Payson Roundup

Author Ed Feyereisen calls it his baby — it was six years in gestation and six months in childbirth. “It” is his book, “Living Life With No Regrets,” a guide to lasting happiness.

The book was just released three weeks ago by Five Star Publications of Chandler.

Feyereisen and his wife, Roberta, make their home in Payson and are active in a number of charitable projects. He holds a doctorate of psychology, is an executive coach and motivational speaker, founder and chief executive officer of the Native American Leadership Academy, working with personnel in the gaming industry.

“Living Life with No Regrets” explores how everyone has the choice to experience more happiness on a daily basis, despite trying times. It offers insight and simple, proven techniques to achieve an inner shift that enables people to reduce stress and achieve important goals in both business and personal life.

Feyereisen said his book not only provides a guide to reducing stress, but to eliminating it.

The book is designed to take readers on a journey of self-discovery and empowers them to become architects of their own lives, realizing that they are the creators of their own experience. Feyereisen presents universal truths in a new light to examine core values of personal growth and offer a break-through process that enables people to harness hidden abilities and access their real potential to improve relationships, revive stagnant careers and enjoy life fully.

The book also focuses on building self-esteem.

“Lack of, or low self-esteem is at the root of counterproductive behavior,” he said.

The book’s origins, and much in the author’s most recent life, can be traced back to his one, personal regret in life — he said he never told his mother he loved her. It was something he realized after his mother’s death in 1980. From that realization, Feyereisen said he decided his life’s purpose is to assist others in finding their personal greatness and happiness.

What is the key to happiness? Helping others for the right reason, he said.

“No matter what is happening in the world, we always have the power of choice. Happiness is a choice. It’s elusive if you start chasing it ‘out there,’ but readily accessible on a daily basis ‘in here’ by changing your thoughts,” Feyereisen said.

Most of the material for the book is culled from the author’s many years as a motivational speaker and trainer. Other portions come from his life experiences and the experiences others have shared with him.

Although the book has just been released (it is available online at bookseller sites such as Amazon, Borders, Barnes & Noble, as well as Walmart and Target sites), Feyereisen said he has had great feedback, with many people telling him they can’t put it down and one reader saying they were trying to read it slowly so they would not be finished with it too soon.

Getting the book done

Not long ago the book was just in the talking stages. When Feyereisen went back to his native Wisconsin to be master of ceremonies at his 50th high school reunion it was all any of his old classmates wanted to talk about — and when it was going to be published.

At the time he had only about 20,000 words written and his goal was 60,000. He said writer friends had told him for a 200-page book, he needed about 60,000 words. So, after the reunion, he circled the date Aug. 8, 2008 (his birthday) as the day he would have his 60,000 words — as it turned out, he had about 70,000 words.

“I’m a great goal setter,” he said. In his book, Feyereisen says he never worries about the “how” when he knows the “why” because of the passion at the foundation of the reason to do something.

The truth of that belief can be seen in how his book made it to print. Almost without effort Feyereisen was put in contact with people who helped him along the way with the editing, the design and the publishing. How quickly it all came together is one of the most surprising things he has experienced with the book.

The most rewarding thing has been how working with his wife on the book has enhanced their relationship, he said.