Bonnie Fuller, the former Editor in Chief at Us Weekly, and one of the most gossiped about women on the planet, wrote a book about her jam-packed life that is inspiring and motivating. The book, The Joys of Much Too Much: Go For The Big Life, The Perfect Guy, and Everything Else You've Ever Wanted (Even If You Don't Think You Have What It Takes), gives women blunt advice on how she has found success in her life, family, and career. Bonnie who I witnessed first hand in the Us Weekly office, some say is like a machine, however when that machine would stop me in the hallway and bring me into her office to ask my opinion on the latest cover, I gained a deep respect for someone who was so focused on their product they sought out other's opinions over their own.
Her book is full of 'Fullerisms' to inspire the modern woman to go after their dreams and realize that in doing so it doesn't mean you have a well-balanced life - it means you have a busy, jam-packed life and each day is full:
"After years of trying to make a living at something I love while raising a family, I've come to the conclusion that a jam-packed, maxed-out, full-to-the-very-top existence is the secret to an insanely happy life, no matter what those odes to "simplicity" say to the contrary.
I've pretty much written off the possibility of ever having peace and quiet in my life. I guess that somewhere along the line I made the decision that I'd rather lead a life that's a blur than one that's a bore."
One of the book's best chapters, Never Facing the Facts, is a life lesson in something every woman faces - negative voices. We hear them from the time we are born telling us what we can and cannot do. They are 'Debbie Downers' and may be friends, family, coworkers, or even a significant other. Their own insecurity and worry convinces them to say doom and gloom comments to you:
We all have those nagging doubts, those little voices in our heads that tell us, "You're nuts, you'll never even make it..."
When those evil whisperers burrow inside your head, stop whatever you're doing, and think for a moment: Who is doing this trash talking? A relentless critical, unsupportive teacher; an insecure parent, passing on his or her own self-doubts and insecurities; a lover who can't wait to kick you while you're down? A boss or coworker threatened by your work ethic or your talent? Or is it a nagging, negative inner voice?
Start tuning them out, literally. These are voices you know better than to listen to. Every time the negative voices start, you have to consciously tell yourself, "No-no-no, I'm not listening; I'm going to think about something else," or start reading a book, or do some work, or make a phone call.
This goes back to the tried and true statement by Earl Nightingale: You are what you think. If you think negatively you get negative results. If you think positively you get positive results. One of the easiest things in the world to do is never go after your dreams out of fear of the naysayers. It is much harder to take the plunge and go for the big life, however if you ask most successful entrepreneurs they never felt like they were taking a risk. Their idea or dream was so ingrained in their thoughts that it became something they just had to do.
Bonnie's book is a great guide for any modern woman who has dreams and desires, any woman looking to have a career and a family. It reminds us what's important and what's not (i.e. having all your cans in the pantry face the same way). So forget about a balanced life and realize that when you want to do something you just have to do it.
Jessica Hill even sporting feathers in her headband photographed with Frances Corbin in mod flapper attire.
