MicroShifts: Transforming Your Life One Step at a Time

by Gary Jansen

“A helpful and transformative book. MicroShifts can change your life.” – Deepak Chopra, author of Metahuman

2020  Catholic Press Association Book Awards, First Healing/Self-Help 
2020 Independent Publisher Book Award, Bronze Inspirational/Spiritual
2020 Illumination Book Award, Bronze Self-Help/Recovery 
2020 International Book Awards, Self-Help—Motivational  
2019 Independent Press Award, Distinguished Self-Help/Spiritual
2019 Best Book Awards, Self-Help/Motivational


Gary Jansen, popular author of The 15-Minute Prayer Solution and Life Everlasting , knows how difficult it can be to create significant, sustainable change, especially in our spiritual lives. Sometimes we feel too overwhelmed to even start, and in other cases deepening our relationship with God seems like one more burden among the many we have from day-to-day. In his latest book, Jansen offers an answer that he calls “microshifting”—small, incremental adjustments to the way we think, act, work, and pray that gradually reshape our deeply rooted patterns.
 
With a blend of masterful storytelling and dozens of practical tips,  MicroShifts  suggests simple, small changes across many aspects of our lives—everything from how we greet others, how we sleep, and how we deal with the incessant chatter in our own heads—to generate big results physically, mentally, and spiritually. If you are looking to improve your life in ways that are achievable, sustainable, and potentially life-changing,  MicroShifts  is a powerful place to begin.

Genres: Self Help

128 pages, Paperback

Published February 15, 2019

Reviews

[Julie Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a little book, as befits the topic of making little changes to effect transformation. It might be the perfect book for the New Year since this is when we all have something in the back of our minds that we'd like to change, even if it is only getting up when the alarm goes off instead of hitting snooze.

Author Gary Jansen gives examples from his own life, popular culture, and the Bible, along with tips and prompts to help you start shifting your own life into a better path. I particularly enjoyed his chapters "Learn From Your Enemies" and "Be Brave Enough to Have No Opinion." Sometimes we have big changes thrust upon us (a new baby, moving to a new city for a job) but most of the time life is made up of small habits and routines. MicroShifts is the perfect book for recognizing how effective change really works in our lives.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple lessons and good reminders for refreshing our spiritual lives. Reminded me of The Four Agreements and Make Your Bed. Really loved it.

[Ioana Barcan · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars, wholeheartedly! I can't believe how much I enjoyed this little book, plan to re-read it (maybe every new year's eve?) and gift it as often as I can!

[Andy Febrico Bintoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Self help

A typical self help and motivational book. Basically the principle is the same as tiny habits, but more on motivational parts.

[Chuck Harry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a simple book with simple reminders on how we can be better people and grow closer in our relationships by taking small steps of change. You can probably read this book in an evening and I did so. But I found myself returning to the book over and over again over the last month. It's really helped me to be more conscious of my spiritual life. Just note that this is a book of stories primarily that looks to teach lessons. This isn't a step by step book though there are a lot of helpful tips to help you make small changes in your life.

[Anna Keating · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gary Jansen's books are like reading really good letters from your dad who's has read a ton of books and his learned some things, both from the books, and from 50 years of being alive. They're full of good advice that's imminently doable and always applicable to whatever moment you're in.

[Joseph R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This light and quick book is all about making small changes in your life to make it a better life, or more importantly, make you a better person. The challenge is to find a spare fifteen minutes, or five minutes, or one minute, or thirty seconds, or five seconds, to do something new and develop it into a habit by doing it every day. The shift can be something as small as saying "hello" to someone, even a stranger, with eye contact and sincerity. It's a very small thing but can be impactful for the stranger and for you. Another shift might be to foster an attitude of having no opinion. Rather than judging others or yourself, just note the fact that you find problematic and move on--maybe your clothes fit tighter than usual or someone espouses a ridiculous (to you) opinion. The instinct to criticize does not have the concept of constructive criticism built in. Maybe you don't have to correct every wrong person on the internet (which, let's be honest, might sometimes be yourself)? The book is full of a lot of good, actionable advice (over forty examples) that can make a difference in your own life. Jansen ends with a call to make one small change for twenty-eight days and see how it sticks.

Highly recommended--this is a self-help book that is upbeat and practical and easy to put into action.

[Candida · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small steps, big changes

This book offers so many great tips on forming good habits. These small changes in our lives can lead to lasting positive changes not just for our lives but everyone we come in contact with. There were some great quotes that I shared with the people I love and have inspired me and each person expressed how that quote brightened their day. This short book can make a big impact.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short, practical, spiritually-tinged self-help book. A pleasant and positive read with good advice that isn’t afraid of the spiritual dimension of life. It very much felt like a Loyola Press version of some of the sort of books that Tom Rath writes for Gallup and Matthew Kelly writes for Dynamic Catholic.

[Ian Peoples · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple, solid advice

The author has a colloquial style and gives clear, solid advice on how to make small improvements in life. Much of it seems like common sense, but I know I often overlook the common sense aspects of life. It’s a quick read and a good pick me up for someone feeling stuck.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple but inspiring book of everyday spirituality. The writing was very good. I liked the last chapter about writing and books the best. The author is a good storyteller and the book held my interest.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a very quick read that offers insight into making big changes in small ways. There are no new ideas, but great reminders of things we can do daily.

I thoroughly enjoyed his list of micro shifts at the end of the book.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has great ideas to get you moving in a different direction. When we get stuck in life due to sadness, illness, etc. it can be hard to organize and take step one. Gary Jansen gives us ideas to begin in small ways that eventually can become new patterns in our lives.

[Maurynne Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the small steps. As always, the real trick is being to practice...

[Angie Van Boening · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like if you bought the Wish version of Atomic Habits.

[Jennifer Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should take the time to read this book.. loved it and helping me already!

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good quick read. I thought it had some insightful ideas about making big changes through small steps. Definitely would recommend this book.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

easy read with practical suggestions

Excellent, opens your eyes and ears to integrating faith with day to day changes to improve your life and help others

[Ryan and Sara Wendt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book is an informative read that inspires people to make small transformations in their everyday life one day at a time.

[Brooke Fradd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book (I listened to the audio version) and the author's encouragement to make changes in small increments. The title is short, and there is no fluff to wade through. Just practical tips on transforming your life in baby steps.