“In anything worth doing, there is a necessary downside. In order to experience ultimate satisfaction, you must embrace the hard things.”  Jeff Goins, Wrecked.

I got up early on Sunday morning and read Jeff Goins’ new book, Wrecked, in one sitting.

Reading Jeff’s book felt a little like sitting down for a cup of coffee with an earlier version of myself, or perhaps an earlier version of my husband.

In our early years, “idealistic” is certainly a word that would have described us. My now-husband (of nearly 20 years!) took me for a walk during our courtship and wondered aloud if God intended him to marry or stay single in order to keep his focus more solely on the his life’s mission. I quickly pulled my hand from his and our idyllic walk through Miami University’s Formal Garden ended in a serious discussion about the future.

But here’s the thing: he wanted to be sure his life mattered, and was willing to do the hard thing, even walk away from love if that was required (I’m glad he didn’t.)

Our earliest plans/dreams together for our life centered on leaving the US to serve overseas. We thought the best thing would be the hardest, the one that would require the most sacrifice.

So reading Jeff’s book, sprinkled as it is with stories of missionaries and people seeking to live sacrificially, returned me to that earlier phase of our lives.

What I love about Jeff’s book is that he is not prescribing a singular path to living well, as we might have been tempted to do during our earlier adult years.

Instead, he challenges readers to do the right thing, whatever it is, wherever they are. His idealism is one that is tempered by reality and an understanding that Wrecked looks different for everyone. What is important is being open and compassionate to the needs of the broken world we live in, to experience discomfort in order to bring about good for others, to make daily choices to make a difference.

I wish I could beam this book to my 21 year old self, and I am glad for the way it is challenging me now. Though I’d like all my 20 something friends to read it, I hope everyone will.

Sometimes my life feels a little too comfortable, and Jeff has challenged me to consider how I might stay open to what might be next for me in this adventure.

“Don’t get me wrong: this isn’t a matter of beating yourself or trying to be good enough. That’s how we got into this mess in the first place. Rather, it’s about living in the tension of a broken world and being content with the journey, not conjuring some contrived sense of arriving.” Jeff Goins, Wrecked. 

I am honored to be a part of Jeff’s launch team and received an advanced copy of his book. Since my business includes using social media to launch books, I loved seeing Jeff’s strategy and approach, shared here by Maria Keckler. I also loved seeing his early success on launch day yesterday.

Jeff is celebrating his launch this week by giving away a bunch of free gifts with the purchase of his book. I hope you’ll buy a copy (or three) and share them with friends. And I hope you will join me in considering what it might mean to welcome discomfort for the sake of others. 

Becky Robinson

I am the founder/CEO of the Weaving Influence team, the author of Reach: Creating the Biggest Possible Audience for Your Message, Book, or Cause, and the host of the Book Marketing Action Podcast. I’m a wife and mom of three kids, and I enjoy running, reading, writing, coffee, and dark chocolate.