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Power Your Happy: Work Hard, Play Nice & Build Your Dream Life
Lisa Sugar has an amazing job. She spends her days creating content about pop culture, must-have handbags and makeup, healthy recipes, and Instagram-worthy sweets. She manages an enormously successful, growing company with employees who love what they do. And her life is just as great at home. She and her husband have three daughters and she's the number one soccer mom who loves reading bedtime stories every night.
How did she do it? By figuring out what her dream job was, taking risks, and believing in herself. And now she wants to motivate others to do the same. She wants to show them how to live colorful, interesting lives where every second counts.
She'll do so by sharing her personal and business story. Lisa knows that creating your dream job requires hard work, patience, and experience. She'll give advice, in big and small ways, about exactly how to do that, from starting a company to ditching a relationship that isn't working to becoming a fabulous boss. And with the great, accessible writing style that has made POPSUGAR such a hit, she'll make it fun!
How did she do it? By figuring out what her dream job was, taking risks, and believing in herself. And now she wants to motivate others to do the same. She wants to show them how to live colorful, interesting lives where every second counts.
She'll do so by sharing her personal and business story. Lisa knows that creating your dream job requires hard work, patience, and experience. She'll give advice, in big and small ways, about exactly how to do that, from starting a company to ditching a relationship that isn't working to becoming a fabulous boss. And with the great, accessible writing style that has made POPSUGAR such a hit, she'll make it fun!
256 pages, Hardcover
First published September 20, 2016
63 people are currently reading
1893 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Sugar
1 book24 followersBorn on the East Coast and now happily raising three girls and her Jack Russell Terrier, Lucy, on the West Coast, Lisa Sugar started POPSUGAR as a hobby in 2005 as a way to fuel her passion for all things pop culture and writing. Her husband, Brian, whom she met at George Washington University, joined her in 2006 to launch POPSUGAR into a thriving media business with over 500 employees. Lisa’s past jobs include advertising experience in New York City at Young & Rubicam and Showtime networks and San Francisco’s Goodby Silverstein & Partners.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisasugar
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisapopsugar
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisasugar
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisapopsugar
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
August 17, 2016
Lisa Sugar's new business/self-improvement book brims with optimism and promotes the belief that working hard and playing nice is the key to a successful, happy life. Sugar preaches the modern "do what you love" and "find your passion" gospel that is ubiquitous today, while at the same time grounding her advice in the reality that finiding that passion means working really, REALLY hard, may involve many false stars, and most certainly will involve lots of time as an underling before you get to do what you actually want to be doing. This book is like one big pep talk to get people going on a career they've dreamed of, with helpful questionnaires at the end of each chapter to identify skills, passions, job requirements, and goals. The book had a friendly, easy-to-identify-with tone.
Sugar founded and runs a successful celebrity and lifestyle news website. One of her rules from Day One was that they would not put anything on the website that they wouldn't say to a celebrity in front of his/her face -- and no body shaming (great advice). In that vein, I'll share some reasons why this book rated 3 stars with me instead of higher (which I would gladly share with Ms. Sugar in person). While the overall tone of the book is positive and inspirational, I had a hard time identifying exactly who the target audience would be. It seemed like overall it was speaking to someone just getting started in their career, but then would shift to specific concerns of working moms (who, generally speaking, are further along in their careers). More focus would have made this a better book. The book was also a bit repetitive and could have benefitted from better editing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for a galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Sugar founded and runs a successful celebrity and lifestyle news website. One of her rules from Day One was that they would not put anything on the website that they wouldn't say to a celebrity in front of his/her face -- and no body shaming (great advice). In that vein, I'll share some reasons why this book rated 3 stars with me instead of higher (which I would gladly share with Ms. Sugar in person). While the overall tone of the book is positive and inspirational, I had a hard time identifying exactly who the target audience would be. It seemed like overall it was speaking to someone just getting started in their career, but then would shift to specific concerns of working moms (who, generally speaking, are further along in their careers). More focus would have made this a better book. The book was also a bit repetitive and could have benefitted from better editing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dutton for a galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 3, 2016
I received a copy of this book through Goodreads for an honest review.
I read a lot of books like this one, business memoirs about women who are at the top of their game. The trouble I ran into with Lisa Sugar's is that I couldn't find anything particularly special about it. I was really looking forward to reading Power Your Happy too; unfortunately, I felt that the content was repetitive and not as inspiring as I expected. That being said, the points she made are good points - just not particularly original or exciting. My copy is also an advanced reader copy, so there may still be time to flesh out some ideas and make them stronger or more robust. She also speaks a lot about creating content without defining what content means to her, which I find frustrating. I am in a completely different field and I am not an avid Popsugar reader, so my idea of content could be much different than hers. I think this just adds to the fact that there could have been more depth added to her narration.
I read a lot of books like this one, business memoirs about women who are at the top of their game. The trouble I ran into with Lisa Sugar's is that I couldn't find anything particularly special about it. I was really looking forward to reading Power Your Happy too; unfortunately, I felt that the content was repetitive and not as inspiring as I expected. That being said, the points she made are good points - just not particularly original or exciting. My copy is also an advanced reader copy, so there may still be time to flesh out some ideas and make them stronger or more robust. She also speaks a lot about creating content without defining what content means to her, which I find frustrating. I am in a completely different field and I am not an avid Popsugar reader, so my idea of content could be much different than hers. I think this just adds to the fact that there could have been more depth added to her narration.
August 29, 2016
RECEIVED FREE THROUGH GOODREADS FIRST READS.
Don't know what you wanna be when you grow up? Read this book. You will find the tools to figure it out - hopefully! No matter your age.
I found my happiness, pet sitting! And I was in my 40's. I am now in my 60's and wonder what took me so long to fill my heart with joy!
Happy reading...
Don't know what you wanna be when you grow up? Read this book. You will find the tools to figure it out - hopefully! No matter your age.
I found my happiness, pet sitting! And I was in my 40's. I am now in my 60's and wonder what took me so long to fill my heart with joy!
Happy reading...
October 14, 2016
I'm biased. I <3 this woman and have been lucky enough to be on this crazy journey with her. All bias aside, I wish I had read this in my early 20s. Nothing groundbreaking, but solid advice in the signature POPSUGAR voice.
October 21, 2016
I got this in my POPSUGAR must have box. I think I'm too old. Might have enjoyed it more at 20?
February 22, 2017
I received this book free in a PopSugar box. Although Lisa Sugar is likable, this book was repetitive, a bit jumbled, and did not provide any new insights into how to be a successful modern woman.
September 16, 2016
If Popsugar is one of the first website you check every morning, then you have to read Power Your Happy. It's positive and inspirational, a must read for all those people who are not afraid to work hard.
Read more on The Serial Reader Blog.
*This book was kindly sent to me by Dutton, Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review*
Read more on The Serial Reader Blog.
*This book was kindly sent to me by Dutton, Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review*
June 25, 2017
This book was almost painful to listen to. It lacked all of the elements that make for an interesting narrative: obstacles to overcome, striving to be better, hard won victories... In her story, Lisa Sugar started a website that was immediately successful, despite having no former experience building or maintaining a website. Although she'd been tested for learning disabilities as a child, she was able to write well enough to garner a huge online following. She glosses over the contributions of others (including her internet entrepreneur husband and financial backing from a J.Crew founder) and plays up her own contributions. The book feels contrived and phony as Lisa waxes poetic for many hours about her perfect family, job and life.
August 28, 2017
I received this book in my popsugar box quite a bit ago and just got around to reading it. While it did contain some interesting, applicable, and "must have" information, I think it should be geared to a different demographic than me. It also seemed that the thoughts in this book were scattered. In the beginning of the book, she wants this to not be about her, lisa sugar, but 75% of the book is about her.
This would be a phenomenal book for students just graduating college or even maybe a year or two into their first professional career.
This would be a phenomenal book for students just graduating college or even maybe a year or two into their first professional career.
December 2, 2021
I have a hard time respecting some of the advice in this book, but that's on a personal level for me. Sugar is insanely driven, which is a vital component of being a successful CEO and company owner. That being said, I don't think that kind of ambition is sustainable or even healthy for the average person. As a perfectionist, I totally understand giving your all and doing your best at everything you do, but the obvious downside to that is that you end up dealing with burnout if you're not careful. Sugar brags about getting back to work only a few hours after giving birth to her first child, and while that's certainly an accomplishment, that's not the kind of standard I'd want to live up to for any career. She obviously cares passionately for her work, and that is fantastic. I just think most people should go about their careers in a less-intense way. I gave this 2.5 stars because of my presumed lack of balance from Sugar's lifestyle, but again, this is all coming from my own perceptions. Her ways are working well for her, so go Lisa!
February 3, 2017
I took a lot of notes and a learned a few things; however, I feel like this book wasn't really geared towards me and where I am going in life. It went back and forth between bits I found useful and bits when I felt like I was wasting my time reading it.
August 7, 2016
Good for early career media types. A little repetitive. Friendly tone and some good advice on navigating the world of work.
March 20, 2023
Lisa Sugar, founder of PopSugar, writes a motivational business memoir of sorts to encourage others to define what your passion is, perhaps looking to favorite hobbies for inspiration, and developing a successful career path around that (if that's something you're interested in, of course). Next step, take baby steps towards making dreams your reality. As an example, she explains how prior to developing PopSugar, she wrote pop culture / celebrity news articles on a blog while still working her regular job. Within six months, she had enough of a following to decide that it was time to make covering the pop culture scene her full-time gig. In full disclosure, she also admits that at that point in time, the blog definitely wasn't making enough money to be a livable income and that her husband's San Fransisco job was financially carrying the household for awhile. But by 2006 she had the means to hire six employees. By the time of this book's publication in 2016, she had upwards of 500 on staff!
A few of her go-to life rules she swears by in her work environment as well:
"Play Nice" --- As a mom of 3 girls, she has a "no mean girls" rule at home and at the office. She wants team players in a friendly, nurturing workspace. (Though my side eye at this couldn't help but spot the quickly tossed line, 'We *used* to let people bring dogs in.' Uhh huh... ). Emulating companies like Google and Pixar, she wants to encourage fun environments because people tend to be more inspired to work hard when overall more happy & comfy.
"The Little Things" --- Remember to smile, you're doing what you love! Also remember to walk around, take breathers. Celebrate victories.
She also gives ideas on how to maybe best handle tough situations... but here too I gave a little side eye and didn't entirely agree with some of her suggestions.
Decent enough feel-good book, but a lot of it --- the motivational, advice bits --- is stuff most people probably already have a general concept of on some level. In certain parts it also read to me a little bit like she was trying extra hard to be the "I'm not regular boss, I'm COOL boss" person.
A few of her go-to life rules she swears by in her work environment as well:
"Play Nice" --- As a mom of 3 girls, she has a "no mean girls" rule at home and at the office. She wants team players in a friendly, nurturing workspace. (Though my side eye at this couldn't help but spot the quickly tossed line, 'We *used* to let people bring dogs in.' Uhh huh... ). Emulating companies like Google and Pixar, she wants to encourage fun environments because people tend to be more inspired to work hard when overall more happy & comfy.
"The Little Things" --- Remember to smile, you're doing what you love! Also remember to walk around, take breathers. Celebrate victories.
She also gives ideas on how to maybe best handle tough situations... but here too I gave a little side eye and didn't entirely agree with some of her suggestions.
Decent enough feel-good book, but a lot of it --- the motivational, advice bits --- is stuff most people probably already have a general concept of on some level. In certain parts it also read to me a little bit like she was trying extra hard to be the "I'm not regular boss, I'm COOL boss" person.
September 23, 2017
Because I still have this idea of starting a digital empire in my head, I chose to read "Power Your Happy" by Lisa Sugar, the founder of PopSugar, on the eve of a milestone birthday. But the tone came off as if it was speaking to the baby millennials (I'm on the older spectrum of millennialism), and I wish there was more business biography rather than personal biography.
Sugar started PopSugar over a decade ago, and it's grown a lot. I've witnessed its growth as an early fan, so I hoped this book really got into the details of that growth. For example, I used to blog about fashion with OnSugar, the failed microblogging site of PopSugar. I wanted to know more about seeing what worked for the company and what didn't, the decisions that went into building one part up and destroying another. She made everything sound rosy and didn't go into those details.
Maybe because I don't have my own family I just wanted to read less about her daughters and husband she kept bragging about how she met him the first week of college. (Many female bloggers have a boyfriend/husband in the background who help them significantly, so that was a turnoff for me as a single woman who wants to follow in similar footsteps). The mother aspect was interesting, but the tone of the book was geared to the under 25 crowd with the third-grade level writing.
We can keep it real with at least eighth-grade level writing, but I loathe when inspiring memoirs are written on such a low level but marketed to women of all ages ("Audition" by Barbara Walters is an example of this). Then at the end there were photographs from her early childhood to adulthood, so it came off as a misguided memoir with too much personal life when most readers like me want more of the professional life.
And her life seemed so perfect from Day One (I know I'm hatin') that when she had to reference something bad like an eating disorder it would be happening to people she knew. Another example was trying to find a career and all the great jobs she had along the way to find her passion. With the recession bogging down my generation, she at least had a job amid passion hunting. And her curly hair gave her so much grief in younger days (eye roll...). She didn't have enough adversity to bring in the personal life; we just needed professional life and how to build that dream empire. Overall, the way the book was marketed I expected something better, but I still get my daily PopSugar emails, so I'm not that mad.
Sugar started PopSugar over a decade ago, and it's grown a lot. I've witnessed its growth as an early fan, so I hoped this book really got into the details of that growth. For example, I used to blog about fashion with OnSugar, the failed microblogging site of PopSugar. I wanted to know more about seeing what worked for the company and what didn't, the decisions that went into building one part up and destroying another. She made everything sound rosy and didn't go into those details.
Maybe because I don't have my own family I just wanted to read less about her daughters and husband she kept bragging about how she met him the first week of college. (Many female bloggers have a boyfriend/husband in the background who help them significantly, so that was a turnoff for me as a single woman who wants to follow in similar footsteps). The mother aspect was interesting, but the tone of the book was geared to the under 25 crowd with the third-grade level writing.
We can keep it real with at least eighth-grade level writing, but I loathe when inspiring memoirs are written on such a low level but marketed to women of all ages ("Audition" by Barbara Walters is an example of this). Then at the end there were photographs from her early childhood to adulthood, so it came off as a misguided memoir with too much personal life when most readers like me want more of the professional life.
And her life seemed so perfect from Day One (I know I'm hatin') that when she had to reference something bad like an eating disorder it would be happening to people she knew. Another example was trying to find a career and all the great jobs she had along the way to find her passion. With the recession bogging down my generation, she at least had a job amid passion hunting. And her curly hair gave her so much grief in younger days (eye roll...). She didn't have enough adversity to bring in the personal life; we just needed professional life and how to build that dream empire. Overall, the way the book was marketed I expected something better, but I still get my daily PopSugar emails, so I'm not that mad.
March 3, 2017
So, I really liked this book. I picked it up last fall after hearing the author, Lisa Sugar speak on a podcast I listen to, Good Life Project. She was fun and positive and sounded like someone I would like to hang out with. The book hung out in my book basket for quite some time. I would pick it up read a little and then get distracted by something and forget about it, but I always came back to it. Lisa writes with a casual voice, sharing her life experiences while adding inspiration and suggestions to finding your happy. Although I don't think it was necessarily written for the late forties looking to re-invent herself me, I did have some positive take-aways from Lisa's suggestions. I am going to tag this one as a perfect gift for my daughter when she graduates from college.
August 8, 2017
I couldn't wait to read this book because number one, I love a good book about working hard and building a kick ass life, and number two, it's a book by the one and only Lisa Sugar, so how could I not be excited to hear from the founder of one of my favorite websites ever?? The book is definitely inspiring and definitely kept me going no matter how tired I was, or how massive my headache was—Lisa's words of wisdom helped brighten my day. I would've loved to read more about her struggles, though, because I felt that she only scratched the surface when it came to that. She touched on how stressed she was at some parts of her life, and I would've loved to hear more about that.
Read
November 27, 2018After reading this book, I'd like to meet Lisa Sugar in person!
This book is a great read in terms of her life but also in helping those seeking help with their career.
She drops jewels from the employer's perspective you'd probably never find anywhere else.
This book also teaches you about figuring out what it is you really want to do in life and going for it!
If only all companies and agencies could be ran by Lisa Sugar!Power Your Happy: Work Hard, Play Nice & Build Your Dream Life
This book is a great read in terms of her life but also in helping those seeking help with their career.
She drops jewels from the employer's perspective you'd probably never find anywhere else.
This book also teaches you about figuring out what it is you really want to do in life and going for it!
If only all companies and agencies could be ran by Lisa Sugar!Power Your Happy: Work Hard, Play Nice & Build Your Dream Life
December 19, 2020
𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲: ✨
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So I didn’t enjoy this book.
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It’s very “ Do- what -you-love-and -be-nice-and-things-will-work-out. Hello! Welcome to 2020 😩. This is more of a self help book, not what I was expecting . So I kind of set myself up for disappointment .
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As a person who struggle with “ Finding what make you happy” this book wasn’t very helpful to me, but it can be to a lot of people. There are lots of great advice that’s included , but you can also do a google search and get the same thing .
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I choose this book because when I was in high school Popsugar was clutch when it comes to providing my Laguna Beach pictures 😂😂🤦🏾♀️. That’s it 🤷🏾♀️.
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So I didn’t enjoy this book.
.
It’s very “ Do- what -you-love-and -be-nice-and-things-will-work-out. Hello! Welcome to 2020 😩. This is more of a self help book, not what I was expecting . So I kind of set myself up for disappointment .
.
As a person who struggle with “ Finding what make you happy” this book wasn’t very helpful to me, but it can be to a lot of people. There are lots of great advice that’s included , but you can also do a google search and get the same thing .
.
I choose this book because when I was in high school Popsugar was clutch when it comes to providing my Laguna Beach pictures 😂😂🤦🏾♀️. That’s it 🤷🏾♀️.
January 21, 2021
Overall, I thought it was great. There was good advice when it came to career development. I personally loved when Sugar explained the other side of the interview process. I also loved learning about PopSugar, how the company started from the ground up, and personal tid-bits of Sugar's life.
With that being said, I was confused what was the main focus of this book. Are we talking about personal development, or how PopSugar became to be, or about Sugar's life? This books reads as it was a conversation, which I liked, I just wish there was more focus. I was constantly wondering if Sugar was trying to recruit me to work for her or if she was sharing info about her life.
The information in this book is not groundbreaking, but still interesting to learn.
With that being said, I was confused what was the main focus of this book. Are we talking about personal development, or how PopSugar became to be, or about Sugar's life? This books reads as it was a conversation, which I liked, I just wish there was more focus. I was constantly wondering if Sugar was trying to recruit me to work for her or if she was sharing info about her life.
The information in this book is not groundbreaking, but still interesting to learn.
November 20, 2017
Lisa seems like a wonderful person, and I think I could have benefitted greatly from this book a year or two ago more than now, but that doesn’t diminish the assistance this book might give someone trying to follow their passion & make a career. I do agree with other reviews that say there seems to be a discrepancy between target audience and material presented, but in a different vein, maybe it isn’t a cover-to-cover read. I adore books where I can prescribe myself a chapter, then come back to the other parts when they are more relevant. Thanks, Lisa, for sharing your life with us all!
July 28, 2018
When I started this book I had high hopes this would be the motivational book I needed. But to be honest the book was all over the place. While Lisa’s writing style was very colloquial and easy to digest, I wasn’t sure whether this was a professional book or a personal one. The fact that she kept jumping around between describing how POPSUGAR came to be and advice was confusing. Likewise her advice wasn’t anything earth shattering. I didn’t see any new ideas in her book which really let me down.
June 14, 2017
Couldn't put this book down! Lisa Sugar is peppy, upbeat, and positive and really stresses a work-life balance. I enjoyed her anecdotes about starting PopSugar, as well as her family commitments. At times, the book was a little repetitive, but Sugar stays true to her message of finding your passion to do what you love. This book was highly motivating to me, even though the advice was geared mostly to those in the corporate world. #DuttonFreebies
May 16, 2017
This is a quick read and the questions at the end of each chapter are great for reflection and something to revisit. It's definitely an inspiring book for those feeling like they're stuck or searching for the right job. There's also some great nuggets on women empowerment and Lisa's approach to everyone's favorite working mom dilemma - work/life balance.
I am personally a fan of Popsugar so it was great to learn more about how the company and it's verticals came to be.
I am personally a fan of Popsugar so it was great to learn more about how the company and it's verticals came to be.
May 2, 2023
This woman is so condescending. She had the easiest life and a very unblocked, short path to success. My biggest concern is how she talks about just learning to 'love yourself' in the Appearance chapter. She starts off with talking about girls who had eating disorders at George Washington University. Then she goes into the 'love yourself', 'accept yourself' type speak, as if she did not just mention serious psychological illnesses. I'm sorry, it's not that simple. The advice is a joke.
March 1, 2017
Picked this up from the new reads section at my library. A mistake, alas. This book can be summarized in one word: shallow. The summary cartoon at the beginning of the book was the high point. It was all downhill from there. (I just read my spouse a few random pages, and his response was "self-centered blather." Yup.)
August 2, 2017
Such a successful woman. I really enjoyed the positive, conversational tone of the book! There was good advice but nothing too groundbreaking. I liked hearing her story but a part of me wishes there was more about the difficulties and difficult hustle versus just the fantastic and dreamy end goal she achieved.
September 29, 2017
Ehhhh - I got this free as part of a subscription box service. To be honest, I didn't finish it. I got a little tired of the everything is great if you just smile implication. It's definitely optimistic and upbeat, but definitely meant for a crowd of people who are just starting out after high school/college. I also have a little problem with the privilege that is inherent throughout...
April 29, 2018
My grandmother bought me this book as a Christmas present. At first I was excited because I personally admire the media empire Lisa Sugar has built with PopSugar. However I found the advice and stories in this book basic. Might make a good read for someone early on in college, however I also think that many of the takeaways could be found through online blogs for free.
September 28, 2020
Books was excellent, but I feel like the books "power your happy" message is only good for the first 100 pages everything after that is more personal things and habits, tips about Lisa. Overall a great book but I feel slightly mislead thinking the entire book was going to be more of a traditional motivational advice from the author rather than her life story to success.
October 20, 2022
this book was simply written in the worst way possible for a writer. It provided no in-depth takeaways on any piece of her life. Also it was quite confusing as it seemed to be a mixture of a self help book, business book and biography. I was excited to read this book as I love popsugar but the book reads as a long blog.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews