According to Arthur F. Coombs, there are two ways to live life: you can do the hard thing first and then reap the reward (living Hard Easy), or you can take the easy way out and suffer the consequences (living Easy Hard). Coombs strives to do things the Hard Easy way, and his latest self-improvement book, HARD EASY, uses the Hard Easy versus Easy Hard framework to explore many popular topics (life’s purpose, relationships, goal setting, etc).
While many of the topics Coombs writes about are staples of the self-improvement genre, what sets HARD EASY apart is the way that Coombs’ talent as a storyteller highlights his unique Hard Easy philosophy. Coombs fills the chapters of HARD EASY with colorful similes, metaphors, and parables. He tells stories about everything from cattle drives to skydiving to his personal struggles with dyslexia. Coombs uses these stories to hammer home the concept of Hard Easy in a way that is both entertaining and inspiring.
Coombs doesn’t rely on entertainment value to carry his ideas, though. The Hard Easy philosophy is supported by Coombs’ use of quotes, statistics, and scientific studies. He references articles from Psychology Today, books written by Holocaust survivors, statistics from studies on how money affects happiness, and quotes from famous figures that have lived Hard Easy lives. Coombs also taps into the field of neuroscience to help readers understand how to combat their impulses. HARD EASY is filled with valuable, self-improvement-related information.
HARD EASY also features frequent calls to action that will keep readers thinking (and doing!) while they read. Each chapter in HARD EASY ends with a recap of the chapter’s most important concepts and a handful of “Pause and Think” questions for readers to contemplate. These questions can be painfully insightful and are bound to cause you long periods of introspection. Chapter by chapter, Coombs forms a road map that will lead readers towards a Hard Easy life and his core message (setting aside instant gratification and embracing the benefit of doing what’s hard to help make your life easier down the line) could very well revolutionize every aspect of the way you live your life.
Arthur F. Coombs’ HARD EASY uses a mixture of practical advice, scientific studies, meaningful quotes, and parabolic stories to encourage his reader to put in the hard work that will lead them to an easier future. This is a must read for anyone interested in self-improvement.
~Stephani Hren for IndieReader