Get Out of Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior

by Mark Goulston and Philip Goldberg

Book Overview

Practical, proven self help steps show how to transform 40 common self-defeating behaviors, including procrastination, envy, obsession, anger, self-pity, compulsion, neediness, guilt, rebellion,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399519904
• Release Date: February 1996
• Publisher: TarcherPerigee
• Length: 175 Pages
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.9" x 0.6" x 5.1"

Customer Reviews

Self-Defeating Behavior Eliminated at Work

Humans are self-centered creatures generally incapable of recognizing our flaws. Even if we did, we lack the knowledge about how to correct them. Instead we see ourselves as we choose - rather than how others experience us. In plain language, totally devoid of psycho-babble [even though the author is a credentialed psychiatrist], the author exposes the self-defeating behaviors which limit our success at work - if not in life too! This book is an easy-to-read practical guide to identifying and rectifying the behaviors that holds us back from success. Each chapter identifies a self-limiting behavior and then provides a clear, clean and crisp example and manifestation of that behavior drawn from the author's own experience. The result is a book that is both revealing and instructional. Filled with analogies and metaphorical quotes from luminaries we recognize, it is laced throughout with common-sense what-to-do's and how-to-do's. Interesting features include a bottom line comment at each chapter's end which summarizes the contents [aptly named Usable Insight] accompanied with appropriate action steps to take which rectify that behavior. It's easy to see why the author is a highly respected and sought after coach, counselor, consultant and trusted advisor. This is a book to be shared with every one in your circle of associates. It will help each recognize their behaviors that limit personal growth and success in their job. A must read.

Quick corrective measures organized in an easy to use format

This book is a wonderful resource. I find myself going to it when faced with a work situation where my normal responses and corrective measures aren't working. Dr. Goulston's book, organized by insightfully precise topics, provides an alternate way of thinking and acting in challenging situations - both inter-personal and personal. A great reference for when you don't have the time (or inclination) to delve into deep underlying causes of self-defeating behaviour, but prefer to take action and move ahead.

An HR Managment Tool to share with those "special employees"

There are employees who we know are smart and they conflict in any number of ways with management or with others within the organization. This book helps HR managers help their business owners and corporation shapers get into the thick skulls of those special employees that are shining stars on the verge of becoming supernovas. Corporations many times are charged with terminating an employee or facing the challenge of having an employee that is extremely talented terminate their employment, only to find out that this is basically unnecessary if they can successfully negotiate the behaviors of the employees so that it better serves the businesses' need, not just the narcassist needs of the employee. Yes, they work hard, but the company is in fact compensating them for that with the cars, cash and other perks they so successfully earn, and if they didn't perform, wouldn't earn those things. It's time that business managers and their HR people take back their responsibility and partnership of helping build successful employee careers by sharing with them the challenges and insights they face in building their companies successfully. Fortune 500 executives face these challenges, just as smaller companies do. Get Out Of Your Own Way At Work helps these supernovas realize before they self-destruct their careers, someone elses or far worse, the business' success, where they may be playing the part within this challenge, not just passing the buck and blame over to others, or taking advantage in ways that end up blowing up in their faces, making a mess of their futures or the company's. I triped over this book as an HR manager searching for tools to help my business owner/manager successfully navigate a similar problem. It should be required reading for all entry level employees (along with another favorite of mine "The Rules of Work and The Rules of Management" . Because employees step out of the academic world usually and then enter the business world, there are no hard fast rules, even if you attended an executive business university to guide you in how to manage yourself in the environment, or were raised with the self-disclipine required to be successful in the business world. These tools of knowledge are like boot-camp for entering the business world. HR folks suffer in silence trying to help these people and because its really up to them to get the business procedures and policies of the company when told to them, this book helps communicate to them what they don't get or what businesses usually don't think they need to communicate during the hiring process because any other behavior is cause for disciplinary action. The behaviors described in this book suit all types of industries and organizations. Dr. Goulston explains it so brilliantly and seamlessly, it's clear what our choices should be if we still exhibit the same behaviors after one is assigned to reading it because there is a chapter within the book about how the guil

Put Yourself Back in the Driver's Seat

4. I am over the age of 13. The Fine Print:All submitted reviews are subject to the license termWhether you are just getting started, or are a successful CEO, you will find wisdom in the pages of "Get Out of Your Way at Work." Mark Goulston, an executive coach and practicing psychiatrist, provides insights into self?defeating behaviors that hold good people back. For example, the book delves into issues such as procrastination, failure to listen, an inability to delegate, and an unwillingness to delegate. Rather than simply diagnose problems, Goulston provides insights that can turn excuses into action steps that will enable all readers to benefit. Using a combination of stories culled from experience as well as theory made relevant, this book navigates the sometimes choppy waters of management to provide readers with some clear?sighted advice. What's more, Goulton provides action plans for readers to tackle individual issues and turn potential problems into practical solutions. Such insights will enable use to exert a sense of calm over ourselves and by extension over our workplace. So what's holding you back? Read this book today and start putting some of Dr. Mark's insights to work for you now.

WOW ! A self-help book that actually HELPS!!

This book is worth its weight in gold. No hocus-pocus quick fixes here - just common sense in short chapters on a myriad of methods human beings use to screw life up for themselves - or should I say "ourselves"? I saw myself on many pages, to one degree or another, and the "Usable Insights" were actually useful!! Very few authors go as far at stripping away the delusions people hide behind as Dr. Goulston. For anyone who REALLY wants to get to the nitty-gritty about how self-sabotage is hurting him/her, this book is a true gift!