‘The Power To Move To Success’
by Martin Boothe
Below is my video story and tribute to the author of this book, Martin Boothe. Please scroll down under the video for the written book review …
This is the first book review I have done in 12 years where I found I could not do the book review with also providing the personal story connected to the author, which I have decided to do by video which you can watch (above), please let me explain why ….
I could not simply place this book with the over 140 other books I have reviewed in my Book of the Month over the last 12 years: inspirational and insightful books in the genres of ‘Business & Leadership Growth’ and ‘Personal Growth’). The personal story that connects me to the author of this book is why it is the most inspiring of all books FOR ME. In the same way that the presence of a congruent person sitting in the corner of a room you are in can impact you, the presence of a congruent book on your book shelf or in a prominent place in your personal space is enough to impact and inspire you.
It is a relatively little-known book written by a friend of mine called Martin Boothe back in 2004 and has taken a prominent position on my bookshelf since he gave me a copy in 2006 over lunch.
Martin’s death in 2008 following a battle with cancer was a massive shock to his family and his many friends because for 20 years previously he had been a super fit and healthy professional dancer. He told me that the pinnacle of his career was playing the lead role Electra in the global smash hit musical Starlight Express.I met Martin as a fellow crew member at a Tony Robbins ‘Unleash The Power Within’ Event in London in 2006. Within a few minutes of meeting him he was leading a group of crew members into a spontaneous invigorating dance.
On pages 68 and 69 of his book (below) Martin summarises what I think was the fundamental component of his philosophy of life captures by this book, which was that ‘your physiology’ i.e. the movement of your entire body including how you breath, and how you hold yourself, fundamentally impacts you reaching your potential in terms of how you communicate with yourself and others (body language is attributed as the single most significant factor in face to face communication), but your body movement is strongly linked to the other 2 components that most influence how successful you are ‘your words’ and ‘your focus’. This philosophy is very much aligned with that of Tony Robbins’ teachings of ‘Language, Physiology and Focus’.
In 2010 I recall working with a client who had a telesales team and I remembered what Martin had taught me about physiology being so critical to communication. I suggested that the sales team ‘Stand up at their desks whilst making sales calls.’ The results were incredible, with no other variables this one change caused the telephone sales division to increase their sales by a staggering 40%!
My favourite part of the book is the beginning where Martin shares his passion for dancing and the early days of dealing with a lot of rejection and still pushing through to ultimately play the role of Electra, a role he had dreamed of playing since, as a young lad, he first watched the smash hit musical Starlight Express in London.
I also love page 65 of the book where Martin makes the simple but profound point about congruency. Martin oozed congruency in who he was and how he showed up in the world, that was what drew people to him.
Overall my biggest take away from this book is this …..
How you treat your body, and how you hold and move your body (and breathe) gives you the greatest foundation to live congruently and to live to your potential.