Making It Without Losing It: How to Stay Motivated in a World Where We Are Never Done

Readers can chase their dreams without burning out or sacrificing their happiness, contends this down-to-earth guide from Ekstrom (Chasing the Bright Side), founder of Mic Drop Workshop, a company that teaches women public speaking. After starting two multimillion-dollar businesses by age 30, the author was nevertheless starved for validation and sought to understand how to find lasting fulfillment and motivation. The key, she realized, lies in defining one’s own concept of success and then relying on intrinsic motivation—rather than fickle external motivators, like money or praise—to get there. According to Ekstrom, intrinsic motivation is conducive to long-term success because it allows people to enjoy the path toward their goal and feel in control of their success along the way, which prevents burnout. The guide is bolstered with valuable anecdotes from Ekstrom’s professional and personal life, including how motherhood and postpartum depression shaped her approach to entrepreneurship. There are also plenty of actionable tips on topics like gracefully receiving feedback, casting aside limiting self-narratives, and pivoting in the wake of unexpected challenges. Aspiring entrepreneurs will get a lot out of this. (May)