What Would You Do If You Had No Fear?: Living Your Dreams While Quakin' In Your Boots

by Diane Conway, Anne Lamott (Foreword)

Author Diane Conway has a she disarms people with a combination of raw emotional honesty and outrageous, heartfelt humor. Using this gift, asking, "What would you do if you had no fear?" Conway approaches the police officer, the waitress, the politician, the lawyer, the cab driver. They tell her their secrets, their long-hidden dreams and fears. Chronicled in her book, these people's stories are inspiring, surprising, crazy, and sometimes breathtaking. We all dream of what we would do if....we quit soul-numbing jobs, applied to medical school, bought tickets to South America, found true love, quit drinking, or had an affair with a dangerous European. Conway's fresh voice and Studs Terkel-in-drag personna will open your heart and challenge you to live the life you were meant to live.

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." --Helen Keller

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

197 pages, Paperback

First published November 9, 2004

About the author

Diane was an only child and not the favorite born in the dysfunctional state of South Carolina. She escaped and now lives on a houseboat near San Francisco. She's a do-over queen and survivor, riddled with fears who interviewed people from all walks of life asking: "What would you do if you had no fear?"
Her third book is What Would You Do for LOVE If You Had No Fear?"

Reviews

[Sharon Orlopp]

Wow!! This book is an inner wake-up call to your soul to explore your dreams and move in the direction of being true to yourself.

Tape the question, "What Would You Do If You Had No Fear" to your mirror and look at it every day and answer the question....then speak out loud what you would dare do.

Diane Conway shares stories of ordinary people who determine they are going to start living their lives to fulfill their passion and dreams. At the end of each chapter, there are several thought provoking, soul searching activities.

Examples of these activities include:
1. Write your declaration of independence
2. Get a symbol of your dream and keep it with you
3. Write 50 things you wish for
4. Practice saying YES to life
5. Ask yourself, "Do I have a suit that doesn't fit my soul?"

Dreams are illustrations from our soul. Doubt is the killer of dreams.

This incredible book helps you unleash our ability to live the lives we were meant to live.

Strongly recommend!

[Danielle]

great collection of stories to motivate! Holocaust survival account was maybe my favorite. audio format made it a little hard to know when it was Diane's experience being shared or not but still great.

[Marca]

Interesting stories of people who made life changes, often when life forced a change upon them. The title needs to add "...Had No Fear and Lots of Money."

[Jewelzybug]

Inspirational stories and quotes. Really makes you think about what you would do and what is holding you back.

[Veek]

There are a number of books by now that use similar words in the title, but Diane Conway has got to be the most authentic writer. I met her in a coaching class, and am hard-pressed to describe her without falling into new-age jargon. She exudes positive energy, zest for life, compassion and love. Along with the many associates whose stories she includes, she has also been through the fire, reinventing her life with openness and without rancor, and this book is her attempt to share her view of life's amazing possibilities.

[Emily B.]

Inspiring book to help you challenge yourself to go beyond your comfort zone and make your dreams a reality through a compilation of short biographies of those who "quaked in their boots." Listened on Audiobook but it had great end of chapter suggestions to take steps towards your goals. Wish I had the ultimate list of tips and ideas. Another self help book to add to my stash!

[Keeley Harney]

Must be, or have been, a Motley Fan to appreciate this book. Not for the faint of heart...raunchy rock-n-roll at it's best. :-)

[Darleen]

got this at the re-sale book store today, and since i'm such a chicken shit most of the time, maybe this will teach me to take a leap of faith or two...??

[Nancy]

This book is a nice, easy little read. I found myself jotting down things in my journal...little reminders of the forgotten ideas & dreams that I want to fulfill!

[Heather Browning]

Very inspiring, tales of people overcoming fear to live the life they really want. I now try to ask myself this question whenever I'm making a decision - what would I do if I had no fear?

[Marcia]

Truth be told, I only bought this book because the way it was positioned on Amazon I thought Anne Lamott co-wrote it.

Not so.

Good enough but nothing earth-shatteringly insightful for me.

[Steph Stern]

This book poses some interesting questions (re wishes, fears and childhood pleasures), but I ultimately found it trite.

[Heather]

Great stories about people getting out and doing something risky. And finding themselves in the process.

[Farida Valerezo]

It's a good book for a night

It's short and inspiring, recommended when you are not sure of what you are going to do next in life.

[Steph VT]

Honestly i really enjoyed this book, it had some repetition in it sure, but for the most part all the stories even though they may have had a similar conclusion were really enjoyable to read. Theres also a lot of honestly incredibly thought wrenching questions this book asks you to consider personally that really struck a chord with me

[That Queer Neurospicy Artist]

YES!
I needed that. I need my friends to read it. I need everyone to give themselves permission to do the things they are afraid to do!
Oh I feel fabulous after reading this!

[Linda]

Lively interesting stories of people who did something adventurous. Nothing I could relate to.

[Jana]

I thought this was a great audiobook. Very inspiring to go for it when I might be too afraid or worried. Great quotes and advice for taking a leap of faith.

[Sherry Ransom]

Loved every moment

I loved every moment

This book was a joy to read. What a journey to understand the many faces and antidotes for fear. I feel more courageous! What would I do if I had no fear? Say yes more often and ask for what I want. Great great stories.