Nowadays we hear the phrase Girl Boss being thrown around a lot. Everyone wants to be a Girl Boss but what does that actually mean? The phrase was made popular by NastyGal Founder Sophia Amoruso. Amoruso defines a Girl Boss as “someone who has big dreams and is willing to work hard for them. So being a Girl Boss is really about being the boss of your own life. You don’t have to be the boss of anyone else to be a Girl Boss.”
So, can we all agree that if you are someone who dreams big and is currently working hard to make these dreams come true that you are a Girl Boss? If you are ready to make those dream a reality and be the best Girl Boss, I recommend you reading these books.
Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of NIKE by Phil Knight
When the creator of one of the most recognisable brands in the world writes a memoir, best believe as a Girl Boss, it is a book you must read. Phil Knight moved me to tears, motivated me, made me cry, inspired me, left me in awe, Knight made me a believer in everything that is NIKE.
Shoe Dog is one of my must-read memoirs. I see a lot of myself in young Knight, how unsure he was about his place in life, how we knew he had a bigger calling and how he took the unbeaten track in life. I liked that he took the time to travel and gain a lot of insights he wouldn’t have gained being in Oregon. I loved how honest he was about the struggle to build a business, how he remained true to himself against everything else.
People see NIKE and a lot, including myself, would not believe the struggle and fight it took to make it the brand it is today. I’ve learned so much from reading this memoir, I honestly think this book should be required reading in schools. You learn about character, entrepreneurship, not giving up, taken the unbeaten road, believing in yourself and most of all- just doing it. If you must read only one book from this list, this is it.
Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else by Geoff Colvin
In defining who a Girl Boss Amoruso spoke about the importance of hard work and this perfectly ties into the premise of Talent is Overrated. Geoff Colvin through his research shows how important hard work is and gives relevant example of how hard work beats talent a lot of times. If you are a fan of how Malcom Gladwell presents his research, then you will also enjoy Geoff Colvin’s writing. Colvin gives real life examples of persons who we think are talented or born with “gifts” but are hard workers, he lists examples like Tiger Woods and Mozart.
This book really underscores the importance of hard work and working at your craft. It also gives examples and advice on how you can be the best in your field. I highly recommend reading this, especially if you are looking for ways to be highly motivated.
So Good They Can’t Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for the Work You Love by Cal Newport
In So Good They Can’t Ignore You Cal Newport explores why following your passion may not be the best career advice and how doing that may lead to your detriment. Cal Newport main argument is “The passion hypothesis is not just wrong, it’s also dangerous. Telling someone to “follow their passion” is not just an act of innocent optimism, but potentially the foundation for a career riddled with confusion and angst. “
Newport suggests that instead of blinding following your passion, you should work at obtaining Career Capital that is rare and valuable experience in your field. He shows how acquiring Career Capital may lead to you having control over your life and work. Who doesn’t want to be in a position where they can use their career capital to leverage some amount of control over their life. Being a Girl Boss doesn’t mean you have to be an entrepreneur; it can mean that you find that sweet spot where your work and passion can function cohesively.
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to be Vulnerable Transform the Way We Live. Love an, Parent and Lead by Brene Brown
Brene Brown is now becoming a household name and rightly so. She is a Girl Boss in every sense of the word. In Daring Greatly Brene Brown encourages us to have the courage to show up and be our authentic self. According to Brown, “Daring Greatly is not about winning or losing. It’s about courage. I can honestly say nothing is as uncomfortable, dangerous and hurtful as believing that I’m standing on the outside of my life looking in and wondering what if would be like if I had the courage to show up and let myself be been.”
This is a book I will always go back to because it’s got so many important nuggets that I need to better live my life. I love that she makes the research relatable because it is hard being vulnerable and acknowledging that vulnerability, but when you do, you live a more authentic life. I strongly recommend adding this book to your Girl Boss reading list!
There you have it, four books I recommend to all the Women who are clearing a path for themselves, working hard to make their dreams come true and overall is the embodiment of a true Girl Boss!
Cindy Allman is a Caribbean Girl Reading the World. A Jamaican living in Trinidad & Tobago, she is a top Goodreads reviewer and hopes to inspire you with her passion for books. Follow her at www.bookofcinz.com or @bookofcinz on Twitter and Instagram.