Review by jimthorne2 -- From Drift to SHIFT
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jimthorne2
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Review by jimthorne2 -- From Drift to SHIFT
[Following is a volunteer review of "From Drift to SHIFT" by Jody B. Miller.]
2 out of 4 stars
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Jody B. Miller provides a self-help handbook complete with scintillating interviews with people who went From Drift to Shift. A foreword by Brad Feld leads the way. “The perspective offered in this book is for you, the reader, to experience your work and life in a way that gives you balance, meaning, and happiness on a daily basis.” (p. 32) The introduction is personal and gives the reader a great amount of encouragement not only to keep on reading but to prepare for shifts rather than drifting through life.
The story starts with a description of how often people simply drift along until a radical change occurs – a shift or change in life. Perseverance through trauma is a common phenomenon. An autobiographical interlude describes the writer's experience with an Amazonian tribe that taught her a lot about herself. As the story moves on, Miller explains how people choose changes, sing their way through life, and overcome depression. With the story set, Miller provides the reader with methods on how to shift. At this point, the author provides takeaways at the end of each chapter which forms an ongoing handbook to the self-help needed in coping with drift and moving to a shift in life. Miller chooses illustrations from art, the Bible, and interviews with friends to achieve the point of her book. She wraps up the story with an extended section on life after the shift. The handbook ends with a multitude of informational indices and motivational ending comments.
I like the life stories. I enjoy the memories she rehearses about the friends she writes about in this book. She uses poetry effectively. Though the book is long, I appreciate the repetition throughout that reinforces the message. Her observations are true to life and filled with encouragement. The book achieves its motivational purpose.
What I most like about the book is the takeaways. They summarize the interviews, observations, and comments of the author. The takeaways construct a significant contribution that serves as a checklist for the reader looking for self-help.
One of the least appealing things about this book is the length. Nevertheless, the book is not boring and is easy reading, so that saves the day. The whole idea of self-help is a little suspect in spite of the motivational comments of the author. She does make the point that self-help includes a lot of other people’s help along the way. Miller seems to think that happiness is the answer to all of the problems of life. I find that idea problematic since being happy is an emotion hard to control in spite of the song, Be Happy, Don’t Worry.
What I least like about the formula Miller provides for moving from drift to shift is that although the list includes many does and don’ts, it finally comes down to choices. The writer doesn’t seem to suggest a clear path to making right choices or decisions. She recommends Buddhism and the Hindu gods. I think Christianity has much more to offer.
The perspective of Miller’s writing is helpful and motivational. Interviews with her sources are fascinating and full of ideas. The setting, pace, and dialogue grab the reader’s attention throughout the book.
I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars. In the vast literature available today on self-help, I would not recommend a person seeking self-help to take the time necessary to plow through the verbiage offered in this book. The stories are interesting, the takeaways helpful but there is danger in the formula proposed, and goal suggested. The reader will get more out of God Will Use This for Good: Surviving the Mess of Life by Max Lucado.
******
From Drift to SHIFT
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2 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Jody B. Miller provides a self-help handbook complete with scintillating interviews with people who went From Drift to Shift. A foreword by Brad Feld leads the way. “The perspective offered in this book is for you, the reader, to experience your work and life in a way that gives you balance, meaning, and happiness on a daily basis.” (p. 32) The introduction is personal and gives the reader a great amount of encouragement not only to keep on reading but to prepare for shifts rather than drifting through life.
The story starts with a description of how often people simply drift along until a radical change occurs – a shift or change in life. Perseverance through trauma is a common phenomenon. An autobiographical interlude describes the writer's experience with an Amazonian tribe that taught her a lot about herself. As the story moves on, Miller explains how people choose changes, sing their way through life, and overcome depression. With the story set, Miller provides the reader with methods on how to shift. At this point, the author provides takeaways at the end of each chapter which forms an ongoing handbook to the self-help needed in coping with drift and moving to a shift in life. Miller chooses illustrations from art, the Bible, and interviews with friends to achieve the point of her book. She wraps up the story with an extended section on life after the shift. The handbook ends with a multitude of informational indices and motivational ending comments.
I like the life stories. I enjoy the memories she rehearses about the friends she writes about in this book. She uses poetry effectively. Though the book is long, I appreciate the repetition throughout that reinforces the message. Her observations are true to life and filled with encouragement. The book achieves its motivational purpose.
What I most like about the book is the takeaways. They summarize the interviews, observations, and comments of the author. The takeaways construct a significant contribution that serves as a checklist for the reader looking for self-help.
One of the least appealing things about this book is the length. Nevertheless, the book is not boring and is easy reading, so that saves the day. The whole idea of self-help is a little suspect in spite of the motivational comments of the author. She does make the point that self-help includes a lot of other people’s help along the way. Miller seems to think that happiness is the answer to all of the problems of life. I find that idea problematic since being happy is an emotion hard to control in spite of the song, Be Happy, Don’t Worry.
What I least like about the formula Miller provides for moving from drift to shift is that although the list includes many does and don’ts, it finally comes down to choices. The writer doesn’t seem to suggest a clear path to making right choices or decisions. She recommends Buddhism and the Hindu gods. I think Christianity has much more to offer.
The perspective of Miller’s writing is helpful and motivational. Interviews with her sources are fascinating and full of ideas. The setting, pace, and dialogue grab the reader’s attention throughout the book.
I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars. In the vast literature available today on self-help, I would not recommend a person seeking self-help to take the time necessary to plow through the verbiage offered in this book. The stories are interesting, the takeaways helpful but there is danger in the formula proposed, and goal suggested. The reader will get more out of God Will Use This for Good: Surviving the Mess of Life by Max Lucado.
******
From Drift to SHIFT
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like jimthorne2's review? Post a comment saying so!
Jim Thorne
Latest Review: California: On the Edge of American History by Ronald Genini
