You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero
Not too long ago I began really thinking about where I am in my life and career and where I felt I should be at this point and sadly the answer was not where I was. Oh, I was doing the things you do to succeed. Working hard, coming up with ideas and even -although not nearly enough- acting on them.
Yet, it still wasn’t where I wanted to be.
My projects weren’t happening fast enough, they weren’t big enough, everything was a bit nebulous, to be honest. I knew I needed something else to help push me through the eye of the needle I was stuck in.
Then came my brush with this book. I was meandering around Audible trying to find my next big listen and I came across this title and knew I just had to get it. I mean, how could I not? Of course I’m a badass, this book was totally talking to me, wasn’t it?
Well, let’s just say, the universe was talking to me as well. I downloaded the book to my Pixel and began to listen as I drove around each day. Then while I was doing dishes and cleaning the house. Then every time I felt a bit low on myself. And then I after it was all over and the book was at an end, I listened to it all again while writing down the homework Jen doled out at the end of each chapter.
It was the start of a change in perception and one in which I have no intention of going back from regardless of the stumbles through life.
First off, let me say Jen Sincero narrates the book herself and she is incredibly relatable and down to earth. She readily admits and dives deep into the dips, potholes and out-and-out pitch-black seemingly endlessly deep chasms that her own fears put in her way. She explains not just why you deserve to do the “thing”, but how to get the universe on your side and actually do the “thing”.
I loved her narration style, which leans to a bit of a mix of “sailer on shore leave” and “no-filter mom telling you like it is”. Side note: If you are afraid of adult words, I would say put on your big girl (or boy) panties and suck it up. It’s worth it for the truth in the message.
Since listening to this book, I have called out “The Little Prince” many times – he’s what she has named the voice in your head protecting you from harm by not letting you out to play with the big kids – when I feel that fear in my gut. I know that feeling now for what it is, and even though it still bubbles up here and there, I know that it’s just my Little Prince trying to keep me safe. Then I just say “Hey Buddy, it’s ok. I’ll be fine. Go back to bed. I’ve got this”.
This is a must-read… And then a must re-read. And then a re-re-read again and again, because the words are all to the good of your dreams. They tell a story that your dreams are not just attainable but something you kind of need to put out into the universe or the universe wouldn’t have given them to you in the first place.
So, get out there and do the awesome thing! The universe is waiting.
I’ll leave you with one of the helpful bits of homework from the book:
Write down give beliefs, complaints, activities, and environments that are buzzkills in your life and then write down how you will immediately upgrade them.