The More Things Change

Review of Jolt: Get the Jump on a World That's Constantly Changing

by Phil Cooke

Phil Cooke summarizes lessons from life as it relates to change.  There are no great moments of original insight, no epiphanies, and no sense that Phil has captured a new perspective on change.  Still the book is a great reminder of the things we’ve heard and observed most of our lives.  “The more things change the more they remain the same.”

Every one of Phil’s “jolts” centers on an important issue, and if someone were to take them to heart, that person’s life would be radically changed.  However, we tend not to operate in that pattern.  We learn many new things along our journey, and generally forget them.  A few things we may be inspired to try, but habits pull us back into the ruts of the ordinary.

His chapter on the “Power of the ‘What If’ was a compelling one for me.  Seeing ourselves in transition, we must always have a new dream developing or we’re dying.  While this is not considered a book about faith, it is obvious that Phil’s life is framed by his personal faith, and the principles he shares arise from that foundation.

 

Almost everyone could benefit from reading this book.  Somewhere in all the twenty-five chapters will be a nugget that recalls a truth learned in our past for which we now need a new motivation to achieve what we are fully capable of doing!