Simplify. Ten Practices
to Unclutter Your Soul, by Bill Hybels (Tyndale Momentum, 2014) is too
complicated to have a title like Simplify. This seems to be a case of the cure is worse
than the disease. Too many chapters with too many subheadings, followed by
action steps which in themselves require you to clutter.
I’m torn as I write this: much of the information that
Hybels presents is logical and sound advice. He addresses the issues that
frustrate so many of us, but in offering so much advice and so many options, he
defeats his purpose for writing the book: to offer a simple way to simplify. Even
tackling one of the 10 issues he addresses would require a massive effort for
someone who is already feeling like they are sinking. And there are ten areas
of our lives where Hybels suggests we can or should change.
There is a lot of good stuff in this book, His “Five Beliefs
of Financial Reconciliation” are worthy of a book by themselves.
But I just couldn't get past the place where I was feeling
that when I’m ‘depleted’ that I wouldn't have the energy to even begin some of
the steps that Hybels recommends as a part of the replenishing process. And
when things are going well, that is, the sense of depletion isn't weighing me
down with every step, then it probably isn't going to seem feasible or necessary
to jump through the hoops.
I liked the idea of having a ‘life verse’ and thought it was
a good idea to include some possible, along with some tips on how to pick one
for yourself. There were a few references to his verse throughout the book, but
not enough to warrant the beginning of Appendix A: “I hope by now I have
convinced you…”
Although much of the information in this book could be
useful for a particular circumstance, overall I was disappointed with the book.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in
exchange for a review. I was no required to write a positive review and the opinions
expressed are my own.
3/5
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