Disclaimer: I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review but all opinions below are my own and I was not compensated for this post.
Happy Friday! Today I’m excited to link up for the Taking the Long Way Home Book Club hosted by Wendy!
I’m also linking up for Friday Five 2.0 with Rachel from Running on Happy and Lacey and Meranda from Fairytales and Fitness.
I recently finished Shaken: Discovering Your True Identity in the Midst of Life’s Storms by Tim Tebow. Tim is a former Heisman trophy winner, ex-NFL player, philanthropist and current MLB player for the New York Mets. He is also very religious and his faith plays a huge role in his life. He thought he would have a long career as an NFL quarterback, but sometimes life has different plans. This book outlines how he dealt with this new life journey. Here are five reasons why you should read this book!
Discover Who You Are
Oftentimes we link our self worth and identity to “things”. This could be a person, a sport, your job, etc. In the sad event that you lose one of these “things”, how would you feel? Tim makes it clear throughout the book that he believes that he was called to play football, so when he got cut from yet another football team he was confused. In the second chapter of the book Tim says “that identity comes not necessarily from who we are, but from whose we are.”
Dealing With Negativity
Throughout his NFL career and beyond, Tim has dealt with a lot of criticism. How does he still say positive when it seems like others want to tear him down? Tim uses two methods. If a criticism comes from a place of love, it’s a hard truth, but you should receive it as it may be something that you really need to hear to improve. The other method is to shut down the negative talk. Don’t allow the negativity to make you lose hope in your goal or dream. Keep having hop, keep pressing on and always keep growing and changing.
As runners, we can definitely apply these fundamentals to our training. We all deal with negative talk and self-doubt, but we can’t give into it. Also constructive criticism, from someone like a running coach, will more than likely make you a better runner if you’re open to receiving it.
Being Normal is Overrated
Do you know what normal is, because I sure don’t! I’m not normal- never have been, never will be, and I like it that way! People try to fit into a box or whatever they think is “normal”, but why be the status quo? If we all looked the same and acted the same way, the world would be a very big boring place. In chapter 7, Tim gives great examples on how to be different, and why it’s okay. “When everyone around you is picking on someone, stand up for that person. When you see injustice, try to make it right.” You have so much to offer when you are original and can be yourself.
These concepts can be applied to running and social media. The awesome thing about the running community is that there is room for EVERYONE. There is no need to put down other runners for any reason. Sure, we all do things differently, but if you see something on blogs or message boards that just doesn’t seem right, speak up and go against the norm. On social media, please just be yourself! When you’re trying too hard, it shows and when you aren’t being genuine, that shows too.
Dealing With Pressure
How do you deal with pressure? Tim makes a good point that pressure is really just fear. You have to ask yourself, what are you afraid of? Tim shares a few inspirational stories about how his dad dealt with extremely high pressure situations head on because he was not fearful. In turn, Tim approaches his life this way as well.
Running a marathon was a source of pressure for me last year. I was fearful that I would not be able to complete this task and I was afraid of failure. Being afraid of failing can hold you back from so many life experiences.
What Will Your Legacy Be?
What do you want your legacy to be? Everyone can make a difference and leave a legacy of positivity, if they choose to do so. As runners, we have so many ways to leave a “legacy” so to speak. If you’re a running coach, you leave a legacy of knowledge. When you volunteer at a race, you leave a legacy of kindness. When you help that struggling runner during a race, you leave a legacy of compassion.
I have to say, I really liked this book and enjoyed learning more about Tim Tebow. I definitely had an image of him in my head just based on his career and the media, but this book helped me learn more about Tim Tebow as a person. I think that his resiliency and commitment to his faith is really something to be admired and respected.
Have you ever been surprised by a book?
Sounds like good read. I agree it’s pretty much impossible to define “normal” and its better to focus on being yourself. Thanks for sharing!
I agree! I really liked learning more about his outlook on life. It’s definitely principles we can all learn from
He is certainly a really interesting and inspiring character. I think my son would really enjoy reading this thanks for the review
I hope your son enjoys the book as much as I did!
This is a great review! I totally agree with the “being normal is overrated” notion…..it’s a shame it’s such a tough lesson for kids to learn as they fight their way through middle school and high school, trying to be something they’re not in order to fit in.
Ah, the old you can’t judge a book by its cover. 🙂
It does sound like a very inspirational book.
I think the thing about normal — everyone wants to be liked, and they’re afraid if they don’t conform, they won’t be. And sometimes they won’t.
I’m pretty sure I’ve never been normal, either.
I also especially like the message that we are not what we do. It’s an important one!
I toally agree with you. Sometimes people do so much to be liked that they don’t quite act like themselves.
Wow, this sounds really inspiring. I’m not a huge fan of the football player, but it sounds like I really could learn from the person. 😉
Me too. This book did a great job of separating the football player from the person
Isn’t it funny how the media can hone an image of an individual in our minds! Glad his book gave a different perspective.
Thanks for linking up!
Exactly! It’s nice for people to be able to tell their own story.
Wow. Sounds like a fascinating read with lots of lessons and words of wisdom. I agree with Wendy. The media have done a number on TT’s image.
Definitely. The media just focuses on one thing about him and they are missing the bigger picture.
This sounds like a great book. Honestly, I’ve never been a Tebow fan, but I like the way he approaches challenges. I can definitely relate to the advice on negativity!
Same here. I wasn’t a fan before the book but I am now.
I’ve actually been pretty intrigued by Tim Tebow. He’s actually one athlete who I think is a great role model for everyone.
I totally agree with you.
Sounds like a good read. I like discovering inspiration where I least expect it — i.e. Tim Tebow. 😉 I really don’t know much about him but I do think he’s a pretty decent guy. I’ll have to pick this one up.
He seems like someone who really has his priorities straight, which I really appreciate.
I’m not a big football fan but I have heard of Tim Tebow. However I didn’t know he now plays for MLB! Sounds like a great read and quite inspiring. Thanks for an insightful review!
Yup! From what I can tell he’s pretty good at baseball too!
Sounds like an interesting read. I don’t really know much about him as I’m not a big football fan, but sounds like he’s pretty down to earth.
Yeah I think he’s really a down to Earth guy!
I can relate to a lot of these lessons especially the first one. How hard it must be for a professional athlete to discover who they are when they are done playing their sport, when their whole life has revolved around training. I’ve read about this most in the context of skating (since I skate). And I had a taste of it last year when I couldn’t skate due to an injury and was not sure whether I was going to be able to skate again. And I still think about this. How will I feel when I can no longer do my sport? Will I wish I had put more time into developing other aspects of myself? One thing I learned from my injury is to be sure I am spending time with my true friends who care about me whether I am on or off the ice.
Although injury sucks, it nice to have extra time to spend with friends like you mentioned.
Great review! I think my husband might enjoy this book so I might put it in with his birthday gift!!
Thanks! I hope that your husband likes the book too 🙂
Love the phrase, “Being normal is overrated” – applicable in life, all aspects of life!
Definitely! I don’t understand why anyone would want to me normal, lol
I am a huge Tim Tebow and a Florida Gator 🙂 My daughter has the book and I am waiting on her to finish, I am glad he did not disappoint! Tim is a great young man- thanks for sharing!
I think you’ll really enjoy the book! Tim seems to really have his head on straight which I really appreciate!
I appreciate his positive focus. Its so easy to criticize others when we don’t walk in their shoes, and can often be difficult to look past all of that negativity.
Exactly. I think he would be a great inspirational speaker as well.
Looks
like a great book! I may have to
Give it a read.
I think you would like it!
I like his approach for criticism–I get a lot of feedback on a daily basis, some of it constructive, and some of it not so much, and I’m pretty amazing at negative self-talk (unfortunately), so it’s definitely something I’m working on! His book definitely sounds like a good read!
I think that was one of the best takeaways from the book (in my opinion). I think it’s easy to take all criticism negatively when sometimes it can be helpful. It’s just good to know the difference between bad a good criticism.