Winning in the Game of Life: Self-Coaching Secrets for Success

Even those who don't buy into Gegax's complete program will get their money's worth out of this ambitious guide to a holistic whole-life makeover from a surprising source: the founder of the Midwest-based Team Tires Plus, a $200 million retail tire chain. When he faced simultaneous crises in his marriage, business and health, Gegax undertook an array of New Age activities (meditation, body work, spirituality grounded in A Course of Miracles) in addition to such traditional practices as psychotherapy, exercise and improving his diet. Seeking answers to his problems with the same determination he used to build his business, he successfully reengineered his life. Challenging his readers to follow his lead, Gegax packs his volume with lessons and his philosophy, along with a plan for developing and integrating all aspects of what he calls the ""Inner Team"": an individual's physical, intellectual, psychological and spiritual strengths. The sections on finding one's life mission and refining one's personal qualities (e.g., caring, optimism, passion, persistence, discipline, spirituality) to achieve it are among the best, although the spirituality chapter is less clear than others. Gegax smartly synthesizes the work of a wide array of personal development gurus, from Andrew Weil to Daniel Goleman to Marianne Williamson, but he may be too aggressively self-actualized for some readers. Nevertheless, business executives and others who enjoy his competitive tone will find much to think about, especially his advice on time management, selling, communication skills and mentoring. Agent, Kim Witherspoon; major ad/promo; 13-city author tour. (Aug.)