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Start Here: Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are

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I found the book Do Hard Things by brothers Alex & Brett Harris while browsing through our local Christian bookstore, and I immediately thought of my oldest son. Just entering adolescence, he was starting to experience the pressures of being like "everyone else" and I feared him falling in with kids who were content with fulfilling society's generally low expectations of how typical teenagers act. I bought him the book, and we read through it together. Although he was only in 5th grade when we read the book, it led to some good discussions and exposed him to boys who were not afraid to go against the crowd and not just take the "easy route" through adolescence.

Building on Do Hard Things and their highly popular blog [...], the twins have just released their companion book Start Here: Doing Hard Things Right Where You Are. It is meant to help young people move from inspiration to action through concrete steps as well as stories and testimonials from real-life teens who have "done hard things" and seen their own lives blessed as they have blessed others.

It intrigued me that, even though the book was written for a much (much) younger audience than myself, I found myself nodding, underlining, and rereading passages as I discovered both advice and insight that directly relates to my own life, right here and right now. For example, the first part of the book concentrates on figuring out where you should start in doing "hard things." This chapter, I feel, was packed full of wisdom. One pearl that I think is often overlooked is that doing something "big" for God doesn't have to be "big" according to society's standards. They say:"Doing hard things doesn't mean being preoccupied with something bigger, different, and more exciting all the time. It means being ready and willing to obey, not matter how big, small, or hard it might be." They go on to say, "If we say we want to do hard things for God, but we're not pursuing excellence where He has placed us (at home, at school, and at work), it's likely that we're really more interested in getting glory for ourselves than in getting glory for Him."

Wow, how true is that?

The other chapter that really made an impact on me was Chapter 4: Side Effects May Occur. Here they offer frank and practical advice on how to handle the changes that come when you choose to do hard things. As a writer (although not nearly as accomplished as these boys), I often struggle with how to handle affirmations I do receive. I want to think I'm a humble person, but when someone says they love something I've written, I have to admit that it makes me feel really, really good. So what do you do with that? Alex and Brett have a great answer, with some help from the words of a brave, amazing woman: "Like every gift from God, affirmation is something we can recognize and enjoy as long as we remember its source. Holocaust survivor and author Corrie ten Boom is quoted as saying, "When people come up and give me a compliment--'Corrie, that was a good talk,' or `Corrie, you were so brave,' I take each remark as if it were a flower. At the end of each day I lift up the bouquet of flowers I have gathered throughout the day and say, `Here you are, Lord, it is all yours.' "

Among the other topics this solid little book tackles are:

* How to create a plan for your idea or project
* How to raise money
* How to manage your time
* How to keep doing hard things from actually distracting you from God
* How to keep going when the going gets tough
* How to move against the crowd--and why
* How to keep from falling back into your old ways

The book concludes with a list of 100 "hard things" teens have done that were submitted to [...], which is an incredible resource to get kids thinking about what options they have for doing something good for others (and for God). There are also discussion questions that could be used with a small group or book club.

Although a relatively small book, all 137 pages of Start Here were written with purpose and intention, delivering an abundance of inspiration and practical guidance on how to shatter the "Myth of Adolescence" by moving from complacency to action for God. I highly recommend this not only to teens or those who work with young people, but to "post-adolescents" (like me) as well. The wisdom these brothers share in this book is ageless as well as timeless.

In their first book, Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations, twin authors Alex and Brett Ross set out to prove to teens (and the world) that being exceptional doesn't have an age requirement. The book called teens to a life of high expectations NOW. Too often, they say, teens are not expected to do anything or be anything and they live down to those expectations. The book is revolutionary and timely. In this follow-up, the Ross twins - younger brothers of Joshua Harris of Dug Down Deep: Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters fame - provide real world examples of how to do those hard things, providing testimonials and giving ideas on how each teen reader - really, any reader - can find their God given purpose.

It is exceptional that these two brothers have not only become best selling authors, but also speakers through their Rebelution tours, which serve to set out the high expectation cry for teens and their parents and ministry leaders everywhere. As I wrote that sentence I had to fight to not show my bias proving that I too have low expectations for teens and am therefor part of the problem. Why shouldn't teens be authors and speakers? Is it really more beneficial for a teen to read a book written by older people? (The same people that admit that they don't understand teens?) Is it odd that teens who have a message should share that message with other teens? Women's ministers are generally women, right? Married Couple counselors are generally married successfully. Low expectations for teens abound.

As such, I cannot recommend this book (and their previous book) more highly. The church must find a way to break the cycle of low expectations - ministers and parents and teens. The book is easy to read, full of interesting stories and more importantly, full of information on how to do hard things. This book is the first step to a life of significance.

This book was provided by the publisher as a review copy.

It all began with a blog that reflected the hearts of, then 16 yr. old twin brothers, Alex & Brett Harris who issued a challenge to teenagers to rise above mediocrity and selfish living. Coining the new word "rebelutionary" which is the combination of the words rebellion and revolution, their desire was to spark a "teenage rebellion against low expectations."

The movement exploded with their first book "Do Hard Things". Teenagers and adults alike were challenged to move out of their comfort zones and refocus their lives on doing "hard things" that glorify God and help others. I have not had the pleasure of reading their first book but testimonials lend proof that it has been life-changing for many.

The Harris brothers are now back, at the age of 21, with a follow up manual "Start Here." They begin by explaining that being a "rebelutionary" means "committing to doing even ordinary things extraordinarily well." They state that by being faithful to the ordinary, God prepares us for the extraordinary. I couldn't agree with them more.

One of the things that I loved about this book is that they begin by examining the very important question of why we should do the hard things. By answering the question of "why" before "where" or "what" the reader is given an opportunity to see things through the lens of Scripture. This results in doing "hard things" not just for the sake of doing them but in direct obedience to God.

The authors' spiritual perspective sets the tone for the entire book. "When we think or talk about doing hard things, it's easy to think only about the big stuff. If we assume that being a "rebelutionary" means fighting slavery, digging wells in Africa, running a political campaign, or writing a book, then it is hard to know where to begin. But if our goal is to glorify God--to point other people to Him and show more of what He can do then our first priority is to be faithful with what He's already given us to do, not embark on a big new adventure."

The book goes on to share many personal accounts from young people that prove the authors' point. Some helped a stranger or family member, or befriended the lonely or oppressed, others collected items like shoes or clothing because they saw the plight of another person. All found that as they obeyed God in the small things that His bigger purpose unfolded and glorified Him in ways they had never dreamed.

I find it encouraging and exhilarating to know that there are a growing number of youth rising up with the sole purpose of glorifying God by being faithful with what they've already been given. They are also challenging others to do the same by providing practical ways of living a life that is abandoned to God's purpose.

Our society repeatedly sends the message that success and satisfaction are measured in terms of obtaining more and engaging in selfish activities. The Harris brothers have wisely empowered their readers with the greater truth that it is more blessed to give than to receive and that obedience to small but hard things can reap great spiritual rewards that transform lives and glorify God.

I can't recommend "Start Here" highly enough. It seems that the best place to start would be reading "Do The Hard Things." Both of these books have been written by teens for teens but contain biblical truths that readers of any age need to hear.

Get the book and get started right where you are.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

Start Here is Alex and Brett Harris's sequel to Do Hard Things, a book in which they "invited [their] peers to choose to do hard things for the glory of God and, in the process, turn the world's idea of what teens are capable of upside down." The obvious question after reading Hard Things is, "Where do I start?" Not only do the Harris brothers answer that question in their new book, but they also share the stories of dozens of teens who have accomplished amazing things after reading Do Hard Things.

I planned to read and review Start Here with teenagers in mind. After all, that's who it's for. But teenagers aren't the only ones who need motivation to do hard things. Adults can have low expectations, too. We, too, can be insecure. And we can certainly be complacent-maybe more so than teenagers. So, while the book is aimed at teens and young adults, we not so young adults can learn plenty from these youngsters.

There are several things that I like about this book. The first is the emphasis on humility. Had I written a best-seller when I was nineteen, I would have exploded with pride. But not the Harris brothers. Though their first book was a best-seller, though they travel the world speaking to thousands of teenagers, and though they are adored by youth groups and youth leaders everywhere, they remain humble. Yet they admit that it is a struggle. Again and again throughout the book reader is warned of the dangers of pride:

"Pride is such a common temptation that it's a good idea to frequently ask yourself (or ask a mentor to ask you), `Is the way I'm thinking or talking about this hard thing focused on me and my abilities, or is it focused on God--obeying Him and serving others?'....It is possible to dazzle people with the hard things we do and still waste our lives if we're doing those things only to impress others and bring glory to ourselves."

Another point that I appreciate is the emphasis on faithfulness in small things. Doing hard things may not mean raising a million dollars for orphans in Nigeria. It may mean throwing away CD's, books, or clothes that are not pleasing to God. It may mean sitting alone at lunch rather than sitting with bad influences. It may mean befriending the boy who isn't "cool." Or it may just mean obeying parents.

"Nothing we do for God is insignificant. When we have this as our mind-set, then we won't get proud if God allows us to do something big and we won't get discouraged if we feel stuck in the small things....The goal is obedience to God, effectiveness in whatever He gives us to do, and a heart that glorifies Him....You may not always be organizing some gigantic project, but you are always looking for ways to serve God and others in small, everyday ways."

There are many more good things that I could mention about the book, but I'll mention just one more. Everything we do, the authors remind us, should stem from one goal--the glory of God:

"Keep in mind that the choice is never between doing hard things and our relationship with God, because God is the One who commands us to do hard things! Instead, we serve and obey God by doing hard things--with Christ as the center, His glory our goal, and holding every hard thing we do with open hands."

Buy this book for the teenagers in your life. While you're at it, get a copy for yourself. If it doesn't inspire you, it will at least restore your faith in tomorrow's leaders.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah as part of their Blogging for Books program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

What an awesome book! I read this book because I helped with a teen cross country team. In our carpooling conversations the teens were talking about this book and how it was changing their lives.I gave it a try. Not only will it change my parenting with our teens,but it has changed me as an adult.Every adult would benefit from the astounding truths present in this book.

For everyone who wonders what to do with themselves. For anyone who wonders what they are accomplishing. For those that believe they could be doing more. This book by Alex and Brett Harris is for them.

I read Do Hard Things when it came out and this book is the natural, and perfect, follow-up to that. Written for teens by teens, this book was a simple and fast read, complete with chapter discussion questions and a whole section of hard things to get people's creativity started.

My favorite part of their style is that they keep the focus on God and what He is doing. And they highlight success and failure, noting that not all hard things are meant to be done when we first conceive them. This guidebook, for that is what it is, will give teens, and others, a very realistic view of what doing hard things will take.

It just may be my hard thing to convince my youth group to undertake reading this book and acting on it.

"Doing hard things for Christ is one of the primary ways we can glorify Him. Why is that? Because if we restrict ourselves to what comes easily, avoid sacrifices, and limit our relationship with God to Sunday mornings, we're showing the world how little we value Him. When we're willing to take risks, pursue excellence, dream big, be faithful, and do what's right no matter the cost, our actions shout that Christ is worth serving above all others."

It is my hope that as this generation takes on this goal, all of the other generations, younger and older, will do the same. That would be a hard thing worth seeing done.

Start Here is the sequel or companion book to the Harris brothers' original book, Do Hard Things. In Start Here, Alex and Brett share stories of how real teens are applying their message and are doing hard things, both big and small, right where they live. It is full of ideas for teens of ways that they can make a difference in the world around them, right now.

My fourteen-year old ran off with this book as soon as it arrived. As she read it, and since she completed it, she has initiated many conversations with me about knowing what God wants you to do, about the hard things in daily life, and how to have the strength to do them. It has really impacted her, and has been beneficial to our own relationship as we've been able to discuss the book.

I highly recommend both Do Hard Things and Start Here for Christian teens and young adults.

(this was given to me by Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers to review.)

If you haven't read Alex and Brett Harris' first book Do Hard Things, you can still read this one, but I would advise reading the other one first. Once you have read it, come back and be truly inspired by all the incredible things that teenagers are doing to make this world a better place. When teens don't by into the lowered expectations that society has handed them and truly step up and do hard things, they will find that many awesomely incredible things are possible!

Start Here is a practical guide to getting started with, following through and "getting done" with hard things. It gives good advice on how to know which hard things to tackle and when to start them. They remind us that what we think is the challenge we need to take up is not always what God has for us at that moment. Sometimes we need to work on seemingly small things to be better equipped for the bigger project. One quote that stood out is "It's easy to confuse 'do hard things' with the idea of 'do big things.' A push-up isn't a big thing. Winning the championship is. But, doing push-ups when you don't feel like it is what it takes to win in a championship fight." I appreciated the list at the back of the book of 100 Hard Things. It was another good reminder that you don't have to sail a boat solo around the world (my favorite story from the book!) to be doing hard things. Sometimes just stopping gossip is a hard thing. And it is an important thing. But sometimes we are called to do really big hard things, like sail around the world or plan a big event.

They discuss the challenges that sometimes come with our hard things and remind us that just because we are doing the right thing at the right time (and that "the right thing at the wrong time is the wrong thing"), doesn't mean that we won't have bumps along the road.

They discuss what happens when you finish a hard thing and where you go from there. Dealing with the attention you might receive and turning the glory to God. Learning from the process and applying it to another project.

There are lots of stories from other Rebelutionaries sharing what they have done and the ups and downs of doing those things.

A great practical guide for rebelutionaries wanting to do hard things where they are. A great companion to Do Hard Things. A must read for teens (or anyone) who want to make a difference for the Kingdom.

I was provided a free copy of this book from the publishers, but the opinions are mine.

Looks brand new (as advertised). It's by some great authors (did you know Alex is married?). It picks up where DO HARD THINGS left off. It tells teens where to start, and how. Great book.