Natalie Miller-Snell is a certified coach, qualified civil engineer, sci-fi/superhero/fantasy fan, biscuit lover, and people enthusiast. A former director of retail store development, she founded NMS Coaching in 2020 to pursue her lifelong passion for helping people realise their potential. Her philosophy is simple: anything is possible, and everyone is capable of great things; sometimes we just need someone to help us reveal the path ahead.
When not coaching or writing, Natalie loves to stand on the rugby pitch sideline and cheer on her eldest son—or watch Marvel films with her youngest. In her free time, she also enjoys reading and spending time with friends.
I jumped at the chance to review an advanced copy of this; partly because I have never read a guide like this, and partly because my life is about to pivot in a massive way so a little guidance is very welcome. What struck me most about this debut is how brilliant the tone and pacing is. Natalie Miller-Snell has a true grasp on how to guide the reader through the stages of their journey but in an approachable and respectful way. This isn't advice that hits you over the head or assumes we all have the same challenges, instead there are steps and exercises that invite you to turn inwardly and reflect. I really loved how you can take and come back to the words, almost like you can take what you need and a little more with each chapter. Although I haven't read many self care works I found it to be a lovely touch the way Miller-Snell includes deep and poignant quotations alongside modern media references to a successful journey to inner happiness. It added a playful element but added to the message in a big way. Overall the author's empathy and passion for people to take charge of self fulfilment in their lives shines through in abundance. More than anything I really appreciated the later chapter that encourages paying forward joy, the concept that we can make others happier in small ways will ripple outwards and make the world a better place. I hope anyone who reads this will take away elements that will quieten their self doubt and add to their journey the way they have my own. But more than anything Miller-Snell reminds us that we can spread a little happiness along the way because we are never alone on our path.
I have read 100+ plus self help and business books over the years (I’m 56), so I thought I had seen most of the usual advice by now, well I have to be fair, but forever in search of new advice and thought processes. I do sound boring anyway....
This one genuinely surprised me. It feels clean, practical and kind without drifting into fluff. Instead of just nodding along, I found myself reaching for a notebook as I read. Every chapter sent me off on a different train of thought, sparking ideas about what I could actually do next in my own life and work.
The real strength of the book is its simplicity. Seeing the different parts of your mindset laid out so clearly makes change feel less daunting and more like something you can work on on an ordinary Tuesday afternoon. It reads like a very practical map. The tone is light and human, with modern, relatable examples rather than tired clichés, lots of Star Wars analogies. The Life Model chapter and the ripple effect Coke story really stuck with me, and the chapter on saying No is one I will come back to.
For me, this works best as a handbook. You can dip in for a few pages, get a nudge in the right direction, then carry on with your day a bit more aware and intentional. I honestly wish I had been able to read it 30 years ago. I will be gifting it to my kids and recommending it to the younger team I work with.
I was sent an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I have never been a person who sought out self help books or therapy, or thought much about journaling. It’s just not in my DNA to be so introspective. I know instinctively what I need to do, and do it. So, as you can imagine, I went into reading this not sceptical as such, but with an open mind maybe skewed to “this may not be for me”. However, Natalie’s enthusiasm, passion, empathy, knowledge and humour all shine from the pages and seriously make you want to be your authentic self! The suggested exercises I didn’t do, I confess :), and you will never convince me to journal! But the messages and mind set tips are something I will bring to my life, going forward. This will bring Natalie some joy, I am sure. I loved the use of popular culture heroes from Disney, Marvel, Star Wars etc., to reinforce the messages. It really was a genuine pleasure to read. If you are into self help books, or you are new to it and curious, you could not have a more enthusiastic, knowledgeable and friendly companion than Natalie on your journey. She has your back. I will highly recommend this book to anyone who will listen to me blathering about it!
You Already Have The Answer is a book about learning to create change for yourself. Natalie effortlessly breaks down the steps into 10 easily digestible chapters, starting from your past and moving in to what you want for your future. I found it really insightful for myself, personally, to think about when I feel the most happy and does that correlate with what I want for myself in the future? (Great Q, answer still TBD.)
I resonated the most with ch 8, “the courage to say no”. Because, as Natalie says, “we might think we should be able to handle everything, leading to a sense of failure when we are unable to do so,” and boy have truer words never been spoken.
YAHTA is a lovely and quick read that you could easily pick it up and re-read it once a year as a gentle reminder.