Drop: Making Great Decisions - Book Review

Title: Drop: Making Great Decisions; Use Neuroscience to Retrain Your Brain and Make Better Life Choices

Author: Dr. Helen McKibben

Publisher: Feelings Management Press

Publication Date: May 14, 2024

Length: 167 Pages

About the Author
Dr. Helen McKibben's approach to counseling combines the study of the body, the brain, and the connection between them. She created the technique of dropping to the blank screen because she saw two significant, recurring needs in her clients: First, to learn how to manage triggered feelings, and second, to understand why her clients felt the way they did. Dr. McKibben has a doctorate degree in psychology and thirty-five years of clinical work.

New Definition of Self-Esteem
Traditionally, self-esteem has been defined as whether a person likes himself or not. However, Dr. McKibben defines self-esteem as the ability to listen to one's first instinctual thought, feeling, or idea and make independent decisions. High self-esteem allows you to look inward for guidance rather than relying on others to shape your thoughts, feelings, and actions.

This book demonstrates how to use the "Drop to the blank screen" method to pause and respond with how you feel, what you observe, or what you want to do, instead of deferring to others. Developing high self-esteem can transform how you see yourself and how others interact with you. With insights into how self-esteem affects all our decisions, this book offers a comprehensive guide to making better choices in life.

My Thoughts
This book provides a great deal of insight into the importance of self-esteem in our decision-making process. The author provides detailed information on how to "Drop to the blank screen" in the following situations:

• Improve sleep
• Increase self-confidence
• Become a more effective parent
• Enhance athletic performance
• Attract healthier friends and partners
• Heal addictions
• Handle disruptive people

Dropping to the blank screen is more than a simple relaxation or meditation technique. Dr. McKibben teaches us how to respond to people thoughtfully instead of just reacting.  By using memory retrieval and decision-making, the method aims to convert emotions into responses based on high self-esteem and the ability to lead a fulfilling life. 

I have already started using this technique in communication with family members and friends. IT WORKS!!! There are many parts of the book that I will reread and study to use the method most effectively. 

UPDATE: I purchased the audiobook edition of this book on Audible. Dr.McKibben does an excellent job narrating the book and explaining the "Drop" technique. The interviews with clients really come alive in the audiobook. I have been gradually learning this technique and it is making a difference in the way I communicate with others. 

My Rating: 5 Stars Out of 5

FYI - Thank you to Stephanie Barko, the author's publicist, for sending me an Advanced Reading Copy to review.

Book Review: A Letter To Evan by Roy Page

A Letter to Evan: An Average Dad's Journey of Discovery and Discernment Through Divorce

Author: Roy Page and Sarah Horton

Publisher: Lucid Books

Date: April 13, 2013





About the Author
Roy Page is CEO of Third Degree Advertising. His broad range of professional expertise includes brand development, strategic marketing, market analysis, and improving organizational success through effective communication. This is his first book.

Divorce Changes Everything
Roy Page was living a fairytale life. He had been married for almost 20 years to a woman he loved. He was blessed with two wonderful children, a successful business and financial status he never thought he could achieve.

Within two years, his father developed Alzheimer's Disease, his marriage failed and his business began to change and erode.

During this difficult time, Roy wrote his son a series of letters sharing his feelings, concerns and faith. He wrote about the difficult adjustments that everyone in his family had to make. Most importantly, he emphasized his love for his children and his desire to be the best father he could be.

My Thoughts
Men tend to keep their feelings bottled up. They like to be in control and don't want to admit they have problems dealing with life situations. Mr. Page did an excellent job describing his difficulties and explaining how he dealt with them.

The first priority in his life was to be a good father to his children. He shared how his Christian faith helped him move forward. He dealt with the guilt and sadness of being separated from his children and the fear that he would no longer have a close bond with them.

This book will inspire and motivate families in similar situations. Mr. Page has used these bad circumstances to grow and become a better father. He understands that the children's well-being should come before the parent's agendas.

This is truly a story of discovery and discernment. Recommended to all who are dealing with divorce and the problems that come with it.

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received a complimentary paperback copy of this book from B & B Media Group.

Kindle Books for Kids: Shoes...Are You My Mate?

Shoes...Are You My Mate?

Authors: Camille Brown and Jennifer Moran
Illustrator: Nurbanu Asena

Publisher: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Date: December 22, 2012



The Right Mate
Most people need a PAIR of shoes...one for the left foot and one for the right foot.

What if your shoes did not like each other? What if they were always bickering and fighting with each other?

This is the story of two soccer shoes that do not get along. Lefty is a very daring player on the soccer field and he loves to win. Dex is a team player and likes to see tie games because no one loses. They are complete opposites.

One night, Lefty decides to run away to look for a new mate. He meets many different shoes but none of them want to be his mate because they are not soccer shoes. They have no interest in soccer or playing games.

Lefty hears about a shoe down at the practice field who might be looking for a new mate.  Viper is a green snaky-looking shoe who believes winning is the ONLY thing and he will do ANYTHING to win.

Lefty finds himself in a very dangerous situation and is very surprised to see his old mate Dex coming to his rescue!

My Thoughts
This is a very entertaining story that will teach children lessons about friendship, sportsmanship and loyalty.

The dynamic color illustrations are perfect for this story and add real value to the text. Children will love the expressions on the faces of the characters in this story.

There is just enough adventure and suspense in this book to keep children's attention to the very end. Highly recommended as a read-aloud or for silent reading. An excellent selection for children of all ages!

My Rating: 5 Stars Out Of 5

FYI ~ I received a complimentary digital copy of this book to read and review from the authors.

Special Note From The Authors ~ We've scheduled a free promotion on Kindle Jan 19-21, 2013.

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