3 August 2022

We recently read You Matter More Than You Think, by Karen O’Brien, in the EMCC UK Book Club. Jasmine Miller and Lisa Read write below with their thoughts and responses to the book.

‘It further reinforced my beliefs that we all matter and that we can individually and collectively make a difference’
Review by Lisa Read

You Matter More Than You Think aims to help people recognise that we all have a part to play in making a difference to our planet, the climate and society. At a quantum level, we all matter more than we think. To do better requires thinking differently, acting differently and being different. We need to know that we matter.

The book meets its objective by exploring a number of different ways in which we ‘matter’ and even what the term matter means itself. It includes looking at paradigm shifts, metaphors and our beliefs; all of which come into play in high quality coaching.

I enjoyed the elements of the book that made me think differently, or that I could relate to my coaching. For example, I found the information about Quantum Theory really interesting as I have patchy knowledge about it. I love that the theory challenges standard thinking about a mechanical, almost meaningless universe, and helps us recognise that every thought and action impacts the whole.

I loved the almost poetic way Dr O’Brien writes, plus the artwork. I found this to be a beautiful, powerful and feminine book – which very much appealed to me. I struggled to keep up with some of the concepts described, and felt a bit out of my depth at times, but there are huge learning opportunities in the book. In fact, I found myself googling some of the things that were referenced to find out more.

This was an interesting choice for a coaching book group, as coaches are not necessarily the audience, and this is not a book about coaching. But I loved that it is so clearly useful for coaches because of the exploration of metaphor, paradigms, beliefs, and consciousness.

You Matter More Than You Think really made me think and added a quantum science layer to what I know and understand as a coach. It further reinforced my beliefs that we all matter and that we can individually and collectively make a difference. It was nice to have a message that was more hopeful and empowering in contrast to standard media reporting on climate issues.

The book has made me more aware of my own beliefs and behaviours in relation to the climate, and it has made me keen to not fall into the ‘isn’t it awful and we’re all doomed’ mindset that I hear from a lot of friends who are well read and concerned.

I am further inspired by the work we all do as coaches to raise the energy of this planet, which I believe will do enormous good.

‘The book gives readers the opportunity to think through how they can make a difference’
Review by Jasmine Miller

Karen O’Brien’s You Matter More Than You Think aims to share the reality of inter-connectedness, and enable us to see more clearly that we matter more than we think. The book takes the reader on a journey of thinking more deeply across 10 themed chapters.

My favourite sections of the book were the chapters on beliefs, relationships and entanglement. These had strong connections to coaching for me, and I liked how all the chapters led to the one on ‘you’. The way O’Brien organised the chapters made the relationship with the three spheres of transformation very clear.

You Matter More Than You Think has many learning opportunities, with reflection and learning encouraged throughout the book, and with questions that are challenging and give the reader a lot to think about. It resonated with me on many levels, particularly due to my PhD research on neurodivergent children and young people. The content got me thinking more broadly about how we can all play a part.

The book feels very accurate and current.  Following the recent COP26 held in Glasgow, Scotland, O’Brien’s book gives readers the opportunity to think through how they can make a difference, and poses practical questions to think through that give some direction and next steps.

My learning experience was profound from reading the book. Although this is not strictly a ‘coaching focused’ text, a coaching approach is used throughout, and what I particularly like is the connection to the contextual issues faced by humanity.

You Matter More Than You Think – click for all our Book Club resources for this book