The Principle of the Path: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be

by Andy Stanley

Book Overview

Join bestselling author Andy Stanley as he gives you the tools you need to find your path in life and avoid the detours, obstacles, and potholes along the way.Not where you want to be? Wondering how... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0849920604
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson Inc
• Length: 204 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 1.0" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

Excellent, Helpful, and Engaging

First, allow me to tell you what this book is not. That's because, if you're anything like me, you despise all of the New Age and occult teaching that pawns itself off as Christianity these days. And a name like "The Principle of the Path" might set off a few alarm bells in your mind as it did in mine. But there is absolutely nothing New Age or occult in this book. It is not "The Secret." Nothing like it. It's also not about "self-actualization" or any of that nonsense. Second, let me tell you who this book is not for. It is not for those of you who have it all 100% together, who go to bed every night with the calm assurance that you've lived the day to the best of your ability. So, the two of you who fit that description may stop reading here. This book is for the rest of us, and what it does, it does very well. I've never read anything by Andy Stanley before, but if this book is any indication, he is one of those rare talents who can take the obvious and state in a way that makes it seem fresh. He drives his commonsense points home in such a way that I never found myself saying, "Well duh, I knew that." Instead, I found myself wanting to begin applying the simple but profoundly true principle that I've always known, but never really embraced. And what is that principle? Let me summarize it in one sentence: Your final destination is determined by the path you choose and where it leads, regardless of your intentions. Nothing earth-shatteringly new, and certainly nothing metaphysical. But even so, this book is enlightening, entertaining, convicting and inspiring because of Stanley's gift for imparting wisdom. In fact, I need to read it again. I waste too much of my life pursuing activities that lead nowhere, while all the while intending to have my life end up somewhere. Perhaps the best endorsement I can give it is this: It was so good that it made me want to put it down...and go pursue God's path for me!

Do you want to get unstuck?

I finished Andy Stanley's most recent book, The Principle of the Path, last week. Andy is one of those guys that seems to have figured out how to get from here to there, so I figured I'd read his book about how to get from where I am to where I want to be. Here are some of the highlights from my reading: * "To get from where we don't want to be to where we do want to be requires two things: time and a change of direction." * "Direction-not intentions, hopes, dreams, prayers, beliefs, intellect, or education-determines destination." * "We should break the habit of drawing a circle around individual decisions and events and dismissing them as isolated occurrences. These are steps. Steps that lead somewhere." * "Prudent people look as far down the road as possible when making decisions." * "Christians start talking about forgiveness as if somehow forgiveness serves as an escape hatch from the outcome of bad decisions." * "When happiness points in one direction while wisdom, truth, integrity, and common sense point in another, that's when really smart people start doing really stupid things." * "Your heart can't be trusted... The truth is, if you let it, your heart will direct you down a path that leads to the very spot you most want to avoid." * "The choices are now. The outcomes are later. The decisions you make today have ramifications down the road." * "One never accomplishes the will of God by breaking the law of God, violating the principles of God, or ignoring the wisdom of God." * "I am constantly amazed at how resistant folks are to take their cues from people who are where they want to be." * "We don't drift in good directions. We discipline and prioritize ourselves there." Simple principles in this book, but their implications have an enormous impact on the outcomes of our lives. I encourage you to pick up the book. I'm leaving lots of great quotes and stories out of this post. Among other things, I cracked up when I read Andy's version of "The Italian Job"...and it made me want to visit Italy that much more.

Attention+Direction=Destination

Andy Stanley is one of the best communicators I know of. He is thought-provoking, inspirational, and memorable. Best of all, he is a great story teller that knows how to keep my attention! I just finished his latest book, The Principle of the Path. The book revolves around a very simple principle: Direction--not intention--determines our destination. This principle seems obvious, but as we travel on the journey of life we don't really think about it. Or, when we do think about it it's because we realize we've chosen the wrong path. Everyone has dreams and desires for their future. Most of us have great intentions. But our intentions alone aren't enough to get us to our desired destination. We must be making choices and decisions that keep us moving in the right direction. Life is connected. Yesterday affects today, and today will affect tomorrow. The things you do and the decisions you make today will affect tomorrow's experiences. Some other helpful takeaways from Andy are: *The best question ever: "In light of my past experience, and my future hopes and dreams, what's the wise thing to do?" *Our quest for happiness often trumps our appreciation and pursuit for truth. *There is a relationship between submission to God and our ability to pick the best path. *"You will never reach your full potential without tapping into the wisdom of others." *"Your life would be better, richer, and more enjoyable if less of your attention had been hijacked from the things you should have been focusing on." *"The things you give your attention to will influence the direction and destination of everyone in your circle of influence." *Disappointment creates powerful emotions. Emotions fueled by disappointment can drive people to behaviors that put their dreams (and the dreams of others) out of reach. I highly recommend this book to everyone, but I think it is especially helpful for young people. The sooner you understand and live by this principle, the greater your chance of avoiding future regrets. [...]

Where Do You Think You're Going?

Title: The Principle of the Path: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be Authors: Andy Stanley Published by Thomas Nelson, 2008 204 pages (includes a Study Guide) Where Do You Think You're Going? What grabs your attention? Are you going in the direction that will lead you to your desired destination? How are those questions connected? Most of us have some idea of what we want out of life, out of a job or a marriage, but most of us also find ourselves frustrated, because we never seem to get where we want to go. I wonder how many of us ever stop to ask ourselves if the direction we're heading is leading us to our stated goal. Usually, I think, we simply get frustrated, when we find ourselves someplace we didn't want to be, whether it's stuck in a job we hate or a marriage without mutual love and respect, or facing bankruptcy because we managed our money unwisely. Or didn't manage it, at all. Andy Stanley has identified--not created--a principle that is at work in all our lives, whether we recognize it, or not. It is neither a law nor a rule, both of which can be broken, although breaking them may have undesirable consequences. A principle is at work, whether we are aware of it, believe it, agree with it, fight it or leverage it for our benefit. It just is. And it applies to every area of our lives: job or career, marriage and other relationships, finances, academics, morality or spirituality; every area is either enhanced or degraded as a result of this principle and whether we apply it well or ignore it. And it has nothing to do with our goals, desires or intentions. As I read Stanley's explanations and examples, throughout the book, my mind repeatedly responded with, "Well, of course!" "That's so obvious!" It is all so simple, and yet I had never thought of any of it, myself, and never realized there was a principle at work. Even if you are sitting pretty, right where you want to be, or know that you are on the right path to get there, you will benefit by reading this book. And if you are like most people, frustrated because you can't ever seem to make any headway, heart-broken because of a broken marriage or relationship, going deeper and deeper into debt, or dissatisfied in any other area of your life, this book is a must-read. Every pastor, counselor and coach ought to read it, too. It is that good.

Ultimate Self Help Book

If you could relive your life, what would you change? More importantly, how would you change? Andy Stanley, in The Principle of the Path, gives us a blueprint for a successful life. This book is not what I expected. When I read that Andy Stanley is a highly successful preacher and pastor in Atlanta, I thought this volume would be full of sermonizing but it is not. Instead, Stanley writes in a conversational style full of stories and humor. This is an easy, delightful narrative that is like chatting over coffee with a good friend. The Principle of the Path is a self help book for life. Pastor Stanley shares with us his single guiding principle for success and serenity in life. He begins with a relevant story from his own life, explains the principle and then leads us toward implementing that truth in our own lives. Stanley's applications can be useful in our relationships, our finances, our career, and even our parenting. The wisdom is subtle. When I first read the "Principle" I thought it was a bit simplistic, but the more I read the more profound it became. The Principle and its application is brilliant but practical. Although the author is a Christian minister and often refers to scripture, this book would be useful for anyone who wants to lead a better life. The wisdom is universal. I highly recommend The Principle of the Path. This has a very valuable message. I intend to give this book to my closest friends.