Reading Group Guide for:
Naomi's Breakthrough Guide: 20 Choices to Transform Your Life

1) Think about why you decided to buy this book. Were you looking for help in dealing with difficult circumstances in your own life, or ways to live life to the fullest, or were you simply curious about Naomi's life? Take a minute to think about what effect the book had on you and what thoughts stand out the most.
2) Naomi's life has been full of dramatic ups and downs. As her fortune changed, she drew on different coping skills to help her deal with situations that she had never encountered before. For instance, when she was living as a single mom in L.A., she learned to nurture her spirit by forgiving herself and others. Later, dreaming of success in the music industry, she learned to bolster her own positive self-talk, since "believing makes it so." Think about the highs and lows in your own life. What lesson or skill did you learn from each that you have as an inner resource now?
3) Think about the 20 breakthroughs Naomi describes. Which seems to be the most important for you to make right now? What is standing in the way of your making that choice? Where can you find support for the changes you need to make?
4) Naomi sprinkles her book with wisdom from diverse authors. Everyone from Confucius to The Wizard of Oz's Dorothy is represented, along with several quotations from the Bible. Naomi even gives us quotes from some of her own songs! Did any of these wise words strike a chord with you? Which did you find most compelling?
5) Naomi's story of success despite the odds is a powerful one. In her book, she also relates the stories of other people who have lived through challenging or inspiring circumstances. From Viktor Frankl, the Holocaust survivor, to Muhammad Ali, "The Greatest," she shows us the strength of the human spirit. If Naomi had included you in her book, what would she have written? Imagine that it's five years from now: What would you like Naomi to be able to write about you then?

6) Each chapter ends with a section called "Your Turn." Did you try any of these exercises? Which did you find most helpful? Which would you recommend to your friends? Discuss what makes these exercises helpful or not.

7) Did this book give you the feeling that you know Naomi Judd? Would you like to meet her? Do you respect her ability to make life choices? Is she someone you would like to emulate? What other people in your life would you like to emulate? What is it that makes them inspiring role models?
8) Think about unhealthy choices you've made in the past and why you made them. What have you learned from reading this book that can help you make wiser choices in the future?
9) The connection between the mind and the body contributes to the effectiveness of many of Naomi's breakthroughs. She offers opinions from a number of researchers who believe that reducing stress, calming your fears, and even taking risks can benefit you physically. What do you think of this nontraditional approach to health and wellness? Have you ever used methods such as meditation, acupuncture, and affirmations?
10) The first chapter and the parting words focus on what it means to be at peace and why peace should be the goal for all of us. How do you think being at peace can change your life? How would it affect the choices you make, your stress level, the way you interact with others, or the enjoyment you get from life? Why do you think Naomi puts such a high premium on peace?