Review by littlefrog -- Achieve Your Dreams
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littlefrog
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Review by littlefrog -- Achieve Your Dreams
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Achieve Your Dreams" by Scott Hughes and A. Lynn Powers and Adam Buongiovanni.]
2 out of 4 stars
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Achieve Your Dreams, Why You Don’t and How You Can
By: Scott M Hughes
Achieve Your Dreams by Scott M Hughes is a non-fiction, self-help book on why a person fails to follow their dreams. The cover depicts a seascape which is very pleasing, eliciting calm dream like reverie and appropriate for this subject. As I am reading it on an e-reader a page count is not accurate. It is a very easy and quick read and I was able to read it in under an hour.
Mr. Hughes states, “Why do many people dream of becoming an author but never do?” location 49 of 351 and then further points out that “While I generally use the specific example of writing a novel, the picture I paint applies as much if you have a goal different from becoming a writer.” Location 51 of 351 on e-reader. Mr. Hughes addresses two reasons for “dream abandonment” 59 of 351: The Fear of Dreams and Statistically most [dreams] fail, which the later certainly fuels the first.
Chasing dreams can be a source of conflict within ourselves. That how we were raised can affect the choices we make as adults to pursue our source of livelihood. According to Mr. Hughes, “We sacrifice the uncertainty and seeming risk of chasing dreams for the seemingly safe but incredibly dangerous common path.” Location 96 of 351. Some choose to stick with a job that they are miserable in, just because they are providing for their needs. My favorite quote in the book is Henry David Thoreau “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” Choosing to follow your dreams will require a lot of love, support, hard work, and many sacrifices. You will have to prioritize and set goals. It doesn’t mean you forget your dreams, you have to work for your dreams. It is possible… you have to make the effort, and if you fail it doesn’t mean it is over, reevaluate…readjust…and keep on trying.
I like this book as the author makes many valuable points i.e.: We need to pursue our dreams, we will have to make sacrifices, we have to set goals and follow through…and most importantly…never give up.
What I do not like about this book is that it seems to jump around in too many areas and the target audiences get all muddled up. He states that his primary goal is for writers to pursue their dream of writing, but the introduction, though nicely written by Adam Buongiovanni, is about sports. I think a better choice would have been an author who is or was struggling. He also uses Michael Jordan in another area of the book, which again is a great read but has nothing to do about writing. He talks about suicide statistics, depression, starving children. They are all very compelling but take away from the original thesis of the book, and become very distracting and at points very depressing, blurring the thought processes. At one point, it reads like an infomercial for his other book. I am all for plugging your own work, but that is best left for the back cover. I don’t mind a reference about another book in the work in fact… if it is compelling… I will track down the book and follow through.
I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars due to the fact that it lacks focus. I would recommend the book to anyone who is struggling with their decision to pursue their dream as it does have many valid points and if you can block out the static it can be very helpful.
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Achieve Your Dreams
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2 out of 4 stars
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Achieve Your Dreams, Why You Don’t and How You Can
By: Scott M Hughes
Achieve Your Dreams by Scott M Hughes is a non-fiction, self-help book on why a person fails to follow their dreams. The cover depicts a seascape which is very pleasing, eliciting calm dream like reverie and appropriate for this subject. As I am reading it on an e-reader a page count is not accurate. It is a very easy and quick read and I was able to read it in under an hour.
Mr. Hughes states, “Why do many people dream of becoming an author but never do?” location 49 of 351 and then further points out that “While I generally use the specific example of writing a novel, the picture I paint applies as much if you have a goal different from becoming a writer.” Location 51 of 351 on e-reader. Mr. Hughes addresses two reasons for “dream abandonment” 59 of 351: The Fear of Dreams and Statistically most [dreams] fail, which the later certainly fuels the first.
Chasing dreams can be a source of conflict within ourselves. That how we were raised can affect the choices we make as adults to pursue our source of livelihood. According to Mr. Hughes, “We sacrifice the uncertainty and seeming risk of chasing dreams for the seemingly safe but incredibly dangerous common path.” Location 96 of 351. Some choose to stick with a job that they are miserable in, just because they are providing for their needs. My favorite quote in the book is Henry David Thoreau “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” Choosing to follow your dreams will require a lot of love, support, hard work, and many sacrifices. You will have to prioritize and set goals. It doesn’t mean you forget your dreams, you have to work for your dreams. It is possible… you have to make the effort, and if you fail it doesn’t mean it is over, reevaluate…readjust…and keep on trying.
I like this book as the author makes many valuable points i.e.: We need to pursue our dreams, we will have to make sacrifices, we have to set goals and follow through…and most importantly…never give up.
What I do not like about this book is that it seems to jump around in too many areas and the target audiences get all muddled up. He states that his primary goal is for writers to pursue their dream of writing, but the introduction, though nicely written by Adam Buongiovanni, is about sports. I think a better choice would have been an author who is or was struggling. He also uses Michael Jordan in another area of the book, which again is a great read but has nothing to do about writing. He talks about suicide statistics, depression, starving children. They are all very compelling but take away from the original thesis of the book, and become very distracting and at points very depressing, blurring the thought processes. At one point, it reads like an infomercial for his other book. I am all for plugging your own work, but that is best left for the back cover. I don’t mind a reference about another book in the work in fact… if it is compelling… I will track down the book and follow through.
I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars due to the fact that it lacks focus. I would recommend the book to anyone who is struggling with their decision to pursue their dream as it does have many valid points and if you can block out the static it can be very helpful.
******
Achieve Your Dreams
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like littlefrog's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: "For the Love of Suzanne" by Kristi Hudecek-Ashwill
