Chances are, most of us don’t have the opportunity to do what we do best every day? Most of us spend more time trying to overcome our weaknesses instead of focusing on and developing our strengths.

I picked up a copy of Tom Rath’s “StrengthFinder 2.0″ a couple of weeks ago after reading a post by Lindsey Nobles, Thomas Nelson’s Director of Corporate Communications. Lindsey had posted the results of her StrengthsFinder test on her blog.

Now, I know what I consider my strengths to be, but wondered what this test would reveal. I was amazed at how accurate my results were. The test also provided me with a report of my top five strengths along with an action plan for applying my strengths.

I’ll tell you how to get your StrengthsFinder test at the end of this post. For now, here are my Top 5: Analytical, Belief, Deliberative, Discipline, & Responsibility

Analytical
People who are especially talented in the Analytical theme search for reasons and causes.
They have the ability to think about all the factors that might affect a situation.

Belief
People who are especially talented in the Belief theme have certain core values that are
unchanging. Out of these values emerges a defined purpose for their life.

Deliberative
People who are especially talented in the Deliberative theme are best described by the serious
care they take in making decisions or choices. They anticipate the obstacles.

Discipline
People who are especially talented in the Discipline theme enjoy routine and structure. Their
world is best described by the order they create.

Responsibility
People who are especially talented in the Responsibility theme take psychological ownership
of what they say they will do. They are committed to stable values such as honesty and
loyalty.

So, what are your strengths?

Here’s how to get started:

1. Visit to your local bookstore and buy StrengthsFinder 2.0, Strengths Based Leadership, or Now, Discover Your Strengths.
2. Find 30 minutes or so of uninterrupted time.
3. Go to www.strengthsfinder.com and take the online test.

I received “Beautiful Mess: The Story of Diamond Rio” as a Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger. This book is about the country music band Diamond Rio. It tells of the bands rise to country music stardom, downfalls and eventual revival. The book follows all six members of Diamond Rio through their trials and difficulties made it in the music industry, from the Opryland Amusement Park to country music stardom.

“Beautiful Mess” gives you an in-depth look into each member’s experiences by devoting a separate chapter to each member of the band. Each member told his own journey in his own words which felt more like a conversation or panel discussion than just reading a book. The fact that these guys are still together without any member change is practically unheard of but it is a testament of their faith and respect for each other and their music.

Any Diamond Rio fan, country music fan or anyone who just enjoys reading biographies/autobiographies and personal accounts will enjoy this book. “Beautiful Mess” is a very well written book in a personal and easy style that pulls the reader in. You can pick up a copy of “Beautiful Mess” from any book seller or from Thomas Nelson’s web site.

Max Lucado’s newest release, “Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear”, is nothing short of amazing. Being someone who has lived a large portion of his adult life battling anxiety and depression, I could not wait to get my hands on this book. Each chapter covers a fear that each one of us has experienced at least once in our life. Chapters such as the fear of not mattering, overwhelming challenges, financial disaster, and that God is not real are just a few. And as a Christian, we should face those fears with faith and trust in a Holy God. Yet, many of us cower, worry, and fret. Only to find out our fear was unfounded.

Many of the chapters in “Fearless” have answered my doubts and calmed my fears. Will I still experience these feelings? Sure, but I know who can end the worry and calm my fears. And, I now have a plan for stopping those worries too. In one of the chapters, Max provides eight steps to stop the worry and be more P-E-A-C-E-F-U-L: Pray, first. Easy, now. Act on it. Compile a worry list. Evaluate your worry categories. Focus on today. Unleash a worry army. Let God be enough.

I received this book as a Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger. You can purchase “Fearless” from any book seller, through Thomas Nelson Publishers, or direct from Max Lucado’s web site.

From someone who has overcome fear and anxiety, I highly recommend this book and encourage you to get it. It is an easy read and full of answers to many of today’s fears. Imagine your life without fear.

Related Links

www.TheFearlesBook.com

www.MaxLucado.com/TownHall

www.ThomasNelson.com/Fearless

Here are two links of interest from several of the blogs I read.

(In)Courage
http://www.incourage.me/
DaySpring, the Christian subsidiary of Hallmark, has always sought to connect people with the heart of God and it seemed there were more opportunities and reasons to do so than ever. (In)Courage is DaySpring’s new home for the hearts of women.

Fearless
http://www.thefearlesstimes.com/
Can you imagine your life without fear? This website for Max Lucado’s new book, Fearless, contains additional content and information about the book. In addition, you can submit your fear related questions to Max and read others stories of encouragement.

I received Rick and Bubba’s Guide to the Almost Nearly Perfect Marriage through Thomas Nelson’s book reviewer blog program. Written by nationally syndicated radio talk show hosts Rick Burgess and Bill “Bubba” Bussey is a perfect marriage book. I would recommend anyone read this book. Whether you are planning on getting married, have just gotten married, or have been married for years. Rick and Bubba take what they have learned from their more than 33 years of marriage and share it through their personal experiences. Several times throughout the book I saw my wife and me in the same situation. I just wish I had read that part of the book before it happened to me.

I have always enjoyed reading books where real-life examples are shared. It is so much easier to learn from someone else’s mistakes. The book is written with a good balance between humor, common sense, and seriousness in a marriage. Rick and Bubba bring out many good points you can take from the book. And they did what they do best; poke fun of themselves as men. But in their poking fun, they speak it in truth. The book is very well written with short chapters. So, it should be an easy read for most of us men.

Here is more information about the book and a link to order a copy:
Rick and Bubba’s Guide to the Almost Nearly Perfect Marriage

I just received my review copy of “Rick and Bubba’s Guide to the Almost Nearly Perfect Marriage” from Thomas Nelson Publishers. I will be reading this book in the coming days and will post a review of the on my blog in very soon.

Click on the cover for an inside the book preview.

Rick and Bubba are at it again, and this time it is all about marriage. Addressing such topics as apologizing (The Ten Worst Ways to Say I’m Sorry), communication (Grunting Is Not a Language), date nights (Worst Date Nights in History), finances (I Thought You Paid the Gas Bill), and playing sports together (I Did Too Let You Win), the two “sexiest fat men alive” will have couples everywhere tied in knots. With stories, top ten lists, and even a bonus addendum of their oft mentioned, “The Book of Blame,” this humorous look at marriage is long overdue. This book will revolutionize your way of looking at married life. And it might just remind you all over again why you fell in love in the first place.

I have read several books and many articles by John Maxwell. However, “Put Your Dream to the Test” is John Maxwell’s greatest book yet. This is an absolute must read for anyone challenged by discovering, taking hold of, and pursuing their dream. The book walks you through the ten questions for putting your dream(s) to the test:

· The Ownership Question

· The Clarity Question

· The Reality Question

· The Passion Question

· The Pathway Question

· The People Question

· The Cost Question

· The Tenacity Question

· The Fulfillment Question

· The Significance Question

Many people have hopes and dreams, but no idea how to go about reaching those dreams. “Put Your Dreams to the Test” essentially helps you to create the right answers to these questions, giving you principles and tips to so you can make good decisions and maximize every moment to achieve your dream. The book is full of examples of people who have successfully pursued and attained their dreams.

“Put Your Dream to the Test” is definitely a book that I will read again and again. It is a practical, yet very applicable book that is a must-have and can make the difference between failure and success. Don’t leave your dream to chance or whatever may be.

Yesterday I received my review copy of John Maxwell’s book, Put Your Dream to the Test.  Just in reading the introduction today, I came across this statement that really made me stop and think. So, here is today’s thought for the day.

“A dream is an inspiring picture of the future that energizes your mind, will, and emotions, empowering you to do everything you can to achieve it.” – John Maxwell

I just requested my next book from Thomas Nelson Publishers to review. It is John Maxwell’s new book Put Your Dream to the Test. Maxwell brings the subject of a personal dream down to earth. He gives readers practical and powerful direction for their lives by leading them through ten questions that will help them create a clear and compelling pathway to their dream.

I will be posting a review here on my blog as well as on the Thomas Nelson web site as soon as I finish the book. For more information about the book, here is a link to the Thomas Nelson product page: Put Your Dream to the Test

O.K. I received this book more than a month ago from Thomas Nelson to review. Well, I misplaced it. I just found it this past weekend and have read it. Following is my (belated) review.

Where is hope in the middle of the storms of life? Where is God in the midst of these hard times? Where is God when a loved one dies, a job is lost, or sickness effects your life? Where is God when everything is falling apart? The answers to these question lie in Max Lucado’s book, “For The Tough Times”. This short, easy to read book is full of insight and wisdom to many of the questions we all ask during the tough times. Throughout the book, Max Lucado reminds us who is still in charge of everything going on in this world… God. Overall, this book was an encouragement to not blame God when things go wrong, to find His grace in the storm, and to find peace by forgiving those who have wronged us. The poignant word pictures Lucado paints are stirring and heartening.

This is a great little gift book to give to a friend or loved on who may be going through a difficult situation. I was able to read this book in just one day. The book is only 80 pages long and can be read in an evening or a weekend afternoon. This is one of those books you put on you nightstand or on your office bookshelf to get to when you need a bit of encouragement.