Didn't See It Coming

Overcoming the Seven Greatest Challenges That No One Expects and Everyone Experiences

By: Carey Nieuwhof

Narrated by: Carey Nieuwhof

An influential pastor, podcaster, and thought leader believes it's not only possible to predict life's hardest moments, but also to alter outcomes, overcome challenges, and defeat your fiercest adversaries.

Founding pastor of one of North America's most influential churches, Carey Nieuwhof wants to help you avoid and overcome life's seven hardest and most crippling challenges: cynicism, compromise, disconnectedness, irrelevance, pride, burnout, and emptiness. These are challenges that few of us expect but that we all experience at some point.

If you have yet to confront these obstacles, Carey provides clear tools and guidelines for anticipation and avoidance. On the other hand, if you already feel stuck in a painful experience or are wrestling with one of these challenges, he provides the steps you need to find a way out and a way forward into a more powerful and vibrant future.

©2018 Carey Nieuwhof Communications Limited (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Over the years, one of the things I’ve enjoyed most about being a public speaker is having opportunities to hang out with Carey. We’ve had dozens of meals and more coffees than I can count. I’ve had the good fortune to hear these ideas as they developed and as they’ve helped leaders across the country. It’s not a matter of if you’ll run into these challenges; it’s a matter of when. Be prepared by spending a little time with a leader who has already been there.” (Jon Acuff, New York Times best-selling author of Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done)

“Burnout, cynicism, disconnection, compromise - are these just the inevitable curses of growing older in a rapidly changing, technology-addicted world? Carey Nieuwhof believes we can see these ills coming before they befall us and can take steps to avoid them. If you’re looking for gentle, empathetic life coaching from a Christian perspective, this book is sure to help you.” (Daniel H. Pink, author of New York Times best-sellers When and Drive)

“Leaders do well when they continually examine themselves, and they set themselves up for failure when they don’t. Carey points leaders to some very important areas to observe.” (Dr. Henry Cloud, leadership consultant and author of The Power of the Other)

Great exhortation for men to lead our families

This book explains how to combat the problem of being cynical and being burnt out.

I Didn't See This Coming

Amazing Book...Needed this in my life right now. The timing is perfect. I want to read it again. Thank you.

Nailed it!

Even in 2024, still 100% applicable, because the advice is timeless. Highly recommend. Will be listening to this one again.

Like a 2 by 4 to wake me up

I am such a Carey fan. This book hit me up side the head like a 2 by 4! It is a book every pastor should read! Thanks for writing it!

Leadership Learnings

Great book, insightful encouragement as well as practical, practical take aways to keep anyone from train wrecking.

Great book!

There are so many great nuggets in this book. I’ve learned so much and would definitely recommend this to any leader.

excellent book!

I loved it! Great insights into the world of gratitude and burn out. Definitely will listen to again.

Wow! Extremely beneficial!

This book was exactly what I needed. The principles and the applications were so simple to understand and so relevant to my life. Thank you Carey.

his the mail on the head

couldn't stop listening. love the Canadian accent! highly recommend to hear him speak in person as well

great advice for struggling with life.

really enjoyed this book it was easy to follow along listen to it in my work van on the way to work and it was a good overall book and just helped every way it could.