Perspectives by Kendra Q. Dodd is a self-help journal that will help readers get on the right path to begin a journey of self-improvement. Meant to be taken a day at a time, this book will encourage readers a little at a time to dig deeper into themselves to bring about change little by little.
Perspectives has a cover with a sand-color background. The center stage of this book’s cover is a photograph of two pairs of shoes indicative of two different individuals. One pair is red, and the other pair is red. The two pairs of shoes are facing each other on a wooden bridge.
The photograph is captioned with the sentence “Building meaningful connections by learning 4 steps to courageously speak up.” The photograph enforces the idea of bridging differences via conversations to come to a better understanding of other people.
Perspectives starts off with a brief moment of focusing on the author. Author Dodd shares some information about herself so that readers can also gain some enlightenment about her. Author Dodd gives readers a glimpse into her own development thanks to the steps that she has laid out in Perspectives.
The “About the Author” section is followed by a Foreword written by Tonya Jackman Hampton, EdD. Ms. Hampton takes a moment to speak on this novel — the timing of its release, the implications of it, and gives readers some idea of what they can expect along this self-help journey that they are about to embark on. Ms. Hampton shines a light on various elements that will be found within this book’s pages, and some of the benefits that will come from it.
Perspectives is a book for those looking to better themselves. What makes Perspectives unique is that most self-help books focus on the individual. However, this particular book by author Dodd can be utilized by an individual, a couple, a family unit, or even a big business. There is something in this book for everyone to use to begin a short-term or long-term process of discovery and change. All you have to do is pick your journey and begin it. The biggest step you’re going to take on your journey to improvement…is the first one.
As you begin the process of delving into Perspectives author Dodd will first explain to readers why exactly she made the decision to write this book. Within the first few lines of this first chapter, readers are going to immediately feel a connection to what author Dodd is speaking about. We haven’t even gotten into the “actual” book yet, but here we are already having a moment of connection and reflection! Ingenious, right?! But also, relatable.
Author Dodd immediately gives readers a familiar element to latch onto, but it is also something that we are guilty of – complaining. Too often, we look at everyone and everything around us and think “You need to change so that this situation that includes me, will be better.” But what are we willing to do to change? Author Dodd in this first chapter, while explaining why she wrote Perspectives, is already encouraging readers to reflect on themselves.
Author Dodd proceeds to talk about moments during her coaching sessions of helping people. Asking them pointed questions to coax them to analyze themselves and better understand – “Why do you wish to go down this particular path?” “What is your motivation?” “Are you looking for long-term change, or just something brief and in the moment?”
Author Dodd highlights in Perspectives that long-term change requires more work and dedication. So, the question is – “Are you ready to put in the work and the effort to get to where you say you want to be?”
Perspectives is a self-help journaling guide. This book is meant to be taken at a slow and steady pace. Remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. The point of Perspectives is to get to know yourself. Figure out who you are deep down inside. To better understand yourself, your personality and the various elements that have shaped you into who you are today. It’s not going to be easy, but the work that you put into this journey will be worth it in the end.
Author Dodd points out in the Introduction of this book that life happens. Things come up, get in the way, and may derail you in your quest to pick this book up on a daily basis. She’s quick to remind you that it’s okay! Don’t sweat it, just pick this up and do it when you can. Just set your goals, and keep working toward them.
Perspectives are broken up into three specific categories that you will progress through as you read this book. Each section has its own specific collection of questions and exercises for readers to work through. These questions will push you to dig deeper into yourself. Really figure out who you are, what your beliefs are, and what makes you…you.
The exercises found in Perspectives will be repetitive, but that’s not a bad thing. It’s a simplistic style written by the author to give you, the reader, the reigns. Perspectives is a journey of discovery and self-reflection. You’re on a quest to discover the true intentions behind your interactions and even your thought process concerning various topics. You may be surprised at what you discover about yourself.
With each section you pass through in this book, author Dodd sprinkles liberally lots of quotes from impactful voices throughout history. Many of these quotes you will find to be inspirational and encouraging along your journey. They’ll make you stop and think and truly assess without there even being an exercise to do so.
Throughout Perspectives, readers get to better understand their intentions, and then they get to work towards building bridges. Building Bridges was one of our favorite sections in this book. In a world so divided, especially right now, building bridges is a vital thing we all need to explore.
Author Dodd asks some pretty generic questions in the Building Bridges section, but that is intentional. This is for you to discover. In Perspectives, author Dodd is encouraging readers to understand not just their viewpoints on certain topics and subjects, but to take a step back and reflect on things from the opposite perspective.
Not an easy thing if we’re going to be honest. Too often we wish to stay in our own “safe” bubble. However, author Dodd wants us to take a step out of that and lay down “planks” to build a bridge to be able to meet people in the middle.
Perspectives is a truly insightful book that encourages self-exploration and discovery. Author Dodd gives readers some questions to help them jump-start the brainstorming process so that they can dig deeper. But one question that is asked often is – “What have you learned or discovered along the way thus far?”
In Perspectives, author Dodd will introduce readers to an easy-to-remember and apply a method called – SEED. Pretty sure no one has heard of this before beyond something you plant in the ground or a term used in movies. SEED promises to be an insightful technique that can be utilized in our everyday lives.
How so? Well, the simple answer is this – it will not only help us but push us to assess a situation in a different manner than we would have before. SEED encourages us to – State, Evaluate, Empathize, Decide.
Sounds easy on the surface, right? Well, it can be, but you have to be open to it for it to work. Author Dodd even includes some scenarios for readers to practice. Some will sound pretty straightforward, while others will be more complex and push you to really evaluate and empathize when you may wish to take a “normal” perspective.
With each section that you complete in Perspectives, author Dodd believes that you will be gradually progressing along the path to bettering yourself. This journey will be a step-by-step quest that you must choose to stay on, but it’s okay if you stumble or fall off it for a minute, as long as you keep trying and working at it. Just remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint.
Perspectives is a unique self-help journaling book that will educate, inform, and encourage all who read it to learn more about not just themselves, but those they choose to surround themselves with. So, if you’re willing to work on bettering yourself, learning more about those around you, and even seeing things in a different way than before then Perspectives is a book worth checking out.
Pros:
- Insightful
- Educational
- Easy to understand
- Rewarding
- Informative
Cons:
- None of merit
Scribble's Worth 
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