The Southern C x Badass Women’s Book Club: November 2022

Stop Being the Best Kept Secret: Moving from Self-Doubt to Self-Promotion

by Gina Warner, founder of Badass Women’s Book Club

A few weeks ago, I was asked to present a workshop about helping women be

more comfortable “putting themselves out there”. In searching for a title, I came

upon this photo and decided it captured what the real problem is.

The problem is not that women aren’t qualified or haven’t done the work. It is

that – like so many women before us – we are just sitting back waiting for

someone to notice. And believe me – it’s not our fault. This waiting to be

recognized and rewarded is something that’s conditioned in us way back in

elementary school. (Check out this article – Why Girls Beat Boys at School and Lose to Them at the Office).

I’ve been very open about my own struggles with self doubt and how I rely on

books to help me. Here are the badass books I turn to time and again in my

coaching and in my own personal and professional development –

You Are a Badass by Jen Sincero

I’ve been very vocal about how reading this book set me on a new path. If you are

not familiar with my story, you can read it here.

You Are a Badass is an entertaining how-to guide, served up in 27 bite-sized

chapters full of hilariously inspiring stories, sage advice, easy exercises, and the

occasional swear word, helping you identify and change the self-sabotaging

beliefs and behaviors that stop you from getting what you want and create a life

you totally love. You can read more and get your copy here.

Your Inner Critic is a Big Jerk by Danielle Krysa

This is a book written for artists and other creatives, but I find the message

universally appealing. Pay particular attention to the “Buckets of Lies We Tell

Ourselves”. You can read more about this book and get your copy here.

Brag Better by Meredith Fineman

This book was our January 2021 Badass Women’s Book Club book and it is chock-

full of great stories and strategies. I really like the concept of finding your

“superpower words” on page 52. You can read more about this book and get your

copy here.

Sabotage by Emma Gannon

Such a small book – but such a powerful message! Sabotage goes beyond direct

actions – it’s the words you say, the times you defer to others. You can read more

about this book and get your copy here.

The Likeability Trap by Alicia Menendez

Choosing to be well-liked too often means choosing to be underappreciated and

unnoticed. This book has some great strategies to try to balance the two. You can

read more about this book and get your copy here.

Feminist Fight Club by Jessica Bennett

When in doubt, be like Josh. You can read more about this book and get your

copy here.

Big Friendship by Ann Friedman and Aminatou Sow

While promoting yourself, what can you do to promote other women? And why

does that matter? (“We were tired of watching our male colleagues get priority

boarding on the professional rocket ship, while we were on standby in the

boarding area.”) “Shine Theory” is a concept created by Ann Friedmann and

Aminatou Sow. You can read about it in Chapter 4 of their book, Big Friendship,

and on their Call Your Girlfriend podcast.

What are some badass books you recommend for dealing with issues like this?

Shoot me an email at hello@badasswomensbookclub.com. I’m always looking to

recommend the best books for badass women, by badass women