The Confidence Gap Paperback – 24 Mar. 2011

This book is really good for understanding how to build your confidence. If, like me, that's something you struggle with and you're fed up with being told "you just need to feel/ be more confident" but with no one seeming to know how to do that, then read this book. The way the book describes/ talks about confidence is really helpful and it describes an approach to building confidence that actually works. Part of that is challenging your perception of what confidence is and how you get it; it's a subtle point but makes a real difference. The book doesn't provide a quick fix, but it doesn't pretend to and if you want lasting confidence, a quick fix is not going to give you that. I found the practices and understanding it provides do work.Personally, I found the way the book is written quite cheesy and is a bit too typical of other self-help books (and I've read a lot!); some people may appreciate or may not mind that, but it did grate on my nerves. However, I did find it worth sticking with. I've rated it 4 stars for what I've got out of it, but it would've rated it 3 stars if it was just for the book and the style of writing alone.ACT is based in Mindfulness and there are better books available to learn about Mindfulness, for example, "Mindfulness - A practical guide to finding peace in a frantic world" by Mark Williams and Danny Penman, is excellent. I'm glad I discovered Mindfulness first, as I feel practicing that has been a massive help for coping with negative thoughts and expectations, anxiety and fears; the things that can and do undermine your confidence. Once you have that basis and add the practices and understanding of how to build confidence provided in this book, you're onto a winner! I found it has helped me and I hope it will help you too!

As the title says, russ Harris is clearly an expert in the field of life and mental health and he is going to change peoples life's.This is the 2nd book read of his, the first being 'the happiness trap', this being about confidence.The way russ writes, it feels so relevant and every word, you can relate too, he doesn't 'beat around the Bush' as they say, he just delivers brilliant philosophy and techniques, that unravel all the obstacles possibly standing in your way, I have felt myself using some of the techniques in my head, and I've found it's a good way to distract and take yourself away from the voice inside or the doubts that creep up.i have furoughly enjoyed both books that i have read, it has given me a completely different insight to happiness and confidence, of course your always going to feel sidetracked or pulled back into your original thinking but russ isn't forceful with you, he is calm and simplifies that it's OK to feel what you do and experience your normal daily life/struggles but with the techniques he explains, it's a gateway to a better way of living and understanding of who you are and what you go through.

This is an excellent book for people needing assistance in dealing with confidence and anxiety difficulties in a pragmatic way. Right from the start, readers are encouraged to be clear as to what greater confidence would look like in our own lives, and to reflect on particular circumstances where we are currently struggling. Regular prompts to check on what our thoughts are doing help with active reading and a variety of exercises are introduced to identify values and develop mindfulness. These are built on in a structured way so that by the end of the book readers should be able to have a specific plan for dealing with areas of life that would benefit from more confidence.The insights in this book have already gripped me and, along with the exercises, are helping me to approach challenging situations more calmly and to deal with their consequences with more resilience. Having recently experienced a sudden drop in confidence following illness I was in the unexpected position of shopping for a 'self-help' book, particularly for dealing with the problems I have been having at work. There are many schools of thought in developing confidence, ranging from the vague spiritual/relaxation approach to an aggressive, confident = dominant tone, which to me would be an entire personality change. This book may not be a strategy that suits everyone and some potentially uncomfortable self-analysis is required, but for those who prefer a calm, focussed approach and who are willing to put in the effort and thought I would strongly recommend it.

My 'journey' with ACT started 9 months ago when I bought 'the happiness trap'. After looking at various other self help books/therapies I felt I'd finally settled on something which made perfect sense. Russ harris' book made ACT very accessible for a layman like me.I then bought 'get out of your mind and into your life'. This was a more technical, theoretical book. I believe this to be the 'Bible' on ACT and it really helped, especially with the concept of the observing self, which I never got before.So, I debated whether i needed another ACT book. Would this be a form of avoidance? Would it offer anything different?Well, I would answer yes. I do think that if you have self confidence issues this book does provide a more targeted and accessible source. I don't think it explains the observing-self at all, inspite of it being a key ACT concept. So perhaps it's less theoretical but more targeted.Either way, very glad I bought it and all three books have a useful function. And 9 months on I'm pleased to notice big positive changes.