Book review: The Lies We Tell Ourselves

The new year has arrived and many people are making resolutions, hoping for a fresh start.

Successful business entrepreneur and author Robert D. Kintigh offers to redesign your life with 10 essential steps to success in his newly released book, “The Lies We Tell Ourselves.” His proposed plan will change your habits, adjust your thinking and set into motion a life-changing shift toward prosperity and personal achievement.

In trying to determine under what genre this book fell, I considered a few. Business/economics is marked on the back cover, but is it? Or is it self-help, motivational, inspirational, or simply an authentic sharing of the author's personal truths? In fact it includes all of these.

Kintigh details the guiding principles he believes will help you “discover the greatness within you.” Residing in the small town of Cool located 50 miles from Lake Tahoe, Kintigh reflected on his own life and offers his personal experiences as real-life examples. He targets those who “want to be better and achieve more” and believes being poor is a choice.

Readers must engage in reflections of their own and embark upon a journey of self-assessment in order to move forward. Kintigh believes we are all capable of achieving excellence regardless of humble beginnings or unfortunate circumstances. The process begins with one simple question. “What drives you?” He refers to this as “your why in life”.

He brings a variety of subjects to the table including raising children, relationships between men and women, change, anger, leadership, alcoholism and being overweight, to name a few. He talks about parental influence, marriage and divorce, responsibility and blame.

Readers who seek out casual fare for their reading enjoyment will find “The Lies We Tell Ourselves” too difficult. “I'm doing just fine, thank you!” I can hear them saying as they run toward the fiction aisle. But if you are searching for personal growth answers Kintigh's book could inspire you. Sentiments are grounded in common sense and based on sound principles. In a nutshell they are, “What you think, is what you get. Thoughts are powerful.” His willingness to share his own journey is refreshing.

Kintigh references two other books — “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne and “Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki — and holds them up as examples with a similar mind-set. “The Secret” he says, “has a similar message but I have a spin on the methodology of the law of attraction … You have to believe you can do it.” Based on personal views, unique needs as well as their station in life, the reader will determine the distinctions between Kintigh's book and others like it on the market. A recommended reading list for personal growth is offered.

Embark upon an adventurous tour of self-exploration in the New Year with “The Lies We Tell Ourselves.” As Kintigh succinctly states, “It's never too late unless you're dead.”

— Gloria Sinibaldi resides part-time in South Lake Tahoe. Her short story "A Means To Survive" appears in "Tahoe Blues." She is a job coach, trainer and author. Contact her at glorialinda16@gmail.com.