Susan Jeffers (1) (1938–2012)

A girlfriend in grad school gave me this book, shortly before we parted ways, in fact. It was a real eye-opener to me that I lived much of my life hovering around the perimeter of the pool rather than jumping in with both feet.

Most eye-opening for me, though, was it was the first time I had been taught that fear was fine - embrace it, don't dodge it. Then, walk through the fire anyway.

I'm not saying I turned into Russell Crowe from "Gladiator" because of it. I'm still more Woody Allen from show more "Annie Hall", but the book did fuel me toward some braver choices in life, and I think it's a great read - not too clinical, not too esoteric - just good guidance through learning to live with the beast that resides in everyone's anxiety closet. show less

Hate self-help but read it anyway. Some of the basic tenets of 'Feel the fear and do it anyway' are sound. And the first few chapters, devoted specifically addressing fear, are worth reading. I've just got sand in my dreamcatcher and draw the line at nonsense like the law of attraction. Of which there is plenty in this book. Including the half-baked notion that anger causes cancer, all negativity is evil and wrong and the usual Pollyanna rubbish about positive thinking. It may be horseshit show more but horseshit has its uses — like compost. show less

While this book doesn't offer any miracle cures - none of the self help tomes that are so popular today do - it gave me a lot to think about. Dr. Jeffers puts a lot of emphasis on taking risks, making choices, and always moving forward with your life. She says that change is a positive, powerful force, especially when it feels scary. But the key in her teachings is the simple fact that action always comes before fearlessness. If you wait until you're no longer afraid to do something, you'll show more never do it. Because there is no such thing as not being afraid, but it is possible to not let fear rule your life. show less

Typical trite "mind over matter" self-help pablum. For example, the premise that we'll be better off and happy adopting "when life gives you lemons make lemonade" as the way to deal with serious illness, financial ruin, or the death of a loved one. Gee, thanks. And of course replete with numerous infomercial style anecdotal success stories, and relationship advice that belongs in a magazine sold in the supermarket check-out line.