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Making It Without Losing It: How to Stay Motivated in a World Where We Are Never Done
Not yet published
Expected 5 May 26What 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 listeners 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-hear 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.
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 listeners 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-hear 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
Expected publication May 5, 2026
About the author
Jess Ekstrom
4 books101 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 - 2 of 2 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.
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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.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews