Never Go Back by Dr. Henry Cloud

You've been there, no doubt. The big mistake, the wrong decision that resulted in a devastating situation. Once you've learned that lesson, Cloud says, never go back.

It's one thing to intellectually understand what we should never do again but it is quite another thing to live out that understanding. Cloud tackles those two issues in this book: 1) key awakenings that successful people experience, 2) implementing the life we intellectually understand.

The key awakenings are: never go back to what hasn't worked, to doing something that requires you to be somebody else, to thinking you can change someone, to trying to please other people, to avoiding short-term pain when it leads to long-term benefits, to being taken in by someone or something that looks perfect, to losing the big picture, to taking the easy path and failing to do due diligence, to ignoring the part you play in the situation you are in, to forgetting that your inner life determines your outer life.

Cloud then helps us in implementing what we know, the many ingredients or steps that make change happen. First, we must wake up. Then we think about the end result of what we are doing. We must ask for help and realize the myth of self-help. Cloud identifies eight essential ingredients for change that we get from God and other people. He concludes with principles essential to making change a reality.

I am impressed with this book. Cloud is very practical in exploring the reality of our decisions and their consequences. He has included ways for us to find out if we are doing the wrong behavior and gives plenty of reasons for changing. He includes some of his own life stories and those from other people implementing behavior he suggests (or failing to do so).

This is not a miracle “get out of my situation” book. Cloud has identified the behavior that needs to be changed and the reasons for doing so. He even provides the strategy and essential ingredients necessary to make the changes. The responsibility still remains with the individual to follow Cloud's suggestions. As Cloud notes, with the strength of God, it can be done.

Dr. Henry Cloud is both a psychologist and a Christian. He has written or co-written more than twenty books. He has appeared on numerous radio and television programs. He co-hosts the nationally syndicated radio program New Life Live, and is featured on SiriusXM. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two daughters. You can find out more at www.drcloud.com.

Howard Books, 250 pages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Howard Books for the purpose of an independent and honest review.