Have you met Kelly Exeter or her blog, A Life Less Frantic, before?
If not, head over. Say g’day. Marvel at her words. I’ll be waiting here when you get back. If you can tear yourself away.
Back? Excellent. How ace is she?
Last year, Kelly released a fabulous book, and I had the absolute honour of getting an early copy and sharing a review on this blog.
She has re-released it this year with a new title (and in a new, handbag-friendly book size). So I’m re-releasing my review of the book. Because I’ve re-read the re-release and it’s re-really fabulous.
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Your Best Year Ever / Kelly Exeter
For those who are tired of feeling overwhelmed and directionless, this short, sweet little book will leave you with the same energy and purpose you get from a candid chat with a great friend.
In Your Best Year Ever, Kelly Exeter looks at the life lessons she’s learned the hard way. With brutal honesty, practical advice and inspiring examples, she shares 7 simple ways to shift your thinking for the better.
This book doesn’t aimlessly meander with a smattering of ambiguous and flowery words that are perhaps beautiful in their complexity, but inevitably superfluous (see what I did there?).
It’s also free of the underlines and bolds and SHOUTY BOLDY UNDERLINEY CAPITALS WITH BONUS EXCLAMATION MARKS (PLURAL)!!! that feature in so many books of the self-help variety.
It’s sharp. It’s to the point. It’s a book you can read over a cuppa and biscuit at afternoon teatime. And then think about for the rest of the day. Week. Month.
Your Best Year Ever is easy to read, at least in terms of the words used and the structure. But where it’s not easy to read is in the uncomfortable truths it forces you to face. You are no better and no worse than anyone else. You have enough time, you just don’t use it well.
You don’t really know what your friends are up to if you just read a few things they put in a facebook status update.
Many lines hit home, but given the length of the book, including them all would be akin to including spoilers. The two lines that stuck with me the most:
- The people who achieve the most aren’t the ones with the most time on their hands, but the ones who waste the least of the time available to them.
- When a decision isn’t clear-cut, when we’re agonising between two options, it’s often because the potential difference in future happiness between the two is tiny.
I’m not usually a fan of books in the self-help category, but I really enjoyed this and got a lot from it. Thanks, Kelly. Highly recommended.
You can read more about Your Best Year Ever, including where to purchase it, here.
Have you read Your Best Year Ever? What did you think?
NB: This is not a sponsored post. Kelly sent me a copy of Your Best Year Ever to sit alongside my original copy. And because she’s fabulous. Did I mention that already?
Love Kelly- this sounds fabulous!
It really is! Like I said, I don’t usually get a lot from self-help books, but this was like a kick in the backside. But a positive one.
Such an honour to be reviewed by you Em! Thank you for your kind words and lovely overview!
Absolute pleasure! Thanks for the updated copy and for the writing the book in the first place. It’s a winner.
Oh yes, I love Kelly and I love the book, although I’m only just getting started! I’m a bit of a nerd so I’ve taken to reading it with a highlighter pen, so I can take special note of all Kelly’s words of wisdom (of which there are many.) Now that it’s handbag sized, I wouldn’t leave home without it!
Watch out – the highlighter may run out before you finish the book!
This sounds like a book I need to read! I will go and check it out and check out Kelly’s blog at the same time 🙂
I hope you enjoyed your visit! Kelly’s blog is fun to get lost in.
I’ve been revisiting Kelly’s book this week, looking for inspiration as part of my business diploma studies. Is there much of a difference, in terms of content from the original to this one?
Not much, just a tidy here and there and the formatting is different to fit the new size.
Great idea to re-release it in handbag friendly size. Great idea …
Good thinking Kelly!
Also love that it is sharp and to the point.
Very good idea! (The title also had to change anyway, but my bookshelf and I are grateful for the standard paperback size!)
A great read for sure – brevity definitely equals clarity. I’m reminded of a quote from Gandhi that I read again the other day: “Speak only if you can improve upon the silence.” Sometimes I think there are too many words spoken and written and I add to them. I must try to be insightful and concise like Kelly.
Great insights! And you’re right – this book is exactly as many words long as it needs to be. No more, no less.
I’ve been meaning to get this book to read. Must do that!! Thanks for your review – I’m not surprised that it’s good as Kelly writes with such a depth of thought and is so insightful! 🙂
That’s right – it’s not surprising at all!
I bought this book on my iPad last year and have perused it. I must get on to reading it all. V x
Definitely. Enjoy!
I read this a while ago and really enjoyed it as well. Such an easy read and great advice.
Certainly is!
Thanks Em I will head over and check it out. Sounds like something I need at the moment
I honestly think it’s something everyone needs.
It sounds really inspirational. I’ve read so many things about it now, here and on lots of other blogs. Will have to get it and see what it’s like.
I hope you get a lot from it!
HOW CAN YOU NOT LIKE SELF-HELP BOOKS!? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!? I am massive sucker for self-help so I’ll probably read this one day when I get time. See what I did there? I need this book.
I see what you did there! I find most self-help books are the same. Same messages with no real how-tos. Kelly’s is truly empowering.
I read (and reviewed) this last year and it’s actually still on my bedside table! I really liked the simplicity of its messages. Well, deceptive simplicity is probably more accurate. And the bit about decision making really resonated! Thanks for reminding me to have another read.
You’re welcome! I got just as much from the second read.
Sounds like a great read…thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome! Enjoy the read.
I have a copy of this book, I just have to find the time to sit down and read it
And when you do, you’ll love it! Thanks Malinda.
I’ve only heard great things about Kelly’s book. It’s a great time to start thinking about my direction for next year.
I can’t believe we’re closer to next year than we are to last year!