Making It Without Losing It - by Jess Ekstrom (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

What if success didn't have to come at the cost of your peace of mind?

In Making It Without Losing It, bestselling author of Chasing the Bright Side and founder of Mic Drop Workshop and Headbands of Hope, Jess Ekstrom delivers a refreshingly honest guide for ambitious humans who want to chase their goals without setting their inner peace on fire. Through unfiltered storytelling, practical tools, and a few "yep, been there" moments, Jess helps readers rediscover what it actually feels like to enjoy their work, stay motivated without the meltdown, and build a life that feels as good as it looks on LinkedIn.

With her signature humor and hard-won wisdom, Jess unpacks how our hustle-harder culture convinces us to delay joy until we've "made it" and why that's a scam. Instead, she flips the script with two big truths: success happens in the now, and motivation doesn't come from another to-do list--it comes from within.

A self-proclaimed "walking experiment in balancing ambition and anxiety," Jess introduces eleven mindset-shifting pillars to help you rewire your brain, quiet the chaos, and reconnect with purpose without having to move to the woods or delete all your apps.

You'll learn how to define your own "success fingerprint," dodge burnout disguised as productivity, and embrace an "Arrived Mindset"--the radical idea that you're already enough, right now, no spreadsheet required. This powerful shift in mindset will unlock creativity, courage, and a deeper kind of success.

Smart, funny, and with grounded strategies you can implement right now, Making It Without Losing It is a must-read for anyone who's done trading their peace for performance. If you're craving a version of success that includes joy, you've come to the right place.

Review Quotes

"Every overachiever needs this book. I laughed out loud. I exhaled. I texted screenshots to friends. In a culture addicted to hustle, Jess Ekstrom teaches you that success doesn't have to cost you your sanity." --Jenny Wood, New York Times-bestselling author of Wild Courage

"This isn't another hustle-harder handbook. It's a lifeline. Jess Ekstrom reminds us that ambition and peace can coexist, and her words will make you want to keep going, but with far more ease and intention." --Amy Porterfield, New York Times-bestselling author of Two Weeks Notice and host of The Amy Porterfield Show

"For people who want to thrive in their career without losing them-selves, this book is your guide." --Eve Rodsky, JD, bestselling author of Fair Play and founder of Fair Play Policy Institute

"Jess Ekstrom is that rare mix of smart, hilarious, and deeply real. This book will help you stop chasing everyone else's version of success and start owning your own. I'm glad I get to be her friend and even gladder you get to read this book!" --Jon Acuff, New York Times-bestselling author of Soundtracks

"With refreshing courage and her signature humanity, Jess Ekstrom highlights what so many of us struggle with silently. Here's to set-ting our sights on new summits that bring us deep and lasting joy!"" --Poppy Harlow, award-winning journalist and founder of Day 2 Media

"The guide is bolstered with valuable anecdotes from Ekstrom's professional and personal life, including how motherhood and postpartum depression shaped her approach to entrepreneurship. There are also plenty of actionable tips on topics like gracefully receiving feedback, casting aside limiting self-narratives, and pivoting in the wake of unexpected challenges. Aspiring entrepreneurs will get a lot out of this." --Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Jess Ekstrom is a serial social entrepreneur and bestselling author of Chasing the Bright Side and Create Your Bright Ideas. She's been featured in major media outlets such as the Today Show, TIME, Good Morning America, The View, Vanity Fair, People Magazine, and Forbes.

After starting and exiting her first social empire, Headbands of Hope, Jess realized that her success wasn't about how far she could reach--but how far she can help other women reach. Today, her company Mic Drop Workshop helps women become public speakers and thought leaders. She, her husband, and her kids reside in Raleigh, NC.