How to Be a Bawse: A Guide to Conquering Life

by Lilly Singh

I’m writing this book for the same reason I started making YouTube videos: because I want to be a positive light in this world.

Videogames are a great analogy for life. You go through levels, get thrown off by obstacles, and face several enemies. The game will become harder and harder, but it’s okay because you become smarter, faster, and more skilled.

It’s your job to navigate your character through a situation you cannot control.

Why did I just make you touch your nose? Because I’m Simon and I run this town! No, but really, it was to show you that YOU control your mind; your mind doesn’t control you. You successfully directed your brain to touch your nose. Understanding your mind’s power is key to being a Bawse. Imagine using that same type of direction to instruct your mind to stop being negative, or jealous, or terrified.

“I don’t want to stop making videos, because they make me happy.” CHEAT CODE THREE: Your happiness is stronger than fear. You can continue battling fear as long as your videos make you happy. Make sure you prioritize creating content that makes you happy; otherwise fear and negativity will slowly take over.

Think of discomfort as currency—it’s the price you pay to learn some pretty crucial things.

Remember, on the path to success, fear and discomfort are only speed bumps. Don’t make them dead ends.

emotions. When you’re working with a group and feel any type of negative emotion, ask yourself, “Does this emotion help get the task done?” If not, then put it away.

Basically, I believe in getting hurt efficiently.

To waste a painful moment and let emotion overwhelm you so much that you gain absolutely no insight is to get hurt inefficiently.

Don’t just try to pass your classes; try to ace them. Don’t just aim to pay your bills; save enough to travel. I don’t want you to write a script just to see a movie get made; I want you to win an Oscar. That’s the difference between settling like a survivor and conquering like a Bawse.

“What will my future self thank me for doing today?”

also schedule inspiration by taking breaks from my work and using that time to watch interviews of people I admire. If I’m struggling to write a comedy script, I’ll watch an interview with Rebel Wilson or Amy Schumer. If I’m struggling to write lyrics, I’ll watch an interview with Nicki Minaj or Drake.

I started treating my career as if it was a guarantee. Instead of having a Plan B (graduate school) and Plan C (an office job), I developed a Plan A, Plan A 2.0, and Plan A 3.0. YouTube and entertainment were always going to be Plan A; the only things I would alter were my strategy and technique. When I was hit with obstacles such as low viewership, negative comments, or writer’s block, I didn’t give up and start considering other career paths. Instead I strengthened my Plan A by learning new ways to market myself, training my mind to deal with hate comments, and creating a creative space to write in.

“Words lie; actions can lie too. Consistency speaks the truth.”

When you’re climbing the ladder, the heaviest piece of clothing you wear is often your pride.

Doing work eliminates the need for luck.

Procrastination is a hustler’s worst enemy.

When I decided to take control of my own life and become an entrepreneur, no one was around to tell me what to do and when to do it. With that reality came a beautiful freedom. And with that freedom came the possibility of making bad choices.

“Say what you mean, but don’t say it mean.” Being straightforward doesn’t mean you have to be rude or harsh. There’s always a way to be open and honest while also being respectful. Anyone who behaves otherwise is just being lazy.

“Focus on what deserves your attention.”

You are a product of your environment, so decide wisely what kind of factory you want to be built in.

Thomas Edison’s brain invented the lightbulb, and so I find it disrespectful when we use our brains to talk about how we dislike what the Kardashians are wearing.

Have you ever met a mean person who was positive? I haven’t. That’s because people who aren’t nice exude negative energy. When you’re nice to people, you take control of the energy surrounding you. You are creating a positive environment that will help you be successful (and happy). Not being nice is like poisoning yourself with bad vibes.

If you want to solve problems, don’t lash out at all the things that are wrong. Instead, promote all the wonderful solutions. In other words, promote what you love; don’t bash what you hate.

you believe we need to be sending more aid to remote villages in India, don’t bash your friend for buying a new Mercedes; tell them about all the ways you’ve helped those in need and encourage them to do the same. If the option exists to promote what you love instead of bash what you don’t, you should take it. And if your passion gets the best of you and you feel the need to disapprove of something, understand that mean words, hurtful jabs, and lots of exclamation marks won’t solve the problem. If you’re going to respond or address something you don’t like, reply with ideas and words that will direct people toward the solution you love.

“Your life is a giant photo album and one sucky situation is simply a 4×6.”

Think of your mind, body, and soul as members of a group project. You get the best grade when everyone does an equal amount of work. As soon as one person pulls the “my computer crashed” line, the entire project suffers.