Michael H. Kahn

The book provides what most people need more of: simple, clear, and meaningful ways to understand the experience of "stress" and practical strategies you can use for managing the often competing pressures of a full life.

It is a DIY manual that you can use. Its focus is on actual CEOs, because their challenges epitomize the ones we all face in our ongoing efforts to develop and sustain “the good life.” If you have this gnawing feeling that you are capable of more, that life should not be this stressful, then this practical and compelling guide will empower you to realize your full potential.

The book is a compilation of science, the findings from a research project I conducted, and the most effective strategies I've learned as a clinical and health psychologist, an executive coach, and personally.

My mission for over 40 years has been to identify and teach the psychological skills and practical strategies it takes to manage life's challenges well. The focus of the book is on CEO's is because they epitomize the pressures many of us face daily. It certainly applies to business executives, entrepreneurs, and heads of households.

A key factor that shaped my career is that 51 years ago, at the age of 29, my body took a major hit and I developed serious kidney disease. I came to the understanding that my system became overloaded in the face of major life pressures and could not fend off the pathogens. The rest of the story is explained in the book. What matters now is that you have some sense of the depths of my mission to learn to handle pressures AND to have a healthy and fulfilling life.

I feel blessed that one of the key parts of my personality that certainly contributed to my being able to write the book is that I've got grit. I also have a strong need to keep growing, and a love of adventure. Those qualities have reliably enabled me to rally to manage life's challenges well, and to continually discover more about life that fascinates me and is enjoyable. The book gives you the essence of the best, as I've come to believe.

This is the book I wish I had back then when I was first stepping out into life as an adult and a professional. It is the book that would have helped my life go so much better, certainly easier in many ways throughout these many years.

So, this book is my giving back. I urge you to read and reflect on what is in the book. Then start trying the methods; to really know how effective they can be for you, you must follow the guidelines carefully. Perhaps it will inspire you to to get involved with the book to know that when people comment on how young I look, I tell them that the two main factors are, 1. I chose my gene pool very carefully! and 2. I do walk my talk.

Some of you may also appreciate knowing that I love all things related to nature. I have created a backyard wildlife sanctuary which is my sanctuary. I volunteered at a local wildlife sanctuary until its recent closure. Eleven years ago I got my first Harley. I love it and riding it. The summer of 2014, at the age of 70, I road 4,751 miles on it as part of going to the rally in Sturgis, N.D. I am married to a child psychologist and have two children and two granddaughters.

I retired from providing professional services in May, 2018. Having much more free time, I have been doing a lot of self-reflecting and increasing the portion of my life that is enjoyable, and decreasing the portion that is regimented.