Many people are
suffering from character flaws that have
undoubtedly held them back in work,
relationships, and life, says prominent
psychiatrist Dr. Louis A Tartaglia, aka.
"Dr. T." The good news, says Dr.. T.,
is that you can turn your character flaws into
CHARACTER ASSETS and become.....FLAWLESS!
In his new book, 'FLAWLESS.' (Morrow: January
1999), Dr. T. identifies the TOP TEN CHARACTER
FLAWS that undermine our chances to succeed in
life, including time-tested ways to overcome
them!
HOW CAN
YOU TELL IF YOU ARE POSSESSED BY A FLAW?
Be careful;
this is worse than just having the flaw. Here
the flaw has you! Anyone of the following may be
diagnostic!
1. Do you find yourself "upset" when
you need to be calm?
2. Do you lie when it would be better to tell the
truth?
3. Would you rather be right even if it wrecks a
relationship?
4. Do you hate accepting responsibility and blame
others
even when you know you are wrong?
5. Does resentment feel like a perfectly normal
civil
right?
6. Do you worry about things you can't control?
7. Do you fear even when there is nothing to
worry about
because it feels normal?
8. Are you intolerant of people who are not like
you even
when you are interested in knowing them?
9. Do you use the excuse that you are a victim
whenever it
is useful?
10. Do you try to force others to do things your
way
because you want them to like you?
11. Do you cop out with inadequacy even before
you have
tried your hardest?
12. Do you love to find fault and share it even
when you
are aware that it will hurt someone else?
13. Did you graduate from law schdol or become a
politician?
14. Last but most important, do you find yourself
using
your most common flaw even when you don't want
to?
If you're like most of us, you are constantly
dealing with
people who would rather be right than happy. They
are that
great class of unfortunate souls who are
incapable of
admitting they are wrong. They are convinced that
their
way of living, their way of doing things, is
best. These
characters wish that the rest of the world would
get with
their personal program. Then, according to them,
everyone
would be better off.
Or maybe you have a boss or coworker with a
flash-point
temper who gets enraged over the silliest things.
Some of
you might have a spouse or partner who blames you
for his
or her problems. Do you know anyone who prefers
criticism
over solutions, or who relishes nurturing
resentment?
These people have character flaws.
The truth is that everybody has them. Some of us
have more
than others. You may notice you have them too. I
know I
have my share. Don't worry if you happen to see
your flaws
surfacing as I describe them. That is a sign of
your own
open-mindedness and willingness to get a handle
on your
problems.
We are a society that is enamored with defective
character. We watch thousands of hours of TV and
films
where the leading role is portrayed by an
imperfect
character. We watch celebrities, politicians, and
stars on
and off the screen with an almost morbid
fascination for
their defects: J. R. on Dallas, Jeffrey Geiger on
Chicago
Hope, Diane on Cheers, or Abby on Knots Landing
-- the
most flawed people seem to be among the most
captivating.
Perhaps in their struggles we see ourselves.
Great individuals with high character also have
glaring
faults. It is precisely because they have such
high
character that their flaws stand out. The common
perception that good people have fewer flaws is
wrong. It
is not a matter of more or fewer flaws. It is the
willingness to change them that counts. If you
read the
lives of saints and sages you will find that they
too had
to discipline themselves to improve their
character. It is
in the process of working on your flaws that you
develop
great strength of character. Strength of
character is what
this book is about.
Some people, you may have noticed, deliberately
cling to
their defects of character. In fact there are
many who
hone their flaws in order to be in control or
have power
over others. As much as some hate to admit it,
there are
evil people in this world who use character flaws
to get
ahead and dominate others. These individuals have
al ways
been with us. Our modern, allegedly enlightened
society
seeks to reform them, even when it is obvious
that there
is no willingness on their part to change. As a
society we
have become fascinated with the dark side, like
sunbathers
who bask in the shadows.
Copyright © 1998 by Louis A. Tartaglia
Using case studies from his practice, colorful
anecdotes and prescriptive advice, Dr. T.
demonstrates how we can get unstuck and live a
more peaceful, productive and happy life.
Dr. T is an author, psychiatrist, addiction
medicine specialist, and the director of the
Tartaglia Mind Institute. Dr. T. has a wife and
five sons and lives in Sylvania, Ohio.
"Character is the mosf critical issue facing
our society. Here is a dynamic book that tells us
what we can do to imrove it. Tartaglia will
enlighten you" "
- Jack Canfield, co-author, New York Times
best-selling Chicken Soup for the Soul series
EARLY ENDORSEMENTS FOR
FLAWLESS!
`'If you'd like a
flawless life and character, read, absorb and use
these principles and insights from my friend, Dr.
'T."'
-- Mark Victor Hansen, Co-author, New York
Times #1 bestseller, Chicken Soup For The Soul
series
"Character is the most critical issue facing
our society. Here is a dynamic book that tells us
what we can do to improve it. Tartaglia wi11
enlighten you.''
-- Jack Canfield, Co-author, New York
Times #1 bestseller, Chicken Soup for the Soul
series
"Simple, easy-to-read -- like looking in the
mirror. You'll get the point, and you'll get it
quickly -- and maybe save a few dollars in
therapy""
-- Dr. Joyce L. Vedral, Author, Look in,
Look up, Look out!: Be the Person You Were Meant
to Be
"Flawless" A priceless jewel that
shows you it is possible by the grace of God to
turn your character flaws into character
assets."
-- Robert H. Schuller, Author, Ten Steps
to Financial Freedom and Life's Not Fair, But God
is Good
"Flawless is good food for the soul."
-- Father Angelo Scolozzi, Missionaries of
Charity 3rd Order
"If you don't have any flaws you're not
human. Making your life work involves admitting
your flaws and committing to change. Let Flawless
be your life guide. This is a must read for all
earthly beings."
-- Ken Blanchard, Co-author, The One
Minute Manager
"I cannot tell you how deeply impressed I
was while reviewing Flawless, by Lou Tartaglia.
Not only is it rich in earthy, healthy
psychology, but the style is delightful. It is a
book that not just certain people should read,
but one ~at everyone could benefit from, and
enjoy themselves in the process."
-- Joseph F. Girzone, author of the Joshua
series
"Dr. Tartaglia jump-starts us toward growth
by understanding that character flaws are
defensive mechanisms. ("flaws don't occur
because people are bad, but because people are
hurting.'' ) He guides us to self-directed change
by distinguishing between feats of iron will and
the more powerful humility of willingness.
Flawless is a powerful, timely guidebook to a
healthier, heartier dance through life."
-- Jim Tunney, Ed.D., Former NFL Referree
''Flawless! Your Ten Most Common Character Flaws
and What to Do About Them is a must-read from a
medical director and an outstanding writer whose
decades of working with patients provides him a
rich background of understanding human
psychology. Dr. Tartaglia is genius at
simplifying complex theory into clear,
understandable, and practical action steps that
will enrich your life and interaction with
others."'
-- Paul J. Meyer, Founder of Success
Motivation Institute, Inc. and Leadership
Management, Inc.
`'Dr. Tartaglia's terrific book Flawless!
reflects a street smart and savvy approach that
has helped thousands of patients. He is the most
knowledgeable psychiatrist I have ever worked
with. Flawless! is a must read for anyone bent on
turning their life around.''
-- David Toma, World renowned lecturer and
author
|
Order "Flawless!"
