Book Review: You are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero
Brutally honest and full of real-life stories, You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life is a hard-hitting, ass-whipping, laugh out loud, kick in the pants kind of book that far surpassed my expectations of what I supposed would be a regurgitation of your run of the mill, generic self-help books.
This feisty, yet totally relatable, page-turner is about discovering a new perspective of our own world – the real world – and not allowing anyone – including and especially ourselves – to hold us back.
How I came across this book
Kindle seems to think that I need some inspiration in my life because I had never heard of Jen Sincero before Amazon decided to recommend it to me. It was the title that caught my attention.
I wanna be a Badass!
…I thought to myself, and with one click I had purchased and downloaded this awesome, life-changing book, and was soon happily engaged in my Kindle app. That’s instant gratification for you…The book is also available to order online from Loot. Just click the image below.
Making Decisions
Right in the beginning she distinguishes between wanting and deciding – and this is what made me sit up and pay attention:
“Wanting can be done sitting on the couch with a bong in your hand and a travel magazine in your lap.
Deciding means jumping in all the way, doing whatever it takes and going after your dreams with the tenacity of a dateless cheerleader a week before prom night.”
She made an excellent point and I decided to pay attention. She writes that she wants to yell in your face – and I wanted her to!
She quoted Kurt Cobain!
Most of the concepts that she discusses are not new. They have been spewed out by a myriad of authors on the same topic. But Jen has a way of breaking it down, in real-life, BS-free terms, and suddenly these boring old adages made sense to me. She brings these “universal” theories back down to earth and throws them at your face so that you finally get it.
Of course, you can’t expect to make any earth-shattering changes in your life without a little bit of effort on your part. She encourages you to ask yourself tough questions – and let’s face it, you will know if you are not being 100% honest – but take the chance, break the mold and ask those revealing questions. This can be brutal, but cathartic.
This practical, fast-paced, enjoyable read made me want to jump up and do something. I was enthralled by each chapter and couldn’t wait to see what she would throw at me next. At the same time I didn’t want the book to end.
What did I learn?
So much! I loved the way she explained the way we are all connected to the universe and we have the power and means to direct our own lives – and not in a cheesy way.
One of my favourite quotes from the book:
“…it’s not your fault that you’re f*cked up. It’s your fault if you stay f*cked up…”
Each chapter ends with a summary of the main ideas and some inspiration. But I think that the the biggest take away from this book for me is simply to love and accept yourself and your own unique awesomeness.
You will absolutely love this book if…
- You are sick and tired of the same old self-help books
- You are thinking of making a change in your life
- You are about to embark on a new journey (career, family, education, etc)
- You feel a little stuck in a rut or uninspired
- You’ve lost your way
- You need a kick in the butt to get moving on a project
- You feel down or depressed
You should give it a miss if…
- You are super sensitive to swear words
- You are not willing to take any chances
- You have a perfect life
Want it? Get the book right now:
You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life
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19 Comments
Kymmie
I have this book in my personal library, but I haven’t read it, yet. This is a great review and I definitely will find time to read it.
tracy_flashfitfab
Thank you…and so now you have to read it! I know you’re not too busy 😉 Let me know what you think when you’re done.
Allison S.
Definitely need to add this book to my must-read list. Thanks!
tracy_flashfitfab
Let me know what you think once you’ve read it.
Kerri Wigle
The title of this book alone gets me! I will have to pick it up. Thanks for sharing!
tracy_flashfitfab
Exactly! It’s really in your face…like the rest of the book. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.
Laura
Looks like must read book 🙂
tracy_flashfitfab
Thanks for the comment 🙂
Erin
Thanks for the review! This seems like an interesting book and one I may have to read
tracy_flashfitfab
Thanks, Erin. I hope that you get around to it
Olivia
Loved this review! I have been thinking of reading this one. Thanks for sharing.
tracy_flashfitfab
Thanks, Olivia. It really was a great book.
Ananya
I really wish I was this eloquent when I recommend someone to read something I loved because your review makes me want to grab this book right now even though I rarely read self-help books.
tracy_flashfitfab
Thank you so much. I’m so glad that you liked my review. I am also not that into self-help books, but this was really epic. I am almost done with another incredible (not self-help) book…so watch this space!
Ananya
Sure! I’ll definitely keep an eye on your blog for future recommendations.
The Stinson Crew
Great review of this book. I have listened to the audio book and loved it
tracy_flashfitfab
Thank you for your comment. I m listening to the audio book too and I enjoying it as much as I did the book…I even find myself laughing out loud at times and smiling to myself. It’s the first time I have listened to a book after I’ve read it and I am loving the experience!
Johanne
Ok, you convinced me! This will be the next book I’ll read. I already downloaded it, but just didn’t open it yet. Love the review! Did you read Mark Manson’s The Subtle Art of not Giving a F*ck? I loved that book as well, because it was just so honest and refreshing.
tracy_flashfitfab
Thanks for your comment. I am glad that I inspired you to read it. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did. Let me know.