Fast Forward: 5 Power Principles to Create the Life You Want in Just One Year
By Wendy Leshgold and Lisa McCarthy
Matt Holt, 256 pp., $28
Have you ever sat in a café sipping your latte, wondering why your career is stagnant, a relationship isn't working, or you can't quit caffeine? In Fast Forward, Leshgold and McCarthy introduce a plan to improve your life in just a year.
According to the authors, adopting five principles can get you unstuck and living the life you want sooner rather than later:
- Declare a bold vision.
- Choose a new perspective.
- Plan the work and work the plan.
- Use language of action.
- Stop talking and get curious.
Questions supplement the reading, such as "What is your disempowering story?" or "Where in your life would it make a difference to get out of the stands and onto the field?" The book includes examples of responses along with stories of individuals who successfully implemented the principles into their lives.
Fast Forward begins by acknowledging the perspectives that create a person's story and recognizing one's strengths to reframe that story and build confidence. The authors then explain how to create a 90-day action plan using a three-pronged approach.
First, readers should review the important outcomes from their vision statements and narrow them down to three. Second, identify no more than three specific actions for each outcome. Third, establish the timeline for outcome completion. The plan is not static and should be accessible, reviewed weekly, shared, and updated.
The authors contend that you can choose to be in the stands of life and use the language of observation by praising, complaining, and describing. Or you can choose to be on the field using the language of action by making recommendations, asking for help, listening, developing curiosity, and creating alignment.
The book concludes with guidance on empowering others to solve their problems and essential coaching strategies that readers can use with employees, friends, or family. If you are ready to journal, create action plans, take those actions, and make changes in your life to achieve a bold vision, then this book is for you.
