If you have to cry go outside
Did the title capture your attention? It captured mine in a comical, slap you in the face kind of way. When I finished reading The Woman I Wanted To Be by Diane Von Furstenburg I was craving another fashion related memoir to inspire creativity for work. I went to my local library and asked for the fashion designer memoir section.
If You Have Cry Go Outside And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You by Kelly Cutrone was staring me in the face. I knew who powerhouse, take no shit, bold Kelly was from her show on Bravo called Kell On Earth. I was immediately intrigued as I remembered how she came across in the show as a super intimidating power house in the PR world.
Give it to me straight
As soon as I started reading Kelly’s book I knew I was hooked, I couldn’t put it down. It’s THAT good. If you’re looking for a strong willed woman to tell you how many times she fell on her face before she got it together, this is your book. Want someone to give it to you straight and blunt, this is your book. Looking for motivation to chase your dreams but tell you it will be tiring and you will work like a dog? This is your book. Diane’s book got me started on my journey, Kelly took it to a whole new level. It was very refreshing to hear how many times she stumbled at a young age just to pick herself back up and get it all together. She has known some really interesting and powerful people in her life, not all good and not all bad.
Kelly encourages women to create a journey out of their lives and do big things. She talks about doors eventually opening if you just believe they will. Of course all this comes with hard work (and she talks about that too) but it’s about a mentality. The most successful people never got anywhere by sitting back. Side note: success is what you make it and looks different for everyone. Don’t ever let anyone determine your success but you!
Work hard and have good manners
Working hard and having good manners are equally important. I fully believe in the value of working hard and always maintaining your dignity in a respectful way. Know when to say thank you and know when to respectfully say no. Too often young people are afraid to say no in our generation. I’m not telling you to say no to everything but you CAN’T always say yes! Kelly talks about turning people down in her world that would have made her huge profits but she did it because she knew it was the right thing to do. She teaches when the right times to say yes or no are and also provides several power lists in the book.
She also teaches you that it’s not ok to show your emotions in a professional setting. Of course there are moments that are unavoidable but if you have to cry go outside! Regardless of how intimidating she may be, she is a mama hen that believes in mentoring young women. It’s evident she takes care of those around her as long as they work hard. After all, at the end of the day aren’t we all trying to achieve the same thing in some capacity? I appreciate her willingness to mentor as I’ve had some incredible mentors in my life. I also love mentoring and coaching young women in their careers.
What about you?
What about you? Have you read this book? Are you going to? Do you know much about Kelly? What other memoirs have you read? Share them with me in the comments or on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter! Follow Boss Gal while you’re at it. Don’t forget to subscribe to receive all the best right to your email!
