Playing Big

Find Your Voice, Your Mission, Your Message

By: Tara Mohr

Narrated by: Tara Mohr

Length: 8 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's Summary

A groundbreaking women's leadership expert and popular conference speaker gives women the practical skills to voice and implement the changes they want to see - in themselves and in the world.

In her coaching and programs for women, Tara Mohr saw how women were "playing small" in their lives and careers, were frustrated by it, and wanted to "play bigger". She has devised a proven way for them to achieve their dreams by playing big from the inside out. Mohr's work helping women play bigger has earned acclaim from the likes of Maria Shriver and Jillian Michaels, and has been featured on the Today show, CNN, and a host of other media outlets.

Sheryl Sandberg's Lean In gave many women new awareness about what kinds of changes they need to make to become more successful; yet most women need help implementing them. In the tradition of Brené Brown's Daring Greatly, Playing Big provides real, practical tools to help women quiet self-doubt, identify their callings, "unhook" from praise and criticism, unlearn counterproductive good girl habits, and begin taking bold action.

While not all women aspire to end up in the corner office, every woman aspires to something. Playing Big fills a major gap among women's career books; it isn't just for corporate women. The audiobook offers tools to help every woman play bigger - whether she's an executive, community volunteer, artist, or stay-at-home mom.

Thousands of women across the country have been transformed by Mohr's program, and now this book makes the ideas and practices available to everyone who is ready to play big.

©2014 Tara Mohr (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

"At last. At last this very important book has been written, encouraging women to take up all the creative space they deserve in the world. I hope it will empower legions of women to step into their greatness. I couldn't be happier about this publication." (Elizabeth Gilbert)

"Tara and I share the same philosophy: we hope inspirational ideas will ignite you to go out and make an impact in your own life. Whether she’s writing for mariashriver.com or urging others to become a change agent through her book, Tara is practicing the Playing Big words she preaches." (Maria Shriver)

"Tara Mohr offers a new model of leadership, one that acknowledges and embraces the complex realities of women's lives. She shows us how to take the leap, even when we don't feel ready. Playing Big is the perfect catalyst for any woman who wants to go outside her comfort zone, find her voice, and embrace the biggest possibilities of her life." (Kelly McGonigal, PhD, author of The Willpower Instinct)

Life-altering in all the good ways

Would you listen to Playing Big again? Why?

Yes I'm already on my second listen and I brought the paperback too so I could refer to the journalling questions. Every now and then I come across a book that makes a huge impact on me and this is one. I will be referring back to it many times I'm sure, and I have already recommended it to many friends.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Playing Big?

Identifying the Inner Critic has been the biggest moment for me so far but I still have work to do. I love how Tara doesn't just talk about the theory of an Inner Critic but also gives you real practical tools for identifying and characterising that voice so that you can be more aware of your default self-criticisms and what they really mean.

Which scene was your favorite?

The Inner Critic chapter and the Inner Mentor chapter are mind blowing; plus the chapter on the two different types of Fear and also Leaping.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from Playing Big?

I have already applied many of the breakthroughs I've had to my personal and professional life; particularly in taking Leaps, and unhooking from Praise and Criticism. I was also surprised by many things I learnt from exploring my Inner Critic and Inner Mentor -and this process has helped me approach pretty much everything in my life with more calm and a greater compassion for myself.

Any additional comments?

I'm so grateful I found this book. If you struggle with self doubt, uncertainty with your purpose or anxiety about feedback then I am certain this book will help you, especially if you are a woman. It is smart, practical and also has a nice balance of spiritual content. I recommend it to anyone.

Worth a Second Listen

Would you consider the audio edition of Playing Big to be better than the print version?

The audio book is so good, that I bought the Kindle book so I could reread, reconsider, and reflect on those points that were most relevant to me. This is a book that I will come back to as a reminder to the call to a fuller, more rewarding life.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Playing Big?

There are two "voices" that the author introduces in this book - the Inner Critic and the Inner Mentor. I know that critic well, but that older, wiser inner voice is a whisper. Mohr offers a visualization exercise (which can also be found on her website) that helped me envision this persona of me 20 years into the future. Powerful and inspiring.

Have you listened to any of Tara Mohr’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This was my first Tara Mohr book, however, I had heard interviewed on Todd Henry's podcast, The Accidental Creative, and that is what led me to buy the audiobook.

Any additional comments?

This book is relevant to any woman who regardless of age and circumstance. I am 65, twice retired, working full time for a non-profit, and am considering how to contribute as an elder.

Amazing book!

This book is in my top five all-time masterpieces. A week into reading this book I watched my life shift enormously. If I could give this book to every woman on the planet I would. And I just might.

boring

it really soumds like she reading instead of narrating
I am sorry
not inspiring at all, almost fall aslepp on tbe first 10 minutes

Transformational

This book is rich with deep truth and practical tools for women who want to live their best life and make it count- not by the standards of the culture or popular thought but by the standards of ones self, to be true to yourself and fulfill your purpose. I am an avid reader on leadership and spirituality and this book combines the best of both to get behind pat answers and fluff to the heart of how to discover what really matters to you and then how to live it out. This is a book that I will refer to again and again as I move forward to live out my playing big. Thanks Tara for empowering me to honor my dreams more then my fears!!

So cliche

How could the performance have been better?

I suppose there is nothing that can really be done about the authors voice, but she sounds like a preppy highschool brat, with her squeaky soft voice. It was next to impossible to listen to. I dreaded each time I hit play but I powered through cause I didn't want a credit to go to waist.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The book is full of cliche after cliche. When the author is not bragging about herself she mentions thing after thing that is just plain common sense. I was truly hoping for a book that would help me enhance my career.

Any additional comments?

If you're looking for something as a woman already in her career, I would not suggest this book. I'd maybe give it to teenagers who are just figuring themselves out and trying to become confident young women. If you're looking for something that will actually help I would say read Presence by Amy Cuddy.

Helped inspire me to make my biggest move yet

I love Tara Mohr and Playing Big! I listened to it twice and I'm sure I'll be going back for more to feed my brain and soul with all the wisdom. I listened to Playing Big and then to Keep It Real by Leslie Karen Hammond and I finally decided to live my purpose in a way that has always been scary to me. I wrote a book (in editing as I write this) and am becoming a public speaker! True, I'm used to being on stage as a performer, but speaking my truth to help others is totally different. I'll be Playing Bigger now thanks to Tara and Leslie. If you happen to be one of those people who doesn't like to "speak up", if that's your fear, check out "Keep It Real" after you listen to this one. It's not an audiobook, but it is available on Amazon... amazon...https://smile.amazon.com/Keep-Real-Afraid-Speak-About/dp/0983634424/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1477396907&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=keep+it+real+leslie+karen+hammon

Infusion of Wisdom!!! Phenomenal!!!

I absolutely LOVED Playing Big! Tara Mohr gives us an depth, priceless information and tools we can useful to delve into ourselves to find our path to our calling(s). Not only does she provide information, but intentionally walks us through it so we can take action NOW. Powerful, inspiring and divine. I've read many other personal development books, but this content is beyond what out there. I can't praise it enough. And it was an added bonus to have Tara as the narrator. I followed with the paperback book. You'll want to do the same. Phenomenal all around!!

Interesting, empowering, a good read.

I loved this book overall. It helped me realize and to cut down on my self deprecating ways and think about the person that I want to be. I have listened to it two times and will probably listen to it again. The author narrates the book - I do like her tone and pace. I was a little distracted at first by her voice, as it is young sounding, and the way she pronounces some words seem youngish. However I am sure other people not as sensitive would ever notice. Content far out-weighs this.

Fantastic

There's a lot out there in the guise of "self-help" that's just rhetoric and bunk. This is not that. I don't review very often but this book is a must listen. Just get it.