Smart Moves

How can young people enrich their lives, become more effective, and enlarge their personal power? As with adults, it's a matter of "smart moves."Smart Moves, by Dick Devenzio, shows young people how to confront any circumstance, achieve any goal, and deal with any setback, by cultivating an attitude that mixes youthful optimism with tough realism. There is no preaching or false "hip" tone in the book. The writing is clear and the message is practical, addressing the basic concerns of young people - from effective studying to getting along better with others to mastering a winning attitude about dieting or sports.Success, advises DeVenzio, is a highly personal matter. Addressing the youthful reader in the first chapter, he writes: "You may worry that a so-called motivator will try to get you to do things your parents or teachers want you to do. Please let me shatter that concept from the start. My reason for writing this book is to help you unlock your own personal power for whatever you want to do. Dropping out or rebelling is fine - as long as it is done energetically. But don't waste your life putting in listless time, just getting by."Smart Moves is written in short splashes. Each page contains an idea that can be put to immediate use. "What young people need," DeVenzio says, "is something to say YES to. They need to experience the joy of striving for goals and the joy of realizing an increase in personal power and effectiveness." With a message that holds universal appeal, Smart Moves can motivate young adults to view their lives and actions in a significantly new and positive way. As DeVenzio writes in the book's introduction:"A successful person is not one who has found the right set of circumstances,but rather, one who has developed the right set of attitudes."