cover image Unleashing the Warrior Within: Using the 7 Principles of Combat to Achieve Your Goals

Unleashing the Warrior Within: Using the 7 Principles of Combat to Achieve Your Goals

Richard J. Machowicz. Hyperion Books, $21.95 (208pp) ISBN 978-0-7868-6569-7

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.)