The Kindness Effect: Experience the Power of Irrational Giving

by Jill Donovan

What if you had the power to rewrite a line in someone's chapter?

In 2004, Jill Donovan's guest appearance on  The Oprah Winfrey Show  ignited a change within her heart that would have a ripple effect on thousands of lives.

Now, with her own nationally known jewelry business, Donovan knows a thing or two about the power in passing gifts from one person to another. 

This is not a how-to-guide on exercising kindness. It is also not just the story of Donovan's business, Rustic Cuff. This book shows what happens when you give generously to others, pursue your dreams and never give up. 

For Rustic Cuff creator Jill Donovan, it's not about the bracelet. It's about the connection that is made between two people in gift giving. Within the pages of this book are the experiences that inspired her most popular bracelets, now worn by celebrities such as Miranda Lambert, Gayle King, and Kristin Chenowith.  The Kindness Effect  gives you a glimpse into how this practicing attorney transformed her handmade cuffs into a flourishing business. Now a sought-after motivational speaker who encourages women to pursue their passions, Donovan often recites her favorite "Don't compare your chapter 1 with someone else's chapter 20." Be inspired by this regifting movement, and discover the power in generous giving for a fulfilling journey through life. 

Genres: Self Help, Christian, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

Published February 6, 2018

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book makes me feel like I just had a nice long chat with a best friend that reminded me that there is so much good in the world. Jill sounds like one amazing woman and I'm glad that she decided to do all the things on her list of never do's, including starting a company and writing a book. I stumbled upon this book at the library and had actually never heard of Rustic Cuff before. The stories in the book are a great reminder that everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle, and a little kindness can go a long way. I think the main idea that I will take from this book is to be prepared to give kindness. She told of times where she had something already prepared to give and then waited for the right person to give it to. If we are actively seeking to give kindness then we will surely find many people to give it to.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, easy read. I do a lot of these spontaneous kindness type things already so it was fun to hear her perspective on why she does it. I also screenshot several things to circle back to, to discuss with family, friends, colleagues and/or my own employees. I agree that it reads more like a “chat” and/or a non author wrote it and since she is not an author I cut her slack for that. Definitely makes me to get back to listening to my “knower” more often and trusting it more.

[Jenny Daer Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

This lady is one of a kind. Short but sweet and enjoyed it thoroughly 🙌🏻

[Sherry Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve had the opportunity to be on the receiving end of Jill’s generosity. She really does practice what she preaches! This book is inspirational and will make you want to be just a little kinder to everyone you meet. It’s a fast read and is full of stories that will change the way you look at the people around you.

[Diane Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll admit it - I could quite possibly be developing an addiction to Rustic Cuff. The girls at the law firm where I work are my enablers. When Jill sends out an email (yes, I know it's not Jill who sends the emails from the company, but we all think she is our bff, so as far as we are concerned anything Rustic Cuff is Jill), everything stops while we ooh and aah over the new line, or grab our credit cards to snap up a couple of cuffs on sale before they are sold out. We'll just make up any lost time over lunch. A secretary who works near me has quite an enviable collection. Everyday I can't wait to get to work to see the stack on her wrist for that day. She always dresses great, but it is the stack that takes her nice outfits and makes them fashionista-wow. And she is the one who gave me my first fix, oops, I mean bought me my first bracelet. This spirit of giving-for-no-real-reason has spread throughout the firm. We just love to buy bracelets for each other. And when you do that, it changes the whole atmosphere of the office. Literally. I don't have a large collection, but I wear at least one RC every day - and I have given away more of them than I have kept for myself. The whole concept starts with the founder and CEO, Jill Donovan, and spreads infectiously to anyone who experiences the joy of giving a sweet gift to someone else.

Now, I am well aware that I have not yet written a book review. But I thought if I shared my own experience with Donovan's company, it might provide the smallest intrigue as to why I highly recommend her book, The Kindness Effect: Experience the Power of Irrational Giving. This book is one part Jill's biography, one part the story of her company - Rustic Cuff, and three parts pure inspiration. There is something here for everyone. I don't want to give anything away - I couldn't begin to say it with the same heart as she does anyway! Just read it! It's fun! It might be the catalyst for the change you have been looking for! And that might even lead to a change in your world...

[Margaret Klein · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the company Rustic Cuff. I fell in love with it in Orlando after running a half marathon. I proudly wear a pink bangle with 19.3 miles to remember I can accomplish anything. I was excited to buy kindness cuffs for my staff. So I was excited to learn the CEO whose commitment to kindness I really appreciate wrote a book on this very topic. However, the book is more of a memoir than a guidepost on how to incorporate kindness. I enjoyed the stories of her life but I craved more depth. I like some of the sayings that you might like on a bangle to remind you to live your life with joy or embrace the journey or this too shall pass. I also appreciated her kindness projects and how they have changed people's lives. She does a similar thing to my tzedakah dollar project on a bigger budget with $50 and $100 bills.
A note to my Jewish friends as well. She grew up Jewish. At some point her mother converted to Christianity and her father and the kids followed later. She lives a fully Christian life in Oklahoma. That maybe off putting to some.

[Christi Davis henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Kindness Effect, was inspirational and I enjoyed it. I loved how when she was younger she would try something new, develop it for the entire year and have a recital showing the newly learned ability off to her family. Then the next year take on a new challenge for the year. She suggested writing down 3 attainable goals for the year and 3 goals that are probably not unattainable. Each month revisit the goals and see how far you have come and what you can do to achieve them.

My favorite was taking $50 or $100 to gift to a stranger. Learning how to use the prodding God placed on your heart to help others. Learning to act when we feel something deep within prompting us to do something for someone else.

I also loved how she was so insistent on kindness as a value throughout her book, since we definitely need more kindness everywhere today. I love how Jill Donovan’s attitude is always to spread be generous and kind to others.

[Lucy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Effect this Novel had on Me
Overall, our book club novel, The Kindness Effect, was extremely inspirational and I enjoyed it. My favorite part was most likely in the beginning, when the author first started discussing her childhood. She talked about how she set to be able to learn a new skill every year, and that she would have a recital showing the newly learned ability off to her family. I really enjoyed Donovan’s storytelling skills, and the way she sequenced the events of her life in each story really kept me engaged. I also loved how she was so insistent on kindness as a value throughout her book, since we definitely need more kindness in the world today. Jill Donovan’s attitude was extremely inspiring, and she really motivated me to never give up, and to always be generous and kind.
L.S.

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

My sorority sister introduced me to Rustic Cuff...it was her enthusiasm and love for the founder/owner that really peaked my interest. She is good friends with Jill. After viewing the website, I was impressed but not ready to spend my good earned money on a bracelet. Then I found out about the yearly fashion show she has in Tulsa to support local causes...purchased a cuff that same night. How does this work itself into a book review? You see a person's spirit weighs for more to me when they are genuine. After reading, The Kindness Effect, I realize that Jill Donovan is the TRUTH. The love she has written in this book will inspire you to be better, dream bigger, and listen to your heart.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a true inspiration to any reader that picks it up. It encompasses the struggles that Jill Donovan has encountered throughout her life and how she has overcome them. For example, she shares her passion about jewelry making, eventually creating her own business with multiple employees. She has expressed the mistakes she has made, and help her to grow as a person.
I have learned to cherish many of the lessens and the ideas Jill Donovan has shared in her book, such as the idea of a “gift closet”. She accidentally re-gifted a gift from her gift closet to her mother-in-law, the original gifter. She laughed it off, proving that we should not take things so seriously. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone looking for some motivation in their life.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shares how Rustic Cuff came to be: born out of both a habit of starting and finishing hobbies in a year and her inherited habit of regifting combined with an embarrassing appearance on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

Jill Donovan shares examples of being kind to others through giving by following the leading of her "knower ".

I found this book inspirational, encouraging the reader to be giving to complete strangers. It's not about monetary giving or doing something big or extreme. It's about thinking about others, being open to doing something for a complete stranger on purpose.

This book helped me to see that the Lord will guide me in giving to others when I on purpose step out and decide to give, looking to him for direction.

[Nina S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall this book was inspiring to readers and carries such a range of compassion to influence those who allow kindness into their lives. Kindness is a revolutionary force that carries so much impact with such little society-deemed worth. In a culture focused on promotion and wealth, kindness is an everlasting component to our people that must be given the focus and importance that it deserves. This book does a fantastic job of invigorating the mind sets of those who read, opening their minds to the true power of kindness and the outcomes that it can possess. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I can say that it has restored my faith in humanity.

[Rebecca Speight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was not at all what I expected - not a biography or history of Rustic Cuff, but instead the story of giving when the spirit (or ‘knower’ as Jill calls it) moves you. I love the intentionality behind it and I am ready to be more intentional myself. Random Acts of Kindness taken to the next level.

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and the reminders of how important kindness is at all times. It made me want to open my eyes for more opportunities to share. Even in dark times, there is always opportunities to share kindness and way h it carry on to others.

[Mary Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life Changing

I recommend this book for everyone and hope you discover JOY in the journey and live a life filled with gifts of kindness.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cliche. Really feel good but doesn't change the way I carry on with daily life

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had never heard of Rustic Cuffs, the company owned by the author. But she has a good story, and the book was very inspirational. I will definitely take a look at the jewelry at a store near me.

[Jennifer kettle]

amazing book this woman is so intelligent and very talented and funny this book really gets you thinking about your life and how you should always listen to your knower which means your heart just a lot of good ideas and advice just love this book

[Lindsey]

Didn't finish... because I lost the book. Will pick up again when I stumble across it.