Book Review: Finding your way by Drake Taylor
Title: Finding your way: How to navigate yourself back from Depression, Personal crisis & Life's mistakes
Author: Drake Taylor
Genre: Self Help, Motivation
Pages: 156,quick read
God help those who help themselves. I have found this to be true always and when I am feeling really low, this sentence is my motivation to move ahead. I was going through the most difficult phase of my life when my friend Vandana sent me this book on the mail. It's strange that she had no idea what I was going through and magically a much needed, easy read book landed up to be read when I needed it the most. It definitely has put me in a better headspace and therefore you would find it useful too.
This book has been penned down by the author when he was going through the darkest phases of his life. He was almost on the verge of ending his life; therefore he can easily relate to what people in tough phases are going through. He has talked in the book like a friend and mentor would. It's imperative that you follow the exercises that he has mentioned in every chapter.
My best takeaways from this book:
Everything you want out of life, lies with that first step of getting out of bed each day. Each day you stay in bed, you slowly killing your dreams or put them further out of your reach.
Our mindset determines how each and every one of us live our life.
Forgiveness isn't merely to allow the other person to move on from wrongdoing. It is to allow you freedom from hanging on to negative emotions, so you can live your best life.
Holding onto hate is like holding onto a hot coal; the only person you burn is you.
What I loved all the more in this book: Appendices.
The appendices can be considered a solution in a nutshell. There are 7; (from A to G) and constitute
A: Self Reflection Questions: The first chapter motivates us to answer these questions honestly; because there is no way out in lying. After answering these honestly then only it would be beneficial to move forward in reading because it would become clearer on which aspects do we need to work on ourselves.
B: Importance of reading and Suggested Reading List: It's undeniable that we need to read to motivate and keep pushing ourselves.
C: Workout routine: I can't stress the fact enough that exercise is the world's most underrated anti depressant. Working out or even moving the body releases endorphins into our blood stream; which makes us feel good. I constantly motivate my patients to workout daily but when it comes to myself, I am unable tp practice it because of lack of time, energy and privacy. I so want to change this.
D: Dietary Suggestion: Some healthy meal plans
E: Road Map. This is so very important. You got to have your life planned out. Make a list of your goals wrt Money, Home, Lifestyle changes, personal relationships, Fitness, education, job, career, travel, parents, children, passion and the list goes on.
You can jot them down under the following headers:
Name of goal
Current status of goal
Course correction or New Projected Goal
Steps to get there
Milestones and Deadlines
eg Task 1 Accomplish by
F: Planning Calender :.It's so important to have a schedule. Your goals have to SMART: Smart: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time Bound.
Everything should follow a pattern and calender would remind you.
G: Inspirational quotes when you need strength. Reading these quotes time and again definitely clears and freshens my mind.
I definitely suggest reading this book; even if you are in a content state of mind because there are so many more things to learn.
18 comments
Dietary suggestions are a brilliant inclusion in a self help book. Much needed change from the normal. It's very true that what we eat Influences our state of mind
ReplyDeleteThis book covers it all and a very helpful read in these times of difficulty.
ReplyDeleteI had not heard of this book before reading your review but it seems like a good one that I should pick up for sure. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteNoor Anand Chawla
I think this is perfect self care book.. although I never knew about this book before .. i will check it out when I visit the bookstore
ReplyDeleteThis book has covered everything from physical to dietary changes. Will read it surely.
ReplyDelete- Ujjwal Mishra MywordsMywisdom.com
The book seems really helpful and a roadmap towards being a better version of yourself. I like the fact that the book also motivates you towards action rather than just talk about things.
ReplyDeleteSelf help is my favourite genre of books and I have a good collection of motivational books. Your review gave me an insight into this book. I'll definitely check it out.
ReplyDeleteWhat we eat definitely influences our body as well as our mind. This books seems to be a great read and will check it.
ReplyDeleteYour review is very well executed. Well written. I have read Finding Your Way. Definitely a thoughtful read. The authors real life experiences and journey can motivate others. I recommend it to young minds going to difficult times. This book is really good.
ReplyDeleteSo apt with the saying God helps those who help themselves. The book seems a good quick read and definitely worth it. I will try to find and pick it up.
ReplyDeleteThis book has it all ... most Important read for all ... even the person is not in depression state... reading these .. particular mind will be stable
ReplyDeleteWow. You have reviewed it so good. I am going to add this on my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteSo much unexpected things have happened in my life lately, that I need something to get back to myself.
ReplyDeleteBook reading will work, especially this one as it has 7 appendices.
You don't work out? You must be kidding, right? You're in such fabulous shape. I have always known you as someone who refuses to age and in fact keeps getting better and better with passing time. Mandira, I will read the book now based on your suggestion.
ReplyDeleteIts great that this book has covered every aspect to help one come out of depression. Ur review makes me wanna read this book.
ReplyDeletein this is correct od helps them who dare to do something
ReplyDeleteits really wonderful
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Awesome and interesting article. Great things you've always shared with us. Thanks. Just continue composing this kind of post.
ReplyDelete