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Coach Jean Caton's Book Review

Inner Peace for Busy People

by Joan Borysenko, PhD.

Borysenko, a prolific author whose credentials include a Doctorate in Medical Science from Harvard Medical School, says the book is a ‘combination of science, story, psychology, and wisdom'. The book is contains 52 lessons, or mini-chapters, divided into six sections. She doesn’t waste words with any rhetoric. Each lesson is about 2-4 pages long. The author admits that her credentials also include up-close and personal experience with overwhelm. She references some of her own experiences as well as observations of others’ behavior throughout the book.

Here area few titles of the 52 lessons I especially like, as many closely parallel themes I encounter with my coaching clients.

Relax and Be More Productive: Borysenko refers to a Harvard Business Review article that describes the benefits of stress to increase productivity…up to a point. The problem arises when stress gets so high that internal wires short-circuit. You need greater trust in yourself that the ‘to-do list’ will get done even if you approach it in a more relaxed manner.

Focus One Small Change: When someone describes herself as ‘stuck’ it is often based on fear or overwhelm when she looks at the overall goal.Stay in the moment, focus on one small step or change, and take time to reflect on the fact, however small, it is moving you closer to your big goal.

Give Up Perfectionism: Time and effort spend on striving for the impossible ‘perfect’ in all we do is time wasted and stress escalated. The author suggests that to fully understand how perfectionism can rob inner peace, have a rational dialog and ask yourself, "How really terribleis that really terrible something?" What would happen if you just let that something go and not be completed to perfection?

Reframe That Problem: Think of at least one problem that causes you chronic stress and how you may be able to reframe it ( i.e., think about it in a different, less anxiety-producing way.) (Tip: The term reframe can be thought of this way. Hold a large frame up to a picture of a landscape. Next, holdup a smaller frame and look at the landscape; it appears very different.)

Try Power Whining: Sometimes we complain too much. Complaining or whining about something fuels it; gives it life. It is especially futile and stressful to complain about something over which we have little control. The author poses the question why people make the pity party a competitive sport! She suggest power whining, hands on hips, looking in the mirror for two minutes and then moving on to everything you have to be grateful for. The time limit idea works well with co-workers and friends too!

Read this book if you want 52 strategies for a life with more peace. Borysenko’s suggests buying several copies of the book for friends and working on the lessons as a group. The buddy system is a great way to stay motivated. If you are too busy to read the book – this is exactly why you must read it.

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Jean Caton is a speaker, coach, and marketing strategist. She works with businesswomen in corporate America, Healthcare, and entrepreneurs to challenge and support them to attain their professional and personal goals and live a life full of achievement, self-acceptance, and serenity. Jean can be reached at: MyCoachJean@JeanCaton.net