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The Lazy Genius Way: Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn't, and Get Stuff Done
by
Being a Lazy Genius isn't about doing more or doing less. It's about doing what matters to you.
"I could not be more excited about this book."--Jenna Fischer, actor and cohost of Office Ladies podcast
The chorus of "shoulds" is loud. You should enjoy the moment, dream big, have it all, get up before the sun, track your water consumption, go on date nights, and be the bes ...more
"I could not be more excited about this book."--Jenna Fischer, actor and cohost of Office Ladies podcast
The chorus of "shoulds" is loud. You should enjoy the moment, dream big, have it all, get up before the sun, track your water consumption, go on date nights, and be the bes ...more
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Hardcover, 240 pages
Published
August 11th 2020
by Waterbrook Press
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Popsugar 2021 #31 A Book by a Blogger, Vlogger, YouTuber, or Other Online Personality
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Start your review of The Lazy Genius Way: Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn't, and Get Stuff Done

The DNF pile is toppling over this year so I decided to focus on non-fiction. It's been a mixed bag.
“Be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don’t.”
I follow the author on Instagram and have watched her videos and find her delightful, relatable, and funny. So, when I saw she had a book out, I was intrigued enough to grab it. It has 'lazy' and 'genius' in the title and what is not appealing about that?
I no longer have kids at home, so I’m not in the frantic years w ...more
“Be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don’t.”
I follow the author on Instagram and have watched her videos and find her delightful, relatable, and funny. So, when I saw she had a book out, I was intrigued enough to grab it. It has 'lazy' and 'genius' in the title and what is not appealing about that?
I no longer have kids at home, so I’m not in the frantic years w ...more

ALL. THE. STARS! I have been waiting for this book for over a year and it still blew me away!
I received an advanced copy of The Lazy Genius Way for endorsement and I read it in one sitting. THE WORLD CANNOT WAIT UNTIL AUGUST FOR THIS BOOK! Kendra's book not only held my attention because it is so well written and witty, but because I could not get enough of learning about new systems for life. Her words and the brilliant way she lays out the book made me feel like a loved and seen human, not a r ...more
I received an advanced copy of The Lazy Genius Way for endorsement and I read it in one sitting. THE WORLD CANNOT WAIT UNTIL AUGUST FOR THIS BOOK! Kendra's book not only held my attention because it is so well written and witty, but because I could not get enough of learning about new systems for life. Her words and the brilliant way she lays out the book made me feel like a loved and seen human, not a r ...more

Tried and true principles cleverly branded in a new way.
It boils down to one question, what matters most. Be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don't. More of a refresher than a primer for me, but if you're looking for a kickstart in the new year and other books of this ilk haven't done it for you, this one might.
And if you do decide to read it, go into it with the author's final thoughts: never feel guilty about what matters to you and stop trying to be the id ...more
It boils down to one question, what matters most. Be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don't. More of a refresher than a primer for me, but if you're looking for a kickstart in the new year and other books of this ilk haven't done it for you, this one might.
And if you do decide to read it, go into it with the author's final thoughts: never feel guilty about what matters to you and stop trying to be the id ...more

I was stopped in my tracks reading the end of Kendra Adachi’s THE LAZY GENIUS WAY: “Hear this now, friend. You are loved. You are seen. You are enough.”
What does this profound reassurance have to with the book’s focus: Living a more fulfilled life? Because the author, a Christian, reminds us that God is in charge and we don’t have to be. Just figure out what matters most and do only that. No apologies!
Kendra offers 13 principles to get stuff done, including:
• Decide once
• Start small
• Find out ...more
What does this profound reassurance have to with the book’s focus: Living a more fulfilled life? Because the author, a Christian, reminds us that God is in charge and we don’t have to be. Just figure out what matters most and do only that. No apologies!
Kendra offers 13 principles to get stuff done, including:
• Decide once
• Start small
• Find out ...more

Smart. Practical. Personal. This is so far from a book that tells you to do XYZ or leaves you with endless lists and a million ideas without solutions. Instead, Kendra offers you systems and shares stories, inviting you to implement *what works for you*.
I immediately saw several ways I could take the tools she offers and incorporate them into my life, while also making a list of friends to tell about The Lazy Genius Way (it's one that I'll gift and happily recommend).
What surprised me the most w ...more
I immediately saw several ways I could take the tools she offers and incorporate them into my life, while also making a list of friends to tell about The Lazy Genius Way (it's one that I'll gift and happily recommend).
What surprised me the most w ...more

If you're a suburban, middle-class, Christian, stay-at-home mom of three from the USA, this is probably the book for you. Since I fit very few of these categories, I struggled with resonating with the messages and stories as much I would have hoped to.
The author offers 13 principles for living a more fulfilled life, in what she calls the "Lazy Genius Way". These principles are all illustrated through real-life situations she has gone through. Although I found some of the principles to be useful ...more
The author offers 13 principles for living a more fulfilled life, in what she calls the "Lazy Genius Way". These principles are all illustrated through real-life situations she has gone through. Although I found some of the principles to be useful ...more

3.5 stars
This week has been a bit of a struggle for me reading-wise due to some personal issues I’ve had to deal with that has been a huge drain on both my time and energy. Prior to this issue cropping up, I had started Kendra Adachi’s The Lazy Genius Way and since it’s a relatively short book, I figured I would be able to finish it quickly. In hindsight now, I realize that was wishful thinking, as I ended up slogging through this book and taking way more time than I should have to finish i ...more
This week has been a bit of a struggle for me reading-wise due to some personal issues I’ve had to deal with that has been a huge drain on both my time and energy. Prior to this issue cropping up, I had started Kendra Adachi’s The Lazy Genius Way and since it’s a relatively short book, I figured I would be able to finish it quickly. In hindsight now, I realize that was wishful thinking, as I ended up slogging through this book and taking way more time than I should have to finish i ...more

I loved this. I took my time reading through it and took pages and pages of notes. I love the concept of really paying attention to what matters most to you. Everyone is different and life looks differently for everyone. This was fantastic and I’m planning to implement many of these principles into my life.

This book reminded me of a mental version of Marie Kondo's tidying book. Overall, I really liked the tips Adachi gives. Personally, I feel like a lot of her tips are aimed toward mothers, which is great, just didn't apply to me so I skipped those sections.
...more

I've been a big fan of Kendra's work for several years. so I knew right away I would want to read her first book. What I didn't expect was how deeply moving this book was for a so-called self help book. Rather than prescribing specific hacks to perfect your life, Kendra teaches her readers how to name what matters TO YOU, so you can relax into YOUR best life -- not hers or anyone else's. "Little did I know you can be just as exhausted from not trying as you can from trying too hard," she says. K
...more

An okay book...
"Telling yourself you're better than someone is just as harmful as telling yourself you're worse"
The book is very easy to follow as it uses a relaxed/colloquial language instead of the "I am more intelligent than you" language many nonfiction books tend to use. So you can read lots of pages in a short time, however, the book fails keeping us interested in the author's principles and sooner than later we feel that we are reading the same example for the 7th time.
"Not caring and ca ...more
"Telling yourself you're better than someone is just as harmful as telling yourself you're worse"
The book is very easy to follow as it uses a relaxed/colloquial language instead of the "I am more intelligent than you" language many nonfiction books tend to use. So you can read lots of pages in a short time, however, the book fails keeping us interested in the author's principles and sooner than later we feel that we are reading the same example for the 7th time.
"Not caring and ca ...more

60 // I’ve been a longtime fan of @thelazygenius podcast and have been eagerly awaiting her book, which releases later this summer! THE LAZY GENIUS WAY was everything I’d hoped it would be and more. if you’ve listened to her podcast, some of the themes and principles will be familiar, but this book is not just a regurgitation of her podcast library. the book breaks down the principles of how to be lazy about what doesn’t matter and how to be a genius about what does matter—to YOU. Kendra doesn’t
...more

May 27, 2020
Chelsea Floyd
added it
What I love about Kendra Adachi is that she does not decide what is most important for you. She doesn’t tell you how you should be living your life. She doesn’t give you a formula or a system. In The Lazy Genius Way, Adachi gives you tools to help you figure that out for yourself. To often, self-help books try to force a “one size fits all” solution into lives and values that look completely different from one another. That is not the case here. If you are tired of hoping that the newest foolpro
...more

I’m not in a season where I am reading a lot of productivity, optimize your life kind of books. I mean, all they’d really do is make me feel bad about myself because of our current season of postpartum depression + 3 little kids + *waves vaguely at the world*. But friends, let me tell you, this book isn’t your typical productivity, optimize your life kind of book. Kendra holds your hand as you figure out what matters to you and what doesn’t. She’s my adulting doula. If you’ve been around my soci
...more

Who sent this book my way? I don't know, but somehow this book arrived in my last library curbside pickup. Lazy Genius, I thought. What is that? I began to read with skepticism.
I was wrong to doubt this book. It is what it says; it's lazy and it's genius.
The starting point for the entire book is: Always start with what matters. And each of us decides for ourselves. I like that.
The author outlines a series of thirteen Lazy Genius Principles, and I (basically) like these, too. Number two on the l ...more
I was wrong to doubt this book. It is what it says; it's lazy and it's genius.
The starting point for the entire book is: Always start with what matters. And each of us decides for ourselves. I like that.
The author outlines a series of thirteen Lazy Genius Principles, and I (basically) like these, too. Number two on the l ...more

This is a great book to pick up and read a chapter or two, soak in the quotes and suggestions, then pick up again a few days later. It's not a here's how to do it, but rather, choose what's important to you, and here's some suggestions to make life easier. Kendra Adachi gives you 13 principles to think about to help build a life that is meaningful for you, not too noisy with stress or worry. It was the perfect book to read during COVID, especially the chapter on life has seasons and don't spend
...more

I’ve been a follower of Kendra Adachi for a couple of years now, so I was absolutely delighted when she announced she was FINALLY writing a book! Girlfriend is WISE, witty, and no nonsense. In the book as she shares her principles, she makes it clear that YOU decide what works best for you in order to be a lazy genius. I appreciate her honesty as a fellow recovering perfectionist. Because of this, some books with a similar theme often leave me feeling overwhelmed by all that I need to do/change.
...more

Jul 20, 2020
Kami Williams
added it
At first, this book seems to be about life hacks and great recipes, but when you finish, you might learn more about being who you were made to be. It's pretty magical. :)
...more

I've followed Kendra for years and was looking forward to this book and it did not disappoint!
This is not a retread of her greatest hits (which I find some bloggers turned authors to be). This is a book that will help you live an intentional life and get off the busy wheel to find meaning.
I've already been able to implement some of her suggestions. That's the other genius in this book - it's not a one size fits all prescriptive do it this way. It provides principles, examples of how others have ...more
This is not a retread of her greatest hits (which I find some bloggers turned authors to be). This is a book that will help you live an intentional life and get off the busy wheel to find meaning.
I've already been able to implement some of her suggestions. That's the other genius in this book - it's not a one size fits all prescriptive do it this way. It provides principles, examples of how others have ...more

This is an easy to read, super practical guide to how to live your life better. It is full of stories and tips that are easy to follow and easy to apply to your life.
I enjoyed every second of this book. I laughed. I cried a bit. I highlighted passages. I took notes. This book is not a step by step guide; even better, it helps you decide what matters in your own life, in your own season, in your own family, and how to do those things really well.
This book is a guide about how to be a genius abou ...more
I enjoyed every second of this book. I laughed. I cried a bit. I highlighted passages. I took notes. This book is not a step by step guide; even better, it helps you decide what matters in your own life, in your own season, in your own family, and how to do those things really well.
This book is a guide about how to be a genius abou ...more

This book is like talking to a close friend. A friend who truly gets you. One who will spur you on and help you see why you're doing what you're doing.
I love that she encourages small steps and focusing on your perspective. Some things we do because we have to do them (clean the bathroom) but other stuff we do because....? We get to figure that out and determine if that's actually important to us and our family. Kebdra offers very practical steps in thinking through our lives and how to move fo ...more
I love that she encourages small steps and focusing on your perspective. Some things we do because we have to do them (clean the bathroom) but other stuff we do because....? We get to figure that out and determine if that's actually important to us and our family. Kebdra offers very practical steps in thinking through our lives and how to move fo ...more

The Lazy Genius Way • Kendra Adachi
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
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“ Imagine this. We become a generation of women who are at peace with who we are, who encourage one another to move closer to our deepest identities and shed what’s in the way.”
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👍🏼Thumbs Up:
There’s a lot I liked about this book! I found it equally parts enjoyable to read and practical. I enjoyed the stories and examples and the way that she recaps the main point and tools of each section at the en ...more

If you’re a fan of the podcast or blog, you need to read this book. If you’ve never heard of The Lazy Genius, you DEFINITELY need to read the book. I love the philosophies and tricks Kendra shares that are all about simplifying life and making more room for what’s important. As she says, be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don’t. Reading this book really gave me time to think and ponder on what matters to me and my family. This book is like a pep talk and inst
...more

*I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I’ve followed Kendra Adachi’s The Lazy Genius blog and podcast for a couple of years, so I’ve been looking forward to this book for a while. It did not disappoint. Kendra’s funny, disconcertingly honest voice comes through the pages loud and clear, guiding me through the Lazy Genius life.
Her heart-wrenching openness in the first chapter about her personal history brought me up short at first; it hit uncomfo ...more
I’ve followed Kendra Adachi’s The Lazy Genius blog and podcast for a couple of years, so I’ve been looking forward to this book for a while. It did not disappoint. Kendra’s funny, disconcertingly honest voice comes through the pages loud and clear, guiding me through the Lazy Genius life.
Her heart-wrenching openness in the first chapter about her personal history brought me up short at first; it hit uncomfo ...more

In The Lazy Genius Way, Kendra offers the big sister advice you crave without the judgment you fear. She lays out thirteen succinct principles that help you be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don't. And the best part: you get to decide what matters.
I've often read self-help or inspirational books that have made me feel like if I drink enough water or journal consistently or essentialize my closet, I'll have the life I dream of and want. Instead of telling yo ...more
I've often read self-help or inspirational books that have made me feel like if I drink enough water or journal consistently or essentialize my closet, I'll have the life I dream of and want. Instead of telling yo ...more

VERDICT: 2 stars for me, but probably a 4-star book for many folks... so I give it a 3.
Only mildly useful/interesting to ME, as it seems mostly aimed at married mothers with children, esp. those who cook meals often (nothing wrong with any of the above!). Or perhaps I'm already a (male) Lazy Genius.
But definitely some good everyday tips here (mostly on cleaning, cooking, and household or school/kid-related stuff), and the writing style is friendly. Does get slightly repetitive in places, but you ...more
Only mildly useful/interesting to ME, as it seems mostly aimed at married mothers with children, esp. those who cook meals often (nothing wrong with any of the above!). Or perhaps I'm already a (male) Lazy Genius.
But definitely some good everyday tips here (mostly on cleaning, cooking, and household or school/kid-related stuff), and the writing style is friendly. Does get slightly repetitive in places, but you ...more

Life has changed so dramatically during these last six months and if you are feeling like you are struggling to find your footing like me, I think you will find this book to be an incredibly helpful resource. It’s practical advice that makes room for what matters most and optimizing the things that have to get done along the way.
I love a self-help book that is encouraging and relatable and Kendra Adachi does both so well. I have been a longtime listener of her podcast The Lazy Genius, whose’s m ...more
I love a self-help book that is encouraging and relatable and Kendra Adachi does both so well. I have been a longtime listener of her podcast The Lazy Genius, whose’s m ...more
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