If you’ve ever read Axios or Politico, you may be familiar with Jim VandeHei, a co-creator of both popular political media companies. But you may not be familiar with Jim’s “beginnings.” As he describes in the first sentence of the introduction, “I was among the most unremarkable, underachieving, unimpressive nineteen-year-olds you could have stumbled upon in 1990.” His trajectory changed when he discovered his passion at the intersection of politics and journalism.
So, why we are writing about a book by someone who spends his life enmeshed in politics and journalism? Because everyone can find something to relate to or internalize in Just the Good Stuff: No-BS Secrets to Success (No Matter What Life Throws at You). The book is about what Jim has learned while traversing life. His lessons apply broadly, regardless of one’s own career path and passions, making it not only a good read for self-reflection or personal improvement but also a useful gift for a young person or new graduate.
Written in an easy-to-read, pithy style (i.e., smart brevity-style), the book is divided into sections titled: Life Stuff, Work Stuff, Boss Stuff, Tough Stuff, Small Stuff and Good Stuff. However, as you read through each section, you will inevitably find points that can apply to other parts of life. For example, the “Elevate Communications” chapter (“Boss Stuff” section) describes important aspects of communication from which we all can benefit, such as “be real” and “listen.”
In a nod to VandeHei’s “smart brevity” approach, I will not fill paragraphs with content from the book, especially since the points that resonated with me are likely to differ from the points that will resonate with you, but if you are looking for a positive, sometimes funny, quick read, check out Just the Good Stuff.
Find out more or get the book.
Bonus! Check out Jim’s TEDx Talk, “The Art of Smart Brevity — Write Less, Say More.”
Contributed by: Charlotte A. Moser
If you’ve ever read Axios or Politico, you may be familiar with Jim VandeHei, a co-creator of both popular political media companies. But you may not be familiar with Jim’s “beginnings.” As he describes in the first sentence of the introduction, “I was among the most unremarkable, underachieving, unimpressive nineteen-year-olds you could have stumbled upon in 1990.” His trajectory changed when he discovered his passion at the intersection of politics and journalism.
So, why we are writing about a book by someone who spends his life enmeshed in politics and journalism? Because everyone can find something to relate to or internalize in Just the Good Stuff: No-BS Secrets to Success (No Matter What Life Throws at You). The book is about what Jim has learned while traversing life. His lessons apply broadly, regardless of one’s own career path and passions, making it not only a good read for self-reflection or personal improvement but also a useful gift for a young person or new graduate.
Written in an easy-to-read, pithy style (i.e., smart brevity-style), the book is divided into sections titled: Life Stuff, Work Stuff, Boss Stuff, Tough Stuff, Small Stuff and Good Stuff. However, as you read through each section, you will inevitably find points that can apply to other parts of life. For example, the “Elevate Communications” chapter (“Boss Stuff” section) describes important aspects of communication from which we all can benefit, such as “be real” and “listen.”
In a nod to VandeHei’s “smart brevity” approach, I will not fill paragraphs with content from the book, especially since the points that resonated with me are likely to differ from the points that will resonate with you, but if you are looking for a positive, sometimes funny, quick read, check out Just the Good Stuff.
Find out more or get the book.
Bonus! Check out Jim’s TEDx Talk, “The Art of Smart Brevity — Write Less, Say More.”
Contributed by: Charlotte A. Moser