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Just a Thought: A No-Willpower Approach to Overcome Self-Doubt and Make Peace with Your Mind
You are not your thoughts! Learn how to overcome negative thinking habits and self-doubt so you can experience more confidence, freedom, and peace of mind. When you understand how your mind works, unhelpful and noisy thoughts move to the background, and your awareness shifts to something quieter and deeper. This is true peace of mind. And it’s not some unattainable goal reserved for the most enlightened among us. Anyone can experience it. This book will show you how! From life coach and psychologist Amy Johnson, this user-friendly guide offers a no-willpower approach informed by ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience to help you change your negative thinking habits, make peace with your inner critic, and experience more self-confidence and freedom than you ever thought possible. Our minds are hardwired to expect the worst. They love to replay the past and predict the future. They have strong opinions that feel solid and meaningful, but are always changing and contradicting themselves. When we think our thoughts define who we are, we suffer. But when we see the truth—and we glimpse the space that lies beyond those self-created stories—we suffer far less. This book will help you glimpse that truth, and use it to find lasting peace.
208 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2021
123 people are currently reading
2367 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
October 19, 2021
Life changing book!
"Feeling stuck is a reflection of our thinking. Our mind is having a conversation that's cyclical and repetititve, full of commentary about how life should be different that it is. Minds replay sticky stories, but we can't BE stuck. Life is always moving no matter how sticky our thinking feels. life is MOVING while our mind repeatedly tells us how stuck we are. That repeated narrative is what we're focused on, so we come to believe we're stuck."
"You can't be stucl. When you feel like you are, you're simply zoomed in on a repetitive, sticky, mind-made story. Feeling stuck is a gift reminding you to back up, soften your focus, and let new experiences flow through."
"What if it's not possible to be stuck, but we FEEL stuck when our thinking is repetitive and it tells us we're stuck?"
"Feeling stuck is a reflection of our thinking. Our mind is having a conversation that's cyclical and repetititve, full of commentary about how life should be different that it is. Minds replay sticky stories, but we can't BE stuck. Life is always moving no matter how sticky our thinking feels. life is MOVING while our mind repeatedly tells us how stuck we are. That repeated narrative is what we're focused on, so we come to believe we're stuck."
"You can't be stucl. When you feel like you are, you're simply zoomed in on a repetitive, sticky, mind-made story. Feeling stuck is a gift reminding you to back up, soften your focus, and let new experiences flow through."
"What if it's not possible to be stuck, but we FEEL stuck when our thinking is repetitive and it tells us we're stuck?"
August 16, 2022
Dr Amy Johnson is a trained psychologist. She is the inventor of The Little School of Big Changes (LSBC) that anyone can subscribe to over the internet for a fee. She helps people overcome addiction, eating disorders, negative habits, depression etc through "freeing" the person from the prison of "the mind".
The basic thesis is this. You are not your mind. Your mind lies. Evolution has wired minds to send false positives. When you hear a sound, you automatically conclude that it is a lion, even though most of the time it is not. When you see food, you eat, even if you are not hungry. When you see another tribe, its either us or them. When you unfold events in your head, you always assume the worst, even though 90% of the time, they do not unfold that way. This way of thinking was very useful as a survival mechanism when we were cavemen. But not so useful in today's world.
Instead, to free ourselves, we should treat our mind as an untrained undisciplined third party that needs to be tamed. You are not your mind.
Confused? May appeal to people wanting a different approach.
The basic thesis is this. You are not your mind. Your mind lies. Evolution has wired minds to send false positives. When you hear a sound, you automatically conclude that it is a lion, even though most of the time it is not. When you see food, you eat, even if you are not hungry. When you see another tribe, its either us or them. When you unfold events in your head, you always assume the worst, even though 90% of the time, they do not unfold that way. This way of thinking was very useful as a survival mechanism when we were cavemen. But not so useful in today's world.
Instead, to free ourselves, we should treat our mind as an untrained undisciplined third party that needs to be tamed. You are not your mind.
Confused? May appeal to people wanting a different approach.
December 18, 2021
I love Amy's commitment to the Three Principles understanding. So produces so many helpful podcasts and YouTube chats.
The biggest message for me from this book is that 'It's just what minds do.'
Chapters 18, 29 and 30 were particularly enlightening. Amy describes and explains the separation between our holistic sense of self and a 'mind that is trying to help, but gets it wrong so much of the time'. We are not our minds and much of the survival brain fills in gaps, scare us with 'what ifs?' and tries to extrapolate, causing us unnecessary anxiety.
Well worth a read for those getting to grips with the Concisouness and Thought aspects of the 3Ps.
The biggest message for me from this book is that 'It's just what minds do.'
Chapters 18, 29 and 30 were particularly enlightening. Amy describes and explains the separation between our holistic sense of self and a 'mind that is trying to help, but gets it wrong so much of the time'. We are not our minds and much of the survival brain fills in gaps, scare us with 'what ifs?' and tries to extrapolate, causing us unnecessary anxiety.
Well worth a read for those getting to grips with the Concisouness and Thought aspects of the 3Ps.
January 30, 2022
This book for me was a hidden gem.
I bought it from a hidden section back in barnes and nobles and it was certainly waiting for me.
I really recommend reading this book, not only for the amazing pieces of advice Amy Johnson point out throughout the book.
Because you will not feel disappointed at all, you will find comfort in yourself if you are having a hard time.
It was like a eating an apple, tasty and very helpful.🍏
Love it!
I bought it from a hidden section back in barnes and nobles and it was certainly waiting for me.
I really recommend reading this book, not only for the amazing pieces of advice Amy Johnson point out throughout the book.
Because you will not feel disappointed at all, you will find comfort in yourself if you are having a hard time.
It was like a eating an apple, tasty and very helpful.🍏
Love it!
August 7, 2022
It's hard for me to gauge the impact of this, because I heard about it so much from Heather at Half Size Me (website/podcast). She's been talking about this book a ton in relation to your thoughts around weight loss (and has an awesome YouTube series on your lower brain, which says all sorts of heinous and/or offensive and/or seductive things to you..."one more french fry isn't going to hurt, sweetie! You're too hard on yourself! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU ATE THAT FRENCH FRY, FATTY. WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?") So I've been immersing myself in Dr. Amy's book through her coaching podcasts, even if I hadn't read it yet.
But on its own, it's very good, and honestly it needs another read or two because it's hard to separate yourself from your thoughts, so that takes some practice and a perspective change. But it's quite comforting to know that you are NOT your thoughts. Your thoughts can lie. Your past experiences are NOT your future experiences (the future has been unwritten! But we act like that isn't so!) I actually have this thought quite often: "If I were someone else, would I react/feel/think this way?" And the answer is inevitably NO. If someone offends us, they might not offend someone else. If we're annoyed in this moment, that feeling is unique to us, because we bring our experiences, our brains with us. Someone else might not be annoyed at all. But the beautiful thing is that we can change it. We can abandon those thoughts. We can deep six the self-limiting ideas that rattle around in our head. We can redefine who we are. We can write a new story and tell our lower brain to eff right off. But when it's so ingrained, it is HARD. Because some of those thoughts have been with you a looooooooong time (for me, a frequent one is: YOU NEED TO USE/EAT THAT UP. DON'T BE WASTEFUL. ...OH MY HEAVENS, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU ATE ALL THOSE COOKIES. WHY DID YOU BUY ALL THOSE IN THE FIRST PLACE? WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST TOSS THEM OUT??")
Basically, bottom line: your lower brain can be an asshole, and you DON'T have to listen to it. Frankly, 90% of the time, you probably SHOULDN'T listen to it (unless you see a snarling dog, and then you should probably back away quickly. There's where your lower reptile brain is useful!). You are not your thoughts. You are wonderful. And isn't that a nice...thought?
But on its own, it's very good, and honestly it needs another read or two because it's hard to separate yourself from your thoughts, so that takes some practice and a perspective change. But it's quite comforting to know that you are NOT your thoughts. Your thoughts can lie. Your past experiences are NOT your future experiences (the future has been unwritten! But we act like that isn't so!) I actually have this thought quite often: "If I were someone else, would I react/feel/think this way?" And the answer is inevitably NO. If someone offends us, they might not offend someone else. If we're annoyed in this moment, that feeling is unique to us, because we bring our experiences, our brains with us. Someone else might not be annoyed at all. But the beautiful thing is that we can change it. We can abandon those thoughts. We can deep six the self-limiting ideas that rattle around in our head. We can redefine who we are. We can write a new story and tell our lower brain to eff right off. But when it's so ingrained, it is HARD. Because some of those thoughts have been with you a looooooooong time (for me, a frequent one is: YOU NEED TO USE/EAT THAT UP. DON'T BE WASTEFUL. ...OH MY HEAVENS, I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU ATE ALL THOSE COOKIES. WHY DID YOU BUY ALL THOSE IN THE FIRST PLACE? WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST TOSS THEM OUT??")
Basically, bottom line: your lower brain can be an asshole, and you DON'T have to listen to it. Frankly, 90% of the time, you probably SHOULDN'T listen to it (unless you see a snarling dog, and then you should probably back away quickly. There's where your lower reptile brain is useful!). You are not your thoughts. You are wonderful. And isn't that a nice...thought?
February 21, 2022
You are not defined by your thoughts or experiences~ a collection of real life scenarios from Dr. Amy & her clientele to reflect back to the reader how we get stuck in the past or future to define our current selves.
The book is an interesting read but not what I expected from the back cover blurb. One must go into this book with an open mind in order to absorb what Dr. Amy is attempting to communicate. It’s a quick < 3 hour read. I read it twice in the last month to absorb & reflect.
There are parts and phrases that have been said before but she spins her own light on the subject with examples to show how our mind takes the “driver’s seat” (if we let it)and we end up in a world full of anxiety, worry, shame, doubt, etc. There is a way out if the mind madness, if you will, and Dr. Amy sprinkles the pages with motivational interviewing type questions to invite the reader to see their thoughts from a new perspective vs. being stuck.
If there’s a complaint it would be that the font is quite small, maybe by design though as the book is small and able to fit into a small purse or bag. Great travel book or journal entry prompt with the various questions presented for reflection on self.
#goodreadsgiveawaywinner
The book is an interesting read but not what I expected from the back cover blurb. One must go into this book with an open mind in order to absorb what Dr. Amy is attempting to communicate. It’s a quick < 3 hour read. I read it twice in the last month to absorb & reflect.
There are parts and phrases that have been said before but she spins her own light on the subject with examples to show how our mind takes the “driver’s seat” (if we let it)and we end up in a world full of anxiety, worry, shame, doubt, etc. There is a way out if the mind madness, if you will, and Dr. Amy sprinkles the pages with motivational interviewing type questions to invite the reader to see their thoughts from a new perspective vs. being stuck.
If there’s a complaint it would be that the font is quite small, maybe by design though as the book is small and able to fit into a small purse or bag. Great travel book or journal entry prompt with the various questions presented for reflection on self.
#goodreadsgiveawaywinner
October 27, 2021
A new paradigm presented in a practical way
There are a lot of self-help books out there that talk about energy and the mind and how to overcome our limiting thinking. In fact, I coach and teach on this topic myself. After reading many of the books available on the subject, I have found Amy’s to be my favorite so far. It is profound, but also practical and down-to-earth. It contains some light basis in science, fused with numerous of her own personal stories as well as those of others, showing clear examples of how ALL of our minds work and how we can use this knowledge to overcome our own self-perceived limitations. I’m not usually one to read a book twice, but I will likely take a second pass through this one.
There are a lot of self-help books out there that talk about energy and the mind and how to overcome our limiting thinking. In fact, I coach and teach on this topic myself. After reading many of the books available on the subject, I have found Amy’s to be my favorite so far. It is profound, but also practical and down-to-earth. It contains some light basis in science, fused with numerous of her own personal stories as well as those of others, showing clear examples of how ALL of our minds work and how we can use this knowledge to overcome our own self-perceived limitations. I’m not usually one to read a book twice, but I will likely take a second pass through this one.
November 15, 2021
I’m not trained to review books. All I know is that I found it very insightful. The book was full of little crannies and great information that you can take into practical use in your real life. My favourite analogy was the sky and clouds. I think this is really going to stick with me and make me feel see things in a different way. I will definitely be re-reading this book asap.
March 9, 2022
Pretty useful way of looking at your mind and thoughts. It's sort of what I've been doing for a while now to manage my depression, but this book went deeper into it and gave me more clarity about how to see my thoughts as fleeting and not part of myself. I'm not sure this approach can help everyone, but I found it useful.
May 25, 2022
Not quite sure what I just read to be honest.
November 25, 2021
Absolutely CLEAR & SIMPLE WISDOM to relish.
This book contains PURE WISDOM & COMMON SENSE, and points to a UNIVERSAL UNDERSTANDING of PEACE OF MIND, KINDNESS (LOVE), CONTENTMENT, COMPASSION and EVERY HEALTHY FEELING, that exists in the infinite REALM OF POSSIBILITY.
We are each born PERFECT, and the Thoughts/Thinking that we each CHOOSE INNOCENTLY, either CONDITION each one of us into living from FEAR; or RE-CONDITION each of us into living NATURALLY and FEARLESSLY, in the PRESENT MOMENT, MONENT TO MOMENT, UNCONDITIONALLY.
This UNIVERSAL UNDERSTANDING, and how we each function, is contained within this book, and is attainable by EVERYONE - the only requirement is being ALIVE.
Amy Johnson is a GEM, and this book needs to be read by everybody, especially by Psychologists, Psychiatrists, the entire Medical fraternity and everyone involved in the helping professions - which includes everyone else !!
This book reflects the TRUE NATURE of life and living, just as being KIND to others, reflects back on us, ALWAYS (as too, being UNKIND) !!
Despite what too many people innocently THINK personally, this book helps to show that,
“LOVE DOES MAKE THE WORLD GO AROUND”.
Love and kind regards, Tony
This book contains PURE WISDOM & COMMON SENSE, and points to a UNIVERSAL UNDERSTANDING of PEACE OF MIND, KINDNESS (LOVE), CONTENTMENT, COMPASSION and EVERY HEALTHY FEELING, that exists in the infinite REALM OF POSSIBILITY.
We are each born PERFECT, and the Thoughts/Thinking that we each CHOOSE INNOCENTLY, either CONDITION each one of us into living from FEAR; or RE-CONDITION each of us into living NATURALLY and FEARLESSLY, in the PRESENT MOMENT, MONENT TO MOMENT, UNCONDITIONALLY.
This UNIVERSAL UNDERSTANDING, and how we each function, is contained within this book, and is attainable by EVERYONE - the only requirement is being ALIVE.
Amy Johnson is a GEM, and this book needs to be read by everybody, especially by Psychologists, Psychiatrists, the entire Medical fraternity and everyone involved in the helping professions - which includes everyone else !!
This book reflects the TRUE NATURE of life and living, just as being KIND to others, reflects back on us, ALWAYS (as too, being UNKIND) !!
Despite what too many people innocently THINK personally, this book helps to show that,
“LOVE DOES MAKE THE WORLD GO AROUND”.
Love and kind regards, Tony
July 10, 2022
Czym jest myśl? To impuls, energia, która przetacza się przez nasz umysł? A może to część naszego charakteru, która popycha nas do podejmowania poszczególnych zachowań?
Autorka książki pokazuje nam dość nowoczesne, żeby nie powiedzieć alternatywne, spojrzenie na nasz umysł, który z wiekiem robi się coraz mocniej zaprogramowany przez doświadczenia. Ale czy wychodzi nam to na dobre?
To tylko myśl. Kiedyś wykorzystani przez inną osobę, mamy mniejsze zaufanie do innych. Czy to czyni nas nieufnymi, czy może nasz mózg wie lepiej i pod pretekstem ochrony, na każdego patrzy "wilkiem"? Doktor Johnson w tej książce, chce nam uświadomić jak zmiana perspektywy może zmienić nasze życie. "Ja" jest ciągle takie samo, tylko przeszłość, wydarzenia z życia zaczynają to "ja" przerastać. Autorka ma dużo racji, bo rzeczywiście nasze lęki nie biorą się z nas, a z naszych mniej lub bardziej traumatycznych doświadczeń. Nie definiują nas jako osobę.
Długo zabierałam się za tą opinię, żeby nie umniejszyć temu poradnikowi, ale też nie wywindować oczekiwań w kosmos. Ta książka może zmienić wasze życie. Ale musicie podejść do niej ponad waszym umysłem, ponad uprzedzeniami i dać sobie ją na tapet jako pracę domową, która trzeba odrabiać codziennie. To tylko myśl.
Autorka książki pokazuje nam dość nowoczesne, żeby nie powiedzieć alternatywne, spojrzenie na nasz umysł, który z wiekiem robi się coraz mocniej zaprogramowany przez doświadczenia. Ale czy wychodzi nam to na dobre?
To tylko myśl. Kiedyś wykorzystani przez inną osobę, mamy mniejsze zaufanie do innych. Czy to czyni nas nieufnymi, czy może nasz mózg wie lepiej i pod pretekstem ochrony, na każdego patrzy "wilkiem"? Doktor Johnson w tej książce, chce nam uświadomić jak zmiana perspektywy może zmienić nasze życie. "Ja" jest ciągle takie samo, tylko przeszłość, wydarzenia z życia zaczynają to "ja" przerastać. Autorka ma dużo racji, bo rzeczywiście nasze lęki nie biorą się z nas, a z naszych mniej lub bardziej traumatycznych doświadczeń. Nie definiują nas jako osobę.
Długo zabierałam się za tą opinię, żeby nie umniejszyć temu poradnikowi, ale też nie wywindować oczekiwań w kosmos. Ta książka może zmienić wasze życie. Ale musicie podejść do niej ponad waszym umysłem, ponad uprzedzeniami i dać sobie ją na tapet jako pracę domową, która trzeba odrabiać codziennie. To tylko myśl.
November 7, 2021
This book was an amazing and insightful journey into how our mind works.
I loved the way that Amy explained zooming in and zooming out of our own mind’s reality.
We are here to have an individualized experience that is largely dictated by your mind, but we are also a part of this amazing, ongoing, ever-changing and limitless energy.
Excellent book that takes a new view on how to work with our thoughts and emotions.
A couple of my favorite quotes:
“A mind cannot leave well enough alone because to a mind, there is no well enough. There’s always more, more to do more to solve more to fix. More of your identity to solidify, more security to safeguard.”
“Your mind reassures you that arriving at the destination, wherever it is, will allow you to relax and feel at home in your life. The ticket to entry is usually hard work and sacrifice today. It’ll all be worth it, you’re mine says. The feeling of home you’re looking for is always an arm’s-length away.”
“Minds simply chew on thoughts the way a dog choose a bone. Dogs chew bones to release energy. It’s soothing and stimulating. It’s not about reaching some and results; it’s just what their compelled to do.”
I loved the way that Amy explained zooming in and zooming out of our own mind’s reality.
We are here to have an individualized experience that is largely dictated by your mind, but we are also a part of this amazing, ongoing, ever-changing and limitless energy.
Excellent book that takes a new view on how to work with our thoughts and emotions.
A couple of my favorite quotes:
“A mind cannot leave well enough alone because to a mind, there is no well enough. There’s always more, more to do more to solve more to fix. More of your identity to solidify, more security to safeguard.”
“Your mind reassures you that arriving at the destination, wherever it is, will allow you to relax and feel at home in your life. The ticket to entry is usually hard work and sacrifice today. It’ll all be worth it, you’re mine says. The feeling of home you’re looking for is always an arm’s-length away.”
“Minds simply chew on thoughts the way a dog choose a bone. Dogs chew bones to release energy. It’s soothing and stimulating. It’s not about reaching some and results; it’s just what their compelled to do.”
January 9, 2024
Har læst den danske version, som kan købes via 3PDK.
En fremragende bog om vores tanke(r) og deres betydning for vores velvære. En bog der handler om vores intellekts oftest store selvbedrag af os selv. Et bedrag som forstærkes via intellektets tolkning af vores omverden i almindelighed og vores historiske responser i særdeleshed. På hvordan vi forstærker og tykner vores tanker/følelser, så de oftest bliver selvopfyldende profetier og oftest rene emotionelle fængsler.
Hvad ville der ske, hvis vi intentionelt distancerede os fra vores tanker og følelser? Hvis vi var mere holistiske i vores betragtning af disse? Hvordan ville vi så opleve vores egen formløshed?
Jeg læste sjovt nok denne efter et par bøger om kvanteteori. Og en utænkt tanke er en tanke i superposition. Den kan være ladet med alt og være hvor som helst. Det er først når vores intellekt observerer tanken/følelsen, at den bliver virkelig og øjeblikkeligt får et oftest historisk betinget label påsat.
En fremragende filosofisk bog om væren, tanker, følelser, forbundethed og intellekt.
Den kan varmt anbefales.
En fremragende bog om vores tanke(r) og deres betydning for vores velvære. En bog der handler om vores intellekts oftest store selvbedrag af os selv. Et bedrag som forstærkes via intellektets tolkning af vores omverden i almindelighed og vores historiske responser i særdeleshed. På hvordan vi forstærker og tykner vores tanker/følelser, så de oftest bliver selvopfyldende profetier og oftest rene emotionelle fængsler.
Hvad ville der ske, hvis vi intentionelt distancerede os fra vores tanker og følelser? Hvis vi var mere holistiske i vores betragtning af disse? Hvordan ville vi så opleve vores egen formløshed?
Jeg læste sjovt nok denne efter et par bøger om kvanteteori. Og en utænkt tanke er en tanke i superposition. Den kan være ladet med alt og være hvor som helst. Det er først når vores intellekt observerer tanken/følelsen, at den bliver virkelig og øjeblikkeligt får et oftest historisk betinget label påsat.
En fremragende filosofisk bog om væren, tanker, følelser, forbundethed og intellekt.
Den kan varmt anbefales.
Read
December 12, 2021A wonderful book
This book is a gem! Dr. Amy Johnson gently walks us through how our mind works and who we are beyond that. She does that in a kind and practical way. It's wonderful and hopeful to begin to wake up to reality being totally different than what it used to look like. The way she uses stories to illustrate her points makes the book come alive and resonate in my own life. Nothing is as solid or limiting as it looks. You may pick it up because you have some anxiety or some other habit or addiction, and you start to glimpse a whole new way of seeing life in all areas. Life-changing on so many levels! The video links at the end of some of the chapters are a great addition to the book and adds to the experience. Changing through insight and understanding is so much more powerful than any outside-in approach, and so much more natural. I warmly recommend this gem of a book to anyone struggling in any area of their lives.
This book is a gem! Dr. Amy Johnson gently walks us through how our mind works and who we are beyond that. She does that in a kind and practical way. It's wonderful and hopeful to begin to wake up to reality being totally different than what it used to look like. The way she uses stories to illustrate her points makes the book come alive and resonate in my own life. Nothing is as solid or limiting as it looks. You may pick it up because you have some anxiety or some other habit or addiction, and you start to glimpse a whole new way of seeing life in all areas. Life-changing on so many levels! The video links at the end of some of the chapters are a great addition to the book and adds to the experience. Changing through insight and understanding is so much more powerful than any outside-in approach, and so much more natural. I warmly recommend this gem of a book to anyone struggling in any area of their lives.
November 6, 2022
Just a Thought by Amy Johnson is a great book on understanding how to look at the way we think, and how our thoughts impact our lives. This book will show you ways how to improve your negative thinking patterns and become more confident. Our thoughts really do define us and how we live our lives. If we could become more positive, our lives will be richer. Amy really tries to explain that our thoughts do not determine our self-worth. Our thoughts also do not define us. The book provided real life stories to display how to change your thoughts and how using these techniques assisted others in improving their thoughts and lives. This book is an easy to use guide to change your thoughts. I highly recommend this book. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.
April 17, 2024
I think this could be a very important book for many....about the fallibility of our minds....
for example studies like the 1977 pantyhose experiment, where identical products led to strong but baseless consumer preferences. She introduces the left brain as a masterful storyteller, crafting coherent but not always accurate narratives. Central to the book is the idea that our perceived identity — might be less about who we really are and more about comfortable roles we assume, akin to masks developed from our mind's defensive habits. Johnson critiques the formulaic self-help genre, emphasizing that lasting change comes from profound insights rather than changing behaviors - basically, questioning your mind. She advocates for a 'zoom out, then zoom in' method for personal reflection, suggesting a broad view of one's life before delving into specific behaviors.
for example studies like the 1977 pantyhose experiment, where identical products led to strong but baseless consumer preferences. She introduces the left brain as a masterful storyteller, crafting coherent but not always accurate narratives. Central to the book is the idea that our perceived identity — might be less about who we really are and more about comfortable roles we assume, akin to masks developed from our mind's defensive habits. Johnson critiques the formulaic self-help genre, emphasizing that lasting change comes from profound insights rather than changing behaviors - basically, questioning your mind. She advocates for a 'zoom out, then zoom in' method for personal reflection, suggesting a broad view of one's life before delving into specific behaviors.
October 6, 2021
If you have been searching for how to stop suffering and feel at peace, look no further! Just a Thought is a simple yet super impactful read.
Through metaphors and real life examples, Dr. Amy Johnson shares how all minds work and why we suffer. I’ve never met a human being who doesn’t want to experience peace of mind. There’s an innocent misunderstanding that we have to look outside of ourselves to find it or do things to feel it.
The information shared in this book will help you realize that what you are looking for is so much closer than you can possibly imagine.
I wish every parent, teacher, child, therapist, coach, doctor, person in business and law enforcement… ok, every human, would read this book. What you discover can be life-changing!
Through metaphors and real life examples, Dr. Amy Johnson shares how all minds work and why we suffer. I’ve never met a human being who doesn’t want to experience peace of mind. There’s an innocent misunderstanding that we have to look outside of ourselves to find it or do things to feel it.
The information shared in this book will help you realize that what you are looking for is so much closer than you can possibly imagine.
I wish every parent, teacher, child, therapist, coach, doctor, person in business and law enforcement… ok, every human, would read this book. What you discover can be life-changing!
September 17, 2021
I thought that this book was a helpful way to look at our thoughts and how they can control us. You are not your thoughts and this book shows how we somehow become our thoughts. "I'm insecure." No, you just think you are insecure. This book really made me examine how I think about myself, how I view myself, and how I can change all of that. It really did make a difference in how I analyze my thoughts. I appreciated how she included stories about how this made a difference in peoples lives. While it was a bit dry for me, I still liked it and felt that it did help me with my thinking.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
October 6, 2021
Amy has a unique talent for explaining concepts that can be difficult to put into words—about how our mind, through thought, is creating our human experience—and how our true self is not that experience, but much, much more. These are the same deep spiritual truths that have been talked about through the ages, and is life-changing information in the most exciting way possible!
The chapters are short and easy to read, and Amy uses both real life examples, and metaphors to help the reader “see” the truths that lie beyond what our tricky, chattering mind and physical senses are telling us.
Don’t be surprised if you feel like your self-help search is over after you read this book—the depth to which it speaks is the real deal, and subsequent readings are likely to reveal even more over time.
The chapters are short and easy to read, and Amy uses both real life examples, and metaphors to help the reader “see” the truths that lie beyond what our tricky, chattering mind and physical senses are telling us.
Don’t be surprised if you feel like your self-help search is over after you read this book—the depth to which it speaks is the real deal, and subsequent readings are likely to reveal even more over time.
August 3, 2021
Just a Thought is a self-help book by Amy Johnson. It aims to provide peace of mind for those suffering from negative/intrusive thoughts. Our minds are constantly at work, they are quick to predict the future, bring up the past, and worst of all, convince you that it knows everything.
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January 9, 2023
Mind blowing. I will need to do more research on this topic. Basics are that your left brain wants to help you and exaggerates and lies to you. Once you know this you will be more sensitive to the things it tells you and more equipped to make a decision that will benefit you. I will be investigating this topic in more depth.
October 16, 2023
Really good read. This book offers a shift of perspective on ourselves and it explains in a very simple way, what is it that minds do.
Towards the end of the book, this shift seems natural, and attainable, and as a consequence, our approach to daily life may become easier to digest, and to see from afar.
Really recommend!
Towards the end of the book, this shift seems natural, and attainable, and as a consequence, our approach to daily life may become easier to digest, and to see from afar.
Really recommend!
August 28, 2022
I truly enjoyed reading her book - the words came to life for me.
I have since adapted the concept of human weather ~ so now, I can more easily take a seat, relax, and watch my human weather pass through.
A simple but yet life changing concept!
I have since adapted the concept of human weather ~ so now, I can more easily take a seat, relax, and watch my human weather pass through.
A simple but yet life changing concept!
September 1, 2021
I actually like this book. It teaches how to use these thoughts in so many ways. Also, I like there’s some stories about these individuals expressing their thoughts in different ways.
June 23, 2022
3.5⭐️
Sometimes you know something is true, but you need to hear someone turn/twist it every-which-way, so you understand and recognize it better in your own life.
Sometimes you know something is true, but you need to hear someone turn/twist it every-which-way, so you understand and recognize it better in your own life.
September 8, 2022
As one develops a Mindfulness Practice, this book offers helpful insights. A glimpse at the possibility od “non-self” from a totally Western perspective. Helpful in re-thinking (!) what brains do.
November 7, 2022
Sloppy logic and invalid premises
January 1, 2023
Well written but I didn't feel there was anything original or new here.
February 8, 2023
I listened to the audiobook. I enjoyed the practical advice and tips. Definitely good for those interested in mindfulness and stress management.
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