T H E ONE-LIFE SOLUTION-Reclaim our Personal Life While Achieving Greater Professional Success- BOOK REVIEW

     I really wanted to read this book, in fact, Dr.Henry Cloud's newest book THE ONE-LIFE SOLUTION, sounded like a book that I must definitely read.  Personally, I felt that I could learn a new thing or two about the integration between my Personal and my Professional life.  For years , I have consistently worked very hard at defining the boundaries that divide both of these aspects of my life, but I still felt that I needed a simpler plan.

     For me, drawing that line between what is Personal and what is Professional is a little bit harder than for most since I work for my husband.  I manage two Medical offices and wear many hats during my regular day.  I often find myself working harder and longer than the rest of the staff. I am the one everyone comes with questions, problems, requests, etc.  Many of these can be handled by other office members but as "The Manager, and Wife"  I always feel compelled to take whatever comes my way, setting a positive example for all, but often feeling drained.  Even though it isn't often, I do take work home from time to time

     In the home front I am the same way.  Wife and Super- mom to four teenagers and young adults.  I cook from scratch, attend ALL activities relating to the kids, All banquets and conventions with my husband, over-decorate at holidays, etc., etc.  Inevitably the  line between my professional and Personal life is HAZY at times and  both worlds collide.  I also know that most of my excess work is self-imposed. 

     Dr. Henry Cloud's book THE ONE-LIFE SOLUTION, offered me and easy to follow plan which I am already implementing, and which is helping me to re-define and to simplyfy my daily life both at my home and at work.   

     We all know that we need to have a "Vision" of what it is that we are trying to accomplish on a daily basis, but without a detailed blueprint that "Vision" can get blurry, since it is quite easy to get sidetracked along the way.  This book was incredibly helpful  in helping me to trim the "Fat" in my day and concentrate on what it is I need to do.  And, yes, I am definitely delegating some duties to others at home and at work, and so far I feel pretty good about it and a lot more relaxed and organized.

     Dr. Cloud suggests taking a "category by category Self-Audit"of one's life.  An audit of one's "Values, Vision, Mission and Mechanics".  Just like having sructure and  boundaries this makes a lot of sense to me.  Once aware of where one falls in each category, it becomes much easier to identify one's weaknesses and strenghts and to re-organize ourselves and our lives in a more harmonious way.

      I highly reccomend this valuable and helpful book.  Reading THE ONE-LIFE SOLUTION, by Dr. Henry Cloud, has been very beneficial to me.  I am fine-tuning those areas that I need help in and have patted myself on the back for what I'm already doing correctly.  I know that I will be referring back to this book when I feel myself "Slipping" back to old habits.  I am filing it on the "easy-to reach" area of our bookshelf, not just for me but for my family members as well.