[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.5.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.5.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.5.1″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.5.1″ _module_preset=”default”]Welcome to the second blog in my Leadership Learning series. This month, my book review is of the incredibly inciteful and thought-provoking book that is Untamed, by Glennon Doyle.
Written from an autobiographical perspective, Untamed pivots around one moment in Doyle’s life which made her realise, among the noise and distraction of day-to-day life, that she needed to be true to her own self.
Having focused on authenticity a lot over the past weeks, this seemed to me to be the obvious choice to come next in this series. Untamed is subtitled ‘stop pleasing, start living’ and is unashamedly dogged in its message to us to shrug off what we believe we ‘should’ do, think or feel. It’s also a little like a manual on how to do that.
As readers, we follow the author through her own life and learnings while, at the same time, being given permission to ask ourselves searching questions which could lead to us becoming uncaged, to realising our true, inner ‘wild’ self and living a more rewarding life as a result.
Many self-help or mindfulness books have a watershed moment. The point at which the author shares the secret sauce or the magic instruction and everything falls into place. One of the most remarkable things about Untamed is that it is full of watershed moments. Getting actual goose bumps or suddenly finding yourself staring into space while exploring your mind are regular experiences as you read this book. Doyle takes you on such a raw and honest account of her life that you can’t help but learn her lessons with her.
From the main moment – her first sighting of her future wife, Abby Wambach, and the knowledge (and uncontrolled public assertion) that this was the one – to her explanation of how to ‘Be Still And Know’, through the lessons she learns in raising her children, and her mantra that we can be ‘held and free’, this book questions the beliefs that we inherit or with which we are nurtured and asks us to have the strength and authenticity to question them rather than conform.
For women particularly, words such as ‘should’, ‘could’ or ‘good’ damage peace of mind and mental health. We feel trapped by what we perceive society thinks or wants of us and yet we are the only people who can untame ourselves. It is us that can uncage our inner, wild self if we have the strength and understanding to do so.
Anyone who runs a business or is a parent, spouse or partner – or any combination of any number of these things – will know the struggle to create the right work-life balance is real. But the concept of a work-life balance is also an expectation, a kind of cage of its own. If we are able to liberate ourselves from this, and other expectations and beliefs which do not serve us, we will be stronger emotionally, physically and spiritually.
As the back cover asks, somewhat innocently “Who were you before the world told you who to be?” Now’s the time to find out.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https://mindvaluesleadership.co.uk/resources/untamed-glennon-doyle/” button_text=”To order your copy” _builder_version=”4.5.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_bg_color=”#951b81″][/et_pb_button][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]