Breakthrough

June 3, 2013
According to his Web site, Carter is a former banker turned exclusive mentor to “the very best of the very best,” and it’s his job “to assist them in their efforts to become even better.” In his first book, he democratizes his message in the hopes of helping readers “become the best version” of themselves through the pursuit of “BREAKTHROUGHs”— “self-directed life change that the changer regards as significant.” Carter walks readers through 20 possible BREAKTHROUGHs, which range from karmic admonitions to “do the right thing,” to element-based Chinese medicinal theories (think fire, earth, water, etc.) and methods of coping with failure. Many of them correspond in some way to the six spokes of Carter’s “Wheel of Life,” representing the personal, professional, physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental aspects of an individual. The book is overfull with neologisms, catchphrases, and aphorisms repackaged as supposedly sage insights, and Carter’s self-help system tends toward the baroque. (In addition to the 20 BREAKTHROUGHS and six spokes, there are 29 “Tools” and life is broken down into four parts.) Carter resists sharing anecdotes about his big-name clients, so readers will have to take him at his word when it comes to his successful track record—and whether his way is the right way.

June 1, 2013

In addition to hard work and perseverance, there are a number of ways to achieve one's dreams and goals. Professional mentor Carter offers 20 "breakthroughs" or "course corrections" (think following a compass) to assist readers in fulfilling their basic needs, such as finding love, understanding, and meaning in life. Carter poses questions, relies upon case studies, and guides readers through worksheets that ask them to list their priorities and strengths and their energy-givers and energy-takers (or people and activities that respectively invigorate one's life or sap energy from it). Similarly, Robinson (The Element, LJ 12/08) believes that one can achieve self-fulfillment by meshing natural talents and personal passions. He helps readers embark on a personal quest to find their purpose in life through exercises, narratives, and autobiographical information. VERDICT Both approaches are potentially useful to those willing to delve into the exercises. But are there new answers here to the old questions that are posed? Not really.

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