Sidekicks Family Martial Arts Centers

Every martial artist should develop their mental skills in addition to their physical skills.  Below is a recommended list of books to read.

Getting Started

• How to Build Rock Solid Kids by Keith Hafner
  • Order it at www.rocksolidkids.com
• Psycho-Cybernetics, A New Way to Get More Living Out of Life by Maxwell Maltz
  • Positive wisdom and helpful insights on how to be a successful personHappiness and success are habits. So are failure and misery. But negative habits can be changed–and Psycho-Cybernetics shows you how!This is your personal audio guide to the amazing power of Psycho-Cybernetics-a program based on one of the world’s classic self-help books, a multimillion-copy bestseller proven effective by readers worldwide. Presenting positive attitude as a means for change, Maltz’s teaching has the ring of common sense. Psycho-Cybernetics is the original text that defined the mind/body connection-the concept that paved the way for most of today’s personal empowerment programs. Turn crises into creative opportunities, dehypnotize yourself from false beliefs, and celebrate new freedom from fear and guilt.Testimonials and stories are interspersed with advice from Maltz, as well as techniques for relaxation and visualization. Dr. Maxwell Maltz teaches you his techniques of “emotional surgery”–the path to a dynamic new self-image and self-esteem and to achieving the success and happiness you deserve!
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey
  • The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change was a groundbreaker when it was first published in 1990, and it continues to be a business bestseller with more than 10 million copies sold. Stephen Covey, an internationally respected leadership authority, realizes that true success encompasses a balance of personal and professional effectiveness, so this book is a manual for performing better in both arenas. His anecdotes are as frequently from family situations as from business challenges.Before you can adopt the seven habits, you’ll need to accomplish what Covey calls a “paradigm shift”–a change in perception and interpretation of how the world works. Covey takes you through this change, which affects how you perceive and act regarding productivity, time management, positive thinking, developing your “proactive muscles” (acting with initiative rather than reacting), and much more.This isn’t a quick-tips-start-tomorrow kind of book. The concepts are sometimes intricate, and you’ll want to study this book, not skim it. When you finish, you’ll probably have Post-it notes or hand-written annotations in every chapter, and you’ll feel like you’ve taken a powerful seminar by Covey.
• How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
  • This grandfather of all people-skills books was first published in 1937. It was an overnight hit, eventually selling 15 million copies. How to Win Friends and Influence People is just as useful today as it was when it was first published, because Dale Carnegie had an understanding of human nature that will never be outdated. Financial success, Carnegie believed, is due 15 percent to professional knowledge and 85 percent to “the ability to express ideas, to assume leadership, and to arouse enthusiasm among people.” He teaches these skills through underlying principles of dealing with people so that they feel important and appreciated. He also emphasizes fundamental techniques for handling people without making them feel manipulated. Carnegie says you can make someone want to do what you want them to by seeing the situation from the other person’s point of view and “arousing in the other person an eager want.” You learn how to make people like you, win people over to your way of thinking, and change people without causing offense or arousing resentment. For instance, “let the other person feel that the idea is his or hers,” and “talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person.” Carnegie illustrates his points with anecdotes of historical figures, leaders of the business world, and everyday folks.
• The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
  • Book Description (from Publisher) Fragments of a Great Secret have been found in the oral traditions, in literature, in religions and philosophies throughout the centuries. For the first time, all the pieces of The Secret come together in an incredible revelation that will be life-transforming for all who experience it. In this book, you’ll learn how to use The Secret in every aspect of your life — money, health, relationships, happiness, and in every interaction you have in the world. You’ll begin to understand the hidden, untapped power that’s within you, and this revelation can bring joy to every aspect of your life. The Secret contains wisdom from modern-day teachers — men and women who have used it to achieve health, wealth, and happiness. By applying the knowledge of The Secret, they bring to light compelling stories of eradicating disease, acquiring massive wealth, overcoming obstacles, and achieving what many would regard as impossible.
• Awaken the Giant Within : How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial Destiny! by Anthony Robbins
  • Anthony Robbins, the nation’s leader in the science of peak performance, shows you his most effective strategies and techniques for mastering your emotions, your body, your relationships, your finances, and your life. The acknowledged expert in the psychology of change, Anthony Robbins provides a step-by-step program teaching the fundamental lessons of self-mastery that will enable you to discover your true purpose, take control of your life and harness the forces that shape your destiny.
• Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t by Jim Collins
  • Five years ago, Jim Collins asked the question, “Can a good company become a great company and if so, how?” In Good to Great Collins, the author of Built to Last, concludes that it is possible, but finds there are no silver bullets. Collins and his team of researchers began their quest by sorting through a list of 1,435 companies, looking for those that made substantial improvements in their performance over time. They finally settled on 11–including Fannie Mae, Gillette, Walgreens, and Wells Fargo–and discovered common traits that challenged many of the conventional notions of corporate success. Making the transition from good to great doesn’t require a high-profile CEO, the latest technology, innovative change management, or even a fine-tuned business strategy. At the heart of those rare and truly great companies was a corporate culture that rigorously found and promoted disciplined people to think and act in a disciplined manner. Peppered with dozens of stories and examples from the great and not so great, the book offers a well-reasoned road map to excellence that any organization would do well to consider. Like Built to Last, Good to Great is one of those books that managers and CEOs will be reading and rereading for years to come

 Dr. Robyn Silverman’s Recommended Reading List for the POWerful Word Self-Discipline:

• Berenstain, S & J. The Berenstain Bears’ Bedtime Battle. From Amazon: Who wants to go to bed when you can play with dinosaurs, have a tea party or get a piggyback ride on Papa Bear? Brother Bear and Sister Bear are doing everything they can to postpone their bedtime – even if that means putting Mama and Papa Bear to bed first! Ages 3–7 years.

  Berenstain, S & J. The Berenstain Bears and the Trouble with Chores. From Amazon: Papa Bear and the cubs are having some trouble with chores –– they don’t want to do them! When they decide to take a break from cleaning, Mama Bear plays along. But what will happen when the mess builds up . . . and up . . . and up? Ages 3-7 years.

Kantor, S. Tiny Tilda’s Pumpkin Pie. Book Description: Once upon a time, Tiny Tilda lived in a small house with her three selfish sisters, Hilda, Gilda, and Wilda. Tilda did all the chores and all the work around the house . . . but great things come to patient, Ages 4-8 years.

Leblanc, L. Maddie in Goal. Review from Amazon: “Maddie In Goal is a fun story of a young girl who dreams of becoming the prime minister or a goaltender. This well written and very funny story shows us how Maddie completes her goal and learns that achieving your goal comes with more than a little sacrifice.” Ages 4-8 years.

Lobel, A. Frog and Toad Together. “You know, Toad,” said Frog with his mouth full, “I think we should stop eating. We will soon be sick.” “You are right,” said Toad. “Let us eat one last cookie, and then we will stop.” Many “last cookies” later, Frog and Toad come up with an ingenious solution to their uncontrolled cookie consumption. The two try to develop willpower together. Ages 4 to 8 years.

Mollel, T. My Rows and Piles of Coins (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Books)
Saruni receives coins from his mother for helping her to cart goods to town each market day. His goal is to save enough money to buy a bicycle to transport these loads more efficiently and to run other errands for his parents. While his savings accumulate in his “secret money box,” the child determinedly practices on his father’s bike. Read what happens to this selfless, self disciplined boy. Ages 5-8 years.

Montgomery, L.M. Anne of Green Gables. Mathew and Marilla Cuthbert, and their decision to adopt a young boy to help with chores around their farm. However, as the result of a misunderstanding the boy turns out to be a feisty, independent, and wildly imaginative redheaded girl named Anne. Marilla’s first reaction to this news is, “What use is she to us?” Wherein Mathew replies, “We might be of some use to her.” Watch the determined Anne as she makes something amazing of herself! Grades 5-8.

Sommer, C. No Longer a Dilly Dally. Meet two ant families—one that works hard and uses self discipline all summer to gather food and get prepared for winter and one that likes to play first and do work only if they have time! See what happens when the Dilly Dally family learns the error of their ways. K-2.

 Self-Reliance:

Albee, S. I Can Do It!) The Sesame Street® pals can do so many new things–write their names, slide down a slide, and pour juice. There are some things they’re still learning, but with the help of their friends they know it’s just a matter of time. Ages: 4-6 years.

Burnford, Sheila. The Incredible Journey. The woods hold many dangers. Whatever happens though, the drive of the young Lab as he leads his friends ever westward overrides individual pains and fears. Ages 9-12 years.

Defoe, Daniel. Robinson Crusoe. In his own words, Robinson Crusoe tells of the terrible storm that drowned all his shipmates and left him marooned on a deserted island. Forced to overcome despair, doubt, and self-pity, he struggles to create a life for himself in the wilderness. From practically nothing, Crusoe painstakingly learns how to make pottery, grow crops, domesticate livestock, and build a house 9-12 years.

Gilbert, L. I Can Do It! 135 Successful Independent Learning Activities Clear instructions with photographs show a teacher how to prepare projects that children can perform independently. Each activity is simply explained in terms of objectives, skills, vocabulary, materials, construction, and procedure. Ages 4-8 years.

Hunter, J.N. I Can Do It! Little Guinea Pig finds lots of things to do on his first day at preschool. Ages: Baby to preschool

Kingsley, E.P. I Can Do It Myself: Featuring Jim Henson’s Sesame Street Muppets. The Sesame Street characters describe the many activities they can do on their own.

Lionni, L. Tillie and the Wall Some mice take the wall for granted, never speaking of it. Tillie tunnels under. Then, forever after, the mice pass freely back and forth from one side to the other. K-2.

 

Little, J. Stars Come Out Within. This story depicts the challenges and triumph of someone with a visual impairment. Ages 9-12 years.

McKissack, Patricia C. Flossie & the Fox. Illustrated by Rachel Isadora. Miz Viola over at the McCutchin Place has been troubled by a fox. Flossie has never seen a fox, but sets off through woods to head him off. See how this little girl outfoxes the fox. Grades 1-3.

Speare, Elizabeth George. The Sign of the Beaver. When his father returns East to collect the rest of the family, 13-year-old Matt is left alone to guard his family’s newly built homestead. One day, Matt is stung by bees and is tended to by an old Native American and his grandson. In return, Matt teaches the grandson to read. Grades 3-6.

Sharmat, M. Gregory the Terrible Eater. A very picky eater, Gregory the goat refuses the usual goat diet staples of shoes and tin cans in favor of fruits, vegetables, eggs, and orange juice. Ages 4-8 years.