The Entitlement Cure

By: Dr. John Townsend

Narrated by: Dr. John Townsend

Length: 5 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's Summary

Today we live in a culture that says, "My life should be easy and work well for me". This attitude, called entitlement, influences our most important institutions: family, business, church, and government. Its effects are devastating, contributing to relational problems, work ethic issues, and emotional struggles.

It comes down to this: People are not getting to where they want to go, because they don't know how to do life the hard way. Their entitlement keeps them from tackling challenges and finding success.

This book provides principles and tools for change. It teaches people the skills of learning to tackle and resolve matters that are difficult, rather than avoiding them, giving up too quickly, or hoping someone else will do it for them. The habits gleaned from this book will lead to success in the listener's relationships, finances, self-care, and work. When the listener faces what must be faced, he stands to meet his goals and resolve his struggles better and faster. In that sense, this book brings a great deal of hope and positivity to a tough arena of life.

The hard way is simple: it is facing any challenge required to accomplish what matters most. Anything worth doing will have a cost of being hard to do. But when we learn how to do the right things, and push through the pain that comes, we stand a much better chance of success.

Sometimes trials are put upon us, such as a troubled marriage, a failing business, or an illness. At other times they are opportunities where we need to take a risk, such as starting a part-time business, or simply being vulnerable with someone. At still other times they are problems that must be faced, such as a troubled teen, a conversation we have been avoiding, or a team at work that needs to be restructured. Whatever the context, the hard way is the first and best way to approach a good outcome.

©2015 Dr. John Townsend (P)2015 Zondervan

Very good book

I am not Christian. While this book makes lots of references to Bible, the message is universal.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Essential listening for anyone who feels stuck.

I love this man's wise words. If you don't know why you are stuck in life...listen to this, chances are you are living in entitlement.

8 of 10 people found this review helpful

Read this book rather than listen

Dr. John Townsend has written another much needed book. It is great for those who live with or work with a narcissistic person. I believe, however, that a professional narrator might have done better in reading the book.
I had a difficult time paying attention to and digesting some of the information. I felt as though I was sitting in a university Masters class with a professor that was limited by time restraints. Just a little more slowly read with a few pauses would make all the difference in the world. I say this to inform you that you need to be ready to intently concentrate. Reading the book might help you get more out of it than listening.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Very, very religious

The author has some very good points, but unless you are an extreme Christian, the preaching gets really old and very annoying fast. He quotes more bible verses then I have ever heard used in this type of book. If I had known the book was this preachy I would never bought it. The sad part is I think he could have made a really good program without all the religious scripture and help many more people.

24 of 34 people found this review helpful

Lifechanging

This book is lifechanging as it communicates biblical truths in a practical way & has challenged me to reframe my thinking & behaviour.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Religious book

I'm not a religious person and there was no indication that this book was about God. If I had know I wouldn't have bought the book. Not that I have anything against God, just would have been nice to know this was a religious book so I could have known if I wanted to read it or not. I was not given that choice.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Insight and Solutions

After learning the principles in this book, I was able to reframe some of the discussions and roadblocks I had encountered in parenting. When my teenage children now make a claim that rings with entitlement, I call it out. What is funny and unexpected, is that now they have learned to recognize it in their friends conversations (and in other situations), and they have begun calling it out ("That's an entitled attitude!") and naming it as well!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Perfect Voice.

I am so glad this book was read by the author. That is always much more enjoyable to me. The content is impeccable as well. I have read many of John's books, and have attended his seminars, and The topic of this book really encapsulates an issue that I have felt in my life. I am grateful for the read.

5 of 7 people found this review helpful

Helped me to develop discipline

Where does The Entitlement Cure rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is the second audiobook I've ever listened to (first one was in 2009 and now its 2016), and it was my reason for joining audible because I wanted to read it so badly. This sets a very high standard for audiobooks I will listen to in the future; was very helpful so much that I bought a physical copy to read it again.

What did you like best about this story?

Well worded, the syntax and writing style is very understandable, relaxed, and thorough. I felt like some sections/examples/descriptions described myself or others in my mind to a T. Chapter 6 was especially life changing for me to develop the structure, and very concrete, doable strategies to bring about discipline. I also very much enjoyed the various scripture references, for that extra understanding and motivation.

What about John Townsend’s performance did you like?

The narration was awesome and the narrator really points out parts of the text I would most likely go over without particularly noting if I was reading the physical copy. His tone of voice and clarity helped bring the message of this book home much better for my own perspective.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, it made me cry a few times as I could personally relate to many of the entitlement examples, and of the common feelings these mentioned people felt: overwhelmed, discouraged, deserving, etc. But the text of the book is very graceful that it doesn't criticize the person-who-needs-help as much as it rather meets you where you are, and tries to help you, and provides a guideline for your building of structure.

Any additional comments?

Very much recommend.

4 of 6 people found this review helpful

Great information

Love this book. it was enjoyable to listen to and chalk full of valuable information for everyone. A must-read!

Excellent.

One of the best in a long time, loved it.
..... Very well read and written