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The Gift of Maybe: Finding Hope and Possibility in Uncertain Times
A simple yet powerful mindset for coping with stress and worry
Allison Carmen spent many years fighting a powerful addiction. It wasn’t drugs, alcohol or fame. It was an addiction to certainty. If she didn’t know what the future would bring – and who does? – she felt anxious and afraid. This decades-long struggle followed her through college, marriage, parenthood, and a successful law career. While everything seemed fine from the outside, Allison was in a constant battle that was unwinnable, sapping her energy, attention, and spirit. Until the day she discovered The Gift of Maybe .
Maybe is a simple yet powerful philosophy that has transformed Allison’s life, and the life of her many clients (now that she has ditched her legal career and has become a successful life coach). The message is In the face of uncertainty, Maybe opens your mind and heart. It creates a little space for hope. It allows you to take a deep breath, stay in the present, and forge your own path.
Many things in life are beyond our control, but the mindset of Maybe presents a simple, powerful way to stay connected to what’s possible, and work to make it happen. It is just one change of perspective, but Maybe it changes everything!
Allison Carmen spent many years fighting a powerful addiction. It wasn’t drugs, alcohol or fame. It was an addiction to certainty. If she didn’t know what the future would bring – and who does? – she felt anxious and afraid. This decades-long struggle followed her through college, marriage, parenthood, and a successful law career. While everything seemed fine from the outside, Allison was in a constant battle that was unwinnable, sapping her energy, attention, and spirit. Until the day she discovered The Gift of Maybe .
Maybe is a simple yet powerful philosophy that has transformed Allison’s life, and the life of her many clients (now that she has ditched her legal career and has become a successful life coach). The message is In the face of uncertainty, Maybe opens your mind and heart. It creates a little space for hope. It allows you to take a deep breath, stay in the present, and forge your own path.
Many things in life are beyond our control, but the mindset of Maybe presents a simple, powerful way to stay connected to what’s possible, and work to make it happen. It is just one change of perspective, but Maybe it changes everything!
- GenresSelf HelpNonfiction
160 pages, Paperback
First published November 4, 2014
44 people are currently reading
201 people want to read
About the author
Allison Carmen
8 books32 followersAllison Carmen holds a B.A. in accounting, a J.D. of Law, and a Master's of Law in taxation. After working for a large law firm in Manhattan, Allison founded her own law firm and built a successful practice focusing on real estate, corporate, mergers and acquisitions, and taxation. After 15 years of practicing law, Allison transitioned her practice into business consulting, business coaching, and life coaching. Allison is also the part-time CFO of The Motherhood Center, a mission-driven for-profit business that functions as a day hospital for women with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
Allison is the author of The Gift of Maybe: Offering Hope and Possibility in Uncertain Times, published by Penguin Random House in 2014, and A Year Without Men, A Twelve Point Guide to Inspire and Empower Women, published by Skyhorse Publishing in 2021. Allison's podcast, 10 Minutes To Less Suffering, focuses on helping people alleviate daily stress and worry. Allison also writes for several large online publications, including Psychology Today, and is sought after guest on radio and other online media platforms. She is also a certified health coach and Reiki master.
Allison is the author of The Gift of Maybe: Offering Hope and Possibility in Uncertain Times, published by Penguin Random House in 2014, and A Year Without Men, A Twelve Point Guide to Inspire and Empower Women, published by Skyhorse Publishing in 2021. Allison's podcast, 10 Minutes To Less Suffering, focuses on helping people alleviate daily stress and worry. Allison also writes for several large online publications, including Psychology Today, and is sought after guest on radio and other online media platforms. She is also a certified health coach and Reiki master.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 29, 2015
Concise little "self-help" book from the same general concept of "staying in the now" and being positive, being open to the fact that nothing is locked it and new roads in your life are constantly opening, nothing is ordained, so do not waste time thinking your present state is set in stone. I think I used way too many analogies there, but "maybe" that will work for you and make you consider this approach to your adjusting your perception.
I like concept of self-help because isn't that what life is, mainly, you trying to help yourself get better in some way, you trying to improve your lot instead of just thinking that things just cannot get better? You are more in control than you realize. Get to the wheelhouse and start learning how to steer the ship.
I like concept of self-help because isn't that what life is, mainly, you trying to help yourself get better in some way, you trying to improve your lot instead of just thinking that things just cannot get better? You are more in control than you realize. Get to the wheelhouse and start learning how to steer the ship.
March 14, 2024
Maybe creates hope. Maybe creates faith. It is a philosophy, a seed, a magic elixir. It is where endless possibilities live and breathe. It suggests that for every situation, there are numerous ways it may resolve. There is always more than one way.
Powerful little book!
Powerful little book!
December 3, 2014
Like the author, I'm addicted to certainty. I want to know if I'll get the result I want, or the big break, or the awful diagnosis. I want to know if what I hope for, or what I fear, will come true. And you know what?
Maybe it will.
And maybe it won't.
I like the word maybe. I like the possibilities that this word opens up. The author realized the magic in maybe when her Qigong teacher told her a simple fable. I won't give it away; it's in the book. Suffice it to say that the message embedded in the tale flipped Carmen's perception of life's challenges from fearful to hopeful.
To paraphrase the author: in the realm of maybe, every situation has numerous possibilities of resolution. Not knowing an outcome makes space for creating something new. It propels us beyond what we thought was possible. It allows us to accept what is happening, while recognizing that things always change.
It's a simple message, with life-changing possibilities. I recommend this book, and its philosophy of maybe, to anyone who struggles with the fear of uncertainty.
Maybe it will.
And maybe it won't.
I like the word maybe. I like the possibilities that this word opens up. The author realized the magic in maybe when her Qigong teacher told her a simple fable. I won't give it away; it's in the book. Suffice it to say that the message embedded in the tale flipped Carmen's perception of life's challenges from fearful to hopeful.
To paraphrase the author: in the realm of maybe, every situation has numerous possibilities of resolution. Not knowing an outcome makes space for creating something new. It propels us beyond what we thought was possible. It allows us to accept what is happening, while recognizing that things always change.
It's a simple message, with life-changing possibilities. I recommend this book, and its philosophy of maybe, to anyone who struggles with the fear of uncertainty.
May 24, 2015
Overall quick and easy read. Nothing mind-blowing but good stories of not having too many high expectations or trying to control things in life. I think the author does a good job to ease the complexities of life's many uncertainties!
May 31, 2023
📚 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞.
It is a self help book that explores the Power of Maybe.
It simply discusses about uncertainty and how building a positive outlook can help in tough times. It encourages reader to build a Maybe Mindset. It focuses on the use of uncertainty to make best out of situations and create new opportunities.
📖 In this book, you will learn :
▪️Learn to welcome uncertainty.
▪️Build up a strong Maybe mindset.
▪️Train your mind to explore more options.
▪️Unlock creativity with the power of maybe.
▪️Cultivate resilience and sense of fulfillment.
It is divided into eight chapters and mainly three sections : The Maybe Mindset, The Maybe Method and The Maybe life. The Maybe Method is a problem-solving approach that helps you explore different possibilities and find creative solutions. This method encourages us to embrace uncertainty and consider multiple options. In each section, the author offers insights, stories and exercises to understand better.
If uncertainty makes you anxious, this book is for you.
It is a self help book that explores the Power of Maybe.
It simply discusses about uncertainty and how building a positive outlook can help in tough times. It encourages reader to build a Maybe Mindset. It focuses on the use of uncertainty to make best out of situations and create new opportunities.
📖 In this book, you will learn :
▪️Learn to welcome uncertainty.
▪️Build up a strong Maybe mindset.
▪️Train your mind to explore more options.
▪️Unlock creativity with the power of maybe.
▪️Cultivate resilience and sense of fulfillment.
It is divided into eight chapters and mainly three sections : The Maybe Mindset, The Maybe Method and The Maybe life. The Maybe Method is a problem-solving approach that helps you explore different possibilities and find creative solutions. This method encourages us to embrace uncertainty and consider multiple options. In each section, the author offers insights, stories and exercises to understand better.
If uncertainty makes you anxious, this book is for you.
September 3, 2018
I am someone that lives in regret of the past, and fear of the future--so this book really resonated with me. Maybe is ultimately about hope and letting yourself believe that there are multitudes of possibilities. I would have given the book five stars if it would have contained more stories from lives outside of the upper class, as it would be more relatable to a variety of people. But then again, the author's examples are largely from her clients, so I can see why this is the case.
March 15, 2024
I occasionally listen to coast to Coast a.m., the syndicated radio show, which is on during the early morning hours each day. Recently, the author of this book, Allison Carmen was the guest. After listening to her interview, I decided to buy this book and read it. This is the best self-help book I have read, not that I have read that many. Highly recommended. if nothing else, after you read this book, you will feel much happier and more hopeful about life.
December 7, 2017
A book with much practical wisdom about confronting future uncertainty. The author is a law school classmate of mine who synthesized philosophical, spiritual, and psychological perspectives into a coherent system of value, accepting possibilities and search for opportunities in problems. This book is a good compliment for those who are interested in positive thinking and emotional intelligence.
June 20, 2017
The ways of Maybe looks for possibilities
Maybe teaches me to look for possibilities rather than faults and failures. Maybe is a positive attitude rather than being susceptible to a negative attitude.
Maybe teaches me to look for possibilities rather than faults and failures. Maybe is a positive attitude rather than being susceptible to a negative attitude.
December 4, 2023
This book is a must-read, especially in times like now. Her take on the idea of “maybe” and embracing uncertainty rather than fearing it could change your entire perspective on life. This book has the power to change your life for the better. 10/10 would recommend.
December 4, 2023
I would definitely recommend checking out this book. Allison’s take on the concept that life has choices and life has “maybe” is not one to miss. Maybe this book changes everything for you? You won’t know until you read it.
February 25, 2024
Author encourages “maybe mind” thinking. Even in the bleakest of circumstances things may turn out better than you had imagined allowing hope with a maybe mindset. She differentiates it from linear thought that can cause so much unnecessary worry and regret.
February 16, 2022
Very book, with good recomendation.
November 7, 2022
Excellent book! Keep hope alive!!
Read
July 17, 2023spiritual - self help
December 3, 2023
Just listened to the audiobook. Very helpful for stress and worry.
December 9, 2023
I just listened to the audiobook. Living in Maybe!
December 16, 2023
I just listened to the audiobook for a second time. Uncertainty always scared me until now. Could it really be a place of hope? Maybe!
February 18, 2024
I have feared the unknown my entire life. This book gave me a path to embracing my future!
December 5, 2018
The same feeling you get after a pleasant dream when all your fears were allayed,
only this time, you are awake and everything is logical.
Reading this book gives you rhe opportunity to look at the dark issues of life in a differnt light, painting them in myriads of hues, including the bright ones.
It argues that the certainty of the uncertainty of life is a great thing because of the possiblity of desirable change and the freedom from tendency to judge ourselves only by our current situation.
Reading this book may help you get rid of the fear of the unknown while embracing rhe possiblities that lie in chance and change.
only this time, you are awake and everything is logical.
Reading this book gives you rhe opportunity to look at the dark issues of life in a differnt light, painting them in myriads of hues, including the bright ones.
It argues that the certainty of the uncertainty of life is a great thing because of the possiblity of desirable change and the freedom from tendency to judge ourselves only by our current situation.
Reading this book may help you get rid of the fear of the unknown while embracing rhe possiblities that lie in chance and change.
December 24, 2014
Easy read, a good book to read in uncertain and/or stressful times
July 21, 2015
Maybe three stars, just maybe. I have read too many books by former lawyers this month; my experience with Gretchen Rubin's book is coloring my reading of this one.
July 28, 2015
May have to buy this one - many gems inside
October 4, 2015
I have struggled with uncertainty my entire life. This book presents an easy tool for me to let go when I am holding on too tight. Maybe helps you hold hope even when life gets tough.
February 17, 2016
Cute quick read with a powerful message
Read
April 17, 2017Another book I will read and reread and try to put into practice. Inspiring overall and full of good thoughts and ideas.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews