People thank us for being easygoing, for being flexible, for going with the flow. But the truth is, when we don’t speak up for what we really want and need, sometimes we feel like a pushover.
So maybe it’s time we learn to set some boundaries and stand up for ourselves. If you’re ready to bring some assertiveness to your personal and professional relationships, check out the five eye-opening books below.
Drama Free: A Guide to Managing Unhealthy Family Relationships
By Nedra Glover Tawwab
Covering topics ranging from the trauma of emotional neglect, to the legacy of addicted or absent parents, to mental health struggles in siblings and other relatives, and more, this clear and compassionate guide will help you take control of your own life—and honor the person you truly are. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Nedra Glover Tawwab, in the Next Big Idea App
The Power of Saying No: The New Science of How to Say No that Puts You in Charge of Your Life
By Vanessa Patrick
An award-winning professor and researcher delves into the new science of saying no. She introduces the groundbreaking concept of “empowered refusal” and reveals surprising secrets about the power of the word no. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Vanessa Patrick, in the Next Big Idea App
Needy: How to Advocate for Your Needs and Claim Your Sovereignty
By Mara Glatzel
Learn to identify, honor, and advocate for the most tender and true parts of yourself that yearn to be acknowledged. The reader is invited to embody self-acceptance, which leads to meaningful growth in self-responsibility, self-care, self-trust, and self-love. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Mara Glatzel, in the Next Big Idea App
Real Life: The Journey from Isolation to Openness and Freedom
By Sharon Salzberg
Merging the insights of inspiring voices with her own understanding of mindfulness, a world-renowned meditation pioneer shows us how we can recover from the emotional effects of crisis. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Sharon Salzberg, in the Next Big Idea App
Quitting: A Life Strategy: The Myth of Perseverance―and How the New Science of Giving Up Can Set You Free
By Julia Keller
Diving into the neuroscience of nope and the cultural messages that drive our reluctance to throw in the towel, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist dismantles the myth of perseverance once and for all—because quitting can be an unexpected act of self-love. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Julia Keller, in the Next Big Idea App
The Key Ideas in 15 Minutes
“If you are going to get anywhere in life, you have to read a lot of books,” Roald Dahl once famously said. The only trouble is, reading even one book from cover to cover takes hours—and you may not have many hours to spare.
But imagine for a moment: What if you could read a groundbreaking new book every day? Or even better, what if you could invite a world-renowned thinker into your earbuds, where they personally describe the 5 key takeaways from their work in just 15 minutes?
With the Next Big Idea App, we’ve turned this fantasy into a reality. We partnered with hundreds of acclaimed authors to create “Book Bites,” short audio summaries of the latest nonfiction that are prepared and read aloud by the authors themselves. Discover cutting-edge leadership skills, productivity hacks, the science of happiness and well-being, and much more—all in the time it takes to drive to work or walk the dog.
Go Deeper with a Next Big Idea Club Membership
The Next Big Idea App is free for anyone to try—and if you love it, we invite you to become an official member of the Next Big Idea Club. Membership grants you unlimited access to Book Bites and unlocks early-release, ad-free episodes of our LinkedIn-partnered podcast. You also gain entry to our private online discussion group, where you can talk big ideas with fellow club members and join exclusive live Q&A sessions with featured authors.
For a more focused learning experience, we recommend a Hardcover or eBook Membership. Every few months, legendary authors and club curators Malcolm Gladwell, Susan Cain, Adam Grant, and Daniel Pink select two new nonfiction books as the must-reads of the season. We then send hardcover copies straight to your doorstep, or eBook versions to your favorite digital device. We also collaborate with the authors of selected books to produce original reading guides and premium video e-courses, 50-minute master classes that take you step by step through their most life-changing ideas. And yes, it’s all available through the Next Big Idea App.
Learn Faster, from the World’s Leading Thinkers
Whether you prefer to read, listen, or watch, the Next Big Idea is here to help you work smarter and live better. Wake up with an always-fresh Idea of the Day, the perfect shot of inspiration to go with your morning coffee. Then dive into one of our Challenges, hand-picked collections of Book Bites that form crash courses in subjects like communication, motivation, and career acceleration. Later, watch the playback of an interview with U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Stanford psychologist Jennifer Eberhardt, or philosopher John Kaag. And be sure to check the “Events” tab in the app, so that you can join an upcoming live Q&A and personally chat with the next featured thought leader.
If you’re hoping to grow as a person or as a professional, we hope you’ll join us and tens of thousands of others who enjoy the Next Big Idea. Get started by downloading the app today!
