The Gifts of Imperfection

From Booklist

Human-behavior researcher and author of I Thought It Was Just Me (2007), Brown has made a career out of studying difficult emotions such as fear and shame. In this latest book, she emphasizes that above all other ingredients of living an emotionally healthy life is the importance of loving ourselves. In the grips of what she took to be a breakdown, or midlife crisis, Brown came to understand she was experiencing a “spiritual awakening” and worked to explore its significance and the interaction of knowing and understanding yourself and loving yourself. She intersperses her own personal journey with research and clinical observations of others of the work of living a “wholehearted” life, or “engaging in our lives from a place of worthiness.” The point is to embrace life and oneself with all the imperfections, releasing the stress of overdoing and overworking. Brown offers exercises for readers to plumb their own emotions and begin to develop the kind of resilience needed to stand up to unrealistic expectations of others and ourselves. --Vanessa Bush

Product Description

'This important book is about the lifelong journey from 'What will people think?' to 'I am enough.' Brown's unique ability to blend original research with honest storytelling makes reading The Gifts of Imperfection like having a long, uplifting conversation with a very wise friend who offers compassion, wisdom, and great advice.'

—Harriet Lerner, New York Times best-selling author of The Dance of Anger and The Dance of Connection

'Brené Brown courageously tackles the dark emotions that get in the way of leading a fuller life; read this book and let some of that courage rub off on you.'

—Daniel H. Pink, New York Times best-selling author of A Whole New Mind

'Courage, compassion, and connection: Through Brené's research, observations, and guidance, these three little words can open the door to amazing change in your life.'

—Ali Edwards, author of Life Artist

In The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown, a leading expert on shame, authenticity, and belonging, shares ten guideposts on the power of Wholehearted living—a way of engaging with the world from a place of worthiness.

Each day we face a barrage of images and messages from society and the media telling us who, what, and how we should be. We are led to believe that if we could only look perfect and lead perfect lives, we'd no longer feel inadequate. So most of us perform, please, and perfect, all the while thinking, What if I can't keep all of these balls in the air? Why isn't everyone else working harder and living up to my expectations? What will people think if I fail or give up? When can I stop proving myself?

In The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown, Ph.D., a leading expert on shame, authenticity and belonging, shares what she's learned from a decade of research on the power of Wholehearted Living – a way of engaging with the world from a place of worthiness.

In her ten guideposts, Brown engages our minds, hearts, and spirits as she explores how we can cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough, And to go to bed at night thinking, Yes, I am sometimes afraid, but I am also brave. And, yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable, but that doesn't change the truth that I am worthy of love and belonging.

最受欢迎的5大TED演讲者、美国最具影响力女性之一布琳·布朗（Brene Brown）

 她是TED大会最受欢迎的演讲者之一，其在2010 年的演讲《脆弱的力量》（The Power of Vulnerability）成为TED史上最受欢迎的5大演讲之一, 视频点击量超过14 000 000人次。

 美国休斯敦大学社会工作研究院教授，她历经12年，收集上万例“做自己” 的真实故事，是从脆弱和羞耻感的角度研究爱、归属感与人生的第一人。

 作为一位思想领袖、研究者、讲故事的人，她的研究成果被广为传播，《奥普拉秀》、CNN、ABC、NBC、美国公共电视网、《华盛顿邮报》、《纽约时报》等都争相报道。2009年，布琳·布朗被美国权威女性刊物《休斯敦女性杂志》评为“2009 年最具影响力的女性” 之一。