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SHATTERING THE GLASS SLIPPER by Charles W. Marshall

SHATTERING THE GLASS SLIPPER

Destroying Fairy-Tale Thinking Before It Destroys You

by Charles W. Marshall

Pub Date: Sept. 1st, 2003
ISBN: 0-9748084-5-8

A unique perspective on behavior and a purveyor of self-help help that delivers a needed wake-up call to those who expect their hopes and dreams to magically come true.

Comedian-turned-motivational-speaker Marshall is so on target with his first book, it's a wonder he's not yet a favored contact for daytime talk shows. His keen perspective on how fairy-tale thinking imprisons people in a life of mediocrity is written in an admirably succinct manner. If for nothing else, he deserves the highest kudos for his convincing point that most people don't even realize they engage in this mode of thinking, and that of the three deceptions that block self-improvement, the feeling of entitlement is the most dangerous–a warning that a wide swath of today's population might want to take to heart. Marshall insists that everyone can obtain the seven powers necessary for better living; his essays on the powers of choice, character and failure (yes, failure), are particularly noteworthy. Hopeless dreamers won't like hearing that they have to put effort into realizing their desires, but considering the popularity of tough talkers Dr. Phil and Larry Elder et al., the time could be ripe for Marshall's theory. Though he names the five deadly enemies of success–doubt, indulgence, emotion, distraction and comfort–most of his solutions refer to the seven powers. His logical suggestions explain that the only thing standing between an individual and success is that same individual. However, trying to overcome devastating addictions (indulgence) or depression (emotion) usually necessitates therapy, he notes–to be fair, he recommends taking the traditional steps for recovery. The material is rock solid and best summed up by the author himself: "Instead of waiting for your ship to come in, grab a hammer and build a boat."

Sadly, the people who would most benefit from this important message will probably be the least likely to pick it up.