Books by
Jacques Retief
Jacques Retief writes thoughtful, practical non-fiction books about the ideas and challenges that shape contemporary life.
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His work brings together education, psychology, Brain Capital, philosophy, wellbeing, resilience, parenting and personal growth, with a consistent focus on clarity, evidence and practical usefulness.
Drawing on experience as an educator, leader and author, he explores how people learn, think, adapt, relate and make decisions in an increasingly complex world. Whether writing about schools, mental wellbeing, human behaviour or meaningful living, his aim is to make serious ideas clear without oversimplifying them, and to give readers insights they can genuinely use.
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Find Your Ikigai in Real Life
A Practical Guide to Discovering Your Purpose and Joy Every Day
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Walking the 88 Temples of Shikoku
A Practical and Reflective Guide to Japan’s Ancient Island Pilgrimage
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The Stoic Calm Method
A Practical Guide to Stop Overthinking, Master Your Emotions, and Live with Steady Confidence
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Managing Behaviour in Secondary Schools
Practical De-escalation, Classroom Routines, and Whole-School Systems for Safer Learning
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The Quiet Mind Method
Practical Zen Strategies to Stop Overthinking and Live in the Present
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The Dragon Within
Strike the Right Balance - A Guide for Living with Clarity and Presence
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Lucent Thinking
How to Question Assumptions, Sharpen Judgment, and Think with Clarity
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Lucentism
The Practical Philosophy for Clear Thinking, Composure, and Meaningful Living
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The Parent Guide to Teen Screen Time
The Practical Guide for Parents Managing Devices, Gaming, and Social Media: Ages 12–16
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Experiential Learning in Secondary Schools
The Practical Guide to Designing, Teaching, Assessing and Sustaining Meaningful Learning Through Experience
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Financial Education for Living in Australia
The Essential Guide to Securing your Financial Future
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The Trauma-Aware Classroom
Culturally Safe Behavior Management for Secondary Schools
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One Year to Transform your Teaching Career
A 12-Month Roadmap for Teacher Leadership, Career Growth, and Sustainable Influence
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The Kintsugi Mindset
Transforming Adversity into Strength
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Brain Capital for Schools
Improving Critical Thinking and Academic Outcomes by Dialing Back Classroom Technology
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What You Need to Know About Raising Teenagers
A ClearLife Essentials Guide to Communication, Boundaries, Screens, School, and Emotional Well-being
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Beyond Discipline
Creating Safe, Inclusive and Accountable Secondary School Environments
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Working for the Wrong Boss
How to Stay Professional, Protect Your Reputation, and Take Back Control in Difficult Work Environments
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The Tourette-Aware Classroom
Classroom Strategies and School Adjustments for Teenagers with Tourette’s
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Power in Polite Company
Hidden Agendas, Reputation Wars, and the Real Politics of Work
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Kintsugi for Grief
A Practical Guide to Working Through Grief and Loss
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Schools in the Age of AI
Reclaiming Purpose, Presence and Humanity
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Anger Management
From Rage to Resilience
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Dealing with Narcissists
Whether You Want to or Not
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The Future of Education With AI
A Practical Guide for Schools and Teachers
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Life Coaching for Young Carers
An 8-Pillar Life Guide for Young Carers in Australia
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The Kintsugi Journal
365 Days of Turning Adversity into Resilience
Meet Jacques Retief
Jacques Retief is an educator, author, artist and school leader whose work sits at the intersection of education, psychology, philosophy and human development. With a background spanning teaching, leadership, curriculum, inclusion and organisational practice, he writes for readers who want serious ideas expressed clearly and usefully.
His work is guided by a simple principle: good thinking should improve real life. Across his books, essays and educational resources, Jacques explores how people learn, adapt, make decisions, build resilience and create meaning. He is particularly interested in Brain Capital, practical philosophy, student development, wellbeing and the conditions that help individuals and communities flourish.
Through Retief Libris Publishing, he brings these interests together in a growing body of work designed to be thoughtful, evidence-informed and genuinely practical.