Stop It! Do Better
Published 2026
A practical, no-nonsense wellbeing book focused on breaking destructive habits and restoring personal accountability during moments of transition and reflection.
What’s the real thing standing between you and the life you want?
It’s not your boss.
It’s not your partner.
It’s not your circumstances.
👉 Your habits are.
Every delay. Every excuse.
Every pattern you fall back into.
That’s what’s been holding you back.
Stop It! Do Better is the book refusing to let those habits run your life any longer. It cuts through the noise of traditional self-help and shows you, in plain language, how to stop the behaviours draining your energy, sabotaging your progress, and robbing you of the future you deserve.
You’ll learn how to pause, reset, and take control, how to replace destructive habits with stronger ones, hold your boundaries, choose better actions, and finally get out of your own way.
“You can’t turn the car around while it’s moving in the wrong direction. You must stop first.”
Where other books focus on hacks, motivational fluff, or abstract positivity, Stop It! Do Better gives you something far more valuable: clarity, honesty, and a practical path forward.
If you’re ready to stop repeating the same cycles and start building a life you can actually be proud of, this book will show you where to begin and how to keep going.
Your habits brought you here.
Your choices will take you further.
Stop it! Do Better.
This 250-page wake-up call for anyone tired of procrastination, self-doubt, and saying 'tomorrow.'
Start challenging the status quo and be encouraged to speak up, speak out and defend yourself against lies, untruths and narcissism.
What You'll Discover Inside:
✅ No More Apologies
✅ Disarm Haters
✅ Voice
✅ Take 100% Responsibility
✅ Remove The Rubbish
✅ Toxicity, Misogyny, Racism
✅ Estranged Relationships
✅ Find Your Tribe
✅ Find Your Love
✅ Be What You See
✅ Weapons and Hostages
✅ Be The First To Change
✅ Others' Expectations
✅ Channelling Grief
✅ Why Aren't You Laughing?
✅ As Others See You
✅ Listen to Your Intuition
✅ Celebrate Your Self
✅ Lessons Learned
This book is for you if:
✓ You're tired of procrastinating on your life
✓ You feel stuck in toxic relationships, jobs, or family dynamics
✓ You make excuses instead of progress
✓ You let fear and self-doubt run your life
✓ You say "tomorrow" but never mean it
✓ You want brutally honest advice, not sugar-coated platitudes
This book is NOT for you if:
✗ You're looking for gentle, feel-good affirmations
✗ You're not ready to be challenged
✗ You want someone to tell you it's okay to stay comfortable
✗ You want to remain small
"Why I Wrote This Book"
"I'm Darren Brealey, an award-winning Australian playwright, author, and creative coach with 30+ years in theatre and storytelling. I've staged 30+ productions internationally and coached hundreds of creative professionals.
I wrote Stop It! Do Better because I've been where you are. I've battled self-doubt, procrastination, and toxic relationships. I've made every excuse in the book. And I've learned the hard way; transformation doesn't come from motivation, it comes from brutal honesty and daily action.
This book is the kick in the pants I wish someone had given me 20 years ago. It's not gentle. It's not easy. But it works."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Hooked! Challenging, Open and Brutally Honest
I read the first half of this book in an evening. So much resonated with me. From the expectations of family, which often turn into disappointment and anxiety, to workplace bullying, which will go unsaid and unpunished because of fear of consequences.
Darren writes honestly and sometimes brutally, challenging the status quo and encouraging us to speak up, speak out and defend ourselves against lies, untruths and narcissism.
He challenges us to reflect personality and to change what we can. When this is not possible, he asks us to let go, no matter the situation or circumstances, for our own peace of mind.
For me, this book not only opened my eyes to unacceptable behaviours but to those who stand silent.
I applaud you, Darren, for writing such a brutally honest book and for challenging the status quo, which is not only unacceptable but is often accepted in fear.
Tracy Campbell
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Short, Sharp, and cuts to the point
Stop It! Do Better is a practical book that cuts straight to the point.
It focuses on recognising unhelpful habits, taking responsibility, and making simple but consistent changes. There’s no fluff, just clear steps that encourage action.
It genuinely resonated with me because it’s very interesting and to the point, and if you follow the process, it helps build momentum, accountability, and better decision-making.
Thank you Darren.
Suzanna Amerikow
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Kicks You in the Right Direction
At first, I didn’t like how direct it was, when I realised that was the point. It’s the friend who calls you out but still wants you to win. I’ve read Atomic Habits and The 5 Second Rule, and this fits perfectly between them: fast, clear, no excuses.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Every Page Dares You to Act
I love how real this book is. The author doesn’t hide behind fancy psychology, he speaks like someone who’s been there, done the work, and expects you to do the same. I’ve underlined half the pages already. It’s a mindset shift in print.
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