3 Seconds: The Power of Thinking Twice

A great small, important book. Read it- and find the strength to be who you were created to be- no longer bound by the six assumptions that kill us!

I enjoyed this book so much I have bought more to give away as gifts.

I think this is a five star book for two good reasons: 1) The author gives you practical self-talk phrases to replace common thinking that leads to pessimism. These phrases are the answer to, "How do I become more optimistic?" For example, the phrase "I love a challenge" is useful as an alternative thought to "I don't know how I'll get through this". We know from years of psychological research and analysis that "what you repeat you believe" as long as the thing repeated is not countered with strong evidence. The reality is that by repeating to yourself "I love a challenge" you are likely to begin seeing challenges as positive instead of negative. 2) Chapter 3, It Takes 3 Seconds to Fuel Your Passion, is a ten star chapter by itself. This chapter is one of the best summaries of developing passion that I've ever seen. I've told my seminar attendees for a decade now that your energy comes from your passion more than your plate. By this I mean that while eating right and exercising are important they do not give you the amazing energy of a driving passion. This chapter gives you the clear steps to creating passion. Get a vision "of the future that gives passion in the present." In other words, don't just envision "a" future, but envision a future that quickens your heartbeat and excites you to action. Purpose is the propelling force behind passion. I often tell my students that purpose leads to passion. Passion leads to energy. Energy leads to action and actions produce results. It all starts with your vision or purpose. This book was inspiring and I think you'll find it very helpful.

The essence of this book is not a new message, but the communicative skills of Les Parrott make its development an interesting read as he instructs us to take action and not be passive. It's the first part of the book that hooks the reader has he mysteriously refutes the myth that a person should rely on first instincts in making a decision. He cites studies that say that is bad advice. The "3 seconds" to which the title refers are the second guessing that follows that initial impulse. He says wiser decisions are made in that short time frame. In the preface John Maxwell gives the book such a sales pitch it's difficult to resist finding out what the big discovery is that Dr. Parrott has made. At the heart of the message is something that is not surprising, be focused in your work. Don't be busy for the sake of activity, but zero in on the desired results and do what it takes to make them happen. I like Parrott's Christian worldview, however, I am disappointed that authors like him use less than Christian examples to illustrate the principles they're trying to teach. A person can "perserve" for a terrible goal and achieve a result. The principle has been applied "successfully" but evil was accomplished. Knowing how to use a principle doesn't mean something worthwhile occurs. On pages 171-172 I found the goal-setting method of Lou Holtz to be captivating. I also like the quote from William H. Murray on page 178, "The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too." I would add, provided that the commitment is aligned with God's will. When I read about a man named "Winter" who was on a quest to consume coffee at a national chain and break a record, I wondered, what's the point? Turns out that is exactly the point Parrott was making, "WHO CARES????"!!! Busyness is not productivity.

Synopsis: Three seconds is all that stands between those who settle for "whatever" and those who insist on "whatever it takes." Award-winning author and psychologist Dr. Les Parrott reveals six common impulses that sabotage greatness in our lives. We can unleash our full potential and excellence when we learn how to give our first impulses a second thought. Description: Just three seconds. The time it takes to make a decision. That's all that lies between settling for "Whatever" ... or insisting on "Whatever it takes." 3 Seconds shows how to unleash the inner resources that can move you to a whole new level of success. It comes down to six predictable impulses that most of us automatically accept without a second thought. You can replace them with new impulses that lead toward impact and significance. For instance, it takes Three Seconds to ... Disown Your Helplessness: The First Impulse: "There's nothing I can do about it." The Second Impulse: "I can't do everything, but I can do something." Quit Stewing and Start Doing: The First Impulse: "Someday I'm going to do that." The Second Impulse: "I'm diving in ... starting today." Fuel Your Passion: The First Impulse: "I'll do what happens to come my way." The Second Impulse: "I'll do what I'm designed to do." Inhale ... exhale ... the difference of your lifetime can begin in the space of a single breath. The decision is yours. Start today.