Alexandra Franzen - Youre Going to Survive: True Stories from People Whove Endured Soul-Crushing Moments in Their Careers—Failure, Rejection, Disappointment, Public Humiliation—and How They Got Through It

Copyright 2017 Alexandra Franzen.

Published by Mango Publishing Group, a division of Mango Media Inc.

Cover Design: Joanna Price - www. joannapricedesign.com

Layout & Design: Roberto Nez

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Youre Going to Survive: True stories from people whove endured soul-crushing moments in their careersfailure, rejection, disappointment, public humiliationand how they got through it, and how you will too.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication number: 2017915546.

ISBN: (paperback) 978-1-63353-679-1, (ebook) 978-1-63353-680-7

BISAC category code SEL027000 SELF-HELP / Personal Growth / Success

Printed in the United States of America

This book is your new best friend on a bad day. Keep it by your bedside table, in your dashboard, in your purse, or in your freezer next to a big pint of ice cream. Alexandra will always be there to tell you that you can do it, you must keep going, and you are meant for greatness.

Vanessa Van Edwards, Entrepreneur columnist and bestselling author of Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People

No matter what youre going through, youre not alone! This collection of stories will help you find the courage, focus, and traction to take the next steps toward brilliance in your life and career.

Todd Henry, author of The Accidental Creative and Die Empty

Youre Going to Survive is a must-read book for anyone with an ambitious career dream. Alexandras writing is encouraging, comforting, and uplifting, with just the right amount of get-up-and-do-it motivation.

Liz Dennery Sanders, Brand Consultant, Creative Director, founder of SheBrand

Making art is my thing. Putting it out into the world is not. Even after showing my work hundreds of times, I still have moments when I feel uneasy, discouraged, and defeated. In those moments, this book is like a shot of caffeine to the soul. The stories in Youre Going to Survive make me stand up straight and feel braver, energized, and ready to run strong and steady to the next challenge.

Kent Youngstrom, Painter

Youre Going to Survive will strengthen your spirit when things arent going exactly as planned in your career. Everyone goes through tough times, and sometimes the small stuff feels like big stuff, but you dont have to feel alone. Enjoy this witty and insightful read!

Kristine Carlson, coauthor of the Dont Sweat the Small Stuff book series

Alexandra sets the standard for how I hope to show up in the world as a writer, a creative, a teacher, and a human. Everything she shares oozes with conscientiousness and intimate care. Youre Going to Survive stands out as a paradigm-shifting work that youll hold in your heart, as I do, with a permanent sense of gratitude. This book is so fluid, uplifting, and earnest that you may find yourself reading it ten times overespecially in a dark, unkind, or sticky stretch.

Dave Ursillo, author of Big Apple, Black Sand and the Midnight Sun and Lead Without Followers

When life challenges usand it willwe need support, balm for the weary disappointment. Alex is here to offer us that. Hearing how others have overcome reminds us that we arent alone and that yes, we are going to survive.

Carrie-Anne Moss, Actress ( The Matrix trilogy, Memento , Chocolat , Jessica Jones ) and founder of Annapurna Living

Alexandra has a true gift for making the hardest things in life feel infinitely easier. Youre Going to Survive isnt just a playbook for getting through tough situationsits ray after inspiring ray of sunshine for anyone going through a dark time. As a writer, an entrepreneur, and a human, Ill turn to this book for encouragement again and again.

Adrian Granzella Larssen, Editor-at-Large, The Muse

Alexandra Franzen is like a cool big sister whos got your back, with the kind of humor and honesty that will make you feel less alone and more motivated to keep going when chasing your dream gets tough (were talking client-from-hell, one-star-review, oh-my-God-what-am-I-even-doing tough). Every creative needs this book on their nightstand for those inevitable bad days.

Kathleen Shannon, host of the Being Boss Podcast , cofounder of Braid Creative

If you want to follow your dreams, at some point you are going to have to step up, put yourself out there, try new things, and take risks. And when you do that, you can be pretty sure that some things wont work out. When that happens, instead of giving up on your dreams, open this book. Youre Going to Survive will get you back on track, find the gold in what just happened, and help you focus on what really matters. Alexandras laser-sharp insight and comforting humor will convince you that not only will you survive, you will thrive.

Beth Kempton, author of Freedom Seeker and founder of Do What You Love

Its one thing to say Never give up! but its another thing to actually live through the pain of rejection and disappointment that makes you question your work and your worth. When that happens, read this book. It will get you through.

Nicole Antoinette, host of Real Talk Radio

SeriouslyI couldnt put this book down! Every story in Youre Going to Survive is filled with aha! moments, honest reflections, and raw stories from people who faced defeat, but mustered through to survive. If you find yourself having an existential crisis every few months and often wonder WTF am I doing with my life? then this book is just the pick-me-up you need. It takes you from down in the dumps to I am going to survive and I can do this after just one story.

Lindsey Smith, public speaker and author of Eat Your Feelings: The Food Mood Girls Guide to Transforming Your Emotional Eating

Whether youre a social worker (my previous career) or an artist (my current career) every profession includes beautyand plenty of challenges, too. Youre Going to Survive is a book that reminds readers: not only are you strong enough to navigate the ups and downs of your career path, but your mistakes, disappointments, and setbacks can be a wide-open canvas where beauty and possibility emerge.

Kelly Rae Roberts, artist and author of Taking Flight: Inspiration and Techniques to Give Your Creative Spirit Wings

This book is a gem. I have no idea how Alexandra convinced so many incredible, accomplished people to reveal their most cringeworthy examples of career failure, but Im incredibly grateful that she did. Youre Going to Survive feels like the best friend who listens patiently to the story of your worst ever day at work and then tells you exactly what you needed to hear to bust out of your funk, reclaim your mojo, and get back to kicking butt. This book is perfect for those disastrous days at work when you really, really need to be reminded that youre not alone, and that you dont suck. You will get through this and you will bounce back.