Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with their song still in them. –Henry David Thoreau
Life is a journey that can never be defined by odds. We—not others—choose how we live our lives. If we decide to believe in ourselves, then nothing can diminish our potential.
Chris Guillebeau’s new book, The Art of Non-Conformity, ingeniously presents a different way to live your life, a life that you wholeheartedly desire based upon your own rules. While I tend to shy away from books with such lofty goals (i.e., read me and change your entire life!), I knew this book would be different due to Chris’ real-life experience, truly walking the talk and sharing his journey (the ups and downs, with life lessons always learned) with full transparency on his blog.
Before I continue, I must reveal that I hesitated writing about The Art of Non-Conformity. With so many people singing its praises within the blogosphere, I didn’t want to seem disingenuous. But I never write about other books so a desire to write about this one in particular has to mean something, right?!
AONC in 140 characters:
Empowering readers to let go of labels and expectations, to embrace the unknown, and to begin to transform “someday” into “today.”
AONC in more than 140 characters:
The Communicatrix says it best:
From the beginning, where he establishes the likely mindset that indicates readiness to explore an unconventional life/style through the end, where he wraps up with a sensible warning that everything he’s gotten you fired up about is always fiery at a cost (and, like its rewards, an unending one), Chris slowly conditions your brain for the thrilling, difficult work ahead. The book is generous, it’s unrelenting, it’s highly specific in its instructions and it’s thoroughly, impeccably earnest.
If I’m making AONC sound just a bit overwhelming, that’s because it’s very possible that it is—at least, to someone who’s not in the place to hear or use it. That’s fine. As Chris himself says at the outset, this book assumes four critical prerequisites (numerals mine):
- You Must Be Open to New Ideas
- You Must Be Dissatisfied with the Status Quo
- You Must Be Willing to Take Personal Responsibility
- You Must Be Willing to Work Hard
One of my favorite sections is entitled: Smashing Through the Brick Wall of Fear. In this section, Chris outlines seven highly personal things that he was afraid of at the time of writing. I plan on sharing my personal fear list in an upcoming post.
The Silver Lining (the little details that did not go unnoticed):
- Quote Selection and Placement: Chris could compile the quotes selected for this book and sell them as a completely separate book. They are brilliant and placed not only in the beginning of each section, but in the sidebars with the themes aligned with the content. As a writer, this is TEDIOUS to do and quality is almost always sacrificed. Not here.
- Personalization of all the common book standards (ex. “extraordinary praise” rather than “praise” or “advanced praise”; “gratitude” rather than “acknowledgments”), using Chris’ language to replace the normal stock copy that is placed in books that as a reader you never notice, until of course, it changes.
- Summaries at the end of each section entitled, “Remember This” that are truly remarkable.
- An online emporium of resources and additional content that allow the book to evolve beyond its pages.
The Take-Home Message:
If you’re ready for a new perspective that will steer you towards creating inner harmony, The Art of Non-Conformity will help you prepare to play a bigger game, translate knowledge into action and action into change, and of course set you up for world-domination!
Need to Start Reading NOW?!
Well of course you do! Leave a comment below for a chance to receive one of two copies that will be given away on A Beautiful Ripple Effect!
–> Comments open for the giveaway until Sunday November 14th at 5:00 PM EST. The recipients will be announced on A Beautiful Ripple Effect on Monday November 15th!
* I received this book from Chris prior to release. However, I only decided to review it after spending an entire day devouring each section (canceling all appointments and emailing Chris to let him know that he owed me an apology** for “ruining” my schedule!).
** For the record, Chris apologized.
UPDATED WITH WINNER (Sun 1. 29.2012 @ 3:00 PM EST)!! 
GIVEAWAY RECIPIENT: 
UPDATE (July 21, 2011 – 5:25 PM EST): GIVEAWAY RECIPIENT
