It's Not About The Tights: An Owner's Manual For Bravery

by Chris Brogan

You are the superhero you've been waiting for.

For whatever reason, we tend to think that "someone" is going to make us better, that we're broken, that we're missing the key ingredients to succeed. We feel envy and we're certain that we're the only failures this world has ever seen. It's a tough row to hoe.

Plenty of people have written books that talk about being positive. Others have written up plans that tell you what you're missing. In this case, all I promise you is a cape.

I'll teach you about Confidence, Acceptance, Permission, and Execution, and how Practice in all those areas will guide you to find those missing success points in your life.

My name's Chris Brogan. I'm a New York Times bestselling author of four books (mostly about marketing and digital business), and I'm the president and CEO of a company that sells courses, workshops and speeches on business and personal improvement called Human Business Works.

This book is based on the experiences I've had with overcoming my own challenges, plus the wisdom of some other smart cookies. Plus, I'm blessed with hundreds of people who have participated in my online course, Brave New Year. Consider this book an invite into that community, should you decide you'd like to go further.

It's not about the tights. It's about you.

Cover Art by Josh Fisher

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Business

ebook

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Chris Brogan consults and speaks professionally with Fortune 100 and 500 companies like PepsiCo, General Motors, Microsoft, and more, on the future of business communications, and social software technologies. He is a New York Times bestselling co-author of Trust Agents , and a featured monthly columnist at Entrepreneur Magazine. Chris’s blog (http://www.chrisbrogan.com) is in the Top 5 of the Advertising Age Power150. He has over 11 years experience in online community, social media, and related technologies.

Reviews

[Noam · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a workbook, not a reading book.
TL;DR: The incremental steps you need to take to get where you want to are usually smaller than you think (which is good, because you make more of them and learn from them) - take notes, keep track, it'll get you there.

[Rochelle Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's about the cape. Clear ideas with easy action plan. Easy to read for those of us with a short attention span. Well, gotta fly!

[J Crossley · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this book you learn that YOU are the super hero. You do not need someone else to swoop in and save you. You can save you. Bravery is about moving forward, and it is not an absolute. It is not something that you learn one time and are done. Chris Brogan said that it is like a sliding scale.

The basics of bravery follow the acronym CAPE: Confidence, Acceptance, Permission (or Practice), and Execution. These aspects will give you what you need for your super hero cape.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to read this self-help book. I just broke my collarbone in a bicycle accident and cannot really think about new projects and moving forward until I am healed.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to consume and gather momentum for facing challenges.

[Dixie Goode · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has stayed on my "reading" shelf for a long time because I get to the end and go back to the start and find areas to reread and practice. An owners Manual for bravery is a perfect sub-title for this and it makes everything clear and simple. Basically saying you can overcome your fears and reach your goals with simple, daily steps. It is true a lot of us avoid changing our deems into reality because we are good at dreaming and planning, but afraid of failing, so we never try. Or we can be so afraid of succeeding, that we stay where it is comfortable. There isn't anything new or magic in this book, but it is simple and direct and motivating. I use the phrases in it to give myself a pep talk and I have strong agoraphobic tendencies but have to speak in public often. I need self-encouragement a lot and this book helps with that.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book as a quick refresher on ways to gets things done and have more confidence doing them. I thought in some aspects of the book, the author was a bit too casual. For instance, he loosely paraphrased a quote instead of looking it up. If your going to back up your writing with a quote, it should be an accurate quote. I did like the different app suggestions given and the acronyms used.

[bryan arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly Practical for Anyone!

Brilliantly Practical for Anyone!

This was a great, easy to read book but definitely packed full of substance. My first time reading a book from this author and in highly impressed. Reading this will, without question, be worth your time.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris Brogan is one of my favorite people. He's very down to earth and practical in his approach to motivating and inspiring people, businesses, leaders, etc. Plus he's a fellow New Englander...can't wait to read more of his good stuff.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great how-to in improving your effectiveness. Not a thorough or intensive as 7 Habits, but more concrete, with specific action steps to get you started on applying the material. Also, shorter.

[Ashwin Casmir · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whole new perspective of bravery. How bravery in everyday life, in simple things could completely change how things work out.
The suggested CAPE model is really good. Overall a short read that I'd recommend.

[Hanjun · Rating 3 out of 5]

It may be a great book if you are a teenager. For those who already have a habit and know what exactly one is doing, this book is not very helpful. Too instructional and not well illustrated and supported with stories and examples.

[David Blaylock · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will re-read this when I feel the need to be motivated.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris Brogan has been inspiring me to think about how I build relationships for several years. Keep making a difference

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good pep talk for business owners, which includes anyone who is CEO of their cubicle.

[Marcia Levine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots to think about. Oops, lots to do!