“You are responsible for what you say and do, not responsible for whether or not people freak out about it.”
You Are a Badass: How To Stop Doubting Your Greatness And Start Living an Awesome Life is a #1 New York Times bestselling self-help book by Jen Sincero. As entertaining as it is uplifting, Sincero jam-packs twenty-seven snappy chapters of inspiring stories, sage advice, accessible exercises and the occasional swear word, all designed to help you identify self-sabotaging behaviours, and smash past your anxieties to create the sort of life you have always wanted. Sometimes a book delivers the kick we need to see our true self-worth and launch us into action, which is why we here at What We Reading thought we would take a look at some of the best books like You Are a Badass! From changing harmful habits to learning how to love yourself, check out these motivational self-help reads!
The Subtle Art Of Not Giving A F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach To Living A Good Life – Mark Manson
Our first stop in our list of books like You Are a Badass is Mark Manson’s acclaimed self-help read, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. This generation-defining read flips conventional approaches to positivity by embracing the absurdity and demands of modern life. Through his candour and honesty, readers immediately get a raw, refreshing read that cuts through the idea of having to be positive all the time to create a happier life.
Through a combination of academic research and well-timed poop jokes, Manson shows how we can get to know our limitations and accept them. Once we embrace our fears, faults and uncertainties, we can start to find the courage, honesty and forgiveness that we seek. Filled with entertaining stories, infectious laughter and striking honesty, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is the book you need for learning how to care more about the things that actually matter and let go of the things that don’t.
Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone To Take Action – Simon Sinek
Why are some people and organisations more innovative, influential and successful than others? Why do some individuals command more respect than others? Even among the successful, how come so few are able to replicate their successes? In Start with Why, Simon Sinek studies the greatest leaders in the world, unveiling the similarities they all share in how they think, act, and communicate. More importantly, he demonstrates how these ways of interacting with the world are completely different from how most of us do.
Coining the idea ‘The Golden Circle’, Sinek’s bestselling self-help book teaches readers how explaining why is the greatest tool for leading and inspiring others. Whilst it is primarily honed in on the world of business, Start with Why is still one of the best books similar to You Are a Badass for those looking to inspire others or find someone to inspire them.
We Should All Be Millionaires: A Woman’s Guide To Earning More, Building Wealth And Gaining Economic Power – Rachel Rodgers
Only ten per cent of the world’s millionaires are women. In her self-help book We Should All Be Millionaires, Rachel Rodgers changes the way readers think about money and how to earn it. Whether it’s shaky confidence, not knowing wealth-building tactics, imposter syndrome or simply not knowing where to start, the self-made millionaire and mother of four shares the lessons she’s learned from her own journey that are sure to resonate.
From the history of racial and gender inequalities in making money, setting higher saving goals, and tackling the idea of earning more money somehow makes you greedy, to debunking most of the financial advice you’ve heard in the past, We Should All Be Millionaires helps readers change their mindsets and claim their power.
The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear And Take Life To The Next Level – Gay Hendricks
In The Big Leap, New York Times bestselling author Gay Hendricks showcases how to eliminate the barriers to success by overcoming false fears and self-sabotaging beliefs. Similar to You Are a Badass, Hendricks introduces the concept of an ‘Upper Limit Problem’ which explains how we all have an internal ceiling of happiness. When hit, we begin to experience things such as procrastination, illness and conflict.
From feelings of being fundamentally flawed, fears that success will alienate us from others, believing more success brings us bigger burdens to the anxieties over how outshining others makes them feel bad, Hendricks provides practical advice and insightful concepts and helpful exercises designed to help us break through our Upper Limit and enjoy being at our best.
The Mountain Is You: Transforming Self-Sabotage Into Self-Mastery – Brianna Wiest
Another one of the best books like You Are a Badass that hones in on the concept of self-sabotage, The Mountain Is You is a 2020 self-help read by Brianna Wiest. In it, she explains why self-sabotage occurs, and how internal challenges and self-imposed barriers prevent personal growth and fulfilment.
For centuries, mountains have been used as metaphors for the biggest challenges we face, especially the ones that seem impossible to overcome. The Mountain Is You showcases how to scale our mountains, we must excavate trauma, build resilience and adjust how we show up for the climb. The end result is a motivating read that guides readers through how the obstacle is rarely actually ever the mountain, but rather ourselves.
Girl, Stop Apologizing: A Shame-Free Plan For Embracing And Achieving Your Goals – Rachel Hollis
In her Goodreads Choice Award-winning book Girl, Stop Apologizing, Rachel Hollis, bestselling author and founder of a multimillion-dollar company, sounds a wake-up call for women everywhere who feel the pining for something more from themselves.
Like with You Are a Badass, Hollis shows how women have been taught to define themselves in the light of other people, instead of learning how to own who they are, and what they want. Across Girl, Stop Apologizing, she helps you identify the excuses to let go of, the behaviours to replace them with and the skills needed to grow confidence and belief in yourself. Delivered with raw honesty, this self-help book is filled with practical steps, stories and principles that are sure to inspire.
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Gutsy: Learning To Live With Bold, Brave And Boundless Courage – Natalie Franke
Whether you’re struggling to get started, afraid of making a big decision or clinging to a path no longer meant for you, Natalie Franke’s 2023 book Gutsy is the injection of motivation you need for taking the next step and going after what you want.
Similar to You Are a Badass, Gutsy is a guidebook to finding the courage within you and leaving a mark on the world that only you are capable of. From learning how to tune out expectations of others, asking for what you deserve to being brave enough to stick your neck out, Franke’s infectious enthusiasm shines through as she inspires readers to bridge the gap between where they are, and where they want to be.
Everything Is Figureoutable – Marie Forleo
Do you ever have trouble finishing what you start? Ever had an amazing idea that you struggled to carry through once the initial excitement evaporated? In another one of the best-affirming books like You Are a Badass, Marie Forleo explains how the problem isn’t you in her 2019 read, Everything is Figureoutable.
Whether you’re looking to leave an unhappy occupation, heal a relationship, grow a business or simply find more time in your day, Everything is Figureoutable is the practical guidebook for breaking down any process into manageable steps. From dealing with criticism, and bouncing back from failure to the importance of striving for progress (not perfection), Forleo’s read is full of inspiring stories from ordinary people. Practical and actionable, it is an invaluable resource for becoming unstoppable which any fan of Jen Sincero is sure to love!
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Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
