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I wrote Give a Shift because I was tired of watching people drown in victimhood and surface-level “inspiration” while still feeling stuck, unseen, or broken. I live what I teach. I’ve had to rebuild through loss, fear, burnout, addiction in the family, post-traumatic stress, ancestral grief in my bones, and the invisible weight that keeps so many people playing small.
I wanted to create something direct, honest, and powerful enough to actually help people shift to a life of thriving—not just surviving or coping. Inside are the exact tools I’ve used for years with clients and in my own life: rescripting limiting beliefs, working with the subconscious, clearing energetic patterns, and reclaiming personal power.
What inspired me? Honestly, my own pain. My clients’ bravery to show up for themselves. And the fire I carry that refuses to let people settle for “fine.”
Give a Shift is for the ones who are done pretending, done waiting, and ready to rise.
Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
In Give A Shift, Carolyn J. Phinney outlines a self-coaching method for personal transformation through internal awareness and intentional action. She introduces the concept of the “Guardian Mind,” a subconscious mechanism that resists change by prioritizing safety, often resulting in fear, procrastination, and self-sabotage. Phinney argues that fear signals opportunities for growth and must be reframed as motivational energy. Central to her approach are “SHIFT Moments,” where individuals consciously act to rewrite limiting beliefs formed by past conditioning. She emphasizes the importance of radical responsibility, shadow work, and re-scripting inherited narratives. The book provides structured steps to confront fear, abandon outdated identities, and take consistent action. Phinney also discusses perfectionism, identity loss, and grief, offering tools for emotional neutrality, presence, and momentum.
Give A Shift: The No-BS Self-Coaching Guide to Creating Lasting Change by Carolyn J. Phinney is a direct and well-organized guide to personal agency and behavior change. Phinney's writing is clear, concise, and free from jargon, making even the more complicated psychological concepts easy to understand. Her approach is grounded in practical exercises that encourage the reader to take immediate, intentional steps toward rewiring beliefs and discarding outdated self-concepts. One of the book’s strengths lies in its structure—each chapter targets a specific mental barrier, from fear disguised as procrastination to perfectionism blocking action. Phinney introduces her “SHIFT Moments” and breathwork as anchors to new beliefs in daily routines. The consistent focus on personal responsibility, choice, and identity reconstruction gives the book a strong, action-driven rhythm. Rather than offering abstract encouragement, it delivers a method for stepping into self-directed change. Very highly recommended.
