Chasing the Bright Side: Embrace Optimism, Activate Your Purpose, and Write Your Own Story

Description

Now available in paperback! One flicker of hope. That's all it takes to catapult yourself into the life you've always imagined. Join entrepreneur and bestselling author Jess Ekstrom as she shares her journey to creating good in the world while fulfilling her own dreams -- and teaches you how to do the same. Do you have dreams for yourself and the world that are tucked away in your box of somedays What would happen if today was the day you opened the box And what if that box was the key to a better tomorrow InChasing the Bright Side, Jess Ekstrom shares her own inspirational story of how optimism helped her overcome multiple challenges, and the dynamic ways her mindset propelled her as a young entrepreneur, international speaker, and philanthropist. Jess teaches us that success is not born out of skill, school, where we're from, who we know, or what we scored on the SAT. None of us were bornready, but we are born with something more important than skills. We're born with optimism -- the initial seed for success. Optimism fuels the belief that you can be the one to create the good the world needs. But you've got to hone it, practice it, and choose to livefromit. Chasing the Bright Side will give you the practical tools and encouragement you need to: Embrace the life-changing power of optimism Activate your unique purpose Write your own story Jess's story is sure to inspire you to start Chasing the Bright Side -- right where you are. Praise for Chasing the Bright Side: "Chasing the Bright Side is essential reading for anyone facing a challenge, in work or in life. With emotion, humility, and humor (and some amazing stories), Jess Ekstrom not only demonstrates how anyone with a dream can eventually persevere, but also shows by example how we all can tap into the passion to do so. It's the book I wish I had read before starting my own entrepreneurial journey, but luckily it's not too late for everyone else. It's a page-turner that you won't be able to put down until you've finished but holds lessons that will reveal themselves to you for a lifetime." --Marc Randolph, Netflix cofounder and first CEO

Jess Ekstrom is the founder and CEO of Headbands of Hope. a company she started as a junior in college in 2012. For every headband sold, a headband is given to a child with cancer. The company has been featured on the TODAY Show, Vanity Fair, Seventeen, Good Morning America and more. But more importantly, they've donated over 200,000 headbands to every children's hospital in the United States and 15 countries. Jess is also a professional speaker, writer for Entrepreneur and curator of Weekly Wink (a positivity email sent every Wednesday). She's also the founder of Mic Drop Workshop, an online course with the mission of empowering more women to share their message as a speaker. She lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband and standard poodle, Ollie.

'Chasing the Bright Side is essential reading for anyone facing a challenge, in work or in life. With emotion, humility, and humor (and some amazing stories), Jess Ekstrom not only demonstrates how anyone with a dream can eventually persevere, but also shows by example how we all can tap into the passion to do so. It's the book I wish I had read before starting my own entrepreneurial journey, but luckily it's not too late for everyone else. I'll be recommending this book to my own children, to the aspiring entrepreneurs I work with, and to everyone I meet who aspires to find more purpose in their life. It's a page-turner that you won't be able to put down until you've finished but holds lessons that will reveal themselves to you for a lifetime.' Marc Randolph, Netflix cofounder and first CEO 'Three things you can control in life are your attitude, your effort, and your actions. If you're ready to see challenges as opportunities for growth, Chasing the Bright Side is the guide you need.' Marie Forleo, author of Everything Is Figureoutable 'Optimism is never accidental. Jess Ekstrom knows this better than anyone. I love that she's given practical, encouraging, empowering steps to discovering what it takes to lead with optimism. Read this today if you want to change your tomorrow.' Jon Acuff, New York Times bestselling author of Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done 'Immerse yourself in Jess Ekstrom's entrepreneurial optimism and allow her remarkable journey to convince you page by page that you can achieve great things in business and life. Jess is one of my favorite girls--her big heart and self-taught tenacity touch thousands of people, making her a genuine hero to those she serves and a leader for the business community to emulate. I've jumped at every chance to feature Jess and her Headbands of Hope mission on national TV because it inspires everyone, regardless of circumstance, to chase the bright side.' Tory Johnson, Good Morning America contributor, New York Times bestselling author, and speaker 'There's no better way to transform your life than by transforming your mind-set. In Chasing the Bright Side, Jess Ekstrom will motivate you to believe that something better is possible and empower you to create lasting positive change. Optimism is a choice, and when you choose to embrace it, there's no limit to the good you can create in your life and in the world.' Jack Canfield, coauthor of the New York Times bestselling Chicken Soup for the Souland reg; series and author of The Success Principlesand trade; 'Optimism is a daily choice. It's not naive or Pollyanna; it's a foundation for success in life. In Chasing the Bright Side, Jess Ekstrom will motivate you see your challenges as opportunities to learn and grow and believe the best is yet to come. Every day you can focus on being positive, working hard, and making others around you better, and Jess's inspiring message will help you get there.' Jon Gordon, bestselling author of The Energy Bus and The Power of Positive Leadership 'Jess Ekstrom gives you a window into the soul of entrepreneurial optimism and tenacity in a way no other book does. Her transparency and humor will delight you and embolden you to believe that anything is possible.' Nancy Duarte, CEO and bestselling author 'The key to your success is waiting for you inside the pages of Jess Ekstrom's new book, Chasing the Bright Side. She had me highlighting and nodding my head in agreement throughout the entire book. Jess's experience and writing style will have you doing the same. Your success needs an experienced cheerleader, and she's waiting for you in the pages of this book.' Lindsay Teague Moreno, entrepreneur, speaker, and author of Boss Up! 'Jess Ekstrom exudes what it means to be a Catalyst leader. She's a true hope dealer and is inspiring a new generation of change-makers. Chasing the Bright Side is not just a great book; it's a lifestyle manifesto! If you're looking to be inspired, filled up with hope, and raise your overall optimism quotient, read this book!' Brad Lomenick, former president of Catalyst and author of The Catalyst Leader and H3 Leadership 'Jess Ekstrom's Chasing the Bright Side will empower you to step up, take risks, and learn by doing. With humor and admirable transparency about her missteps, Jess will inspire you to live with purpose and do important work that has a profound impact on those around you.' Kristen Hadeed, author of Permission to Screw Up and founder of Student Maidand trade; 'We often believe we need grit or perseverance to overcome our struggles and our failure, but optimism is the secret ingredient to true success. Jess's inspiring story of resilience and positivity shows us that true optimism is possible, even in our darkest hours. Chasing the Bright Side is a realistic look at how we can shift our mind-set to see the positive and live a life that feels happier.' Tonya Dalton, author of The Joy of Missing Out and CEO of inkWELL Press Productivity Co. 'Full disclosure: I am a huge Jess Ekstrom fan! I have seen firsthand her passion, impact, and joy for changing the lives of all she serves. Chasing the Bright Side is more than a blueprint for creating a social and business impact for new and existing leaders; it is a map to changing the world.' Ron Kitchens, CEO of Southwest Michigan First and author of Uniquely You and Community Capitalism