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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Didn't See That Coming summary
Rachel Hollis
Putting Life Back Together When Your World Falls Apart
23 mins
Brief summary
Didn't See That Coming by Rachel Hollis is a self-help book that empowers readers to overcome adversity and grow through life's unexpected challenges. Hollis offers practical tools and personal anecdotes to help readers navigate difficult times, cultivate resilience, and find growth and purpose in the midst of struggle.
Table of Contents
Didn't See That Coming
Summary of 8 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 8
Claiming your authentic identity can help you endure crises.
Experiencing a crisis is like finding yourself on another planet after traveling through space at the speed of light. Your body is on the new planet, but your brain hasn’t caught up yet. You’re still acting and thinking like on Earth.
In the wake of a crisis, you notice some changes immediately. When a loved one dies, you notice she’s gone. When your marriage breaks up, you notice that you’re sleeping alone. But these traumatic events also challenge your identity – and, often, you won’t notice or come to terms with that right away.
The key message here is: Claiming your authentic identity can help you endure crises.
Life can sometimes leave you reeling, with your sense of self shaken to its core. Let’s take a look at three ways a crisis can shift your identity, and how to deal with each.
The first kind of identity crisis is the feeling that your identity has been taken from you. If you’ve been widowed, for example, you may feel that you’ve lost your identity as a spouse. You wonder, Who am I now? But the reality is that you’re still an amazing spouse. You earned that identity, and no crisis can take that away.
The second identity crisis is the one in which the identity you long for is denied to you. You might desperately want to be a mother, but infertility cruelly prevents you from being one. In this instance, you might need to ask yourself, Am I overly attached to how I’m going to achieve this identity? There are many ways to become a mother – or an entrepreneur, or whatever else you’d like to be. You don’t need to let go of the identity you dream of; rather, you need to be flexible about how you’re going to achieve it.
A third identity crisis occurs when you cling to an identity you thought you wanted, but which no longer serves you. You might have built your life around being a high-flying lawyer, but when you make partner, you feel empty. This is when it’s time to reassess your priorities. If you’re truthful with yourself about your real identity, you might find you want something else, like a more creative job, or a flexible role that lets you spend time with family.
Most importantly, you – and only you – are in charge of defining your own identity. And honest self-reflection will be key to your success.
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What is Didn't See That Coming about?
Didn’t See That Coming (2020) is a handbook filled with real-world strategies for coping with pain, tragedy, loss, and betrayal, based on author Rachel Hollis’s own experiences. Without ever sugarcoating the devastating effects of grief and trauma, it offers a blueprint for living with pain without letting it define you, and reaching for your best life even after the worst has happened.
Didn't See That Coming Review
Didn't See That Coming (2020) by Rachel Hollis is a book that explores unexpected life challenges and provides practical ways to navigate through them. Here's why we believe this book is worth reading:
- Hollis offers insightful advice on how to cope with unexpected events, helping readers to find resilience and strength in difficult times.
- The book is a source of empowerment, encouraging readers to embrace change and grow from adversity, ultimately leading to personal transformation.
- With her honest and relatable stories, Hollis creates a sense of connection, reminding readers that they are not alone in their struggles and that there is hope for a brighter future.
Who should read Didn't See That Coming?
- Anyone whose life has been shaken by a crisis
- Friends or family trying to support a loved one through trauma
- Everyone trying to come to terms with a difficult past
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Didn't See That Coming FAQs
What is the main message of Didn't See That Coming?
The main message of Didn't See That Coming is finding resilience and healing after life's unexpected challenges.
How long does it take to read Didn't See That Coming?
The reading time for Didn't See That Coming varies depending on the reader's speed. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Didn't See That Coming a good book? Is it worth reading?
Didn't See That Coming is a valuable read for anyone facing unexpected challenges. It provides insights and strategies for personal growth and resilience.
Who is the author of Didn't See That Coming?
The author of Didn't See That Coming is Rachel Hollis.
What to read after Didn't See That Coming?
If you're wondering what to read next after Didn't See That Coming, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- It's OK That You're Not OK by Megan Devine
- Emotional First Aid by Guy Winch
- Bittersweet by Susan Cain
- The Discomfort Zone by Farrah Storr
- Life Is in the Transitions by Bruce Feiler
- Rejection Proof by Jia Jiang
- Millionaire Success Habits by Dean Graziosi
- Mindset by Carol Dweck
- Welcoming the Unwelcome by Pema Chödrön
- Hidden Potential by Adam Grant