Shift: Creating Better Tomorrows; Winning at Work and in Life

by Michael O'Brien

''Discovering how to pick yourself up off the ground, how to rebound from sickness, or simply how to solider ahead through whatever roadblock you encounter--that's the crux of Shift '' --Ted King, professional road cyclist
Shift is a must-read for anyone looking to change their perspective, abandon bad days, and live a more purposeful life. In the book, corporate leadership coach Michael O'Brien shows that the secret to becoming our best starts with shifting our mindset and he offers the steps we can take to do so. Drawing on the personal story of his ''last bad day,'' Michael shares the emotional and physical recovery from his near-death accident on the morning of July 11th, 2001. A keen cyclist out on a training ride in New Mexico, Michael was hit head-on by an SUV that crossed into his lane traveling 40 miles per hour. He invites readers into the early darkness of his recovery and, ultimately, the empowering perspective shift he gained through his difficult we are defined by how we respond to a tragedy and not by the tragedy itself. Michael used his newfound perspective to fuel his recovery and help him create a better and better tomorrow. Now he's sharing his hard-earned insights to help others realize their own success. In Shift , Michael introduces ''ways of being'' that can help anyone build a stronger peloton*, the team that transcends the individual, and get closer to the best version of themselves. Michael's story is life changing, inspirational, and insightful. Shift is about how mindset, perspective, and grit can empower each of us to ride the ups and downs of our life's journey and to create a better tomorrow.
ALL the profits from Shift will go to World Bicycle Relief. Companion to Michael's My Last Bad Day How to Prevent Bad Moments from Turning into Bad Days --a practical and powerful guide that outlines what you can do to be bad day free.
* the main group or pack of riders in a road bicycle race. Riders save energy by riding close together, through drafting or slipstreaming.

Genres: Memoir, Business, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

Published July 11, 2017

About the author

Michael O’Brien is President and Founder of Peloton Coaching and Consulting. As a certified executive coach, he has advised, motivated, and inspired Fortune 500 executives, entrepreneurs, and other difference-makers at organizations like Brother International and Johnson and Johnson.  He also serves as a mentor and volunteer with organizations that promote professional growth, such as the Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association and James Madison University’s College of Business. Before starting Peloton Coaching and Consulting, he was a healthcare sales and marketing executive and received his marketing degree from James Madison University. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and two daughters.

Reviews

[Vicky]

Hard to put down this true story of a life-changing event. I really liked the way the book was laid out, and the pictures at the beginning of each chapter captured the feeling of the book. The author took a potentially devastating experience and transformed his life for the better as a result of it. Inspiring.

[Bryan Falchuk]

This book gave me so many moments of pause. The story is gripping, and Michael tells it in a way that you feel like you were right there in the recovery process with him, learning to walk again, feeling his wife's presence by his side, being frustrated by doctors who weren't helping and thankful for those who were. And feeling pushed by the therapists.

But most importantly, you're taken through the personal journey he went through to arrive at his shift and the mindset of not having a bad day again. I've now followed Michael extensively, and he genuinely lives it. Such clarity and hope for us when we're in these situations (whether they're as extreme as Michael's or not).

Fantastic read, honesty, humility, kindness and openness. I grew from reading this book, which is what I ask for in any book.

[Joe]

Fantastic book about how to face and deal with life's crises with grace, dignity, and resilience. Uplifting.

[September]

Shift: Creating Better Tomorrows: Winning at Work and in Life by Michael O’Brien is an inspiring blend of memoir, personal development, and leadership wisdom that demonstrates the transformative power of mindset and perspective. Drawing from his remarkable recovery following a near-fatal cycling accident, O’Brien delivers a compelling message about resilience, purpose, and personal growth.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its authenticity. Rather than presenting abstract motivational concepts, O’Brien shares deeply personal experiences that illustrate how adversity can become a catalyst for transformation. His story is both moving and relatable, offering readers practical lessons rooted in real-life challenges.

What stands out most is the book’s emphasis on perspective. O’Brien demonstrates that while difficult circumstances may be unavoidable, our response to them ultimately shapes our future. This powerful message encourages readers to move beyond setbacks and focus on creating meaningful change in both their personal and professional lives.

Another notable strength is the integration of leadership and teamwork principles. Through the concept of building a stronger "peloton," O’Brien highlights the importance of relationships, support systems, and collective growth. This makes the book valuable not only for individuals seeking personal development but also for professionals looking to become more effective leaders.

At its core, Shift is about creating better tomorrows through intentional thinking, resilience, and purposeful action. It reminds readers that growth often emerges from life’s most difficult moments and that a positive shift in mindset can unlock extraordinary possibilities.

Insightful, motivational, and deeply human, Shift is an excellent resource for anyone seeking inspiration to overcome challenges, strengthen resilience, and lead a more purposeful life.

[Contact. Mighty.Bookpromo]

Shift: Creating Better Tomorrows: Winning at Work and in Life by Michael O’Brien is an inspiring memoir about resilience, mindset, and the power of choosing how we respond to adversity.

Following a life-threatening cycling accident, O’Brien shares how a dramatic change in perspective helped him move from simply surviving to intentionally creating a better future. His lessons on mindset, grit, purpose, and building a strong “peloton” offer practical encouragement for both personal and professional life.

What makes the book especially compelling is its reminder that tragedy does not have to define us. Shift encourages readers to take ownership of their response, strengthen their relationships, and pursue a more purposeful life.

[Amber]

I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads’ First Reads program. This was an interesting look at how the author overcame monumental challenges following a life-changing catastrophic accident. While I am not a cyclist myself, and have never been through an incident of that magnitude, I found I could appreciate many of the takeaways the author shared in this speedy read. I did do quite a bit of highlighting while reading.

[Marci Lundy]

I had the honor of having the author on the season premiere of my podcast, Kult of Kindness, as well as making Shift the book of the month.

This season, Kult of Kindness is focusing on the empath; the intricate layers of Michael’s before-and-after story really place you in his exact state of mind with each moment.

From an ‘I want it all’ mentality, to ‘I realize what’s truly important’, his experiences are both relatable and eye opening.

[Lisa]

This was the right book at the right time for me. It's a very easy and quick read. The concepts are easy to grasp although not always as easy to accomplish. I really enjoyed it and I felt motivated and engaged by it. Again, I'm at a point right now where I really want to focus on positive changes in my life and this was a great resource.

[Erin]

This was a quick read and an inspiring story. The takeaways at the end are certainly valuable but I wasn't a huge fan of the format in which they were conveyed. Still, the book's content was really good, well-written, and engaging. This is a good business/life book in the vein of "Who moved my cheese"?

I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway in return for a fair review.

[GK]

Michael really let us into his world through this book. It was very engaging and I felt like I was along for the journey through each phase. I appreciate the vulnerability and raw honesty put forth in his words. For anyone looking for some inspiration through a story of mental determination in the face of despair, give this one a look. It's a quick and easy, yet thorough, read.

[jessica]

an eminently readable and well-paced book that demands to be finished in one sitting.

thanks Michael for sharing the story of your last bad day, and for continuing to inspire nearly 25 years later.

[Tena]

I won a kindle version #GoodreadsGiveaway

[Crystal]

I won this through a Goodreads giveaway. I really liked this story of how one event can change your life. This was very inspiring and uplifting.

[Deborah Lane]

Motivational uplifting book. The author used a catastrophic incident in life to ilisustrate , instruct, motivate the reader to a better tomorrow. Well written book. Recomended.

[Theresa Wade]

Verify interesting. Thanks for sharing your story.

[Kelly Vohs]

Thank you for sharing

A story of a man who is willing to be honest about his shift in perspective. Maybe we don’t all require an accident like this to make a shift too.

[Lisa]

I love Michael O'Brien's inspiring story and energy. He teaches how to turn calamity into success!

[Lavender]

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I won this book via Goodreads Giveaways.