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The Holy Sh!t Moment: How lasting change can happen in an instant
From internationally syndicated fitness columnist and author, James Fell, comes a no-nonsense guide on how to get in shape, fix your finances, alleviate depression and change your life for good.
We’ve all been there. Wanting to change your life forever, but only doing it in fits and starts. Feeling inspired to be disciplined one day, then falling back into old habits on the next. Or changing for a few weeks or even months, but then slipping back into familiar behaviours. Bad habits are hard to break for a reason. But you still try because the goal is worth it: slowly and painfully forming new habits to the point where you are able to adhere to a new lifestyle, long-term.
Not only do we struggle with all of it but the failure rates of these models are staggering.
What if there was a different way? What if sudden moment, which happens to be a surprisingly common occurrence among those who succeed would allow you to skip the struggle of behaviour change and just become a different person in a moment? What if all the motivation they would ever need to change could arrive unbidden because of a life-altering flash of insight? It is the power of epiphany – a triggering event when drive and clarity of purpose for changing one’s life is instantly attained. James Fell’s THE HOLY SHIT MOMENT is about that who have sustained change. The stories outlined in this book examine an abrupt awakening, where a person’s purpose switches course in the space of a few seconds; their life is partitioned into the time before that moment occurred, and what comes after. In an instant, the gradual steps of behavior change are bypassed and life transformation takes hold for good. But is an epiphany something that can be generated?
Yes. THE HOLY SHIT MOMENT is a self-help book written in a brash, audacious and informal, your-good-friend-giving-you-the-scoop style, but with the knowledge, research, wisdom and personal anecdotes to back up James’ words in the vein of Jen Sincero’s You Are a Badass.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 22, 2019
134 people are currently reading
2458 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
September 17, 2019
There is a lot to be said for the power of negativity....People don't say " I was feeling so good I decided to change my life." Crystallization of discontent opens the doorway to endless possibility. p224
It's not a decision, it's a sudden transformation.p9
If you just barely decide to change, you're going to feel the suck of that change. p33
What we need to do, JF proposes, is to commit to a dream. If that doesn't work out, find another dream to receive your passion. JF doesn't care a fig for what or who we believe in, as long as we genuinely believe it and don't get all pissy about it. What is paradoxical about his methodology is that he firmly believes and has gathered the scientific evidence for the power of what he calls the holy shit moment, the breakthrough insight that propels one to make the next move; or at least get out of bed and get moving with verve in a specific direction. Yet his book is all about how to entice that eureka moment and coax epiphany to endow you with the resolve that is needed to actualize any wish that we might have for ourselves.
Too often we tune out, seeking constant entertainment to distract from what our unconscious is trying to tell us. Break (from your conditioning) and examine these moments when the brain goes off on a tangent and, rather than try to snap out of it, explore it. p49
But how can can one manipulate sudden inspiration?
What can be said about those moments when the blaze of knowing flares?
Rather a lot as it turns out, and a lot of it concerns eudaimonia, a greek term that has fallen into disuse and so instead of human flourishing, we are left with the concept of thriving which may be more robust but in fact is more limited.
Most people tiptoe their way through life, hoping to make it safely to death. p100
Sometimes we just fumble along and never do solve the problem of what should I do with my life> p116
JF has worked out some pretty neat set-ups for his life, and he very much wants his readers to like him and not to dismiss him as a flake. After all, he is not a scientist nor a psychologist nor even a philosopher, but a journalist who has experienced a few eureka moments and who up until recently had focused on the dynamics of weight loss. When he claims that an epiphany can change your identity, he's done it. It's evident that the seeds of yet another slight switch to the role of stand up comedian, are sprouting in his wacky humour and his need to cultivate his audience with f bombs and witty sayings. In fact, I loved the variety of people he quotes and credits.
The idea that nothing is true except what we comprehend is silly. Winston Churchill quoted p154
Far too many people are looking for the right person instead of trying to be the right person. Gloria Steinem quoted on p180
I find your lack of faith disturbing. Darth Vader quoted chapter 6 epigraph on p155
JF has organized his material into three sections. Part One: Epiphany and Cognitive Behaviour Change makes some extravagant promises. Epiphany as the Antidote to Despair (chapter one) and Finding Purpose via Epiphany (chapter 3) sound pretty good, don't they? Especially when all it involves is embracing chaos (chapter 2) I've always favoured quantum over linear behaviour.
But wait. Don't rush off all excited and unprepared. Part Two explores Epiphany and the Emotional Self. A lot of experts are consulted to explain the brain science. Other chapters explore the power of epiphany to battle addiction and restore the power of love and passion for life and are certainly hopeful. JF even explores the religious epiphany.
I respect the rights of others to believe as they wish, but the existence of God is something I'm more comfortable not worrying over. p242
Hmm, sounds like an epiphany is needed here!
Part Three moves on to the nitty gritty. Hacking Epiphany gathers together all the hints that lace this book together, that epiphany is desirable and available to those who are willing to do the work.
What work? Isn't epiphany, the holy shit moment, eureka, all about SUDDEN transformation. Turns out, there is a knack. JF instructs on how to get into the mood for epiphany and to make positive fantasies work for you instead of against you, preparing the ground for a springboard into another life. There is even a cautious chapter here on the shamanistic experience and drugs as a gateway to glorious epiphanies. So what are we waiting for, if not an epiphany about our life?
mobilize dreams by working to find the main obstacle....let ideas meander and collide. You need to be primed for enlightenment. p209
Act now. Beware the status quo bias and avoid adopting a yeah, whatever approach, ....Nudge yourself out of being mired in a mediocre life. ...If bad habits need breaking, seek ways to create friction between the habit and the behaviour.....embrace chaos. p232
Here I find myself back in paradox territory. Embrace chaos, but assess the risks and don't waste time on unproductive fantasies. Cultivate tolerance but stay away from those you believe to be snake oil salesmen. Dream outside the box but make sure there is a place for your dream in reality. Make sure your yeah whatever is not apathetic but full of anticipation.
January 21, 2019
4/5 Lightning Strikes of Awesomeness
This is an amazing book and a wonder. Fell combines pop culture phraseology, movie references, serious scientific research and encouragement all with the goal of making you – you, me, anyone – open to your own epiphany. Fell does NOT promise miracles, or cure-alls, or quack mumbo jumbo. Throughout the book is the reminder that change is completely personal, and it may happen in the next five seconds, or in five years – and either is fine if it provokes your “Holy Sh!t!” moment. Fell’s message is if you want to change, there are things you can do to bring on the catalyst, and to make it rock your world.
I’m not sure what I was expecting in beginning “The Holy Sh!t Moment”, but it certainly wasn’t the frank honesty, humour and extensive scientific research underpinning every page. It is entertaining as hell – even if you are comfortable in your own utter perfection in this very moment you’ll have a blast reading – and so casually educational that it doesn’t feel like an endurance race or drinking from a fire hose.
While not quite casual in style, “The Holy Sh!t Moment” is incredibly personal in tone, approach and delivery. There is – among so many other treasures – swearing, references to Wonder Woman, Star Wars and the Muppets, personal anecdotes and a deft ability to simplify scientific research and arguments into compelling ideas, simple summaries and scaffolding for mental exercises and imaginings. Fell does not pretend or claim perfection – in sharing that he made an omelette for his kid solely to keep the Indian left-overs for himself there is a frankness, a camaraderie that entices the reader closer, and to better identify with the motives discussed in the chapter. Fell shares his favourite quotes, movies and jokes, all wrapped in science and an encouragement to consider making the life you want happen.
I can’t narrow down my favourite quote; some are “ordinary” sentences that, in isolation, are just a collection of words, but they sparked some level of epiphany or deeper thinking. That being said, I’ve highlighted 86 different notes (some page-long, some a few words), most of which made me laugh, or are excellent quotes from others, or studies I want to read for myself. A definite highlight was nearly laugh-choking on my drink reading “Well, that’s just great, I thought. I drowned his ass brain.”
Definitely have a pen or the note function on your reading device ready – you’ll want to mark this treasure up bigtime.
Source/Version: Netgalley copy for honest review
Recommended to:
• Anyone who has some measure of discontent with the life they are currently living
• Those wondering how they can change their lives
• Anyone who appreciates some science in their humour, or humour in their science (and prefers both well seasoned with clever pop culture references)
Not recommended for:
• Those who believe self-improvement should be painful and boring
• Anyone who doesn’t want some swearing or lots of humour in their non-fiction
This is an amazing book and a wonder. Fell combines pop culture phraseology, movie references, serious scientific research and encouragement all with the goal of making you – you, me, anyone – open to your own epiphany. Fell does NOT promise miracles, or cure-alls, or quack mumbo jumbo. Throughout the book is the reminder that change is completely personal, and it may happen in the next five seconds, or in five years – and either is fine if it provokes your “Holy Sh!t!” moment. Fell’s message is if you want to change, there are things you can do to bring on the catalyst, and to make it rock your world.
I’m not sure what I was expecting in beginning “The Holy Sh!t Moment”, but it certainly wasn’t the frank honesty, humour and extensive scientific research underpinning every page. It is entertaining as hell – even if you are comfortable in your own utter perfection in this very moment you’ll have a blast reading – and so casually educational that it doesn’t feel like an endurance race or drinking from a fire hose.
While not quite casual in style, “The Holy Sh!t Moment” is incredibly personal in tone, approach and delivery. There is – among so many other treasures – swearing, references to Wonder Woman, Star Wars and the Muppets, personal anecdotes and a deft ability to simplify scientific research and arguments into compelling ideas, simple summaries and scaffolding for mental exercises and imaginings. Fell does not pretend or claim perfection – in sharing that he made an omelette for his kid solely to keep the Indian left-overs for himself there is a frankness, a camaraderie that entices the reader closer, and to better identify with the motives discussed in the chapter. Fell shares his favourite quotes, movies and jokes, all wrapped in science and an encouragement to consider making the life you want happen.
I can’t narrow down my favourite quote; some are “ordinary” sentences that, in isolation, are just a collection of words, but they sparked some level of epiphany or deeper thinking. That being said, I’ve highlighted 86 different notes (some page-long, some a few words), most of which made me laugh, or are excellent quotes from others, or studies I want to read for myself. A definite highlight was nearly laugh-choking on my drink reading “Well, that’s just great, I thought. I drowned his ass brain.”
Definitely have a pen or the note function on your reading device ready – you’ll want to mark this treasure up bigtime.
Source/Version: Netgalley copy for honest review
Recommended to:
• Anyone who has some measure of discontent with the life they are currently living
• Those wondering how they can change their lives
• Anyone who appreciates some science in their humour, or humour in their science (and prefers both well seasoned with clever pop culture references)
Not recommended for:
• Those who believe self-improvement should be painful and boring
• Anyone who doesn’t want some swearing or lots of humour in their non-fiction
April 10, 2020
Uninspiring, insensitive, and most of all, boring. Skip it.
I knew that someone who spends all day tweeting about conspiracy theories MIGHT not have a great book, but it could of at least made me think.
I knew that someone who spends all day tweeting about conspiracy theories MIGHT not have a great book, but it could of at least made me think.
November 3, 2019
I'm not even sure where to go with this review. I love Fell's blog and Facebook content. I am fascinated by the topic of habit change and what compels us to change our actions. That said, I had a tough time with this book - slogging through the last half of it just to get 'er done.
The content itself is fascinating. The research that Fell has done is compelling and complete. The citations are well noted so we know it isn't just all his random opinion. From there, though, the whole book kind of falls apart for the following reasons.
1) There are ENTIRELY too many random asides. Whether this is from a readability and flow standpoint or this is supposed to be education standpoint, it was tough to follow when the asides were just there for flavor - and not to make an actual point or support a point he was making.
2) The flow doesn't really flow. Inside the chapters through the first few parts of the book, Fell seems to jump around topics with LOTS of quotes that are only tangentially connected to the point he's making. I had an incredibly hard time following from one point to the next, especially at the beginning. Towards the end, the chapters became more cohesive with an actual direction and thought process, but it took a LONG time to get there.
3) Too much self aggrandizing. It's the same issue I had with Rachel Hollis' Girl Wash Your Face. Stop telling me how awesome you are, the people you've met, and how to find your other content. Google is our friend. I can look it up if I'm interested - which, at this point, I'm not.
I'm disappointed in this book. I am a big follower of slow and steady habit change and the idea of being able to create the right circumstances for epiphany to happen was really interesting. Unfortunately, I'm left with only a vague idea and lost time on my hands from reading this book.
Save your time and check out the resources page at the end of the book - read one of those instead.
The content itself is fascinating. The research that Fell has done is compelling and complete. The citations are well noted so we know it isn't just all his random opinion. From there, though, the whole book kind of falls apart for the following reasons.
1) There are ENTIRELY too many random asides. Whether this is from a readability and flow standpoint or this is supposed to be education standpoint, it was tough to follow when the asides were just there for flavor - and not to make an actual point or support a point he was making.
2) The flow doesn't really flow. Inside the chapters through the first few parts of the book, Fell seems to jump around topics with LOTS of quotes that are only tangentially connected to the point he's making. I had an incredibly hard time following from one point to the next, especially at the beginning. Towards the end, the chapters became more cohesive with an actual direction and thought process, but it took a LONG time to get there.
3) Too much self aggrandizing. It's the same issue I had with Rachel Hollis' Girl Wash Your Face. Stop telling me how awesome you are, the people you've met, and how to find your other content. Google is our friend. I can look it up if I'm interested - which, at this point, I'm not.
I'm disappointed in this book. I am a big follower of slow and steady habit change and the idea of being able to create the right circumstances for epiphany to happen was really interesting. Unfortunately, I'm left with only a vague idea and lost time on my hands from reading this book.
Save your time and check out the resources page at the end of the book - read one of those instead.
May 6, 2020
James Fell is a damn good writer. He's funny, he's fast, and he's often furious. The combination makes it easy to choke down a ton of science and evidence and stuff like that: Fell has also done his homework. And his basic argument is all about how you can create real change about hard things (like weight loss) by preparing for epiphanies. Do the homework, show up, get into it, don't worry about being wonderful at it at first, and then at some point, if you done the wax-on-wax-off stuff, the moment will come, your life will change, and change will be the easiest thing you have left to do. It's good stuff, and an interesting take on the whole discussion around effecting real personal change. OK, that's all you get. Time for me to go learn 7 more languages.
February 27, 2019
***I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway***
Have you ever wondered what an book length Facebook post would read like? Yes? Well then, have I got good news for you, friend!
There's a lot of wisdom in this book about how to foster a mental space where epiphany can happen. Nothing mind blowing, but there is actionable advice that intend to try because hey, every bit helps, right? I genuinely enjoyed reading this one. Good advice and it was really funny sometimes. That said...it reads like a series of Facebook posts and that was jarring and made it a bit challenging to stay focused. If you like humor with your self-help, I would recommend this one.
Have you ever wondered what an book length Facebook post would read like? Yes? Well then, have I got good news for you, friend!
There's a lot of wisdom in this book about how to foster a mental space where epiphany can happen. Nothing mind blowing, but there is actionable advice that intend to try because hey, every bit helps, right? I genuinely enjoyed reading this one. Good advice and it was really funny sometimes. That said...it reads like a series of Facebook posts and that was jarring and made it a bit challenging to stay focused. If you like humor with your self-help, I would recommend this one.
December 29, 2018
A little long-winded and the humor felt forced a lot but it was very informative. It's a self help book that explains how self help happens, and has happened for other people, rather than just trying to pat you on the back and butter you up.
December 16, 2018
I won an advanced copy of this book on Goodreads. I have had my epiphany moment so this book leads me to believe that I am on the right track. There are no real ways to have that moment, sometimes it takes an event to happen or something happening just by chance. But one has to just find it oneself and have the courage to act upon it. There are no new answers presented in this book in trying to find out how to have that "aha" moment but it will take one's own self introspection to possibly to get to that moment. I like the quotes on Winston Churchill throughout the book, very insightful.
December 31, 2018
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway. This book takes a humorous approach on how to achieve epiphany in oneself. Its really accessible and an easy read. There's lots of pop culture references and the author has more than a few stories, as well as his own, to aid the referenced research. Personally, this book helped me understand prior epiphanies and why some didn't stick (this book focuses on epiphanies that stick/stuck) and why some have stuck. I'd say give this book a go!
November 20, 2019
Thoroughly disappointing. A few good ideas if you skim, but the book is just a long, paper complete with references, summarizing the work of others. A few poor attempts at humor and that's about it.
March 14, 2020
Title: The Holy Shit Moment: How lasting change can happen in an instant
Author: James Fell
Publisher: Thorsons, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers
Genre: Self-help
Format: Paperback
Language: English
No. of pages: 278
My review:
The book begins with a very interesting tone. I love how the author has made it an understandable and easy read for all. Beginning with a extensive explanation of epiphanies and the ‘Euphoria of the Life-Changing Moment’, the author goes on over a multitude of other topics. Bringing in an intimate and personal note is a great addition, as it totally made it easy to relate to for the reader. I love how the language is so very understandable despite the fact that there are some topics that are not essentially very easy to do so.
The author does not fail to add however, that this epiphany, this life changing moment is never really truly separate from whatever work we may have done – “But it is no such thing. It is simply that last piece of the puzzle… being put into place… conversely, it truly can strike out of nowhere…”
After recognizing the epiphany it is also important to find some reason and purpose via it so that we can turn it into something productive. The author then also goes into the science behind it all. The parts that I ranked topmost myself were however, the use of these epiphanies to work over various issues that we may face everyday. For instance, battling addictions.
There is also something called religious epiphany and while I did know something about it, I honestly never knew it had a dedicated term for it. The power of love is another thing the author talks about – how it can be caused due to the passion for life and love. Moreover, using dreams to b more productive is great too.
I think this is absolutely one of the best self-help books I have ever read. I rate it 4.5/5 stars!
Author: James Fell
Publisher: Thorsons, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers
Genre: Self-help
Format: Paperback
Language: English
No. of pages: 278
My review:
The book begins with a very interesting tone. I love how the author has made it an understandable and easy read for all. Beginning with a extensive explanation of epiphanies and the ‘Euphoria of the Life-Changing Moment’, the author goes on over a multitude of other topics. Bringing in an intimate and personal note is a great addition, as it totally made it easy to relate to for the reader. I love how the language is so very understandable despite the fact that there are some topics that are not essentially very easy to do so.
The author does not fail to add however, that this epiphany, this life changing moment is never really truly separate from whatever work we may have done – “But it is no such thing. It is simply that last piece of the puzzle… being put into place… conversely, it truly can strike out of nowhere…”
After recognizing the epiphany it is also important to find some reason and purpose via it so that we can turn it into something productive. The author then also goes into the science behind it all. The parts that I ranked topmost myself were however, the use of these epiphanies to work over various issues that we may face everyday. For instance, battling addictions.
There is also something called religious epiphany and while I did know something about it, I honestly never knew it had a dedicated term for it. The power of love is another thing the author talks about – how it can be caused due to the passion for life and love. Moreover, using dreams to b more productive is great too.
I think this is absolutely one of the best self-help books I have ever read. I rate it 4.5/5 stars!
May 3, 2020
I’ve been following James Fell on social media for a while now, and it was actually his no-nonsense, down-to-earth writing that kicked me in the butt and got me into fitness and healthy living. He doesn’t sugar coat things, he recognizes privilege, and he approaches things from a realistic perspective. It’s very refreshing in a world of celebrities telling you how easy it is to lose that baby weight or whatever when they have all the time in the world and infinite resources to achieve their goals. Fell knows that life is hard and there are a million psychological reasons for why humans do what we do. This book is an exploration of those reasons, a look into not how to avoid failure, but how failure creates success. This is about how motivation happens. He dissects the turning points of people in all different scenarios and invites us to strip everything away and really look at the why. Goals don’t get achieved simply through hard work, and so failure is not necessarily a result of laziness (nor is it necessarily a bad thing). Our time on this planet is limited and we have distractions everywhere we go. So what is it that makes us focus? This book answers that question. And while fitness is Fell’s background, and this book can absolutely be applied to that field, it is not strictly about losing weight or any of those things.
The writing style is a bit more laid back than a lot of people might be used to, and I feel like Fell “dumbs it down” a bit in this book compared to his blog and social media posts. But it is very relatable, and relatability fuels engagement, so maybe that was a targeted choice. They style distracted me a bit, though, and that’s the only reason it got less than five stars.
The writing style is a bit more laid back than a lot of people might be used to, and I feel like Fell “dumbs it down” a bit in this book compared to his blog and social media posts. But it is very relatable, and relatability fuels engagement, so maybe that was a targeted choice. They style distracted me a bit, though, and that’s the only reason it got less than five stars.
January 29, 2019
Can you really "create a life-changing epiphany"? I say no. After reading James Fell's book, I still hold the same opinion. An epiphany happens suddenly and most often, unexpectedly, and I don't think you can 'plan' it. I understand Fell's thoughts here and can see how some people might benefit from this self-help book. I think Fell would have better billing this book as a path to self discovery and/or recreating your self or finding that ideal path for a better future.
Lots of common sense thoughts here. I guess if you are not one to examine and reexamine your life's 'how and why' already, this might help you focus on being a better you. Holy Sh!t moments DO happen. But if you could make it happen whenever you wanted, there wouldn't be anything extraordinary about it, would there?
I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Lots of common sense thoughts here. I guess if you are not one to examine and reexamine your life's 'how and why' already, this might help you focus on being a better you. Holy Sh!t moments DO happen. But if you could make it happen whenever you wanted, there wouldn't be anything extraordinary about it, would there?
I received an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 22, 2019
James Fell is an entertaining and research-based author that helps people live their best lives without feeding them a bunch of garbage or ignoring circumstances. This book is about changing your life suddenly and drastically rather than by baby steps. It made sense to me - I’ve had those moments. I wasn’t entirely the target audience since I’m not looking to make major changes, but I do believe we should always be open to inspiration. It will ruminate and my next epiphany could be right around the corner.
March 10, 2020
I love his stories always but wasn’t keen on this book. Felt a bit disappointed. I do believe in his message as a non smoker who used to smoke. I remember my holy shit moment very well. Several other moments like that too. The book however didn’t do it for me.
February 5, 2021
Apologies to the author but this book just didnt work. It is beyond slow. The first 50 pages are a mess with little structure or sense. It repeats itself so. Effing. Much.
I really like James Fell's posts on facebook and he seems like a smart, cool person but boy was that book poorly built.
I really like James Fell's posts on facebook and he seems like a smart, cool person but boy was that book poorly built.
April 24, 2019
A big DNF for me. Nothing new here.
March 14, 2019
I am a huge fan of James Fell, so when he announced this book, I knew that I would buy it. However, I did tell him on FB, that I was kind of skeptical about whether it could help me NOW for various reasons
HOLY SHIT, WAS I WRONG! :-D. Also - HOLY SHIT, I LOVED THIS BOOK, AND I WILL BE REREADING IT SEVERAL TIMES THIS YEAR ALONE, I’M SURE.
I will have to revise this review, once I’ve had more time to digest the book. I want to write a review that truly does the book justice. In the meantime though - a few thoughts:
1) As James is on his FB page and in his many articles, he’s hilariously profane. Or is it profanely hilarious? Who gives a shit - he’s funny! I’ve never read a self-help book that literally had me crying, because I was laughing so hard. Not just “LOL,” but actually cracking up on the sofa, so my wife and daughter looked at me, like I’d gone nuts, as tears rolled down my cheeks and my sides hurt.
2) He’s EVIDENCE-BASED, AND I LOVE THAT! He has ACTUAL FOOTNOTES AND CITATIONS TO SERIOUS STUDIES IN TOP JOURNALS, not cherry-picked pathetic studies in pay-to-play junk journals. OMG I WAS IN HEAVEN, and also....damn, do you have any idea how many new books I have to add to my Goodreads “Want to Read” list now???
3) Practical applications that are totally doable. Those are the biggest reasons I have to re-read. I’ve already started applying a number of them, but there are so many, I couldn’t do all of them right away. But yes, I started applying some of them before finishing the first chapter, and they’re already making a difference.
4) NO SUGAR-COATING! Yes, he talks about the benefits of daydreaming, visualizations, etc, but he repeatedly reminds you - you have to do the hard work, because the hard work is what sets the stage for the life-changing epiphanies/transformations.
I’m going to stop there for the moment, because I’m not trying to write my own book, but there will be more. Especially because I’ve had a couple epiphanies just while reading the book, and one day, I’ll get to tell you about them. I also realized, that I’ve had several HOLY SHIT moments in my life, but I didn’t really know how to understand them or describe them before.
JUST BUY THE BOOK AND THANK ME (and James) LATER.
HOLY SHIT, WAS I WRONG! :-D. Also - HOLY SHIT, I LOVED THIS BOOK, AND I WILL BE REREADING IT SEVERAL TIMES THIS YEAR ALONE, I’M SURE.
I will have to revise this review, once I’ve had more time to digest the book. I want to write a review that truly does the book justice. In the meantime though - a few thoughts:
1) As James is on his FB page and in his many articles, he’s hilariously profane. Or is it profanely hilarious? Who gives a shit - he’s funny! I’ve never read a self-help book that literally had me crying, because I was laughing so hard. Not just “LOL,” but actually cracking up on the sofa, so my wife and daughter looked at me, like I’d gone nuts, as tears rolled down my cheeks and my sides hurt.
2) He’s EVIDENCE-BASED, AND I LOVE THAT! He has ACTUAL FOOTNOTES AND CITATIONS TO SERIOUS STUDIES IN TOP JOURNALS, not cherry-picked pathetic studies in pay-to-play junk journals. OMG I WAS IN HEAVEN, and also....damn, do you have any idea how many new books I have to add to my Goodreads “Want to Read” list now???
3) Practical applications that are totally doable. Those are the biggest reasons I have to re-read. I’ve already started applying a number of them, but there are so many, I couldn’t do all of them right away. But yes, I started applying some of them before finishing the first chapter, and they’re already making a difference.
4) NO SUGAR-COATING! Yes, he talks about the benefits of daydreaming, visualizations, etc, but he repeatedly reminds you - you have to do the hard work, because the hard work is what sets the stage for the life-changing epiphanies/transformations.
I’m going to stop there for the moment, because I’m not trying to write my own book, but there will be more. Especially because I’ve had a couple epiphanies just while reading the book, and one day, I’ll get to tell you about them. I also realized, that I’ve had several HOLY SHIT moments in my life, but I didn’t really know how to understand them or describe them before.
JUST BUY THE BOOK AND THANK ME (and James) LATER.
January 30, 2019
It's funny. I didn't pick up this book because I felt I needed a life-altering change. I have long been pretty happy all around, and already living a life I feel fortunate to have. I admired some of the author's shorter articles, and, since the content area looked intriguing, I thought I'd give the book a listen.
Fell narrates the audiobook and his reading is perfectly matched to the overall personable and friendly/approachable tone of the book. I had the feeling that he was sitting across a table from me and relaying the book's content (ideally, not a table in a coffee shop, but a picnic table in some beautiful wilderness setting with picturesque mountains or a huge body of water as a backdrop - once you read the book, you'll understand why I choose an "outdoor" setting.
He conjures up content, research, and studies from a multitude of sources I have either already read and enjoyed or plan on now checking out. And, while citing scientific studies and philosophical principles, he manages to make insightful pop culture references, easily meshing them all into a smooth narrative.
When I finished the book I felt satisfied that I had learned something, become a bit more enlightened about some universal truths, about the nature of how one can lay a solid foundation for insights and epiphanies to spontaneously occur. I can already see ways that I, as a fiction writer, can use some of these techniques to find those "a-ha!" moments within stories I have written. No, that's not life altering for me - but it is CERTAINLY life-altering for the fictional characters who are as alive to me as real people. And that's a nice tool to have. And being able to create those moments certainly makes this writer's life better.
I imagine I can also use some of the techniques to assist with other more personal changes that I am looking to make. Of course, I won't know until that "Holy Sh!t" moment strikes - the way it has for so many of the personal stories of people that Fell shares in this fascinating and riveting book.
Fell narrates the audiobook and his reading is perfectly matched to the overall personable and friendly/approachable tone of the book. I had the feeling that he was sitting across a table from me and relaying the book's content (ideally, not a table in a coffee shop, but a picnic table in some beautiful wilderness setting with picturesque mountains or a huge body of water as a backdrop - once you read the book, you'll understand why I choose an "outdoor" setting.
He conjures up content, research, and studies from a multitude of sources I have either already read and enjoyed or plan on now checking out. And, while citing scientific studies and philosophical principles, he manages to make insightful pop culture references, easily meshing them all into a smooth narrative.
When I finished the book I felt satisfied that I had learned something, become a bit more enlightened about some universal truths, about the nature of how one can lay a solid foundation for insights and epiphanies to spontaneously occur. I can already see ways that I, as a fiction writer, can use some of these techniques to find those "a-ha!" moments within stories I have written. No, that's not life altering for me - but it is CERTAINLY life-altering for the fictional characters who are as alive to me as real people. And that's a nice tool to have. And being able to create those moments certainly makes this writer's life better.
I imagine I can also use some of the techniques to assist with other more personal changes that I am looking to make. Of course, I won't know until that "Holy Sh!t" moment strikes - the way it has for so many of the personal stories of people that Fell shares in this fascinating and riveting book.
January 17, 2019
Tomorrow is my last day at my current job, the job I’ve had for the last five years and the first job I got straight out of college. The last two years have been tough. Change is not easy. Staying here would’ve been comfortable, but the stress was slowly killing me (no joke). I had my “Holy Sh!t” moment this last few months, and I’m not regretting it one bit. This book has helped me make this transition so much better. James talks about how finding your purpose can come with a big epiphany, whether good or bad. I kept thinking my purpose was to stay at this job, to make things better, but that’s not the case. My purpose involves my personal values, those of which were completely destroyed while working here. Our motivation to change things has come with this universal idea that it happens slowly over time. This book challenges that and gives data to prove that a dramatic fast change puts into action the desired goal you’ve been reaching for all along. I highly recommend this book for any life situation that may come to you. Whether you’re looking for a job change like myself, a weightloss, a relationship change, or something else, this book brings a wonderful new perspective on how you have the courage and strength already inside of you to make the jump to better yourself now.
4/5 Stars
Thank you St Martin's Press for my copy in exchange for my honest review.
From my blog and instagram account @livereadandprosper
4/5 Stars
Thank you St Martin's Press for my copy in exchange for my honest review.
From my blog and instagram account @livereadandprosper
December 5, 2019
It's a little confusing sometimes. Its author has an incredible culture in the field of psychology, behavioural and cognitive sciences, but also in the field of great writers (Aristotle, Dickens,...) Up to the great French literature, which has deeply surprised me. You need to have knowledge of all these aspects and be familiar with the latest books on personal development to realize that this book has not been published to counter a trend towards morning routines or the method of small steps initiated by another famous author... It is also a book that passes from knowledge (recent research) to concrete examples of lives, all this described with a lot of humour to finally find an echo for me: you don't transform your life by being disciplined for a while then after a few years sometimes let it all go. There is a particular moment, a "eureka" moment that can be a loss, a trauma, the announcement of a beautiful event or others that make us radically change a day's trajectory to reach a precise goal without having anticipated it. It's up to you to discover it 😉 it's a fabulous book, proof in hand, which puts an end to the fine speeches of a good number of gurus...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2019
3.5 stars
This is a solid self-help book on the science and mystery of epiphanies. The book is an interesting blend of research, real-life stories of people who've completely changed their lives, the author's personal stories, humor, and action steps readers can take to encourage lasting change and a life-altering epiphany in their own lives.
Some of the chapters were a little too long, but I enjoyed reading the inspiring stories of everyday people who created more authentic lives for themselves. The research is helpful, and the action steps will help readers shift their thinking.
I recommend this book for people who might not normally read a self-help book, but need help kickstarting their life in a different direction and want a little humor and science along the way.
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is a solid self-help book on the science and mystery of epiphanies. The book is an interesting blend of research, real-life stories of people who've completely changed their lives, the author's personal stories, humor, and action steps readers can take to encourage lasting change and a life-altering epiphany in their own lives.
Some of the chapters were a little too long, but I enjoyed reading the inspiring stories of everyday people who created more authentic lives for themselves. The research is helpful, and the action steps will help readers shift their thinking.
I recommend this book for people who might not normally read a self-help book, but need help kickstarting their life in a different direction and want a little humor and science along the way.
I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 23, 2019
I ended up having a holy sh!t moment recently. I drove past a sign that said "the only way out is through". It may seem completely meaningless to many, but in that moment that is what I needed to hear. It's propelled me forward towards understanding a particular concern in my life right now and the realization that I need to get through the struggles and embrace them in order to meet my goals. It was the right kick in the ass at the right time. I also had an intense moment back when I turned 22. I realized I hated drinking alcohol as I physically didn't enjoy it, but emotionally and cognitively I hated the disconnect drinking caused. I abruptly decided that I wasn't going to be a drinker in the moment. I never looked back. I recommend this book for anyone that's keen to spark change. It's a way to hack an epiphany, aka the holy sh!t moment.
May 19, 2019
I received a copy of this book through Goodreads Giveaways.
This was kind of like a snarkier Malcolm Gladwell book, with a lot of celebrity names dropped in because why not? There’s a lot of good science in here, and interesting action steps and how tos with each chapter. Fell is an engaging author and I laughed out loud at several points. In case you couldn’t already tell from the title, he curses a lot so heads up if that’s not your thing. In fact, the reason it took me so long to finish is because I thought having a book with “sh!t” on the cover laying around my six-year-old was probably bad form, even if there IS a sh!t-ton of science in it. As for epiphanies...none yet, but I don’t think I was in the right mindset for it yet. I’m thinking in a slightly different way about my life and goals, however, so that’s something,
This was kind of like a snarkier Malcolm Gladwell book, with a lot of celebrity names dropped in because why not? There’s a lot of good science in here, and interesting action steps and how tos with each chapter. Fell is an engaging author and I laughed out loud at several points. In case you couldn’t already tell from the title, he curses a lot so heads up if that’s not your thing. In fact, the reason it took me so long to finish is because I thought having a book with “sh!t” on the cover laying around my six-year-old was probably bad form, even if there IS a sh!t-ton of science in it. As for epiphanies...none yet, but I don’t think I was in the right mindset for it yet. I’m thinking in a slightly different way about my life and goals, however, so that’s something,
February 25, 2021
This was certainly a generally motivating book and I loved all of the science studies that he cites throughout. I definitely struggled with his inability to properly pronounce most of the philosopher's names that he quotes with such reverence. That was a real struggle which might just be because I have some English degrees and so how to study people like Camus so hearing it mispronounced consistently was rough. This is much more of an exploration of the concept that one decision can change your life and that the fast and hard version of change is just as effective as the slow version. That said, I would have appreciated some more action steps throughout. I guess there's not many ways that you can have an action step for how to have a holy s*** moment, so I suppose he does his best with the general situation.
December 11, 2018
I haven't even completed this book yet and I had to share how much I'm enjoying it.
James Fell is my spirit animal. This book is insightful, witty, well written and thoroughly entertaining. I can't tell you how many times I've caught myself laughing out loud in public while reading this. I've sent photos of passages to friends that I've found hilarious and there is a queue of friends waiting to borrow from me when I finish. The topic was well researched and I am impressed by the studies and references that back him up. This Self help book is not just jokes and fluff. I have actually taken a highlighter to passages that spoke to me, which is not my typical MO.
Super glad I was selected as a goodreads giveaway recipient of this book.
James Fell is my spirit animal. This book is insightful, witty, well written and thoroughly entertaining. I can't tell you how many times I've caught myself laughing out loud in public while reading this. I've sent photos of passages to friends that I've found hilarious and there is a queue of friends waiting to borrow from me when I finish. The topic was well researched and I am impressed by the studies and references that back him up. This Self help book is not just jokes and fluff. I have actually taken a highlighter to passages that spoke to me, which is not my typical MO.
Super glad I was selected as a goodreads giveaway recipient of this book.
January 2, 2019
This is a good common sense self help book, that really seems to capture the moment, and offers practical advice to the readers. Capturing our tender moments and seeking solance in change lead to an epiphany. According to the author, the change we seek should be known as the Holy Shit moment and can have a host of benefits and blessings. By harnessing the power and hidden meanings of this critical moment, we can turn our future decisions into enlightenment.
A no nonsense approach at life changing behaviors, with a explaination on the psychology behind our decision making. A good attempt at explaining the deeper essence of the soul that we often overlook when seeking self help gurus Definitely a must read for motivational coaching in modern times
A no nonsense approach at life changing behaviors, with a explaination on the psychology behind our decision making. A good attempt at explaining the deeper essence of the soul that we often overlook when seeking self help gurus Definitely a must read for motivational coaching in modern times
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2022
I have decided I am going to go on a crusade for all self-help, self-development, personal development, ect books...
My poster board will read:
Author... when you get done writing your book go back and cut out 50-75 pages!
I was genuinely enjoying the book and the sarcastic humor of the author but like most books in this genre it became too stuffed with cliché antidotes, bad jokes and repetitive content. There was some really good stuff in there (like I am not trying to do as much as I can with my opposite dominate side to retrain my brain) but a lot of it was drown out after awhile. Another book I wouldn't discourage someone from reading but I probably wouldn't give it as a gift either.
My poster board will read:
Author... when you get done writing your book go back and cut out 50-75 pages!
I was genuinely enjoying the book and the sarcastic humor of the author but like most books in this genre it became too stuffed with cliché antidotes, bad jokes and repetitive content. There was some really good stuff in there (like I am not trying to do as much as I can with my opposite dominate side to retrain my brain) but a lot of it was drown out after awhile. Another book I wouldn't discourage someone from reading but I probably wouldn't give it as a gift either.
December 22, 2018
This book is so full of research, studies, and ideas. Don't let that scare you away! The writer lightens the mood by referencing pop culture like Wonder Woman, Indiana Jones or the Grinch, so the book is not too stuffy. Some parts are really funny. There are several inspiring quotes; many by my distant cousin, Sir Winston Churchill. The author uses examples from celebrities and non-celebrities alike. This is a book that should be re-read until inspiration strikes. Overall, I liked it but didn't like the vulgar language. I thank the author, publisher, and Goodreads for the book. My opinions are my own. #goodreadsgiveaway
June 16, 2019
I received this book through a giveaway on Goodreads.
If you enjoy non-fiction books with a lot of fact based information, then this book may be for you. Unfortunately, it was not for me. I gave this a 4-star rating because I thought it was well written and well researched. It took me a long time to read through this book because it was too much information for me, and perhaps not the right time for me to digest it. I thought the writing was witty and sarcastic at the right points. I enjoyed the stories of the many people who had epiphanies. Those stories, and the references to them, kept me going through the parts that were more scientific in nature.
If you enjoy non-fiction books with a lot of fact based information, then this book may be for you. Unfortunately, it was not for me. I gave this a 4-star rating because I thought it was well written and well researched. It took me a long time to read through this book because it was too much information for me, and perhaps not the right time for me to digest it. I thought the writing was witty and sarcastic at the right points. I enjoyed the stories of the many people who had epiphanies. Those stories, and the references to them, kept me going through the parts that were more scientific in nature.
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