New book from personal development expert Phil Parker shows how to be successful by asking yourself 10 questions

What use is a self help book that doesn’t give you any answers?

In his new book, The 10 Questions to Ask for Success (Hay House, £10.99), Phil Parker explains that the most important discovery he has made in over two decades of working in the personal development field is this: providing solutions, advice, suggestions or answers doesn’t really help anyone.

If we are provided with the answer to a problem we don’t go through the important process of finding a solution for ourselves and so, when faced with another problem, we turn to ask for help again. Parker argues that learning how to create our own solutions allows us to “be more independent and skilled at finding and making the right decisions for ourselves”, helping us to be successful. Instead of answers we need questions!

Although not just any old questions; as Parker explains it is about: “asking the key questions, at the right time, in order to get to the solutions”. The ten questions in this book will enable you to do this and are powerful tools – drawing on the fields of personal and spiritual development, business, psychotherapy, cognitive behavioural therapy and even hostage-negotiation – that will help you to make great decisions in all aspects of your life.

Thousands of Parker’s clients have already used the tools in this book to help themselves or others to stop being stressed, stuck, over-worried, disempowered, unmotivated, frustrated and self-sabotaging and achieve success with issues such as weight loss, anxiety and low self esteem. You will learn how to:

• motivate yourself and others
• calmly find solutions even in the most stressful of times
• design and achieve your dreams
• ensure that your relationships work well, flourish and are fulfilling
• manage your business more effectively
• assist others on their paths away from conflict and wasted time and energy, and towards transformation and fulfillment.

The 10 Questions to Ask for Success is a wonderfully practical and clear book that will help you come up with all the right questions to ask yourself in any given situation and realise that all the answers are within you.

SEE BELOW FOR FIVE TIPS TO HELP YOU BE MORE SUCCESSFUL RIGHT NOW

Phil Parker is an internationally renowned lecturer, therapist and innovator in the field of personal development. His training as a hypnotherapist, executive coach, certified master practitioner of NLP and osteopath give him a unique ability to provide new solutions to meet the challenges and opportunities of life in the 21st century. Phil's hugely successful process for change, the Lightning Process, has already transformed and enhanced the lives, health and success of thousands of people around the world. He runs a private practice in London and is principal and director at the Phil Parker Training Institute.

‘Astonishing, swift and simple’ The Independent

The 10 Questions to Ask for Success by Phil Parker is published by Hay House on 6th February 2012, £10.99 pb, also available as an eBook.
Watch a video of Phil

Five Tips to Help You be More Successful Right Now! Extracted from The 10 Questions to Ask for Success by Phil Parker (Hay House, £10.99)

1) Success and happiness are interlinked, so set aside some time each day for five days to write a happiness checklist. What percentage of your time is spent doing things that you love to do? If it is less than 50 per cent, then you need to reassess things; if it's over 70 per cent you're doing really well!

2) What if? Use this question to reinvigorate your future. Many of us spend too much time limiting ourselves; telling ourselves things just aren't likely to work out. Even if we have ideas about how to make changes and be more successful, we will often strangle these ideas straight away. Let your dreams breathe and live a little using the ‘what if?' question to imagine a brilliant future. Ask yourself ‘if everything that I put my hand to today turned out just perfectly, what would I do today?’

3) Stop blaming. Frustration is as linked to blaming, as success is linked to being able to let go of the past. Remember: whatever happened, happened. The question is not who was right and who was wrong, but how do you want your future to be now? Ask yourself ‘who or what do I need to stop blaming to have a great future?’

4) What do I want? A key secret of success is to get really clear about what you want – but be careful you don't get sidetracked by focusing on what you don't want. The more you think about something, the more your brain focuses on making it happen. So instead of thinking about what you don’t want, use your brain as an ally and think about what you DO want.

5) Sabotage. Unfortunately, it is often ourselves that stand in the way of our own success: whether it’s self-doubt, procrastination, a lack of motivation or just not following through. If you find yourself doing any of these, there are three things you can do. Firstly, stop beating yourself up and be kind to yourself instead. Often just doing this changes what happens next, as when we treat ourselves with compassion we allow ourselves to stay calm and find solutions. Secondly, ask yourself ‘what exactly am I committed to, what’s really important here?’ Finally, ask yourself ‘how am I going to make this easy?’ Successful people see their challenges as opportunities to creatively move things forward, and that makes everything seem easier.

Seeds of Fiction

Seeds of Fiction: Graham Greene's Adventures in Haiti and Central America, 1954 - 1963 by Bernard Diederich.

In June 2012, Peter Owen Publishers will be publishing a major new biography of Graham Greene - Seeds of Fiction: Graham Greene's Adventures in Haiti and Central America, 1954 - 1963. In 1965, Graham Greene joined journalist Bernard Diederich in the Dominican Republic to embark on a tour of its border with Haiti, then ruled by 'Papa Doc' Duvalier. They were accompanied by an activist priest, Jean-Claude Bajeux.

The famous novelist was 61 and depressed having struggled to finish A Burnt-Out Case and was being plagued by religious doubt; Bajeux, meanwhile, had been informed that his family had been 'disappeared' by Duvalier's henchmen. As this trio travelled along the border they met a number of rebels and other characters later fictionalized in Greene's most politically charged novel, The Comedians, published the following year.

This major new biography finally and fully illuminates a pivotal episode in Greene's life and career in the kind of detail that will sate any fans of Graham Greene's work, but also provides a fascinating glimpse into a writer's life, making it an essential purchase for fans of literary biography. Including extensive new archive material on Greene and exclusive, never-before-seen photographs of Greene on his travels - some of the most remarkable portraits of Greene seen for years - Seeds of Fiction tells the story of how a series of extraordinary and often hair-raising journeys gave one of the greatest novelists of the 20th century new inspiration in his writings.

www.peterowen.com

Eat London

“2012 is rather an important year for London and the UK as we will be welcoming the world to our cities, so it is just as well that there has been something of a revolution in the UK – it is called the Café, Food and Restaurant Revolution. Even in these dire economic times they open every day of the week by keen young people for whom food has become a religion.” Terence Conran

This year all eyes will be on London. As host of the Olympic Games and centre of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, locals and visitors alike will be seeking out the best that London has to offer. Wallpaper Magazine recently named London the best city on the planet and it is now considered to be one of the most important food destinations in the world.

There have been many gastronomic changes in the capital since the first edition of Eat London was published in 2007. This completely revised and updated edition presents new entries highlighting the very best food stops not to be missed on a tour of London in 15 chapters.

The book is more than just a restaurant guide and provides a personal view of London’s food culture from a dream team of authors. Terence Conran and Peter Prescott share their passion for the city and make you feel like they are showing you around themselves. From cafes to bakeries, fishmongers to butchers, the food markets and pop-ups of east London to haute cuisine in Mayfair, entries are selected for their food quality and originality, as well as their decor, convivial ambiance, sense of tradition, and wonderful personalities.

www.octopus-publishing.co.uk
Eat London 2
All about food
Peter Prescott & Terence Conran
Published by Conran Octopus

April 2012 - Price £20
Each chapter encompasses a specific area of London with full address listings for every entry and suggestions of itineraries or fun things to do – for example the perfect Saturday in Notting Hill, or Flâneur Sundays in east London. More than 60 recipes appear throughout the book by some of Britain' s top chefs including for example Bruno Loubet, Pierre Koffman, Yotam Ottolenghi, Giorgio Locatelli and Bryn Williams. As well as signature dishes from restaurants such as Bocca di Lupo, Hawksmoor, Moro, Polpo, St John and many others.

Every entry has complete listings and can be located on the fold-out maps. All photographs are specially shot throughout by photographer Lisa Linder, illustrating London’s unique street-life and food culture.

THE AUTHORS
Terence Conran is one of the world’s leading restaurateurs and has transformed the experience of eating out in London with his many acclaimed restaurants. He is Chairman of Conran Holdings, the parent company of his retail and restaurant businesses, and Chairman of Conran & Partners, his architectural and design practice. His books include The Essential House Book; The Ultimate House Book; Chef’s Garden; Classic Conran and Terence Conran on London.

Peter Prescott has worked with Terence Conran since 2001 for the Conran Restaurants group. Before this he garnered experience at Claridge’s and Grosvenor House on Park Lane. In 2006 Peter and Terence formed a new company called Prescott & Conran Ltd., the venture responsible for the award-winning Boundary Hotel, Restaurant and Rooftop, plus Albion Café, Bakery and Shop, and Lutyens Restaurant, Bar and Cellar Rooms in London’s Fleet Street.

Praise for the first Eat London:
“This ingenious paperback will become as indispensable as a well-thumbed A-Z.” So London
“A handsome, detailed guide to shopping and eating out.” Rose Prince, Daily Telegraph
‘An essential for anyone who lives around London or simply visits and loves food” Woman & Home

Squires Kitchen's Guide To Making Sugar Figures By Jan Clement-May

Where there's a celebration there's a cake! And what better way to decorate it than with fun and colourful figures made especially for the recipient.

Popular sugar artist, Jan Clement-May, shows you how easy it is to model and personalise figures in Sugar Dough using just a handful of basic tools. After explaining the essentials of modelling in sugar, she covers three popular subject matters - occupations, hobbies and celebrations - and presents an imaginative selection of figures within each chapter.

So whether you're making a bride and groom for a wedding cake (complete with jolly vicar!), a cute baby boy or girl for a christening or baby's birthday, a cub scout or brownie for a children's party, or a cake for a sportsperson, this book is for you! Plus, if you're looking to make party bag treats, wedding favours or if you're simply short of time, there are quick and easy cupcake designs to accompany every figure.

Author Profile

Jan Clement-May started sugarcrafting in 1995 after being inspired by a novelty cake book.

Having originally qualified as a graphic designer, Jan applied her artistic talent and creative flair to cake decorating and began to make cakes for her two children, as well as for other family members and friends. In 2001, she set up The Too Good to Eat Company from home and shortly afterwards began to contribute projects to Cakes & Sugarcraft magazine.

Since then, Jan has become a tutor at the Squires Kitchen International School of Cake Decorating and Sugarcraft. She has established herself as a popular contributor to Cakes & Sugarcraft magazine and continues to run her successful business. She has written three other books, Merry Christmas Cakes, Bob the Builder™ Celebration Cakes, and Squires Kitchen's Guide to Animal Modelling (B. Dutton Publishing Ltd.).

• Learn how to model 23 fun figures in sugar, great for decorating party cakes or for personalised edible gifts.

• An enjoyable activity for modellers of all ages, perfect for keeping little hands busy.

• Step-by-step instructions and full-colour photographs throughout.

Squires Kitchen's Guide to Making Sugar Figures by Jan Clement-May is published in March 2012 by B. Dutton Publishing Ltd., RRP £12.99. Available from bookshops (including the That's Books bookshop) and direct from the publisher at www.squires-shop.com.

ISBN 978-1-905113-32-3.

A Very Peculiar Talent

When Tessie runs away from home she doesn’t want her mother to find her, but disappearing is easier than she had thought possible. Just what is her peculiar talent? An intriguing mystery which will keep you guessing.

Seventeen-year old Tessie runs away to London, away from home and an abusive step-father. She wants to go missing because she has taken all the money she could find.

On the train, she meets what turns out to be her saviour, a young man whose sister is in need of domestic help.

As she and his family become intertwined, the unlikely Tessie finds herself with two suitors. She marries, but a series of tragedies ensure that she once again disappears. Inspector Wilson and DC Sloane investigate, until a dead body turns up. Can this be Tessie’s final disappearance?

Action, intrigue and character drive the plot to a surprising conclusion.

An extract from A Very Peculiar Talent by Charlotte A Hutt is available to read at www.authorsonline.co.uk

Imprint: Bright Pen

Published: 5 December 2011

ISBN: 0755213939

RRP: £9.99 paperback, £3.95 ebook

Available from the That's Books Amazon book shop on this site.

That's Parenting: The Great Book Exchange At Early Learning Centre

That's Parenting: The Great Book Exchange At Early Learning Centre: It's always good to start the New Year with a positive approach and 2012 is no exception. On 4th January 2012, Early Learning Centre will b...

ANGLE OF ATTACK - Author Lee Baldwin Launches Flying-oriented Adventure Mystery Title on Amazon for Kindle

Author Lee Baldwin has announced  the release of his flying-oriented adventure mystery novel, ANGLE OF ATTACK, on Amazon.com for Kindle e-Readers. Vintage warplanes, extreme flying, quirky women, and diamonds diamonds diamonds blend in a fast-moving tricky plot.

Angle of Attack brings the reader to adventure and intrigue in a world of extreme flying, quirky women, and the power they covet.

Pilot Cicero Clay is a researcher of vintage WWII warbirds, a glider flight instructor, and an accidental convict. First, someone tries to kill him. That same day a former girlfriend becomes his shiny new Parole Officer.

This story is not about exploding cars and guys chasing about shooting at each other. These are more skillful and adventurous scenes of piloting gliders, flying WWII warplanes such as the P-51 Mustang, about an ordinary guy trying to get out from under the parole system. It's about an unsolved historical diamond theft, and pieces of a past Clay thought was gone forever.

While Clay pursues proof that he was framed and tries to stay alive, he struggles to complete his mission: piloting a stolen vintage fighter across three states to a secretive buyer. Added challenge: Clay has never flown powered aircraft.

To survive, Clay must deduce the motivations of shadowy characters, and face challenges that push him beyond his comfort zone. In action typical of the story’s unique action scenes, Clay finds out the hard way that a glider can become a murder weapon. And how to fix it before he hits the ground.

Amid the action, a charming personal story emerges, as Clay discovers a love he never imagined.

When asked how he conceived Angle of Attack, Baldwin said, "The core ideas came while studying to be a glider pilot. I found everyday flights in powerless gliders to be thrilling high adventure, so what would it be like to push that experience to extremes, such as using a seemingly passive aircraft as a murder weapon? This event became a key plot departure from the get go."

SPECIAL PROMOTION

During the weekend of January 7 and 8, Angle of Attack was available as a free Kindle download, a promotion of Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing programme. It now costs $3.05, but is still excellent value for money.)

(EDITOR: I am reading this book, now. Get a copy. Seriously. Get it from Amazon, this minute!) You can use the That's Books Amazon Shop, if you like, just get it!)