It’s no secret that New York Times Bestselling Author, Andy Andrews is one of my favorites. After being introduced to his Seven Decisions in 2006, I was blown away! His books and principles have been such a huge influence in my life over the past 7 years. To think that, at one point in time, Andy was homeless, living under a pier simply astounds me! I am grateful that during the worst time in his life he sought wisdom and chose to take action. In fact, his influence is one of the main reasons why this blog exists! If you’re one of my readers, I can promise you that you will LOVE Andy.
This week Andy released his newest novel, The Noticer Returns.
The Noticer Returns
In the book, Andy crafts a story like no other and dives right into an essential part of our culture today, parenting. Having 3 boys myself, I’m so grateful for his perspective and principles. In the book, he also addresses the topics of loss and employment.
I truly think this book can change your life. I am so confident in the power of the perspective and principles in it that I want YOU to read it! In fact, I’m giving away 30 copies for FREE!
After you read the interview below:
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Here is the interview with Andy – Have an awesome day! – MH
NYT Best-Selling Author, Andy Andrews. Image by Christy Haynes
What is The Noticer Returns about?
The Noticer Returns is about a mysterious old man named Jones who changes the lives of a group of ordinary families. Jones does this by “noticing” little things about people and life that most people miss. He is the “Noticer” to which the title refers. He uses that gift of noticing to give these parents an entirely new perspective on what raising children is all about.
Jones is actually based on a real person I met when I was a homeless 23-year- old living under a pier on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. His name really was Jones (“Not Mr. Jones, just Jones,” he’d always say) and he really did call himself a Noticer. He is one of the main reasons why I’m not still sleeping under a pier today.
Who would benefit from reading this book?
Anyone who wants to provide “the best” for their children, grandchildren, or any children whom they influence.
What exactly is “the best”?
There are many “good”s and “better”s, but there is only one “best.” And that is what Jones challenges several of the book’s characters to define. Curiously, when they do define it, they are left with a list of standards that even people of diverse beliefs can all agree are results they desire their children to have. As for what this list contains, you’ll have to read the book to find out!
Why did you choose to write this book in the form of a story?
Two reasons:
1. It’s a lot more interesting to learn and discover real-life principles when they are revealed in the form of a story. Readers get to see the principles played out in the characters’ lives. It’s also a lot easier to convince people to read an entertaining story than any other type of book!
2. The smart authors write non-fiction. Ha!
What’s the most important thing parents will learn from this book?
Parents are going to find answers to several questions that they haven’t even thought to ask.
There are so many common occurrences in raising children that people just can’t seem to figure out. For example, we all can think of at least one kid who had great parents, a great family, and an all-around great childhood…who suddenly went crazy as soon as he left the house for college or adulthood. And nobody can figure out how or why it happened!
So the most important thing parents will learn is how to parent according to principles that have already been harnessed by parents who have raised great kids…who go on to become great adults. It’s going to show readers how to pass a way of thinking down to their children so those children actually understand how to make good decisions when mom and dad are no longer around.
What are some unexpected surprises in the book?
Without revealing too much, I’ll say that Jones provides some much needed perspective on one issue that affects a lot of people and one issue that affects all people—Alzheimer’s Disease and death. I won’t say anything more! But I think readers will definitely be surprised in a good way.
What is the most common mistake parents are making?
The biggest mistakes most parents make (and believe me, I’m guilty of these too) seem very inconsequential. They’re little, day-to-day things that, at the moment, don’t seem like a big deal. For example, a few weeks ago I was explaining how to do something to my son, Austin. This was something I had explained before, and something that he didn’t think needed to be explained again, so while I was talking, he said, “I know I know I know.”
Now, at that moment, I could have done two things. The convenient thing would have been for me to put an angry look on my face and say, “Don’t speak that way to me. It’s disrespectful and I’m your father and you will respect me.” And that would have been the end of the conversation.
The inconvenient thing to do—which is what I ended up doing—was to explain a few things to Austin:
1. Saying,“I know I know I know,” while an adult is talking to you is disrespectful.
2. You are not a disrespectful kid, so I would hate for another adult to overhear you speaking to me that way and label you as disrespectful.
3. People who are labeled as disrespectful do not get the same opportunities afforded to those who are labeled as respectful.
This slightly longer conversation not only corrected the problem, but it allowed me to show Austin the thinking behind why I was correcting the problem. Now, not only does he know that behavior is disrespectful, but he has a better understanding of why being respectful will benefit him as he gets older.
In the grand scheme of things, this seems like a small deal. And since we’re told over and over not to “sweat the small stuff,” we naturally think it shouldn’t concern us too much. Over time, however, those little things that we gloss over as parents end up painting the bigger picture of our children’s lives as they become adults. And that’s where I think so many parents get tripped up—taking extra time to illustrate their thought process.
What did you learn from writing this book?
I learned that even a small amount of perspective can change our lives. Because even the smallest amount of perspective can change how we are able to navigate hard times.
Please visit Andy’s site at www.AndyAndrews.com and share the gift of perspective!
MH
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