I was lucky enough recently to be sent a copy of Tim Brownson's 'Aligning with Your Core Values' to review and just thought it was something that may interest some of you on here who are interesred in self development.

Tim Brownson is a life coach originally from Sheffield and now living and working in Florida. I have followed his blog for a fair while now and find his 'tell it like it is' style refreshing & inspiring. www.adaringadventure.com

The basic principle of the book is for the reader to determine their own Core Values (not for Tim to tell you what they should be) and to use that knowledge to understand their choices and conflicts better. In the book, Tim explains what a value is, why they are so important and how they impact on our lives. He takes the reader through a simple exercise where you can work out your own values (and anti-values) and put them into priority order.

Tim has a link to a video in the book and he actually talks you through how to complete the exercise so you're not left not quite understanding and feeling frustrated (and ripped off!). He then goes on to explain how to use that information to make your life better.

I really, really enjoyed this book. I found it very easy to read, (I find some self help books a real chore because they're filled with convoluted explanations when there's no real need, other than to make the author sound cleverer). Tim writes clearly and simply in a friendly, humourous way so that you don't feel lectured or stupid. He makes it clear that YOUR values are just that and there's no need to change them, just be aware of what they are and how you can use them.

It took me an evening and a morning to read AND do the exercises (and I'm not a fast reader by any stretch of the imagination) so there's certainly not weeks and weeks of ploughing through scientific explanations and spending long nights soul searching.
I feel now that I understand myself better than I did before reading the book, I know what's important to me on a very basic level and I also know how to use that information to my advantage.

Tim's e-book is available from his website http://www.adaringadventure.com/store/ and available as a PDF or Kindle version.
It is currently $35 (just over £22) but Tim has advised me that the price will be rising to $50 (£32 ish) in March as so many life coaches are buying it and using the process with their clients.

Oh and just to say that I am not affiliated with Tim and so don't stand to make any money if you buy the book or not ;) I just wanted to share.