How would our thought process change if we measured our lives in days, instead of in years? Smith decided to put this concept to the test-- and walked away with life-changing information. He reveals a simple plan that will allow you to master your life, starting right now.

The day for change is today and it's more simple than you realize. Most people sleepwalk through day-to-day life, passively letting time slip away. Unfortunately, the only thing that can usually wake people up to the intensity of life is impending death. But what if it didn't have to be that way? 20,000 Days presents breathtakingly simple strategies and concepts that, once applied, will enable readers to be 100% present and intentional with every passing minute of every day, for the rest of their lives. The book is designed to be read in under an hour and the effect is immediate. Within each segment are tactics for mastering control for your life; principles such as: Motivation is a myth You only have two choices, yes and no How to conquer rejection forever How BECOMING the problem will SOLVE all your problems Three sentences that will change your life immediately These timeless principles apply to everyone from the pending graduate to the seasoned business professional; from the time-starved parent to the weary pastor to the restless entrepreneur. On the 20,000th day of his life, the author sent an email that inspired and reminded a group of people of all ages to live in the moment. This group now includes you.

The beloved New York Times bestselling author reflects on home, family, friendships and writing in this deeply personal collection of essays. "The elegance of Patchett’s prose is seductive and inviting: with Patchett as a guide, readers will really get to grips with the power of struggles, failures, and triumphs alike." —Publisher's Weekly “Any story that starts will also end.” As a writer, Ann Patchett knows what the outcome of her fiction will be. Life, however, often takes turns we do not see coming. Patchett ponders this truth in these wise essays that afford a fresh and intimate look into her mind and heart. At the center of These Precious Days is the title essay, a surprising and moving meditation on an unexpected friendship that explores “what it means to be seen, to find someone with whom you can be your best and most complete self.” When Patchett chose an early galley of actor and producer Tom Hanks’ short story collection to read one night before bed, she had no idea that this single choice would be life changing. It would introduce her to a remarkable woman—Tom’s brilliant assistant Sooki—with whom she would form a profound bond that held monumental consequences for them both. A literary alchemist, Patchett plumbs the depths of her experiences to create gold: engaging and moving pieces that are both self-portrait and landscape, each vibrant with emotion and rich in insight. Turning her writer’s eye on her own experiences, she transforms the private into the universal, providing us all a way to look at our own worlds anew, and reminds how fleeting and enigmatic life can be. From the enchantments of Kate DiCamillo’s children’s books (author of The Beatryce Prophecy) to youthful memories of Paris; the cherished life gifts given by her three fathers to the unexpected influence of Charles Schultz’s Snoopy; the expansive vision of Eudora Welty to the importance of knitting, Patchett connects life and art as she illuminates what matters most. Infused with the author’s grace, wit, and warmth, the pieces in These Precious Days resonate deep in the soul, leaving an indelible mark—and demonstrate why Ann Patchett is one of the most celebrated writers of our time.

This book supplies a simple, memorable, and effective formula to solve problematic behaviors in the work environment and life in general. An invaluable guidebook, it will help readers move beyond mediocrity and achieve happier, more successful lives. The Work-Life Equation: Six Key Values That Drive Happiness and Success is for the millions of people and business managers who are surrounded by bad behavior—with its attendant mediocre or unsatisfying results—at work and in their private lives, but who hope and dream for happier and more successful lives. The book begins with a frank explanation of the need for self-awareness and self-improvement, then describes how the "winning formula" and the equation for happiness and success in work-life—(H,S) = f(4C,2R)—can be applied via six types of behaviors to effect sweeping changes. The formula means Happiness and Success can be achieved by (is a function of) Cooperation, Consideration, Compassion, Courtesy, Respect, and Responsibility. The book focuses not just on the meaning of these values but also on how to "better live" them. It concludes with a self-assessment tool for the individual, team, or organization to complete that enables objective measurements of behaviors and identification of areas of potential improvement. Dismissing the familiar, corporate value clichés, the author focuses on six key values most readers probably learned as kids but have forgotten about in adulthood—or didn't realize were still apt and relevant. The book provides priceless information and guidance for all readers but will be especially appreciated by those in the corporate workplace interested in self-improvement and success, educators and business students, executives looking to shift their firm's behavioral atmosphere in a positive direction, and individuals seeking inspiration and hope in their daily lives.

A New York Times bestseller with over 1.3 million copies sold! Only a few months ago, he was a successful executive. Now he’s a desperate man. Join David Ponder on an incredible journey to discover the Seven Decisions for success that can turn any life around, no matter how hopeless a situation seems. Forty-six-year-old David Ponder feels like a total failure. Once a high-flying executive in a Fortune 500 company, he now works a part-time, minimum wage job and struggles to support his family. Suddenly an even greater crisis hits: his daughter becomes ill, and he can’t even afford to get her the medical help she needs. When David’s car skids on an icy road, he wonders if he even cares to survive the crash. But an extraordinary experience awaits David Ponder. He suddenly finds himself traveling back in time, meeting leaders and heroes at crucial moments in their lives—from Abraham Lincoln to Anne Frank. As David speaks with each of these historical figures, they share their personal philosophies with him. By the time his journey is over, he has received seven secrets for success—and a second chance. Among these crucial decisions for success are: The buck stops here, and I am responsible for my past and my future I will seek wisdom and be a servant to others I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit, and I will forgive myself Today I will choose to be happy and be the possessor of a grateful spirit The message is simple: Life is about choices. While we have little control over the events that occur in our lives, success is determined by the choices we make daily. The Traveler’s Gift will challenge you, inspire you, and give you seven decisions that you can employ to determine your own personal success. Acclaim for The Traveler’s Gift: Good Morning America’s “Read This!” book selection for May 2003 Hit the New York Times bestseller list and remained there for 17 weeks Reached #5 on the New York Times Business Bestseller list Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Publisher’s Weekly bestseller Translated into nearly 20 languages, including Braille

Some things in life have no earthly explanation. Miracles are not reserved for the characters in the Old and New Testaments; they happen to everyday people. Series creators Don Jacobson and K-LOVE Radio have joined together to produce one of the most remarkable collections of modern-day miracles ever compiled. From angel appearances in hospital rooms to a mother saved from a would-be assailant in Hyde Park, from a young autistic girl becoming a beautiful ballerina overnight to a young backpacker who walked away from a terrorist attack, It’s a God Thing presents some of the most amazing stories of God’s hand on our lives. Be motivated as never before to look for and witness the incredible ways that God is interacting in your life and the lives of those around you. “With their new book, It’s a God Thing, I believe K-LOVE and my friend Don Jacobson will call friends of Jesus everywhere to look for His capers around the world! Do you know why God involves Himself in our lives? Because God is love and love does!” —Bob Goff, author of the New York Times bestseller Love Does “Every day we all are faced with stress, situations we can’t control and often the fear that we really are all alone. . . . These stories give us courage in times of peril and strengthen us when we feel helpless.”—TobyMac, top Christian artist and Grammy Award winner “In It’s a God Thing true servants of God share how their lives were transformed when their understanding became the Father’s. What a blessing to be a child of the King!” —Missy Robertson, star of Duck Dynasty “There is so much going on around us that we never see. Life is all about perspective, and when that lines up with the hand of God, it is remarkable to witness. This book and collection of stories from my friends at K-LOVE will inspire and encourage you greatly!” —Andy Andrews, New York Times best-selling author, The Noticer and The Traveler’s Gift “Sometimes I’m guilty of looking so hard for God that I miss Him right in front of me. May we all be reminded through It’s a God Thing that some of the simplest moments in life can quite possibly be some of God’s greatest miracles.”—Bart Millard, lead singer of MercyMe “Nothing astonished people in the New Testament more than watching Jesus perform a miracle right before their eyes—and nothing inspires us today more than hearing He did it again! My good friend Don Jacobson, publisher of The Prayer of Jabez, has once again launched the perfect message for today—don’t miss it!”—Bruce Wilkinson, author, The Prayer of Jabez “There is nothing better than hearing others talk about the ways that God has intervened in their lives. Miracles happen every day all around the world. These stories are incredible.”—Robert D. Smith, author, 20,000 Days and Counting “God doesn’t need for us to be aware of the miracles He’s performing, but they’re happening every day! It’s a God Thing, a new book from K-LOVE, is a powerful vehicle to tell the story of a number of those miracles.”—Brandon Heath, 2008 New Artist of the Year Dove Award winner

Life is not easy for the women of Glasdrum. A skeleton is unearthed, too many walkers are falling to their deaths off mountain cliffs, and the local pub doesn't know how to make a decent daiquiri. As the women battle through daily life, the spectre of death looms over the Highland town. Could one of them be living with a killer?

Book Design Made Simple gives DIY authors, small presses, and graphic designers--novices and experts alike--the power to design their own books. It's the first comprehensive book of its kind, explaining every step from installing Adobe(R) InDesign(R) right through to sending the files to press. For those who want to design their own books but have little idea how to proceed, Book Design Made Simple is a semester of book design instruction plus a publishing class rolled into one. Let two experts guide you through the process with easy step-by-step instructions, resulting in a professional-looking top-quality book

Just one of these decisions can alter the course of a person’s life. What if you decided to master them all? Explore the seven decisions for success first introduced in the New York Times bestselling book The Traveler’s Gift, learning how you can turn life around—no matter how hopeless it seems. In this updated and repackaged edition of Mastering the Seven Decisions, master storyteller and life coach Andy Andrews has fast-forwarded the concept of success and what it takes to make it stick. Seeking out what separates the ordinary life from the extraordinary, Andrews has spent much of his life dissecting countless biographies and spending time with some of the most successful people on the planet to understand the principles that propel them toward greatness. The result: simple principles that—when applied consistently—render extraordinary lives. Through his entertaining, down-to-earth style, Andrews offers all the tools necessary to make lasting changes in your life. These principles of personal success in parenting, relationships, financial success, and leadership are all around us. So why shouldn't we harness them, learn them, and use them to create a future of our choosing? The seven decision you’ll explore are: The Responsible Decision The Guided Decision The Active Decision The Certain Decision The Joyful Decision The Compassionate Decision The Persistent Decision The consistent application of the Seven Decisions brings about what can only be called miracles: what was once labeled “impossible” actualizes. Opportunities that once eluded you are now attracted to you. Dysfunctional relationships transform into harmonious ones. Life, which was once a struggle, now becomes an exciting adventure!