Excuses Begone! by Wayne W. Dyer

Excuses Begone! Reviews

• 
  Natali

  I could not stop listening to this audio book and now that I am done, I just want to start all over again.
  
  This was my second Wayne Dyer book. I found it when I was feeling like I was in a good place in my life. I wanted reinforcement that bad times were not right around the corner for me just because I was feeling good. I found that and a lot more.
  
  The message I needed most was this: You have the choice to think thoughts that are debilitating and you have the choice to think with unending possibility. You can never know that all the positive thoughts you think will come true but those thoughts don't stop down on life. The flip side to that coin is that you can't know that your negative thoughts will come true either but those thoughts are paralyzing. So shouldn't we choose to think the optimistic thoughts? Why think any thoughts that close doors?
  
  I am still slightly stuck on the instruction to "think like God thinks." God is an uninterpreted being to me so I am not sure what to do with that. I don't believe in the deity from organized religion but I believe in a higher power. I may never completely understand It (Him/Her?) so how can I think like God thinks? I think the message for someone like me would then be to think with omnipotence.
• 
  Loy Machedo

  Loy Machedo’s Book Review – Excuses Begone! By Dr. Wayne Dyer
  
  Dr. Wayne Dyer earned my fascination and respect with his Your Erogenous Zones when I was only 16 years old. Ever since I have made it an effort to ensure I am updated with whatever he has to offer. But somewhere along those 16 years, Dr. Wayne Dyer transformed himself from a person with a Scientific Reasoning to borderline Spiritual Nonsense, Mythical Garbage & Quantum Physical Crap.
  
  In as much as I would love to thrash this book, I would say there are a few nuggets of wisdom worth sharing. So let me accept the challenge of being as fair as possible to both sides of the argument.
  
  The Great Stuff
  Wayne is an incredibly well read man. He cites examples, quotations and anecdotes from literally ever corner of the world. One moment he can be stating Tao Te Ching and the next moment he will zero down to the Bible and then before you know it, comes the Bhagwad Gita & Henry David Thoreau. If there is one amazing take away from this book, it is simply this – the library of information he has to share from so many different cultures and disciplines.
  The book makes you contemplate many areas of your life – especially where vices like smoking, drinking, over-eating, depression, stress and a stress-filled life is concerned.
  I have nothing but admiration for a man who has put so much of effort and heart into each and every principle he has had to share.
  
  The Nonsense
  Wayne has a habit of cherry-picking whatever he feels adds value to his argument – to the point he can ignore the rest of the facts. For instance, he will pick up feel good versus from the Bible – be it from the old chapter or new and expect us to give him the nod for his theory. And then you have the potpourri of mythical books like the Gita & the least understood concept of Quantum Physics and quotes from other luminaries – and volia, he expects you to buy what he has to say. What about the rest? One quote from a whole book supports your theory?
  He keeps blabbering about how he is one with nature and one with the universe and talking about walks in the nature and swims in the pond to reach creative fulfillment (or something along those lines). Well – someone ought to give him a wake up slap and let him know normal everyday people cannot afford to take swims in the ponds or take walks in the forest without having the challenges of life breathing down the necks.
  It is very easy for a man who earns a lot of residual income from the sale of his Books, Audio Programs and DVD’s to harp about charity and giving selflessly without thought of tomorrow. I think as he is getting older, he is slowly losing his cuckoos.
  
  Overall Review
  There seems to be a dying breed of the New Age Spiritual Guru’s with their Recycled Garbage, Trivial Thoughts, Attract the Invisible and ‘You-Will-See-It-When-You-Believe-It’. Gone are the days where someone like Joe Vitale could flash around a fake title like Doctor of Metaphysics or like William Lane Craig - Doctor of Theology (Both sound more like Doctor of Fairy Tales and Bull Shit) and people would get impressed. I think people are tired of these know-it-all authors and writers who come up with this rubbish which cannot be explained just to increase their book sales and have enough money to – like how they say it – be one with the universe while swimming in the ponds without any thought of tomorrow.
  This book will appeal to confused frustrated crackpots who pray to stones & images and believe in miraculous favors coming showered to them by some sky god simply because some nomadic herd wrote some mystical blabbering text on some script many years before science & reasoning had come into being. Or to those searching for the answers and expecting words like Dharma, Karma or Tao to solve their confusion.
  Another literally waste product from an old man who has also lost his mind.
  
  Overall Rating
  3 out of 10.
  
  Loy Machedo
  Loymachedo.com
  
• 
  Jenny Baker

  Sometimes we read a book and something in it just clicks with us. This is that book for me. I've known about this book since it was first published, but I wasn't ready to read it until now. I wish I had been ready to read it back then. I could have shortened the lifespan of my mistakes. This is a wonderful book to open up your mind, change your old thinking habits and create a new way of thinking that will truly benefit your life in every way.
  
  I love Dr. Wayne Dyer. He gets me to question my old thoughts and realize that they're wrong. He not only tells you what to change, but how to change. A lot of these self-help gurus skip the all-important how portion of their teaching and that's the most important step.
  
  Everything he writes is so inspirational. If you need something uplifting that will put you on the right path to reach your personal goals, this is the book to read. I can't recommend it enough.
• 
  Donna

  UPDATE: As I read this today, (by that I mean listened to it,) I had no idea I had already listened to it until just now when I pulled it up on GR and saw it wasin my "read" pile. I still think he is personable and that he had a positive message. So still 4 stars.
  
  ------------------------------------------------------
  
  I never know how to rate this kind of book. I've never read this author before. I've seen him on PBS during fund raising time. I think he was quite personable on television, and I can say the same about the audio of this book I just listened to, but I don't think I could actually sit down and read something like this unless I thought I needed it and if I was willing to change.
  
  This book gently rolled along, just like his PBS specials. I actually liked that and thought it fit his message well. He had some great ideas regarding revamping your life. But most of them were HUGE and drastic....no baby steps. Again, though, that worked for his basic message in this book.
  
  I liked the audio. I don't think I'd like the book. I liked his message. I don't think it is easy to implement. If you are plagued with excuses and feel unfulfilled in life, this might be worth the time to read and take notes. If you are neither of those, this was still a quiet read for a quiet day.
• 
  Stephan

  On merits, this book contains some great messages to mankind. I enjoyed the references on memerics and DNA alterations regarding one's strong faith and belief. However, the reader gets no chance to digest the material as the writing was too repetitive and at some points overexerting. I got the gist of it during the first three chapters, thereupon I tagged alone with a feeling that I have been brainwashed more than I needed to. The seventh principle of compassion, upon which Dr. Dyer elaborates in chapter 10, is a stumbling stone for the author. When you give an example of a test of faith that should appeal to mankind, you cannot simply walk in the other direction. Dr. Dyer praises the generous wise woman for giving her precious stone to the greedy traveler. However, it had nothing to do with compassion. It was a matter of generosity vs. greed. Like the greedy traveler, Dr. Dyer wishes to thrive on the generosity/labor of others, and he even gave expression for his real motives for his book industry: see page 133: ‘The traveler saw the precious stone and imagined how it would provide him with financial security for the reminder of his life’. The reason I didn’t fall for this book is simple. In 1993 I visited South Africa. It was in Johannesburg that I have passed the test of faith upon which Dr. Dyer elaborates in chapter 10. I gave all of my money to the poor and returned to my homeland with zero money, no job and no place to stay. I was broke and on the verge of homelessness. If it was not by the grace of an old friend, I would have been just another poor homeless walking the streets of en elite society. Three days later I became a volunteer in a kibbutz, and ever since my life changed dramatically. Dr. Dyer will never give his money away to the poor and do what I did. He talks the talk but he never walked the walk. I doubt he will ever pass such a test himself. What counts in life is acta non verba (deeds not words). Dr. Dyer is a greedy elitist. He made an industry out of spiritual guidance. I was very disappointed to discover the truth about him in chapter 10. I grew weary of charlatans.
• 
  Susan Lynn

  This book is wonderful if you feel "stuck" in your personal or professional life or if you know you are "your own worst enemy".
  
  The author outlines, with wonderful examples and analogies, excuses or negative self-talk many employ when attempting to change aspects of your life or character;such as "I'm too old" or "It will be expensive" or "I'm not smart enough". There is no judgement or chastisement for using these excuses. Dyer explains, in simple and eloquent language, the psychology or reasoning behind why people create such obstacles to their personal evolution.
  
  With this insight as to why we use excuses, Dyer then goes on to provide alternate ways of thinking. These alternates include questioning old thinking habits as well as ways to open oneself to embracing a paradigm shift. With this embrace a universe of opportunities opens up before you and you have the strength to banish any excuses that prevent you from discovering your beautiful, authentic self.
• 
  Jenny Yates

  This book is full of really good ideas, taken from everything from the Tao Te Ching to the Ramayana. (Some of it is also taken from Katie Byron, without any acknowledgement.) Philosophically, it’s full of gems. The only trouble is that it’s couched in the most annoying language possible. It’s like he’s trying to sell you a car, and he just won’t let up.
  
  I don’t really think this book is designed to be read. It would work better on a series of placards.
  
• 
  Jim

  just not in the mood for Dyer's 'you can do it all with your brain' advice. i keep thinking it's very easy for him to kick back on his Hawaii estate and espouse, yet again, a different twist on attraction theory. If everyone could do it, we'd all live in hawaii...
  
  maybe i'll come back to it someday...
• 
  Natali

  I wasn't sure if I needed to read this after I listened to the audio version but I'm glad I did. The two are supplementary.
  
  This book is a brilliant way to organize and conceptualize the basic tenets of personal spirituality. Although I don't necessarily recommend it for everyone in the same way I have recommended the audio version. The writing is dense and the book requires introspection that certain people in my life don't get on board with, namely my mom. She liked the audio version but didn't have the patience for deconstructing her thoughts in the way this book suggests. Spirituality is not a one-size-fits-all.
  
  For me, this fits. I am always trying to identify and jettison toxicity and open myself up to infinite possibilities. I loved the delineation of thoughts, exercises, and principles. If you are a student of this kind of thinking, you will likely appreciate things you already know presented in a manner you had not previously conceptualized.
• 
  Lewis Manalo

  I've seen Dyer on PBS for years, but I've never read any of his books till excuses I kept hearing coincided with this show being on TV. Dyer applies New Thought terms and ideas to an interpretation of Taoist philosophy. This volume is meant to shake the reader out of inertia by using this philosophy to examine his or her thought processes.
  
  I enjoyed reading the book, and I believe in what he writes; however, like most Taoist and New Thought writing, the evidence presented here is anecdotal and personal, which won't win over any skeptics. Taking so many quotes out of context also feels unscholarly and awkward. Though inspiring, most of the quotes are unnecessary for supporting his points.
  
  But what Dyer writes about makes sense. Why persist in believing in something negative when it can't be true and it isn't helpful? Skeptics will miss out, but readers who believe in New Thought or Taoist spirituality and philosophy will definitely benefit.
• 
  Barbara Carter

  
  My reading list lately seems to revolve around the topic of choices.
  
  Excuses be Gone, presents a method for removing deeply embedded thinking habits that prevent you from being the person you want to be, says the author. We make excuses for conditioned ways of being.
  
  He explores that vast world of excuses. Encouraging the reader to challenge patterns and feel inspired by a newfound awareness of the life hidden beneath their excuses.
  
  He lists eighteen excuses, and goes into detail about them. Some are: It will be too difficult. I can’t afford it. It’s not in my nature, or I don’t deserve it.
  
  The book is really about taking total responsibility for all the conditions of your life.
  I do like this idea, and think it’s good advice to follow.
  
  I also like the idea of: don’t complain don’t explain:
  
  He says, when you resort to complaining you employ an excuse of one kind or another. Complaining about the way somebody has performed or failed to perform is another way of making an excuse for why you are dissatisfied or unhappy.
  you make it all about them instead of about yourself.
  
  I also like this question: If no one told me who I was, who would I be?
  
  There is some good to information in this book. But it can be repetitious. The writing at times, not all that great. But if you’re looking for some basic insight on excuses and how to stop making them, it’s worth a read.
  
  
• 
  Robin Tobin (On the back porch reading)

  No more excuses! There were excellent tips, background to “why” and ponderings to consider, regarding the excuses we use throughout life...
• 
  Cathie

  Wayne Dyer has always been one of my favourite go to authors when I need something that makes sense. Again, with this book, he did the job right.
  
  I was reading along enjoying each page, about half way through, when a friend called to tell me that he had died today. His family's announcement on Facebook said this:
  
  "Wayne has left his body, passing away through the night. He always said he couldn't wait for this next adventure to begin and had no fear of dying. Our hearts are broken, but we smile to think of how much our scurvy elephant will enjoy the other side.
  
  We Love You Forever Dad/Wayne
  
  The Dyer Family"
  
  I feel like I have said goodbye to a friend; a mentor. Picking up this book again, I could feel my heart race, my anxiety increase, my mood had turned sour. And then, without noticing it at first, once again, I got lost in his gentle tone, his sense of humour, his written cadence of delivering some message and I found myself smiling and being grateful that he left us with many funny stories and pathways to our self-discoveries.
  
  This book is another one of Wayne Dyer's best. (I don't think he knew how to do them any other way.)
  
  
  
  
• 
  Susan

  This was a powerful book. It is jam-packed with so much information, but I rated it 4-stars because I know I will have to read and reread it again to really get it's full value. At times, I found Dr. Dyer's messages repetitive, which became irritating but soon realized what was happening: i.e. I consumed this book as an audio-version, but, for various reasons, let it expire 4 times, renewing it each time, before I was able to finish it. The irony for me was that each time it expired, I used some excuse about why it happened and why I shouldn't finish the book. Such irony. When I finally came to terms with the fact that, the messages he enforced repetitively, were the messages that I just didn't WANT to hear, but I so NEEDED to hear. I now plan to get myself a hard copy of this book, to reference over and over, until all my excuses begone.
• 
  Jennifer

  I spent a lot of time rewinding this audiobook trying to grasp what he was saying. This presents as having valid researched and numbered points but I just could follow it. Lots of ramblings on between. I would like to recommend it as there seems to be something there but I really can’t be sure.
  
  I do agree that often times our mindset (excuses) become a big limiting factor.
• 
  Paul Bard

  Kind of a keystone summary of his life’s work.
  
  Also extremely long winded, alas.
  
  I suggest reading from the end backwards section by section and not even bothering with the long boring opening three quarters, as it is simply a bunch of filler.
  
  The last quarter is PURE GOLD.
• 
  Angela Fink

  Long and slow so listen on faster speed. I took some good points away from it though.
• 
  James Perkins

  Since I bought his first book Your Erroneous Zones (published 1976) from a second-hand bookshop when I was about 20, I've read quite a few books by Dr Dyer over the years. His approach has always had logical, philosophical and reflective aspects that appealed to me. In this book, written in 2009, he continues his tradition of providing good suggestions for changing problematic thought patterns that interfere with the ability to reach personal and professional goals, now with a spiritual edge that he developed in his written work since the 1990s. He gives readers a rough theoretical model to apply to their own lives, and provides plenty of real examples from his own life and a few from those of people he knows, including his family and other people he has encountered.
  
  Unfortunately, there are a few things lacking here. Considering his academic background, it's disappointing that he doesn't provide an index, or footnotes, or references to the research he cites to back up his claims. A lot of the solutions he offers to his readers for their complex life problems are quite simplistic. He seems to have forgotten his roots in psychology and instead pushes a spiritual agenda that sounds nice in principle but neglects the deeper emotional upset that keeps people stuck in dysfunctional behaviour. Some of his personal examples come across as smug, as if the resolution was quick and obvious, and he boasts about how he lives and works at his home in Hawaii, eating tropical fruit off the tree and visiting waterfalls for "divine" inspiration, when a little more humility would go a long way to boosting his credibility as a modern spiritual guru.
  
  Despite its shortcomings, the book still carries a message I consider extremely important: most people make excuses most of their lives for what they do and therefore do not live up to their potential. Even if I don't agree with every point he makes, or how he makes them, Dyer's attempt to address this issue is a worthwhile effort and deserves our attention. Maybe his method works for you, and maybe not. At least you are more aware of what you think when you finish this book.
• 
  Marcia

  His advice is good and he gives detailed lessons on how to actually implement the advice he's giving. At times he's outrageously positive in a way that seems a bit off and I'm not certain that he's aware of just how difficult it actually is for people to change the way they think about themselves and how they fit into their community and the world. In fact, sometimes he comes off as rather black and white in his thinking which can lead to a kind of cruelty towards those who maybe aren't as strong as the author would like or aren't quite ready yet to do this difficult work. In fact, I think a lot of this work should be done with a therapist, mentor or coach. It helps to have a supportive person who has experience in transitions and growth- a person you can actually see and speak to- to help you through this work. I'm somewhat concerned that those who just read this book (or any other such title) may not have the human support they need to deal with the emotional difficulties that can arise when one attempts to alter her way of thinking. Still, with those caveats, it's probably worth reading to pick up some good ideas on how to go about creating the life you want to have.
• 
  Heather

  Here's some irony for you - I stalled about 3/4 of the way through this book - just couldn't get myself over the hump, and let myself get distracted with several other books in the meantime. There was something I just wasn't ready to read, so this sat for at least two months, gnawing at my conscience...
  
  I finally picked it up, determinted to SLOG through till the bitter end, and found that there was nothing "bitter" about it -- blasted through the remaining two chapters (only!) within a half hour, which had me scratching my head wondering what my big hold-up was...
  
  Unfortunately it's been long enough since I started the book that I don't remember much of the main content, so now I must go back again at some point and re-read, but now knowing that there is NOT some big horrible monster waiting in the closet for me at the end of the book..
• 
  Jennifer Hughes

  I liked this book but preferred the special on PBS of the same name. What I liked about the book was that he explained some things in different ways and that I could take my time to make notes. Dr. Dyer's premise is that we are not living up to our potential self-actualization. His philosophy basically boils down to "the power of positive thinking" and creating affirmations that counteract the excuses we make for ourselves that keep us down. A book that had a deeper impact on me with a similar philosophy is
  The Mindful Way through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness.
• 
  Lynn Bonelli

  I don't know what happened but somewhere around the 2/3 mark I completely lost Wayne's train of thought. Perhaps it was the redundancy...or maybe it was the fact that I couldn't get past the idea that it appears the main questions he uses are the same as Byron Katie's "The Work". I scanned through some of the reviews and was surprised only one person seemed to mention this point (it was actually quite shocking when I read "the questions" and saw no mention of Byron's book). Although I enjoyed the first half of the book, and highlighted quite a bit of tidbits, I just can't say I love this book. I'd certainly recommend checking out The Work...Byron Katie gets to the point a lot faster than Wayne does.
• 
  ReadHowYouWant

  Excuses Begone!: How to Change Lifelong, Self-Defeating Thinking Habits by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer topped The New York Times Bestseller list shortly after its release in May. The book uses easy-to-follow and understand lists to help readers modify their habituated thinking patterns. By analyzing the excuses we all use, including the universal, “I Can’t Afford It,” Dr. Dyer helps us unearth and remove patterns that hold us back. Excuses Begone! was recently featured on Oprah Radio, the Ellen show, and a PBS special with the same name, marking Dr. Dyer’s 10th anniversary as a host of public broadcasting specials.
• 
  LuAnn

  Dr. Dyer spends more time on Eastern philosophy, whereas Dr. Phil talks about psychology, but the two messages are basically the same---we can change our life and our behaviors when we consider seven basic questions:
  1. Is it true?
  2. Where the the excuses come from?
  3. What's the pay-off?
  4. What would my life look like if I didn't use these excuses?
  5. Can I create a rational reason to change?
  6. Can I access universal cooperation in shedding old habits?
  7. How to I continuously reinforce this new way of being?
• 
  Devan

  From the beginning this audio book was helpful. Learned about self therapy and how to stop telling myself things are so hard. This book inspired me to do a 5K over the weekend which was an outstanding experience. I listed to this book 4 times now and it is a game changer. I feel more peace and enjoy life more. I feel closer to God and do not seem so worried about competition anymore, more concerned with just being and living in the now.
• 
  Tameeka

  If this is the first book you're reading on positive thinking and believing in the abundance of the universe, then you will appreciate this book. If you have read previous books of a similar subject then there isn't anything new here. There are a LOT of affirmations and Dyer suggests other books that inspired him to write this one. Including Lao Tzu as an inspiration. By the end I was super bored with little inspiration.