You Don't Have to Try So Hard: Ditch Expectations and Live Your Own Best Life

by Kathi Lipp, Cheri Gregory

"My soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him." - Psalm 62:5

Worn down by the pursuit of perfection? Are you hustling through life, struggling to meet impossible standards and be everything to everybody? Do you ever wonder if there's any rest on the other side of the rush?

With honesty and humor, Kathi Lipp and Cheri Gregory will help you take a breather and find reassurance as you face the bullies of perfectionism, performancism, people-pleasing, and procrastination. Self-assessments and personal stories will guide you from panic to peace as you learn to pick battles worthy of your time and energy; embrace the freedom of a carefully considered "no"; recognize your strengths and weaknesses in the quest for balance; use authenticity as a weapon to battle bullies; and release yourself from the endless pressure of pleasing others.

Ditch your feelings of inadequacy and finally come face-to-face with the bold, balanced woman God created you to be. You don't have to be perfect. You just have to be you!

Genres: Nonfiction

Audible Audio

Published September 4, 2018

About the author

Kathi loves giving real help and how-tos to move people forward in every area of their lives. With humor and wisdom, Kathi offers hope paired with practical steps to live with meaning.

Kathi Lipp is the Publisher Weekly bestselling author of 17 books including Clutter Free, The Get Yourself Organized Project, The Husband Project, and Overwhelmed.

She is the host of Clutter Free Academy the Podcast, runs the Facebook group Clutter Free Academy where 8000 women (and a few brave men) learn to live free from clutter. Kathi speaks at conferences across the US.

She is featured on Focus on the Family, MOPS International, Crosswalk.com, Girlfriends in God and Proverbs 31 Ministries as well as a number of other media outlets around the country. And she’s a featured expert on clutter for Women’s World Magazine and has been named “Best of Broadcast” on Focus on the Family twice.

Reviews

[Leeann Bergeron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a random Christmas gift and turned out to be exceptional! It was wonderful and challenging all at the same time. I did a lot of highlighting and plan to read it again. From chapter one I found myself wanting to order copies of it to send to all the women in my life. Thank you Kathi and Cheri for a wonderful book.

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first encountered “You Don’t Have to Try So Hard” under its previous title “The Cure for the Perfect Life” four years ago. It changed my life. I learned about the four bullies that can make us miserable: perfectionism, performancism, people-pleasing, and procrastination. Although I rarely have to deal with procrastination, the other three have had way too much power in my life for way too long. Authors Kathi Lipp and Cheri Gregory have revised the book, and taken what was a great book and made it even better.
After introducing readers to the bullies and doing an assessment to determine their personality types, Kathi and Cheri (who alternate chapters), provide tips for each personality type to combat each bully. I have learned many new skills that have enabled me to live a happier, more peaceful life. I will always be grateful to Kathi and Cheri for writing this book.
Full disclosure: I was given a copy of “You Don’t Have to Work So Hard” to review. All views are my own.

[Cheri Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you need permission to release the grip of perfection then this is the slip from great teachers for just that

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book for many Christian women to read. They make their way though many of the myths that keep women overcommitted and not looking after themselves. I like that they try to give broad categories of what kind of specific problems depending on how we approach life but depending on the topic was identified with all the groups. Still there is plenty of good advice here.

[Deb Buck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll be reading and writing through this book again. Everyone should read this! ♥️

[Jackie Mulkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Late Log

[Loretta Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want sure what to expect, but this book was fantastic! Practical, realistic, honest, helpful. Another book worth multiple reads to truly glean and implement!