If you've ever felt burned out, overextended, or stuck in a loop of doing too much without feeling like you're doing enough, Wise Effort by Dr. Diana Hill is a powerful and compassionate guide to help you recalibrate. Dr. Hill blends clinical insight with genuine warmth. Instead of offering a quick fix or another call to “just rest,” she introduces the Wise Effort Method—a thoughtful framework that invites you to redirect your energy in a way that feels aligned with who you really are. Drawing on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, neuroscience, and contemplative practice, she gently encourages us to explore our “genius energy”—the parts of us that shine brightest but can also trip us up when left unchecked.

Wise Effort is a must-read for anyone who feels like they care too much, try too hard, or wonder whether there’s a better way to show up in the world without losing themselves. Dr. Hill doesn’t promise perfection—she promises something better: a path to authenticity, clarity, and connection.

A wonderful read!
Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

WISE EFFORT
BY: DR. DIANA HILL

This self development non fiction by DIANA HILL. PhD, has written a comprehensive, and well researched self development book to which she cites her information with science backed research in how to use your genius energy to help you direct your gifts that aligns with your values to improve in areas that if misdirected can work against you. She does say that if you remember these three concepts then you will be well on your way to using your, "WISE EFFORT." They are what I remembered as her saying she hopes is your biggest takeaway which are quite simple which I find hard to believe it will be that simple with so many detailed information that this book covers. These three simple concepts that I'm going to list don't have me well on my way to using WISE EFFORT. They are as follows in her words: "IF ALL YOU REMEMBER AFTER YOU CLOSE THIS BOOK ARE THE THREE MAIN STEPS --GET CURIOUS, OPEN UP, AND FOCUS YOUR ENERGY--YOU WILL BE WELL ON YOUR WAY TO WISE EFFORT, BUT WE'VE ONLY JUST COMPLETED THE FIRST OF THOSE STEPS>" This is at 37% of the book so you can see what I mean that a significant amount of content has already been covered that are also integral to have been covered.

Here is more that follows in her words: "GET CURIOUS. You discovered that you have a genius energy inside you that has propelled you to do great things in life. It's your talents, strengths, what people admire in you, and what gives you energy. You also learned the ways that your genius can become your frenemy when you run from your feelings, hold on too tightly, or get stuck in a story. You untangled a place where you are stuck and learned how context plays a role, and then you explored your values--what can redirect your genius when it gets off track." So you can see that this was very interesting to read, but I remember some of what I read, but that statement is one I don't agree with since this is a book that requires a lot of stopping after what you just read and requires extensive writing in your journal for it to be delve deeper, and the questions she asks you to answer requires deep contemplation for you to work your way through this would take a long time. I found that this is not my favorite kind of format as interesting as it was, I'll have to either reread this and work my way through it by devoting the extensive writing that is required to gain what she is hoping you to be able to make lasting changes. Or I will just reread it again.

It has you examine your life which includes relationships, community, the stories we tell ourselves while thinking she claims are not always true or yours, but what you've been told or how culture has affected your thoughts that we think are our own, but not always reliable as our own. My favorite chapter was about regrets and how they teach us as she thinks there's a positive aspects to regrets that we have that can't be fixed or repair, but there's value in them which is something that is positive in them. I had already known that I have learned from mine that has taught me to already from the pain to already know better that I have made lasting change, and the insight to learn not to repeat things that most of the time I have gained wisdom enough from knowing to motivate me from choosing to not make the same mistake. She has pointed out the silver lining that is a way to see regret offers a positive and completely different way of thinking about them. She is a practicing clinician that uses clients experiences as well as her own life experiences to clarify what concepts she explained with questions to ask you to answer in your journal that require a lot more writing than short answers. She talks about ways of grounding yourself that reduces stress on a cellular level that are easy to do, but the one that I remember since I've read it numerous times about breathing that I still need to incorporate. Exercise is something I've done all my life as I am an active person that due to my commitments of reading that I keep over requesting and other paperwork that has consumed all of my time that for two years I've been sitting too long which the most strongest point that I read about recently is that it is a scientific fact that a lack of movement is as harmful to your body by reducing your lifespan as much as smoking which I never did, but is one thing that I need to get back to making exercise a part of my daily routine no matter what. Just like nutrition needs improving since I'm very thin, but I can see how two years of being sedentary needs to be addressed as soon as possible. I love to read, but I keep requesting too many titles that require my time since I have overextended myself and besides my housework and socializing I'm not moving my body which I plan on joining a gym or buying a treadmill to walk on since the Winters are long and cold, besides I love running but I need to buy new running apparel ASAP. Getting enough sleep is something that restores your body was besides the breathing are emphasized, and again this was interesting but those three steps that this author says you will be well on your way to using WISE EFFORT is definitely not enough to be using this less than my favorite Self Development books out of five recent ones that I have read that were all Five Star reading experience. For this is far more work that in order to gain the vast amount of reading it is not as easy for me to have to be honest requires more writing than I can devote to have to revisit for when I can devote the large amount of time to put 'WISE EFFORT," into my daily habits. It was not enough to read it as interesting as it is for lasting change. I looked at this author's other books, and they all require much more writing than any self development book that I've had to do ever before. I'm still glad I read it, but I've found it will be one that is not one I would have requested it if I knew to get the benefit requires as much writing as this does. I will revisit it when I have more time, which makes it something that won't be for a long time. I might just reread it, but it is not my favorite out of five others recently read.

Publication Date: September 23, 2025

Thank you to Net Galley, Dr Diana Hill, and Sounds True Publishing for generously providing me with my interesting ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own, as always.

#WiseEffort #DrDianaHill #SoundsTruePublishing #NetGalley.