What Counts Most is How You Finish by Shelia Payton - Book Review and Guest Post

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

What Counts Most is How You Finish by Shelia Payton

ISBN: 9781465364982

Trade Paperback

Synopsis: What Counts Most is How You Finish is a book of short essays that shares ideas for addressing life's challenges. The book (which uses experiences from the author's life and the lives of others) is written with two ideas in mind: 

• Each person has to find his or her own way in life 
• We can learn worthwhile things from each other 

To make it easier to find an essay that can help the reader address life situations in real time, What Counts Most is How You Finish is divided into seven topic areas: Being You, Taking Care of You, Dealing with People, Overcoming Challenges, Staying Focused, Achieving Success and Making a Difference.

While the primary audience for What Counts Most is How You Finish is people between the ages of 16-25, the book has received positive feedback from many older than that who say it’s a good reminder for them.

My Review: I have been on a kick of looking for self help books to read. This book was written as a young adult book but is good for all ages. The way the author breaks down the lessons into seven topic areas make them easier to read about and learn. I enjoyed how the author used her life stories to teach us lessons that can be used your whole life. This is a book I will read more than once to get everything out of it. They say you must read/listen to new lessons six times to get everything out of it, so I will be doing that with this book. It is just the right length so as to now overwhelm you but to be satisfying. I recommend this book for parents and teenagers alike. 

Be sure to check out I Read Book Tours (click here) to see all the stops on the tour. 

Where to buy the book:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Xlibris Book Store

Chapters Indigo

Author's Bio:

Shelia Payton is an entrepreneur, former newspaper reporter, corporate manager and educator who spent all of her early life and much of her career in a time when people of color and women in this country were pushing for greater inclusion at all levels of society, and seeking greater opportunities to live life to the fullest. Like others in her generation, Shelia had to face and overcome barriers to entering and succeeding in non-traditional jobs, and create a place in civic and leadership settings. Also like others in her generation, Shelia’s motivation has not just been about what she can accomplish for herself, but also how she can open up opportunities for future generations. Shelia’s current focus is on creating books, plays and music that build human connections by breaking down barriers and stereotypes.

Visit Shelia's website: http://www.whatcountsmostishowyoufinish.com/

Guest Post by Shelia Payton

Building Up Your Self-Esteem Muscle

Motivational speaker and author Zig Ziglar said “Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.” I agree. Someone growing up in modest or difficult circumstances who believes in themselves is more likely to succeed than someone who may be smarter and had more life advantages, but doesn’t believe in themselves.

How do you maintain a positive attitude that can boost self-esteem? There is no easy answer, but the titles of some of the essays in my book, What Counts Most is How You Finish, provide some suggestions:

Who You Hang with Matters: The people you spend time with influence how you feel about yourself, act, and what you believe is possible for your life. Hang with “why not” people—those who see life’s barriers, but focus on life’s opportunities. Doing this can teach you to be more positive and confident in yourself.

Nobody Has the Right to Make You Feel Bad: Some people are miserable and want company in their misery; so they do things to make others feel bad. You don’t have to be their company. As toddlers we’re quick to tell someone “no” and snatch away when we don’t want to do something. If someone tries to make you feel bad, recapture your inner toddler: say “no” inside your head, and physically separate yourself from them.

Playing the hand you’re dealt: You can’t always control what happens in life, but you can decide how you respond to it. There are three basic options: wallow in self-pity, give up or, as songwriter Jerome Kern wrote, “pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again.” Follow Kern’s advice will help build your self-confidence.

Nothing Beats a Failure But a Try: You can’t win a sports championship if you never step on the field or court. It’s the same in life. People often don’t try something new or innovative, or take advantage of opportunities because they’re afraid they won’t succeed. If you don’t try, you’re guaranteed not to succeed. Rather than hold back, find out what you need to do, and do your best.

Focus on the Positive: This is tough. When you experience disappointment or get knocked down emotionally, it’s natural to curl up and lick your wounds. But neither good times nor bad times last forever. Instead of giving up tell yourself: “As long as I’m inhaling air things can get better.” Read books/articles or watch videos at the library about people who overcame life challenges, and follow their lead.

God Don’t Make No Junk: When doubt creeps into your thoughts, remind yourself you are not a mistake or an accident. You are here for a positive reason.

When you’re discouraged, keep this image in your mind: Flowers can teach us lessons about life. Before they blossom and show their beauty, flowers push their way through dirt and debris. Because they’re determined, they eventually break through to enjoy the sunlight.

Live your life with the determination of a flower and you, too, will enjoy the sunlight.

Thank you to Shelia for stopping by my blog and being a guest post. I hope you enjoy her book as much as I did.