Blowing My Way to the Top, by Jen Atkin

“Instead of being competitive, I wanted to be collaborative.” – pg. 1

“Failure is the thing that has transformed some of the most successful people in history.” – pg. 24

“Being in demand means I have talent, but watching others in my orbit succeed means I have a legacy.” – pg. 39

“Being grateful actually promotes psychological and emotional healing. Science! Imagine being content with what you have and not obsessed with wanting more, more, more.” – pg. 51

“As long as you’re making strides towards your goal, […] don’t get frustrated about how long it’s taking.” – pg. 63

“For the kind of career that endures, there is no shortcut.” – pg. 63

“The more success you find in any type of work, the less time you actually have to do that work.” – pg. 69

“Figuring out what success means to you is the most critical element of creating an awesome life.” – pg. 72

“There’s a difference between working hard and burning out.” – pg. 82

“What everyone craves these days is authenticity.” – pg. 101

“It’s a practice every day to stay humble and not be affected by any additional attention.” – pg. 104

“Whatever your dreams, they should be about expanding who you are rather than fitting into someone else’s vision of who you should be.” – pg. 129

“Here’s a simple fact that society doesn’t tell us nearly enough: It’s okay to change your mind.” – pg. 131

“Age twenty-seven is your return to Saturn – basically when the planet returns to where it was when you were born. It’s an internal cue that you need to grow up. To that end, your late twenties and early thirties are usually when you figure out what you want to do with your life.” – pg. 132

“One simple way to shift your thinking is to focus on gratitude. You might list five things you’re thankful for each day. Or maybe you write one daily note of appreciation to a person who did something nice for you. […] Maybe take a minute before bed to remember something good that happened to you that day.” – pg. 139

“Practice shifting your thoughts into a more positive, less fear-based place.” – pg. 140

“Get really, really good at whatever it is you do. […] And while you’re honing your skills, make it a priority to seek out a mentor.” – pg. 146

“I am all about aesthetic and liking the way you look. There’s so much power in feeling good about yourself, inside and out.” – pg. 157

“The people who manage their growing careers best are those who have valued and prioritized self-care throughout the journey, so start now.” – pg. 175

“It really feels like we’ve stopped living our own lives to watch everyone else’s.” – pg. 179

“You will not find any version of balance in your life if you don’t let people you trust take things off your plate.” – pg. 184

“Do the best you can, but don’t beat yourself up when you can’t.” – pg. 200

“Never lose sight of the power of being a good person.” – pg. 236