Stepping Out of Line: Lessons for Women Who Want It Their Way . . . In Life, In Love, and At Work [Paperback]

Nell Merlino (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 3, 2009

When activist Nell Merlino decides something needs to change, she throws everything she has into changing it. Whether it is raising the visibility of girls or helping women build their businesses, her many campaigns have helped women make dreams come true. Now she marshals her life lessons—and those of other gutsy women—to help women have it their way.

Stepping Out of Line is Merlino’s bold manifesto for women to stop waiting and get what they want, in the arenas of love or work or in the world at large. Offering practical nuggets like “Gain from complaining” and “The system is more malleable than you think,” she shows women how to imagine bigger lives, find support, and stay the course.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The daughter of a lawyer and a community activist, Merlino describes herself as "chubby from the age of nine and generally known as 'outspoken' (if you liked that sort of thing) or 'bossy' (if you didn't)." Her go-getting resume includes a Fulbright Scholarship, a non-profit she started to foster women's entrepreneurship, and work on three presidential campaigns (including Bill Clinton's). In this self-help memoir, Merlino recounts those and other adventures while tracing the path to her crowning achievement, the 1993 founding of Take Our Daughters to Work Day. Looking at the idea from conception to execution, Merlino illustrates ways in which any woman can actualize her desires. Imagination and dedication are key; Merlino insists that no matter what "the system" you're up against may be-courtship, marriage, politics, law, workplace power structures-it's "more malleable than you think." Citing role models ranging from the women of Rwanda to Eddie Murphy's character in Coming to America, Merlino's extended pep-talk should inspire readers to envision and pursue their ideals: "Whatever you can imagine for yourself, you can achieve."
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Review

“Imagine the life you barely have the guts to dream of. Is it possible? Or is your imagination always tempered by fear and caution? Let this motivating book give you the power to reshape your life. Step out with Nell Merlino and win!”
—Gail Evans, author of Play Like a Man, Win Like a Woman


“Nice girls don’t step out of line, but smart women do. Nell Merlino tells you how to do it with confidence.”—Lois P. Frankel, Ph.D., author of Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office

“If you’re looking for a life makeover, you’ve come to the right place.”
-Jean Chatzky, author of The Difference: How Anyone Can Thrive in Even The Toughest Times

“Nell's book gives women not just a step-by-step guide to creating the life they want, but a virtual infusion of the energy and optimism they'll need to get started!”
-Dee Dee Myers, former press secretary to President Bill Clinton and author of Why Women Should Rule The World --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 222 pages
• Publisher: Broadway; Original edition (March 3, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0767924843
• ISBN-13: 978-0767924849
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.6 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #892,492 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing & Reinvigorating....a gentle kick in the behind for those of on our way, May 5, 2009

By 

Kathie Nelson "Connectworks" (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stepping Out of Line: Lessons for Women Who Want It Their Way . . . In Life, In Love, and At Work (Paperback)

Nell Merlino's voice comes through loud and clear in her latest book, "Stepping out of Line - Lessons from Women Who Want it Their Way".

An easy read I read this on the flight from LA to Hawaii a few weeks ago. I loved the juicy nuggets she serves up. Here are a few:

1. Exercise the favor muscle.
2. Changing systems is easier than you think.
3. Imagine our future.
4. The ripple effect.
5. Daily choices make the difference.
6. The overall message...what are you waiting for? or better, what am I waiting for? Permission? From who?

This timely message resonated with me. Nell shares that statistically 50% of the women business owners earn less than $50k annually. Wow!

Women, including myself, have a hope, inspiration, or an idea that brings value to the marketplace. Why don't we pursue it or fully leverage the idea? Or a better question might be, why do we stall out in our pursuit? What is it we don't know? Nell is committed to connecting us to the knowlege and resources through her Make Mine a Million $ Business. www.makemineamillion.org.

I put this book down inspired and compelled to no longer settle for mediocre in my own business. I am joining the race. How about you?

5.0 out of 5 stars Very inspiring!, November 25, 2011

By 

Clovia Hamilton, Lemongrass Consulting (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Stepping Out of Line: Lessons for Women Who Want It Their Way . . . In Life, In Love, and At Work (Paperback)

I truly enjoyed this book. I have alot of favorite lines including Nell's advice on the discipline, commitment and focus women biz owners need. I also appreciate her advice to get a lot of people to help you make it happen. Create a whirl of activity. This is where community building comes in. All too often we try to do it all ourselves. We have to hire interns, volunteers, independent contractors, and paid employees. I've been reluctant to do this because of the headaches and so have many small biz owners. I counsel small businesses at the Ga Tech Procurement Assistance Center (PTAC) for government contracting; and I am active in a number of women biz groups. All too often business owners express frustration when they are not given a contract. Often the desire to compete has is lacking. There is also a trend for women to seek to be rescued or saved. Nell Merlino advocates that women biz owners save themselves.

Clovia Hamilton, President
Lemongrass Consulting, Inc.
[...]

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful! Inspiring! A must read for all women., April 28, 2009

By 

Deborah Brenner (Piermont, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stepping Out of Line: Lessons for Women Who Want It Their Way . . . In Life, In Love, and At Work (Paperback)

As a woman entrepreneur, this book is an inspiration! It renewed my faith in myself and what I am doing with Women of the Vine Cellars. Nell encourages you to be YOU... and believe in yourself. I hope to encourage other women as much as Nell has for so many.