What Words & Wisdom Have Changed Your Life?

[July 17, 2006 : HELP NEEDED]

I need your help.

Wait! Let me try that again... "Will you spare three minutes of your time to answer one question that could help to change the health and well being of this country, and the world?"

How You Can Help

It's really very simple and what's more, I'll bet you find it enjoyable. What I need is the answer to one question - okay, one question with two parts but the first part barely counts. Really...

The Question: What book (aka words of wisdom) has had the greatest (think most dramatic, apparent, visible, real, observable, felt...) life altering impact on you in the last 5 years?

Simple enough, right?

Please give this your most serious contemplation. I'm not talking about the book you most enjoyed reading, the one that most touched your heart or made you laugh. I'm not discounting entertainment but I really need to know what has broke through and stuck with you.

"What's my answer?" In a moment I shall share... for practice.

The Question Part II: "How did this book change your life?"
Please share how the wisdom of the book you've noted, changed your life. What happened after you read it and how has that impact stayed with you over time?

Please, be as specific and concrete as you can. I'm looking for more than "loved it!," or "opened my eyes to the world!"

For example, in my business life I've read more books than I can recall but in the last 5 years, the most powerful, transformative book for me, the one that stands out is Good to Great,  by Jim Collins.

Why? It's not been a catalyst for radical success - that would be an unfair tool to judge it by. What G2G has done is:

• Given a structure to concepts I had a concept of, or could sort of see
• Given be a language to share these concepts with others. I don't have to explain the economic engine for two days, it's now what it is. Everyone knows or pretends they do. 
• It's given me real concrete measurable - creating some science to the "art of business."
• Provided me with clarity about what matters most and where to focus my energy
• It's provided me with a belief that if I can see these things, if I can "do as these have" I too can do it.
• (this is a short list, example...)

Email me on my ZAADZ email or make a comment -- whatever works.

The "Level-5 Urgency" of the Situation

As I write this email, I am sitting on the 41st floor of the Mandarin Oriental in midtown Manhattan having just returned from dinner with my agent - yes, as in book agent. Tomorrow I begin the two day whirlwind visit with a number of publishers, all seeking the next big-thing.

As time is short, I'll spare you for the moment how I got here and what I've been thinking about and simply tell you what I'm seeing and how you can help.

While always valued, your input is especially timely right now - as you can see.

The Opportunity

I have the ear of some of the top publishers in the industry - for some time I will have their focused attention. With that I can do two things: 1) I could play along and do whatever it takes to ensure I get a book deal. And if that means "fishing" with the shiniest lure, the brilliant promise of immediate quick fix, playing the ego for all it's worth - basically triggering the yin-yang of ego, the want-disdain.

Or perhaps there's another choice - not an easier one, that's for sure.

The Change I Seek to Make

The "path less traveled," the path I've chosen to take is to create a book that serves - that is a tool for awakening. A book that engages mindfulness, the moment to moment awareness and does so while engaging an audience who is not coming to this book for this purpose primarily. Simply stated, I'm talking about a deeper version of a "fitness" related book. Not a diet book but a book that grabs people, engages people and at the least gets one foot on the path to freedom.

It may be imperative that this book also serve to inspire dramatic physical change in some finite window of time. I understand and accept that results that we can see are part of the allure of any physical "program." Certainly they've been central to my brother's book, Body for LIFE, the polar-north of fitness books that so many have emulated - never recreated.

Call me crazy, you'd not be the first...but Body for Life is nearly 8 years old. It's been an amazing book and I feel like there's got to be something more that could be brought to the arena. Not necessarily something more but something different, deeper... lasting, whatever...

I certainly have my ideas and I am looking for inspiration from you. And no, I'm not looking for your favorite fitness books I want to take lessons from all aspects of "change" and explore what most gets through to people - what books are able to provoke attention and stay with people after they've been put down.

This is where your answers help... I'm seeking examples of books that reached people - and then to leverage these examples in making a case for doing something worthwhile, reaching beyond what's been done. My belief is your story will help me to find innovative ways to break through the clutter and examples of real works that have left a lasting impact on real people. And if you're book is a manual on quantum physics, do not concern yourself with trying to figure out how to transfer that to a health and fitness realm - leave that to me. Just give it to me straight and I'll do the rest.

My "Lead By Example" Example

I've got a few good ones bubbling around and this is the part of this request I was most looking forward to - and I'm shot! So, my inside view of transforming books will not arrive until tomorrow. I'm just too tired to truly enjoy the sharing and bring the full energy and insight I would like to.

Thank you for your support!

In Strength,

Shawn Phillips

I'm eager to hear from you - just email me on the Big-Z inbox or post a comment or whatever works, short of smoke signals.