I wanted to read this book to learn more about how people can manage their own internal energy so they don’t become drained in the first place.

This book explores the concept of “wise effort”, which is about finding the sweet spot between working too hard, burning out, and giving up. Dr Hill, a psychologist, draws on core principles from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and mindfulness to teach us how to invest our energy effectively in our own values, rather than simply being busy or reactive.

What made it really special for me was the focus on effort as a finite resource. This is incredibly helpful when dealing with demanding or draining people (such as narcissists), because the book doesn’t tell us to change them, it teaches us to stop giving them the fuel of our wise effort. It offers clear tools to identify where our energy is being wasted and how to redirect it towards people and activities that align with our deepest values.

It’s the perfect read for the New Year’s resolution period! Reading this, especially in winter, gives you the opportunity to reflect on the past year, prevent burnout during the Christmas season, and set intentions for where you want to wisely invest your time and energy in the year ahead.

The writing style and the concepts are the strongest elements. Dr Hill writes with a warm, accessible tone that breaks down complex psychological ideas into practical, actionable steps. I absolutely loved reading this!

This has been such a godsend for me, I'm at an action point in my life, just like the author explains, when I can decide how to proceed, whether to accept the vicious cycle of current habits or lean into the uncomfortable truth that things need to change and I'm the one who has to do something about it. It is folly to keep doing the same things over and over and to expect different results and it is only when we realise the pain of inaction has a heavier price than the cost of the changes we need to make that we actually take charge.

My current professional situation is evidence that I'm not putting my wisest effort forward and the book gave me a roadmap to take the necessary steps if been delaying. I'm planning to relisten to this before asap.

Fun fact, I didn't realise that another audiobook I had recently reviewed for Netgalley was by the same author. (I know I should exercise more, but...). It did start to make sense when I came across the chapter about getting out of the deleterious habit of not moving and how to challenge our own thought patterns regarding this. Having read 2 books by this psychologist now I can safely say I want to hear more and am planning to get my hands on their third book (as seen on Goodreads).

This book came at the right time for me. I’ve been trying to live more intentionally, manage my stress better, and create a calmer rhythm in my daily life — and this book really supported that. Diana Hill’s message isn’t the typical “work harder” mindset; it’s about showing up with clarity, compassion, and purpose. That resonated with me because I often find myself pushing too hard or worrying too much.

Overall, Wise Effort is a thoughtful and grounding read — perfect if you’re hoping to grow, simplify, or move through life with more intention and less self-criticism. It’s the kind of book that gently nudges you toward being more present and balanced.

Wise effort is a audiobook which is a wise choice to listen to and understand it. You might think the book is simple and basic but you’re absolutely wrong. This is a beautiful piece of audiobook with great details, facts and a lot of information.

The narrators voice was so calm, peaceful and engaging.

A lot of research has gone into this audiobook and I have learned so much vital information and knowledge from this audiobook it’s actually mind blowing. It’s motivating and motivational. Inspiring and informative.

I will highly recommend this book to everyone.

I was given a free copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

This book gives good information about living within your values. I enjoyed the pieces from ACT and found them applicable. I’m unsure if clients would find this book very relatable. Some of the case examples seemed to be dramatized in a way that makes them unrelatable.