Empty Your Backpack: Unpack Your Beliefs, Take Consistent Action, and Create a Life of Meaning

by Sam Demma, Rachel Small (Editor)

In Empty Your Backpack, Sam Demma demonstrates that your dreams are in reach, and it's the beliefs you carry and the actions you take that determine whether you will achieve them.

Demma provides a guide on how to move closer to your dreams faster than you ever imagined. He shows that by cultivating empowering beliefs while committing to consistent actions that fuel your creativity and growth, you can make things happen in your life the way you envision. 

Are you weighed down by people dismissing your dreams as unrealistic? You have big dreams. There are things you want to accomplish, but maybe they feel out of reach-especially when people tell you they're impossible. That heavy feeling of doubt is your backpack. It's full of limiting beliefs and dreams crushed by the opinions of others. It's time to empty your backpack and release that weight from your shoulders. 

Demma's guide offers actionable ideas to help young people keep faith in their dreams even when those around them lose theirs. He reveals pathways that can help bring dreams to life and empower you to be the best version of yourself.

Empty Your Backpack is an easy-to-follow guide filled with tried-and-tested principles and inspiring stories from Demma's remarkable life that will help you optimize your beliefs and actions to get you where you want to be.

Genres: Nonfiction

156 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2022

Reviews

[Jennifer H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend told me about this book and I immediately downloaded it and started listening to it. Yes, a lot of this could be aimed towards a younger crowd (I’m 50), but it also absolutely applied to me as well! As a person who stays comfortable and doesn’t feel she should go for her dreams, this was the book I needed to read!! I hope to see a lot more from Sam!

[Ashley Rieple · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ rounded up. All pretty basic stuff but he’s such a likable guy that he’s easy to take advice from. What he says really makes sense & the guy seems to have a heart of gold. I started following him on social media and I always like to see the nice guys succeed.

[Christall Beaudry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a good book for young adults still trying to figure stuff out.

[Chidimma · Rating 3 out of 5]

really 3.5
Usually, I take a hard opposing stance to motivational speakers, but I actually found this guy's book quite engaging. There were a lot of good messages in this book and I especially liked his specificity---where there was a lot of room for his words to be misinterpreted, he made sure to clarify and say exactly what he meant.

However, there were quite a few grammatical errors and spelling mistakes, which I can usually ignore in fictional works, but in non-fiction, I feel like it is important for establishing the ethos of an author. I also felt that some of his stories kind of hindered his point at times. Like, he'd say, "don't take no as an answer and here's an example of me doing that. Except, my desired outcome didn't come from that but also I was better off." So I felt as if that kind of made me like 👀 like it didn't work for you so why should I bother? But maybe that's just my pessimistic nature. It was obvious that it was written by a white middle-class guy, but I think his messages were general enough to apply to a vast group of people.

The writing was simple, easy to understand, which I think is good for non fiction books. Very easy to grasp. But it's very motivational speaker-y so if you're not into that, you might not be into this either

[Jenifer Weiland · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌮 Beyond expectations 🌮

🌮🌮🌮 be someone's taco, that's this book, the book is my tacos 🌮 🌮🌮

I've read more than just a few books, but this one I'd put at the top of my list to read again.

So much encouragement, and many moments to make you stop and "smell the leather" as Dan Pena says to do. This book encourages the stop moment.

Or maybe not a full stop, more a pause and inhale. With tips to exhale and go forward.

I'd recommend it to anyone starting life's journey, or for someone who is having a life moment.

Very much liked this book, will put in my "read once a year stack"

Stacking tacos 🌮 🌮🌮🌮

[Steve Fedock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Empty Your Backpack is a motivational and relatable book that encourages readers to let go of fear, self-doubt, and past mistakes, the “weight” we carry around mentally. Sam Demma shares personal stories and practical lessons that remind us we don’t have to be defined by our challenges. Instead, we can choose purpose, gratitude, and belief in ourselves.

It’s a quick, inspiring read, perfect for students, young adults, or anyone looking for a mindset reset.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam Demma did a fantastic job explaining how we allow others thoughts and opinions effect our own goals, habits, and dreams! I believe the target audience is much younger than myself but I was able to relate to much of what was written. It was a great read with good things to remember. I especially liked how at the end of each chapter there was a list of items Sam hoped you were able to take away from that chapter. This book definitely helped put things in perspective and provides motivation.

[Jill Rocha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have so many great takeaways from this book! I have shared it with multiple people already!! I had also bought a few copies of “Be Somebody’s Taco” Sam’s children’s book and I have shared that with others also!! Go read it and make sure to have a notebook and little tabs to mark your favorite pages!!

[AARON S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just completed your book, Empty Your Backpack, this morning. It has been quite inspiring. I am within 6 months of being eligible to retire after being in law enforcement for 25 years. As I look at the opportunity to ride off into the sunset and consider what's next, your book has provided me with the courage to find a new path to occupy my time and pursue new opportunities.

[Dennis A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam has the craft of speaking to youth. He is inspiring and encouraging. He may be the next Stephen Covey. We are using his literature with Behavioral Health patients to help motivate and encourage them to hone their coping skills and change their automatic negative thoughts into intentional behaviors. We need more teachers like Sam

[Dawn Billings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good job Sammy! This book is real! I think it will be very helpful to those who are trying to figure “life out”. It helps to give direction. It also gives you hope! Hopefully one day I’ll hear you speak live!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't finish because this book is aimed at a different age range.

The main takeaway was be yourself and don't pay attention to what other people say. What they say isn't about you, it's about them.

[Tracie Sievers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this as an audiobook, and while Sam is young and has written this to ignite and educate other young people, this book is filled with inspiring stories and tools to get the best from our lives.

[Noah Curry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very impactful for readers of all ages. I feel like the messaging and the behaviors you can learn can truly make your life better. Thanks for the great read Sam. I'm off to enjoy some tacos!

[Levi Stanford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to digest and is a great starting book for youth interested in the personal development world.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sam is an impressive speaker. This book helps young people set realistic goals and gives strategies that help motivate and encourage.

[Malorie Apolon · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books!

[Dee Tighe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Energetic young man. Interesting.