For me though, this was one of the worst books I have ever had the displeasure to read. The basic idea is good - but the way the author goes about suggesting you conquer it is, to me, beyond simplistic. I will say that this could be due to this being an abridged version of the book, and potentially the bits that were cut were all the bits that provided depth. The first part of the book asks you to list your fears in general but suggests that they fall into different levels. Level 1 fears are things that may happen such as being alone. Level 2 is why that fear may happen so being alone due to rejection or vulnerable and then the deepest fear of all, Level 3, is based on your negativity to these fears “I can’t handle it”. There are a few exercises in the book (not enough for me, I would’ve preferred more but it may be enough for others) and one is to create your “Pain to Power” chart. Basically a line where you mark off where you stand so if you are happy in your job you may mark that closer to the Power point but unhappy with your love life then mark closer to the Pain point. Susan Jeffers (March 3, 1938 – October 27, 2012, 74 years old) [1] was an American psychologist and author of self-help literature. Susan Jeffers started her academic education at Penn State University, but abandoned her studies when she married her first husband. In the years following 1960 the family moved to Manhattan, where Jeffers took degrees, followed by a doctorate in psychology, at Hunter College and at Columbia University.

Learn to move from a position of pain (helplessness, depression, paralysis) to one of power (choice, energy, action), so your fear no longer holds you hostage. In the full book summary, you can learn more about how to use the “Pain-to-Power Chart”, switch from Pain-to-Power Vocabulary, expand your comfort zone and put these into a daily program. Taking Responsibility To create your own Grid of Life, draw a nine-boxed grid, then ”In each of the nine boxes, write one aspect of life that is important to you, such as family, friends, career, relationship, contribution to community, spiritual growth, alone time and so on. Then commit to participating fully in every area of your own personal Grid of Life…and this is important…with the knowledge that you count,” wrote Susan in Life is Huge.Whilst reading this illuminating, informative book I thought about – how everyone seems to judge things on the literal/ what they ‘see’.. Not everything is as it seems. It is so easy to assume or pre-judge (which leads to bitterness or twisted notions). People seem to care so much about others and their appearance/ attitudes/ reactions and actions on face value.. Jeffers believes that fear is not a psychological problem but an educational one. Many of us treat fear as an obstacle that stops us from moving forward. The truth is, fear surfaces whenever we take a risk or try something new— the issue is not with fear per se, but how we handle that fear. Understanding Fear Susan’s simple and profound advice is as relevant today as when she first published the book. The tools in Feel the Fear and Do It Anywaycontinue to deliver lasting change and improved mindset for individuals, business, educators, and those suffering with their mental health. I listen to books on my kindle (I turn on "text to speak") as I get ready in the morning for work. I've listened to this book twice now. I swear, I will probably listen to it countless more times. It's amazing how powerful this book is for me. I've struggled with depression most of my life, I am currently going through a divorce, & living alone for the first time in my life. I was, & at times I still feel like a lost puppy...

The main theme of the book is fear and the first chapters as if confirm it. Indeed, at the very beginning of the book the author writes that each person has different fears (there is a list) and that the main task of the author is to help people get rid of it. As an example, she cites her own practice where people talk about their own fears. Actually, we will not meet anything new here. At the heart of every fear we have is one single fear: "I can't handle it." This is an absolute revelation, at least to me, because it means that there is one reliable (though still not easy) formula to be used for overcoming fear: convince yourself that you can handle it.

Positivity, and positive self-talk are topics that come up again and again in books about mastery and mindset. It is a common theme. Susan made the phrase “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway” famous worldwide, but first she lived it. She helped millions of people throughout the world learn to overcome their fears, to heal their relationships, and to live with confidence and love, but only after she experienced those things herself through years of searching, learning, and self-discovery. Feel The Fear And Do It Anyway is one of those rare books which instantly speak to you, deep inside, on a subconscious level, even reading it makes you feel stronger, more powerful than before. In 1972, she not only asked her husband for a divorce, but eventually relinquished custody of their children to him, recognising that, contrary to the prevailing myths about motherhood and parenting, this was the best option for all concerned. She later distilled much of her thinking into I'm Okay … You're a Brat (1996) in which she took on what she saw as over-optimistic and unrealistic attitudes to parenting. She also changed her name, from both her maiden and married one, to Jeffers – a name chosen with her mother after her mother's favourite actor, Anne Jeffreys.

I'm going to start this review by saying that if this book helped you, then good. The whole point of books of this genre is to help others. Due to increased demand, we are looking for new instructors to join our team. An ideal opportunity for people who are passionate about the book, and wish to run their own workshops, seminars and 1-2-1 sessions. Some have regarded the book as a feminist work, but Jeffers always said she wrote for both men and women, and was encouraged by the fact that her mail and the participants in her workshops always included a significant number of men. The book became the framework for courses run initially by herself but now by accredited trainers all over the world, from Australia to Zimbabwe. The other books that followed included End the Struggle and Dance With Life (1996), Feel the Fear ... and Beyond (2000), Embracing Uncertainty (2003) and Life Is Huge! (2004). She also produced a series of books and tapes in 1992 - Inner Talk for Peace of Mind, Inner Talk for a Confident Day, and Inner Talk for a Love That Works – full of encouraging and inspiring quotes and affirmations.Since 2004, Feel the Fearcourses have been taught around the world, by qualified instructors who are trained in delivering the key truths from Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway. This arm of the Susan Jeffers’ organization is directed by Rachael Alexander, a counselor and author, who is passionate about providing workshops and bringing new trainers on board to spread Susan’s truths about fear. One of the things I found reading through the book and listing my own personal fears is that the book helped me to actually focus on all these and I managed to find a common denominator so rather than several issues I really only have the one but it impacts on several areas of my life. The question now is to work on that fear and break it down into smaller areas I can work on that will eventually get rid of the fear in its entirety. A book that needs to be read a few times. A book that can change your life. I know that is a cliché, but clichés become so because they happen a lot. One thing is certain “Nothing Changes, If Nothing Changes.” When you confront your fear and do it anyway, not only do you overcome the fear, you also feel good about yourself. Mastering something you previously feared can be deeply satisfying and fulfilling. Truth #5