Five to Thrive: How to Determine If Your Core Needs Are Being Met (and What to Do When They're Not) Paperback – February 4, 2020

Kathy Koch has done it again. If you are feeling lost, or stuck, or hopeless you will find powerful answers in this book. If you want your faith to be deeper, this can take you there. Somehow Kathy takes these big concepts and breaks them into real practical pieces that are easy to understand and able to impact real change. I struggle with many "smart" books because they seem written at too high of a level or the author comes across with an arrogant tone that is just off-putting. You will find none of that here. Rather the passionate love Kathy has for every reader seems to ooze off the pages like a soothing balm as you go, inspiring you, encouraging you, and cheering you on. The real life examples help take the concepts presented from the abstract idea, into the more concrete real world application. You could absolutely sit down and enjoy reading this in a day - but you'll find yourself wanting to go back and read it again, slowly to truly absorb the insights and wisdom it contains. Answering these 5 simple questions can truly change your life. Who Am I? What Am I Alive? Who Wants Me? Who Can I Trust? What Do I Do Well?Each chapter has a question and reflection portion at the end to help you truly dive into the concepts (see pics) as well as a nice summary and preview of the next chapter. These are especially helpful when trying to refer back to something later.Seriously though, if there is anything within you thinking "isn't there something more?" this book with speak life to your soul. It is so peppered with scripture and will bring those words into clearer focus - God will use this in your life!

Wow, what a great book! Kathy has brought such insight and healing to some lacking areas in my life. I look forward to sharing it with my children. Helping them apply the same beneficial tools so they can have a better understanding of themselves and why they exhibit certain behaviors.I want to preface this review by saying that I have been a Christ follower for 20 years. In addition I've also been through some intense long-term healing classes. Even so, I can say this material has brought much self awareness and growth.For years I have struggled with setting healthy boundaries in my relationships. And when I was able to set some I doubted them and myself the whole time. Dr. Kathy has brought understanding as to why this area of my life it's been so weak. I am so thankful to have tools to bring lasting change to my life and relationships. I see how I've tried to find security in vain vain things and relationships instead of Christ. It sounds so simple. Why didn't I see it before? I don't know.But I can tell you that Kathy was an encourager all the way. She asked hard questions and encourage me to look at myself for change. She was transparent by telling her life stories and how she applied these teachings.  The questions at the end of the chapters also helped draw out how to apply these concepts to my own life.

I have read many books, and disappointed by the end that the book did not accomplished its purpose.Five to Thrive is a book that went way beyond my expectations. This book can be life-changing if applied. Thank you Dr. Kathy for your valuable insights and life examples.

It was wordy. I wish books were broken into two sections. The facts and cross-referenced illustrations. You could read the facts and then go to the back for illustrations/examples. A third section could be implementing the theory in the book.

Are you wondering if you matter? If you belong? Or maybe you are lost about what your purpose in life is. Then Five to Thrive is for you, just as it was for me. Dr. Kathy Koch has hit a home run again in her book “Five to Thrive: How to Determine if Your Core Needs are Being Met (and What to Do When They’re Not).” In her practical, down-to-earth, straight up conversational styled writing, Dr. Koch identifies five core needs innate to every human being. She discusses how we can meet those needs to become healthy and whole individuals. She identifies character traits that will aide us in our pursuit of being who God created us and purposed us to be, in turn allowing us to “serve well, love well, and live well.” Five to Thrive is not just a book filled with philosophical advice, rather it is a book filled with God’s truth and wisdom. By weaving in “some slice-of-life stories’ throughout the book, even personal to herself, Dr. Koch is able to portray how change is possible to become the healthy and whole individual God designed you (and me) to be.

Grateful for tools and resources in this book for me, for understanding team members at work, and my family members. Helpful tools I'm using.

Maybe I am just in a different part of my journey where this book wasn't as applicable but I didn't feel it really led to any new insights. Usually when I read Christian non-fiction I highlight a ton and this wasn't the case.

Dr. Koch is easy to relate to whether listening or reading her work. She is very insightful and shares great practical wisdom.

Found to be a bit wordy. Not enjoying this book, although i'm only in Ch2. Maybe will get better.