“Get out of my own way.” “Live intentionally.” These phrases are finally given some practical and spiritual gravitasse in “Believe Bigger: Discover the Path to Your Life Purpose.”
The book could have been titled “The Purpose Map” because it’s primary focus is not so much the path to your purpose - but your actual purpose. And it hinges on 5 development stages - outlined as a map - to get you from an existence of doing to being in a way that feels concrete.
The author, Marshawn Evans-Daniels, is a reinvention strategist. But the book is not written like a “10 Steps to Happiness” guide. She blends powerful personal failures into very useful questions that the reader can use to acknowledge the experiences and “broken beliefs” that are holding them back. New concepts like holding on to the version of “you” from 1o years ago or building your life on other people’s expectations are fully explained and she gives you actual strategies to break out of these mental habits.
Marshawn patiently explains how we come to these “split-rock” moments (life-changers) and how to use the hidden treasures in the rock to go forward powerfully and meaningfully. Her writing style is friendly and non-judgmental, like if your friend was also your tutor.
But be clear, she is laser-focused on ensuring that you understand what your purpose and calling is - both from a Christian and professional perspective. Like many women in church, she felt limited in what she could do. Professionally, as an attorney, she felt unfulfilled. It was at that crossroads of feeling limited and talented that she disovered what her real purpose was. She challenges you, the reader, to carefully examine your own personal feelings, experiences, skills, and deep desires to “discover” what your purposes are too.
I will admit that after reading this book I felt much more certain of my spiritual and professional callings. I finally understood what the words “Purpose” and “Callings” meant because she clearly defined them. And I feel fairly confident that I could explain them to someone who asked me. There will be plenty of emotional, bittersweet moments due to the reflection exercises. But she gently leads you to the next “stage” and strategy so you don’t get stuck in the past, reliving every mistake. She shows you how the mistakes intertwine into that “future Me” that all of us want to be!
But one area where I thought the book struggled was with staying focused on Individual Purpose vs Impact to Others. The stronger message is on Individual Purpose but Marshawn links it to “helping others”. My only concern is that so many women are already “helping others” to the detriment of finding their true purpose! Women, especially in church, are already bombarded with messages to always be helping other people. I think this book made the strongest case for finding your individual Purpose first (like putting on your air mask first in an airplane), then helping others. To some extent it was almost apologetic, like “I’m finding my Purpose only because it will help others.”
However, this book is absolutely necessary and an excellent guide and testimonial to believing in yourself, believing in what God can do, and of course giving yourself permission to just “Believe Bigger” because there’s no reason not to.
Believe Bigger is well-written, carefully worded, and delivers its intent to realign you with Purpose - both spiritual and professional. You will not be disappointed. It is a must-read for Business Minded Women, in particular, who need a higher-level mentor to discover their next level.
Who Should Read This Book?
Ages 18 and up. Professionals who feel lost in their chosen profession. People who can’t decide on their profession. People who are not fulfilled in Church -you may be on church ministries that seem routine. People who feel that they are missing out on “more.”
How to Read the Book
This book is chronological in nature because it start with a personal experience that is threaded thoughout the entire book. Additionally, the Purpose Map -the focal point of the book - advances in numerical stages. So you really can’t “skip ahead” to a specific chapter or section that quickly addresses your problem.
Cons
Some non-Christian readers may not understand some of the spiritual concepts, which may be a drawback. Bringing very specific spiritual concepts like “Holy Spirit” done to earth in any practical way is very difficult. I don’t think I’ve read any Christian cross-over book that has mastered that particular concept yet.
The organization of the book has a few challenges. It’s divided into 3 uneven parts - two are very short - the middle is very long. There is one brief “intermission” chapter after Part 1 to set the reader up for Part 2, which would have been useful throughout the entire book to give the reader a “break”. The recaps of each chapter are given at the beginning of the next chapter, which I thought was a mistake. I would have liked the main principles of each chapter to come at the end as a summary.
Where to Buy
Believe Bigger is available on Marshawn.com and Amazon for Pre-Order
Disclosure: I received an advance digital copy of this book as part of the Believe Bigger Launch Team.
I was not compensated for this review in any way.