How Are You, Really? - by Jenna Kutcher (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Forget hustle harder. Forget a mandatory 5 a.m. wake-up. Forget outlining your life plan in six-month, one-year, and five-year spans. We're living in a cultural shift as we reframe our perspectives around the purpose of work, what work/life balance really means, and how we want to spend our time on this planet. In her first book, Jenna Kutcher--entrepreneur, photographer, influencer, teacher, mom, and host of the wildly popular Goal Digger podcast--shares her philosophy on how to live a life that exists outside the tired cliché of "having it all." How Are You, Really? is about taking a moment to soak up the richness of our experiences and creating a life that makes room for more actual living.

When Jenna Kutcher was 23, she left her corporate job, bought a camera on Craigslist for $300, and started her own business as a wedding photographer. From that single investment in herself, she built a successful company, a thriving podcast, and a beautiful brand. But her driving force has never been about working harder/smarter/faster/better. What Jenna Kutcher embraces is the simple notion that we, women especially, crave lives of fulfillment.

Divided into three sections, How Are You, Really? is a guide to creating such a life.

In Part One: Who You Are, Jenna uses stories from her childhood, some career false starts, her marriage and path to motherhood, and more to show how to crystallize your sense of your own identity. Because how can you know what you really, truly want out of your future if you don't see yourself clearly in the present? In Part Two: Who You Have, and Who Has You, Jenna shows the benefits of a support system, how mentorship and kindness can come in surprising ways and from surprising sources, and how to build your own authentic community. In Part Three: What You're Going to Do About It, Jenna guides you through illustrations from her career on how to turn your deepest dream into a life that brings success, joy, and--most importantly--the time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. We all want, simply put, a life well-lived.

So, ask yourself the question you've been avoiding.

How are you, really?

It's time to find your answer, and start living.

Review Quotes

How Are You, Really? guides us all to ask the hard questions like, "What do I want?" and "How can I enjoy this more? Am I even enjoying it at all?" With every page, Jenna Kutcher leads you to your own answer as you unlock the keys to a good life. One that you'll love, you'll trust, and you'll want to share.--Arlan Hamilton, Founder and Managing Partner of Backstage Capital

How Are You, Really? is a road map for choosing a path on your own terms. Jenna Kutcher teaches us to turn to our intuition and answer the questions that matter most: our own.--Barbara Corcoran, Founder of The Corcoran Group and Shark on ABC's Shark Tank

How Are You, Really? is the perfect read for every person who has ever felt stuck between where she is and where she wants to be. In short? Everyone I know.--Maria Menounos, NY Times Best Seller and Host of "Better Together With Maria Menounos"

A transformational page-turner. If you're looking to create the perfect life recipe that feels right, Jenna has done it. This book is smart, relatable, and will tell you exactly HOW to create a life you love.--Mel Robbins, Leading Motivational Speaker and NYTimes Bestselling author of The High Five Habit


If you're burnt out on hustle culture and tired of second-guessing your intuition, How Are You Really? is a must-read. Jenna Kutcher will help you redefine success and reshape your life, on your terms.--Marie Forleo, #1 NYTimes Bestselling author Everything is Figureoutable

If you're one of the millions of people who've listened to Jenna's podcasts or you follow her online, you already know that she's the dauntless friend of anyone hoping to deepen their joy and realize their dreams. This book is a version of Jenna you can hold in your hands: frank, kind, funny, and inspiring, full of personal stories and hard-earned wisdom. How Are You, Really? is an energizing read for anyone trying to make their dreams come true.--Martha Beck, PhD, New York Times bestselling author and life coach

In How Are You, Really?, Jenna Kutcher walks us through what it means to live a life that doesn't just look good, but feels good, in all the places. This book is an absolute gift, one that is profoundly necessary in our world right now.--Tiffany Aliche, New York Times bestselling author of Get Good With Money

This is one of those books that you find yourself saying, nah that's not me, but then you can't stop reading because it is so uncomfortably you to a tee. Jenna tells it like it is and cuts to the chase all while inspiring that fire inside each of us. I immediately wanted to go reinvent myself and do a life inventory after reading this gem. What an absolute gift Jenna is to the world. Do not skip this treasure.--Alli Webb, Drybar Founder, NY Times Best Selling author

"How Are You, Really? is a soulful, charming guide to crafting a life based on the true, unique beauty of who you are. Between these pages you'll find questions you never thought to ask yourself so you get the answers your soul has been craving."--Kate Northrup, bestselling author of Do Less

"So often we are programmed to keep going and going... and going. But what if that thing we're going after doesn't feel right anymore or feels different than before? I love how Jenna questions ALL of those feelings in this book and challenges us to be present and figure out what is right for us...right now.--Joy Cho, Founder and Creative Director of Oh Joy!