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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Help Me! summary
Marianne Power
One Woman's Quest to Find Out If Self-Help Really Can Change Her Life
28 mins
Brief summary
'Help Me!' by Marianne Power is a memoir/self-help book that chronicles the author's journey of trying one self-help book per month for a year. Power's experiences are relatable, funny, and heartfelt, making this a compelling and insightful read.
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Help Me!
Summary of 11 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 11
A nasty hangover kicked off Marianne’s quest for perfection.
Can you think back to moments that made you reevaluate a situation and gave you just the push you needed to make a change? Maybe an unreasonable request from your boss helped you finally quit a job you hated? Or a chance meeting inspired you to move and start a new chapter in your life?
We all come to turning points like these. For Marianne, it was a painful Sunday morning after a night of drinking.
The key message here is: A nasty hangover kicked off Marianne’s quest for perfection.
While she grappled with a pounding headache and a queasy stomach, anxiety and feelings of failure took center stage. Even though she felt fortunate to be making a good living as a freelance writer in London, the 36-year-old was unhappy.
Marianne’s friends and peers seemed to be moving forward in life. They were getting married, starting families, and buying houses. But without a partner, a house to her name, or a plan for the future, Marianne felt stuck in a rut.
And it wasn’t the first time.
More than 10 years before, Marianne had been miserable in her job. So she’d turned to a self-help book for guidance. The book surprised her. It gave her the confidence to leave her job and jumpstart her journalism career. After that, Marianne was hooked on self-help. She read any and every book that promised more money, the love of her life, and career success.
Except none of those things materialized. Despite all the self-help she devoured, Marianne’s finances never improved. Her dream man was nowhere to be seen. Sure, she had a successful career, but this was all down to a work ethic driven by fear.
Then, on that hungover Sunday, Marianne had not one, but two, lightbulb moments.
First, she realized that all the time she’d been reading self-help books, she’d never acted on the advice they gave her. This, she thought, was why her life hadn’t changed. Then the second lightbulb went on: if she started doing self-help instead of simply reading it, then she wouldn’t be unhappy. Far from it – she’d be perfect!
And so Marianne decided to read one self-help book a month for a year and implement everything she learned.
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What is Help Me! about?
Help Me! (2018) is a record of one woman’s mission to fix her life through self-help books, from the day she finally said “enough” to the thrilling highs and abysmal lows. These blinks share the money, life, and relationship lessons she uncovered – and how they impacted her.
Help Me! Review
Help Me! (2018) is a humorous and relatable memoir where Marianne Power embarks on a year-long quest to improve her life by following various self-help books. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With refreshing honesty, Power shares her triumphs and failures, allowing readers to laugh, cringe, and learn from her experiences.
- Through her engaging storytelling, she explores common self-help themes like love, money, and confidence, making it relatable to a wide audience.
- By examining the human desire for self-improvement and our constant search for happiness, Power provides insightful reflections on modern life.
Best quote from Help Me!
It felt good to become much clearer on what I really did want.
—Marianne Power
Who should read Help Me!?
- People interested in personal development
- Self-help enthusiasts
- Anyone who enjoyed Bridget Jones’s Diary
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Help Me! FAQs
What is the main message of Help Me!?
The main message of Help Me! is the power of self-help books and their impact on personal transformation.
How long does it take to read Help Me!?
The reading time for Help Me! varies depending on the reader's speed, but it typically takes several hours. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Help Me! a good book? Is it worth reading?
Help Me! is a valuable read for anyone interested in self-help literature. It offers a relatable journey of self-discovery and growth.
Who is the author of Help Me!?
The author of Help Me! is Marianne Power.
What to read after Help Me!?
If you're wondering what to read next after Help Me!, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Real Self-Care by Pooja Lakshmin
- The Negativity Fast by Anthony Iannarino
- Life Is in the Transitions by Bruce Feiler
- Discipline Is Destiny by Ryan Holiday
- Self-Help That Works by John C. Norcross et al.
- The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
- How to Enjoy Your Life and Your Job by Dale Carnegie
- Unstoppable by Maria Sharapova
- If You’re So Smart, Why Aren’t you Happy? by Raj Raghunathan
- Super Attractor by Gabrielle Bernstein