Official Review: Insight 20/20: Applying Lessons to Advan...

[Laura Lee]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Insight 20/20: Applying Lessons to Advance in Life and Career" by Wanda Booth.]

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3 out of 4 stars

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Insight 20/20: Applying Lessons to Advance in Life and Career by Wanda Booth is, hands down, one of the most inspiring books I have ever read. And by “inspiring,” I don’t mean that this is just another hard-luck, pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps kind of story. Insight 20/20 provides practical, step-by-step instructions on how you can make changes in your thoughts and habits to overcome difficulties and live your best life.

There’s no whining in this book. Everyone’s life has problems. Booth refers to these as SHILT. She explains: “SHILT stands from [sic] setbacks, hardships, illness, loss, and transitions we go through in life.” SHILT is simply part of life. It is how you respond to the SHILT in your life that determines whether you succumb or overcome.

Booth teaches how to take responsibility for one’s own situation through examples drawn from her own life. She then explains how to transform those circumstances into what you really want your life to be. The book presents 20 short essays, divided into five categories: personal development, health, relationships, leadership, and legacy. Homework assignments at the end of each chapter provide practical suggestions on how to move to the next step in the transformation process.

Booth is very qualified to write such a book. Born to a black teenager, she was raised by several generations of strong women: her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmothers. Booth is also a combat veteran. After joining the military at 17, she rose through the ranks to earn the rank of Major. She commanded in Iraq where, frequently, she was the only female officer. Through it all, she learned how to mentor others and nurture relationships. She built a sterling reputation as an officer who led with courage and compassion.

It is impossible to pinpoint a single element I enjoyed the most. Booth has an incredible ability to take the most profound insights and distill them down into simple statements that stick in the mind and continue to inspire long after the book is finished. I also liked how she illustrated her various lessons with stories from her own life. In fact, I enjoyed these stories so much that I only wish she had worked in more of them. While glancing references are made to the author’s Christian beliefs, the book is equally appropriate for pagans, atheists, agnostics, and those of other religious persuasions.

The one area that needs improvement is the editing. Grammatical mistakes, missing words, and incorrect words abound. The book desperately needs to be professionally edited. I regret that, with so many grammatical errors, I am unable to give this book a higher rating. The content certainly deserves four out of four stars. As it is, however, I can only give three out of four stars. Understand, however, that the loss of one star is due solely to editing issues and nothing else.

I read this book once as a reviewer. I am now going to go back and read it again, this time taking the time to do the homework assignments that close each chapter. If you feel stuck in a rut and as though you have been uselessly spinning your wheels trying to get out, I invite you to read Insight 20/20. You won’t regret it!

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Insight 20/20: Applying Lessons to Advance in Life and Career
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[Stephanie Elizabeth]

This sounds like it is quite a useful book for individuals dealing with stagnancy. I like that it has some assignments after every chapter to really put the learning to use. Thanks for your helpful review!

[Laura Lee]

This sounds like it is quite a useful book for individuals dealing with stagnancy. I like that it has some assignments after every chapter to really put the learning to use. Thanks for your helpful review!

Thanks for taking the time to read it and leave a comment, Stephanie Elizabeth. It really is a fantastic book, and the first one, as a reviewer, where I want to go read it again.

[Joshua Jose]

The homework assignments part is interesting. Sounds like a book that would have an impact on someone's life,must read.

[Laura Lee]

The homework assignments part is interesting. Sounds like a book that would have an impact on someone's life,must read.

Thanks for your comment, Joshua. Yes, I'm looking forward to reading it again and doing the homework assignments. I didn't have time to do it while reading it for the review, but it's a really great book.

[NetMassimo]

SHILT happens. Seriously, it's true that we find obstacles during our lives, so how we react to them is crucial for our future. There are things that we can't control, which means that we must do our best to work on the things we can control, so practical tips are useful to improve the way we do that. Thank you for your great review!

[Laura Lee]

SHILT happens. Seriously, it's true that we find obstacles during our lives, so how we react to them is crucial for our future. There are things that we can't control, which means that we must do our best to work on the things we can control, so practical tips are useful to improve the way we do that. Thank you for your great review!

Yeah, I thought "Shilt happens" was a clever way to phrase it, too. LOL It really is a great book. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!

[Connie Otwani]

Wow, SHILT aptly describes the 'downs' of life. Because we are always learning, this sounds like an interesting coping lesson. Its a shame about the errors.

Thanks for the great review!

[Laura Lee]

Wow, SHILT aptly describes the 'downs' of life. Because we are always learning, this sounds like an interesting coping lesson. Its a shame about the errors.

Thanks for the great review!

Thanks for stopping by! It really is a great book.

[Ogoskino]

This book promises to be a very educative one. I look forward to seeing what it has in store. The errors are quite disturbing though. Thanks for the honest review.

[Laura Lee]

This book promises to be a very educative one. I look forward to seeing what it has in store. The errors are quite disturbing though. Thanks for the honest review.

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Yes, I really hope the author edits the book professionally. It is so well-written, the content deserves to be professionally edited.

[Ivana Tomaš]

I love it when a book has instructions to follow and is specific. Especially step-by-step instructions. Considering that it is one of the best inspirational books you have ever read, it prompted me to read it too!

[Laura Lee]

I love it when a book has instructions to follow and is specific. Especially step-by-step instructions. Considering that it is one of the best inspirational books you have ever read, it prompted me to read it too!

That's great, Ivana! I hope you enjoy it, too. Yes, I thought having some practical steps to apply was a really great addition to the book.

[Tavaiel26]

Homework assignments at the end of each chapter provide practical suggestions on how to move to the next step in the transformation process.

I could definitely use some of this... Thanks for the review!

[inaramid]

I still have a bit of self-help fatigue, so I'm not at all inclined to read another book in this genre. This one, however, seems like it's worth a shot. I hope the author releases an edited version though.