Jessica Huie went from being a teenage mother, expelled from school and staying in a hostel to having a glittering career in public relations, founding two award-winning businesses and earning an MBE from the Queen. Throughout the course of a career that has spanned more than 20 years, she has worked with some of the world’s biggest stars and business people, including Simon Cowell, Samuel L. Jackson, Mariah Carey and Meghan Markle. But there’s more to her story than that.
In Purpose, Jessica shares the lessons she learned as she went from being an individual who felt purposeless and unhappy, to someone who recognizes her complete power to design and create a successful, meaningful and limitless life built from an authentic foundation. Using the tools Jessica shares, you too will feel empowered to get unstuck, begin making real change in your own life and the lives of others, and live according to your own true PURPOSE.
"Call nothing coincidence. For to belittle the power of a force our human minds cannot begin to fathom, is to reject the miracles available to us all in our own lives."
This book had been sitting in my shelves for months before I was finally compelled to pick it up by a perfect combination of circumstances... needless to say I'm happy I did. In fact, it was one of those confirmations that are not mere coincidences, and which has enabled me to see the next step in my own journey.
"Writing this book is my coming-out party. This is who I am and this much I know is true, for my knowing stems not only from teachings, courses and books, but also from profound experience - my truth."
If you're looking for a practical book, tips and techniques or concrete actions that will lead you to finding purpose in your life, this is not it. Instead, with moving vulnerability, Jessica Huie steps us through her own journey of digging out her purpose from under the many veils of her limiting beliefs and expectations.
I would recommend this book if you want to go back to the very foundations of what purpose is or if you're looking for the perfect invitation to journey deep inside yourself and shift the negative narratives around your life story and your very nature into deeply empowering ones. This book reads more like an autobiography than a guide, and in my view serves as necessary groundwork that will amplify the impact of more practical self-help book by encouraging (and challenging) you to unlearn and relearn to "find your truth and embrace your calling".
"It is this disconnection from our true spiritual nature that sees the vast majority of us miss out on our ability to co-create lives and fulfil our own purpose for being on this planet. We are so out of touch with who we truly are that we forge our identities based on what we are".
Above all Jessica makes a compelling testimony that so long as we ignore our spiritual nature - that unique human capacity to intentionally develop love, friendship, compassion and the qualities that transcend our material and intellectual realities - we remain directionless, for her own quest is an illustration of what research and timeless philosophies alike tell us: a true sense of purpose is indissociable from a spirit of service.
I've stumbled upon this book by chance - Jessica Huie was a guest on a podcast I listen to, and her words resonated with me deeply. I googled her name, and found out she'd written a book. From the very first pages I felt this was going to be a good one.
Jessica writes about her journey, and her personal story intertwines with pieces of wisdom she discovered along the way. It isn't an autobiography though - it's more like a self-development advice book with illustrations from the author's life. Jessica's story isn't always happy - but even when I was reading the saddest chapters, I could feel the light that emanated from Jessica's heart.
It is a deeply personal book. Yet the wisdom it carries is universal. I've written down a lot of great thoughts from the book, I'd like to share some of them here:
* No one is you, and that is precisely your power. * Thinking how I can be of service rather than whether or not I’ll be received well causes the nerves to subside. * The net does appear when you leap. When you’re doing what you’re supposed to do, doors open. You have to love yourself enough and believe in yourself enough to explore what your soul calls out for. And as you plunge into whatever it is that you were created to do, you start to flow. * Simply follow the small things that light you up. * Act today like you’ve already become the person you wish to be. It’s that simple. * We can choose between a period of discomfort as we break free and transition from our mould, or a lifetime of existing as a smaller version of all that we might become. * Whatever you do, embrace the moment the universe invites you to step forwards and take your place. Say yes. Embrace the unknown! * When you’re courageous enough to accept that the need to be real is more pressing than the need to fit in, you’ll find that your people are attracted to you magnetically, your crew will find you. But you have to disrobe first so they’ll recognize you.
If those resonate with you too, then you'll enjoy the book. I did enjoy it a lot. Highly recommend.
I stopped reading at the line “in being professionally successful but overweight” - it was irrelevant to the conversation and I don’t need that kind of fat phobia in the books I read 🤷🏼♀️
I was lucky enough to be sent a preview copy of this book. And I mean lucky, it was a pleasure to read and has the potential to be transformative for the reader.
I met Jessica on a course that she talks about in the book so much of the approach she shares was familiar to me. Despite that it still made me sit up and reassess my approach on several occasions and to make changes.
This book mixes memoir with practical and spiritual advice. Such a blend can risk becoming confusing but I felt that it worked well.
The memoir element did what it should do, engaging the reader and tugging at the heartstrings. Jessica's story is inspirational and I think it is an important read to many young people who feel that they have reached a dead end in their lives. Jessica shows what is truly possible if you focus and work hard. She also clearly shows the dangers of such hard work and this isn't just a rags to riches aspirational story.
The practical and spiritual element is very strong. I've already said how I took action immediately, I also found myself using Jessica's story and ideas to help others in conversations while I was reading the book.
I do not subscribe to all of the spiritual ideas that Jessica shares in the book but I don't think that you need to. You can see and truly feel how important her spiritual journey was to Jessica and just because I haven't been on the same journey doesn't mean that I can't take anything from it. I think that the spiritual focus might have put off readers if it came earlier in the book but Jessica grows into her spirituality as she goes through her journey and I felt that she took me with her.
I am sure this book will be a huge success, it deserves to be. You can feel the passion throughout and I hope that it positively impacts many lives. I will be making sure that a few people I know will be receiving copies.
For me the most important thing that I look for in any kind of self, spiritual, career or business development is authenticity and that's what this book has and is all about. It's about Jessica's authentic life and career journey. What I love most about this book (and I'm still reading it by the way) is the the honest, heart and opens with which it is written. You can really feel the journey that the author has been on and you really feel the life lessons, pain, challenges, learning, growth, realisations that emerge along the way. It's a beautifully written and balanced. While the book is very much about the author's journey, like all good books for the 'self' this book helps, encourages and invites you along your own unique path: to discover your own passion, power, path ...and purpose. Enjoy.
'Purpose' is a transformational book by Jessica Huie, inspiring, profound and motivating. I was lucky enough to attend a talk by Jessica at Oxford Brookes University and hear her in person being authentic and inspirational. I picked up her book and read it cover to cover in one sitting. It spoke to me, to my soul and it re-ignited my belief in our true purpose in this world, which comes from spirit. Jessica's words and her own story create the power to believe in a purpose beyond ourselves, where our work, life and spirit unite. Yasmin Sidhwa, Artistic Director, Mandala Theatre Company.
I came across this book by chance in the library and was so glad I did. I loved it, Jessica shares her amazing and tough life story and the lessons she's learned with real honesty and grace. It's a mix of biography and self help. I loved her writing, so accessible I read it in a couple of days. I'm really hoping she writes more books!
Authentic and engaging story telling. Jessica brings to life known and tested concepts on living a life full of purpose, told through the lens of her own formidable experience. Very motivating and inspirational.
I couldn’t put this book down. Jessica’s story is so empowering and so inspiring. What an incredible woman. The book was beautifully written - I hope that the author will write more! The book has really encouraged me - thank you!
This is a heartfelt, reflective, positive and inspiring book. Jessica writes with this with such an easy style, it flows. It’s a reflection of her experiences, challenges and outcomes and, she also included the stories of others. It’s one of the best books I have ever read. Loved it!
I enjoyed this book. You can feel the passion it is written with and I believe every reader will take something different away. Sparking reflection and perspective shifts this book has the potential to really support transformation in the readers lives.
DNF I was inspired by Jessica’s story, however I simply could not get to finishing this book. It felt repetitive, more like a biography instead of a self help book. I admire Jessica’s motivation to write this book, it just wasn’t for me.
Good. Thought provoking, an interesting read. Very mum power related though so I couldn't relate to it all especially her "why" as I don't/cant have children. Also had a couple of triggers from the kids chat throughout.
The author of this book walks us through her life, and all the times she refused to stand up to live her authentic life. When she chose to live her authentic life, it was beyond her imagination.
Great read, loved the last chapter where author nailed the narrative about our parents surviving and our obligation to search for more in our lives. Gritty, moving and well written.
Great and inspiring book from a woman that was not born strong but grew strong and learnt how to be vulnerable and also get in connection with her inner force.
This was one of those books that feel really inspiring while you're reading it, but afterwards you're left wondering if you really learned anything. At least, that's what it was like for me!
I don't normally read self-help, spiritual autobiographies, but loved this book. Such a great read, covering topics relatable to us all, from family and work to finding a deeper purpose and having a meaningful life. The honesty with which Jessica pours her thoughts into this book is so up-lifting.
This book spoke to me in a way no other book has done before. I found myself crying, laughing and nodding along. Jessica shares her story with such grace and honesty, the reader is transported into a place of great understanding through which they can see themselves, even if their experience hasn’t been exactly the same it speaks to their experience. There are universal threads within Purpose that apply to all of us within this human existence.
The book touches on themes I have not seen presented in a book of this type and I so appreciated this perspective.
If you are looking for direction, affirmation and inspiration this book has it in bucketloads. Gently guiding you into self reflection with plenty of a’has. I LOVED it!