The More Mindset: Break Mental Limits and Step into Extraordinary Results
Diana Pagano
Wiley (January 2026)

How to become the person that you yearn to be; yes, …it really is possible.

Long ago, when I joined the working world (first delivering newspapers and caddying, then bagging groceries and stocking shelves, and later in high school delivering flowers and working on road crews), I kept in mind that most (not all) human limits are self-imposed. I agreed with Henry Ford: “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re probably right.” And whenever I began to develop bold and glorious ambitions, Thomas Edison’s insight reminded me, “Vision without execution is hallucination.”

In the Introduction, Diana Pagano makes this assertion: “There’s one thing you always have control over: what you choose to put up with. This includes behaviors that you maintain. You’re the one who will break the cycle — I promise you that. You’ll do it the moment you’re too tired to stay stuck, when you’re ready for something better. You can do it! I know you can!”

I agree with her, but will you rip away the “chains” of timidity and self-justifications?

A classical Greek philosopher, Epictetus, once observed that (in effect) “You can’t control everything that happens to you, but you can control how you respond to what happens to you.”

Pagano focuses on a dozen separate but related subjects whose issues are central to the process of “breaking mental limits and stepping into extraordinary results.”  Here is a brief excerpt from each of the three chapters.

In Chapter 4, “Happiness Is Not Something You Seek,”

Pazgano: It’s crucial to be at peace within yourself, to feel self-love stirring within, so that you can be at your best for others — and foryourself. These suggested exercises [on the previous page 86] will help you get in touch with YOU. Your children, partner, and clients want you toshow up for them in a way that makes them feel as if they are the most important person in the universe, building and increasing the trust bond between you and them. That is also how you gain their support and love — when you are being responsive and understanding of their needs in the moment.” (Page 87)

Then in Chapter 7, “A Time to Move, a Time to B Still,”

Pazgano: “As with everything, awareness is power. When you are aware of how your mindset and subconscious are affecting your well-being, you have the power to use that knowledge for good. You have to be able to distinguish between when it’s time for you to steer, to put in the effort, to go hard after your goals, and when it is time to release the pedal, to calm your mind…to slow down…and focus on your inner peace.”  (Page 131)

NOTE: In this context, I am again reminded of Don Schlitz’s lyrics for “The Gambler,” a song popularized by Kenny Rogers:

“You’ve got to know when to hold ’em
Know when to fold ’em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run.”

And then in Chapter 10, “Barriers Overrated,”

Pagano: “Have you ever caught yourself saying, ‘I can’t do this’? When we ponder our limitations, we often focus on the barriers or obstacles hindering our progress. But in reality, is it really a barrier that we are talking about? Or are we making up excuses for what we are subconsciously afraid to pursue? Are we dodging the fear of disappointment? Sure, we can also come up with reasons why we can’t do something.” (Page 185)

The More Mindset is not a book for everyone. How much do you need and want what it can help you to achieve? How often do you feel like you’re loitering while everyone around you seems to be busy, happy, and productive? Are you REALLY fed up?

Diana Pagano can’t solve your problems. She can’t make you happier and healthier. But she can HELP YOU TO HELP  YOURSELF.

Pogo the Possum once announced, “We have met the enemy and he is us.”

Your move.

* * *

Here are two suggestions while you are reading The More Mindset: First, highlight key passages. Also,  perhaps in a lined notebook kept near-at-hand,  record your comments, questions, and action steps (preferably with deadlines).

These two simple tactics — highlighting and documenting — will expedite frequent reviews of key material later.