The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die (BK Life) - Softcover

John B Izzo

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1576754758 ISBN 13: 9781576754757

Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2008

Synopsis

In The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die, Dr. John Izzo, presents valuable advice that was gleaned from over 200 interviews with people over the age of sixty (up to 106 years of age). Using a powerful narrative voice, Izzo helps us to understand the common themes from the lives of those interviewed, the commonality of what really matters in their lives, and especially how to put this wisdom into practice.Imagine for a moment that you are about to take a foreign vacation to an exotic destination. You have saved your entire life to travel there. It is a destination with almost unlimited choices of how to spend your time and you know you will not have enough time to explore every opportunity. You are fairly certain that you will never get to take a second trip to this destination; this will be your one opportunity. Now imagine that someone informs you that there are several people in your neighbourhood who have been to that country, explored every corner. Some of them enjoyed the journey and have few regrets, but others wish they could take the trip again knowing what they know now.Would you not invite them over for dinner, ask them to bring their photographs, listen to their stories, and hear their advice? This is precisely the journey explored in this book. Dr. John Izzo and his colleagues interviewed over 200 people over the age of sixty who were identified by others as having lived happy lives and as having found purpose and contentment. The interviewees ranged from aboriginal elders to town barbers, from Hollocaust survivors to former CEO's. In these interviews, each person was asked to reflect back on his or her life to identify the sources of happiness and meaning as well as lessons learned, regrets, major crossroads, and what did not contribute to meaning in their lives. Based on these interviews, and Dr. Izzo's twenty years experience helping people find more spirit and purpose, the book explores the secrets to finding contentment, happiness, and

About this title

Product Description

What are the secrets to finding happiness? Why do some people live well and die happy? John Izzo asked thousands of people to identify the wisest person they knew. The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die shares what he learned from over 200 people aged 60-106 whom others said had found the meaning in life. From town barbers to Holocaust survivors, from aboriginal chiefs to CEO's, these people had over 18,000 years of life experience. With warmth and wit, this book shares the ""Five Secrets"" to a happy and purpose-filled life which Izzo distilled from listening to these stories. Dr. Izzo also shows the reader how to put these secrets into practice in our lives. This book will make you laugh, bring you to tears, and inspire you to discover what matters long before you die. Based on a highly acclaimed TV series appearing on public television, this book takes the reader on a heart-warming and profound journey to find lasting happiness.

Review

"This book is rich with anecdotes and insights that broaden your perspective on life and deepen your commitment to live your very best."
--Brian Tracy, author of Maximum Achievement, Eat That Frog! and Flight Plan

"Instead of wishing at the end of life 'If I only knew then what I know now' you can know it now! This book has incredible wisdom from people who have real perspective."
--Marshall Goldsmith, author of What Got You Here Won't Get You There

"John Izzo has revealed key fundamental truths from our elders, which he has presented in a way that is absorbing and often moving. This is not just another simple meaning-of-life book; it is a carefully researched and edited exploration of a road map to fulfillment for an era that needs it more than ever. The author infuses personal meaning into each chapter, and we feel as though we are going on a personal journey with him. The journey is joyful, heartfelt, often tearful, moving, but always presented with meaning and purpose."
--Janet E. Lapp, Ph.D., psychologist, author, and host of the CBS series Keep Well

"Have you ever wanted to sit down with someone who is really wise and ask him or her some fundamental questions about life? How about sitting down with more than 200 wise people? That's what John Izzo did and he offers truths here that you can't afford to ignore. Prepare to be surprised, provoked, encouraged--and changed forever. You will want to keep this book as a constant companion. It is a gentle reminder that it is never too late to live the truths that lead to wisdom, grace, and deep happiness."
--Dr. Kent M. Keith, CEO, The Greenleaf Center for Servant- Leadership, and author of Anyway: The Paradoxical Commandments

"John has written a book that takes the obvious and turns it into the essence. When you have finished reading The Five Secrets you will find yourself with a new point of view about the rest of your life. And you will love it!"
--Joel Barker, futurist

"John Izzo is a masterful storyteller. He educates us by weaving a fascinating mosaic of stories that make his point. Let this book be your mentor!"
--Beverly Kaye, Founder and CEO, Career Systems International and co-author of Love It Don't Leave It: 26 Ways to Get What You Want at Work and Love 'Em or Lose 'Em: Getting Good People to Stay

"The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die is a magically engaging book: lyrical, poetic, and perceptive. Through deeply moving stories from wise elders, John Izzo masterfully unravels the mystery of what it means to live a full and meaningful life. This book is a joy to read, and it will be an even greater joy to live the profound yet simple lessons revealed in this remarkable book."
--Jim Kouzes, co-author of The Leadership Challenge and A Leader's Legacy

"I was deeply moved as I savored the wisdom found in The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die. This book brings to light much of the lost wisdom of our elders, providing practical ways to live with greater meaning and focus. John Izzo, who courageously puts the word 'die' in the title, offers us profound and simple wisdom for living, for getting to the heart of what it means to be more fully human."
--David Irvine, author of Becoming Real: Journey to Authenticity and The Authentic Leader

"The things we think we know are usually the things we most need to be helped to remember. This book prompts us to refocus on the principles on which we build the well-lived life."
--Max Wyman, author of The Defiant Imagination

"If you read only one book this year, please make it The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die. Dr. Izzo has done a monumental service for all of us in synthesizing fundamental keys to living a happy and meaningful life. This is extraordinary wisdom literature."
--Larry C. Spears, President Emeritus and Senior Fellow, The Greenleaf Center for Servant-Leadership

About this edition

• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1576754758
• ISBN 13: 9781576754757
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 178