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Making It Without Losing It
USA Today
Bestseller
What if success didn’t have to come at the cost of your peace of mind?
In Making It Without Losing It, bestselling author of Chasing the Bright Side and founder of Mic Drop Workshop and Headbands of Hope, Jess Ekstrom delivers a refreshingly honest guide for ambitious humans who want to chase their goals without setting their inner peace on fire. Through unfiltered storytelling, practical tools, and a few “yep, been there” moments, Jess helps readers rediscover what it actually feels like to enjoy their work, stay motivated without the meltdown, and build a life that feels as good as it looks on LinkedIn.
With her signature humor and hard-won wisdom, Jess unpacks how our hustle-harder culture convinces us to delay joy until we've “made it” and why that’s a scam. Instead, she flips the script with two big success happens in the now, and motivation doesn’t come from another to-do list―it comes from within.
A self-proclaimed “walking experiment in balancing ambition and anxiety,” Jess introduces eleven mindset-shifting pillars to help you rewire your brain, quiet the chaos, and reconnect with purpose without having to move to the woods or delete all your apps.
You'll learn how to define your own “success fingerprint,” dodge burnout disguised as productivity, and embrace an “Arrived Mindset”―the radical idea that you’re already enough, right now, no spreadsheet required. This powerful shift in mindset will unlock creativity, courage, and a deeper kind of success.
Smart, funny, and with grounded strategies you can implement right now, Making It Without Losing It is a must-read for anyone who's done trading their peace for performance. If you're craving a version of success that includes joy, you’ve come to the right place.
What if success didn’t have to come at the cost of your peace of mind?
In Making It Without Losing It, bestselling author of Chasing the Bright Side and founder of Mic Drop Workshop and Headbands of Hope, Jess Ekstrom delivers a refreshingly honest guide for ambitious humans who want to chase their goals without setting their inner peace on fire. Through unfiltered storytelling, practical tools, and a few “yep, been there” moments, Jess helps readers rediscover what it actually feels like to enjoy their work, stay motivated without the meltdown, and build a life that feels as good as it looks on LinkedIn.
With her signature humor and hard-won wisdom, Jess unpacks how our hustle-harder culture convinces us to delay joy until we've “made it” and why that’s a scam. Instead, she flips the script with two big success happens in the now, and motivation doesn’t come from another to-do list―it comes from within.
A self-proclaimed “walking experiment in balancing ambition and anxiety,” Jess introduces eleven mindset-shifting pillars to help you rewire your brain, quiet the chaos, and reconnect with purpose without having to move to the woods or delete all your apps.
You'll learn how to define your own “success fingerprint,” dodge burnout disguised as productivity, and embrace an “Arrived Mindset”―the radical idea that you’re already enough, right now, no spreadsheet required. This powerful shift in mindset will unlock creativity, courage, and a deeper kind of success.
Smart, funny, and with grounded strategies you can implement right now, Making It Without Losing It is a must-read for anyone who's done trading their peace for performance. If you're craving a version of success that includes joy, you’ve come to the right place.
224 pages, Paperback
Published May 5, 2026
About the author
Jess Ekstrom
4 books106 followersJess is the founder and CEO of Headbands of Hope, a company she started as a junior in college in 2012. For every headband sold, a headband is given to a child with cancer. The company has been featured on the TODAY Show, Vanity Fair, Seventeen, Good Morning America and more. But more importantly, they've donated over half a million headbands to every children's hospital in the United States and 15 countries. Jess is also a professional speaker and author of Chasing the Bright Side. She’s currently living and traveling in an Airstream with her husband, Jake, and standard poodle, Ollie.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
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April 1, 2026Making It Without Losing It: How to Stay Motivated in a World Where We Are Never Done by Jess Ekstrom offers a timely and insightful perspective on one of the most pressing challenges of modern life maintaining motivation in a culture defined by constant demands and unfinished work.
What makes this book particularly compelling is its recognition of the relentless nature of today’s productivity-driven world. Ekstrom addresses the emotional and mental toll of always striving, always achieving, yet rarely feeling complete. This framing immediately resonates with readers who find themselves caught in cycles of burnout, pressure, and never ending to do lists.
The strength of the book lies in its practical and relatable approach. Rather than promoting unrealistic productivity standards, Ekstrom emphasizes sustainable motivation focusing on mindset shifts, self-awareness, and intentional progress. Her insights encourage readers to redefine success in a way that aligns with personal well-being rather than external expectations.
Another standout element is the book’s empowering tone. Ekstrom speaks directly to individuals navigating ambition, pressure, and personal growth, offering guidance that feels both supportive and actionable. The balance between motivation and mental health creates a message that is not only inspiring but also deeply necessary in today’s environment.
As the narrative unfolds, themes of balance, resilience, and purpose take center stage. The book challenges readers to rethink their relationship with work, achievement, and self-worth, ultimately guiding them toward a more sustainable and fulfilling path forward.
Ultimately, Making It Without Losing It is more than a motivational book it is a practical guide for navigating ambition without burnout. It will strongly resonate with professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone striving to succeed while maintaining their well-being.
What makes this book particularly compelling is its recognition of the relentless nature of today’s productivity-driven world. Ekstrom addresses the emotional and mental toll of always striving, always achieving, yet rarely feeling complete. This framing immediately resonates with readers who find themselves caught in cycles of burnout, pressure, and never ending to do lists.
The strength of the book lies in its practical and relatable approach. Rather than promoting unrealistic productivity standards, Ekstrom emphasizes sustainable motivation focusing on mindset shifts, self-awareness, and intentional progress. Her insights encourage readers to redefine success in a way that aligns with personal well-being rather than external expectations.
Another standout element is the book’s empowering tone. Ekstrom speaks directly to individuals navigating ambition, pressure, and personal growth, offering guidance that feels both supportive and actionable. The balance between motivation and mental health creates a message that is not only inspiring but also deeply necessary in today’s environment.
As the narrative unfolds, themes of balance, resilience, and purpose take center stage. The book challenges readers to rethink their relationship with work, achievement, and self-worth, ultimately guiding them toward a more sustainable and fulfilling path forward.
Ultimately, Making It Without Losing It is more than a motivational book it is a practical guide for navigating ambition without burnout. It will strongly resonate with professionals, entrepreneurs, and anyone striving to succeed while maintaining their well-being.
May 6, 2026
Making It Without Losing It is a candid and emotionally grounded exploration of modern ambition, burnout, and the pressure to constantly “achieve more.” Jess Ekstrom draws on personal experience and entrepreneurial insight to challenge the idea that success must come at the expense of wellbeing.
The central argument is clear: motivation and fulfillment do not have to be postponed until some distant milestone is reached. Instead, Ekstrom encourages readers to reconnect with the present, reframe success internally, and build sustainable drive without self-neglect. This reframing gives the book a strong emotional core that many readers will relate to.
A standout element is the emphasis on practical mindset shifts rather than abstract motivation. The “success fingerprint” concept and the “Arrived Mindset” are positioned as tools for helping readers redefine achievement on their own terms, rather than through external validation or productivity culture.
The tone is approachable, humorous, and conversational, which makes the heavier themes of burnout and anxiety easier to engage with. Ekstrom’s storytelling style adds authenticity, making the advice feel grounded rather than theoretical.
Overall, Making It Without Losing It is a thoughtful and encouraging guide for high-achievers who want to sustain ambition without sacrificing mental clarity or joy. It fits especially well within the growing conversation around burnout recovery, sustainable productivity, and redefining modern success.
The central argument is clear: motivation and fulfillment do not have to be postponed until some distant milestone is reached. Instead, Ekstrom encourages readers to reconnect with the present, reframe success internally, and build sustainable drive without self-neglect. This reframing gives the book a strong emotional core that many readers will relate to.
A standout element is the emphasis on practical mindset shifts rather than abstract motivation. The “success fingerprint” concept and the “Arrived Mindset” are positioned as tools for helping readers redefine achievement on their own terms, rather than through external validation or productivity culture.
The tone is approachable, humorous, and conversational, which makes the heavier themes of burnout and anxiety easier to engage with. Ekstrom’s storytelling style adds authenticity, making the advice feel grounded rather than theoretical.
Overall, Making It Without Losing It is a thoughtful and encouraging guide for high-achievers who want to sustain ambition without sacrificing mental clarity or joy. It fits especially well within the growing conversation around burnout recovery, sustainable productivity, and redefining modern success.
May 6, 2026
Making It Without Losing It feels like the kind of book you pick up for a little motivation—and end up actually thinking about long after you put it down.
What I loved most is how real it feels. It’s not one of those overly polished “here’s how to be successful in 10 steps” books. Jess talks about ambition, burnout, comparison, and figuring out what you actually want in a way that’s honest and super relatable. It feels more like getting advice from someone who’s been through it than being lectured by an expert.
The standout for me was the “make it moments” sprinkled throughout the book. They’re basically little pauses where you stop and turn what you just read into something personal. Instead of just nodding along, you actually think about how it applies to your own life—and maybe even do something about it. It made the whole experience feel way more interactive and useful, not just inspirational.
Overall, it’s motivating without being overwhelming, and refreshing without trying too hard. If you’re looking for something that gives you a new perspective on success—but still feels easy and enjoyable to read—this one’s definitely worth it.
I want to go get coffee with her and want to order whatever she’s having…
What I loved most is how real it feels. It’s not one of those overly polished “here’s how to be successful in 10 steps” books. Jess talks about ambition, burnout, comparison, and figuring out what you actually want in a way that’s honest and super relatable. It feels more like getting advice from someone who’s been through it than being lectured by an expert.
The standout for me was the “make it moments” sprinkled throughout the book. They’re basically little pauses where you stop and turn what you just read into something personal. Instead of just nodding along, you actually think about how it applies to your own life—and maybe even do something about it. It made the whole experience feel way more interactive and useful, not just inspirational.
Overall, it’s motivating without being overwhelming, and refreshing without trying too hard. If you’re looking for something that gives you a new perspective on success—but still feels easy and enjoyable to read—this one’s definitely worth it.
I want to go get coffee with her and want to order whatever she’s having…
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April 2, 2026Making It Without Losing It: How to Stay Motivated in a World Where We Are Never Done by Jess Ekstrom offers a refreshing and much needed perspective on motivation in today’s fast paced, always on culture. Ekstrom challenges the idea that constant productivity equals success, instead guiding readers toward a more sustainable and balanced approach to ambition.
With clear insights and relatable guidance, the book speaks directly to those feeling overwhelmed by endless goals and expectations. Practical, thoughtful, and empowering, it provides a valuable framework for maintaining drive without sacrificing well being.
With clear insights and relatable guidance, the book speaks directly to those feeling overwhelmed by endless goals and expectations. Practical, thoughtful, and empowering, it provides a valuable framework for maintaining drive without sacrificing well being.
May 7, 2026
Ambition's not the problem, the pressure we attach to it is...
Jess Ekstrom’s Making It Without Losing It is wise, energizing, and exactly the book ambitious people need right now. Jess speaks to the questions many of us quietly wrestle with about success - and what it costs, especially since ambitious people are notorious for overpaying! Packed with usable tips and mindset shifts, this book helps you chase big goals without losing yourself along the way. Consider this *required reading*!
Jess Ekstrom’s Making It Without Losing It is wise, energizing, and exactly the book ambitious people need right now. Jess speaks to the questions many of us quietly wrestle with about success - and what it costs, especially since ambitious people are notorious for overpaying! Packed with usable tips and mindset shifts, this book helps you chase big goals without losing yourself along the way. Consider this *required reading*!
May 6, 2026
It was as if I’d shared my deepest, darkest secrets with the author and she responded with feedback and guidance. I plan to put a sticky note on my mirror that says “Oh well” — once you read it, you’ll understand. There are so many takeaways, but that simple one will stick with me. It’s filled with so many empowering mindset shifts. After reading this book, I felt like I could breathe.
June 14, 2026
I love this book. I read so much self-help and really found the views and concepts to be similar but unique. Jess adds a great take on everything and was so relatable. This was some great advice and definitely something I should pick up every so often as a reminder.
August 5, 2026
Don’t miss this book if you’re going through a period of change in your life. It will help you gain perspective on how you want your life to look and what truly matters to you. I just graduated from college, and it was such a great summer read.
May 7, 2026
I learn so much from Jess- a good learning nugget around every page!
May 15, 2026
I don’t usually rate nonfiction books but this one deserves it.
Right book, right time. A must read.
Right book, right time. A must read.
July 7, 2026
What a GREAT read. Practical, relatable, and filled with memorable stories-plus-research anecdotes. Glad to see this awesome book from Jess Ekstrom hitting the USA Today Bestseller List!
July 23, 2026
This book is great if you are in a very specific place on your journey. Not that it wasn’t helpful. Through her experiences and research, Jess has clearly spent a good deal of time building this book and backing it up with proof. She shares her best advice and strategies how to stay focused and motivated without letting common deterrents, well, deter us. While I found all that she shared was practical and concise, I felt some points are only applicable at certain steps in your professional journey. I found myself nodding along and agreeing with her insights but didn’t feel that I met the criteria to employ all her tactics. The overall voice is bright. Very well written. Nice, quick read that doesn’t preach and doesn’t make you feel bad if you are just starting out or struggling. Encouraging.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews