A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations - Do Hard Things

My husband and I work as houseparents in a behavior modification program for middle school age boys and have started using this book for morning devotions. I had heard a radio program (that included the Harris brothers)about the book and decided to check it out. It really is motivating to us adults as well as the boys. We have high standards at our program, Sheridan House Family Ministries, and this is great reinforcement coming from young men not much older than ours and based on biblical principles. Highly recommend for all teenagers and their parents.

"Do hard things."

With this simple message, Alex and Brett Harris challenge an entire culture of expectation. They maintain that "it's almost gotten to the point that people expect less of teenagers than they do of toddlers" and "our teen years give us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for huge accomplishments - as individuals and as a generation."

Do Hard Things meets that rare mark of being entertaining, relevant and challenging all at the same time. It has become the rallying cry of a group of emerging High School leaders I meet with and is beginning to revolutionize the way they view their callings.

It's not often you find a book written by a couple of teenagers that can reach across generational lines and motivate genuine change, but the Harris twins deliver exactly that book. I have discovered that it speaks directly into the heart of a leader, regardless of the reader's age.

If you're looking to explore the hard things God has designed you for, this is a great book to empower you for greater things! If you work with students, I definitely recommend reading Do Hard Things with them! If you're a parent, this book must go in your kids' stocking!

The message of this book makes great sense! Our trophy generation will have a more complicated time dealing with adversity in their lives if we continue to lower the expectations for their growth and development. Make a difference in the lives of our young people, raise the bar, increase the level of challenge and assist with developing young people ready to make a difference in the world.

I got this book thinking it might be an inspiration to my 13 year old son. It was a small enough book that I decided to read it before handing it off to him, and by the time I got it read, I myself was so inspired and encouraged that I couldn't decide which of my 4 big kids I wanted to hand it off to first.

Some people think teens these days want to do everything the easiest way. But I do believe the premise of the book -- that young adults will actually relish a challenge if they are properly inspired and can see that their effort could make a real difference. One of my favorite quotes is, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." This book gives young adults the encouragement to be world-changers.

I've just finished reading, Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations written by the little brothers of Josh Harris famous himself for writing I Kissed Dating Goodbye. Overall the book is outstanding.

Alex and Brett Harris talk about a counterculture of youth determined to be a part of "A Teenage Rebellion against Low Expectations."

"If you look back over history you'll find ... movements that were started (or fueled) by young people. The problem is, most of these movements were actually revolts against God-established authority (like parents, church , or government), and many were ultimately crushed or twisted toward another end.
All those failed revolutionary attempts are a discouraging record as far as teen efforts go, but not for rebelutionaries. We're not rebelling against institutions or even against people. Our uprising is against a cultural mind-set that twists the purpose and potential of the teen years and threatens to cripple our generation. Our uprising won't be marked by mas riots and violence, but by millions of individual teens quietly choosing to turn the low expectations of our culture upside down." (DHT p25.)

I'm not going to lay out a lengthy review what I will say is this: I plan on buying a copy for my nieces and nephews this Christmas.

excellent book for youth. I used this book to led small group bible study. all of my student enjoyed and felt they needed to change their mind - rather than passive but be active toward to the gospel.

I have recommended this book to many people. It is not only great for teenagers but adults as well. I am a Christian Educator and I have written an article about it in our newsletter. I have given it to youth counselors to read. They all liked it and agreed that our high school and middle school youth groups should study it together, so I bought all of them a copy as well.
I believe Jesus Christ does call all of us to do hard things, and this makes the case for this very convincingly.

Heard about the book through reading another book called "The Resolution for Men".
"Do Hard Things" is a book that I wanted to order for my grandson. Before giving it to him, I skimmed through it and it was very good and I would recommend it for all young people in their teenage years.

The Harris Brothers have written a book that is truly connected to the seeking hearts of the Millinial Generation. It is written by teens, for teens. My 13 year old son reads a few chapters then chews on what he's read. He's sharing with us (his parents) what he's reading. He is inspired to step out of his comfort zone and go against the flow of culture and society to do what God has put on his heart to do which is generally not "popular". Oddly enough, many follow his leadership because it is trustworthy and right - which is what this generation is craving - righteousness.

As a parent I am so thankful the Harris brothers chose to live out their calling by delivering this imperative message to their generation. Parents, get this book for your teens.

I originally read "Do Hard Things" probably 4 or 5 years ago and loved it! As an adult I wished this book had been available when I was a teenager, floundering around with life, knowing I ought to be doing better but ill-equipped as to how! As a person who works with students I have recommended this book over and over and over again. I scoured the blog of the writers pulling articles out to share with teens to empower them to not settle for the crazy low standards society labels them with. As a parent it has helped me to raise the bar for my own kids and challenge them to step up and let nobody look down on them because of their youth. I'm ecstatic to say my 13 year old just finished reading this book for the first time and loved it immensely, too! So, from every angle> as a general adult, former-youth, youth leader, and parent I highly recommend it!

This book is a must read for everyone - especially young teens. It gives people the permission to take responsibilities seriously and to make their dreams come true starting at an early age. It would be great if kids and their parents would read it together.

The book Do Hard Things is a tremendous read, which can be used in multiple areas of life with different audiences. The fact that it's written by 17-yr old twins is amazing. This book should be required reading in middle school and then reviewed in high school. It's a great reminder that the point of life is not convenience but taking on tough challenges and doing hard things. I am the father of 3 boys and this will be required reading at they get older.

This book is excellent and I recommend it for adults and teenagers alike! We are using this book to launch our youth group at church and hope it will inspire them to grow in the way that they should! I see so many of our teenagers just wandering through life not having a purpose, and I hope this will allow them to see that they are so much more than we as parents and society have led them to believe!

A book that all teens should read, and their parents. Especially before the summer. So many kids are either bored or waste summer months. Hopefully, it would help them realize the abilities they already possess. And a more meaningful life they could have.
I am a grandmother. Bought this book for my children- for their children.

I never review anything on the store, but I feel compelled to write a quick comment about this book. I only just finished the first part (about 60 pages) and I've decided that this is easily already one of my all-time favorite books. If you're looking for some vision in life and motivation to change your life into something more fulfilling (especially, in light of eternity) - read this book! I'm 26 and so wish I had this when I was 12. I recommend this book to ALL AGES because, as Alex and Brett say, "It's never too late to start doing hard things."

I found this book to be an absolutely fantastic read! I’m sure that many of us have either have seen teens, young adults or even adults in their late forty’s who just wallow through their obligations in life. I deeply resonate with the central message “don’t accept low-expectations – strive higher” mostly because I remember growing up in Japan for the duration of my teenage years and seeing so many students around me that didn’t want to do anything more or less of what was required from them. It also didn’t help that I adopted a tendency to hang out with the wrong kinds of people (people who pretty much just wanted to drink, smoke and party to excess). If I had a book like this around the time I was growing through my teen years, things would’ve been drastically different in my life and I wouldn’t be learning the same lessons that I’m still learning today. I’d highly recommend teenagers to read this book because it bring a no-pain-no-gain kind of edge to the reading and really makes you wanna go out and kick ass at life! All passion aside, “Do Hard Things” has all the right heart. The author’s intent is genuine in its helpfulness, and the use of biblical scriptures support the main focuses and ideas, which really helps readers like me build up that iron faith and bold character.

The book is an excellent read for parents, grandparents and teens. It is slow in the beginning and maybe a turn-off for teens but once you finally get into it the thoughts are good and sometimes hard hitting. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it as a grandmother and has helped me think differently about approaching and enjoying my grandchildren. The authors are remarkable young men.