This Year I Will

How to Finally Change a Habit, Keep a Resolution, or Make a Dream Come True

By: M. J. Ryan

Narrated by: M. J. Ryan

Length: 4 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Learn the secret to making changes that stick! Every so often people get inspired (again!) to lose weight, to get organized, to start saving, or to stop worrying - but a few months later they give up, frustrated. It doesn't have to be that way.

In This Year I Will..., best-selling author M.J. Ryan offers breakthrough wisdom and coaching to help listeners make this time the time that change becomes permanent.

Why do people find it so hard to change? The secret is that everyone has their own formula for making changes that stick, but most people don't know what theirs is. They think there is one way to lose five pounds, and another way to stay on top of their e-mail, but they don't realize that for all changes, there is one system that works best for each individual.

This Year I Will... helps you lock on to your unique formula for planning, implementing, and seeing a life change through, so you can use it again and again to tackle anything else you'd like to do.

For anyone who has broken a New Year's resolution, fallen off a diet, or given up on fulfilling a dream, the ingenious strategies, inspiring stories, and sheer motivational energy of This Year I Will... will help you make a promise to yourself that you can actually keep.

©2006 M.J.Ryan (P)2009 Gildan Media Corp

Critic reviews

"If you're struggling and think that one more title can't possibly make a difference, think again. M.J. Ryan has the rare gift of breaking things down into clear pieces that can be tackled." (Laura Berman Fortgang, author of Now What? 90 Days to a New Life Direction)

Excellent Content/So-So reading

It is a shame that Ms. Ryan chose to read this book herself. Her reading isn't awful, but the quality varies and her delivery is sometimes amateurish. That being said, I have listened to the book several times because I find the content to be excellent - very motivating and helpful in making changes. Ms. Ryan has very good suggestions and examples of how to go about making lasting change. She also addresses some of the biological reasons why change is difficult and approaches that help overcome our resistance. Listen to the sample and decide for yourself on her delivery. Her message is definitely worth listening to. I'd have given it 5 stars if only the reading were more professional.

Pleasantly surprised

This book is full of useful information that is easy to incorporate in everyday lives. I found the writer to the point and not a lot of "filler" in between. There were relevant examples and clear instruction. I found myself reaching for pen and paper many times to take notes. It is presented as a program to help with goals and changes we would like to make, insert your goal now choose how you would like to go about achieving it - here are some options. Really feel I got my moneys worth! In fact I think I may go buy the hard copy too.

Helpful

I found the book to be very helpful and practical. I will definitely set many of these items in play for my New Year’s resolution. Thank you for my 2023 goalsetting exercise.

Rapid fire information

Any additional comments?

The narrator of this book speaks in such a rapid fire, high speed manner that it is overwhelming to listen to except for in short bursts. Kind of like being taught how to have a snow ball fight with an instructor who repeatedly hits you square in the face with a truck load of snow balls. Great info but the delivery is so fast and intense that even the narrator has trouble getting the words out--many mis-speaking issues. I felt like begging her to take a breath. The information presented is solid and possibly helpful--if you can stand the delivery.

Reach goals, redirect energy,re-imagine life

Helpful, low key, highly practical advise given in a friendly atmosphere. The author became my coach and mentor and helped me to find my personal path. I liked that she gave many options for reaching my goals instead of pointing to the 'right' answer as many other books do. Can you tell that I am a self-help book junkie? If so, take it from one who has sampled many, that this is one book that will leave you feeling better about yourself from first page to last.

I've listened to if 4 times in one month!

Where does This Year I Will rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It offers inspring advice about how to adopt a new habit and way of life.

What other book might you compare This Year I Will to and why?

The Power Of Habit

Which character – as performed by M. J. Ryan – was your favorite?

MJ Ryan

What insight do you think you’ll apply from This Year I Will?

I learned that you have to train your brain to make a life change and this book teaches you exactly how to do that.

Any additional comments?

I will likely listen to this book a few more times this year if not more. It is that inspiring! I love it. It gave me instruction on how to make a critical lifestyle change in my life and I partially attribute my success to this book. It is well worth the money to get it!

Common sense advice

I didn't read it at once. I started it, left it for some months, came back and continued.
I remember just the feeling that she is right: the advice is about some thoughts that we should think often: take every day at a time, forgive yourself, try to become better, be happy with your direction.
I don't find the book a big discovery, but it might help some people out there. At least as a reminder that nobody is perfect or happy all the time.

Motivating

A concise, focused and motivating book that takes away all your excuses and spurs you on to make it happen.

A good reminder of techniques to use

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Her comments about her (ex?) husband seemed inappropriate: do we need to know he was a pot smoker? That he "says" he'll sell his computer if he fails in his goal? I'd also employ a professional reader: the pacing was off and some words mispronounced (diminishes pronounced dis-min-ish-es).

Would you recommend This Year I Will to your friends? Why or why not?

I would, as there are a few good points that one can always benefit from. If you're looking to achieve a goal, learning a variety of techniques to discover what might work for you is always a good thing.

What three words best describe M. J. Ryan’s performance?

Honest, passionate, lacking.

Did This Year I Will inspire you to do anything?

I think so. The idea of apologizing to yourself if you screw up is a good "take away." It reminded me that I haven't written my goals down in awhile (I'm quite goal oriented, and have met many, though definitely not all, of them).

Any additional comments?

An idea that came to me, which wasn't in the book but perhaps helped spawn it, is to set daily times in my iPhone's clock to remind me of doing things. E.g., perhaps at 6:30 PM - listen to French lesson (I want to learn French); or, at 5:00 PM - don't drink alcohol (at times I want to avoid).

M. J. Ryan has done a great job

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would recommend this audiobook. It gives precise recommendations on how to get started doing what you have been wanting to do but don't know how to get started & stay motivated.

Who was your favorite character and why?

This book is not about characters except yourself.

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

Small managable steps to get started, journal writing and goal setting ideas.