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

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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 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!

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Published September 4, 2018

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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Profile Image for Leeann Bergeron.
42 reviews1 follower
January 20, 2019
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.
Profile Image for Elisa.
46 reviews1 follower
January 7, 2019
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.
Profile Image for Cheri Fletcher.
41 reviews
September 24, 2018
If you need permission to release the grip of perfection then this is the slip from great teachers for just that
653 reviews4 followers
January 21, 2022
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.
Profile Image for Loretta Miller.
62 reviews1 follower
July 13, 2025
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!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews

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