Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #47093 in Books
• Published on: 2002-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

Amazon.com Review
War is hell, but if you prepare properly for war, there's not much about life that will take you by surprise. At least, that's the premise of Unleashing the Warrior Within, in which author Richard Machowicz takes the lessons he learned as a Navy SEAL and applies them to real-life situations.

For example, in war you learn that there are three dynamic elements of combat: target, weapons, and movement. The target dictates the weapons, and the weapons dictate movement. In real life, your target is what you want; your weapons are your skills; and movement is whatever you need to get in position to use your skills.

But, since deciding upon a target is the step that's most troubling to people, he adds another wartime analytical tool called the CARVER matrix. You lay out various targets you may have in life--a better job; getting in shape; buying a new house; and taking on a new business partner, say. Then you assess the criticality, accessibility, recognizability, and vulnerability of the target, plus its effect on your overall mission in life, and the potential return on your effort.

Machowicz calls his philosophy Bukido, and when you take his classes in Los Angeles, you learn self-defense along with these life-improvement skills. In this book, the object is to get you to choose a mission that is closest and most important to you, and then achieve your goals with military precision. By the time you're through learning the seven principles of combat, what you've really learned is how to think critically and focus your efforts. Machowicz uses his students as examples of how the enemy in life is really a lack of action, allowing life to take you along for a ride. So if your current target is a solid self-improvement course, Unleashing the Warrior Within could be your most effective weapon. --Lou Schuler

From Publishers Weekly
Machowicz, founder of the Bukido Training System, a self-protection program, offers his insights on taking charge of one's life, conquering fears and achieving goals. Based in part on his decade-long career as a Navy Seal, Machowicz urges readers to break down their fears into components as the first step toward overcoming worries. After laying out what he calls the "Three Dynamic Elements of Combat" ("The target dictates the weapons and the weapons dictate the movement" one chooses to reach one's goal.), he shows how readers can respond to their fears. In his "Fear Crusher" exercise, he encourages his readers to recall a moment of pride, repeat a motivating phrase, focus on the future and move forward when faced with a terrifying situation. While Machowicz's approach is generally sound, his combat experiences are far afield from the fears and anxieties related to relationships and jobs that most readers must confront. Still, those who have unsuccessfully tried to take charge of their lives may find that his potent prose and no-nonsense approach will motivate them to begin to behave differently, even if they don't conquer all their fears. (Feb.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"Machowicz takes you into the trenches of your passive mindset and pulls you out a self-assertive warrior." -- Daily News

"The most important book I've read in a long time ... provides the tools to win in the battle of life." -- Jim Rome, host of

"Unleash the Warrior Within has, and will continue to have, a lasting impact .... Richard’s words echo in my head." -- Tom Deters, editor-in-chief of Muscle and Fitness magazine

Customer Reviews

Best Book I've found on Personal Development
Years ago when I was in basic training in the U. S. Army, I noticed something. The military has a way of brilliantly capturing key concepts in a few easily-remembered words. When you're in the heat of battle, you don't need a 16-point plan complete with sub-points! You need a concise, workable guide that works, that you can remember and refer to at any point.

Richard Machowicz gets it! He has caught onto this hard-hitting method of training. Often he makes some of the same points that can be found in many personal development books and courses. Also, there are powerful ideas unique to him. But Richard has a way to presenting his points that hits you where you live. You see that they will work and that you can use them right away.

There are a lot of books on the market that cover personal development, goal setting, effective living, the pursuit of happiness--in depth, and they are good to read for a more leisurely, contemplative review of your life and what you want. Novels are like that too. Some move slowly, exploring character motivations, providing background, going into a lot of details, and any action is captured over a number of pages.

Richard's book is like an action novel. He aims at clearing away the clutter of indecision and confusion and getting the reader "off and on" and busy with going after what the reader wants in life. His system is complete in itself. Not heavy on theory and extensive explanations of theory, but focused on right thinking and action.

There's something else. Right at the beginning of this book, the reader senses a warrior spirit. It is inspirational, motivating, and encouraging. The reader gets excited and finds, perhaps, new or rediscovered desire to jump into the battle of life--that is, after digesting the training!

And, while the entire book is tremendous, I think the chapter on fear (chapter 2) is a gem of unique insights from a man who has experienced and overcome fear, many times, and continues to do so. Richard defines knowledge as "information you've taken on board and integrated into your decisions and actions." And that, in fact, is exactly what he has done. He offers not head knowledge, a scholarly, intellectual grasp of facts and principles, but much, much more: principles and wisdom he has proven in his own life and battles, time and time again! And that the reader can understand and communicate to you.

If you have been feeling scattered and undisciplined in choosing goals and reaching them, if you want to know how to get started accomplishing things, or just get better at it, this book is for you. Highest recommendation.

Don't be jaded, this is not just another self-help book
I'm a sucker for these type of books, but felt like a genius after reading a bit and finding it to be fresh and practical. No metaphysical mantras here, I found this book to be a perfect synergy of practical advice and mental development. I had no reason to expect anything more than your typical 'I was a Navy Seal/Green Beret/Special Forces soldier and you can be one too' but I was pleasantly surprised. The advice and mantras are solid and I found that the discussion stuck with me.

A Must Read for Everyone
Richard Machowicz has updated his phenomenal book and even if you have the first edition, you need to get this update. Mack shares his wisdom, his experience and his vast knowledge in readable, usable prose. There is an embarrassment of riches in this book and you can read it over and over and still find a new nugget of insight with each reading. You get the perfect blend of motivation, direction and entertainment in this book. This is a must for everyone's library.