Author: Brené Brown
| Synopsis |
| The Gifts of Imperfection (2010) is a book on self-acceptance by the author, public speaker, and podcaster Brené Brown. The Gifts of Imperfection teaches you to be real in a world where everyone is faking it, from looks to emotions. It will influence you to become your greatest self while staying true to who you really are. This book is full of advice that can help you in each stage of your self-love journey. |
Detailed Summary of The Gifts of Imperfection
Every day we get scared. To look like we are natural, we put on makeup. Every day we get scared to show how we feel, so we put on a happy and brave face. Every day, we are scared to admit that we failed at something, so we hide our failures from others. We hide behind filters, small talk, badges, and honors on our tables and form an image of ourselves.
A secure, successful, brave, and beautiful image that is perfect in every way, and that is where we go wrong. No one among us can achieve true success if we do not become honest and vulnerable. That requires hard courage, but it can be one of the greatest things we can do if we truly embrace ourselves.
When we accept that imperfections are a part of our lives, we free ourselves from the burdens of expectations and standards. It is only then we can begin our journey toward self-love. So be proud of yourself and be perfectly imperfect!
The Gifts of Imperfection Summary Key Points
The author Brene Brown argues that we strive to look perfect, which is somehow ungrateful. The book inspires its readers that we should embrace ourselves with all our flaws and imperfections. The more we are real and original towards ourselves, the more we feel courage and emphasis. Here are some important key points explaining that being imperfect is perfect and accepting yourself wholeheartedly as you are.
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Authenticity is One of the Best choices we can Make
Being real is one the hardest things in a world where every second person constantly judges you on minute and major things relevant to you. From the colors of your skin, how you look, what you wear, what you like, who you hang out with to what career to choose and how you spend your free time.
People constantly judge and evaluate you. With a bulk of negativity around, it gets harder to be vulnerable and put ourselves out in this careless world. But you need to be read in order to understand your destiny and where you truly stand.
When you need to be honest and let others see you for yourself, they get a chance to know and love the real you. In doing so, you also influence and encourage many other people to be authentic indirectly. You need to be brave and courageous to become authentic.
Healthy Striving vs Perfectionism
It may appear that perfectionism generates positive results. That’s not the case. It is necessary to do everything perfectly and get perfect results, but as humans, we are not perfect, and not everything we do can generate perfect results.
When we go into performing a task with the mentality of a perfectionist, we often fail, leading to depression and low self-esteem. Perfection is not the same as striving to be your best. On the other hand, healthy striving allows you to set realistic goals, have realistic expectations, and work hard healthily.
Healthy striving will not lead to anxiety and restlessness, life paralysis, or depression-like perfectionism. Striving and working hard towards your goals with patience and honesty will definitely get you near success.
Hold People Accountable
While the author constantly advises us to be true and honest, she also advises us to set healthy boundaries. We set ourselves up for heartbreak if we fail to set healthy boundaries and hold people accountable for their actions and words. Protect yourself and know when to say no and say it firmly.
The people who love you for the ‘real you will not be intimidated by your boundaries and choices and by hearing no. You only need genuine people in your life who have good intentions for you as you have for yourself. Stay true and surround yourself with people who also stay true to you.
Give Thanks
The secret to attracting more is the be thankful for what you have already been blessed with. Find little things in your everyday life that contribute to your joy and comfort in any way. When you try to be grateful for things around you, you will start to find things inside you that make you special, leading to you becoming happier with yourself, your qualities, and your imperfections.
Gratitude can help you overcome your trauma and overcome the victim’s mindset. Rather than worrying about what you do not have, be thankful for what you have. It can be as simple as witnessing a child laughing, having a good cup of coffee, or meeting an old friend. Try to find joy!
The Gifts of Imperfection Quotes
“Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It’s about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen.” –Brené Brown
“We cannot selectively numb emotions, when we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive emotions.” –Brené Brown
The Gifts of Imperfection Summary Review
This book is like a giant hug being offered on a day when you feel sad. It has got some of the greatest tips for accepting ourselves. It will teach you to be true to your values and self. Furthermore, it shows that concealing one’s real personality and emotions can never lead to growth. So be free, feel free, and be honest about who you are. Take the burden of societal expectations and put it off your shoulders.
To Whom I Would Recommend The Gifts of Imperfection Summary
- To the fourteen-year-old looking at others while walking down the hallway in school and thinking she is not good enough.
- The twenty-eight-year-old employee trying to be more authentic to himself while chasing his goals.
- To anyone who has begun their journey towards self-improvement and is in need of some love.
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