59 Seconds: Change Your Life in Under a Minute
Richard Wiseman
A faith-based guide to finding where your confidence drains away, rewriting the comfort-zone habits built on old hurts, and defining a steadier kind of power that changes with each role and includes rest.

1 min 00 sec
If your confidence rises at work and collapses at home, or disappears after one rejection, you may believe you are short on power. In Power Moves, pastor and author Sarah Jakes Roberts argues that power never lived in a title, a paycheck or a relationship status. It grows from your potential, and the only way to truly lose it is to stop believing you have it.
Her throughline is that real power comes from within, through faith in God. You reclaim it by finding where it drains, rewriting the habits built to protect old wounds, and letting power take a different shape in each role, including the role of someone who rests.
She makes the case with scripture and with simple pictures: a parking lot full of cars, a pantry stocked with instant ramen, God resting on the seventh day. Follow her through it and you get a way to audit your energy, a daily belief exercise and permission to stop proving yourself.
2 min 07 sec
You can feel strong in one part of life and empty in another on the same afternoon. A picture of a crowded parking lot shows why avoiding the weak spots never refills them.
1 min 42 sec
Two people once held authority over the very creature that talked them out of everything. Their story points to the small daily habit that drains more power than any boss or critic.
1 min 46 sec
A broke student eats the same cheap noodles every night, and nobody thinks it is because he loves them. Your own habits may be running on the same logic, set up by old pain.
1 min 47 sec
Most people know a habit is hurting them and keep it anyway. A comparison with a computer virus offers a way to find the single faulty program behind many bad days.
2 min 02 sec
Repeating a positive phrase rarely changes anything on its own. The exercise here adds one extra step that turns a sentence you say into a choice you make about real people.
1 min 50 sec
The confidence that wins a boardroom argument can fail completely at a child’s bedside. Copying someone else’s model of strength, it turns out, is one of the surest ways to feel weak.
1 min 37 sec
Even the most powerful being in the story of creation stopped working for a day. Knowing when to fight and when to sit down may matter more than pushing harder.
1 min 14 sec
Power Moves ends up redrawing where strength comes from. Jakes Roberts takes it away from titles, approval and outperforming others and places it inside you, rooted in faith, flexible enough to look different in a boardroom and at a bedside, and secure enough to rest. Powerlessness, in her telling, is never a permanent state. Reclaiming your power is an act of defiance against whatever tried to contain you, whether memories, fears, ideas or oppression, and turning to face those things is how you come back to yourself.
The work starts small. Walk through the roles in your life, notice which tanks run low, and name who or what is draining them. Catch the next quiet voice that says you could never do something, and ask which wish it is hiding. Choose one belief, such as dignity mattering more than acceptance, repeat it until it shapes a real decision, and pray as you carry it out. And when you cannot tell whether to fight or wait, wait.
Adam and Eve held authority over the serpent the whole time. This book asks you to stop listening to the voice that says you never had any.
Confidence can disappear in a moment. One rejection, one draining relationship or one season of overwork leaves you feeling hollow. When that happens, it is tempting to look for strength in job titles, relationship status or outperforming others. Sarah Jakes Roberts argues that this kind of power was never real, and that true power grows from your potential and from your spirit. Writing as a pastor, she builds her case on scripture and on vivid everyday pictures: a parking lot where every car stands for a part of your life, a pantry that holds nothing but instant ramen, Adam and Eve listening to a serpent they had authority over, and God resting on the seventh day. She shows how comfort zones are built by trauma to protect you from old pain, and how those protective habits quietly keep you small. Readers get a practical sequence: audit the roles where power leaks, trace powerless moments back to one underlying pattern, install a faith-based belief and tie it to a real decision, define power for each role you play, and learn when rest is the stronger move.
Women and men of faith whose confidence is strong in one area of life and empty in another.
People-pleasers worn out by relationships that only last while they overextend themselves.
Busy professionals and parents who feel guilty resting and want a steadier idea of strength.
Sarah Jakes Roberts is an American author, speaker and pastor. She is the daughter of Bishop T.D. Jakes and is married to pastor Touré Roberts, with whom she has six children. In 2017 she founded Woman Evolve, a digital platform that gives women inspiration, resources and tools for discovering their purpose, and in 2023 she was named to the Time 100 Next list.
Listeners find this book empowering and motivating, noting that it helps them transform their mindsets and find focus through Godly inspiration. They describe it as an incredible read that is well worth the investment, with one listener calling it the self-help book of the century. The writing style is highly regarded, and listeners appreciate the authenticity and humor, with one listener sharing that it moved them to both laugh and cry.
Wow. This book hit me right where I needed it. Sarah Jakes Roberts has this way of speaking that feels like a warm hug and a firm push at the same time. I’ve been struggling with my confidence lately, but reading through her personal stories about rebranding her life gave me the spark I desperately needed. The "marinate, active, and prayer" sections at the end of each chapter are genius because they force you to actually apply what you're reading instead of just nodding along. To be fair, her writing style is very conversational, so it feels more like a late-night chat with a mentor than a dry self-help book. It made me laugh and cry, sometimes on the same page! If you're looking to transform your mindset through a Godly lens, this is the one to grab. It truly feels like she's pulling you together when you're falling apart.
Show moreFinally got around to reading this after hearing Sarah on a podcast, and I’m just blown away by the depth here. Power Moves isn't just about career shifts; it’s about the internal shift required to handle the power God has placed inside of you. Look, I’ve read a lot of Christian self-help, but this feels like the self-help book of the century because it touches on both the psychological and spiritual aspects of centering yourself. She talks about sitting with your own thoughts and reflecting on wisdom, which is so necessary in our loud world. The humor she sprinkles in makes the heavier lessons easier to digest. Personally, I found the chapter on inner strength to be the most motivating thing I've read all year. Every penny spent on this purchase was worth it for the mindset shift alone.
Show morePicked this up during a really dark season after losing my parents, and it felt like God guided me straight to these pages. Sarah Jakes Roberts speaks a language that resonates deep within my soul, especially regarding how women can hold power in ministry and life. It felt like I was listening to an older sister give me advice rather than a distant author. The analogies she uses make the spiritual lessons super relatable to everyday struggles. Not gonna lie, I cried through several chapters because she articulated feelings I couldn't put into words. This book helped me realize that centering yourself through wisdom is the only way to move forward when life knocks you down. It’s more than just a book; it’s a tool for transformation and healing. I'm already planning to re-read it next month.
Show moreThis book opens my eyes to the reality of Godly authority in a woman's life. As an ARC reader, I wasn't sure what to expect from a self-help book, but this was a phenomenal surprise. SJR shares stories that make you realize you aren't alone in your insecurities or your "low" moments. The way she frames a "rebrand" not as a fake persona, but as returning to who God meant you to be, is incredibly motivating. Gotta say, her ability to blend humor with deep spiritual truths is what makes this an amazing read. It’s one of those books where you find yourself highlighting almost every sentence. It really helped pull me together during a time when I felt scattered. This is a must-buy for anyone who wants to feel empowered and centered.
Show morePower Moves is exactly what the title suggests—a call to action for your spirit. I loved the way Sarah breaks down the concept of "power" as something that requires stewardship and wisdom rather than just force. The "marinate, active, and prayer" segments at the end of each chapter are the highlights for me. They turn the reading experience into a mini-retreat. Personally, I think this book is a masterpiece of modern spiritual guidance. It made me laugh, cry, and ultimately, it made me stand taller. Not only is it empowering, but it provides a roadmap for transforming your mindset through God’s grace. Every woman should have this on her nightstand for those days when the world feels like too much. It’s a 5-star investment in your own growth.
Show moreAs someone who has followed SJR for a while, I knew I was going to enjoy the core message of this book. Her authenticity is always top-tier, and her humor keeps the mood light even when she’s calling you out. Truth is, there are moments where the message feels a bit repetitive if you’ve read her previous work, but the "Power Moves" framework still adds value. I appreciated the focus on trusting God through the day-to-day grind. Some might find her use of certain Bible verses a bit overdone, but they are classics for a reason, right? It’s a great read for anyone going through a transition or a "rebrand" of their identity. While it didn't completely reinvent the wheel for me, it provided that much-needed encouragement to keep going. It’s definitely a solid addition to any spiritual library.
Show moreThe chapter on sitting with yourself changed my whole perspective on what it means to be powerful. Most people think power moves are loud, but SJR argues they are often quiet moments of reflection and centering. I loved the scripture insights used to solidify the journey; they felt integrated rather than just tacked on. My only minor gripe is that she discusses herself quite a bit, though usually, it’s to illustrate a point. Her conversational style makes for an easy read, yet the "active" sections ensure you aren't just a passive consumer of information. In my experience, books like this usually lack practical application, but Sarah provides a clear path. It’s an empowering read that truly helps you control the power God placed inside of you. Definitely worth the purchase if you need a mental reset.
Show moreAfter hearing her on Mel Robbins' podcast, I had high expectations for this book, and for the most part, Sarah delivered. Her authenticity is her greatest strength, and she writes exactly how she speaks—passionate and direct. The book is focused on how to handle the internal power God gives us, which I found very motivating. To be fair, if you’ve followed her for years, some of the themes might feel like things you’ve heard before in her sermons. There is a bit of repetition in the middle chapters that slowed my momentum. But the "marinate" sections really helped me slow down and actually think about my life. It’s a solid 4-star read that offers a lot of Godly inspiration for those needing a push. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a fresh start.
Show moreNot what I expected based on the marketing, which promised a groundbreaking manual for success. Don’t get me wrong, Sarah has a wonderful heart, but the structure of this book felt messy to me. At times, the message was buried under significant word repetition, making it hard to follow her logic. Frankly, I struggled with the fact that she speaks on 'overcoming' without fully acknowledging the generational resources that provide a safety net most readers don't have. I also noticed she discusses concepts similar to IFS (Internal Family Systems) without actually giving credit to the framework or the creator of that idea. It’s a decent gateway for those new to self-discovery, but I was yearning for more depth. It’s okay for encouragement, just not a life-changer for me.
Show moreEver wonder if a book can be too wordy? That was my main struggle with Power Moves. Sarah has an amazing heart and her humor is infectious, but I found myself skimming through some of the repetitive paragraphs to get to the point. Truth is, the message is beautiful—reclaiming your power through God—but it could have been said in half the pages. For those looking for a spark, you’ll definitely find it here, especially in the prayers at the end of the chapters. However, the conversational tone sometimes veers into "word salad" territory where the actual advice gets lost and seems out of place. It’s a good gateway for beginners, but seasoned readers might find it a bit thin on new concepts. I’m giving it three stars because the spirit is great, even if the editing could have been tighter.
Show moreJakes Roberts argues that true power does not come from job titles, relationship status or beating others. It grows from your potential and from your spirit, rooted in faith in God. You reclaim it by finding where it leaks, updating the comfort-zone habits that trauma built to protect you, and defining power differently for each role you play, including knowing when to rest.
She means that power changes shape as you change roles, which happens hundreds of times a day. The stance that serves you in a boardroom will not help you tuck children into bed. She suggests listing your roles, picturing what power looks like in each, and defining it by your own abilities, capacity and preferences instead of copying someone else’s model.
She describes the comfort zone as something trauma builds to keep you from feeling old pain again. It steers you away from risk, and it can wire you to please others or avoid closeness. Its outcomes are safe and predictable, yet they may not feed your soul. She compares it to a pantry stocked only with ramen when your dreams need better ingredients.
Pick a single belief that backs up your faith and stretches you beyond your comfort zone, for instance that faith outweighs fear or that dignity outweighs acceptance. Repeat it daily until you can connect it to a concrete decision, for example limiting contact with people who do not treat you with respect. Then use prayer to guide you as you carry that decision out.
No. Jakes Roberts points out that God rested on the seventh day of creation without becoming any less powerful, and argues that rest consolidates power. She recommends asking God about the right time to fight and the right time to rest, doing so from a calm state rather than when you are already braced for battle, and making no decision at all when uncertain, since rest beats regret.
Richard Wiseman
Pico Iyer
Alcoholics Anonymous World Services
William B. Irvine
Andrew D. Thompson
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