Why Not Me?: Lessons from Mindy Kaling

I took notes in my journal as I read the book.

I finished Mindy Kaling’s “Why Not Me?” in two sittings. I laughed, I cried and I learned a lot. I admire Mindy for her success, confidence and humor, so I knew I would take away some gems. I felt inspired after reading her book, and you will, too. At one point, I laughed hysterically on one page and cried (also hysterically) the next. I highly recommend it.

My favorite quotes from Why Not Me?:

“What’s so wrong with effort, anyway? It means you care?” I have always tried hard at anything I do. The way you do one thing is the way you do everything. I also try hard to be liked, and I care about what people think, maybe too much. I completely agree that there isn’t anything wrong with trying hard.
“Haters are just more people paying attention to you.” Mindy learned this from Kim Kardashian, of all people.
“If you believe in yourself and work hard, you have a fighting chance at having your dreams come true.” This echoes a famous Conan O’Brien quote from his last episode on the “Tonight Show”: “If you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen.”
“I cannot imagine a life more boring and a more time-consuming obsession than being preoccupied with watching what I eat.” Amen, Mindy. I am a fan of eating what I want and sometimes cutting back, but mostly just eating what I want.
“And the scary thing I have noticed is that some people really feel uncomfortable around women who don’t hate themselves. So that’s why you need to be a little bit brave.” That’s their problem. Love yourself, always.
And most important:“Work hard, know your shit, show your shit, and then feel entitled.”

Thank you, Mindy, for the laughs, the honesty and the advice.

Have you read Why Not Me?