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The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Keeping Your Shit Together: How to Run Your Business Without Letting it Run You
Learn how to stay sane, keep your s**t together, and ensure both you and your business thrive for years. You run a business. And running a business is hard. It can ruin your health. It can ruin your relationships. It can ruin your life. But only if you don’t equip yourself for the journey. The burden of responsibility, the weight of stress and the loneliness of running your business are a far cry from your friends who work salaried jobs. The stress and loneliness are real. Sometimes too real. The path of least resistance is to let the stress and isolation of starting, running and growing a business infiltrate most aspects of your life. Trust us, we’ve seen it. Over and over we’ve watched our fellow entrepreneurs succumb to the mental toll and chaos of running a business. We’ve also experienced it firsthand as we’ve launched and grown our own businesses. Odds are good that you’ve been overwhelmed at some point. Maybe you’ve tried talking to your spouse. That can work for a while… but your spouse is not your therapist. And placing them in this role inevitably leads to misunderstandings, fatigue and arguments. Maybe you’ve talked to friends. But if they aren’t entrepreneurs, they likely don’t understand what you’re going through. Or maybe you’ve read self help books only to find that books about stress management typically don’t take into account the unique experience of entrepreneurs. Or they’re ‘lifehacks’ written by a blogger with no formal training or credentials, offering advice based on anecdotes, not science. Why do I need this book? You want to invest in yourself (and consequently, your business). You want to learn proven strategies, tactics and techniques to overcome the challenges that cause you heartburn and headaches. You want to get off the treadmill of stress, anxiety and isolation that entrepreneurship brings. You want to prevent burnout, depression, isolation, and the emergence of damaging coping strategies and self-sabotaging choices. Every aspect of this book is a pairing of psychological expertise with decades of entrepreneurial experience. Here are just a few things you will take away from this New ways to deal with the freedom, responsibility and existential fear that go along with being an entrepreneur How to overcome the single biggest challenge every entrepreneur faces How a single shift in mindset can make a lifelong difference in your success, happiness and fulfillment Why knowing yourself and where you came from is crucial to your success How to succeed as an entrepreneur no matter your personality type How to keep stress from ruining your life and relationships Identifying and dealing with depression, anxiety, burnout, ADHD and other common psychological burdens How to get more things done – and faster – by dealing with procrastination, distraction and muddled priorities Staying connected with your significant other, friends and key colleagues How to deal with overwhelming success and (seemingly) massive failures How to find personal calm in the midst of chaos And much more...
189 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 12, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 27, 2018
As a fan of the Zen Founder podcast, I was really excited to read this book!
While a lot of what was discussed was already covered in the podcast in greater detail, and in general I like the podcast's natural conversational style better, this book does a good job of summarizing the key learnings into an easily digestible format.
My main feedback on the book is wish it went a little more into the Sherry's psychology background and case studies (my favorite parts of the book were when she explained therapy phrases and theories behind behavior from her clients or trends she noticed in the field) and focused a little less on the startup side of things (like productivity hacks etc.), since I feel that's where she ads the most value.
While a lot of what was discussed was already covered in the podcast in greater detail, and in general I like the podcast's natural conversational style better, this book does a good job of summarizing the key learnings into an easily digestible format.
My main feedback on the book is wish it went a little more into the Sherry's psychology background and case studies (my favorite parts of the book were when she explained therapy phrases and theories behind behavior from her clients or trends she noticed in the field) and focused a little less on the startup side of things (like productivity hacks etc.), since I feel that's where she ads the most value.
April 16, 2018
Excellent tips and insights
The author combines clinical data with real life tips that are easy to implement. Overall, a very informative book that can be utilized by parents, leaders, as well as entrepreneurs.
The author combines clinical data with real life tips that are easy to implement. Overall, a very informative book that can be utilized by parents, leaders, as well as entrepreneurs.
June 7, 2019
(The English review is placed beneath Russian one)
Название книги не соответствует содержанию. Эта книга определённо не подойдёт тем читателям, кто ищет что-то типа стратегического менеджмента в MBA вариации или в более упрощённой версии обычной бизнес книги. Эта книга скорее понравится тем, кто, во-первых, любит читать журналы/газеты на бизнес тематику, а также блоги по тому же направлению, бизнес направлению. Во-вторых, любит книги по самопомощи типа «Магия утра» и в-третьих, большой любитель научпопа по психологии. Вот, собственно, основные ингредиенты самой книги (психология, самопомощь и крайне поверхностные статьи о бизнесе, которые часто можно встретить в бизнес прессе и блогах). И да, о самом предпринимательстве, о том, как управлять и создавать бизнес, в книге нет ни слова.
По сути, я бы даже сказал, что это очередной сборник популярных идей, которых отличает только то, что они были собраны под одной книгой, которая позиционируется как «книга для предпринимателя». Я могу более кратко сформулировать основную идею книги: психология предпринимателя. Только не та серьёзная академическая психология, которая читается на курсах в университетах и включает такие темы как психоанализ, когнитивная психология, социальная психология, эволюционная психология и так далее. А это психология, которая является больше книгой по самопомощи, нежели книгой объясняющей (только объясняющей) работу психологии с точки зрения науки. Ну, например, автор пишет о депрессии и стрессе, о важности физических упражнений, об интровертах и экстравертах, о непринятии ваших идеи (товаров), ментальных проблемах предпринимателей, о стиле жизни (если можно так сказать) предпринимателей, о детстве, т.е. историй о детстве предпринимателей и так далее. Т.е. тут нет центральной и единой темы, а есть сборник статей, чаще всего из других книг, что так часто мигрирует из книги в книгу.
Да и советы, что даёт автор, также крайне «журнальные», как то: занимайтесь физическими упражнениями, йогой, медитируйте и пр. В общем, классический сборник советов по здоровому образу жизни.
Честно сказать, мне трудно представить начинающего предпринимателя, которого заинтересовала бы данная книга, т.к. начинающего предпринимателя заботят совсем другие вопросы. И если он дошёл до этапа – начать бизнес, то, само собой разумеется, он уже в курсе того, о чём пишет автор, о тех проблемах, что встретиться на пути создания и управления бизнесом (например, полная автономность, необходимость принимать собственные решения, а не ожидать руководства сверху).
The title of the book does not correspond to the content. This book is definitely not suitable for those readers who are looking for something like strategic management in an MBA variation or a more simplified version of a regular business book. This book is more likely to be appreciated by those who, first of all, like to read magazines/newspapers on business topics, as well as blogs on the same direction. Secondly, who loves books on self-help such as "The Miracle Morning" and thirdly, who is a big fan of popular psychology. Here, actually, the basic components of the book (psychology, self-help and extremely superficial articles about business, which can often be found in the business press and blogs). And yes, about entrepreneurship, about how to manage and create a business, there is not a word in the book.
In fact, I would even say that this is another collection of popular ideas, which is distinguished only by the fact that they were collected under a single book, which is positioned as a "book for the entrepreneur". I can more briefly formulate the main idea of the book: the psychology of the entrepreneur. Only not the kind of serious academic psychology that is taught in university courses and includes such topics as psychoanalysis, cognitive psychology, social psychology, evolutionary psychology, and so on. And this is psychology, which is more of a self-help book than a book explaining the work of psychology from a scientific point of view. Well, for example, the author writes about depression and stress, the importance of exercise, introverts and extroverts, the rejection of your idea(s), the mental problems of entrepreneurs, the lifestyle (if I may say so) of entrepreneurs, childhood, i.e. stories about the childhood of entrepreneurs, and so on. That is, there is no central and unified theme, and there is a collection of articles, most often from other books, that so often migrates from book to book.
Yes, and the advice that the author gives is also extremely "journalistic", such as: exercise, yoga, meditate, etc. In general, a classic collection of health tips.
Honestly, it is difficult for me to imagine a novice entrepreneur who would be interested in this book, as a novice entrepreneur cares about other issues. And if he has reached the stage of starting a business, then, of course, he is already aware of what the author writes about, the problems that meet on the way to create and manage a business (for example, complete autonomy, the need to make their own decisions, rather than waiting for leadership from above).
Название книги не соответствует содержанию. Эта книга определённо не подойдёт тем читателям, кто ищет что-то типа стратегического менеджмента в MBA вариации или в более упрощённой версии обычной бизнес книги. Эта книга скорее понравится тем, кто, во-первых, любит читать журналы/газеты на бизнес тематику, а также блоги по тому же направлению, бизнес направлению. Во-вторых, любит книги по самопомощи типа «Магия утра» и в-третьих, большой любитель научпопа по психологии. Вот, собственно, основные ингредиенты самой книги (психология, самопомощь и крайне поверхностные статьи о бизнесе, которые часто можно встретить в бизнес прессе и блогах). И да, о самом предпринимательстве, о том, как управлять и создавать бизнес, в книге нет ни слова.
По сути, я бы даже сказал, что это очередной сборник популярных идей, которых отличает только то, что они были собраны под одной книгой, которая позиционируется как «книга для предпринимателя». Я могу более кратко сформулировать основную идею книги: психология предпринимателя. Только не та серьёзная академическая психология, которая читается на курсах в университетах и включает такие темы как психоанализ, когнитивная психология, социальная психология, эволюционная психология и так далее. А это психология, которая является больше книгой по самопомощи, нежели книгой объясняющей (только объясняющей) работу психологии с точки зрения науки. Ну, например, автор пишет о депрессии и стрессе, о важности физических упражнений, об интровертах и экстравертах, о непринятии ваших идеи (товаров), ментальных проблемах предпринимателей, о стиле жизни (если можно так сказать) предпринимателей, о детстве, т.е. историй о детстве предпринимателей и так далее. Т.е. тут нет центральной и единой темы, а есть сборник статей, чаще всего из других книг, что так часто мигрирует из книги в книгу.
Да и советы, что даёт автор, также крайне «журнальные», как то: занимайтесь физическими упражнениями, йогой, медитируйте и пр. В общем, классический сборник советов по здоровому образу жизни.
Честно сказать, мне трудно представить начинающего предпринимателя, которого заинтересовала бы данная книга, т.к. начинающего предпринимателя заботят совсем другие вопросы. И если он дошёл до этапа – начать бизнес, то, само собой разумеется, он уже в курсе того, о чём пишет автор, о тех проблемах, что встретиться на пути создания и управления бизнесом (например, полная автономность, необходимость принимать собственные решения, а не ожидать руководства сверху).
The title of the book does not correspond to the content. This book is definitely not suitable for those readers who are looking for something like strategic management in an MBA variation or a more simplified version of a regular business book. This book is more likely to be appreciated by those who, first of all, like to read magazines/newspapers on business topics, as well as blogs on the same direction. Secondly, who loves books on self-help such as "The Miracle Morning" and thirdly, who is a big fan of popular psychology. Here, actually, the basic components of the book (psychology, self-help and extremely superficial articles about business, which can often be found in the business press and blogs). And yes, about entrepreneurship, about how to manage and create a business, there is not a word in the book.
In fact, I would even say that this is another collection of popular ideas, which is distinguished only by the fact that they were collected under a single book, which is positioned as a "book for the entrepreneur". I can more briefly formulate the main idea of the book: the psychology of the entrepreneur. Only not the kind of serious academic psychology that is taught in university courses and includes such topics as psychoanalysis, cognitive psychology, social psychology, evolutionary psychology, and so on. And this is psychology, which is more of a self-help book than a book explaining the work of psychology from a scientific point of view. Well, for example, the author writes about depression and stress, the importance of exercise, introverts and extroverts, the rejection of your idea(s), the mental problems of entrepreneurs, the lifestyle (if I may say so) of entrepreneurs, childhood, i.e. stories about the childhood of entrepreneurs, and so on. That is, there is no central and unified theme, and there is a collection of articles, most often from other books, that so often migrates from book to book.
Yes, and the advice that the author gives is also extremely "journalistic", such as: exercise, yoga, meditate, etc. In general, a classic collection of health tips.
Honestly, it is difficult for me to imagine a novice entrepreneur who would be interested in this book, as a novice entrepreneur cares about other issues. And if he has reached the stage of starting a business, then, of course, he is already aware of what the author writes about, the problems that meet on the way to create and manage a business (for example, complete autonomy, the need to make their own decisions, rather than waiting for leadership from above).
August 19, 2018
For someone who's worked at a few failed startups, I know exactly what Sherry is talking about in each one of these pages. How it's just too easy to jump in and then 1 year later find out you no longer have a job, and oh yea, your friends have abandoned you because you essentially excommunicated them while you were dealing with your "higher calling."
Some advice I've seen and even implemented myself before but there are some new things in here to consider. Lots of emphasis on how your mental state can affect the performance in your work. Overall, if you're working on the best entrepreneur (or someday to-be entrepreneur) this is a great resource to navigate the daily battles that you may encounter.
Some advice I've seen and even implemented myself before but there are some new things in here to consider. Lots of emphasis on how your mental state can affect the performance in your work. Overall, if you're working on the best entrepreneur (or someday to-be entrepreneur) this is a great resource to navigate the daily battles that you may encounter.
March 14, 2018
If there’s a topic on which we spend too little time it’s mental health.
Not mental health where we focus on whether you’re crazy or have a disorder or a mommy complex, but just the simple ability to recognize where you are emotionally and more sustainably react and own those emotions and the way they impact us and the world around us.
This book lovingly sets out a framework that both shows us the entrepreneur’s mental health journey, and also practical tips to work through and survive to the other side. It’s incredibly well done, and a book I’d recommend to anyone trying to make sense of why.
Not mental health where we focus on whether you’re crazy or have a disorder or a mommy complex, but just the simple ability to recognize where you are emotionally and more sustainably react and own those emotions and the way they impact us and the world around us.
This book lovingly sets out a framework that both shows us the entrepreneur’s mental health journey, and also practical tips to work through and survive to the other side. It’s incredibly well done, and a book I’d recommend to anyone trying to make sense of why.
April 24, 2018
This is one of those books that I wish was available years ago, as it would've helped me understand much more about myself and my journey. Instead I had to cobble together pieces of this from a variety sources: other books, my therapist, friends and mentors.
Sherry's book is most helpful in the way that it is clear that she has spent a lot of time around entrepreneurs and is an entrepreneur herself. From the language to validate the challenges of entrepreneurship to the tips/tricks/tactics to coping, this will resonate with all entrepreneurs.
Sherry's book is most helpful in the way that it is clear that she has spent a lot of time around entrepreneurs and is an entrepreneur herself. From the language to validate the challenges of entrepreneurship to the tips/tricks/tactics to coping, this will resonate with all entrepreneurs.
December 30, 2021
Sometimes a book comes along at exactly the right moment. That was this book for me. I launched my business this year and was not prepared for how lonely and isolating it can feel at times. Each chapter in Dr Walling’s book validated my feelings and gave me actionable suggestions for overcoming hurdles. Highly recommended for newer entrepreneurs who are struggling with the overwhelm of trying to do “all the things.”
June 29, 2019
Read this book after discovering the authors through their podccasts and companies. The blend of professional expertise and stories of a struggle as an entrepreneur are interesting. It's a short read packed with plenty of great advice. If you've ever felt that sense of overwhelm in running a business, this book has helpful tips to consider.
July 23, 2018
Very real and relatable
This was the first business book that I felt was also human. It made me feel like others experience the same doubts, questions, stress etc. It also gave great tactics for dealing with all of that.
This was the first business book that I felt was also human. It made me feel like others experience the same doubts, questions, stress etc. It also gave great tactics for dealing with all of that.
March 26, 2018
A honest and a good set of advises when running or trying to run your own business. This book might be applicable not to entrepreneurs, but to people who seeks to find ways to balance personal/work lifestyle.
October 24, 2018
This book was pretty informative and useful, especially for entrepreneurs.
February 5, 2019
The author is clearly really smart, a good communicator, and put a lot of thought into this book. I enjoyed reading it, but didn't really come away with anything particularly actionable.
December 28, 2022
A must-read for everyone running, or aspiring to run a business.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews