Illogical: Saying Yes to a Life Without Limits by Emmanuel Acho

Illogical: Saying Yes to a Life Without Limits Reviews

• 
  Korrie’s Korner

  Emmanuel just had a way of bringing the truth that hits the target everytime!!
  
  “Whatever your it is, you’ve got to invest in it. Put your time, money and mental capacity into it. Deciding to use your it. Use your skills, your talents and gifts. We’re all gifted in something are we using it.”
  
  I love that Emmanuel wrote this book first before UCWABM. It’s all about finding your passions and doing IT! I love how he wove lessons from his life and stories from the Bible in this book. Dream big and DO your passions. Disperse your gift to the world. Don’t leave it wrapped.
• 
  Danielle

  I love his other book, and I respect his work, but this book quickly became hard to listen too. It seemed very egocentric and was more about his accomplishments than anything. When he spoke of other's stories it worked. But I found myself really turned off by his constant reference to himself. Doesn't come across as memoir and not good enough to be self help.
• 
  Chrissy

  I'm so torn on how to rate this one.
  
  Illogical: Saying Yes to a Life Without Limits was installment 2 of my series where I legitimately just grab whatever was the most recently returned e-book to my local library, then review it.
  
  To be fair, I hadn't heard of Emmanuel Acho.
  
  To be fair again, I loathe self-help in general. I always feel like the author is speaking directly to Karen down the street, telling her exactly what to say to empower her to cold message another neighbor in hopes of recruiting more lost souls to her pyramid scheme.
  
  That being said, Acho had some really memorable anecdotes here, and I did enjoy the stories he told about his own life.
  
  HOWEVER... and this is a BIG however.... the whole "BE ILLOGICAL" trope really made no sense. Maybe this was a quick marketing grab for a title, but it had almost no relevance to any of the tips or stories illustrated throughout the book.
  
  Some of the advice was about being flexible.... being open.... being in the right place at the right time... being in acquaintance with famous people ... being willing to swap up your kitchen utensils. Nothing was illogical, and the repetitiveness of the catch phrase got old.... FAST.
  
  That being said, Acho knows how to tell a story. His words are compelling and I really do think he has interesting, important things to say.
  
  I'd just rather read them next time in a memoir.... not necessarily a self-help book.
• 
  Barbara Colvin

  Two chapters in, when Emmanuel was talking about being illogical, I could only think, ‘That word… I do not think it means what you think it means.”
  Basically this book boils down to, whatever you want to do, feel the fear and uncertainty and do it anyway. Plus, lots of inspirational anecdotes, many about Emmanuel.
  I cringed when he met Holocaust survivor Tova Friedman, asked to see her tattoo, then said “it’s fading!” Like she’d be pleased. Then asked why she hadn’t had it removed. She’s had it for over 70 years, Emmanuel! Why do you think she didn’t?? Did you not do any research before meeting her? I suppose Tova meets equally clueless people every day, but I expected the author to be more on the ball. He also wrote that the series of events that led to her survival was “illogical”. For instance, she was taken to the gas chambers one day but they were broken, so she lived another day, then the Russians were closing in on the camp so she never got marched to the gas chamber again. She hid in the morgue one day, under the sheet with a corpse. Like any survivor, a mix of strategy and pure luck enabled her survival. Nothing illogical about it.
  
  If you want a superficial ‘just do it’ piece of self help, this is ok, but it’s all been done before and done better.
• 
  Zibby Owens

  This book is about ignoring logic in your life and being willing to accept the illogical way and take risks. It is about pushing boundaries and shifting your mind. The book is a step-by-step guide to finding our passions. It includes stories from the author's life, other pioneers, and the Bible. It encourages us to throw out anything that limits us and be open to possibilities.
  
  This isn't about believing in goals; it's about setting objectives without limitations. When I started my own publishing company, many people told me it wouldn't work. I learned that people like to feel safe, so they recommend safe ideas. After reading this book, I realized that we have to take some risks and not be afraid of failing. Trying is what matters, no matter the outcome.
  
  To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
  https://zibbyowens.com/transcript/emm...
• 
  Natalie Park

  Thank you to Net Galley and Flatiron Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. Acho, a former NFL player, has carved out his post-football career as a podcaster, ESPN commentator and a writer. I really enjoyed his first book and this was good as well. He talked about the things that others may think are illogical - a bet in blackjack, breaking the 4 minute mile. He advises to take in the advice others give you but also follow your dreams/intuitions and some of the greatest achievements/discoveries are made by those that take the risk. He also suggests to find you "it". What are you good at and enjoy...his is communicating, and then developing it. I read and listened to the audiobook. As he's a great speaker, I also recommend the audiobook.
• 
  Ezi Chinny

  I didn't think the title of this book was the right one. What the author considered "illogical" behavior is actually logical and rational to me.
  The author used illustrations from his own life to show how he was forced to deviate or adapt to new conditions when the aspirations and goals he was working towards no longer seemed attainable. He quotes the Bible and also shares stories about things that may have been considered failures but he coped with them and realized new goals. Honestly, with the exception of personal stories, there is nothing groundbreaking or revolutionary about this main idea presented.
  
  The basic theme that I got from this book is that we shouldn't be tied to one vision that we consider our life a failure if we do not achieve that specific aim. We should think big, outside the box, take risks and be flexible with our aspirations. The message here was meant to encourage and inspire. The ability to adapt is absolutely logical and necessary for survival. The title just seems like click-bait for marketing purposes, and it does the message a disservice.
  
  *Special Thanks to Flatiron Books via Netgalley for the reading copy given in exchange for an honest review
  
  
• 
  Kerry

  3.5 stars - While I am not a huge fan of self-help books (they come off as cheesy to me), I will listen to any book Emmanuel writes. I enjoyed hearing more about his life and successes, along with his his thoughts and suggestions on leading your best life.
• 
  Brenda Seefeldt

  I'm a big Emmanuel Acho fan but not of this self-help book. Too many self-help books published already, this is not his lane.
• 
  Kathryn Wittner

  As a 2022 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, I felt compelled to finally read the book Acho graciously gifted each graduate. I wanted to enjoy this book and be a nice fellow Longhorn but, alas, I could not. Here are some of my thoughts:
  
  1. Lot of definitions and “Merriam-Webster defines—“. This would have been fine if he didn’t define the most basic words like consequence.
  2. Vocal cords appeared at the beginning of the book and vocal chords appeared at the end. This was one of many typos, missing words, and other errors that should have been caught for such a short book.
  3. Ended the book with pleas to develop your talents, including investing money to hone your skills. Obviously someone with NFL money would say spending the money is worth it but most people don’t have NFL money.
  4. Extremely repetitive (as most self-help books are) and unpleasant to read.
  
  He earned a second star for mentioning Taylor Swift.
• 
  Gerry Bartlett

  I saw Acho on CBS Mornings and liked what he had to say. So I bought his book. Illogical? Not necessarily. He says goals are finite. You set a goal and boom! you either make it or not. Dreams are more open ended. I like that idea a lot. He set goals in high school, like winning homecoming king and athlete of the year. Didn't get either one and cried bitter tears. Failing can do that to you. Failure at anything is hurtful. Like trying to hit a bestseller list. And you don't make it. But you did sell books. Celebrate that, author! And you have won over loyal readers. See what I mean? He also talks about finding "it". That's finding your passion. I was lucky enough to find mine and it makes what I do not seem like work at all. But I spent years toiling at something else. If that's you, still toiling, you might want to pick up this slim volume and get inspired. I read it fast and enjoyed every minute. Came away ready to pass it on to my grandson. He has lofty goals right now. Maybe he should just dream... and not listen to the naysayers in his life.
• 
  Taylor

  I checked this out after seeing Acho on a YouTube Short talking about his belief in systems over goals. This book was hyped as an extension of that conversation so I was expecting a collection of similar insights.
  
  Unfortunately, I was disappointed. It was more of an exercise in various ways to share the same two facts: he was cut from the NFL repeatedly and he started a controversial talk show.
  
  It’s my own fault, though. I have to stop reading self-help fluff and expecting something fresh.
• 
  Janine

  I’m most familiar with Emmanuel Acho for being the co-host of Speak For Yourself and enjoy his sports content, but wanted to check out this new book he had out. And I really love what he says about crafting a life for yourself that’s beyond the usual talks of logic and standardized thinking. Through stories from his own life and others, Acho gives you the jumping off point to start your illogical life. He provides tips at the end of each chapter to build it in your own life. In addition, Acho reads the audiobook himself, and brings an extra dimension to the book. It’s less than 5 hours long and it’s highly recommend.
• 
  Brandon McGuire

  I could do without the constant religious references and comparisons, but I really enjoyed this book and flew through it.
• 
  Emilee

  Listened to this audio book on my way home from work. It was such a great book and I really enjoyed it. Definitely a book I would listen to again for a refresher on being illogical!
• 
  Abigail Companion

  2.5/5
• 
  Leah Bryson

  I adore Emmanuel’s positive voice and encouraging message!
• 
  Sierra Apaliski

  Acho is a wonderful speaker, and at only 4 hours this audio book is nice to listen to while working or cleaning. Not as impactful as Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man, but it is uplifting.
• 
  Patricia

  I listened to it in an audiobook (Audible) narrated by Acho himself.
  
  Definitely, a book written by its author comes from his gut, from his heart. In several reviews, I read other people recommending the audiobook version and yes, I recommend it too.
  
  I came to the book thanks to Brené Brown's podcast "unlocking us" which I listened to in mid-April, I bought the book the same day (after listening to the podcast) and in less than a week, I finished it.
  
  I loved that his narrative is based on small stories and each one explains the tips to be illogical. Each stage leads you to discover or at least ask yourself what is essential to find your purpose (or the "thing" as he calls it).
  
  I really liked the football analogy when he explained that scoring a goal is only a part of the game and should not determine the experience itself. I never thought about it and it's true!
  
  It has given me new tools. It's a book you can go back to as many times as you need to listen to a chapter or two and get that little dose of courage we sometimes lack before making big decisions.
  Bravo ACHO!
• 
  Rhi

  While I like the general hypothesis, this book is neither original nor well written. It also is steeped in hustle culture.
• 
  Brittany Robbins

  A quick read - terrific book! Can’t wait to watch all his interviews in his conversations with a black man series! I certainly recommend!
• 
  Amy

  A light, motivational read. Good things to think about, but often hard to implement. Overcoming our preconceived notions can be difficult. But, that's why we read self-help. Right?
• 
  Jill

  3.5 stars
  
  I probably would have given this book 4 stars, but I just read Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man last month, and this latest book feels like at least 25% was a repeat of content.
  
  It also felt a lot like there's more ego involved. It must be difficult to write a self-help/motivational manifesto and still sound humble.
  
  That said, Emmanuel Acho is a great narrator and storyteller. I'm grateful for the early listening copy of Illogical via the NetGalley app.
• 
  Adam

  All the best to him, I've wanted to read his original bestseller. But, this book was pretty disappointing. Even as an inspiring, accept-yourself type book this definitely was lacking. It was a very impassioned plea to think beyond your limits and try some things to take you beyond what the 'logical' things are. It wasn't very well argued and the book itself was illogical at times by contradicting it's own advice. He has the pathos, just not enough logos or ethos. I feel like he will have more to say in the future on this topic, but he's not quite there for something like this, yet.
• 
  MK

  This makes me sad because I like the author as a speaker and talent… but this book ain’t it.
  
  So many bible stories and quotes- like one each chapter. It’s just too much and as a non religious person it was such a turn off.
  
  He also said, at least five times, “and this conversation changed my life.” I mean really- how many life changing conversations is this man having?
  
  He mentions he wrote this book prior to UCWABM and yeah- you can tell. It was dropped in here and there and felt a bit out of place (but probably the most interesting thing he discussed.)