Book Review - The Noticer: Sometimes, all a person needs is a little perspective by Andy Andrews
Category Book Review Andy Andrews The Noticer: Sometimes all a person needs is a little perspective
I've always loved books that weave their message into a story, such that it makes it very vivid and memorable once you turn the last page. Andy Andrews is an expert at that, and his latest book The Noticer is no exception. His message of perspective is one that anyone can benefit from, and quite frankly everyone should do more of...
The Noticer is told from a first person perspective of "Andy", who from prior reading appears to be Andrews himself. Jones, an ageless "drifter" who seems to have no past or future (only the present), confronts him under the bridge where Andy is living. Jones' message of perspective, looking at what you can be rather than where you are or where you came from, changes Andy from a down-and-out loser to a successful addition to the community. Many years down the road, Jones shows up again after a long absence, and Andy realizes he's not the only one who has benefited from his wisdom and insight. The briefcase that Jones always carries around is found abandoned in a parking lot, and everyone from town ends up coming together to share their stories of what Jones did for their lives. When they finally get up the courage to open the case, hoping to find some clues as to what may have happened to Jones, they read his final message to them, one of carrying on the things they've learned and experienced, as well as passing that along to others.
There are a number of nuggets that one can take away from The Noticer. For me, it was the lesson on worry and perspective. 40% of what you worry about won't come to pass. 30% of what you worry about has already happened and can't be changed. 12% are imagined health problems that aren't real. 10% involves what other people think, and you have no control over that. That leaves 8% for legitimate concerns, and you now have much more time and energy to think about those now that 92% of what you worry about isn't worth it. You can quibble with the percentages, but the general concepts are solid. Far too much of my time is spent worrying about things that either can't happen or that I have no control over. Focusing on those things I *can* change is far more effective.
The Noticer is short, and it won't take you long to read it. But you may find yourself drifting back over some of the pages for additional consideration. I certainly did...
I've always loved books that weave their message into a story, such that it makes it very vivid and memorable once you turn the last page. Andy Andrews is an expert at that, and his latest book The Noticer is no exception. His message of perspective is one that anyone can benefit from, and quite frankly everyone should do more of...
The Noticer is told from a first person perspective of "Andy", who from prior reading appears to be Andrews himself. Jones, an ageless "drifter" who seems to have no past or future (only the present), confronts him under the bridge where Andy is living. Jones' message of perspective, looking at what you can be rather than where you are or where you came from, changes Andy from a down-and-out loser to a successful addition to the community. Many years down the road, Jones shows up again after a long absence, and Andy realizes he's not the only one who has benefited from his wisdom and insight. The briefcase that Jones always carries around is found abandoned in a parking lot, and everyone from town ends up coming together to share their stories of what Jones did for their lives. When they finally get up the courage to open the case, hoping to find some clues as to what may have happened to Jones, they read his final message to them, one of carrying on the things they've learned and experienced, as well as passing that along to others.
There are a number of nuggets that one can take away from The Noticer. For me, it was the lesson on worry and perspective. 40% of what you worry about won't come to pass. 30% of what you worry about has already happened and can't be changed. 12% are imagined health problems that aren't real. 10% involves what other people think, and you have no control over that. That leaves 8% for legitimate concerns, and you now have much more time and energy to think about those now that 92% of what you worry about isn't worth it. You can quibble with the percentages, but the general concepts are solid. Far too much of my time is spent worrying about things that either can't happen or that I have no control over. Focusing on those things I *can* change is far more effective.
The Noticer is short, and it won't take you long to read it. But you may find yourself drifting back over some of the pages for additional consideration. I certainly did...
| Permalink |
