BIG FREAKIN’ CHANGE

In this self-help book, choreographer and business coach Poppitt discusses the positive aspects of taking life-changing actions before one feels 100% ready to do so.

Most people have felt stuck at some point in their lives—knowing they should find a new job, leave a broken relationship, or jumpstart their dream career. However, while it’s easy to know what needs to be done, actually doing it can be difficult, as Poppitt points out in these pages. Many feel that they must wait for the perfect moment, yet the author—a successful entrepreneur, accomplished dancer for 20 years, and coach to thousands of fellow dancers and entrepreneurs—argues that “readiness is not a state of being but a feeling that comes after you take action.” In other words, a courageous task must come first, because “you develop confidence through taking action, not before.” She draws on numerous sources, including cited studies and tips from other self-help books, to back up her solid advice. A graphic of her eight-step “Get Unstuck, Cycle of Change Model” appears repeatedly, so that readers can easily follow each step, from “Acknowledge you’re stuck” to “Unlock your confidence” (“Each time you embrace change, your tolerance for it increases, as does your resiliency”). Importantly, the book takes a deep dive into aspects of human nature that, even with the best step-by-step guides, make change difficult, such as feelings of rejection and fear. Her own personal anecdotes are relatable and support every major point, as in a late account of a hike in a storm that taught her the importance of embracing changes in plans. It’s an engaging, fast-paced read, and although it’s specifically written for an audience of women, all readers can benefit from its message.

A briskly paced guide for those looking to make changes but needing a push to get started.