Peter L. Hirsch - Living the significant life 12 principles for making a difference

Advance praise for Living the Significant Life

Peter Hirsch and Robert Shemin have opened the door for thousands of people to enter into success. This book will inspire you to live every day with passion as you embrace your purpose.

John C. Maxwell, author of Developing the Leader within You

Living the Significant Life is an important book that will teach you how to get the most out of lifeby giving. It is my privilege to count Peter Hirsch as a friend, and I can share with you that he lives these principles daily and with passion.

Vicente Fox, president of Mexico, 20002006

Peters and Roberts teachings are stimulating and inspiring. They will encourage and excite you to the point of action. I especially love their insights on belief.

Rudy Ruettiger, inspiration for the film Rudy

This is a practical guide that demonstrates that genuine successand significanceare measured as much by what we contribute to the world around us as by what we gain in money, titles and belongings.

Sam Caster, founder of Mannatech and MannaRelief

We yearn for success and significance. Unfortunately, we often pursue them in all the wrong ways. Living the Significant Life shows us how to achieve these things on Gods terms and in a way that is not only personally rewarding but that also blesses others. The principles in this book are eternal, practical, and available to everyone who wants to reach for all that life has to offer.

Bill McCartney, founder of Promise Keepers

The world is round, and what you give will come back to you in measures beyond your imagination. I recommend these teachings and trainings to my organization and suggest you do the same.

Bob Steed, CEO of Trivani International

The simple truths this book teaches are a blueprint for living a life of purpose, success and significance.

Jim Rohn, business philosopher and founder of Jim Rohn International

Peter and Robert show us how to let go and let God change the meaning of our lives by design rather than delusion.

Dr. Denis Waitley, author of Seeds of Greatness

Living the Significant Life is a book that teaches what is really importantthe intangibles that will inspire you to reach beyond your wildest dreams. I work very closely with Peter and know beyond a doubt that this book comes from his heart. He lives it, and so can you. I strongly recommend this books teachings and trainings to our organization and suggest you do the same.

Darren Jensen, Chief Sales Officer of Ampegy

We have used Peters trainings and ideas at Top Gun to focus and define our leadership to better serve all those we come in contact with. He will help you and your team strengthen your vision and leadership.

Robert Dean Jr., Top Gun International

It is not every day you read a book and immediately realize there is a different and better way to think about everyday life. This is one of those books. Take the time to read it and live it.

Ken Hartwick, CEO of Just Energy

Copyright 2012 by Peter Hirsch and Robert Shemin. All rights reserved

Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
Published simultaneously in Canada

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, (978) 7508400, fax (978) 6468600, or on the web at www.copyright.com . Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, (201) 7486011, fax (201) 7486008, or online at http://www.wiley.com/go/permissions .

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Hirsch, Peter, date.
Living the significant life: 12 principles for making a difference/Peter Hirsch and Robert Shemin.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-470-64125-5 (pbk); ISBN 978-1-118-17513-2 (ebk);
ISBN 978-1-118-17514-9 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-118-17515-6 (ebk)
1. Meaning (Psychology). 2. Self-actualization (Psychology). I. Shemin, Robert, date. II. Title.
BF463.M4H57 2012
158dc23
2011049810

For Ariel & Malia

P. H.

For Alexander

R. S.

Foreword

Living the Significant Life is a book that shares some principles all of us should adopt and why we should adopt them. This is a book that gives clear insights, thoughts, and directions that will make a difference in anyones life.

Its common sense, written from the heart, based on personal experience and a study of significance. The authors, as the saying goes, have been there and done that. Now they want you to come along with them. Not only do they want you to do that, they also give compelling reasons why the approach theyre taking will enrich and enhance every phase of your life, making you a happier, healthier, and better person as you battle the difficulties that very frequently come with life.

The powerful principles that Living the Significant Life examines have worked for thousands of people, and I have every reason to believe they can work for you as well. As a matter of fact, when I adopted many of these principles that the authors discuss with such passion, every facet of my life was affected and enriched.

I encourage you to pick up your pen when you pick up this book. Mark the passages that have meaning for you. Pause, reflect on, and really think about them. Then write yourself a little note, a reminder of something you can use that will make you a better person and a more complete human beingone able to harness the power instilled inside you.

I encourage you not to pick up this book with the intention of finishing it; instead, read the book with the purpose of gleaning wisdom from it that will enrich your life increasingly with every subsequent reading. The enrichment begins when you follow the directions and suggestions. So take the steps the authors are encouraging, and I really will see younot just at the top but over the top!