What do you think?
Rate this book
You're Not Lost: An Inspired Action Plan for Finding Your Own Way
A tough-loving guide to figuring out your next steps and believing in yourself enough to take them If there's one phrase women’s leadership expert Maxie McCoy hears over and over again in talking to young women, it's "I'm so lost." Not only do they doubt the direction their lives are going—they don’t even know where to start making changes. This book provides a straight shot of encouragement to change that. You're Not Lost is the manifesto for a generation of women who don't have the self-confidence to trust their instincts and go for it. This compelling guide gets to the root of the problem, showing you how to drop the panic-inducing, big-picture obsession over "Where am I going with my life?" and instead shines a spotlight on the small yet impactful decisions that will take you from lost to found. With step-by-step advice, thought-provoking exercises, and real-life stories from Maxie and other inspirational women who have been there and succeeded, this book is an energizing action plan for getting to the amazing career and life you deserve.
244 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 21, 2018
92 people are currently reading
2074 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
September 25, 2018
I am OBSESSED with this book. Not only was it my first self development book in a while, but it was also my first audio book experience. I absolutely loved having Maxie in my ear, hearing her voice navigate through the chapters and PDF workbook. I listened once in a day, and completely plan on listening again later in the week and actually complete the workbook (I didn't fill it out the first time). Anyway, this book is great for anyone who is interested in taking themselves to the next level and feels scared to do so. It's funny, current, and she makes some pretty great points that are hard to ignore. Love.
September 7, 2018
This book came out at the most perfect time for my life. While there was some advice I didn't entirely agree with, it was written with such love and care that I know I needed to see it.
January 23, 2019
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants actionable steps to get to where they want to be in life. This book gives your permission to pursue the crazy passionate dreams you have and reminds you to work as a team and uplift all the amazing women and supporters in your life. I think this book would also make a great gift, seeing as I gifted a few myself, for recent graduates, your favorite girl boss, or just anyone that you want to give a little love too.
April 7, 2019
I was excited for the concept of this book, but honestly, I couldn't get past the first chapter! I found the writing repetitive, trite and not well organized. Sorry.
Read
September 21, 2022DNF
Loved her course so I thought I'd read her book....bad mistake. Could there be any more language?!
Content: moderate and explicit language
Loved her course so I thought I'd read her book....bad mistake. Could there be any more language?!
Content: moderate and explicit language
August 31, 2020
A very general and usual self-help book on motivation for girls in the business world, or whatever you’re trying to make it in. Generic worksheets, but with a more “real” flair to the writing. Good sound bytes!
——-
“You don’t need to know where you’ll end up in order to begin.”
“Hating where you’re at gives you an opportunity to declare what you never want again.”
“Direction is sourced from what brings you energy, from what excites you, what fills you with inspiration. ... Somewhere along the way, you likely looked at the things that excite or energize you and deemed them unimportant because you didn’t know where they could lead or you didn’t see value in activating those expressions of your own talents. But that was dead wrong. You’ve got to follow those sparks even when you don’t have an understanding of the big vision that they might be leading you to.”
“‘When you plug your phone into the wall and use it, it never runs out of juice. But when you unplug it and you start using it and it’s down to twenty percent, you start dreaming out looking for an outlet.’ That’s what happens to us every day, [Latham Thomas] explains. You have to keep coming back to what recharges you, or you end up in the red and you get all frazzled. ‘You’re constantly thinking about how your phone stays charged, but are you asking yourself that?’”
“You decide which side of the bed you wake up on.”
“The goal isn’t to be fearless. The goal is to keep fear from running the show.”
“... your every is casting a light somewhere that you may not even see.”
“Here’s the real truth: You won’t always be lost, but you’ll always be finding your way. There’s really no destination to arrive at other than where you are.”
——-
“You don’t need to know where you’ll end up in order to begin.”
“Hating where you’re at gives you an opportunity to declare what you never want again.”
“Direction is sourced from what brings you energy, from what excites you, what fills you with inspiration. ... Somewhere along the way, you likely looked at the things that excite or energize you and deemed them unimportant because you didn’t know where they could lead or you didn’t see value in activating those expressions of your own talents. But that was dead wrong. You’ve got to follow those sparks even when you don’t have an understanding of the big vision that they might be leading you to.”
“‘When you plug your phone into the wall and use it, it never runs out of juice. But when you unplug it and you start using it and it’s down to twenty percent, you start dreaming out looking for an outlet.’ That’s what happens to us every day, [Latham Thomas] explains. You have to keep coming back to what recharges you, or you end up in the red and you get all frazzled. ‘You’re constantly thinking about how your phone stays charged, but are you asking yourself that?’”
“You decide which side of the bed you wake up on.”
“The goal isn’t to be fearless. The goal is to keep fear from running the show.”
“... your every is casting a light somewhere that you may not even see.”
“Here’s the real truth: You won’t always be lost, but you’ll always be finding your way. There’s really no destination to arrive at other than where you are.”
September 3, 2019
I have read my fair share of self-help books. So rarely do I ever read ones with action items and worksheets to help you ask the hard questions to yourself to actually start making progress on helping yourself. I also really appreciated the constant reassurance that the lost feeling that one has is normal and maybe even something that we should embrace. Very thankful that my company had invited her for a fireside chat and kindly gifted us her book. Can't wait to ask myself the tough questions and get to work in bringing more clarity into my life.
February 7, 2019
A fantastic read for women who find themselves at a point in their career or life where they are unsure what to do next. This is NOT a book by someone who claims to have it all figured out (thank goodness - and how refreshing). Maxie shares personal stories and case studies from exceptional women like artist, Ashley Longshore, and others. Each chapter includes thoughtful exercises that I am sure I will go back through again and again.
January 3, 2022
I’m sure that Ms. McCoy is an awesome person and a great friend, but this book wasn’t for me. I found the tone a bit patronizing, and kinda #girlboss-ish. I also wasn’t sure how much of this was unique, I think I’ve read most of the tips in various theeverygirl articles. Great book for someone who is probably 17 or choosing a college major— not quite as good for a 20-something whose career is ongoing and who is looking for more meaningful guidance, in my opinion.
January 15, 2020
I’ve read a LOT of personal development books and this one is now in the top five favorites. Maxie writes with candor & enthusiasm that had me highlighting every other sentence. Definitely a great read if you’re looking to grow!
September 10, 2025
Get ready to work! Chocked full of worksheets what help you determine where you are, where you want to be and making a plan to get there. This would be an excellent book if you are looking to go into business on your own, get a promotion or just take a leap of faith to do something else.
June 18, 2020
This book is like having one of your BFFs cheering you on at every step. I absolutely loved this book and highlighted so many different pearls of wisdom along the way. Maxie doesn’t write in a way that feels dumbed down nor does she make it all sound easy. What she does do is inspire you to do it (your goals, your dreams...) anyways because the light at the end of the tunnel is your own happiness.
April 16, 2020
This is the book I wish I had written!!
June 28, 2019
This book definitely had some valid points, but was a little too "skimming off the top" for me. Some quotes stuck to me for obvious reasons, but nothing mind-blowing new.
"Imagining the unknown is like watching wind: You can’t see what you’re meant to feel. It’s a waste of time. The unknown will always (forever and ever) be there. There’s no beating it. The only chance any of us have is to learn to live hand in hand with that fear of what’s next, making the most of today with the hope it’ll all turn out OK tomorrow."
"When someone is consciously or unconsciously squashing your self-expression—whether that’s a partner, family member, boss, friend, or just the goddamn internet—you’ve got to fight like hell to gain distance from it. Because you need your differences, your true expressed self, as much as the world does."
"Imagining the unknown is like watching wind: You can’t see what you’re meant to feel. It’s a waste of time. The unknown will always (forever and ever) be there. There’s no beating it. The only chance any of us have is to learn to live hand in hand with that fear of what’s next, making the most of today with the hope it’ll all turn out OK tomorrow."
"When someone is consciously or unconsciously squashing your self-expression—whether that’s a partner, family member, boss, friend, or just the goddamn internet—you’ve got to fight like hell to gain distance from it. Because you need your differences, your true expressed self, as much as the world does."
April 16, 2019
This was phenomenal! Seriously one of the best self-help books I have EVER listened to, and I have listened to soooo many. There are actionable steps and concrete ideas to follow, sage advice that's told in a lovingly assertive way, and genius networking ideas I had never considered before. This book has flown to my favorites shelf and I can see myself listening to this over and over again. McCoy is the best friend we all need to shove us forward. I'm considering buying a copy of this for friends as gifts.
April 18, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed how this book was more of an action plan workbook than just a book lecturing at me on "how to get my life together".
After each section, there are action steps and workbook pages to fill out or tasks to complete. I thought this was pretty awesome. It gave me the opportunity to just STOP and genuinely reflect to take action.
Overall, a pretty good read. I resonated a lot with Maxie's stories throughout the book and it really made me feel like I was just listening to a life story from a close friend.
After each section, there are action steps and workbook pages to fill out or tasks to complete. I thought this was pretty awesome. It gave me the opportunity to just STOP and genuinely reflect to take action.
Overall, a pretty good read. I resonated a lot with Maxie's stories throughout the book and it really made me feel like I was just listening to a life story from a close friend.
June 10, 2019
“You’re Not Lost” is the antidote to self-doubt! It feels like you’re getting advice from a good girlfriend (a cool, driven, non-judgy, has-her-shit-together friend). If you’re stuck and need a pick me-up, this book is a refreshing combination of tough love, simple truths, and actionable advice that left me feeling inspired. I reached out the author afterwards and she even sent me the sweetest thank you note :) My advice: please read...then re-read!
December 14, 2019
2.5
I've been loyally reading Maxie's blog (and her guest posts on Carly's blog) for YEARS. I devour every post and always appreciate her sage advice.
But this book just sort of let me down. It felt like it was quite rambly and I found myself wishing it was instead a literal collection of Maxie's blog posts or ... even a memoir about her life.
The best parts of this book were her personal experiences, in my opinion.
I've been loyally reading Maxie's blog (and her guest posts on Carly's blog) for YEARS. I devour every post and always appreciate her sage advice.
But this book just sort of let me down. It felt like it was quite rambly and I found myself wishing it was instead a literal collection of Maxie's blog posts or ... even a memoir about her life.
The best parts of this book were her personal experiences, in my opinion.
January 3, 2019
I found this book very useful! Maxie's suggestions are easy to incoorporate into a busy life it just takes courage. I first listened to this on Audible, then purchased the books to get access to othe tools in the book. I definately recommend this book for other women looking for the extra motivation to improve themselves!
January 20, 2019
Loved this. Needed to hear a lot of this sharp shooting advice, specifically about doing small things that will move me forward instead of giving too much credit to the big dreams and goals. Also particularly liked the chapter about developing your girl gang and recognizing when different people can help you in certain situations.
April 17, 2019
I love this book, here is my favorite quote “following what energizes you will open up the future path for you too. No matter what he’ll of lost you feel like you’re swimming through, it’s getting you to here”. Read this book if you want to be inspired and want the push you need to live your dream. Thank you Maxie for teaching me to live mine.
September 30, 2019
I wish that my early-20-something self had read this book! Maxie writes in a no-nonsense, emotionally-intelligent, fun and inspiring way. It truly is a workbook, with written and actionable exercises at the end of each chapter and throughout. One item I implemented right away was a survey about my career trajectory, anonymously answered and distributed to 20 girlfriends.
November 11, 2019
This book is excellent. You’re Not Lost is the prefect antidote to the comparison culture of social media. Like a modern shaman, Maxie McCoy teaches us to trust our journey and move forward authentically. It’s a fun read that feels more like a deep conversation with a caring and hilarious friend than a personal development book. Highly recommend!
May 15, 2024
Highly recommend! Self help books tend to make my stomach do flip flops, but I loved this one - it has some great advice on trusting yourself and the process/embracing the terrifying feelings of not being enough.
August 2, 2019
This book is exactly what I needed. I love the author's honesty and her real talk. Its a totally different perspective on personal growth, goal setting and finding your dreams and it was perfect for me. I loved it.
November 13, 2020
I liked the activity examples but it was hard to get past the "pussy power" (quoted) feminism. The section on creating your "Girl Gang" was not my favorite, mostly because having 15+ person tight-knit friend group of only women doesn't resonate, though I see how some people find power in it.
June 7, 2020
This book is perfect for anyone feeling like they need some encouragement to follow their dreams and build a life they love. It reads just like talking to your most supportive friend!
March 14, 2019
Absolutely Loved it highly recommend it.
February 16, 2020
I listened to the audiobook, all through from start to finish and liked it. more would come out if I'd had taken time to work it through chapter by chapter, so having a paperback has its benefits
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews