Brave, Not Perfect

New York Times bestselling author and Girls Who Code founder/CEO inspires us to discover the power of female bravery. Do you run yourself ragged trying to not just do it all, but do it all flawlessly? Do you lose sleep ruminating over small mistakes or worrying that something you said or did might have offended someone? Have you ever passed up a big opportunity - a relationship, job, or a personal challenge - for fear you wouldn't nail it right away or look foolish trying? For you, is failure simply not an option? You're not alone. As women, we've been taught from an early age to play it safe. Well-meaning parents and teachers rewarded us for being quiet and polite, urged us to be careful so we didn't get hurt, and steered us to activities at which we could shine. Meanwhile, boys were encouraged to speak up, get dirty, take risks and get right back up again if they fell. In short, boys are taught to be brave, while girls are taught to be perfect. As a result, we grow up to be women who are afraid to fail. And as too many of us eventually learn, when we hold ourselves back for fear of not being good enough, of appearing less than perfectly together, or of making the wrong choice, we tamp down our dreams and narrow our world, along with our chance at happiness. But it doesn't have to be that way. In a book inspired by her popular TED Talk, Reshma Saujani shows us how to break free from the trap of perfection and rewire ourselves for bravery. Because while chasing perfection may set us on a path that feels safe, it's bravery that leads us to the one we're authentically meant to follow. Bravery gives us the power to claim our voice, to leave behind what makes us unhappy, and go for what sparks in our souls. Drawing on hundreds of interviews with girls and women from across the country, stories of fearless women changing the world one brave act at a time, and her own personal journey to accept her imperfections, Saujani shares an array of powerful insights and practices to make bravery a lifelong habit. By being brave, not perfect, we can all become the authors of our biggest, boldest, and most joyful life.