Gutsy Women Win: How to Get Gutsy and Get Going

by Pat Obuchowski

GET GUTSY AND GET GOING
In Gutsy Women Win, speaker, executive and leadership coach, and author Pat Obuchowski describes a new model for success. It will help you identify your passions for leadership and life and then empower you to pursue them. This book offers you an opportunity to examine how the model works through the lens of the stories of seven women. The model introduces nine elements that will help you take action and do what it is you want to do in your world to make a difference. If you hunger for a more fulfilling life, this book is for you.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction

186 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 16, 2016

Reviews

[Sherrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so looking forward to this book and grateful to get a Kindle copy through a Goodreads giveaway. For me this was a bit of a disappointment. I suspect Pat Obuchowski is outstanding in person, but the book didn't work for me. The Bigger Game didn't really make sense - the 'pieces' are indistinct at best, double-talk at worst, with no apparent strategy for using them. The seven profiles somehow made women doing very interesting things seem boring, and showing how each of them followed some aspects of the Bigger Game model without knowing it seemed contrived. Three stars because this might bring some readers to the other good resources mentioned in the book, and because I have to support anything that encourages women to pursue what they feel driven to do, despite their self-doubt.

[Kathleen Duffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gutsy Women Win is a must read for women of all ages and backgrounds. It will no doubt assist in rejuvenating confidence in the workforce. I love that the book is multifaceted and hands on. The author makes herself quite accessible as well. She even provides her LinkedIn profile information at the end. Nice touch! I'm planning to purchase several copies to give to close friends and family.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book written to empower women to pursue the dreams that drive them, connecting with others to bring these dreams to fruition and thereby to transform their lives and the world. It's a tall order, and, ironically, a conventional one these days. Obuchowski's special offering is her game board-style model and the examples she provides of women living their "bigger game" (a concept developed from that of her mentor, Rick Tamlyn). The model includes nine areas: Comfort Zones, Hunger, Compelling Purpose, GULP, Investment, Allies, Sustainability, Assess, Bold Action. She has her interviewees apply her model to their experience, which comes off as a bit clunky. Nonetheless, the personal stories her interviewees share are inspiring, as are the reflection questions Obuchowski offers with each chapter.

I won the kindle version of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.

[Amy Butcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Gutsy Women Win" is inspiring in two ways. First off, the writing is the work of a true storyteller who easily brings the experiences of the six profiled women (as well as her own travails) to life in way that is rich, relatable, and helpful. Secondly, rather than just being a cheering squad type coaching book, it describes a deceptively simple yet powerful model (The Bigger Game) that you can use to chart a course for what is next in your life. Coach Pat will support and challenge you, and will help you move your thinking forward in ways that will make a difference. While a relatively easy read, you'll find yourself pondering the questions long after you've closed the cover. Worthwhile! (Note: don't skip the Q&A at the end, it's a pleasure!).

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

You should read this book if there is something you want to achieve in your life, but there is something holding you back. Particularly if that something is a way to give back or an organization that serves others. Pat Obuchowski outlines 'The Bigger Game' model created by Laura Whitworth and Rick Tamlyn and then gives six examples of women who have succeeded in following through with their big ideas and playing their 'bigger game'. There are reader questions as you go along to ask yourself, so if you have a goal or project that you want to start on, definitely read with a pen and paper to write down your answers rather than just breezing through. "The size and quality of the game you play designs who you are becoming." You can do it!

[Gio · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you have a dream but are too scared to go after it, you need to pick up this book. Pat Obuchowski shares the stories of seven women who got out of their comfort zones, took risks and accomplished their big visions. Whether it's playing a fairer political game that benefits the community, starting movements that solve conflicts around the world or making farming more natural and sustainable, these women prove that everything is possible when you set your mind to it.

But Obuchowski doesn't stop here. These stories are just her way to illustrate her coaching model in practice. She gives the reader a framework to follow to succeed in any endeavour. No matter what you want to accomplish or were you are in your life right now, the system will point you in the right direction and help you figure out what steps you need to take next. If that sounds like something you need, buy a copy for yourself - and one for a friend.

[L E · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. I always enjoy reading books about people being brave and reaching their goals. However, I struggled a bit with this one. The "Game" had nine different concepts, but I didn't feel the was much new material in there. The success stories were a nice touch. I enjoyed reading those. But overall, as stated, I didn't really learn anything new in this book.

[Mara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book sets out to be inspiring and it has some good guiding questions to help people who are looking to achieve something. While there really wasn't new information, it did reinforce some good concepts for growth.

[Candace Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking

This book provides a great road map for self reflection. Hopefully, it will inspire many women to get up and get moving towards changing things in their lives and in the world.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pat Obuchowski inspired me with her straightforward, inspiring stories of gutsy women. I also enjoyed the author interview at the back of the book.

[Csimplot Simplot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!!!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, insightful, knowledgable, help and supportive read. Highly recommend!

[Maj · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Must-Read for women of any age wanting more, but uncertain of the next step. Excellent book for young women entering the workforce, women wanting more from their career, as well as women who are reinventing themselves. This book definitely revs up the enthusiasm and positive thinking! Excellent examples of other women's experiences.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring read

[Medeia Sharif · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was inspiring and enjoyable. It pushes the reader to do more and be more...become "gutsy." I won this gem in a Goodreads giveaway.

[Faith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great inspirational read for women and the men who love them! I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants to be inspired to get their butt in gear!

[Kristina Aziz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very motivational read. It laid out tools you could use to make your life better, if you so choose.
Helpful: Yes
Enjoyable: Well....

It seems a bit dated. Maybe I'm the wrong audience as a young manager, but this seems like more of a midlife crisis sort of book than a book to help young women climb the workforce.

I appreciate the reference to a "bigger game". Play a bigger game. On tough days, I have a similar mantra: Find the game. Followers of James Veitch might understand what I mean by that. Games are good! Games are young, motivating, addictive, and fun. But the actual phrasing in this book didn't always stand up to this Big fun game playing we were aiming to do.

It's not by any means a bad book to read, just sits a bit below my expectations.

[Kristi Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read all my reviews at: brainfartsandbooks.wordpress.com

An excellent, inspiring, and motivational read from Pat Obuchowski, this book takes you into the lives of several women who face roadblocks and rough patches in life but who come out on top. The message that I took from this book was to hold on to your values, your positive attitude, and to realize that being gutsy is what separates success from mediocre. The Bigger Game Board was such a winner in my eyes simply because it takes the user through a thought process that can lead any user to an unlimited number of outcomes. There are no limits to the ideas, the creativity, the dreams that can be reached through this process. I especially enjoyed many of the quotes that were used throughout the book. My favorite? "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great people make you feel that you, too, can become great. When you are seeking to bring big plans to fruition, it is important with whom you regularly associate." -Mark Twain

[Doüa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book for women who looking to find the motivation to create a change in their life and make bold moves. The author provides a model that helps you find where you are at in your life and how to move towards a specific mindset where you are ready to bring and go through change. It does not, however, give you the tools to chart out your path within this change a person seeks and bring it to reality.

This is a good place to start if you are at a cross roads and you are not sure where to go and where to begin, but once your goal is clear this book can not guide you further.