Go For It

Live the Life of Your Dreams November 5, 2003

"None of us will ever accomplish anything excellent or commanding except when he listens to the whisper which is heard by him alone." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

When Judith Kleinfeld's husband first heard the whisper calling him to a new frontier, Judith decided to embrace this new challenge. While Andrew was pursuing his dream of becoming a senator, Judith created new intellectual trails in the unexplored territories of Eskimo, Indian, and Aleut childhood education. Through her research, she was able to encourage positive change in the Alaskan education system. Together, Judith and Andrew Kleinfeld discovered "the frontier strategy."

"Go For It," is not only an example of how two people ventured out into the unknown, it is also a guide for all Americans who want to find their own frontier and make a significant contribution to society. Judith Kleinfeld takes what she has learned from living in a physical frontier and shows how frontier living can also be a state of mind. She even explains how you can "homestead the electronic frontier."

One of the most intriguing aspects of this work was the entire concept of a "frontier." The American view seems to be a unique in so many ways. When I looked up "frontier" in my thesaurus, I was surprised to find: border, boundary, confines, edge, limit.

This book is not about limits, it is about expanding "borders", not seeing "boundaries," breaking out of "confines" and boxes, being on the "cutting edge." Perhaps it is about not even seeing limits. "Go For It," is a book about freeing the self, finding your true calling, and exploring new and as yet undiscovered intellectual, physical or spiritual territories. It is truly an exciting study of the American psyche.

"Go For It" is also filled with captivating stories of how Americans made their mark, how they expanded their skills and how they became more resourceful and inventive. I loved the story about the golf course with a den of red foxes, the couple who won a homestead in Alaska's land lottery and the story of the girl who dreamed of standing on icebergs in the night with her dark hair flowing in the wind. There is a sense of romance and many journeys to a frontier start in the imagination.

"In Alaska, the northern lights shimmer in the night, swaying in great canopies of red and green, blue and purple, silver and gold. As I sit at my computer … the sun is rising over the blue mountains. Bare, black aspen trees shoot into the sky and the clouds hover, filled with delicate shades of rose and purple light. You feel expansive. Your ideas match the mountains." ~pg. 98

Judith writes with an optimistic sense of purpose. She has found a place of authentic happiness and knows what it takes to lead a satisfying and successful life. She asks questions to encourage you to take the first step, then she shows you how to find or create your own frontier. There is also information on "what you need for your journey" or "how to become a frontier angel." She also explains "how a frontier works" and "how to steer clear of the dangers." This book will show you how to develop new talents, use the talents you already have to accomplish more than you thought possible, start over in a new location or find your frontier in your present location and increase your confidence level so you can live your dream.

Judith and her husband are living their dreams. Judith is now a professor of psychology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and her husband, Andrew Kleinfeld, is a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Their three children have also found their own frontiers in experimental theater, bioethics and consulting.

Judith also writes a bi-weekly column in "Heartland," and has been featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, the Chronicle of Higher Education, and Psychology Today. She has appeared on National Public Radio and has been interviewed by national and local television and radio.

This book is really on the cutting edge. According to the National Federation of Independent Business, small business optimism is soaring to new heights. The U.S. economy also seems to be heading in a positive direction as American businesses are able to make new investments due to tax relief. Even consumer confidence is on the rise.

Now is the time to read: "Go For It." Judith has written a trail guide for the world of frontier living. This book will give you an added boost of confidence, so you can make your dreams a reality.