Wise Effort - by Diana Hill (Paperback)

About the Book

Clinical psychologist Dr. Diana Hill offers a science-backed guide to stop spinning your wheels, identify your genius, and focus your most precious resource, your energy, on what matters most.

Book Synopsis

A science-backed approach to shift your most precious resource--your energy--to stop feeling depleted and reconnect with your inherent genius.

Many of us misdirect our energy--doing too much and feeling like it is not enough. Clinical psychologist Dr. Diana Hill offers a method to reclaim your energy and revitalize your relationships, health, work, and community.

Instead of more productivity tips, Dr. Hill invites us to use Wise Effort to connect with our "genius energy" our unique and inherent strengths that show up in our talents and gifts. It propels you forward when used in the right amount and toward your values.

When we misdirect this energy, our very genius becomes our problem. Think of the super-helper who supports everyone else but doesn't help themself, or the high achiever at work whose patterns backfire in relationships. Misguiding your energy burns you out and leaves you depleted. Understanding and working wisely with your genius energy empowers you to reclaim it as a life-giving force.

Integrating science-backed practices from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with contemplative and body-based wisdom, you will learn how to guide your genius energy wisely in multiple areas of your life. You will get curious about what's keeping you stuck, open up to the difficult thoughts and feelings that limit you, and focus your energy where it matters most. With the Wise Effort method, the genius at the root of your problems becomes your solution to feeling connected, brave, and truly alive.

Review Quotes

"Wise Effort is a transformative guide to living with heart and integ-rity. Diana Hill invites us to turn inward--with curiosity, compassion, and courage--and align our lives with what truly matters. Drawing from both contemplative practice and psychological insight, this book offers a pathway home to presence, purpose, and the quiet joy of living true to our hearts." --Tara Brach, author of Radical Acceptance and Radical Compassion

"Wise Effort helps you use your energy more intentionally. This approach encourages us to do what matters without burning out. Blending insights from Buddhism, psychology, and neuroscience, psychologist Diana Hill offers a practical, compassionate guide for high achievers ready to work smarter, not harder." --Nedra Glover Tawwab, LCSW, New York Times bestselling author of Set Boundaries, Find Peace

"When we learn how our brains work, we open ourselves up to so many possibilities for changing habits, channeling our energy where it mat-ters most, and living fulfilling and impactful lives. Diana Hill's book is the perfect blend of neuroscience and daily practices that will help you leverage your strengths and set you on a path toward wise effort." --Judson Brewer, MD, PhD, New York Times bestselling author of Unwinding Anxiety

"Diana Hill shows how you can connect your body, heart, and mind into a wise, caring, effective rhythm of life." --Jack Kornfield, author of A Path with Heart

"Diana Hill offers down-to-earth wisdom and a wonderful tool kit for anyone searching for the path you were meant to be on. Whether you're feeling stuck in a particular area of your life or looking to bring fresh awareness and energy to the life you're already living, you'll find rich, actionable insights in these pages." --Robert J. Waldinger, MD, director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Good Life

"Wise Effort is a beautifully crafted guide to channeling human energy in ways that align with the neurobiological foundations of connection, safety, and resilience. Personally, I found her approach deeply resonant. Diana invites readers to listen to their bodies, focus their energy with intention, and cultivate a life anchored in meaning and vitality. Wise Effort is a compassionate and practical resource for anyone seeking to live with greater coherence, curiosity, and courage." --Stephen W. Porges, PhD, cofounder of the Polyvagal Institute, author of The Polyvagal Theory

"This book is a practical guide for living with more clarity, alignment, and vitality. It reminds us that energy--not time--is our most meaningful resource. With her Wise Effort method, Diana offers a powerful path to help you reclaim your focus and aliveness and direct it toward what really matters. The reflection prompts are thoughtful and honest--and they'll nudge you to listen to your own wisdom more deeply." --Sonya Looney, MS, MAPP, world champion mountain biker and mental performance coach

"Diana Hill's energy and her ability to communicate how best to employ daily practices that lift our spirits, guide us to do good work, and be good people are vital right now!" --Allison Aubrey, NPR correspondent

"This is not just a book--it's a map for living with purpose without burning out. Wise Effort is the rare book that blends deep psychological insight with practical, grounded wisdom. Diana Hill offers a compassionate, clear-eyed path for high achievers and sensitive souls alike, those who care deeply, strive earnestly, and still find themselves stuck. With powerful metaphors, actionable tools, and profound heart, Diana helps readers transform their unique energy into a force for clarity, connection, and real change." --Marcela Matos, PhD, clinical psychologist and auxiliary researcher at the Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive and Behavioral Intervention, University of Coimbra, Portugal

"A gentle guide to living with purpose, presence, and inner freedom." --Christiana Figueres, coauthor of The Future We Choose

About the Author

Diana Hill, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and speaker helping people direct their energy toward what matters most. Through her Wise Effort programs and podcast, she helps people play big in their careers, health, and relationships. Her books include I Know I Should Exercise, But..., The Self-Compassion Daily Journal, and ACT Daily Journal. NPR, the Wall Street Journal, and Mindful magazine have featured her work. She resides in Santa Barbara, California. For more, visit drdianahill.com.