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Find Your Extraordinary: Dream Bigger, Live Happier, and Achieve Success on Your Own Terms
In this Wall Street Journal bestseller, Jessica Herrin, serial entrepreneur and founder and CEO of the Stella & Dot Family Brands, shows how the classic traits of successful entrepreneurs are ones each one of us can develop--and use not only to create a company, but also to create an extraordinary life.
What if you could, with a little effort, live an extraordinary life? A life in which you felt deep passion for everything you did, and always had time for what matters most? A life in which you had the power, the daring, and the will to make your boldest dreams come true, all while you happily left feelings of inadequacy or guilt behind?
It is possible to take your life from ordinary to extraordinary. The secret? Cultivating the entrepreneurial spirit inside you--the spirit that allows you to embrace your individuality, to look not just at what is but at what could be, to believe in yourself beyond reason and to step up to creating your own definition of happiness and success -- a version of success in which work and family life happily co-exist--instead of chasing a cookie-cutter version.
Whether we work a corporate job, run a family, or run our own business, Herrin offers realistic, attainable steps each one of us can take to achieve extraordinary success on our own terms. Through candid and inspiring lessons from her life as a successful CEO and working mother of two, as well as stories of many amazing individuals she’s met along the way, Herrin inspires and empowers us to dial up the sound of our own voices and make our authentic dreams a reality.
This book isn’t about having it all; it’s about having what matters most to you . It is about how to find your extraordinary--your extraordinary career, your extraordinary happiness, your extraordinary life.
What if you could, with a little effort, live an extraordinary life? A life in which you felt deep passion for everything you did, and always had time for what matters most? A life in which you had the power, the daring, and the will to make your boldest dreams come true, all while you happily left feelings of inadequacy or guilt behind?
It is possible to take your life from ordinary to extraordinary. The secret? Cultivating the entrepreneurial spirit inside you--the spirit that allows you to embrace your individuality, to look not just at what is but at what could be, to believe in yourself beyond reason and to step up to creating your own definition of happiness and success -- a version of success in which work and family life happily co-exist--instead of chasing a cookie-cutter version.
Whether we work a corporate job, run a family, or run our own business, Herrin offers realistic, attainable steps each one of us can take to achieve extraordinary success on our own terms. Through candid and inspiring lessons from her life as a successful CEO and working mother of two, as well as stories of many amazing individuals she’s met along the way, Herrin inspires and empowers us to dial up the sound of our own voices and make our authentic dreams a reality.
This book isn’t about having it all; it’s about having what matters most to you . It is about how to find your extraordinary--your extraordinary career, your extraordinary happiness, your extraordinary life.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published May 3, 2016
52 people are currently reading
921 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
March 7, 2024
Jessica Herrin is an extraordinary woman with extraordinary accomplishments.
Her "Find Your Extraordinary" book, however, was anything but extraordinary.
Unfortunately, the "extraordinary" advice that you'll find in Jessica's book contained no extraordinary revelations.
Jessica came from humble beginnings and at age 24, she dropped out of Stanford Business School to cofound a wedding gift registry site that later merged with WeddingChannel.com.
Five years after Jessica left the company, WeddingChannel.com sold to The Knot in a deal worth $78 million.
She went on to cofound Stella & Dot, a multi-million $$$ direct-sales accessories company.
I was hoping to learn specific details about the early challenges that Jessica experienced while starting up her two companies.
Knowing these facts (instead of just being provided with generalities) would have helped readers better understand how she was able to successfully catapult her personal and professional life to the next level.
I have always enjoyed Jessica's podcast interviews but this "tell-all" book lacked the "extraordinary" I was seeking.
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 7, 2016
I stayed up very late to finish reading this book - racing through it searching for answers to the personal questions on my mind about my personal and professional path. I found a lot of answers. The most meaningful answer I found actually surprised me. I finished the book and thought to myself - I am extraordinary - and I don't think this enough about myself. The more I mulled this thought over, the more I believed it, and I can't say a book has ever given me a gift like this, which is pretty amazing. Sure, I forget to think this way A LOT of the time, but this book has inspired me to work on that. I highly suggest this book to recent graduates.
May 30, 2017
This book was AMAZING!!! So incredibly smart and inspiring, even if you aren't a Stylist with Stella & Dot! I highly recommend to anyone looking to get more out of their life, get out of a rut, or just feel fabulous about women and yourself.
August 20, 2017
Loved this book! Jessica goes above and beyond in her book, giving the reader tangible tasks to complete and questions to answer on how she can find her extraordinary. Jessica herself has quite the career and the willpower, work ethic, and innovative spirit mean to inspire. Many business memoirs tell the story of the author, but Jessica worked hard to create actionable items to guide the reader. I appreciated her questions, examples, and voice. I highly recommend this book to anyone, entrepreneur or not.
April 26, 2021
Admittedly, the title and cover of this book made me cringe. I cringed even harder when I learned her big win is starting an MLM.
However, I did end up enjoying much of the book and the messages it conveys. It was nothing groundbreaking but definitely a lot of good reminders.
I thought it would be more self-help, but it felt more autobiography-ish. I loved hearing her personal stories but could've done with fewer of them, honestly.
The last chapter is mostly pointless. It dragged a bit.
Overall, this book probably could've been cut in half and it would've been the same, if not better. Regardless, it's a quick read and good if you need a little kick in the pants.
However, I did end up enjoying much of the book and the messages it conveys. It was nothing groundbreaking but definitely a lot of good reminders.
I thought it would be more self-help, but it felt more autobiography-ish. I loved hearing her personal stories but could've done with fewer of them, honestly.
The last chapter is mostly pointless. It dragged a bit.
Overall, this book probably could've been cut in half and it would've been the same, if not better. Regardless, it's a quick read and good if you need a little kick in the pants.
July 30, 2022
I loved this one from start to finish! The author shares plenty of highs and lows from her own experiences as a successful entrepreneur and CEO, but unlike other memoirs by successful bigwigs, it was completely unpretentious. A lot of her advice felt a little like your stereotypical rah-rah but I liked it anyway. My favorite part might have been the last section where she implored mothers of all types to stop the judgment and instead focus their energies on being the best version of themselves, whether at home or at the office. This one’s going in my motivational business collection, for sure!
May 4, 2019
I don't remember loving this on my first run-through, but in reviewing my notes I'm finding tremendous value in the messages. Important lessons on valuing yourself and your time, as well as essential reality checks.
[E.g. "The grass is greener where you water it" and "don't confuse passion with fantasy - even your dream work will require you to things that are boring, hard or unpleasant."]
This was a pretty quick read and definitely has value - worth a look!
[E.g. "The grass is greener where you water it" and "don't confuse passion with fantasy - even your dream work will require you to things that are boring, hard or unpleasant."]
This was a pretty quick read and definitely has value - worth a look!
May 15, 2020
I'm shocked!
How can a woman who runs such a shady company, and, according to Glassdoor, doesn't do it well, write a book that is actually quite good for its category!
Though not academic and more humblebrag (what business book isn't?) it was very competently written, had some nice stories in it, and the advice was actually useful!
You really know how to put your best foot forward, Mrs Herrin. I guess that's why Stell & Dot is so successful.
How can a woman who runs such a shady company, and, according to Glassdoor, doesn't do it well, write a book that is actually quite good for its category!
Though not academic and more humblebrag (what business book isn't?) it was very competently written, had some nice stories in it, and the advice was actually useful!
You really know how to put your best foot forward, Mrs Herrin. I guess that's why Stell & Dot is so successful.
May 3, 2019
There was some good advice but none of it was particularly fresh. The cover led me to believe it would be more self help and less memoir but the mix was way more about the author’s life. If you like anecdotes to illustrate a point, this is the book for you.
December 18, 2018
An Excellent book to inspire us to become the best version of ourselves, appreciate life and be grateful. I did find most of the chapters very interesting and accurate while describing familiar situations, relationships and key life moments that define and lead us to find our extraordinary.
April 24, 2020
Great book. Much of the information was a repeat of other books that I’ve read, but I love being revived by words. There were sparks that lit me afire... business motivation aside, there was much life motivation.
June 6, 2017
Overall a good read...I do have to say that chapter 10 was completely unnecessary and cringe inducing. The statements really made her privilege show which was a shame.
July 2, 2017
Inspirational and great to hear about Jessica's journey!
October 4, 2017
I thought this book was incredible. I thought it was so inspirational and meaningful. It also gives a lot of great advice. This is a must read.
January 1, 2018
Loved loved loved it. Ate it up. Read it twice and took notes. Would appreciate more actionable steps, but loved her no-excuses tenacious spirit. xo
January 17, 2018
This book is so inspiring and makes me want to go out in the world, no excuses and just work as hard as I can!
February 21, 2018
This book is worth a re-read! I love how she uses stories throughout this read; it brings you in closer to each subheading and the overarching theme of the book.
July 5, 2021
Jessica's an inspiring speaker.
May 3, 2023
The advice here is almost the same as other similar books. Not very memorable. I would prefer reading a book that has new advice.
February 15, 2021
Enjoyed this read. It was inspiring and very similar to my story, so kind of exciting to see similarities.
November 5, 2016
I picked this book on a whim at the public library. Even if you aren't an entrepreneur (I'm not), this book has something for everyone - working moms, stay-at-home moms, part-time working moms, etc. I jotted down so many notes to refer back to for my own life. According to DiLullo Herrin, there are the 6 p's of an entrepreneurial spirit (or really any spirit, in my opinion): passion, path, positivity, people, perseverance, and productivity. She is quick to point out that "this book isn't about having it all; it's about having what matters most - to you" (3).
My notes...These are really more for me than for anyone else!
Productivity:
"Giving your career an endless amount of time creates the dangerous habit of not carefully distinguishing between high-value activities and low-value activities. You simply assume that you should check everything off the list, rather than knowing you must always leave unimportant things undone" (195).
You manage yourself, not time. Instead of saying, I'm too busy too exercise, say the truth: I chose to sleep in because I chose to watch TV last night. Or I don't have time to do that after work. When in reality, you chose to answer emails for thirty minutes instead of leaving work.
You must value your time. Is what you are doing worth your time? Do high-value activities.
Five Steps to time mastery:
1. Block your time for high-value activities. Have a 15 minute planning session each morning. When you have something important to do, devote a solid block time to it. Avoid interruptions. Also block a couple hours at home without technology every night.
2. Schedule unscheduled time where you can free think or talk with others about ideas.
3. Assess your time: track it and review it. Spend an hour a month looking at how you've spent your time recently.
4. Get real with your schedule. You can do a lot, but you can't do it all. Do what matters and what you love and don't feel guilty about the rest.
5. Don't let other people hijack your time and priorities.
Bonus Tip: Make yourself a priority.
Passion:
"If you ever feel bogged down or stuck (especially about the little day-to-day items), imagine your future, then look back at your life. Ask your future self what matters most" (68).
"Being extraordinary involves crossing non-passion pursuits off your list. You can't do all things and be all things to all people all the time. You can do anything, but not everything" (69).
"Ask yourself the right questions. Don't ask, "Do I want to get out of bed at 6:00 AM this morning so I have time to practice for an hour today?" Not really. Instead ask, "Do I want to move people? Am I willing to do what it takes to deliver a training that is not only powerful and impactful but extremely badass?" Yes."
Do More, Think Less. "Too often, people send time thinking about what they should do long past the point of identifying the necessary action...Be careful to stop your planning short of indulging in endless hemming and hawing and perfecting the unimportant. Avoid analysis paralysis. You can waste a ton of time doing things that aren't brining you any closer to success" (97).
"Less thinking, more doing" (98).
Give your brain a break. Meditate in small doses. Information overload is an enemy of positivity. Take a mini mental vacation before interacting with family. Spend a minute reflecting on what you love about them.
Surround yourself with positive people.
Become the leader you want to follow. Be you. Lift people up.
"When you have a problem or something negative to share, consider if it really needs to be said at all. If it does, share it privately, with the fewest number of people who can help you solve it" (160).
"Recognize the work of others. Recognition is the most powerful currency you have, and it costs you nothing" (165).
"Pick what matters to you, and then be happy with that voice. Don't let feeling bad about what you did not choose stand in the way of getting joy from focusing on what you want most" (168).
On parenting: Allow children to deal with defeat and then persevere to get what they want. That's how you become extraordinary.
"The grass is greener where you water it" (185). Figure out where your life feels lackluster, then change it.
"Be someone another person is grateful to have in their world" (226).
My notes...These are really more for me than for anyone else!
Productivity:
"Giving your career an endless amount of time creates the dangerous habit of not carefully distinguishing between high-value activities and low-value activities. You simply assume that you should check everything off the list, rather than knowing you must always leave unimportant things undone" (195).
You manage yourself, not time. Instead of saying, I'm too busy too exercise, say the truth: I chose to sleep in because I chose to watch TV last night. Or I don't have time to do that after work. When in reality, you chose to answer emails for thirty minutes instead of leaving work.
You must value your time. Is what you are doing worth your time? Do high-value activities.
Five Steps to time mastery:
1. Block your time for high-value activities. Have a 15 minute planning session each morning. When you have something important to do, devote a solid block time to it. Avoid interruptions. Also block a couple hours at home without technology every night.
2. Schedule unscheduled time where you can free think or talk with others about ideas.
3. Assess your time: track it and review it. Spend an hour a month looking at how you've spent your time recently.
4. Get real with your schedule. You can do a lot, but you can't do it all. Do what matters and what you love and don't feel guilty about the rest.
5. Don't let other people hijack your time and priorities.
Bonus Tip: Make yourself a priority.
Passion:
"If you ever feel bogged down or stuck (especially about the little day-to-day items), imagine your future, then look back at your life. Ask your future self what matters most" (68).
"Being extraordinary involves crossing non-passion pursuits off your list. You can't do all things and be all things to all people all the time. You can do anything, but not everything" (69).
"Ask yourself the right questions. Don't ask, "Do I want to get out of bed at 6:00 AM this morning so I have time to practice for an hour today?" Not really. Instead ask, "Do I want to move people? Am I willing to do what it takes to deliver a training that is not only powerful and impactful but extremely badass?" Yes."
Do More, Think Less. "Too often, people send time thinking about what they should do long past the point of identifying the necessary action...Be careful to stop your planning short of indulging in endless hemming and hawing and perfecting the unimportant. Avoid analysis paralysis. You can waste a ton of time doing things that aren't brining you any closer to success" (97).
"Less thinking, more doing" (98).
Give your brain a break. Meditate in small doses. Information overload is an enemy of positivity. Take a mini mental vacation before interacting with family. Spend a minute reflecting on what you love about them.
Surround yourself with positive people.
Become the leader you want to follow. Be you. Lift people up.
"When you have a problem or something negative to share, consider if it really needs to be said at all. If it does, share it privately, with the fewest number of people who can help you solve it" (160).
"Recognize the work of others. Recognition is the most powerful currency you have, and it costs you nothing" (165).
"Pick what matters to you, and then be happy with that voice. Don't let feeling bad about what you did not choose stand in the way of getting joy from focusing on what you want most" (168).
On parenting: Allow children to deal with defeat and then persevere to get what they want. That's how you become extraordinary.
"The grass is greener where you water it" (185). Figure out where your life feels lackluster, then change it.
"Be someone another person is grateful to have in their world" (226).
May 24, 2017
This was definitely a book where the publisher said "that's good, but it really needs to be LONGER." In the end, this book feels fairly generic, too broad, and about twice as long as it needed to be. Stella & Dot consultants will probably love all the stories about how great Stella & Dot is, but for anyone else, better business and personal development advice can be found elsewhere.
January 29, 2019
*Update- put this book down- go get Work Party by Jaclyn Johnson- you can thank me later 🤗
Removing the stories and employee examples this book had maybe 50 pages of actual information. Seems like it could have been written in 1996, rather than 2016. Hoped for more- wouldn’t recommend.
Removing the stories and employee examples this book had maybe 50 pages of actual information. Seems like it could have been written in 1996, rather than 2016. Hoped for more- wouldn’t recommend.
February 25, 2017
Great inspiring book! Would recommend for female entrepreneurs.
June 28, 2016
Have you ever picked up a book expecting it to be fair, and been pleasantly delighted to find it far exceeds your expectations? At first glance, Find Your Extraordinary looked like another average business/positive thinking/self-help book. I figured it would be good for a few fun quotes, but didn't have terribly high expectations.
What I found, once I got started, was a funny, upbeat and refreshingly down to earth book that I'm so glad I had a chance to read. A veteran of the tech industry now happily founder and CEO of the Stella and Dot family of brands, Herrin is a wife, mother, and entrepreneur. In FYE, she reaches out to set others (primarily women) straight about what being successful is (and is not) and what takes (and what you'll need to leave behind) to get there.
Along the way, she covers a smattering of the usual subjects but - much more importantly- tells readers the kinds of unvarnished (but positively portrayed) truths they need to really find success. (Pursue your own definition of success, not others'. You can't have it all, but you CAN have all what's truly important to you. You will fail and have setbacks; it's not the end of the world - get up and try again.)
Best of all, she completely sidesteps or intentionally diffuses some of the bitterest and oldest standing feuds in the field: working moms vs. stay-at-home-moms, glass ceilings, work/life balance, and how women treat each other personally and professionally. Direct and firm, but kind, she lays waste to most of the things that women get hung up on and lines readers up on a healthy path to a better future.
All things considered, I think my favorite quote from the book encapsulates both Herrin's upbeat and encouraging writing style, and the pragmatic perspective that makes this book worth every penny and minute spent reading:
“Do not confuse passion with fantasy. Living your passion will include doing things you detest doing. Things you are not good at. Things that scare you. Things that bore you. This is because you live in the real world, not on a unicorn farm.”
What I found, once I got started, was a funny, upbeat and refreshingly down to earth book that I'm so glad I had a chance to read. A veteran of the tech industry now happily founder and CEO of the Stella and Dot family of brands, Herrin is a wife, mother, and entrepreneur. In FYE, she reaches out to set others (primarily women) straight about what being successful is (and is not) and what takes (and what you'll need to leave behind) to get there.
Along the way, she covers a smattering of the usual subjects but - much more importantly- tells readers the kinds of unvarnished (but positively portrayed) truths they need to really find success. (Pursue your own definition of success, not others'. You can't have it all, but you CAN have all what's truly important to you. You will fail and have setbacks; it's not the end of the world - get up and try again.)
Best of all, she completely sidesteps or intentionally diffuses some of the bitterest and oldest standing feuds in the field: working moms vs. stay-at-home-moms, glass ceilings, work/life balance, and how women treat each other personally and professionally. Direct and firm, but kind, she lays waste to most of the things that women get hung up on and lines readers up on a healthy path to a better future.
All things considered, I think my favorite quote from the book encapsulates both Herrin's upbeat and encouraging writing style, and the pragmatic perspective that makes this book worth every penny and minute spent reading:
“Do not confuse passion with fantasy. Living your passion will include doing things you detest doing. Things you are not good at. Things that scare you. Things that bore you. This is because you live in the real world, not on a unicorn farm.”
June 6, 2016
My time with Stella & Dot no doubt was the start that led me on my path to extraordinary. I always felt and said the experience was about so much more than the jewelry and this book is about so much more than what society defines success which is most of the time is unfulfilling. I've read other books by "successful" women whose ideas focused more on the gender wage gap in the work force and what women should do to stay in the work force after having children to climb the corporate ladder to attain high positions and pay, etc. Happy to read Jessica's ideas that focus more on building a tribe of encouragement with one another rather than competing and breaking each other down. This is definitely an upbeat read with good ideas and motivation to own and live a life of happiness whether that is taking care of your family full time, working part time, or full time. Positive advice but then the reader will need to own her own positivity moving forward after finishing the book.
June 25, 2016
Find your Extraordinary is in the Business category because Herrin is a businesswoman but the lessons in the book are not about finding success in business; they are about finding success in life - being the happiest you can be because you've fulfilled your passions.
The book starts slowly. The first chapter of the book is 19 pages long - 19 pages where Jessica Herrin introduces herself and tells you what the book is not going to be about. That's a long disclaimer and if you're not careful, you might start thinking this isn't a great book at all - maybe it doesn't have all the things I am sure I need to succeed. My advice? Stick with it.
If you're tempted to skip past the first chapter, go ahead and do it. Because if you start on page 20, I guarantee you'll be hooked from the first paragraph. From chapter 2 onwards, the book is a real winner.
The book starts slowly. The first chapter of the book is 19 pages long - 19 pages where Jessica Herrin introduces herself and tells you what the book is not going to be about. That's a long disclaimer and if you're not careful, you might start thinking this isn't a great book at all - maybe it doesn't have all the things I am sure I need to succeed. My advice? Stick with it.
If you're tempted to skip past the first chapter, go ahead and do it. Because if you start on page 20, I guarantee you'll be hooked from the first paragraph. From chapter 2 onwards, the book is a real winner.
October 2, 2016
I read of lot of these entrepreneurial "self-help" books and this one is the most dumbed-down one I've read yet. I'm not sure who her audience is. Women with a middle school education? I guess that's not entirely out of the question. She probably wrote this for the direct sellers her current company caters to. Yes, I have beef with the direct selling thing. As a creative who sells my own creations, and as a woman with an (accredited and self-made) education, I have no respect for direct sellers. You are selling something you did not make and doing it by competing against others who are vending their own creative labor. It also screams, "I have no marketable skills/education so here I am as today's version of the Tupperware Lady." It's 2016, ladies. College-level courses are free online and libraries still exist.
May 27, 2016
This book was a great, practical read about how to create success for yourself with the knowledge that success is different for every person. I thought it was great that the author starts out the book by saying that it's a little presumptuous to write a book telling someone how to be successful when success looks different to each person.
I read a great portion in the hardback but also listened to the audiobook read by the author. I really enjoyed listening to her and felt like listening it really gave me a better sense for her as a person and the depth behind her passion for her company's mission.
I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone seeking more success or better work-life balance for themselves.
I read a great portion in the hardback but also listened to the audiobook read by the author. I really enjoyed listening to her and felt like listening it really gave me a better sense for her as a person and the depth behind her passion for her company's mission.
I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone seeking more success or better work-life balance for themselves.
August 21, 2016
This was a very uplifting book it motivated me to want to go out and make some changes in my life, that I have been wanting to do but was to afraid to do it. I love the fact that she shares her own story and what she has been thought, she also shares stores of other people she has met in her journey. She shares awesome tip and let you know how it is she doesn't sugar coat anything.
This is a must read for anyone that is ready to achieve success on there own terms, this is a must read and you won't be able to put the book down. I love how well the book was written it was not boring at all. Love Love Love this book.
This is a must read for anyone that is ready to achieve success on there own terms, this is a must read and you won't be able to put the book down. I love how well the book was written it was not boring at all. Love Love Love this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews