You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life
I finished this book in three evenings. That’s all it took. If I was more diligent, it would have been a one-sitting read. Let me talk to you about inspirational! It inspired me so much that I actually defaced the book by adding pen marks by especially influential sections.
The Layout
The book is broken down into 5 parts, and 27 super digestible sections. Jen Sincero’s writing is very familiar. She’s calling you dumb, telling you to get over yourself, and encouraging you to be the powerful person you are. I’d be curious to how her coaching sessions go. Would she talk to me like she writes? Or is she more professional?
Each chapter has a cute little anecdote, followed by particular steps to follow to achieve whatever goal is set forth for that chapter. She’s also included a section in the back with additional resources that she likes and has read or listened to.
Every chapter ends with the reminder to love yourself.
Initial Thoughts
I really enjoyed this book. I read it quickly, and came away from it with a lot of positive energy. That’s what I feel a good book does to you. Chapters were helpful too for the most part. There was one chapter about money that just kind of whined on and on. It was toward the end of the book when I was exhausted, so I think it just resonated poorly with me. Plus, I’m pretty good with money, and the chapter was all about “Money is your friend.” No duh. There were also a lot of fonts happening in this book. It bothered me.
Favorite Badass Takeaways
Chapter 5: Self Perception is a Zoo
You are the only you there is and ever will be. Do not deny the world its one and only chance to bask in your brilliance.
Chapter 6: Love the One You Is
There’s an entire section in this chapter about comparison and how it’s just the worst. Bask in your accomplishments. Remember that other people’s achievements do not outshine yours! Did you finally pay off your credit card debt? That’s awesome, and is still awesome, even if your best friend just bought a house.
There’s also a section about forgiving yourself, with a mantra I need to write a hundred times and stick it all over my house:
Holding on to my bad feelings about this is doing nothing but harming me. and everyone else, and preventing me from enjoying my life fully. I am an awesome person. I choose to enjoy my life. I choose to let this go.
Chapter 7: I Know You Are But What Am I?
This portion was about making decisions, and provided the only three questions you should ask yourself when faced with a decision:
- Is this something I want to be, do, or have?
- Is this going to take me in the direction I want to go (not shouldI go)?
- Is this going to screw over anybody else in the process?
She then goes into saying that “screwing over” someone is not disappointing them. It is actual harm caused to their person or life (stealing from someone, killing them to inherit their house, etc.).
Chapter 11: Your Brain is Your Bitch
She talks about vision boards too! If you remember, I was inspired by another one of my reads to create my own vision board. I guess if two people are talking about it, it must be pretty important.
Chapter 14: Gratitude: The Gateway Drug to Awesomeness
This was an interesting chapter for me. So often, we can get bogged down in the negative, and not be able to see anything positive in the situation. You know what? Try! Did you get a flat tire on the side of the road? How did that help you? Maybe you ended up changing your tire on your own for the first time. Maybe it resulted in you NOT sitting in traffic for hours. Look for the positive every time, and feel gratitude.
Chapter 15: Forgive or Fester
Chapter 25: Remember to Surrender
She had a small section about being single in here. I know that I have had friends and family tell me this exact thing, but sometimes you just need to see it elsewhere:
…joyfully going about your life and being grateful that not only is the person you’re seeking also seeking you, but that the universe is conspiring to bring you together.
Final Thoughts
You are a badass. Seriously. Read the book and walk away from it with all of the power in the world. Also, remember to love yourself. Every achievement and every flaw. You are amazing and incredible and a severe powerhouse of potential. Love yourself, and believe in yourself.
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