Vendor
	Mohrbooks Literary Agency Sebastian Ritscher
Categories
Political economy

STARTUP YOUR LIFE

Anna Akbari

Hustle and Hack Your Way to Happiness

In THE LEAN STARTUP LIFE, Anna Akbari will show readers how she was able to use the same principles outlined in Eric Ries’ bestselling book, and embraced by entrepreneurs across the country, to create her high profile, profitable marketing company, develop the most in demand class in the entire NYU sociology department, and become a popular writer, speaker and go to talking head.

In the fall of 2008, upon finishing graduate school, NYU professor and CEO of Sociology of Style, Dr. Anna Akbari developed a “fear of flying.” Well, she developed an actual fear of flying, but also that panicked, somewhat debilitating sense that we all have in our twenties and thirties (and forties) that our success and happiness is seemingly out of our control. Life as she says, is about adjusting to a steady stream of constantly changing variables. And yet so often we are reluctant to act without first developing a solid, fixed strategy. This reluctance to change our minds or our plans feels like a sign of strength, but it is actually the reason why often that promotion doesn’t comes our way, we never do manage to start exercising, our relationship stalls and any number of disappointments dampen our happiness. But there is a better method that we can employ, one that has already proven to be an incredibly effective model for success. In THE LEAN STARTUP LIFE, Anna Akbari will show readers how she was able to use the same principles outlined in Eric Ries’ bestselling book, and embraced by entrepreneurs across the country, to create her high profile, profitable marketing company, develop the most in demand class in the entire NYU sociology department, and become a popular writer, speaker and go to talking head. The key to her concept, similar to most successful startups, which lively stories she will discuss in the book, is to start small, test theories, and learn to shift gears when feedback makes it clear a certain idea isn’t gaining traction. THE LEAN STARTUP LIFE will teach readers important things like experiment driven decision making, how to build your minimum viable product, and how to pivot. In life and in startups, it’s important to take risks and be fearless, but also be smart, be aware of the impression you make, and listen to feedback. Anna Akbari runs the successful startup Sociology of Style; she gave a TED talk called “Digital Happiness” and is a regular contributor to The Atlantic, CNN, The Financial Times, New York Observer, Above The Law, The Huffington Post, and other

Available products
Book Published 2016-12-27 by St. Martin's Press

Comments

If you're looking for a reset -- professional or personal -- Anna Akbari is the guru for you. Embracing the revise-as-you-go ethos of the tech world, she'll help you find the right fit, even if it means a misfire or two first. Even better, you'll enjoy the ride.

Living your life like a startup - what a refreshing approach to upgrading how you live, love, and work. An entrepreneurial mindset is such an asset; it’s great to finally see a fun, practical guide that applies this way of operating to everyone.

Most of us understand that strategy and emotional intelligence are proven paths to professional success, while leaving our personal lives to chance. Startup Your Life gives you the tools to find personal happiness with the same savvy that Silicon Valley entrepreneurs use to grow billion-dollar enterprises. Regardless of where or who you are, this book’s tools will transform you.

Startup Your Life is not your typical self-help book. Anna Akbari approaches happiness and self-improvement with well-earned entrepreneurial savvy. She’s your professional mentor and life coach all rolled into one, and her action-oriented advice is instantly empowering.

Brilliantly inspiring and fun yet intellectually stimulating, "Startup Your Life" is a modern-day manual for how to follow your heart, and check with your brains. Many young entrepreneurs will relate to this book and love the end of chapter "scrum cheat sheet", for practical tips on how to treat your life as a continuous set of experiments, iterate on demand and know when to exit. Anna teaches us that there is more power in knowing what you don't want than merely knowing what you want.

Finally, a book that shows how to make that Silicon Valley magic work – outside of work. Anna Akbari is the perfect guide through our sometimes dizzying present, where the paths to health, wealth, and happiness no longer run straight, and improvisation and iteration rule the day.

As a client of Anna’s, I am ecstatic that her brilliant strategies for happiness are written down for all to share, and most of all, for me to reference and carry with me everywhere! Anna has created a fascinating guide, applying the paradigm shifting, tried and true organizing principles of Silicon Valley Start-Ups to well-being. As one of the lucky few who has had the chance to work with Anna one-on-one, I can say with total sincerity that her insights will guide you through the ebb and flow of life’s failures and successes, time and time again.

In a world that seems to demand constant reinvention, it can be hard to keep up. Luckily, Startup Your Life reminds us that everyone is a work in progress--and that there are many paths to a great finished product.

Budding entrepreneurs should benefit greatly from Akbari’s sound guidance.

Two fantastic videos of Anna Akbari, author of STARTUP YOUR LIFE, that her Australian publisher (Black Inc.) created. Read more...

Anna Akbari gets right down to business to help you hack your life using the same strategies I used to create products as a CTO in Silicon Valley. It’s the opposite of personal development platitudes, and it works because you can measure it. These are real tools you can use to biohack your performance.

For those who want more than fluff, this no-nonsense approach to happiness enlightens as much as it entertains. Startup Your Life is a craftily delivered kick in the pants many people need to make real, sustainable change in their lives.

Everyone knows that there is no manual that shows you how to live a brave and abundant life. However, Anna Akbari’s thoughtful and accessible take on how to create personal fulfillment and what it means to be a leader - both professionally and personally - can help to set you on the right path. Based on her personal experience, she writes with a voice that is authentic and vulnerable, making this a guide for living a fuller life and offering some insight for all.

You can be the startup CEO of your own life, and Anna Akbari teaches you how in this indispensable guide. Her personal tales and time-tested advice inspire and motivate -- it’s the extra push you need for living your best life.