Change the Status Quo … Or become it

I am an incorrigible devourer of self-help books! You’d have thought I would have got my shit together by now!

I was searching for a metaphor to capture the essence of Mark Shayler’s ‘DO Disrupt’, his 2013 addition to the DO Book Company portfolio.

“Wolf in sheep’s clothing” implies an inappropriate malevolence, a ‘something’ to be avoided. Perhaps a better approach is to consider the disarming simplicity of the book and to acknowledge the cleverness of that approach. For every reader who is so focused on their own cleverness that they miss the point, there will many more who benefit because the author takes the time to develop a straightforward framework that creates the very conditions required for serious personal transformation.

Leonardo da Vinci is credited with noting that:

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication

In ‘DO Disrupt‘, Mark Shayler finds a way to prove da Vinci’s point whilst delivering a practical workbook for those seeking ways to create and evolve ideas that can ‘change the world’ (well, at least they can ‘change your world’).

First things first … you need to get a copy of this book in your hands … and a pencil. This will not work if you have an e-book version … Mark Shayler has created a workbook — and you need to do some work. Scribble, write notes, create lists, draw stick men … this is a manifesto for you doing something about your idea(s).

This is not a complicated journey — I read from start to finish (including time to pause and check Instagram twice) in less than 90 minutes on a train ride — BUT … it is a journey you need to decide to take and one where you (metaphorically) buy the ticket, choose your seat and pretty much prepare your lunch in the buffet car.

And that is the genius of the approach. The most meaningful change comes from within. In this book, Shayler challenges the reader to examine their own motivations and what will drive their happiness; so you need to find your own purpose. No-one is going to hold your hand and offer you a golden key to a door marked Success.

Looking to change the status quo?

‘DO Disrupt‘ is a great place to start. But once you’ve read it, as mark shayler says, “Get your head straight and resolve(d) to start”