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Focus on the Good Stuff: The Power of Appreciation 1st Edition, Kindle Edition

4.6 out of 5 stars 122 ratings

The author and professional coach teaches readers to find greater happiness through gratitude in this book of personal stories and practical advice.

Before he became a successful author and professional coach, Mike Robbins was a professional baseball player. But at twenty-three years old, he suffered an injury that ended his promising career as a pitcher. Instead of quitting, Mike took stock of the good things in his life and began a new path.

In Focus on the Good Stuff, Mike offers a step-by-step program with exercises for overcoming negative influence and obstacles, creating a truly grateful approach to life, and establishing an environment that can support success and peace of mind. Filled with passion, authenticity, and humor, this guide will teach you to move beyond the cycle of negativity and discover the happiness you deserve.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Motivational speaker and professional coach Robbins sets out for well-worn territory, turning out a useful but unsurprising exploration of the power of positive thinking and the art of appreciation. Like self-help titles such as The Secret, Robbins insists that like attracts like, and to get what we want in life we must focus on what we want (rather than what we don't). In this never preachy three-part primer, Robbins explains how the simple act of appreciation can change our lives, making up in empathy, anecdote and readability what he lacks in fresh ideas. In part one, Robbins analyzes the effects of living in a culture of negativity and fear, which keeps individuals from connecting with others, and from seeing the good in both people and life. Part two elucidates his Five Principles of Appreciation ("be grateful," "use positive words," etc.) and part three is about putting the principles into action ("it's not what we know, but what we do that matters"); exercises and "positive practices" throughout give readers further steps to put appreciation's power to work in daily life.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

Motivational speaker and professional coach Robbins sets out for well-worn territory, turning out a useful but unsurprising exploration of the power of positive thinking and the art of appreciation. Like self-help titles such as "The Secret," Robbins insists that like attracts like, and to get what we want in life we must focus on what we want (rather than what we don't). In this never preachy three-part primer, Robbins explains how the simple act of appreciation can change our lives, making up in empathy, anecdote and readability what he lacks in fresh ideas. In part one, Robbins analyzes the effects of living in a culture of negativity and fear, which keeps individuals from connecting with others, and from seeing the good in both people and life. Part two elucidates his Five Principles of Appreciation ("be grateful," "use positive words," etc.) and part three is about putting the principles into action ("it's not what we know, but what we do that matters"); exercises and "positive practices" throughout give readers further steps to put appreciation's power to work in daily life. "(Aug.)" ("Publishers Weekly," September 3, 2007)

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000UZPIAC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wiley; 1st edition (December 7, 2010)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 7, 2010
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.6 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 242 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 122 ratings

About the author

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Mike Robbins
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Mike Robbins is the author of five books, including his latest, We’re All in This Together. He’s a sought-after speaker and consultant who delivers keynotes and seminars for some of the top organizations in the world.

Some of his clients include Google, Wells Fargo, Microsoft, Gap, eBay, Schwab, Adobe, Genentech, Citibank, the US Department of Labor, Harvard University, the San Francisco Giants, and many others.

He and his work have been featured in the New York Times and the Harvard Business Review, as well as on NPR and ABC News. He’s a regular contributor to Forbes, hosts a weekly podcast, and his books have been translated into 15 different languages.

Mike lives in Novato, CA with his wife Michelle and their two daughters. For more information, visit www.Mike-Robbins.com. Follow him on Twitter or Instagram: @MikeDRobbins, Facebook: www.facebook.com/mikerobbinspage, or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrobbins/.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
122 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's message refreshing and encouraging, describing it as a complete inspiration that serves as a reminder of the power of appreciation. The book is well-written and easy to read.

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21 customers mention "Uplifting message"21 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's message refreshing and encouraging, serving as a reminder of the power of appreciation.

"...is refreshing to see a new star emerging with a unique, basic, implementable message that could change the world if implemented...." Read more

"...person who happened to have been athletic, this book is a terrific work of inspiration and warmth...." Read more

"...of Appreciation offers a much-needed reminder of the spiritually uplifting experience gained by simply cultivating an enduring sense of gratitude...." Read more

"...Robbins style and a few pages go a long way to be more positive and appreciative. I would recommend this for any and all adults (18 and up)" Read more

4 customers mention "Readability"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well written and easy to read.

"...This book is both beautifully written, and easy to read. It reminds us that happiness is difficult to come by in a "culture of complaint."..." Read more

"...recommend this book to any one who needs a little lift and the author did a great job." Read more

"Very relatable and a good read!" Read more

"...Focus on the Good Stuff was a fantastic read, full of Mike's fun character and challenging, thought-provoking questions to help me determine what..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2008
    I had the pleasure of seeing author Mike Robbins at his recent appearance at the Learning Annex in NYC. I left the event impressed by the power of his message and the manner in which he delivers it. I then read this book and felt so good about the message the author is conveying.

    So many new authors and speakers have jumped on the bandwagon of the "Secret" and/or the "Law of Attraction." It is refreshing to see a new star emerging with a unique, basic, implementable message that could change the world if implemented. And, refreshing to see someone who seems so committed to walking the talk!

    Recent terrific books by Deborah Norville ("Thank You Power") and Robert Emmons ("Thanks") have similarly sounded the trumpet for the importance of gratitude, the cousin to appreciation. Mike's book is equally terrific with his strong point being the specificity of his wisdom on how to express appreciation in a manner such that it penetrates the thick skins hardened by a world of negativity.

    I highly recommend the book and I equally recommend that you partake in one of the author's workshops or speeches. As excellent as the book is, in person the author's message resonates even more strongly.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2007
    I have to admit, that I got this book because of my warm and wonderous memories of one of my all time favorite authors of Blessed Memory Richard Carlson. I was reaching for this book becuase of the name that wrote the forward. Hoping to get at least a taste of my favorite author.

    I started reading the book, and was immediately put off a bit. It starts off speaking about sports. Now don't get me wrong, I like sports, but my reading material for "growth" needs to be deeper than sports.

    As the book goes on, I realize that this was not some former athlete writing a few mushy stuff, but a mushy person who happened to have been athletic, this book is a terrific work of inspiration and warmth. You can feel the personality of an author in their work. The book gets better and better with each chapter. I read the entire book slowly and enjoyed it very much.

    It definately was written by a person similar in character to Richard Carlson.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2007
    In today's world where civility, kindness, and generosity have often been replaced by rudeness, cynicism, conflict, and self-absorption, Mike Robbins offers us a delicious and refreshing reminder of the power of appreciation. This book is both beautifully written, and easy to read. It reminds us that happiness is difficult to come by in a "culture of complaint." But the simple act of consciously focusing on what is good, noticing what we have to be grateful for, and offering appreciation to others can magically transform our lives and our hearts. The Power of Appreciation offers a much-needed reminder of the spiritually uplifting experience gained by simply cultivating an enduring sense of gratitude. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT!
    27 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2014
    Haven't read the book in its entirety yet but really like Robbins style and a few pages go a long way to be more positive and appreciative. I would recommend this for any and all adults (18 and up)
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2014
    This relatively short and fast read is a quick shot of goodness that may be just what you need to help you refocus on what is good. Clearly there are many things to complain about but Mr Robbins spells out some specific advice on how to recenter yourself and look at all the great things in life. I recommend this book to any one who needs a little lift and the author did a great job.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2007
    "Focus On The Good Stuff" stopped me right in my tracks.

    The book caused me to have several revelations several weeks after reading it.

    Those are: 1) That how arrogant it is for any of us to complain about our lives!! The unseen forces are constantly working for all of us to sustain and rise the vibrations of our lives and LIFE that is all around us.

    2) And that by taking the focus off what is wrong and focusing instead on all the beauty that exists everywhere, we become enlightened beings--infused with the Power of Appreciation for Everything!!

    This book took me to the next level of my spiritual growth.

    Please read, in-joy and let the feel good vibes infuse your entire body, mind and soul!!

    Kate Loving Shenk
    [...]
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2022
    When I was feeling super negative after a tough couple years, this book really helped me reset and prioritize thinking more positively.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2009
    Mike Robbins is a former professional baseball player. In 1997, he blew out his arm, thus ending his career. A minister's locker room sermon about staying positive inspired Robbins, who now is a busy motivational speaker. Robbins' basic message: People should appreciate what they have and not dwell on the negative. Though Robbins' proclamation that it is better to concentrate on the good rather than the bad makes sense, many of his concepts are just that obvious. This fluffy book is a compilation of feel-good reminders of reliable verities, like the need for gratitude. getAbstract recommends it as a warm, comfortable overview for newcomers to this upbeat self-help genre.
    9 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Ramakant Patil
    5.0 out of 5 stars I'm loving this
    Reviewed in India on October 29, 2018
    I am very glad that you share your best experience of life with to be gratefully to the God, The most I liked is prepare the habit for self appreciation for ourselves as well as for others. Thank you very much
  • K Natarajan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Appreciate and acknowledge!
    Reviewed in India on August 5, 2019
    I enjoyed reading this book. Message from the author: acknowledge and appreciate others and yourself.
    I recommend this book ! Usefull!

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