Change The Way You See Everything Through Asset-Based Thinking

Change The Way You See Everything Through Asset-Based Thinking
by Kathryn D. Cramer, Ph.D & Hank Wasiak
book review by vmsteveo

Change the Way You See Everything is a collection of three thought provoking sections that encourage its readers to change their perspective from deficit-based to asset-based thinking. The book takes the reader past the proverbial glass half-full, positive thinking techniques and gives them a step by step, easy to follow guide with end of chapter go-do’s that can stimulate even the most determined pessimists. Before we get into discussing the book, let's define asset and deficit based thinking:

Deficit-Based Thinking (DBT) – “Concentrates on personal gaps and weaknesses, what is bothersome and irritating about others, and what is not working , problematic and holding us back.”

Asset-Based Thinking (ABT) – “Equips you with a special way of viewing everyday life that yield maximum returns on your investment of attention and effort.”

Section I, Change the Way You See Yourself, teaches to be less critical of the self through identifying and expanding your successes, positive experiences, and what makes you at peace; leaving perceived faults, non supportive people and negative experiences behind you.

Section II, Change the Way You See Other People encourages readers to set aside personal biases of other people by knocking it down a gear and taking a deep breath to search for the truth within that person. This can greatly change your understanding of what matters most to that co-worker, client or opponent.

Section III, Change the Way You See Situations coaches the reader to take a stressful situation and analyzing it in slow motion. I especially like the Laws of Attraction as it explains the importance of projecting outward your commitment, support and dedication to the person or task at hand. Doing the opposite can kill a sale or permanently damage a relationship.

Change the Way You See Everything includes exercises at the end of each section and has an area to jot down your thoughts. This book also comes equipped with detachable 3x5 cards with Asset-Based phrases used to remind you of what matters most and to get away from dwelling on those negative thoughts that seem to creep in every now and then. Lastly, the authors leave you with several sources to continue your deep dive into Asset Based Thinking. I leave you with one righteous, thought provoking quote from the book:

“In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the human spirit.”
- Albert Schweitzer

See you in the trenches - vmsteveo