Says Who?: How One Simple Question Can Change the Way You Think Forever

by Ora Nadrich

If there is an overriding philosophy that Ora Nadrich ascribes to, it is you can help yourself solve your own problems, you can do it daily, and the process doesn’t need to be complex. Flying in the face of the often oblique language of the self help movement, Ora, a certified life coach with a thriving practice in Los Angeles, prides herself on not only having devised a method of self discovery and mindful practice that is simple, direct and applicable to everyone, but is also easy to understand and put to use. And, like brushing your teeth, can be done daily and take about as much time. Simplicity is her mantra. That philosophy forms the basis of, "Says Who? How One Simple Question Can Change the Way You Think Forever," in which Ora vividly illustrates and breaks down her simple yet highly effective method, based on the principle that while we all face obstacles and negative thoughts in our lives, it is not enough to simply examine and be aware of them---we must question and challenge them in order to bring about true change. Many of the obstacles people face,are the result of their own negative thoughts holding them back. And often those thoughts don't even originate within them; they're the ideas or opinions of someone else---a critical parent or angry spouse, for instance---which they believe without questioning to see if they're even real or true. Since thoughts create beliefs---which then create behavior---negative thoughts are dangerous things to leave unchecked. You must question them, challenge them. Says Who?" shows us how. More than simple "think positive" slogans and inspirational platitudes, this is not just a motivational book; instead "Says Who?" provides practical, tangible steps to tackling a condition that affects us negative thoughts.

216 pages, Paperback

First published August 21, 2015

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not very impressed with this book. The basis of the book is how to change negative thinking into positive thinking by asking one simple question; Says Who? The author explains that many of obstacles that people face are the result of their own negative thoughts holding them back. I don't disagree with this statement or outlook, but I also don't completely agree with it. The author also goes on to explain that often these negative thoughts don't even originate from themselves, but that they are idea or opinions from others. And that these negative opinions, ideas and thoughts from others can cause a person to start having negative thoughts. And when this happens, we need to ask, Says Who?

Okay, so the overall concept of the book does make sense. Most of us do at least some of the things we do to please other people or because we think we have to because of society, etc. However, some of the examples in the book were almost kind of silly to me. Like the idea that if my husband is angry at me, I'm suddenly going to start having a bunch of self damaging negative thoughts. Now, I can see in an extreme situation how this might be true, but as most married individuals know, you are going to get angry at each other sometimes, just like in other relationships. It doesn't mean that you are going to start having negative thoughts about yourself all of a sudden. I feel like this book took a real basic concept and tried to turn it into more and it just didn't really work out. This is a concept I feel that I "mastered" a long time ago. When I was younger, I was very concerned about doing what I thought I was supposed to do, trying to please everyone and really worrying about what others thought. Then I grew up a bit and realized I would never be able to please everyone, that I needed to live my own life and follow my own path and not concern myself with what others (beside my spouse & family) thought of me. I feel like this is kind of what this book is trying to get across; don't let other people/situations/ideas/outside stresses get to the point where they cause you to have negative thoughts about yourself.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me a review copy of this book.

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book could have been a really long blog post and was not particularly well written, and yet it made a big impression on me in the early chapters. The idea is that you can interrogate your own thoughts and if negative and unproductive ones are coming up for you, you grab them, examine them and DISCARD them if you don't want them to stick around. I've been using the technique since New Years and so far it actually works (it's now February). I do feel more positive, resilient, and in control of my own sh*t. As a result my mantra for 2020 has become "Don't believe everything you think."

[T Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straightforward, Simple, Life Changing

A simple process, that with practice, will help you solve your problems, identify fears, beliefs, and obstacles and then release them once and for all. If you want to achieve your goals, realize your dreams and propel yourself to a place of happiness and well-being, this is the book for you!

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good things to think about and a good process to follow, but the book itself was quite repetitive. The workbook was a good addition.