Book Five – Introduction (first draft)
This is the first draft of the introduction to Book Five (a working title). I would really appreciate any feedback you can give me. I want to make it as practical and useful as possible. Many thanks, JP
“Each of us wrestles with our particular bundle of issues to do with health, relationships, work and money. Twenty years ago I started exploring the personal development literature – everything from Eastern philosophy to Californian self-help. Every time I discovered an interesting idea, I tried it out in practice. Some of the ideas proved extremely powerful. Effectively, I have treated my life as a laboratory.
What I found was that no one had the whole answer. Each writer or speaker offered one or two useful nuggets. I had to piece it all together for myself. It feels like going up a staircase. Every now and then I run into what seems like a brick wall. Then I discover something new that enables me to move up a level. Having been through this process over and over again, I know the answers are always on the inside. It’s not a question of fixing the people and the world around me. Once I work on myself, everything around me magically changes.
You might call this a ‘spiritual’ process, although that word scares some people. I prefer to call it personal development – or consciousness perhaps. The more you do it, the more you enjoy your life and the more easily everything falls into place.
Before we embark on this together, there are some things I want you to know. The first is that I am not a guru asking you to join my movement. I am going to tell you about experiences in my life and the lives of people around me. This is not because I want you to be like me. It’s because reading someone else’s story is often the best way to understand your own. You can stand back, watch what happens and draw your own conclusions. If you want to read more on a particular subject, you can refer to the book list at the end of each chapter.
Secondly, I appreciate that you will already have your own approach to some or all of the issues raised in this book. We all have our own viewpoint or ‘mental model’ of how things work. My role is to offer you new ways of looking at things. I invite you to try this material for yourself and discover what works best for you. You may decide to modify your approach or adopt a completely new one.
The third point is that personal development sometimes involves dealing with fear. Some exercises in this book will bring you face to face with things you are afraid of. I am not going to ask you to confront them or break through them. There is no need. Instead, you will find that a change of perspective will cause the fear to melt away – if not immediately then gradually. That change may be a life-altering one, which makes it all the more exciting.
Having read hundreds of personal development books, I know how easy it is to overdose on exercises. For that reason I have included some in the main text and put others in boxes. You can do whatever you like. You may decide to read the book straight through and do the exercises at the end. You may prefer to complete them as you go along.
There are twenty lessons set out in the order in which I learnt them. For you the order may be different. Once you have read the text, you can do the exercises in almost any order. The only exception is that some of them assume you have already started practising exercise A.”
Copyright John Purkiss 2010
Wow! When can I read the rest of the book? This really drew me in and it flows beautifully. You make an important point that no single person has the answer and that ultimately others awaken us to the wisdom within. I like the part about something else’s life helping you to understand your own; that is so true. I’m intrigued by your paragraph about fear – do you really think it can just ‘melt away’? Such things rarely feel so easy. However, I am interested to read more about why you think this is the case. I like the fact that you can do the exercises at the end or as you go along, as this is often the most challenging part!! Keep writing, John. I think you’re on to something.
Good introduction John, written very well.
The content of the book sounds intriguing especially on your ‘experiments’ on how you applied the different ideas in practice and whether they were effective.
The part about fear ‘melting away’ also caught my attention and I was wondering if rephrasing it might make it a little clearer? and possibly replace ‘exciting’ as most people who face their fears may not view it the same way.
I like the options given re the exercises and that the reader is free to start on the chapter and exercises that may be most helpful to them.
I look forward to reading the rest when it comes out, Michelle.
Dear John,
A friend of my, Abigail, sent me the link to this page.. I’m just looking to change jobs and she thought that your book on branding would be useful to me. Since your request for feedback seems genuine, I thought I would let you know how I responded to the introduction. I feel that I am being overly critical here, but it comes from a good place, not a negative one, just giving you my perspective on a couple of small points…..
When you say that … “What I found was that no one had the whole answer.” it sounds a bit niave to me – did you really think that any book or person would have the whole the answer…? Maybe you did?? I know that there are some books that change people’s lives and maybe that is what you meant.. that you were looking for a book that would change your life instantly and instead you found you had to read lots of book to discover the answer for yourself…. (which incidently is what you seem to inviting the readers of your book to do)… I would think that no one person would ever think that they had the ‘whole answer’ there is no ‘whole answer to have …’ unless it is 42… as you have observed in your introduction, every individual is dealing with a set of unique circumstances … do you know what I am getting at?
This is a great analogy … “It feels like going up a staircase”. You may consdier extending it…. “It feels like going up a staircase”with a brick wall at every landing…” Whenever I discover ….
Lastly, I think that this sentence would read best in the past tense. “Once I work on myself, everything around me magically changes.” Even though I am sure it is a continual process.
I agree with everthing you say by the way… you do have a lovely writing style and you have something very important to say. I heartly encourage you, and hope that you don’t take offence at my comments – they really are just my own observations….
I look forward to reading more..
Mila
Just some very personal reactions from me John. They are not meant to be criticism – just thoughts and feelings that surfaced while reading. They probably tell you more about me then about your text.
The personal touch is great – it made me feel that there is a very thoughtful, friendly, empathic person behind the text.
Maybe you could be more positive about what the reader will get out the book? I believe there is no need to defend what you believe in is the right structure for the book, the right approach. Let the reader be your judge.
Hello Leda, Michelle, Mila and Nico. Many thanks for your feedback! It’s very helpful. May I mention you in the acknowledgements? Best wishes, JP
Hi JP, yes of course, thank you. Best wishes, Michelle
Yes, no problem… very happy to help in any way and really encourage you in your endeavour. cheers, Mila