Make a Move: How to Stop Wavering and Make Decisions in a Disorienting World

by Stephanie Williams O'Brien

We make thousands of decisions each day, and while most of them are simple and relatively easy, many of us get stuck in the larger, life-altering decisions. This can lead to frustration, anxiety, and confusion. "It would be so much easier if life just came with a road map!" But life doesn't work like that--it's full of twists and turns, the unexpected and the unforeseen. And yet, the uncertainty of life also brings adventure and exploration, surprises and wonder.

In Make a Move, pastor and coach Stephanie Williams O'Brien offers practical advice and action steps for moving through the experiments of life. These steps help us narrow down the choices when it seems like the options are endless, and allow us to discern God's leadership in a way we never could while standing still.

It's time to move from a disoriented life to a life of direction and intention. It's time to make a move!

Genres: Self Help

215 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 11, 2021

Reviews

[Clare Craigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book challenged and encouraged me in all the right ways. It gave me the courage to make a move and inspired me to do some experimenting in my life. I’m thankful for the wisdom found in this book!

[Scott Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would refer this book to anyone stuck in deciding between several options. O’Brien writes in a warm, understanding manner, sharing freely some of her “stuck” or “panicky” moments in life. She makes it okay to make moves and encourages a lot of little moves (experiments) or research to get us down the road.

The toolbox in the appendix is very helpful for discerning our own sense of where to go and perhaps where God wants us to go. I would only add one more tool: Coin Flip with Emotion test. Decide which of two options is heads, while the other is tails. Flip the coin to determine which option you’ll take. Now that “the decision is made,” how do you really feel about it? If excited or okay about it, go with the coin flip; if you’re filled with dread, worry, panic, dislike over the decision, go with the other option. The coin flip just prevents you from vacillating forever without landing on one option or the other.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so happy to finally review this long-awaited second book! There is so much to love about Pastor Steph’s writing style -warm, accessible and gracious. In ‘Make a Move’ she applies this to such a relevant topic - making decisions when you feel stuck (I can relate all too well!). There is a great balance here between theory and practise: on one hand exploring the mental and philosophical road blocks to decision making, and on the other hand suggesting some very practical steps to take when trying to make a difficult decision (big or small). Steph clearly writes from a Christian faith perspective, but I think that there is plenty here for people regardless of their faith background. I found this book to be well structured, easy to read and personally very helpful. Highly recommend this one for people facing decisions in all sorts of life stages!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Monya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for anyone who struggles to make decisions, or makes decisions impulsively and wonders why they never seem to make the "right" one. The author does a great job of breaking down the decision making process into a series of experiments, making the process a logical, informed process instead of an emotional one. The book is written from a biblical standpoint (hello, the author is a pastor), but isn't "preachy". She uses many examples from scripture to illustrate her points and encourage her readers on their journey to discernment. This book is a gift to anyone looking for a better way of making decisions.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Within a few pages, I felt like I was being personally called out for an intervention. “Ok ok, I’m listening! I get it, I need to hear this.” This book provided me with so much encouragement to step up and make moves whether small or large. The approach of doing experiments and the reminder that indecision is a decision felt so freeing. If something doesn’t work, it’s just an experiment, not a failure. And it somehow feels less stressful to make a decision when you realize that not making a decision is a decision in and of itself! I’ll definitely be referring back to that handy toolkit at the end too.

[Kim Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all make decisions—big and small ones. I have often felt stuck or even anxious in making decisions. The author gives wise, practical and creative approaches for when we are faced with a decision. One of my favorite take aways is to “experiment” with different options when making a decision. This allows for curiosity and possibility. If you’re in a place of transition, feeing disoriented or stuck, I highly recommend Make A Move!

[Tone Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pastor Steph masterfully crafted a book which cohesively pairs the faith and science behind decision making. As a mom parenting in a pandemic, I consistently feel plagued by decision. With wit, whimsy, and wisdom, Pastor Steph gives the reader practical tools and anecdotes throughout the narrative which makes decision making accessible in our fast-paced, chaotic world. I highly recommend this read to anyone who needs to make a move in their personal or professional life.

[Rose Gallatin · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Pastor Steph not only shares wisdom from her personal experience about how to make decisions and navigate change, but she also shares practical, straightforward tools for those decisions, moments, or relationships that seem impossible to discern. Highly recommend!

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pastor Steph provides great tools and ideas for getting unstuck that are very practical and not too prescriptive. I will certainly be returning to this book for years to come when facing big decisions.

[Jodi Koepke · Rating 5 out of 5]

So practical and truth filled.

[Ellen McKinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is chock full of information and useful resources. I will definitely keep it on my shelf for future reference.