Cheryl Richardson, author of The New York Times bestselling books, Take Time For Your Life and Life Makeovers: 52 Practical and Inspiring Ways to Improve Your Life One Week at a Time and Stand Up for Your Life, supports busy people in achieving professional success without compromising their quality of life. She was the first president of the International Coach Federation and holds one of their first Master Certified Coach credentials.

Cheryl is also the recipient of the Motivational Book Award for Life Makeovers. This award, which was presented by Books for a Better Life in 2000, honors the year's most outstanding books and magazines in the self-improvement genre.

Cheryl headed up the Lifestyle Makeover series on The Oprah Winfrey Show. In presenting her, Oprah spoke of her as "Cheryl Richardson, who heads up our Lifestyle Makeovers team, is back in action with a plan to build your 'spiritual backbone'... learn to be the person you really want to be and live your life with true integrity." Cheryl also accompanied Ms. Winfrey on the nationwide tour, "Live Your Best Life", during the summer of 2001.

As a professional speaker, Cheryl has designed and presented programs to universities, Fortune 500 companies, educational conferences and professional associations. Her work has been covered widely in the media including The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, New York Times, USA Today, Good Housekeeping and O Magazine.

Cheryl served as the co-executive producer and host of "The Life Makeover Project with Cheryl Richardson" on the Oxygen Network and she is also the co-executive and host of two Public Television Specials - "Stand Up for Your Life" and "Create an Abundant Life" - which premiered in August 2002.

"STAND UP FOR YOUR LIFE: Develop the Courage, Confidence, and Character to Fulfill Your Greatest Potential"

What would your life be like if you had the courage and emotional strength to overcome your self-doubt, fear or concern for what others say about you? Think about it. How would your relationships change? Would you stay at your current job? Are there any big moves you'd feel liberated to make? In her work with thousands of people, Cheryl Richardson knows that many feel as though they're living a life scripted or prescribed by others. They long to break out of their self-imposed limitations and lead their own lives, but they lack the courage and confidence to do so. Following old rules like "don't get too big for your britches," or "keep peace at any cost," it's no wonder that most Americans long for a sense of meaning or purpose. As "well-trained followers" who have learned to stay in line, they lack the necessary skills to lead their own lives. Cheryl Richardson will show you how to play by new rules.

In her career as an award-winning personal coach and bestselling author, Richardson has helped thousands of women and men get their personal and professional lives in order. Now she delves even deeper, tackling the inner obstacles that can trap us in empty, unsatisfying lives. A lifesaver for anyone who's afraid to rock the boat, STAND UP FOR YOUR LIFE: Develop the Courage, Confidence, and Character to Fulfill Your Greatest Potential (Free Press, April 2002, $24.00) is the next best thing to having a private coaching session with Richardson. "When we ignore our feelings", Richardson writes, "we commit an act of self-betrayal that has grave consequences. Filled with doubt and resentment, we eventually face the stark realization that we are living everyone else's life but our own". But finding your own path gets easier with the practical guidance that Richardson provides.

Featuring hands-on advice, real life stories (including her own), and thought-provoking exercises, STAND UP FOR YOUR LIFE picks up where Richardson's previous books left off by turning the focus inward. Treating themselves to an "inner life makeover," readers can reclaim their true selves by taking Cheryl's challenge to: Know who you are. Evaluate your trustworthiness, keep promises you've made to yourself, and start making choices based on what you want instead of what others want for you. Stop hiding your power. Uncover the ways in which you hide your power and eliminate those self-defeating behaviors once and for all. Overcome conflict phobia. Stop saying yes when you mean no, confront the people who treat you unfairly, and start speaking up for what you want. Flex those courage muscles. Get to the heart of your fear and use it as your ally to make the changes that count. Trade in good for great. Learn why a good enough day, good enough job, and good enough relationship are NOT good enough. Don't go it alone! Build a solid support team. Whether you need to brainstorm about a major life change, or you want to form a Life Makeovers Group of your own, Richardson gives you the direction you need. Make service a top priority. Create a legacy that reflects your spirit, not just your resume.

Delivering a vital message for anyone whose life feels scripted or stalled, STAND UP FOR YOUR LIFE offers the perfect combination of passion and compassion. In a world that longs to ditch the disguise, Richardson leads the way. Step up, speak up, and STAND UP FOR YOUR LIFE.