Don’t Ask Stupid Questions? the review

Tim Brownson, the mastermind behind The Discomfort Zone was kind enough to give me a copy of his e-book, Don’t Ask Stupid Questions? There Are No Stupid Questions.  (see links on sidebar to visit his blog!!!)The only condition was that I review it.  I love Tim and his blog work, so I was not surprised when I sat down with the book. Here is my semi-formal book review.

Don’t Ask Stupid Questions? There Are No Stupid Questions is not exactly the title I would have chosen for Tim Brownson’s book, but I am not him and I didn’t write it, so meh.  The book consists of 41 short chapters about what he does, coaching for life.  He covers everything from turning off your cell phone to learning from mistakes, and one of my favorites; your best is always good enough. 

            Each chapter starts with a quote, some from Ralph Waldo Emerson, Buddha, and even Lucille Ball.  At the end of each chapter Tim asks you a question.  One that he really wants you to sit and think about, and come up with an answer.  I almost feel he is cheating himself out of the coaching business by writing this book so thoroughly. 

            In chapter 2, Tim talks about self preservation and the safety procedure on aircraft where you put on your own oxygen mask before tending to anyone else.  “By giving away all your resources you soon cease to be a help to those that matter to you or depend on you and you become a liability.”  The whole book is peppered with wonderful little thought shattering ideas like this.  He puts things into perspective very nicely.  He also has a way of making you feel ridiculous about the way you treat yourself. 

            Another one of my favorite points he brings up in Chapter 10: Do You Get It? “I must point out at this stage that taking responsibility never means beating yourself up.” In that chapter he talks about the people who get it, and those who don’t.  “…if they hate their job they can always leave and that if the dog poops on the carpet it’s their own fault for leaving it alone for too long.”

            Lastly, (I’m just putting this in because it made me laugh hysterically for a minute) in Shut the Duck Up, he talks about our inner voices and how they treat us.  “…It sets your own reality for you.  That’s what I said: a duck sets your reality for you.”

At this point I was torn between Donald Duck on a rampage and a cute little rubber duckie smiling at me.  I’m pretty sure my inner voice is like Donald Duck, always quacking at me over something. 
            Overall, I was entertained while subconsciously informed with his quirky comparisons and rip you outside the box ideas.  I highly recommend this book to anyone, Therapists, Life Coaches, successfully business people, even those who think they know themselves inside and out.  (and let’s not forget those every day unhappy people who don’t know what’s going on like me!!!)