Read Harder Review: You Are a Badass - Jen Sincero (Listen to an Audiobook that Has Won an Audie Award)

The following is a review of Jen Sincero's audiobook edition of You Are a Badass.
I read this book as part of the Book Riot Read Harder 2016 Challenge, for the category
"Listen to an audiobook that has won an Audie Award".
Sincero's audiobook won the 2014 Audie for Personal Development.

Photo by my amazing sister, Maria.

Synopsis

"Bestselling author, speaker, and success coach Jen Sincero cuts through the din of the self-help genre with her own verbal meat cleaver. Full of blunt humor, sage advice, and the occasional swear word, You are a Badass offers its readers new opportunities for growth through 35 chapters of exercises, suggestions, and hilariously inspiring stories.
From "Fear is for Suckers" to "Your Brain is Your Bitch" these chapters provide enlightening lessons: How to stop doubting your greatness, how to love what you don't love about yourself, and how to tap into source energy to live a bigger life than you've ever imagined." (Goodreads)

You Have to Believe

I've had this audiobook for a year or so now, so when I saw that it fit one of the categories of my 2016 challenge, I was excited. It gave me the push I needed to finally to check it out! I am the owner of several self-help books, but I'm the worst at actually reading them. A large part of that has to do with my skepticism. While I try to be open-minded about living a positive, happier life, I know that I'm definitely a cynic. I'm the person who is all excited to learn about how I can change things for the better but replies with a "That would never happen!", thereby neglecting all the advice I was just given. Self-help requires an open mind. 

A Little of This, a Bit of That 

I listened to this book on a trip down to Virginia with my boyfriend. Just shy of 6 hours long, we cleared it on the way down. Brad and I had our moments of agreement and our moments of skepticism, both for various reasons. A lot of the book, which obviously isn't very long, is a mixture of all kinds of self-help/personal growth-style books. A large portion of the book focuses on manifestation (like The Secret) and ways to make money (Think and Grow Rich). The book focuses a lot more on finances that I had expected. 

How I Feel About It...

I don't have the highest self-esteem, so I was really looking forward to a book that would teach me ways to boost mine. Sincero's mixture of positive affirmations, humor, and simple techniques gave me some moments of clarity. Still, I can't help but be skeptical. Manifestation is a weird thing. Part of me believes in it (there were a couple of times I thought about wanting to do something and within a few days was presented with an opportunity), and another part of me thinks that it's easier said than done. I'm glad I have the audiobook, but driving while listening is hard in terms of practicing what you're reading. There were some exercises I could've worked on if I had been at home. I think having the physical book might help with that a bit more, as well.

Overall

I gave this a 3/5 stars. Jen Sincero handles the topic with humor and honesty and I love that. Like therapists or life coaches should, she isn't afraid to say that you are choosing to be a loser if you don't decide to change your life. It's a quick read, whether you listen to it or pick up the book, so it's worth a shot. Still, I didn't feel like anything new was brought to the table. If you already have some self-help books on your shelves, take a look at those to be sure you're not hearing a repeat lesson.

Do you have any self-help books that you go to in times of distress? Any recommendations?
I'd love to hear about some!