This book compares the journey through life to going on a trip using your car's GPS system.

When using a GPS, you need to start with entering your present location. The book has a questionnaire to help determine where you are now, emotionally and psychologically. Then you can enter your destination, or your ultimate goal (it can range from losing a few pounds to starting your own business). Your journey will be difficult if your windshield is dirty, or covered with bugs. Make sure your goal is clear and attainable, and regularly evaluate yourself to make sure you are still on course.

How do you get from here to there? Start a vision board to show what your ideal life looks like. Visualize your best life; it will help you focus. Resolve to do five GPS actions every day. It does not matter how small they are; after a week, a month, or a year, you will be that much closer to your destination/goal.

Make sure there is nothing holding you back, like forgetting to release the parking brake. Fear, worries and excuses are like radio stations on your car radio. Just as you can change to another radio station, you can stop listening to the negative internal chatter, and replace it with positive thoughts.

Roadblocks and potholes are a part of life. Are you going to give up on your goal because the road has gotten bumpy, or are you going to find a way around it? Having a backseat driver in your car is never fun. How do you deal with an emotional backseat driver?

When you reach your destination/goal, go right ahead and celebrate. Send yourself an e-card of congratulations, take a picture of the "new" you, take a day off with no cell phone or computer to distract you, look yourself in the mirror and say "Thank you." Now, it is time to start thinking about your next goal.

This is a really good, and really easy to read, piece of writing. It is better than most self-help books in that it explores the journey to an emotional goal in terms that anyone can relate to, using a car's GPS system. It's short, and it's recommended. ( )

Receiving GPS Your Best Life couldn't have come at a better time for myself, since the New Year I have been battling with what I really want my life to look like against what it currently looks like and basically I haven't gone any further. I know deep down what I want and what I think I need to do but other things seem too important and lack of time does not help.

The book helps you determine what you really want in your own life and where you are currently in relation to this and helps you plot the best route possible. Life certainly isn't perfect and deciding on working on your goals isn't going to be straightforward but it helps you work around problems, not letting excuses get in the way.

Going through the different questionnaires and tasks made me realise that I need to change but am scared to do so. The GPS Checkup questionnaire was spot on showing that I know what I need/want but am struggling with the how to. The most important chapter for me and the biggest eye-opener was 'Clearing Your Windshield and Seeing The Road Ahead'. How can you possibly begin a new journey if you cannot even see through the windscreen, you need to clear the screen from bugs and dirt which relate to clutter in your life, living in the past, avoidance, not been able to say no and doing too many things at once BUT it doesn't have to be completely clean to begin the journey. This is where I was getting stuck and by using the techniques to break things down it really isn't as daunting as I was allowing myself to think. I need to keep it realistic in simple steps and keep focused with prompts to help, it will take quite some time but I am determined that I will get there.

The whole terminology throughout the book referring to you as the driver with your internal GPS helping you navigate through challenges and towards goals really makes sense and makes it easier to understand as you go through the different chapters. The book also includes many real life examples which seem to add extra clarification to the subject. Each chapter is summarised at the end with 'Road Rules to Live By' and 'Mapping Your Way'.

To fully reach your true destination you will need the willingness and motivation so you can focus on putting your plan into action and not be afraid of asking for support. I've read quite a few self help books in the past and this one is definitely the most user friendly and one of the easiest ones to understand, it gives you the feeling that you can actually achieve your true life destination.

Reading the book once will not be enough, I think this is a great book to keep close at hand to refer to when you need it as you progress forwards and is what I will certainly be doing. ( )

What would it take for you to envision and create your best possible life?

Do you need to:

Identify priorities and set goals?
Eliminate clutter and let go of the past?
Focus on values and navigate life’s obstacles?

No matter what course you set for yourself, GPS Your Best Life by Charmaine Hammond & Debra Kasowski will help you to chart your destination and get there in style!

GPS Your Best Life is filled with creative exercises and coaching tools to help you move forward and create a life you love. What distinguishes this book from similar books is the authors’ highly effective use of the GPS – Global Positioning Systems – metaphor throughout the book.

The authors describe the GPS analogy like this:

Think of your life as the vehicle: you’re the driver with your hands on the wheel and this book is your GPS to help you navigate your life. The GPS is just like that “You are here” sign in the mall – it shows where you are in relation to where you want to go, and the different routes to get there.

If you are trying to determine the next step to take in your life journey and you are looking for the perfect blend of inspiration and practicality to help get you there, you will find GPS Your Best Life an enlightening book worth the time investment.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. I was not compensated for this review nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. ( )