Optimal Living 360

October 14, 2013
Physician Jain presents healthy lifestyle tips through a business lens with this comprehensive offering. The author begins by identifying what he describes as core life assets, using the acronym ASPIRES: “assets,” “safety,” “physical,” “intellectual,” “relationships,” “economic,” and “spiritual.” He then makes a case that each is essential to long-term happiness. Jain advises readers to be the chief executive officers of their own lives, encouraging them to define and frame problems, develop and analyze options, make and execute decisions, and reflect on each choice and its outcome. He addresses each of the ASPIRES topics with sensible, real-world advice on specifics such as the importance of exercising and preventing identity theft. Throughout the book, Jain encourages readers to consider their return on investment—whether the investment in question involves financial resources or time and energy. “Determining your priorities and figuring out your best options are great uses of your time,” he advises. Each chapter concludes with a concise summary of the information contained within, which Jain dubs Core Asset Protection Strategies, rounding out this smart and useful guide to achieving a balanced life.

November 15, 2013

Both of these books offer readers a path to building happier and more fulfilling lives. Michaels (Ctr. for Spiritual Living, Kansas City, MO) shows how the concepts of life currencies (time, labor, social, and monetary) and core assets (spiritual, physical, intellectual, relational, economic, and personal safety) can be melded into a standard decision-making process that maximizes return on investment. Using his own experience and case studies, the author demonstrates how readers can build self-worth, forgive themselves, and become more spiritual. Similarly, Jain teaches readers how they can make positive decisions, encouraging them to identify their core values (safety, physical, intellectual, relationship, economic, and spiritual), which they can integrate into areas of their lives that include health, money, leisure, sex, connections, and more. Although these titles overlap slightly, Jain's style is instructional, focusing more on concrete concerns such as physical and financial health, whereas Michaels takes a more personal approach, concentrating on the spiritual. VERDICT Libraries would do well to purchase Optimal Living 360, while individual readers would benefit by choosing the book that matches their own style of life improvement.

Copyright 2013 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

A business-minded doctor prescribes a whirlwind of advice in his comprehensive debut guide to health and well-being. This self-help book seems intended to overwhelm readers with information in order to inspire action toward positive life decisions. Jain gives a great deal of sound but sometimes familiar advice, skimming a broad range of health, relationship and financial ideas--such as controlling blood sugar, guarding against identity theft and using eye contact to become a better listener. Nevertheless, the book's overall mind/body management message comes through clearly, as Jain's tone is breezy and reader-friendly. It's not surprising that a doctor with an MBA would use business jargon in his message; he writes that the key to optimal health and happiness is to make life decisions that produce the highest return on investment (ROI). He also coins the acronym "ASPIRES" (Assets: Safety, Physical, Intellectual, Relationships, Economic, and Spiritual) to summarize the life categories, or "Core Assets," that all people share. Although the author mentions his professional practice in general, he doesn't describe his specific expertise in detail. However, he does provide several nuggets of hands-on information--including a Northwestern Memorial Physicians Group health-screening guideline chart--which may prompt some readers to look into preventive exams such as colonoscopies or mammograms. The author's discussion of herbs and their medicinal uses may nudge some readers to find out more about natural cures. Although Jain distances himself from religious extremism, he does write that practices such as prayer and meditation can also produce positive physical results, such as regulating cardiovascular rhythms. A mix of inspiring and familiar advice about taking steps toward a healthy lifestyle. COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.