The Gifts Of Imperfection Summary, Review and Best Ideas

Every individual has an ideal image in their head. This example is something you would try to enforce on yourself. Most of the time, it is because you think that is what people expect.

However, often in pursuit of this ideal image, you beat yourself up to the point of exhaustion. In worst cases, it becomes a source of frustration and dissatisfaction. How can one not fall into this trap?

This post is a summary of The Gifts Of Imperfection, highlighting the best concepts and ideas we have got from reading it and we are also going to tell you whether it is worth reading the complete book.

The Gifts Of Imperfection Summary

The Gifts Of Imperfection is a self-help book that makes you feel good about yourself. The context shared in this work is about being okay even if you are not perfect. Achieving this level is not easy.

The gifts of imperfection summary - brené brown

That is why the author Brené Brown listed ten guidelines to help the readers in their journey. These steps empower you to triumph over personal insecurities. And the final product is being more accepting of yourself.

Allowing yourself to be vulnerable makes it easier to handle your imperfections. Together with courage, compassion, and connection, wholehearted living is just around the corner. It not only affects you as an individual but also with the people around you.

Your courage will inspire people to achieve great things. Your compassion will make you empathetic. You will be more generous with others by not blaming or shaming them.

It is a compounding effect of epic proportions. At the same time, the ripple it creates is influential and does not end. It will continue to benefit others even if you have no direct contact.

Your boundaries will inevitably expand. Your body and mind will be programmed to connect with others. As a result, your emotional, physical, intellectual, and social life will improve.

Main Ideas in The Gifts Of Imperfection Summarized

  1. Never let shame make you feel inadequate.

Seeing yourself as shameful is very dangerous. It strips away the feelings of joy from your heart. Then you will view yourself as unworthy and useless.

For shame to grow, there are three factors. These are secrecy, silence, and judgment. When it grows out of control the results are devastating.

That is why always find meaning in everything that you do. Do not keep things bottled inside. Allow yourself to be open, and you will be surprised that the judgment on you is not as severe as you think.

2. Practice Wholehearted Living by following the ten guide posts

Your decision is important so that your life can change. If you are willing to take the challenge, skim through the list below. The gist of the ten guideposts are as follows:

  1. Be authentic by letting go of what people think.
  2. Practice self-compassion by loosening up with perfectionism.
  3. Show resilience by rejecting numbness and powerlessness
  4. Cultivate gratitude and joy by letting go of scarcity and fears of the dark.
  1. Embrace intuition and faith by releasing your need for certainty.
  2. Be creative, stop comparing yourself with others.
  3. Learn to play and rest. Don’t exhaust yourself with a status symbol and associate productivity with self-worth.
  4. Stay calm and be still, stop putting anxiety as a part of your lifestyle.
  5. Do meaningful work, let go of self-doubt, and “supposed to” outlook
  6. Be full of laughter, song, and dance. Loosen up with being a cool and “always in control” persona.

Keeping these things to heart will positively change your point of view. The world and life, in general, will be brighter. And that is how you should be the way to live it.

3. Gut feelings can be rational answers too.

There will be times you will have this nagging feeling to do something. It takes a lot of courage to trust this gut feeling. But when you do, you can be surprised at how accurate it can be.

Most people do not trust this due to the fear of failure. Your selfish ego will tell you not to trust your gut. Succumbing to that is a big mistake.

Because this gut feeling did not just pop out of thin air. It is the accumulated learnings from life experiences stored in your brain. Therefore, it is your subconscious reasoning when placed under uncertainty.

Don’t worry about following it. You can always react and correct things as they progress. Since life is a big classroom, you have to continually learn.

4. Comparing yourself to others will make you boring.

You are a unique individual. But when engrossed in competing, you tend to compromise your individuality. You try to conform with the easiest way to win.

However, mimicking your rivals removes your authenticity. You become dishonest with yourself. As a result, your chances of winning will eventually decrease.

What is worst, you will feel empty as you push yourself forward. Your creativity will drop, and shame will consume you. Don’t let this happen.

Focus on self-development rather than competing. Accept your uniqueness and shine through it. Remember being authentic is the best way to face your imperfections.

Reviews on The Gifts Of Imperfection

Pros: This book is a positive push to everyone who is bothered by self-doubt. It makes you see yourself in a better light and enhances self-understanding. The step-by-step approach presented is also easy to follow and understand.

You can maximize your potential by casting aside your shame. Having a wider influence and connection with people gives a lighthearted feeling. This sense of belongingness will make you confident and less bitter about your status.

Cons: Be careful of being too self-indulgent when following the advice in this book. You might rationalize too much that you are correct. Be wary of your moral compass and be sensitive if you are already hurting others.

Being self-righteous is dangerous. It can be a side effect if you are trying to empower yourself. There should always be a balance between being true and what is right.

Should I read the complete book?

The answer is a resounding yes. Reading the whole book will deepen your insights. Experiencing it firsthand by reading it thoroughly is the best.

You will interpret and apply the concepts better by reading the book page by page. It will also be helpful to take notes on things that will catch your eye. As learning is open to individual interpretations, reading is necessary.

It is a good investment of your time. At the same time, it is a chance to self-reflect. Through it, you will understand yourself better.

When you do, the possibilities are endless. Your contributions to the world will be more meaningful. And living wholeheartedly will be a lifestyle you can practice and enjoy always.

Marilyn Nissen
Written by Marilyn Nissen

Marilyn Nissen is the founder of BestSellerSummary.com, a highly reputable book summary and reviews website. With over a decade of experience in summarizing and reviewing books, Marilyn is a trusted authority in the book industry.