Book Review Archives - Motivated Mom

Self Help Books For People That Like To Use Naughty Words

Occasionally, I do let a swear word slip. Not around the kiddos, of course. (Well, maybe just that one time…and my sweet little toddler immediately repeated it!) There seems to be a trend these days to use swearing in self help books. I like it. Self help books for the modern era. If people change their life by reading a book that drops an f-bomb for attention, by all means swear away! Different strokes for different folks.

**Please note, if you don’t like swear words, this article is NOT for you! You’ve been warned!**

These are some of the best self help books for the modern woman! Personal development doesn't have to be boring. Read these life changing books with a twist, because they have thoughts and ideas with the occasional f-bomb. Definitely put these inspirational books on you reading lists. #truths #ideas #dreams #money #happiness

*This post contains affiliate links. If you click & make a purchase, I receive a commission with no additional cost to you! Read my full disclosure policy.

I’ve compiled a nice list of self help books with swear words for you. Just in case you need an attention grabbing way to digest someone telling you that you need to change your life.

#1 You are a Badass by Jen Sincero.

You can find this book prominently displayed on an end cap of every Target store! It really hit a nerve in the Beachbody community, as many fitness coaches were gobbling up the sage advice from Ms. Jen Sincero.

I own this one. I couldn’t help myself. I mean, I am a Badass! LOL. Plus it’s a New York Times Best Seller! All those people can’t be wrong! …and they’re not. It’s a refreshing dose of self improvement advice.

Jen also wrote: You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth (I also have this one! Because who doesn’t want to make more money?! I’ll give you a separate review on this one. Although it was a fun motivator, it had some questionable tactics for you to make your fortune.)

I was grabbing the links for you (so you can get your very own swearing self help book), and I noticed that Jen has another book coming out December 2018! You Are a Badass Every Day:How to Keep Your Motivation Strong, Your Vibe High, and Your Quest for Transformation Unstoppable is available for pre-order now.

**#2 How to Stop Feeling Like Sh*t: 14 Habits that Are Holding You Back from Happiness by Andrea Owen**

Andrea Owen’s dedication in this book reads: “This book is dedicated to all the women who’ve decided to light a fire in their lives” (Umm…that’s you, right?!)

Just a taste for you…these are some of the chapter titles of this swearing self help book:

Being An Asshole to Yourself: Learning to Manage Your Inner Critic
Compare and Despair: The Never-Ending Mind F*ck
Zero F*cks Mentality: Cynicism on Steroids

One of the five star reviews I read on Amazon said, “This book is the real life version of how to create a better life; not the sugar-coated, everything-will-be-perfect, think happy thoughts, magic pill version of having a better life. ”

Andrea Owen also wrote: 52 Ways to Live a Kick-Ass Life: BS-Free Wisdom to Ignite Your Inner Badass and Live the Life You Deserve

**#3 Unfu*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and into Your Life by Gary John Bishop**

*sigh* This one is a tough pill to swallow. (Yes, I also own this one…) My favorite quote in this book is from chapter two.

“If you’re not willing to take the actions to change your situation- in other words, if you’re willing to put up with your situation- then whether you like it our not, that’s the life you have chosen.” -Gary John Bishop

Read: Am I Willing To Change?

So asking yourself the question, “Am I willing to put up with this in my life?” I don’t know about you, but I just cringe a little bit, because there’s definitely things that I want to change, but I usually go with the flow and allow the crap to continue…

**#4. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson**

Surprisingly, I have not actually read this one yet. I know it was a #1 New York Times Bestseller and it’s got thousands of reviews on Amazon, so I’ll have to let you rely on the advice from others…

“As someone who has given far too many f***s about far too many things their entire life, this book was exactly the wake up call I needed.”
“What I like the most about this book is that my initial thought of: “This will be a good read- I’ll probably get a provoking thought or two out of it”, turned into, “Wow. This book has literally changed my life, for the better.” Since I’ve finished it, I recommended it to four people, two of which have acquired the book, and I even got an extra copy as a gift for a friend. I intend to read this book every couple years or so for the times I need to be reminded of what improved my life so much in the first place. “
“While it sounds like an obvious gimmick (dropping an F-bomb in the title of a self-help book in order to show how “edgy” it is) Mark Manson’s “The Subtle Art…” is a very well-written, deeply thought-out take on the perils of modern living. We can only care about so much, Manson posits, and most of us tend to waste that limited reservoir of “giving a f—” on the trivial, mundane, and shallow. How much better, then, would our lives be if we reserved that energy and focus for the things that truly matter?”

If you don’t read his book, at least go read a few of his blog posts at www.markmanson.net

**#5. Get Your Sht Together: How to Stop Worrying About What You Should Do So You Can Finish What You Need to Do and Start Doing What You Want to Do (A No Fcks Given Guide) by Sarah Knight**

Sarah Knight will have you giggling as you read her practical advice. She covers everything from dieting to saving money. And, according to the back cover of her book, “…Tons of other awesome sh*t!”

This Amazon review, in my opinion, sums up this read pretty well, “Another hit from the author of last year’s best self help parody. Whether you want a light read full of hilarious insights, or actually need a kick in the ass to get your “life” together, this book has what you’re looking for. This is the type of book that you buy someone as a gag gift, and then read and keep for yourself because it was more honest and insightful than you ever expected. Highly recommend to the well-put-together and deviant alike.”

There’s even a companion journal to go along with this book!! Get Your SH*T Together Journal

Sarah Knight also wrote: The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck: How to Stop Spending Time You Don’t Have with People You Don’t Like Doing Things You Don’t Want to Do (A No F*cks Given Guide)

and You Do You: How to Be Who You Are and Use What You’ve Got to Get What You Want (A No F*cks Given Guide)

She has a new book coming out December 2018: Calm the F*ck Down: How to Control What You Can and Accept What You Can’t So You Can Stop Freaking Out and Get On With Your Life

**#6 How to Get Sh*t Done: Why Women Need to Stop Doing Everything so They Can Achieve Anything by Erin Falconer**

Don’t be fooled by the naughty title. This book goes deep into becoming a productive woman. Erin uses the term POP: Personality, Opportunity, and Productivity to define who you are and what’s important to you. So you’re not just being busy but you’re being productive in your life!

What we say (and don’t say), goal setting, time management…this book has it all. She’s a really savvy business woman and gives great practical advice with a few f-bombs tossed in too.

Visit her website at www.pickthebrain.com

**#7 F*ck Feelings: One Shrink’s Practical Advice for Managing All Life’s Impossible Problems by Michael Bennett MD and Sarah Bennett**

So this one is written by a Harvard educated psychologist and his comedian daughter. Smart and funny! Honestly, the humor is almost a little to cynical for me. (Hey, not everyone likes the same flavor of potato chips…or self help books!)

This book actually gives you scenarios and a quick diagnosis and what to do about them. So if you find yourself in a similar situation, it’s like getting a big time psychology appointment for bargain basement pricing!

**Let’s Land this F*cking Plane**

What?! I thought it was okay to swear since, well, it’s all about swearing (and self help, of course.) We need to wrap this up. So let’s land on this:

You are a Rock Star for wanting to improve yourself.
Gain Knowledge- whether it’s through one of these books or somewhere else. You need to figure out what makes you tick and WHY.
Take Action. That’s it. You can want & wish and cram your brain with lots and lots of information, but unless you actually DO SOMETHING, you’ll never change. *ouch*

I believe in you. Now, go get sh*t done!

The Grain Brain Diet- A Review of Grain Brain by Dr. Perlmutter

*This post contains affiliate links. If you click & make a purchase, I receive a commission with no additional cost to you! Read my full disclosure policy.

What is the grain brain diet all about? Well, obviously, it’s about grains in your diet. Normally, you’d think grains are healthy, but according to Dr Perlmutter, grains are killing us! Yikes! The Grain Brain Diet plan is to eliminate both grains and sugars from our daily food choices.

Disclaimer

Get your copy of Grain Brain.

I am not a medical doctor. I don’t play one on TV. I’m just a mom who likes to read. I found a few interesting tidbits in this book. Some folks think that the data this guy uses to support his ideas on grain isn’t strong enough. So take it or leave it. It’s up to you!

Let Me Break It Down For You

Back when cavemen dominated the earth, they hunted for food. Mostly meats and plants. Really, mostly meat. Grain and fruits were items that only came into the food diet on occasion when they were available seasonally. (Also back then, grain looked a lot different than it did today, because now-a-days grains are genetically modified to produce a better crop.) Makes sense so far!

Now today, we can get anything our little hearts desire just by walking into the supermarket. We pick up processed junk food. In every store we can find cakes, cookies, and pastries. We buy loaves of bread. We consume this type of food in large quantities any time of the year that we please. These lifestyle choices are having a major affect on our health.

Why is Grain So Bad?

Super simple explanation. Grains contain gluten. Gluten causes inflammation. Inflammation in the brain = bad.

I’m going to go ahead and let someone smarter than me answer more in depth why grains are bad. Read this scary article about gluten from the Psychology Today website.

The Grain Brain Diet

What to eat:

meat (grass fed/organic whenever possible)
fish (wild caught if possible)
cheese
fat such as coconut oil, olive oil, or butter
vegetables
nuts
eggs
fruit (Keep it to one serving! Fruit has natural sugars, so not too much!)

Dr. Perlmutter’s recommendation is to eat clean 90% of the time. The other 10% is a splurge such as a slice of pizza or a piece of birthday cake. Because, well, life happens and nobody’s 100% perfect.

Who Might Want to Read This Book

If you know anyone or you are suffering from the following conditions, you may want to pick up this book. These conditions are listed straight from the book and can be found on pages 10-11.*

ADHD
anxiety and chronic stress
chronic headaches and migraines
depression
diabetes
epilepsy
focus and concentration problems
inflammatory conditions and diseases, including arthritis
insomnia
intestinal problems, including celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, and irritable bowel
memory problems and mild cognitive impairment, frequently a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease
mood disorders
overweight and obesity
Tourette’s syndrome
and much more

Reading This Book

Honestly, this book was a tough read. (It was pretty technical at times.) I listened to the audio version, and skimmed the book. I’d recommend the audio version, just because it might be a little easier to digest. (Ha.Ha.) Either way, it’s a lot of information to process.

If you’re wondering about how to apply the information you learn about, don’t worry! The last section of the book has recipes and a plan to ease you into this new way of eating.

The Bottom Line

I’ve cut out grain and sugars from my diet. I have been eating this way for twelve weeks (and counting!). So far, I’ve lost 15 lbs. I look good (My grandma told me so!), and I feel good. I’m sold on the grain brain diet!

This book is worth looking into if you or your loved ones have got any of the above mentioned ailments. It’s also a really great read for you if you’re interested in changing your diet. It may be just the thing you need to kick off that “eating healthy goal.” (You know, that goal you make every year?!) This book might scare you away from those pesky carbs for good!

*PERLMUTTER, DAVID. GRAIN BRAIN: the Surprising Truth about Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar – Your Brain’s Silent Killers. LITTLE BROWN SPARK, 2013. Pg.10-11

Hygge: The Danish Art of Happiness

What the heck is Hygge?

Hygge is the Danish Art of Happiness! (Hygge is pronounced HOO-GA.) What does it mean? It’s a feeling of warmth, togetherness, and well being. Doesn’t that sound lovely?!

Woolen mittins on the lap of someone wearing a sweater and holding a cup of coffee. This scene is very hygge.

*this post contains affiliate links – which means if you make a purchase through the link provided, I’ll receive a small commission with no additional cost to you whatsoever. Read my full disclosure policy here.

This week, I read the book, “The Little Book of Hygge Danish Secrets to Happy Living.” Because, yes, we all want to live a happy life, right? Since Denmark is considered one of the happiest countries on Earth, I figured they knew a thing or two about the happiness department.

The Danish could be happy because they have free health care, free university education, and an average of 5 weeks of vacation a year. (Want to move to Denmark now? LOL. Me too!) But there is something special that they’ve got going on in Denmark. Hygge is a way of living that is good for the soul.

Here’s what I learned about Hygge:

Hygge is all about the atmosphere. Hygge is very much about being warm and cozy. Lighting is incredibly important. The Danish love candles, lamps, and fireplaces to create a soft, comfortable feeling.
Hygge is about togetherness. Here’s one of my favorite descriptions of togetherness from the book, “Time spent with others creates an atmosphere that is warm, relaxed, friendly, down-to-earth, close, comfortable, snug, and welcoming. In many ways, it is like a good hug, but without the physical contact. It is in this situation that you can be completely relaxed and yourself. The art of hygge is therefore also the art of expanding your comfort zone to include other people.” (pg.39) The Danish have small groups, usually 3 to 4 tight-knit friends, that hang out together often. The Danish love to relax and enjoy each others’ company at home. They spend time doing things like cooking or playing board games together.
Hygge is seeking pleasure from food, especially sweets. The Danish love cake, chocolate, and other sweets. (I can definitely get behind this happiness hack!) Hot drinks such as coffee and tea are also very hygge (warm and comforting).
Hygge is casual. Casual atmosphere and casual clothing. The temperature in Denmark is usually between 32˚F and 60˚F. (source: www.visitdenmark.com) Because of the mild weather, they’re into sweaters, scarves, and wool socks. All warm and cozy clothing.
Every home has a Hyggerkrog. This is like a little reading nook. This is a place where you can relax and unwind. It usually contains a comfy couch or chair near the window where you can snuggle up with some tea and a good book. All the while, you are surrounded by comfy pillows and blankets. Very cozy. (This sounds like a little slice of heaven to me!)
Nature is very important to hygge. Whether it’s being in nature, or having nature-like decor in your home (think wood and animal furs), the Danish like to surround themselves with the outdoors.

Hygge at Home

Consider taking an idea or two from the happiest country in the world. Find a way to practice hygge in your home. How can you too can create that feeling of warmth, love, and coziness to your life?

Quote from: Wiking, Meik. The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living. Thorndike Press, a Part of Gale, Cengage Learning, 2017.

A woman lounging on outdoor lawn furniture looking out at the sunset.

The 12 Week Year: How to Unlock the Power of Goal Setting

The 12 Week Year: Get More Done In 12 Weeks Than Others Do In 12 Months

The title of this book, The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months, appealed to me right off the bat. As busy moms, we’re always trying to do “all the things.” Wouldn’t it be great to get more stuff done? Yes, please! So I picked up this book and began reading…

The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Morgan and Michael Lennington

The 12 week year book laying on top of a calendar.

The 12 Week Year is a goal setting process. Tear up your New Year’s Resolutions, because we’re not setting goals for the entire year, we’re setting 12 week goals!

This book guides you through the reasons why you’d want to throw out your yearly goals and focus on just the next three months.

The 12 Week Year helps you break your goals down by week and gives you tactics to accomplish your goal. Tactics are tasks…. Steps if you will… that help you reach your goal.

Why 12 Weeks?

Think about your New Year’s Resolutions. You know, the ones you broke. Why are they long gone already? Is it because a year is too far out. You don’t work on your goal today, because in your mind you have plenty of time to accomplish that goal later. Twelve weeks works because you are goal setting in a smaller window, your goals get clearer and easier to manage.

Snippets from the Book

“The barrier standing between you and the life you are capable of living is a lack of consistent execution.” (pg. 3) Ouch. A little dose of reality for you! This book is a guide to help you do just that- find a way to work on your goals each day in order to actually accomplish those dreams you have in your head and your heart.

“Learning to do the things you need to do, regardless of how you feel, is a core discipline for success.” (pg. 52) Yes!!!!! How often do you let things slide when you’re just not feeling like following through with your goal? Lay on the couch instead of organizing that mess, because you’ve had a long day. Eating the cake, because everyone else is doing it and you don’t want to miss out on the celebration. You’re going to start over tomorrow anyway… Sadly, it’s thoughts like these that keep us trapped in the cycle of starting over or giving up only to set the same goal next year because we never made progress this year.

Who Should Read This Book

You should definitely read this book if you have a business. This goal setting process is geared towards individuals in a work environment. A lot of the examples of the process are based on business goals.

If you set goals, but don’t follow through, this book is for you! The 12 Week Year is a way to give you a step by step plan to follow. In twelve weeks, you can make more happen than you did all last year! (If you follow the plan and stay consistent!)

My Review

The jury is still out on this goal setting process. After all, I’ve only just started my first twelve weeks this week. Here’s what I can tell you so far:

You get a sense of urgency. Twelve weeks seems pretty short, right? Already more manageable than the year stretched out before you.

Focusing on 2-3 tactics at a time is best. At first, I wrote down every tactic I could think of for each goal. I got overwhelmed immediately. There are twenty (or more) things that you can choose to do on a daily basis to reach each goal. Don’t try to do them all. Pick a few things to focus on in order to make progress toward your goal.

What do you have to lose?

Are you tired of setting goals only to give up on them a few weeks or even days later? Stop the madness. Shorten the time that it takes to accomplish your goals. You can do it. It all starts with a plan.

Quotes from: Moran, Brian, et al. The 12 Week Year. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2013.