If you Google the title of this post (and my new book) “benchmarks are bullshit,” you won’t find many people arguing against this fact. Yet at some point in our lives, we all seem to forget this simple idea.
It leads to unhealthy behaviors like getting stuck “in the rat race” and “keeping up with the Joneses.”
But most of the articles on the Google front page deal with tech data. Not humans.
My book, Benchmarks are Bullsh*t (yeah, I censored the book title) is about humans. And the shit we can get mired in. Repeatedly.
It’s meant to cut through that bullshit.
So what is Benchmarks are Bullsh*t about? It’s a book I truly believe can change lives. It changed mine.
The Origin of Benchmarks are Bullshit
The impetus for this book was my niece. She was in her final year of high school and about to turn 18.
The age of 18 is special for obvious reasons. I can still remember the excitement of finally “becoming an adult.” The thrill and trepidation of going off to college. And the fear that I was going to screw it all up.
So when it came time to get my niece a gift, I didn’t want to merely buy her something. I wanted to give her something that I’d wished I’d had at her age.
That’s when the idea for this book was born.
I filtered through my memories during that momentous time, perched on the edge of adulthood, eager but nervous. Then I thought about what I’d learned, or wish I’d done differently.
It’s funny because when I was on the All Things Relax with Sandi D. podcast, she mentioned the Dr. Seuss book Oh The Places You’ll Go. She said she usually buys that for young adults when they graduate from high school.
I received it for my high school graduation too. And as I mentioned on the Faith Mariah podcast this week, it’s a lovely book but gives you zero practical advice about the real world.
Who gave me that book? My wonderful sister-in-law. I, in turn, wrote this book for her daughter out of the frustration I felt at that age.
I didn’t want her to experience that same shock and bewilderment. And now I’ve made it available to the world because it can help anyone going through a transitional life stage.
So What’s In Benchmarks are Bullshit?
The book is comprised of a total 6 bite-sized lessons. I didn’t want to make it so long that it would be too difficult to digest—or worse, boring.
It’s long enough to make an impact.
I’ve broken it into 6 simple but powerful lessons that cover:
- what it’s like to fail, and why you have to get over it
- living within your means for financial independence later in life
- crushing doubt because decisions are not life sentences
- recognizing that happiness isn’t tied to achieving certain milestones set on some stupid timeline—those benchmarks are bullshit!
- that love isn’t a fairytale and it starts with who you see in the mirror
- and how to burst the bubble that we all grew up in
If reading less than 2 pages per lesson might seem like too much, there’s also a Benchmarks are Bullshit cheat sheet! It condenses the entire book down to 2 lines each.
To get a copy of Benchmarks are Bullsh*t (and a few extra goodies), get on the VIP waitlist here. The book goes on sale on Monday, Nov 23 to those on the waitlist. go here to buy it now.
Everyone else can get it on Black Friday—without the bonuses. Or you can pay extra for them, which is cool too!
I truly believe this book can change lives. People don’t need to go through life blindly. They can have this roadmap.
Benchmarks are Bullsh*t is that roadmap. Come get yours.
What’s something you wish you’d known at 18? Tell me in the comments below!
