FROM DRIFT TO SHIFT: How Change Can Bring True Meaning and Happiness to Your Work and Life by Jody B

FROM DRIFT TO SHIFT: How Change Can Bring True Meaning and Happiness to Your Work and Life is narrated by Jody B. Miller. The book’s genre is non-fiction and the story is a first-person narration. The narrator is a reliable source of information, a writer of articles and a regular contributor to LinkedIn, The Huffington Post, and Financial Times magazine. The writer has also released several other books including the acclaimed HIRED! In 2017. Periods are rarely mentioned; however, the locations are in California, Ecuador, Colorado, Utah, Hawaii, and Southern India. The setting influences the plot immensely. The theme of the book is how one can experience their work and life in a way that gives them balance, meaning, and happiness daily.

The book is not your ordinary incentive and inspiration book. Straight off the bat, the writer wastes no time and introduces the theme of the book through exceptional praise-quotes from well-known personalities, including venture capitalists, financial analysts, journalists, entrepreneurs, medical practitioners, prominent attorneys among others. For instance, the book’s foreword by CEO, Venture Capitalist, Entrepreneur, Bestselling Author, and Marathoner- Brad Feld, puts things into perspective by mentioning that regardless of our profession or the relentless pursuit of our dreams, we often face internal struggles.

The writer delves into the theme of the book by asking critical questions like -we all desire to be happy in our work and our personal lives. Yet, at least a third of us are not. Why is that? How do we rise from the pit of despair? The writer believes that she has discovered the roadmap that can get one to that place in their lives where they can experience true happiness and fulfillment daily. This is through ‘counsel’ that she claims is supported by 30+ years of professional experience and poignant examples of amazing people’s transformative stories that motivate, inspire and give one hope.

The writer’s flow of the text, the use of precise words and suitable characters is brilliant. For instance, as the plot thickens and suspense builds up, the writer explains the different stages of shift -‘why shift’, ‘when to shift’, ‘how to shift’ and ‘after the shift’, through various characters. The characters are extraordinary and incredible individuals who are not only sources of incentive and inspiration but have overcome major struggles, doubts, obstacles and discovered why, when, and how to shift their lives to live each day with passion and meaning. The book is replete with real-life stories of the characters transcending the various stages of shift -from going against all odds of turning challenges into opportunities, seeking normality after a near-death experience, alleviating trauma-induced suffering, overcoming obstacles such as sudden paraplegia and autoimmune disease to seeking synchronicity in spiritual enlightenment.

The book is fast-paced, with a realistic plot and powerful lessons. However, there are instances of wrong character use and story embellishment. For instance, whereas all the characters had a lot to lose in the event of a non-shift -which is permanent depression, loss of life or extinction, the story of Serita and Reid Cox- Co-Founders of iFoster, is not extraordinary and does not add value. There is no clear incident that propels the timing of a shift besides humble beginnings and having options of altering comfort zones. The Southern India temple’s scroll reader’s extraordinary near-perfect psychic ability to forecast Manoj Chalam’s circumstances, including the exact period, date and time of death, is far-fetched. Knowledge of one’s exact date and time of death is not exactly enlightening, especially as the fateful day draws closer.

The book is well-edited with minor errors. The writer's sharp and subtle moral sense is brought into play and gives an overwhelming conclusion of not letting circumstances, people, or negative thoughts prevent one from continuing on the road to happiness and fulfillment in work or life. I encourage others to read the book, particularly those who want to go from a tumultuous wave on the surface to deep water calm to learn to value joy, passion and a sense of fulfillment that transcends money, status, and power. I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars.