Professional Troublemaker

The Fear-Fighter Manual

By: Luvvie Ajayi Jones

Narrated by: Luvvie Ajayi Jones

Length: 8 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Instant New York Times best seller

From the New York Times best-selling author of I'm Judging You, a hilarious and transformational book about how to tackle fear - that everlasting hater - and audaciously step into lives, careers, and legacies that go beyond even our wildest dreams

Luvvie Ajayi Jones is known for her trademark wit, warmth, and perpetual truth-telling. But even she's been challenged by the enemy of progress known as fear. She was once afraid to call herself a writer, and nearly skipped out on doing a TED talk that changed her life because of imposter syndrome. As she shares in Professional Troublemaker, she's not alone.

We're all afraid. We're afraid of asking for what we want because we're afraid of hearing "no." We're afraid of being different, of being too much or not enough. We're afraid of leaving behind the known for the unknown. But in order to do the things that will truly, meaningfully change our lives, we have to become professional troublemakers: people who are committed to not letting fear talk them out of the things they need to do or say to live free.

With humor and honesty, and guided by the influence of her professional troublemaking Nigerian grandmother, Funmilayo Faloyin, Luvvie walks us through what we must get right within ourselves before we can do the things that scare us; how to use our voice for a greater good; and how to put movement to the voice we've been silencing - because truth-telling is a muscle.

The point is not to be fearless, but to know we are afraid and charge forward regardless. It is to recognize that the things we must do are more significant than our fears. This book is about how to live boldly in spite of all the reasons we have to cower. Let's go!

©2021 Luvvie Ajayi Jones (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“For fans of: Shonda Rhimes’s Year of Yes; Hulu’s Shrill; Glennon Doyle’s Untamed; HBO’s Insecure.... With some helpful insights from her grandmother, Ajayi Jones encourages us all, via this audaciously funny guide, to overcome imposter syndrome and accept our worth.” (Marie Claire)

“Luvvie Ajayi Jones reveals the ways imposter syndrome has threatened her writing career and argues truth tellers could do with some practice in this follow-up to 2016’s I’m Judging You. Use it to prepare for your next big win.” (Essence) 

“Luvvie Ajayi Jones delivers a masterclass on escaping the trappings of self-doubt in her latest release...encourag[ing] readers to face fear head on and remove the shame and guilt that we often put on ourselves when experiencing this emotion.” (Ebony) 

I’m missing something

Full disclosure. I’m white, non-Christian.
I wanted to love this book.
Luvvie’s energy is off the charts. Love that!
I teach high school. I’m listening to this on my 45 minute commute. After 5 hours, I’m wondering to myself how many times the word “I” appears in this book. My high school kids think the world revolves around them. They use the pronoun “I” a lot. Luvvie uses the word “I” a lot. This appears to be a very long “brag on myself” book. Yes, there are some valid points. I loved her Ted Talk. Actually, if you listen to the Ted Talk, you have to most important points of this book. I can’t finish it.
Point two: The Christian thing, well ok. I live in a country that claims to be Christian while allowing a large percentage of its inhabitants to go hungry, allowing gun violence to terrorize schools and public venues, and refusing healthcare to the sick. This is America. But can we get over racial biases when books continue to put others down? You will say I’m white and privileged. You are right. I own that. But Luvvie is Black and privileged. She comes from money. Privilege... power...
Can’t we love and respect one another without the name calling? Does she have to give me more shame for being born white? Is that going to help us? I am already carrying shame for my race. Shame for my country. So now what? How does that help us? Channel Maya Angelou.
Use your voice to bring us together!!!!!!!!!!!

THIS BOOK IS THE MAP YOU’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR

Listen!!! I am going to review as someone who still has 6 hours and half to listen to. I am also talking as someone who attended the tour yesterday. DON’T EVEN DOUBT ANYMORE: THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU. I don’t care how you landed here. The Author is so generous in this book with us. She is giving us EVERYTHING. I am mesmerized already!!! Professional Troublemaker is good for your heart, for your soul, for your brain. This book feeds your spirit. I feel like she left nothing behind! And like I said I haven’t even finished it yet. She will drag your ego while being gentle to your inner child.

You will not read this book just once, trust me. This is the book you will quote! This is the validation that every single one of us, no matter how different we are, have actually been looking for. This is the book to READ OUT LOUD to yourself and most importantly TO YOUR FEAR!!!!! It was written with heart full of love, of kindness, of self awareness, of authenticity, of humility, of giving... This is the book to the kid in all of us. This is the book for all generations and generations to come. I have no words! This is the book we can actually all agree on! Well except Chad and Everest of course hmmm hmmm!! I dare you to buy it and if you find out I was right, come back here and share your experience too. I cannot wait to receive the hard copy (**I hear it has footnotes and all, a real manual I’m telling you). There is no option of finding out I am wrong.

I don’t know who is in charge of what in this world but this book should in a mandatory purchase in your first year of college. I don’t care what path you have chosen in life! It’s mandatory!!!!!

I COULD GO ON AND ON... I love it! I love it! I loved!
*Too excited to edit my feelings* I don’t care!

immersing!!

I was fully immersed! Listening to LUVVIE herself reading the book on audible was the icing on the cake. This book was everything!! I didn't expect to get business advice but she gave it! I can't possible remain the same person I was before reading this. Her stories also reminded me of my childhood. THOROUGHLY enjoyed and recommend.

This book IS IT!

Professional Troublemaker got me together and then some. I laughed, I cried, I felt seen. The narration by the author kept me engaged the entire time, and this book was perfect for the season of my life I am entering for my business. This book covers every excuse you’ve ever made for reaching your fullest potential. This book give fear the largest middle finger, and has absolutely motivated me to apply so many of the gems to my life. Luvvie takes her real life experiences and the beautiful tribute to her grandmother to show us that fighting fear can be done! 1000% recommend!

What a gift to all generations

I was so incredibly inspired while reading this book. It was an amazing tribute to the "do better" philosophy. I constantly found myself reflecting on my own truth telling, my current reality, and how I , too, could do better. The author/narrator has a powerful voice and an even powerful message, told with honesty and love, and some good old fashioned humor. What a gift this book is to all generations. Amazing read!

You Go Girl!!

Personal Practical work that defines and unpacks fear. Luvvie uses her life to help listeners understand how to use their life to combat fear. Very unique methods to share fear fighting.

Awesomely Awesome Encouragment

Loved it! Keep serving us side-eye honesty and wisdom. I felt like you were talking about me to me. A much needed heart to heart conversation.

Love it, a MUST READ!

Absolutely loved it! It's a must read! This book is needed in your life to get you all the way together.

This Book is a breath of fresh air!

If you’re looking for a book that will affirm you while helping you get your ish together, this is the one. Luvvie has an untouchable gift with words and giving the guidance that’s deeply needed at the time. Buy it. You won’t regret it. A perfect combination of story telling and teaching to assist you to reach your highest potential.

A must read for anyone who wants to chase dreams

Thank you for this book!! Absolutely needed this as I am building my career!! Fabulous