JON ACUFF - Transform Your Ideas Into A Bestselling Book
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Did you know that 81% of Americans would like to be an author, but only 1% actually will?
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That’s right. Most people want to transform their ideas into the next bestselling book, but few actually ever do it. Why?
We've all heard the usual excuses of writer's block or lack of ideas. But my guest is here today to tell you how to OVERCOME all those obstacles!
Join us in this episode with Jon Acuff, author and speaker, who will dive into why you don't succeed at writing a book and explain how you can start on your bestselling book today!
Check Out More of Jon’s Content Here 👇
📖 Soundtracks - https://soundtracksbook.com/
🎙️ All It Takes Is A Goal Podcast 👉 https://acuff.me/podcast/
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🖥️ FB 👉 https://www.facebook.com/authorjonacuff/
⌨️ Twitter 👉 https://twitter.com/jonacuff
📲 IG 👉 https://www.instagram.com/jonacuff/
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I really enjoyed this video. I myself am writing and illustrating my first book. But it's a fictional book in the genre of fantasy/sci-fi. This video gave me many ideas what I can work with on my first book. Thank you so much for sharing this both of you.
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View 2 replies from Jeff Lerner and others
I've learnt something from this video. Thank you.
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View reply from Jeff Lerner
Just a daily reminder: 😉
📍 The difference between an ordinary person and an extraordinary person is a little EXTRA...
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Idea bankruptcy ehh?!?
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Bestselling Book
JON ACUFF
Start: Punch Fear in the Face, Escape Average, and Do Work That Matters
Wall Street Journal best-selling author Jon Acuff reveals the steps to get unstuck and returning to being great.
In the last century, the path to success for the majority of people has been broken down into stages that are predictable. Three things have altered the road to success:
Boomers are recognizing that many of the things they had been promised won't come true and have begun third and second careers.
Technology has provided access to an unprecedented amount users who're creating online empires and transforming their lifestyles in ways which would have seemed impossible a few years ago.
It is now clear that the days of "success first, significance later" are over.
Although none of the steps are a must however, they are able to be cut down and even accelerated. There are only two routes to follow in this life: ordinary or awesome. The standard path is easy since all you need to do is do nothing. The amazing path is more challenging because things like fear can only trouble the person doing the things that matter. The good news is that that Start offers listeners practical, actionable tips to become more amazing, more often.
Give Your Dreams a Fighting Chance
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2016
Have you ever wanted to start doing something amazing? Have you considered the price you pay if you do something without thinking about it first?
In this era of entrepreneur ventures and independent thinking, we often forget there are virtues to slowing down and thinking about whether or not being an entrepreneur is worth it in the first place. The internet might be a land of opportunity, but is it the right opportunity for you?
"Start" answers some of the lingering questions that might keep you up and night. It is about considering where your leverage and power in the world of self-starting is with good humor and great ideas along the way. It is about learning that a job gives you a moment to say no to something you'd have to say yes to if you were struggling for money.
This is a pretty amazing book all around, but it also delves into some of the areas I tend to have problems connecting with. I generally don't concern myself with legacy. I don't have a family to worry about. I don't have children to feed or dogs to groom. Still, even with this as an obstacle to my own growth and self-acceptance, I still recommend this book highly to anyone on the verge of starting some sort of entrepreneurial venture.
If you think you're ready to set out on your own now, take a few days and digest this book. You'll be better off for it and you might even see the value in being a part of the cubicle farm for another year or so along the way.
12 people found this helpful
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2017
This is a book for anyone who thinks they don't have time to do what they love, because they're overwhelmed doing what they must. Read this book, or preferably listen to it. In the audio book edition of Start: Punch Fear in the Face, Escape Average and Do Work that Matters, Jon Acuff reads the book himself. He imbues it with his freshness and enthusiasm and occasionally even drops in a side comment (bonus!). I've heard Start twice now, and it was just as good the second time. Not everybody will benefit from every recommendation Acuff makes, but most people will find nuggets of wisdom that can transform a life. The book is inspiring without being hokey, and it's visionary while remaining practical. Well done, Jon Acuff!
11 people found this helpful
Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2013
Blog writing, I suppose, has come to influence modern writing becuase of the following device:
People love to write short lines like this and put sevreal of them on a page by themsleves with 17 sub-headings per page.
Who started this?
It's really addictive, isn't it?
Like getting little text messages from the author every two seconds.
I blame Rob Bell.
The paragraph is dying quickly in this age of blogging and texting, and perhaps deservedly so. However this book manages to use all of these modern writing devices to communicate some timeless principles effectively and humorously. Then it goes a step further by not just suggesting applications but putting them in appendices that are extremely user friendly. I found this book laugh out loud funny and extemely valuable as a tool for finding further direction.
Moreover, I found the book gave me permission to do two extremely important acts concerning my future: A) start doing something about it and not think about it. and B) Experiment without the pressure of having my experiment become a lifetime commitment after just 3 months.
So, if you are seeking direction for a major life change or just looking to confirm a little right turn you want to take , you cannot go wrong with this boook.
Now, I'm off to live my dream and create a blog to elongate America's attention span through the use of extended paragraphs.
Pray for me.
65 people found this helpful
I think the book did a great job of giving me a more positive way of ...
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2017
I think the book did a great job of giving me a more positive way of looking at where I am in my profession and life overall. I am slowly working through the action items at the end of the book. These I haven't found to be as distinct and actionable as I would have liked, but I can see where the author is heading and I don't know what could be better. But, overall, this book is a great read and gave me a new and better perspective on life. So I highly recommend it if you are someone looking to better your position in life AND you are willing to put aside the distractions of life and really focus.
4 people found this helpful
Expect Life-Change. And Awesomeness.
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2014
This book was the catalyst for a major life & attitude change in me. Before I read this book, I was living in fear, rather than becoming a better version of myself.
This book really just encourages you to find your "inner awesome" and just START working on your dreams. Jon Acuff writes with humor and preciseness. I love this quote from the book: "We start to believe that dreaming or walking down the road to awesome is an inherently selfish idea. As if you only have two options: abandon every commitment you have and dream, or resign yourself to an average life in order to honor your commitments. What if there was a third way? A way to honor all your commitments even while you completely change your life and the world in the process? ... What if you could start today?" (pp.42-43)
This book is challenging, encouraging, and most of all, motivating. Plus, it's FUN to read!! Since I read it, I've started leaning into who I was called to be, rather than hiding from it. I've started to learn how to find a balance between maintaining my commitments between work and my dreams. I started believing that it's not Either-Or in my life, but AND.
Add this book to your reading list, and expect life-change. And awesomeness.
13 people found this helpful
Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2018
This book has "read my mail" in many ways by not starting on some of my dreams. Jon is hilarious, like, really hilarious but still focused on motivating you to get off the couch and get moving. I needed this book in so many ways. I think his book "Finish" is even better and has revolutionised my world, but works in conjunction with this book. You will not be disappointed by this read. If you can't get moving on your projects then I suggest reading this book and JUST START. Get moving, soldier :)
One person found this helpful
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2013
There are many books and many authors you can choose from when selecting your next book. I urge you to consider taking a look at START: Punch Fear in the Face, Escape Average and Do Work that Matters. START challenges you to start because, "The starting line is the only line you completely control. The start is the only moment you're the boss of."
Jon is a gifted communicator of ideas and uses humor to entertain and make you laugh out loud in the process of teaching or reminding you of principles that will benefit you in whatever line of work or stage of life you find yourself right now. And, yes, he helps you determine exactly where you are right now because, as he says in the book, "the best map in the world doesn't matter if you don't know where you are."
There is no way I could cover the entire book in a review such as this so I will not try. I do want to point out a few quotes or ideas that stood out to me that might sway you in your decision to make this book part of you library.
This book's genesis began with a question, or 2 if you're counting, asked by a lady in her 70's Jon met on a plane. Here are those questions. "What do you do when all the excuses you used to not chase your dream are gone? What do you do then?" Jon began here, not wanting to be asking those questions himself, when he was in his 70s or later. "I didn't want you or me to get to 80 or 90 years old and realize we mortgaged the best years of our lives doing something we weren't called to do. I didn't want to look back on life and wonder where it all went." He began his quest by dissecting the life of another successful person and mentor, Dave Ramsey. This not a book about Dave Ramsey. Jon takes the principles he saw in Dave Ramsey's success, which are also present in any other successful life, and unpacks those with his own research, ideas and humor that makes for an interesting, entertaining, and educational read.
If that question intrigues you then get this book and join Jon on his journey and learn what he did. It could change your life and the trajectory or your journey to whatever your awesome happens to be and will make you laugh out loud along the way.
Where else will you read about wiffleball CSI, Ferretopia, corncob pipe whittling, and being a presentist or a little throw-uppy? I am confident the only place you will find these mentioned is in START. Those words have no suggestions in my spell checker either.
The other principle I wanted to emphasize which compels me to give this book and its author my highest recommendation is, "You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want." Wait, that was not Jon but Zig Ziglar. However, Jon does say, "If you want help for your dream, start by helping someone else with their dream. If you want support for your hope, start by giving support to someone else's hope. If you want encouragement as you work on your calling, start by encouraging other people. Giving support is often the best way to get it." That does sound very similar to what Zig said.
I am not saying, inferring, or implying that Jon is the next Zig Ziglar. In my opinion there will never be one of those, ever. What I am saying is Jon reminds me of Zig Ziglar in many ways with his writing style, sense of humor, character, and desire to help others which I believe does allow him to be mentioned as being in the same mold as Zig. That is the highest recommendation I can give for any author or book but have no trouble giving it here and the reason for the title of this review.
"The only thing you have to do on the average path is not die." Jon Acuff, START
Get START NOW. "Punch fear in the face" and get started on your own journey to awesome.
See You At the START!
Start: Punch Fear in the Face, Escape Average and Do Work that Matters
One person found this helpful
Practical & funny - you'll read it more than once
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2013
I was excited to get an early copy of Start - I devoured it and highlighted the heck out of it. Now that I'm done I'm going to turn back around and read it again. There is so much wisdom and PRACTICAL application to put in motion.
The "Road to Awesome" that Jon describes involves 5 stages - Learning, Editing, Mastering, Harvesting and Guiding. These steps are the same no matter what dream you're working on and want to be awesome at - writing, starting your own business, being a mom, saving the world.
Of course his biggest point is that we all need to do one thing - START! As Jon says "The starting line is the only line you completely control." Don't worry about the finish - it's impossible to predict and may change half a dozen times by the time you get there. If you had told me 15 years ago that I'd get to travel around and speak, I would have checked your forehead for a fever. I never could have predicted this.
The book also includes a whole section at the end titled "What Now? Action Always Beats Intention" that gives very practical, tactical steps you can take. It's so great and I've started working through them already.
Julie Gumm, author "Adopt Without Debt: Creative Ways to Cover the Cost of Adoption"
2 people found this helpful
A little too much "road to awesome", but a very good read for those of us who need some direction
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2014
I'm in my late 30s, suffering over the prolonged decision to change careers. Fear causes me to remain stagnant. So, I bought this book for obvious reasons. I'll admit: there's far too much use of "the road to awesome". I think Acuff could have chosen a more varied or different delivery mechanism on that note, because it begins to annoy, or threaten to cheapen the message. Maybe I think it starts reading too guru-ish. I'm sure I'm not alone. Anyway, if you move beyond that minor annoyance - and you should - I found the material worthwhile. What he has to say about our willingness to dare differently, to take chances, to get some direction and get ourselves into the action phase is what I, and many people like me, needed to read. Does he say anything you have never heard before? Maybe not. I can say the reading of it seemed to help my brain work on the decisions I'd been suffering over for almost two years now. It helped me. I enjoyed the book. I imagine a lot of those in my shoes, sitting in indecisiveness, locked in fear, unsure of what to do will enjoy this read as much as did I, for similar reasons. This one's worth reading.
2 people found this helpful
Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2017
I’ve read multiple books on the subject of being more productive, your best self, etc. Not only does this book help give you the inspiration, it gives you a step-by-step plan to accomplish your goal. The authors real life experience back up what he is saying. I’m in my early 30’s and have seen many people who wait until it’s too late to do something that makes them happy. This is an excellent book to get your mind right!
One person found this helpful
Reviewed in the United States on June 2, 2013
The subtitle of this book caught my attention more than the actual title. Who does not want to "Punch Fear in the Face" if they are being really honest about themselves? I know that I certainly do! However, the author, Jon Acuff, argues that wherever you find yourselves in life today, if "average" is what you are and being "average" is not where you want to be, then it is never too late to "Start" to become "awesome." What happens on each page of the book is an outline of action that will walk you through the five stages that we all historically have had to pass on the road from average to awesome. The stages, Learning, Editing, Mastering, Harvesting and Guiding, were originally tide to a chronological age, but the book illustrates how they are stages we can work through no matter our current age or station in life. Shortcuts are not allowed and action always trumps intention, but do not doubt your ability to transcend an average life, if you wish, and become truly awesome. But you must "Start" or remain forever average. A great book for sure and the author liberally interjects humor and personal experience to make a very good read, a very enjoyable one as well.
One person found this helpful
Great speaker, even better author (and very funny)
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2013
I had never heard of Jon Acuff until he was featured as keynote speaker at a conference I was attending. Loved his talk, so grabbed his book at the event. Read it on the way home and became a mini fan of his message (as an entrepreneur I had already been a "quitter" so I wasn't ready to quit) but big fan of his writing style. Started reading his blog "Stuff Christians like". Fun, funny, honest musings. Then this book came out and I was anxious to get my hands on it. What a treat. His unique conversational, honest and downright humorous writing style had me laughing out loud several times along the way. That doesn't happen often with books.
His message was laid out in a unique way and was very insightful, understandable and profound. I am anxious for my son (17) to read it. As he is struggling with decisions about his future I think this will be a great guide to, practical ways to sort that out. If you actually read this Jon....big thanks for your insight, caring and mostly your great sense of humor.
One person found this helpful
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2013
Here's a link to an excerpt from Chapter 2: [...]
I've already devoured the book this is excerpted from, Start by Jon Acuff, and HIGHLY recommend it (and also Quitter). This selection gives a great picture of the overall theme of the book, which dives further into how to start, without assuming a one-fits-all approach, and strikes a great balance by avoiding a watered-down self-help style or an overly complex set of rules. Instead, Acuff taps into the simplicity of getting started and identifies great tips for avoiding common pitfalls - and how to fulfill your current roles/responsibilities all the while.
Acuff outlines a five phase approach: Learning, Editing, Mastering, Harvesting and Guiding. Each time he highlights ways in which we try to skip phases or leave one early (which leaves us flat on our face), I found myself nodding - relating to having committed many of those missteps myself.
Acuff doesn't shy away from the challenges we'll inevitably face on the road to awesome and the tensions that exist - between where we are and where we want to be, between our current roles and the path to awesome, and being realistic about our present yet wildly unrealistic about our dreams (and so much more). Start is not just another "flash in the pan" inspirational book. It's not just another "how to" self-help book. It's both, and yet more. Acuff exposes vulnerability and shares places he stumbled on the road to awesome as relatable examples of how he personally learned some of the advice he imparts, which prevents him from adopting a condescending tone. You know, from his storytelling style, that he's been (and is) right in the trenches alongside us.
In the midst of all of the great, useful content, Start is also quite funny! I found myself laughing out loud repeatedly and insisting my husband let me read him whole passages aloud. :)
If nothing else, this reminder is worth the cost of the book itself, "Regardless of your age or station in life, it all comes down to one simple truth: you just have to start." (p17)
As if that wasn't enough, Acuff also providing handy checklists in the back corresponding to the book's content AND developed [...] to support developing a greater sense of community for us to overcome our negative internal voices by acknowledging, "Me too".
Check out the article linked above if you want a preview, then go read Start in it's entirety!
2 people found this helpful
A natural follow up to Quitter
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2013
I read Quitter when it first came out. It was a life-changing book for me - helped me believe I could find a life and career that fit me better than the one I had, and also got me off the path to pursuing self-employment in a field that didn't really fit me. However, I have to say, it's been a tough couple years, and I keep having to fight the urge to give up hope every few months or so.
Then "Start" came along. I honestly believe this is the more mature version of "Quitter". The ideas are more refined, more practical and more specific. It got me off my butt and pushing back in the right direction again. Thank you, Jon, for continuing to interact with people who hope to follow in your footsteps down the road to their own expression of Awesome.
One person found this helpful
Amazing book! No, I'm not exaggerating...
Reviewed in the United States on November 24, 2013
I just finished reading this book and it was amazing. The things Jon writes about I can completely relate to. I've been paralyzed by fear of failure and the thought that everyone else knows exactly what their life is supposed to look like and I'm the only one that doesn't. I'm paraphrasing so I don't give away his way of writing it because it's perfectly phrased. I couldn't say enough good things about this book, but I started recommending it to friends and strangers before I was half way through it and will continue to now that I've finished it.
This book is worth every dollar unless you've already got your life figured out to the end. If you've got it all together, you don't need this book (well, you do, but you won't recognize it, so that's ok).
Please, do yourself a favor and buy this book!
One person found this helpful
Thank you Jon, for inspiring, entertaining and educating me through the pages of this book!
Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2016
I loved, loved, loved this book! I enjoyed Jon's writing style and his comparisons throughout the book. He taught me through his transparency and his willingness to share so much of himself while inspiring me to finish my first book and get my website finished. I know I have material that can and will inspire others if I just START! Thank you Jon for sharing your skills and talents with us! I read it on Kindle. Now I need a paperback copy to re-read and highlight so many things! Cheryl Teare from [...]
One person found this helpful
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2020
Starting reading the book as part of a recommendation by radio personality and financial advisor Dave Ramsey. This particular book has given me hope. I have kept this particular book as a resource.
Dissecting fear into chewable bites and doable actions to nourish you!
Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2014
Many thanks to Jon Acuff for producing a thoughtful but easily digestible book on overcoming "fear" to bring out the inner awesome that we all possess.
I recommend this book for anyone who may have become overwhelmed by the false enormities of life, or who may be paralyzed by the apparent speed by which life is seemingly moving away from you. Truth is- life is moving at just the right speed to achieve your dreams. This book helped to focus my lens on the work and dreams that are important to me. I have multiple advanced degrees and have improved countless lives around me, but still benefited from the practical wisdom of this book.
This book used a combination of sources, humor, faith, and pragmatic philosophy. It is not overly "preachy" or dumbed-down. To twist a Nike advertising phrase- "This book works if you do!"
One person found this helpful
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2016
Jon Acuff is a brilliant writer and speaker and I have enjoyed everything I have read from him thus far. In this book he discusses the idea of starting something, really anything. If you are looking to start a new business, job, or lifestyle this is the book for you! Other great books to continue on your success journey include:
Quitter: Closing the Gap Between Your Day Job & Your Dream Job
Do Over: Rescue Monday, Reinvent Your Work, and Never Get Stuck
One person found this helpful
This book was great validation. It's like you kind of already know ...
Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2017
This book was great validation. It's like you kind of already know this, but the way Acuff says it, really solidifies the information so you can act on it. It is also very funny. You can really see his personality in the book. I am grateful to have read this book. It helped me to remember I am not crazy, I'm just not average. Or maybe thats why we use the word crazy and awesome together. Now we have the freedom to be "crazy awesome". Lol.
One person found this helpful
It's time to punch fear in the face and be awesome
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2013
Every story has a beginning. Your life's story started the day you were born. And since that day you've been dreaming. You've been asleep for most dreams over the years, but I'm guessing there is a deep-rooted dream nagging at your heart.
A dream of making a mark. A dream of leaving a legacy. A dream of exchanging average for awesome.
People who stand out as your heroes are awesome. They are writers, athletes, musicians, activists, pastors, leaders, patriots and teachers.
A key difference between a dreamer and a hero is action. A dreamer who only dreams is average. A hero takes a dream and dares to be awesome.
But first, one has to START.
In his new book, START, author and public speaker Jon Acuff shares the 5 stages on the road to awesome.
Learning
Editing
Mastering
Harvesting
Guiding
The way the world used to be working through each stage would take a decade or two. But the old framework is failing. In Acuff's words, "Awesome is available like never before."
The advent of social media, limitless reach of the internet and changing landscape of the global economy has broken down barriers to entry.
You would never consider waiting 10 or 20 years to get involved in charity work, launch a conference, write a book or release a CD. No. Instead you'd jump on Kickstarter and have your project funded in no time.
From redefining our approach to purpose to challenging the internal fears, START is chock full of wisdom and practical guidance.
AVERAGE IS EASY, SAFE AND COMFORTABLE.
AWESOME IS ADVENTUROUS AND MEMORABLE.
Reading through START I highlighted over 4,000 words.
One concept from START that I have to remind myself of daily is this: Don't compare your middle to someone else's end.
I've started down the path to author and public speaker. It is tempting for me to be discouraged by Jon's success. By the awesome he has achieved so far. But he started earlier. He has worked harder. Sometimes I feel like Jon, just five years behind.
START helped me get over this. It gave me a double shot of hope and a kick in the pants. Jon's version of awesome isn't mine. I have my own dreams, my own starting line.
What say you? Are you ready to START?
As the back cover of the book says:
Retirement is dead.
Hope is boss.
Anyone can play.
Come on. You know you want to.
Punch fear in the face. Escape average. Do work that matters.
START.
7 people found this helpful
Have you ever done that before? No, but I'm about to...
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2013
Jon Acuff's new book Start is a great follow up to his previous bestseller - Quitter. In Quitter, he helped guide you through the process of closing the gap between your day job and your dream job.
The problem with this is that changing course in your life can be a scary prospect, particularly if it involves starting something new - hence this new book, Start.
This time, Jon guides you through the process of Starting, so that you'll escape average and have an awesome life instead. These aren't empty words spoken by someone selling snake oil though - he knows what he's talking about having gone through the process himself and by observing first hand how people like Dave Ramsey have done the same thing.
The last part of the book (about 15% of it based on what my Kindle says) also gives many clear, practical steps that you can take to get started, so it's not full of simple fluffy platitudes like many other motivational books.
Here's a bit more about the book though...
Five Stages Of Awesome
Jon explains that there are five stages that you need to go through when starting on a new path to success:
* Learning
* Editing
* Mastering
* Harvesting
* Guiding
I won't go in depth here as to what they're about - you'll need to buy the book for that! Here are a few of the concepts that jumped out at me though:
1. Be Brutal But Wild
When making plans for the future and starting something new, Jon advises that:
'You have to be brutally realistic about your present circumstances and wildly unrealistic about your future circumstances.'
When making plans for awesomeness, a common trap is that we're wildly unrealistic about our present too. We have a great plan for a new business, but ignore some of the present logistical details that subsequently throw a spanner in the works. Or you're tired of your current job and quit, only to find out that there's no one else hiring, meaning you can't pay your bills.
That's not to say that you have to be a pessimist - as he suggests, you should be wildly unrealistic about the future and thereby aim high and dream big. Just don't fail because you didn't think through your present reality.
2. It's Not About The Money, Money, Money
Something that can motivate us to start something new is money. Although this can be a very real benefit, Jon points out that there is a danger:
'There are a million things that will make you money but leave you miserable. That's not awesome.'
Don't leave an otherwise perfect job that you love simply for an enlarged paycheck. Don't pursue a high-paying career if it means you'll miss your kids growing up.
3. Getting Over Ourselves
The thing I liked most about the book is that it comprehensively goes about destroying the biggest barrier to starting - ourselves.
Page after page, Jon takes every excuse and lie that our fear tells us and shines a light on it, proving it to be just a bunch of ridiculousness.
But I'm too old
But I'm too young
But I don't have enough time
But I don't know where to start
But I've never done that before
Jon proceeds to give our fear a kick up the But by showing that none of that is true. In fact, his Dad has a great outlook on this:
'Here is how my Dad (and now I) answer when life asks us the question, "Have you ever done that before?"
"No, but I'm about to."'
I love that!
Have you ever started a blog? No, but I'm about to.
Have you ever traveled overseas by yourself? No, but I'm about to.
Have you ever set up a business selling handmade items on Etsy? No, but I'm about to.
Conclusion
Get this book and get Started!
One person found this helpful
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2014
I think this is one of the most important books a person can read if they feel stuck, unmotivated, lost, or possibly defeated by the world around them. I read the book because I am very interested in ways people can self-motivate in order to get stuff done. I bought this book knowing Jon Acuff's writing style is easy, entertaining, and thought provoking. This book did not disappoint.
I don't believe anyone can read this book and not feel the desire to live an awesome life - however they define it for them!
Great job Jon!
Brandi J Roberts
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2021
I enjoyed learning about Jon’s life experiences an the importance of doing things that I am called to do despite the fear of making mistakes. Worth reading.
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2015
While much of the information is taken from decades of self-help books and tapes, it doesn't necessarily make it wrong. John Acuff presents the concept of pursuing AWESOME in a gritty, realistic environment. His humble wisdom shows you how to access dreams that have faded beneath the bruising of life's experiences and reconnect with what may have been your true purpose in life. I highly recommend a thorough reading of this book with a notebook and freshly sharpened pencil in hand.
This is where you need to "Start"
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2013
Looking for a kick in the butt?
Looking to find a way to do what you were made to do?
It's time to "Start."
This is the third book I have read by Jon Acuff and although all of his books have been great, this one is his best.
Just like the title suggests, "Start" will help you punch fear in the face, escape average, and do work that matters. This is just an instruction manual on how to start, it's more important than that.
"Start" straddles the line from supporting you to pushing you out the door to help you be something great.
Life is too short to settle for average. Be awesome. You don't have to know how it's going to end. You just have to start.
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2015
Hilariously enough, I did not finish this book. But I loved what I read! I am a serial book starter, and not a much of a finisher. I will have to pick this back up and START from the beginning and finish this time! Love the recommendations as you go to journal about it. Very helpful.
2 people found this helpful
It's time to Escape Average, Punch Fear in the Face, Do Work that Matters
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2013
Average is easy. Anybody can be average. Average is familiar. It takes work and courage to be Awesome.
Jon Acuff has written another great book. It challenges the status quo and encourages us all to strive to do work that matters and to chase our dreams. This isn't just some fluff book that says, "Everybody can be awesome," but doesn't give any instructions on how to be awesome. There is actually a section at the end of the book that contains actions steps that go hand in hand with each chapter of the book. The reader is challenged to Start where they are at and pursue their dreams through hard work and perseverance.
A great book that I would highly recommend to anybody who is ready to be awesome, ready to punch fear in the face, and ready to do work that matters.
One person found this helpful
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2021
Jon takes us through staying in it and facing our fears. You just need to get through the hardest part. Starting....
Great book that will help you to get started.
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2013
If you are tired of the average and have a hard time getting traction on your ideas or dreams, then you need to pick this book up and start reading it today. Jon does a great job of laying out a map that you can follow to make awesome a reality for you. Jon wants to help you to get unstuck because he was stuck in average for a very long time. He shares his journey in the hopes that you can avoid the mistakes that he made along the way. He also has great insight into how to find victory over the fears that you may have about starting to pursue your dreams.
This book has just landed on my frequent reads shelf and I am sure I will be picking it up again soon.
One person found this helpful