Book Review: You are a Badass by Jen Sincero (2013)
I don’t do book reviews too often because, anymore, I read faster than I can review. This book is a must review for me, though, because I think it will be a powerful tool for you.
Overview
Jen Sincero’s first book, You are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life, is pretty dang empowering. It’s not quite like other self-help books because it doesn’t take a lot of time to do the “feel good” shmoozing we’re used to. BUT, even through the blunt advice (said in a loving way), the message is still to love yourself because you’re worth it. The book itself is pretty badass.
Content & Message
The overarching goal of the book is: “to help you get where you want to go.” In her unique voice, Sincero follows that up by noting, “I’m going to ask you to roll with some pretty out-there things throughout this book, and I want to encourage you to have an open mind. No, on second thought, I want to yell in your face about it: STAY OPEN OR YOU ARE SCREWED.”
At first you might think, “Okay, Jen, sure.”
But this book is 244 pages of real, badass advice. It’s broken down into 5 parts and a Resources section at the end. During each chapter, Sincero gives examples from her own life that show that she has made this journey she’s taking you on. She’s a human being who’s vulnerable just like we are and she talks to readers on a human level, which is refreshing.
This book is 244 pages of real, badass advice.
It’s not about getting advice from someone who has all her shit together. It’s about letting someone who knows what you’re going through, and sincerely wants to help you, be a guide using a little tough love and profanity.
After Part 1, which is mainly just informative, the chapters from the other parts begin to have actionable steps to take. Sometimes there are affirmations to practice, or an exercise to stop and do where it’s most helpful. The book is designed not just to keep you reading, but also doing the personal work along the way.
Each chapter ends with a numbered list of ways to start improving your life and begin making it a little more badass. The final point in every list is to love yourself because you are worth it, plain and simple.
Biggest Takeaway
The biggest takeaway, as you might expect, is that through loving yourself you can make your own life badass. You don’t need to wait on things to come to you - by believing in yourself and unpacking all the crap you’ve collected that’s holding you back, you can be a badass with an awesome life. We all can.
Overall Impressions
I will be the first to admit that I have NEVER been a person who’s like self-help books. Or any type of nonfiction book, really. But when I started building my business, I needed to start branching out - taking some chances on new things.
Who doesn’t want to be told over and over again that they can do it?
This whole trend started, for me, with Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo, which I actually pre-ordered because I was so excited. You can read my review of it here. After that, I was in love because it’s not just reading. It’s action. It’s positivity. It’s successful people knowing that I, too, can be like them (and after writing that it seems kind of lame. But you know what? I stand by it!)
I stumbled across You are a Badass at the end of last year and put it in the Amazon cart. Where it sat for months and months. But I finally purchased it at the beginning of the year. I’m not kidding that I read it in less than a week. I couldn’t put it down!
Since then, I’ve purchased her other two books and I will preorder her new book that’s coming out soon. And I’ll love all of them because I’m hooked. I think if you give it a chance, you will be, too.
Why Writers Need this Book
This is a great book for everyone, but writers can specifically benefit from it because it begins to create a new version of success in our minds and starts pushing out that old stale mindset of success & failure.
It’s also just a huge confidence boost, which I find helps most writers and creatives! After all, who doesn’t want to be told over and over again that they can do it.
Next Steps
There are a few steps to take next:
1. Get the book here. (Or here or here). Better yet, check your local library! Easy peasy.
2. Read the book & do the exercises. I bet you’ll fly through it and want more. Try it and see!
3. Practice your new badass mindset. This has been so fun! Honestly, sometimes with new mindsets it’s hard or almost feels like a drag to learn. But THIS, this is like being a better, less scared version of you. Super empowering, and honestly just a good experience all around. You’ll notice a difference right away.
4. Get Help if You Need It If you read the book and aren’t sure where to start, or if it gets you fired up to start RIGHT NOW (this happened to me), I can help! I work with writers just like you to plan & strategize their writing projects. I am also a confidence coach, which means that I am constantly empowering and encouraging my clients and other writers - with less profanity. If you’re intrigued or READY TO GO, you can click here to read more about my 1:1 services. Let’s get you that badass life you want!
My challenge to you is to read the book with an open mind and take action right away.
Have you read the book? What did you think? What was your favorite part? I’d love to hear about your experiences! Find me on social media, drop a comment below, or email me at rachel@captuingyourconfidence.com!
Let’s chat because you, my friend, are on your way to great writing.