Blog Archives
Strength of Authenticity
In Your REAL Life: Get Authentic, Be Resilient & Make It Count!, you provide readers with a framework for coping with adversity and fostering resilience. What inspired you to write this book?
For many years I contemplated what was the formula or the “special sauce” I was using to get through some really hard things in my life. Growing up in Columbus, Ohio and then living around the world in far-away places like New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Singapore, I came to experience some really catastrophic moments of adversity. 9/11 (Terror attacks) to 3/11 (Earthquake-Tsunami-Nuclear meltdown) and so many things in between, but I’d made it out ok, unscathed. I actually had a former teacher of mine comment and ask, “What is it that you do that enables you to get through all of the crappy things in life?”
I didn’t really know. I didn’t think it was luck, nor did I think it was any one singular skill. I worked to answer this question, but importantly, as I came to find the answer I wanted to create a tool (mostly) for myself. As I got going in making this blue print, through reflection and my life learnings, I realized the “formula” for success was the (now) REAL Model. Putting it together turned into quite a “field guide” of resources and ideas. In many ways, writing the book was also a journey of realization, acceptance, purpose, and self love– all of which are sources of inspiration and themes in the book.
How much research did you undertake for this book, and how much time did it take to put it all together?
My whole lifetime has been research for this book! Ha! But seriously, as a veteran HR practitioner and certified coach and leadership executive, I started to formulate the ideas for the book about ten years ago. I was seeing a lot of people, leaders and managers suffer at work for failing to be their authentic selves AND not being able to cope with change or adversities that arise at work. It was during the covid pandemic that I actually started to put pen to paper and outlined my ideas. The pandemic (and book delivery services) provided the heaps of time I needed to read and thoroughly review scholarly literature and the science. The goal of the book was to pull together all the science and make a practical ‘one-stop-shop’ resource for people, so they wouldn’t have to read everything I did. The research and writing took about a year. It was the editing and final elements of publishing that took me much longer. In the end it was about an eighteen month process. Nevertheless, the book and model stand grounded in psychology and neuroscience but breathe life into concepts for winning at life and work, ultimately achieving a life filled with wellbeing and joy.
What is one piece of advice someone gave you that changed your life?
“Don’t ever stop being you. You’re the only one (of you).” The first time I heard this, I was struggling with being my whole self. I was struggling with my LGBTQ identity and how I wanted to show up in the world. These words hit me powerfully and forced me to actually celebrate my core value and strength of authenticity. I think once I fully embraced these words, there was no going back.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
I have two concepts in outline form and I’m slowly working on both. The first is an adaptation of Your REAL Life— which will be about applying the REAL Model to organizations and businesses. The second is a book about mental health and positive aging while using the REAL Model to achieve a mid-life (and beyond) of wellbeing and joy. You know its easier to write books than to publicise them, so one book at a time! Both are in development — so watch this space!
Author Links: GoodReads | LinkedIn | Instagram | Website | Amazon
Nathan Andres has ridden life’s roller-coaster and is often asked the secret to his resiliency. After years of research, education, practice, and reflection, he’s not only found the answer, but turned it into a formula anyone can use.
Your REAL Life introduces the REAL model, a practical framework for coaching yourself through adversity of any scale. Using the anchors of Reality, Energy, Authenticity, and Love, Nathan breaks down the key ingredient to beating anything life throws at you: authentic resilience.
Grounded with psychology and basic neuroscience as well as best practices in the coaching field, Your Real Life teaches you everything you need to know to build authentic resilience. When you get REAL, you don’t just bounce back from hardship-you bounce beyond it.
Count Your Blessings: A Gratitude Guide To A Happier Life
In Count Your Blessings, Philip Renzi presents a compelling exploration of the often-overlooked power of gratitude. Renzi argues that while many people are quick to recall their failures, they frequently struggle to acknowledge their small victories. Through his eloquent writing, Renzi invites readers to consider how gratitude positively impacts health, wealth, happiness, and even personal resilience.
Renzi thoughtfully connects gratitude to a sense of purpose and joy, offering insight into how acknowledging even the smallest things can lead to profound emotional benefits. His systematic approach effectively demonstrates the interconnectivity of gratitude with personal growth, resilience, and improved relationships with oneself and others. This perspective is particularly relevant in a fast-paced world where technology can sometimes create a sense of disconnection. Drawing from his own experiences and those of others, Renzi establishes his credibility on the subject. His narratives not only showcase his understanding but also make the concept of transformative gratitude accessible and relatable. His reflections are engaging and prompt readers to introspect, emphasizing self-awareness as a crucial step in personal development. Renzi’s writing style is clear and direct, avoiding unnecessary embellishments to focus on the essence of his message. He emphasizes the importance of not taking life for granted and reinforces his points through repetition, ensuring that the significance of his message resonates with the reader. His ability to balance sternness with gentleness enhances the reader’s engagement, creating an instructive and encouraging reading experience.
The book’s structure and length make it a manageable read without compromising its comprehensive coverage of the topic. Renzi’s persuasive tone and kind delivery of insightful advice make Count Your Blessings more than just a book; it’s a gentle yet firm reminder to pause and appreciate life’s journey. This work is a timely addition to contemporary literature, offering readers a chance to reflect on their lives and embrace gratitude in a world often dominated by hustle and bustle.
Pages: 224 | ASIN : B0CW29BQ5B
A Growth Mindset Is the Key
I Love How introduces children and their caregivers to the growth mindset praise principle, and how this method benefits and helps children to thrive. Why was this an important topic to write on?
I Love How is the first book in a collection. It was important for this book to be the first as it lays the foundation for a growth mindset, which is a cornerstone for the subsequent books. A growth mindset is the key to unlocking the potential to learn and master the skills presented in the rest of the collection. For benefits from the concepts in my books to be optimized, the parents will also need to be involved and model the behavior. A growth mindset empowers parents and children to embrace the idea that they can continually learn, evolve, and enhance their lives, influencing how they perceive and interact with the world.
How much research did you undertake for this book, and how much time did it take to put it all together?
Well, that depends on what you mean by research and where you draw the starting line. I spent over 6 years conducting a study on the relationships between grit, success, and retention. Part of that was reviewing the existing literature on those three variables. My Ph.D. specialization is in performance psychology, and my M.Ed is in counseling. I have also spent over 15 years as a therapist, behavioral specialist, school counselor, and coach. So I have been studying, researching, and putting these concepts into practice for close to two decades.
I Love How is the first book in a collection that originated from a training/lecture of mine on psychological skills to help adults thrive. These skills are a collection of well-researched concepts that when practiced regularly, have potent benefits. I adapted some of the key concepts of the training into a collection of short baby books. The books are designed to appeal to very young children and to make parents aware of the benefits of incorporating these concepts into their lives.
So the short answer is the research and preparation were done over a long period and synthesized into a lecture. The books themselves were completed pretty quickly because I already had the concepts ironed out in my head.
As for the design and publishing, that was also pretty fast. My wife is very quick and savvy with design software. She was able to help generate the design that I was going for as well as teach me how to navigate the software. I have also been through the very rigorous process of publishing peer-reviewed academic research which made this process seem much less intimidating. Once I put an idea into action I can usually complete the manuscript and cover files in about a week. I have young children myself so I typically work on projects in the evening after everyone goes to bed.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from I Love How?
My hope is for all of my books to be a valuable resource for both parents and children. While the formats of these books are tailored towards babies, the underlying concepts hold significant benefits for adults. In I Love How, I invite readers to recognize that abilities and intelligence are not fixed attributes; rather, they can be cultivated and enhanced over time through dedicated effort, continuous learning, and perseverance. I hope that readers grasp the impact that fostering a growth mindset can have on their child’s learning journey, realizing the compounding effect it can bring to their overall development. On a more simple level, the books are short and contain images of other young children, this was intentional to appeal to both the reader and the baby. I hope this makes my books a favorite go-to at storytime.
What topic will the next book in that series cover, and when will it be published?
Since the release of I Love How, three additional books in the Growing Minds collection have been published. The second book is titled I’m Grateful, which is about establishing a regular practice of gratitude. The third book is titled Another Great Day, which is about the practice of noticing and savoring the positive things in one’s life. The fourth book is called Reframe, and it is about the skill of taking potential negative situations and shifting one’s perspective into a positive and constructive outlook.
Author Links: Goodreads | Instagram | TikTok | Amazon
The visuals in this book have been intentionally designed to appeal to very young children but it can be enjoyed by older children as well.
About the Author
Dr. Isaiah Varisano is a highly skilled educator, therapist, coach, athlete, and parent. With over 15 years of experience working with thousands of children and students, as well as hundreds of collegiate and professional athletes, Dr. Varisano brings his expertise in performance psychology to help parents and caregivers establish healthy mindsets and communication styles to support children’s thriving development.
The Self-Love Path: How to Embrace Self-Compassion and Kindness to Yourself and Achieve Your Goals
Embracing self-love is one of the most profound gifts we can offer ourselves. While many master the art of showing compassion to others, turning that kindness inward often remains a challenge. The Self-Love Path, by Ariane S. Turpin, is a compelling guide that underscores the power of self-compassion and its undeniable link to personal success and fulfillment.
The narrative starts with a deep dive into the symbiotic relationship between self-compassion, motivation, and goal attainment. Drawing from robust research, Turpin asserts that individuals with self-compassion often exhibit heightened motivation, reduced lethargy, and superior long-term achievement. The inclusion of psychologist Susan David’s insights further enriches the content, emphasizing the significance of acknowledging challenging thoughts and feelings for personal growth.
What sets The Self-Love Path apart is its actionable content. Readers are equipped with hands-on exercises and invaluable advice to nurture self-compassion and align their pursuits with core values. Turpin addresses hindrances like negative self-talk and introduces strategies to counteract these barriers. The book’s introduction of the Kanban method, a proven productivity technique, is particularly notable. This approach helps streamline workflows and keep readers focused on their objectives.
Turpin’s personal journey is peppered throughout the book. Her battles with self-doubt and the weight of external expectations add a layer of authenticity, making her message resonate deeply. Her empathetic and motivational tone, paired with her lucid writing, makes the content both relatable and accessible, even for those less familiar with self-help genres.
The Self-Love Path is an essential compass for anyone seeking to bolster their self-compassion, enrich personal growth, and realize their aspirations. Through Ariane S. Turpin’s guidance, readers are poised to transform their self-perception, fortifying their resilience and self-kindness in the quest for true success.
Pages: 168 | ISBN : 978-1998099023
LITERARY TITAN 