Reviews
Brave, Not Perfect: An inspiring read for fans of Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg by Reshma Saujani
mundinova's review against another edition
4.0
"I'd rather be caught trying than not at all."
Yes, I'm this book's demographic: A women working in tech who doubts herself constantly.
Self-help business books are hit or miss. But after reading Brave, Not Perfect I'm now realizing why they're hit or miss: Ask yourself, "Am I this book's demographic?" If the answer is no, then the book will be a miss. Just because you're working in the corporate world, doesn't mean every pseudo-psychology/business book is meant for you. Some are written specially for C-suite or VPs who have the flexibility to make large scale choices. But Brave, Not Perfect was written for me.
If you're wondering if it's written for you, ask yourself if any of the following applies:
1) You spend too much time reading, rewriting, and rereading an email before you send it because one small grammar or spelling mistake would plague you for the rest of the day. Or worse, make your colleagues think you're an idiot.
2) You didn't apply for the job you wanted because you didn't meet 100% of the requirements and don't already know how to perform it perfectly. Because taking the time to learn the job could waste your employer's time, and you'd hate to do that.
3) You sacrifice your time to please someone else, to make them like you more, even if you really don't want to do it.
4) You have a safety net in place that allows you to take chances.
That last one is key.
This book is not for the working single mom, living paycheck to paycheck just to put food on the table, who can't afford to take risks with her or her family's lives. There's a certain level of privilege this book caters to. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Multi-millionaires need financial advisers, that doesn't mean being a financial adviser is an evil profession and shouldn't exist. This book is very much needed for the sad demographic of ~20% women in tech.
As I was reading this book (which took only a day because I couldn't put it down), all the women in my life that I love and want to see succeed would bubble up in my head. In one section, I thought, "This is what A needs to read!" In another section, "I need to tell B to do this!"
So yeah, ya'll been warned. I'm going to tell you fine ladies to read this book.
Theme: 5 stars
Writing: 4 stars
Yes, I'm this book's demographic: A women working in tech who doubts herself constantly.
Self-help business books are hit or miss. But after reading Brave, Not Perfect I'm now realizing why they're hit or miss: Ask yourself, "Am I this book's demographic?" If the answer is no, then the book will be a miss. Just because you're working in the corporate world, doesn't mean every pseudo-psychology/business book is meant for you. Some are written specially for C-suite or VPs who have the flexibility to make large scale choices. But Brave, Not Perfect was written for me.
If you're wondering if it's written for you, ask yourself if any of the following applies:
1) You spend too much time reading, rewriting, and rereading an email before you send it because one small grammar or spelling mistake would plague you for the rest of the day. Or worse, make your colleagues think you're an idiot.
2) You didn't apply for the job you wanted because you didn't meet 100% of the requirements and don't already know how to perform it perfectly. Because taking the time to learn the job could waste your employer's time, and you'd hate to do that.
3) You sacrifice your time to please someone else, to make them like you more, even if you really don't want to do it.
4) You have a safety net in place that allows you to take chances.
That last one is key.
This book is not for the working single mom, living paycheck to paycheck just to put food on the table, who can't afford to take risks with her or her family's lives. There's a certain level of privilege this book caters to. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Multi-millionaires need financial advisers, that doesn't mean being a financial adviser is an evil profession and shouldn't exist. This book is very much needed for the sad demographic of ~20% women in tech.
As I was reading this book (which took only a day because I couldn't put it down), all the women in my life that I love and want to see succeed would bubble up in my head. In one section, I thought, "This is what A needs to read!" In another section, "I need to tell B to do this!"
So yeah, ya'll been warned. I'm going to tell you fine ladies to read this book.
Theme: 5 stars
Writing: 4 stars
leasummer's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. I’ve been telling everyone about it, this is what I’ve told my girlfriends: I just finished it and want to tell everyone about it. I highly recommend it. It’s short - the audio was only 5 hours. It talks a lot about raising girls and perfectionism etc. also tips to overcome some of the stuff we’ve been programmed to accept. I was thinking about all my friends with daughters. I think it’s a must read and she’s very nice and no judgy. It’s pretty simple stuff but also mind blowing at the same time. I kept thinking that’s me. And I didn’t even know that was like typical woman trained since 8 years old behavior.
aleroness's review against another edition
3.25
There were a few really good nuggets of advice in here. But I was left feeling as though just when we were about to get to a big breakthrough idea, the topic would shift or we would juuuust miss the mark.
janiceinwonderland's review against another edition
It just wasn’t for me at this moment 🤷🏽♀️
thegoodleybookshelf's review against another edition
5.0
Solid thoughts, examples and challenges. I think it adds quite a bit to her Ted Talk.
amlagunas's review against another edition
3.0
Sometimes hit the nail on the head, but often seemed a little distracted from the main theme and occasionally contradictory. Overall didn't feel connected or inspired.
andrearbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Brave, Not Perfect: Fear Less, Fail More, and Live Bolder by Reshma Saujani was a book that I just needed in my life. It was a beautiful reflection on the realities of how our own aspirations can get in the way. This book focuses on reframing/eliminating perfectionist thinking. Rather than expecting that we have to have flawless execution, she really stresses that there is power and joy in learning in the journey. She talks about how with women we often are afraid of fear and failure avoidance. In reality, the best thing we could do for ourselves is feel these things. She talks about how we can often not go for what we want because of this, and that's just wrong. I loved that this book was part "Here's our reality," then "Here's what to do about it." The steps shared were simple and actionable, and they're ones I could see myself implementing. I read this book because I was needing some inspiration and affirmation, and it so did that for me. Thanks to NetGalley for the sneak peek, and I'd highly encourage y'all to check this one out when it's released in February!
nyssahhhh's review against another edition
3.0
I ended up mostly skimming the first... 60-ish% of the book because it's all stuff I've heard/read a million times: Boys get to try and fail; girls have to start and end perfect. It's important, but... it's ingrained into my being, so I was ready to hear the antidotes. What can we do to change something buried so deep? Was happy I kept reading and got to the action items... will definitely be trying them.
Here are some of my favorite lines:
36: From the time girls are young, they're trained to keep a lid on anger in the face of an affront, unlike boys who are trained to stand up for themselves, or retaliate. This explains why girls (and women) will do almost anything to avoid rocking the boat and why they choose to downsize their personal power and swallow negative feelings, rather than be seen as boastful or face the horror of confrontation. Praised on the one hand by parents and teachers for being polite, agreeable, and "well behaved" and,, on the other, punished by their peers for speaking out, the docility girls are rewarded for as children translates directly into a lifelong habit of suppressing their instinct to speak up and take a risky stand.
103: Bravery makes falling in love possible. It takes courage to allow someone to see the real you, flaws and all, and to accept someone else who is equally imperfect. ... "Bravery is the ability to see yourself as flawed and own it without plunging instantly into shame." (Esther Perel)
105: When we build our bravery muscles, we're safe for real because we know we can handle whatever comes our way. Bravery doesn't guarantee that everything will work out, just that we'll be okay if it doesn't. No matter what demons we face, bravery allows us to stand strong and keep going. Bravery--not perfection--is the only true armor there is.
121: "Is that your drama or your wisdom talking?" You'll know it's your wisdom when you feel at peace with your decision. The voice of wisdom is calm, with a sense of authority. Drama, on the other had, ends to be a little whinier, more nervous, and more defensive. ... If you hear yourself making excuses, find yourself compelled to explain your choice to anyone who will listen, or just feel vaguely disappointed or unhappy, it's a sign that your drama is calling the shots.
140: Fumbling your way through something new isn't just about fun; it also changes your brain for the better We can literally rewire our brains and what we're capable of, which in turn expands what we believe we're capable of.
Here are some of my favorite lines:
36: From the time girls are young, they're trained to keep a lid on anger in the face of an affront, unlike boys who are trained to stand up for themselves, or retaliate. This explains why girls (and women) will do almost anything to avoid rocking the boat and why they choose to downsize their personal power and swallow negative feelings, rather than be seen as boastful or face the horror of confrontation. Praised on the one hand by parents and teachers for being polite, agreeable, and "well behaved" and,, on the other, punished by their peers for speaking out, the docility girls are rewarded for as children translates directly into a lifelong habit of suppressing their instinct to speak up and take a risky stand.
103: Bravery makes falling in love possible. It takes courage to allow someone to see the real you, flaws and all, and to accept someone else who is equally imperfect. ... "Bravery is the ability to see yourself as flawed and own it without plunging instantly into shame." (Esther Perel)
105: When we build our bravery muscles, we're safe for real because we know we can handle whatever comes our way. Bravery doesn't guarantee that everything will work out, just that we'll be okay if it doesn't. No matter what demons we face, bravery allows us to stand strong and keep going. Bravery--not perfection--is the only true armor there is.
121: "Is that your drama or your wisdom talking?" You'll know it's your wisdom when you feel at peace with your decision. The voice of wisdom is calm, with a sense of authority. Drama, on the other had, ends to be a little whinier, more nervous, and more defensive. ... If you hear yourself making excuses, find yourself compelled to explain your choice to anyone who will listen, or just feel vaguely disappointed or unhappy, it's a sign that your drama is calling the shots.
140: Fumbling your way through something new isn't just about fun; it also changes your brain for the better We can literally rewire our brains and what we're capable of, which in turn expands what we believe we're capable of.