the Alone Advantage Book Review

The Alone Advantage by Terri Savelle Foy

This is an awesome book for someone wanting to get out of a rut and propel themselves to a more rewarding life. Everyone’s definition of a rewarding life will vary, but many people couldn’t even articulate what that would be for them. This book offers helpful guidance to assist you in finding that vision and taking action. The book is based on the Christian faith, but the discussion and suggestions can be applied to anyone. 

To make changes in your life, you must start with a daily routine and faith! Terri stresses, “What you do in private will be rewarded in public” – “And your Father, who sees what you do in private, will reward you” (Matthew 6:4 GNT) (p. xxii). Developing a daily routine and spending some quiet time praying, meditating, and reflecting on your goals and dreams will help guide you in a positive direction. So, while you are getting organized, cleaning out the clutter, push play, and listen to “faith-based messages that will help defeat depression, eliminate anxiety, and inspire you to believe God for impossible dreams (p. 45).” 

Some great quotes and thoughts from the book that relate to the

beginning of this process:

• Benjamin Franklin said, “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” (p. 53)

• Colin Wilson said, “Imagination should be used, not to escape reality, but to create it.” (p.101)

• So, get up early before your day begins and focus on YOU! Own that time and change the name of your alarm clock to an opportunity clock, as noted by the motivational speaker Zig Ziglar (p. 54). 

• As you begin your new routine, your brain may reject the new habit you are trying to form. The brain likes familiarity, so it will want to go back to its old routine (p. 55). As we noted in our Gratitude Challenge blog, a new habit takes approximately 66 days to take hold. 

The first thing you should ask yourself is the following.

Write down 5- 10 things I want to have and do. It can be big or small. 

Things I will have	Things I will do
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Making your dreams a reality is not as difficult as you may think. First, you must have a dream and believe it can be accomplished. This belief is the spark that ignites the journey towards your dream. Write the vision and make it plain. The Bible tells us this is a necessary action in seeing our goals come to life. New-age thinkers call this the law of attraction. There is even a book with this title, "The Law of Attraction," that is very similar to biblical principles. Get the vision in your mind. The next step is to write it down. The goal must be specific and not vague. For example, I want to be rich is not specific enough. You would want to say I want to have one million dollars in the bank by 12/31/2025. After the goal is specified and written, you will want to write specific action steps to achieve this goal. Could you take steps toward reaching this goal daily? Remember, you must put forth the effort to see the dream come true. Ecclesiastes 5:3 states a dream comes about with much business and painful effort. But it all starts with belief in your dream, which can inspire and give you hope on your journey.

“The more you speak positive declarations and proclaim God’s word over yourself, the more a new record is being played in your head.” (p. 154)

Then, on another morning, as you focus on yourself, fill in the next table.

Where will I be in 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years?

	Personally	Professionally	Financially	Spiritually	Physically
1 year	Goal: Action Steps: 3-5 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.	Goal: Action Steps: 3-5 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.	Goal: Action Steps: 3-5 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.	Goal: Action Steps: 3-5 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.	Goal: Action Steps: 3-5 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
3 years	Goal: Action Steps: 3-5 1. 2. 3.	Goal: Action Steps: 3-5 1. 2. 3.	Goal: Action Steps: 3-5 1. 2. 3.	Goal: Action Steps: 3-5 1. 2. 3.	Goal: Action Steps: 3-5 1. 2. 3. .
5 years	Goal: Action Steps: 3-5 1. 2. 3. 4.	Goal: Action Steps: 3-5 1. 2. 3. 4.	Goal: Action Steps: 3-5 1. 2. 3. 4.	Goal: Action Steps: 3-5 1. 2. 3. 4.	Goal: Action Steps: 3-5 1. 2. 3. 4.

“I make known the end from the beginning” Isaiah 46:10

Terri continues to inspire the reader by outlining five things successful people do before breakfast. Each point is explained and supported by inspiring quotes such as the one by Tony Robbins, “Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible (p. 64).” Successful people take control and don’t allow things to just happen, they make them happen.  This fits her message, echoed throughout the book, that revamping your morning routine can transform your entire life. In addition, to further set yourself up for success, begin by planning your day the night before.

John Maxwell said, “The secret of your success is determined by your daily agenda.” (p. 74)

The next big step is to create your vision board. Terri explains the importance of this activity. Review what you have worked on from the last two tables. Now it is time to find pictures or take pictures to make your vision board or vision book. Create the pictures that you will become. Be as specific as you can - show your checkbook with the exact amount you want to have in it, put the make, model, and color of the car you want to own, have a photo of you giving a talk to young people on a certain topic you are an expert on or whatever your dream/goal is to be as exact as you can when creating your vision. The next step is to then review and meditate on your vision board daily if not more often. Speak positive affirmations to yourself about your hopes and dreams, as your voice has a very influential effect on you. Expect the best, there is no time like the present to make your aspirations come true. 

Robert Collier said, “Visualize this thing that you want. See it, feel it, believe in it. Make your mental blueprint and begin to build.” (p. 105) 

“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7 ESV) (p. 109)

This book wraps up with Terri's thought-provoking discussion on preparing your obituary and whether you'd be satisfied with what's said about you. Life is short, and if you keep delaying what you truly want to achieve, time will slip away. The world's most spacious room is the room for improvement (p. 97). Therefore, it's essential to make your personal growth a priority every day. For a wealth of practical advice on how to turn your dreams and goals into reality, read this book and start envisioning and acting on your new future. 

“Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” 

(John 14:13 NKJV) (p.109)

Reference 

Foy Savelle, T. (2024). the alone advantage. Emanate Books.