I was recently sent a copy of Danielle LaPorte’s book, The Fire Starter Sessions. When the publisher contacted me to ask if I was interested in reading the book and possibly reviewing it on my blog, I readily agreed. However, not knowing anything about LaPorte, I wasn’t sure what to expect. That didn’t phase me because if I didn’t like the book, I simply wouldn’t have published a review.

I am pleased to report that I found it to be a fantastic book. It’s an easy read and I walked away thinking about a bunch of things in a different way that I previously had, and with a handful of to-do items that I look forward to working on.

Like me, LaPorte is a student of personal development, having read many of the genre’s classic books. She shares much of the wisdom from those books as she walks the reader through 16 lessons which she calls Fire Starter sessions—a couple of which I’ll discuss.

I actually wasn’t particularly enthused during the first session. It’s about finding and following your passion, an oft-written about subject, including in a big way in my book. At that early point in the book I was thinking that perhaps LaPorte didn’t have anything to offer that I would find special.

Happily, I was quickly disabused of that notion, finding the third session, about setting goals based on how you want to feel, and the fourth, with its “burning questions” about your life and career, to be unique and valuable. And from there, I never looked back as I flew through the rest of LaPorte’s highly engaging book.

One of my favorite parts of the book came when LaPorte challenged me to think about what I tell people I do—like when I’m at a cocktail reception and someone asks me. With her help, I was able to clarify the way that my various roles and passions align with my life goal—to change the world, to make it a better place by helping other people.

LaPorte’s enthusiasm oozes from the pages and she made me feel like she cared about me—that it was important to her that I achieve my goals. I heartily recommend this book. Here’s an affiliate link to The Fire Starter Sessions on Amazon.

GIVEAWAY: I have a copy of The Fire Starter Sessions to give away. If you would like to be eligible to win, please leave a comment below about what you say when people ask you what you do—is it something that you are passion about? (If not, starting small, think about ways you can move to align your passions with your pursuits.) The winner will be chosen by random drawing on Sunday, June 10. I look forward to reading your comments below…

Best regards,

David

p.s. If you’ve already read LaPorte’s book, leave your comments, and if you win you can pass along the book to a friend. 🙂

(6/11/12 Congratulations to Heather S., winner of the book drawing.)