What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid?

What a new take on personal development.
I quoted this book several times this weekend and cant wait for others to get to dive into this philosphy.
The combining of Judaism and anxiety are a fresh take on an old problem.
Highly recommend for some fresh feedback.

I will confess that sometimes I actively seek an advanced review copy (Arc/Galley) with minimal expectations. I may look at the cover. I may read about the author. It may simply be the description of the book that makes me think "This sounds interesting."

This was the case with Michal Oshman's "What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid?," a book that weaves together religion/spirituality, self-help, leadership skills, and more into a book that merely piqued my curiosity initially but ended up full-on immersing me in a world that now has me going down the internet's rabbit hole to learn even more about these ideas, concepts, and teachings that Oshman embraces and writes so beautifully about.

"What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid?" has turned out to be the book I didn't realize I needed. It has turned out to be the book my soul needed at a time personally and professionally when I'm sensing some major life shifts and trying to make sense of it all. I began the book early today, a Sunday, not long after attending my usual morning worship service. While I'd planned to read today, I hadn't intended to both begin and finish a book. However, once I began reading "What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid?" I simply didn't want to stop.

So, I didn't.

Oshman is the Head of Culture at TikTok Europe, a position she recently transitioned into after several years in Team & Leadership Development at Facebook.

If you are already thinking to yourself "The last thing I need is another stuffy, privileged business leadership book," I practically beg you to think again. For years, Oshman has been a mentor for leaders in top global companies. With this book, she expands upon her unique personal growth methodology based upon the life-changing principles of Jewish wisdom. She draws upon her own heritage and a wide range of Chassidut, or Jewish teachings, to offer practical advice for common concerns ranging from getting the most out of one's career to overcoming setbacks to parenting, to healing from a broken heart and more.

Oshman writes both intelligently and with warmth and compassion throughout "What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid?" She empowers yet also feels as if she's standing by your side and holding space for the journey you are about to embark on. There's a realistic yet unwavering optimism throughout the book that reinforces the idea that each of us has a purpose and a soul reaching for the light. It's a matter of finding that light and living into it. We already have all the ingredients needed to lead a joyous life.

Oshman beautifully balances her experiences in the corporate world with the highly applicable world of Jewish wisdom. Each chapter is based upon a key principle and each chapter has beautifully illustrations, contemplation points, and absolutely vital and revealing questions.

Oshman herself is quite revealing here and openly discusses her own journey points ranging from dealing with anxiety to growing up in a home where death was always nearby and all the way through universal experiences like a relationship's end, a job change, parental insecurities, and more. Oshman writes matter-of-factly, yet her words are accessible and the book provides definitions for those Jewish terms that may be unfamiliar. Familiarity with Judaism is not required to fully embrace and gain from this incredibly valuable book.

Even the title, "What What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid?," is so incredibly simple yet beautiful that even thinking about it sends me into reflection and prayer. This is a book I will undoubtedly refer to time and again, a book that provides the tools to move past the fears that may be holding us back personally and professionally and a book with such a richness of humanity and heart and even humor that these teachings will plant themselves inside you and you'll actively seek to learn more while also admiring Oshman's ability to communicate all of this so wonderfully.

From observing Shabbat faithfully to giving regularly of her and her family's time to a myriad of other ways in which the author illustrates her own continued practice of these principles, Oshman has crafted a wonderfully insightful and applicable resource guiding us toward a journey of meaning and purpose.

Destined to be one of my favorite books of 2021, "What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid?" is a book you may not realize you need but you'll be oh so glad you discovered it.

This book was received as an ARC from DK in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I learned so much from Michal than I have learned from anybody else. The language she used and the tone she picked to write this book was perfect not only for understanding purposes but for motivating purposes. Learning the background of Michal and all that she went through in her career made her more admirable than ever. I am all about female empowerment and not being afraid to stand up to your potential and Michal definitely expresses her views in an empowering tone that is sure to get everyone up and moving to achieve your dreams. A lot of things have been holding me back because of fear and now after reading Michal's book, I am taking a different approach to achieving my goals by telling myself that I am worth it, first thing when I wake up in the morning. This book will be perfect for those who are struggling with their future or just plain living their life.

We will consider adding this title to our Self Help collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

This book takes an empathetic approach and gives bite size approaches and allows you to have kindness and patience with yourself when dealing with life. This is so necessary for everyone to read in life. Highly recommend. Especially loved the reflection to true life to humanize my feelings and relate. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

To be honest, this was much more interesting than I thought it would be. Usually self-help books like this, with a spiritual take, are either beyond my comprehension or written by someone who doesn't really know what they're talking about in any kind of depth. This book avoids both those pitfalls. I felt like I was growing as a person by reading this, and it gave me a lot to ponder.