Normally, I do not read self help books. After all, we all have the answers to solving our life problems. Why do I need a book to tell me something I already know or can figure out myself. Right? Wrong. Self help books save you the time so you can channel the effort to make the relevant and applicable changes. The onus is still on you. The more open-minded and humble you are, the more you can learn from the authors perspective- and this is in the beauty of “Change Your Life in 5: Practical Steps to Making Meaningful Change in Your Life” by Sue Belton.
This book transformed my love-hate relationship with self help books for three reasons:
1. The book is practical with lots of thoughtful exercises and how I wanted to proceed was left to me. I read, learnt and choose to apply.
2. I was willing to read the book with the authors persepctive and insight and create my own.
3. I became aware of my values and was encouraged to ponder on what it is I actually wanted.
The book is split into five parts: Clarify, Conquer, Choose, Celebrate and Commit.
This chapter helped me explore what it is that I really want, even though, I am fortunate enough to have all that I need. A deep feeling of guilt was rising and by identifying which areas of my life needed attention and materialising what my hopes and dreams really were and understanding my true values not the ones I emulated allowed me to begin to scratch the surface on what my purpose could be.
The key takeaway of this chapter was how to tackle fear by identifying what it sounds like. Through exercises on giving fear a voice allowed you to identify who the fears in your life embodied. Once identified there was a good understanding of all the things fear ‘stopped’ you from doing.
This chapter allowed the reader to change perspectives on situations most bothersome and pressing to them and offers a good approach of how to do so by encouraging you to accept, allow and ask.
This chapter of the book deals with Imposter Syndrome, Perfection and practising compassion with yourself. Through a range of exercises within the book, you can begin to understand why you feel certain emotions and how you react to your past mistakes.
This is my favourite part of the book which helps with setting up morning routines, how to go about mindfulness (meditation for me) and an exercise creating vision boards of what you envision for your future.
Three Favourite Quotes from the Book
Working hard for something we don’t care about is stress. Working hard for something we love is called passion.
Simon Sinek
Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage.If you want to conquer fear, do not sit at home and think about it.
Dale Cargenie
Commitment is the little choices everyday that lead to the final results we’re striving for.
Anon
Overall, Change Your Life in 5 is simple to read, interactive in terms of exercises that allow you to reflect on what you’d like to change and improve on and appealing to those seeking the serenity to change the things they used to dwell on. I would recommend reading if you’re ready to face your thoughts and materialise easy to follow psychological theories and concepts to change negative ways of thinking.
More Information about the Book
For interested readers, this book can be found here.
Change Your Life in Five:
Practical Steps to Making Meaningful Changes
in Your Life
By Sue Belton
Publisher: Eddison Books
Publication Date: 16th April 2020
ISBN: 9781859064603 | Price: £14.99 | Paperback | Illustrated
This book was sent to be by Eddison Books and this is my honest and sincere review.
Hannah 
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