Customer Reviews

You Can Do It!: The Merit Badge Handbook for Grown-Up Girls

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Okay, I'm a guy here. And I can't tell you how many times I've spoken the phrase this book takes for a title to my incredibly accomplished sweetheart who, despite her successes, is never quite confident enough to chase down her dreams. "You can do it!" I've been saying for years. "Look what you've already done!" So when I came across this book and saw that it was an intelligent, results-oriented, motivational manual (it's more than just another "self-help book"), I decided to let someone else have a go at her. At first she rolled her eyes and said, "Nice try, honey." (I also got a kiss for being a thoughtful, if overly optimistic, boyfriend). But then a week later she sheepishly came over to me, sat in my lap, and spoke the words, "I got my first badge." Well, let me just say that it'll be a while before I'm in the doghouse again. My thanks to all the inspiring women who contributed to this kick-in-the-pants bible. From now on I get to say, "SHE DID IT!"

You CAN do the thing you fear! Or the thing you never thought you had time to do. Just use this book as your guide/mentor, and whatever pursuit you've "always wanted to try" becomes possible.

Whatever it is you've been longing to do, you'll probably find it in this big, encouraging book, which breaks down goals into small, easily achievable steps.

Recommended for girls/women of any age who want to finally get on with DOING the things they've been waiting to try.

Reviewer: Linda Painchaud-Steinman, Park Edge Books

Side Note: The author of this book was a victim of September 11. She was on flight 93. The details are in the book's poignant introduction (written by her sisters).

I have given this book as a gift a few times and it is an all-time favorite present! I plan to give it again and again to all my friends. So many of us say "I would love to try (blank)" and this book gives you the guidance and inspiration to actually do it! It also gave me ideas to try things I had not considered before. What great fun!

This book rocks. Who wouldn't want a copy of a book that basically encourages you and guides you to do all of those things you've been wanting to do, but felt like you couldn't for one reason or another. I was inspired to sign up for a cooking class with some of my co-workers because I felt like I kept making the same old thing over and over again...we took a class on how to make a four course Vietnamese dinner! It was so much fun and so inspiring to actaully check one of those things off of my I-wish-I-could list. And the best part is, there's a seemingly endless amount of options in the book--so many cool things to do and to learn. It's the perfect kind of book to get a bunch of friends together and do something you've always wanted to do, but never thought you would or could!

Imagine This... There was a woman who was always interested in learning new things. She regularly hiked, biked, kayaked, took classes in cooking, gardening, SCUBA diving, and wine appreciation. According to her friends, she "made things happen." As if that wasn't enough, she decided to write a book that would boost women's self-esteem by helping them reach their own goals and realize their own dreams. A grown-up Girl Scout herself who proudly displayed her badge-laden sashes in her office, she based her book on the concept of learn a new skill, get a badge. I was never a girl scout myself, but as I get older the more I appreciate that concept. I imagine that Lauren Catuzzi Grancolas was the kind of woman who made life fun for the people she knew. She was tragically aboard the doomed Flight 93 on 9/11. Adopting her spirit, her two sisters, one an at-home Mom of three, finished compiling this book in her honor.

You Can Do It is one of those books that is fun to have on your shelf. It is part self-help book and part how-to guide. It presents 60 skills for grown-up girls to master. The badge activites range from life skills like negotiating & financial planning to hobbies like camping and flower arranging to extreme things like flying an airplane or becoming a stand-up comedian. Each skill begins with an "Imagine This..." section that takes you to a time at some point in the future when you have already mastered the skill.

For example, in the Speak Up chapter "Imagine This... Fellow parents nominate you to introduce an important issue to the PTA... Gone are the days when you'd feel sick with anxiety, make excuses, and keep your mouth shut - only to berate yourself later." Then it outlines the Payoffs of mastering that skill ("Fear of public speaking can keep us from pursuing life's possibilities: meeting fascinating people, pursuing promising careers, degrees, and promotions,;and sharing our ideas, talents, and expertise. Don't let your gifts go to waste!") and the Badge Steps you must complete (1. Face your fears. 2. Know your Purpose. 3. Draft your speech. 4. Practice speechifying. 5. Be kind to yourself. 6. Rise and shine.)
There is a mentor, a female who is an expert in that skill, for each section and she offers advice, encouragement, and a list of helpful books, websites, supplies needed, and other references. In the public speaking section, the mentor is a woman named Janet E. Esposito who is the president of a company called In the Spotlight which helps people overcome stage fright. The section also offers a "Beyond the Badge" section for overachievers - in this example it tells you how to get involved in the Toastmaster's Club or get media training.

This book is not the end-all guide for any of the skills presented, but it is a fun jumping off place. It is full of encouragement and inspiration. And I would challenge anyone to flip through this book and not stop and read at least one section and think "You know? I always wanted to try that..."

Wow, I was really surprised by how helpful and FUN this book is. It gives step by step instructions about how to learn everything from knitting to personal finance to fitness to dance. I love how it's modeled after the girl scout badges. My sisters and I are going to earn badges together! A great inspiration for anyone who thinks they are too busy to try something new.

I don't usually write reviews- but since I loved this book so much I felt I had to.

This book helps you to get off your butt and get moving on the things you really want to do. It covers everything- from organizing your closets to walking on fire.

I love the Merit Badge idea. Hey, if stickers work for kids, why not for adults?

This book has already changed my life.

I'm a 33 year old woman who never got her drivers license. Thanks to this book, I finally got moving and got it taken care of. I'm also signed up to take a foreign language class, joined a book discussion group, and started organizing my home.

Buy this book! It's written so you can see how you can actually obtain your goals. You can follow the steps outlined in the book, or do your own.

I've already picked up a couple copies of this book to give as gifts- this is a book that every woman should have.

I've been exploring finding things I'd like to do/see/accomplish before I die, and I found this one very helpful. Besides giving me a lot of ideas of things I hadn't thought of exploring, it's a great resource as to HOW to go about actually doing it. I love the little stickers in the back too, great idea.

I Love this Book!! After I read it, I recruited a bunch of my colleagues to earn the `Bust a Move' badge. From the time I was in high school until I was in my mid 30s, I was a dance-a-holic. I would go out dancing every weekend and was even a part of several local dance teams. I don't know why I stopped. I didn't mean to. I recently woke up one day and said, `I should be dancing!' So, I gathered a bunch of work pals and we are earning our badge together. Our first class is Hip Hop. There's nothing more inspiring and fun (and often funny) than a bunch of middle-aged women breaking it down on the dance floor and shakin' their groove things.

My YOU CAN DO IT mentor, Rozann Krauss, offered such easy steps to get going. I never realized that you could just pop into a dance class and ask to watch. I was always so intimidated. All I needed was a little encouragement and the mentor gave me just that.

YOU CAN DO IT! has given me the motivation to get off my behind and just do something. I am learning that I don't need to be the best. I can just get in there and do the best I can and have a blast doing it. I've wanted to get back into dancing for years but I either never felt like I had enough time or I was too scared that I would look ridiculous. This book helped me rediscover the silly side of me and comfortable just having fun -even if I do look a bit spastic at times. I can't wait to do my next badge....Rock climbing!

A wonderful self help book for women who, after setting aside personal dreams and aspirations for the sake of others, seek to reconnect with their own unique dreams in life. Based upon the Girl Scout Model of the Merit Badge, Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas' book defines a step by step approach for a variety of accomplishments, big and small. Menors who are experts in the field provide guidance and advice.

For those who do not know, the author, Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas, tragically died on United Flight 93. She had (and has still) a special gift for mentoring and encouraging other women. Very refreshing for today. Proceeds from the book, which was finished by her two sisters, goes to Lauren's favorite charities.

This is a very touching book through which the spirit of a vibrant, compassionate woman lives on.