presents her own list of things she will never do, for example.
She wrote about her experience on Oprah with Louise Hay and others on the subject of the Law of Attraction. Hay recommended looking in the mirror and saying ?I love you? to yourself every day. Richardson liked the advice and writes about her experience doing that in the book.
As an interior designer who knows how important the environment is on the well-being of the occupants, I really enjoyed her chapter on this subject. She writes about creating a soul-loving space: ?The power of being in a space that feels fully aligned with our soul is sorely underrated.? Amen!
Richardson spends most of the chapter discussing how to get rid of clutter?even going as far as saying remove 50% of it. She suggests de-cluttering one often-used room first to experience the difference it makes on how you feel. Excellent advice.
Each chapter concludes with resources for further reading, all good choices.
By the author of the award winning book, HARMONIOUS ENVIRONMENT: BEAUTIFY, DETOXIFY & ENERGIZE YOUR LIFE, YOUR HOME & YOUR PLANET.
Highly inspirational guide to self-care
?December 14, 2008
By Kara D. Lane "Author, Wake Up to Powerful Living"
Cheryl Richardson has written a beautiful and uplifting book on the power of self-care. Not only do her words inspire, but so do the wonderful pictures of the ocean throughout the book.Some people may think ?extreme self-care? sounds like a selfish concept; but as Cheryl explains, when we learn to care for ourselves deeply, we naturally begin to care for others in a healthier and more effective way. In fact, if we always put others first out of guilt or obligation, it can lead to resentment which doesn?t benefit us or those we love.
Throughout the book, she shows us through personal stories what obstacles stand in the way of self-care. For instance, she notes she used to be an ?automatic yes machine? when people asked for help because she wanted people to like her and she didn?t want anyone to disapprove of her. She learned the hard way why that doesn?t work and offers tips on how to respond to requests for help through a 3-step process of (1) buying some time, (2) doing a gut check, and (3) telling the truth directly with grace and love if it is necessary to say no.
This is a short and wonderful book that provides 12 ways to practice self-care, gives examples of each, issues a 30-day challenge for each principle and offers additional resources at the end of each chapter. It would make a great gift for yourself or someone you love.
Extremely Divine
?December 8, 2008
By Dave Carpenter "Peak Performance Scholar"
Cheryl Richardson and her publisher, Hay House, have created a beautiful book, filled with exceptional wisdom, and perfectly timed.Because I had listened to the audio summary which was released before the book, I knew I would love Cheryl Richardson?s latest book. I had so thoroughly enjoyed the audio CD set (see my separate review). But, my high expectations were surpassed when the book arrived and I experienced the physical beauty of this book. This book has the look of a coffee table style book with wisdom that exceeds the norm for such books. As such, this will make a wonderful holiday gift (and a bargain at that).
Far more important than the beautiful packaging is Cheryl?s wonderful message that is perfectly timed to arrive at a moment when so many people are stressed by the economic meltdown and all of its consequences. I can?t imagine a more thoughtful antidote to these tough times.
Cheryl has skillfully woven twelve elements into a divinely inspired mosaic of the notion of extreme self-care. She appropriately credits Thomas Leonard, who many consider the father of the coaching profession as we know it today, with introducing her to the concept of extreme self-care. She then introduces us to her own twelve elements, comprising extreme self-care, so as to create the potential for a yearlong program of self-improvement (for those who want to implement one improvement per month).
This book is typical of the excellence with which Cheryl creates new material. The concepts are practical, well explained, and delightfully supported by a story from Cheryl?s own life to illustrate the concept. As I said in reviewing her last book, Cheryl has moved from being a traditional teacher to a wonderful conversationalist who teaches by openly sharing experiences from her own life. So many self-help authors use stories involving others to make their points. Not so with Cheryl! It?s as if she opened up her home and invited you to watch as she (occasionally) bumps through life. Her gracious humanity is one of her many personal strengths.
So many of her stories brought a smile to my heart, as I pictured Cheryl having the experience and as I related to my own experiences with some of the very same bumps of life. ?Hands off the Wheel? brought me back to the time when my business experienced significant growth when I finally let go of controlling every decision of my colleagues. Other sections, e.g., ?The Absolute No List,? provide me with opportunities for new personal performance gains as they are lessons I have yet to master.
Cheryl?s timing in releasing this material (the book and the audio) is so perfect. I believe we are headed for some very challenging times?times where self-care will be especially critical for all. We are fortunate to have such a wonderful guide, for such an important activity, during such turbulent times.
PS I am confident that this book, like Cheryl?s previous, will quickly become a well deserved best seller. I know that Cheryl?s many female fans will treasure her best book yet. My one hope for the book, and for humanity, is that an equal number of males will open up their minds and hearts to Cheryl?s profound wisdom. Judging by what I have observed by attending some of Cheryl?s seminars, our male specie has been relatively slow in catching on to how much her wisdom could help. Hope springs eternal that this too will change.
Timely Advice for How to Get Your Life Back in Control and in Perspective
?February 21, 2009
By Donald Mitchell "Jesus Loves You!"
If you are ready to lighten up and enjoy life, this is the book for you!Did you know that you don?t have to suffer daily just because the economy is bad, your promotion prospects are bleak, and the television keeps reporting exceptionally discouraging news? Cheryl Richardson has the right view . . . that life can be a pleasure and from that pleasure you can bring much happiness to others.
She realizes that you probably have lots of bad habits that make you miserable and suggests one change a month that cumulatively build to create the kind of enjoyable life that may exceed your wildest hopes. The changes are couched in gentle, friendly terms and illustrated with breath-taking photos.
Ms. Richardson describes how hiring a personal coach changed her life and taught her the lessons in this book. If you just follow this advice, it?s like saving hundreds of dollars to get valuable secrets.
In the first month, you identify where you are deprived (such as in sleep, emotional support, personal time, energy, companionship, peacefulness, hope, and physical closeness) and start eliminating those deprivations that are most important to you.
In the second month, you begin to approve of yourself more through a series of mirror exercises where you tell yourself, ?I love you.?
In month three, you learn how to say ?no? and do it nicely.
In month four, you re-schedule your life to feel more comfortable and do important activities that make you feel great at the optimal times.
In month five, you offload a lot of what keeps you overly busy, annoyed, and stressed by ?letting go.?
In month six, you decide what you will never do again . . . all of those things that make life a drudge and an annoyance. You then work on remembering to stop doing those things.
In month seven, you change where you live and work to nurture rather than annoy you.
In the eighth month, you learn to insulate yourself from things that stress you out and serve no purpose (such as watching the latest violence on the television news).
In the ninth month, you begin to pay more attention to your health and body.
In the tenth month, you work on letting anger go.
In the eleventh month, you identify and begin to spend time on something that you are passionate about.
During the last month, you develop a plan for dealing with unexpected problems and emotional blows.
Each chapter is filled with lists of books and other resources you can use to flesh out the simple concepts that the book presents.
I read this book while on a long plane flight and found myself enjoying the trip simply due to taking Ms. Richardson?s approach to how I thought about and treated the experience. Instead of being a bore, I had fun!
Right When I Needed It
?February 9, 2009
By Dene Brock "Source of Good Stuff / Country Co?
Many of the books and resources that I review at my website seem to come to me in a moment of need. Finding myself tired and emotionally drained from the many demands that I faced in my day-to-day life, I knew that something had to change.I did not go looking for a resource, but instead it came to me as an email from Hay House announcing a new book by Cheryl Richardson, a four-time New York Times best-selling author of self-improvement products.
Her newest release entitled The Art of Extreme Self-Care, offers excellent advice to bring you back into alignment with what?s truly important and what is merely a distraction.
This book offers 12 strategies designed to transform your life one month at a time. Each chapter challenges the reader to think differently and alter one behavior at a time that keeps infringing on your ability to provide self-care.
Cheryl Richardson assures the reader that practicing extreme self-care does not lead to becoming selfish or self-centered. She presents these important points that I found to be challenging, yet brilliant:
You can?t live an authentic, soul-directed life without disappointing people, hurting their feelings, or making them angry. That?s the truth.
You deserve to ask for and receive the support you need?but first, you must resign as General Manager of the Universe.
It?s time to stop swallowing your anger and instead, step up and take a stand for yourself in the face of inappropriate behavior.
In order to live a rich and meaningful life you?ll need to honor and protect your sensitivity. The days of ?sucking it up? or ?developing tough skin? are over.
I personally love the extra resources that the author includes at the end of each chapter such as additional reading, websites, audios, podcasts etc? that can be used to further build on what you have learned.
She is also providing classes at Hay House Radio that go hand-in-hand with each chapter in the form of a study group. There are also additional offerings including an Extreme Self-Care Retreat Contest to be held at Borrego Ranch Resort and Spa in Borrego Springs, CA.
I consider this a must-have book for anyone who is feeling weary, over-worked, under-appreciated and stressed. It?s time to find balance within your desires to help others and take care of yourself, and Cheryl has definitely covered all the bases in this book.
Self-Help/Improve Your Inner Self
?January 2, 2010
By Kathy W
Excellent book for doing inner-transforming work!This 2009, 111-page book (I love the number) also includes a 7 page intro and 4 blank pages for writing personal notes to yourself. It includes 12 strategies for life transformation and personal stories of the realization and practice of ?Extreme Self-Care?. The 12 concepts, and their supporting steps, are written in simple, easy-to-understand language. The chapters are infused with peaceful beach and ocean pictures. The book provides the tools you need to self-improve the ?issues? you can admit to yourself that you have.
Cheryl Richardson begins by telling us how hiring a personal coach led her to the realization that although she THOUGHT she was doing things right, she realized that she was taking care of others first and putting herself last. We seem to believe, and have been taught, that putting ourselves first is ?selfish?. (I know I heard it all my life?everywhere. I think you were supposed to be a martyr and suffer more to be closer to Heaven or something like that.) Cheryl explains this concept in greater detail and how caring for yourself first actually allows you to give more of yourself to others.
The book is designed to help you learn the concepts through small steps, with guidelines and suggestions to help you practice so you can make permanent, meaningful changes in your life. Cheryl suggests that you begin by picking any of the 12 chapters (one per concept) and work on that one. You could devote one month to each chapter. She also suggests you might like to begin with the chapter that you would most like to AVOID. (Interesting!) The book is loaded with support and informational websites that you can connect to for more info.
So, feeling pretty confident, I skimmed the index and selected Chapter 5 ?Take Your Hands Off the Wheel?. (I have been working on the concept of ?surrender? and that title sounded like a match.) I didn?t get far into the 9-page chapter when I got my ego slapped a bit. Reading through, I realized that I try to do everything myself sometimes because I don?t want to feel indebted to others. That was an old habit or learned behavior that jumped back up and bit me in the tail. For many years, I had problems accepting things from others for the same reason. Not only that, but it was a CONTROL issue. (I thought I had resolved CONTROL!) So, I had a very humbling AHA moment and quickly found another aspect of control that I need to work on. Obviously, this is not the only area I need to work on either, but as you can see, the book quickly validated its importance.
The 12 chapters/concepts/strategies are:
1) End the Legacy of Deprivation
2) Mirror, Mirror On The Wall
3) Let Me Dissapoint You
4) The Power of Rhythm and Routine
5) Take Your Hands Off The Wheel
6) The Absolute No List
7) Soul-loving Space
8) You?re So Sensitive
9) Tune Up Time
10) Does That Anger Taste Good
11) Wake Up!
12) Your Extreme Self-Care First-Aid Kit
This is my first experience with Hay House author Cheryl Richardson. Other great Hay House authors that I have found include Louise Hay, Doreen Virtue, and Wayne Dyer.
Extreme Self Care Nourishes You and Promotes Creativity
?January 8, 2009
By J. Whitford
I remember seeing Cheryl Richardson on Oprah over a decade ago telling women in the audience that they needed to put themselves first ? make time for themselves before their family and their jobs. The audience literally attacked her, saying their families came first, their jobs second, and to do otherwise was just plain wrong.A decade later, we all realize that Cheryl was just ahead of her time. She knew years ago that if you put yourself first emotionally, mentally and spiritually every day, then you would not only be in great health ? but you would genuinely have something to give back to the people that surround you.
A person who has taken time (even as little as an hour a day) to listen to music they love, write in a journal, read an article or book that nourishes them, or talk a soulful walk ? will find themselves not only more giving and loving, but much more creative in their personal and professional lives.
Cheryl?s latest book gives you one task to do each month and resources to read or discover with each task. Her previous book Life Makeovers gave you one task a week. Knowing how frazzled we have become over the past decade; Cheryl wisely gives us thirty days to create a new soul nourishing habit each month.
I highly recommend all of her books and CDs but suggest if you never take time for yourself ? start with this one. You will find yourself slowing down to connect with your soul, and feeling more energized and whole when you do.
Other articles you might like;
Source: http://runvsc.com/the-art-of-extreme-self-care/
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