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The Middle Finger Project: Trash Your Imposter Syndrome and Live the Unf*ckwithable Life You Deserve
Do you have an existential crisis every time your alarm goes off?
Did you used to be fun/effervescent/happy/less of a bitter old b*tch – and now, let’s just say, YOU ARE NOT?
Do you want to feel creative, inspired and, well, just ALIVE again?
Let Ash Ambirge - one of Huffington Post's 50 Must-Follow Women, and founder of the multi-million-dollar, multi-award-winning website and blog The Middle Finger Project - offer you a spunky new alternative to traditional concepts of ‘work’.
Growing up in a trailer park, by her twenty-first birthday Ash was a jobless, homeless orphan with only $26 to her name. But even with the odds stacked against her, she changed her fortune forever by starting her million-dollar business from the backseat of her car. Ash gave the finger to convention, blazed her own path, and finally found work she loved. And she wants to show you how she did it.
Whether you’re an individual freelancer, self-made entrepreneur, or part of a larger corporation but not realising your dreams, Ash shows you how to hack your own success, create your own career options, and leverage your creativity to make it to the top. Finally, once you’re on the path to your new life, she outlines the mental shifts necessary to rid yourself of imposter syndrome, shows you how to trust in your own ideas, and offers all the practical advice for striking out on your own that she wishes she once had. Told with her characteristic wit and no-bullshit attitude, this book is a must-read for anyone feeling stuck, restless, and doubtful of everything, especially themselves.
304 pages, Paperback
Published February 13, 2020
296 people are currently reading
5059 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
May 16, 2020
The writing was fun with this one - there were definitely times my interest was peaked and I looked forward to the next paragraph. I love that Ash is honest, genuine and authentic with her writing as well. There were moments I laughed and moments I said “Whoa!”
I am a professional personal development “junkie” and have read a slew of books... and have grown tired of the same old same old information but in someone else’s “voice” and version of it. So when someone said, “Oh THIS one is different, she will actually TELL you what to do. That was her point in writing this book!” I got excited and bought it during presale.
I will say I was disappointed that this was another “I had a shitty life, and look what I’ve done” book. Although I did sympathize with what she went through, especially losing her father and mother at such a young age (I cannot imagine), it still didn’t hook me on how this could relate to my life. I realized with this book, and many I’ve read, is that I’m reading books from the wrong people for ME. I’m a mother active with raising my daughter so for me to read a professional personal development book by a woman who has no children and whose sole responsibility is herself isn’t my book. I can’t relate.
I am bored with the do whatever it takes books- where it feels you need to give 110% or it won’t work. When I read that Ash originally worked from the moment the sun rises to 9pm, her relationships suffered bc of it, her health suffered, and then she had to go to a month long expensive retreat to realize what her life needs to be... I can’t relate. If it’s fiction, I don’t need to relate and can flow with the story and enjoy being lost in someone else’s interesting life. But for me, a personal development book has to relate in some way.
I wish there were actual tools here versus the same old “here is my shitty situation, and I didn’t let it stop me!” stories. Yes, I’m amazed how she has come so far with her history and challenges. I will always applaud that. But for me to value the content of a “this is how to” book, I can’t go through every chapter asking,
“OK, so how does the average woman actually GET there?”
This is another book where I found the same inspirations, revelations, needs, and basic tips that every other book out there has. I don’t think some of these writers even realize how they are just regurgitating the same stuff. It happens all the time.
If you have the time and want some laughs, a very raw and real voice, and yes and interesting life story, it’s not a waste of time. If you are young, ready to hit the pavement and need some inspiration and have nothing but yourself to look out for, then read it. If you are down in your luck in a gutter and need a kick in the ass, then read it. I will say I never view a book as a waste of time - I can always pull a few takeaways from one.
However, if you’re a mother that only has 9-2 M-F and you’re looking for a realistic inspiration to be inspired to follow some passions and goals, this may not be the author for you.
I am a professional personal development “junkie” and have read a slew of books... and have grown tired of the same old same old information but in someone else’s “voice” and version of it. So when someone said, “Oh THIS one is different, she will actually TELL you what to do. That was her point in writing this book!” I got excited and bought it during presale.
I will say I was disappointed that this was another “I had a shitty life, and look what I’ve done” book. Although I did sympathize with what she went through, especially losing her father and mother at such a young age (I cannot imagine), it still didn’t hook me on how this could relate to my life. I realized with this book, and many I’ve read, is that I’m reading books from the wrong people for ME. I’m a mother active with raising my daughter so for me to read a professional personal development book by a woman who has no children and whose sole responsibility is herself isn’t my book. I can’t relate.
I am bored with the do whatever it takes books- where it feels you need to give 110% or it won’t work. When I read that Ash originally worked from the moment the sun rises to 9pm, her relationships suffered bc of it, her health suffered, and then she had to go to a month long expensive retreat to realize what her life needs to be... I can’t relate. If it’s fiction, I don’t need to relate and can flow with the story and enjoy being lost in someone else’s interesting life. But for me, a personal development book has to relate in some way.
I wish there were actual tools here versus the same old “here is my shitty situation, and I didn’t let it stop me!” stories. Yes, I’m amazed how she has come so far with her history and challenges. I will always applaud that. But for me to value the content of a “this is how to” book, I can’t go through every chapter asking,
“OK, so how does the average woman actually GET there?”
This is another book where I found the same inspirations, revelations, needs, and basic tips that every other book out there has. I don’t think some of these writers even realize how they are just regurgitating the same stuff. It happens all the time.
If you have the time and want some laughs, a very raw and real voice, and yes and interesting life story, it’s not a waste of time. If you are young, ready to hit the pavement and need some inspiration and have nothing but yourself to look out for, then read it. If you are down in your luck in a gutter and need a kick in the ass, then read it. I will say I never view a book as a waste of time - I can always pull a few takeaways from one.
However, if you’re a mother that only has 9-2 M-F and you’re looking for a realistic inspiration to be inspired to follow some passions and goals, this may not be the author for you.
January 16, 2021
I need to actively try and be constructive about why i hated this book and not just rant and rave so i will just make a list:
This book had very little helpful insight to provide
Imposter syndrome was not properly covered and was just a buzzword in the title
The advice was pretty terrible unless you have nothing to lose
It was just a complete ramble and half of it didn't make sense
The author was completely flippant about everything
Didn't feel in touch with reality
I got to 80% and had to stop as it was making me angry and miserable to read on.
The one good thing was the conversational delivery which made it easier to read
I can't honestly recommend this book to anyone, i thought it was complete BS.
This book had very little helpful insight to provide
Imposter syndrome was not properly covered and was just a buzzword in the title
The advice was pretty terrible unless you have nothing to lose
It was just a complete ramble and half of it didn't make sense
The author was completely flippant about everything
Didn't feel in touch with reality
I got to 80% and had to stop as it was making me angry and miserable to read on.
The one good thing was the conversational delivery which made it easier to read
I can't honestly recommend this book to anyone, i thought it was complete BS.
May 28, 2021
If you don't finish this book and feel like a badass bitch walking away from an explosion...did you even read it?
I found it surprising just how much I connected with in this book. All in all this was magical and spoken in a language that felt real and less like putting on a show. Not to say the author is not freaking entertaining to say the least. She reads her own audiobook and I can not recommend this book and the audio enough!
I found it surprising just how much I connected with in this book. All in all this was magical and spoken in a language that felt real and less like putting on a show. Not to say the author is not freaking entertaining to say the least. She reads her own audiobook and I can not recommend this book and the audio enough!
February 24, 2020
I loooooooooove this audiobook. Holy crap, I love it. I finished it and immediate re-listened. It's an incredible cheerleader (akin to You are a Badass by Jen Sincero) and I'll be returning to it often.
January 10, 2020
Love, love, and love the inspiration that Ambirge delivers. No dull moments in this book! There are moments reading alone where I literally laughed out loud. I am routinely using the term unf#$@able to describe my empowered self with friends now :) I just can't say enough about how different this is from other books in this genre. You'll keep reading it for both its sound and uplifting message, but also for its entertainment value.
February 17, 2024
Це не про роботу із синдромом самозванця, а автобіографія рандомної жіночки, яка навіть до кінця не зрозуміло чим займається, окрім щось пише 😐
Набір стандартних банальностей про успішний успіх , досі не розумію навіщо я це дочитувала, сподіваючись на щось круте вкінці 🧐
Набір стандартних банальностей про успішний успіх , досі не розумію навіщо я це дочитувала, сподіваючись на щось круте вкінці 🧐
September 11, 2021
2.5 out of 5 stars
The Middle Finger Project was not for me. It was less about imposter syndrome and beating it and more about leaving your current situation or work to leap into being an Internet entrepreneur. Whoops, not the book I thought it would be. This book fell a bit flat for me, I couldn't relate to the author, and nothing resonated with me.
Your price is a tiny little declarative statement, nothing more, nothing less. It's not emotional; It's a factual declaration: here's how I can help, and here's how much it costs. This isn't about you being grabby or greedy. It's just the facts, Jack—sort of like describing the color pink. The color pink doesn't try to make itself green, hoping to be more appealing to whoever is looking at it. Pink is pink, and you either take it or you leave it. There are no apologies and no justifications—pink is what it is. Pink is not for everybody, and that's okay, too.
The Middle Finger Project was not for me. It was less about imposter syndrome and beating it and more about leaving your current situation or work to leap into being an Internet entrepreneur. Whoops, not the book I thought it would be. This book fell a bit flat for me, I couldn't relate to the author, and nothing resonated with me.
Your price is a tiny little declarative statement, nothing more, nothing less. It's not emotional; It's a factual declaration: here's how I can help, and here's how much it costs. This isn't about you being grabby or greedy. It's just the facts, Jack—sort of like describing the color pink. The color pink doesn't try to make itself green, hoping to be more appealing to whoever is looking at it. Pink is pink, and you either take it or you leave it. There are no apologies and no justifications—pink is what it is. Pink is not for everybody, and that's okay, too.
April 16, 2023
Одна з небагатьох книжок, яку я закрила не дочитавши посередині. Водичка, ще трохи водички, і зверху полити водичкою.
November 23, 2025
Я ставлю «Синдрому самозванця» 3 з 5 ⭐️ І – щиро – це, як на мене, висока оцінка.
Уявіть собі інстаграм блог про успішний успіх, в якому авторка розповідає про те, що вона починала з низів, пройшла через труднощі, але потім дуже сильно в себе повірила, зробила купу необдуманих і ризикованих рішень, і в результаті заробляє тепер купу деняк, почуває себе вільною і щасливою. Каже вам шось штибу «Ну ви чого, зараз же пора інтернету, просто візьміть і почніть продавати курси. У мене вийшло – і у вас вийде!».
І воно все вроді як має право на існування, більше того – може надихати (власне за це я і поставила аж три зірки, в період депресії посил «giiiirl, ти заслуговуєш на все, про що тільки мрієш» – це корисно). Але все це далеко від реальної користі.
Якщо вам не вистачає мотивації і підтримки, відриваю від серця рекомендацію – почитайте замість цієї книги мотиваційні листівки у вайбері. Якщо вам хочеться розібратися із синдромом самозванця, книга допоможе хіба шо думкою «Нє, ну якшо така бєстолкова книга побачила світ, і її не просто купують, а ще і перекладають на інші мови, значить, і в мене є шанс».
Уявіть собі інстаграм блог про успішний успіх, в якому авторка розповідає про те, що вона починала з низів, пройшла через труднощі, але потім дуже сильно в себе повірила, зробила купу необдуманих і ризикованих рішень, і в результаті заробляє тепер купу деняк, почуває себе вільною і щасливою. Каже вам шось штибу «Ну ви чого, зараз же пора інтернету, просто візьміть і почніть продавати курси. У мене вийшло – і у вас вийде!».
І воно все вроді як має право на існування, більше того – може надихати (власне за це я і поставила аж три зірки, в період депресії посил «giiiirl, ти заслуговуєш на все, про що тільки мрієш» – це корисно). Але все це далеко від реальної користі.
Якщо вам не вистачає мотивації і підтримки, відриваю від серця рекомендацію – почитайте замість цієї книги мотиваційні листівки у вайбері. Якщо вам хочеться розібратися із синдромом самозванця, книга допоможе хіба шо думкою «Нє, ну якшо така бєстолкова книга побачила світ, і її не просто купують, а ще і перекладають на інші мови, значить, і в мене є шанс».
September 30, 2023
Книга написана легко та весело, але я не дуже полюбляю, коли мотивацію подають через складні життєві ситуації. Типу треба щось таке пережити, щоб потім досягнути висот.
Але загалом є цікавинки та корисні пункти)
Але загалом є цікавинки та корисні пункти)
July 4, 2022
Awesome stuff this. It's not self help, it's not psychology, it's not any of that magic bullshit, what it is - is genuinely and truly inspriring. Very much recommended indeed.
February 22, 2020
Every single woman on the planet needs this book. I read it in one day and encouraged all of my friends to pick up a copy as well. As cliché as it sounds, Ash inspired me to figure out what I really love, be empowered by what I want from my life, and just freakin go after it!
September 2, 2024
Не витрачайте свій час і гроші на цю книгу! Це просто чергова "мотиваційна вода" про те, як все легко і просто досягається, якщо дуже сильно захотіти і докласти дрібку креативності. Тоді як синдром самозванця згадується ��перше і востаннє в назві книги 😤😤😤
January 10, 2020
Ashley delivers non stop advice, hilarious self exposure and deeply moving moments all of which has created the person she is today... I’m waiting for book #2
July 9, 2023
Класична книга про успішний успіх і мотивацію в стилі: Та зроби вже щось. Проте вона може додати віри в себе тим, хто повірить авторці (чого не сталося зі мною)
April 18, 2021
Ash Ambirge is that hellraiser of a friend we all need in our corner, encouraging us to take the leap we know in our hearts will be good for us but we always have a convenient excuse for avoiding. I'm lucky enough to have met and adored her during our shared time at Wilkes, and her sparkle has only brightened over time. Ash rocks and her book will make you step closer to those recurring daydreams!
February 23, 2024
Англійською назва "The Middle Finger Project: Trash Your Imposter Syndrome and Live the Unf*ckwithable Life You Deserve"
Я б дану книгу рекомендувала для прочитання всім жінкам раз на рік, або в ті моменти коли ти дивишся на себе прекрасну в дзеркалі і кажеш, що щось зі мною не так, я не така, я не гарна і т.д.
Мені не сильно зайшла, але може це, тому що рідко відчуваю "синдром самозванця" (попередній робочий життєвий досвід загартував).
Я б дану книгу рекомендувала для прочитання всім жінкам раз на рік, або в ті моменти коли ти дивишся на себе прекрасну в дзеркалі і кажеш, що щось зі мною не так, я не така, я не гарна і т.д.
Мені не сильно зайшла, але може це, тому що рідко відчуваю "синдром самозванця" (попередній робочий життєвий досвід загартував).
May 2, 2021
I have loved Ash Ambirge since I started reading her blog years ago, so it was no surprise that I loved her book. This is ideal for anyone (women in particular) who has even the smallest idea for starting their own business of any kind.
February 21, 2020
Devoured
These days I don’t always get around to finishing books. The last few chapters usually go unread after I’ve gotten the gist. This book? I even read the damn acknowledgements. In a week! Books I’ve been “reading” for months got pushed aside. So many highlighted passages.
I am only an occasional skimmer of TMFP blog, and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with this book. Probably some commonly recycled wisdom (I’ve read a LOT of motivational books) and some pep talk, albeit with a bit of Ash’s flair. And sure, there was that, but oh so much more. The personal stories were engaging and entertaining, and the shared wisdom didn’t feel cliche. The entire book felt like pop rocks in my brain.
Ash put a spotlight on all the fears and struggles that come from choosing your own adventure. She named them, one after another, instead of piling them under a blanket labeled “Fears” just so we could get on with the motivating. The magical thing was as I read (and highlighted) my way through the book, it was like ticking off my own “but...” list to emerge on the other side feeling lighter.
I also learned what a fluffernutter is, and then I made myself one.
Maybe I’ve just been in the right frame of mind for this exact book, or maybe Ash is just that fabulous. And human.
It’s not a workbook or a step-by-step formulas guide. It is a salve for feeling lost or stuck, and neon sign saying there is a way forward.
Note: If the title wasn’t a big enough indicator, there will be cussing. Also as of my review the Kindle version has some spelling and structure errors that interrupted the flow of reading. That, however, does not diminish the quality of the content.
These days I don’t always get around to finishing books. The last few chapters usually go unread after I’ve gotten the gist. This book? I even read the damn acknowledgements. In a week! Books I’ve been “reading” for months got pushed aside. So many highlighted passages.
I am only an occasional skimmer of TMFP blog, and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with this book. Probably some commonly recycled wisdom (I’ve read a LOT of motivational books) and some pep talk, albeit with a bit of Ash’s flair. And sure, there was that, but oh so much more. The personal stories were engaging and entertaining, and the shared wisdom didn’t feel cliche. The entire book felt like pop rocks in my brain.
Ash put a spotlight on all the fears and struggles that come from choosing your own adventure. She named them, one after another, instead of piling them under a blanket labeled “Fears” just so we could get on with the motivating. The magical thing was as I read (and highlighted) my way through the book, it was like ticking off my own “but...” list to emerge on the other side feeling lighter.
I also learned what a fluffernutter is, and then I made myself one.
Maybe I’ve just been in the right frame of mind for this exact book, or maybe Ash is just that fabulous. And human.
It’s not a workbook or a step-by-step formulas guide. It is a salve for feeling lost or stuck, and neon sign saying there is a way forward.
Note: If the title wasn’t a big enough indicator, there will be cussing. Also as of my review the Kindle version has some spelling and structure errors that interrupted the flow of reading. That, however, does not diminish the quality of the content.
June 17, 2020
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway in January. Unfortunately, the publishing house never sent it, and the giveaway creator never responded to myself or to Goodreads. Will update the review and the star rating when (if) it ever shows up, but it's messing with the algorithm and I'd like to go back to winning my ARCs, so maybe this will goose someone into action.
Edit: The book finally showed up two days ago, roughly six months after the contest was over. I left it alone for a day in order to make sure any lingering bias about the delay would dissipate. I've got to say though, this one really wasn't worth it. It reads like it was written by a 16 year old girl on instagram. The conversational, irreverent, and informal tones of the book turn it vapid. Underneath it all, there's some good ideas, but they're masked by the travesty of the writing.
Edit: The book finally showed up two days ago, roughly six months after the contest was over. I left it alone for a day in order to make sure any lingering bias about the delay would dissipate. I've got to say though, this one really wasn't worth it. It reads like it was written by a 16 year old girl on instagram. The conversational, irreverent, and informal tones of the book turn it vapid. Underneath it all, there's some good ideas, but they're masked by the travesty of the writing.
August 15, 2021
I enjoyed the author’s writing style, but didn’t find much of the context useful. If your looking for a pep-talk that’ll inspire you to start a business this may be the book for you. If your goals fall anywhere outside of being an entrepreneur this book is… well… not for you.
January 7, 2024
Я прочитав половину і це жах. Не думаю, що авторка далі дасть якісь справжні поради. Просто вода та й стиль авторки взагалі відбиває бажання читати. Дві зірки лише за її старання щось пояснити, хоч це їй вдається погано
January 18, 2021
The best self-help book I have read as it felt like she could read my mind. I loved it.
June 11, 2024
Part memoir (4 stars) and part self help (1 star).
The advice could be consolidated to: don’t worry about knowing what your passion is! Drop your current job and do the thing you are passionate about (if you don’t know, make a list and choose a thing you LOVE…obviously you will have one that will stand out). Don’t worry about clients because the money will come and sooner than you thought because you probably already had this passion and started a blog or another venue to gather customers, right? No? Well, maybe just go back in time and do that because it’s pretty important. Blech!
I felt like the memoir was super interesting but not quite enough to fill a whole book and the advice was terrible but fun in that I am being yelled at by a woman who is justifying her existence kind of way. She says early and often that everyone is faking it. Seems like she faked her way through this book as well.
The advice could be consolidated to: don’t worry about knowing what your passion is! Drop your current job and do the thing you are passionate about (if you don’t know, make a list and choose a thing you LOVE…obviously you will have one that will stand out). Don’t worry about clients because the money will come and sooner than you thought because you probably already had this passion and started a blog or another venue to gather customers, right? No? Well, maybe just go back in time and do that because it’s pretty important. Blech!
I felt like the memoir was super interesting but not quite enough to fill a whole book and the advice was terrible but fun in that I am being yelled at by a woman who is justifying her existence kind of way. She says early and often that everyone is faking it. Seems like she faked her way through this book as well.
November 12, 2023
дуже цікаво Віват добирає книги в цю серію, тому що після дуже толкової «Тіло веде лік» і трохи менш наукового селфхелпу, але все ще досить непоганої «Долаємо співзалежність», я взяла до рук чергову книгу з категорії, яку я називаю «Встань і іди».
це не науково-популярна психологія, це автобіографічна книжка про те, як авторка змінила своє життя з десятком (може і більше, бо я не змогла дочитати далі перших розділів) мотиваційних закликів, виділених капсом, курсивом і тд. короч, якщо вам хочеться чисто легкий бложик про чергові історії з життя і шлях до успіху почитати — це воно. а щось більш науково обґрунтоване на тему синдрому самозванця доведеться пошукати деінде.
це не науково-популярна психологія, це автобіографічна книжка про те, як авторка змінила своє життя з десятком (може і більше, бо я не змогла дочитати далі перших розділів) мотиваційних закликів, виділених капсом, курсивом і тд. короч, якщо вам хочеться чисто легкий бложик про чергові історії з життя і шлях до успіху почитати — це воно. а щось більш науково обґрунтоване на тему синдрому самозванця доведеться пошукати деінде.
January 23, 2023
This was exactly the pep talk I needed - not because I suffer deeply from imposter syndrome, but because I'm in the midst of a professional shift not unlike the one Ambirge described, and I have come to believe that the Adulting Textbook I followed for most of my adult life was written by people with a vested interest in keeping me content with The System.
Ambirge is irreverent and cheeky but she's figured some things out, too, and demonstrates wisdom beyond her years which she shares with the reader. If you need that pep talk too - if you're ready to chuck that dumb textbook - you may enjoy this one.
Ambirge is irreverent and cheeky but she's figured some things out, too, and demonstrates wisdom beyond her years which she shares with the reader. If you need that pep talk too - if you're ready to chuck that dumb textbook - you may enjoy this one.
January 13, 2024
This was a recommendation from a friend and as someone who is constantly searching for meaning and purpose, I needed this book. I really enjoyed how she connected it to her personal experience and her childhood stories resonated with me. She’s very funny, but delivers the truth in a way that makes you realize you can be and do anything!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2024
Більшість людей надто все обмірковує. Вони забагато аналізують, вивчають, ускладнюють. Вони нескінченно обмірковують будь-яке питання і витрачають на вагання все життя. Вони намагаються планувати заздалегідь, складати, розкладати, прораховувати і бути «готовими». Вони хочуть зробити все правильно — але правильного способу немає. Ти або рухаєшся вперед, або ні.
April 28, 2020
Best book I've read this year so far. Ash is freaking amazing. Loved it.
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