The First 30 Days
February 2nd, 2009 by 
JD
The First 30 Days is written by Ariane de Bonvoisin (say that 3 times fast!). I met her last year in Boston while speaking at the Women’s Conference of Massachusetts. Ariane is bright, funny, charming, and powerful. I read her book and was blown away by number of “Ah-Ha” moments.
The First 30 Days is designed to help people move through change with ease and a positive attitude. Ariane uses personal stories and funny tid-bits to enlighten and support readers as they move through change. Here are my two favorite parts:
Negative thoughts and emotions that pop up and try to resist change are referred to as “Change Demons” (p.106). In order to move from the negative into the positive Ariane provides the following antidotes:
Demon to Antidote
- Fear to Faith
- Doubt to Surrender
- Impatience to Endurance
- Blame to Honesty
- Guilt to Forgiveness
- Shame to Honor
My next favorite section asks the question, Do you want to be an eagle or a duck? Here are the behaviors listed for each (p.138):
Ducks
- feels powerless
- act like the victim
- believe they can’t rise above something
- do what everyone else does
- quack (talk) a lot
- congregate in groups
- are quick and reactive
- can’t be alone
Eagles
- feel powerful
- soar above emotions and turmoil
- don’t follow the rules
- are resourceful
- do things differently
- have high standards
- rely on all types of help and resources; without the wind’s resistance, eagles would fall flat on their faces
- take their time to decide what to do next
- don’t always need to know exactly where they are going
- can be alone for a while
So, who do you want to be? An eagle or a duck? You can learn more about Ariane and The First 30 Days at: http://www.first30days.com/ariane/book
Posted in Small Book, BIG Impact | 
February 2nd, 2009 at 6:36 pm
Jen,
this is awesome, i will continue to live life as an eagle and be less of a duck so that slowly but surely i will develop into the true powerful leader I want everybody around me to see.