The Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi is the book I wish I had when I became an adult and at every point along the journey of adulthood. It is the book I wish I had when I graduated college and started out on my own. It is the book I wish I had when I was newly married. It is the book I wish I had when I became a mom. It is also the book that I am so thankful to have in my hands now!

In The Lazy Genius Way Kendra gives small, practical steps to become a "genius" about the things that matter to YOU in a very gentle and conversational way. I love that she gives a ton of examples from her own life and the lives of others to make it easy to put the principles she describes into practice.

This is not a one size fits all self-help book. This book guides the reader into making decisions around what matters on a very personal level. It left me feeling hopeful and motivated to examine my own life, decide what matters to me and why and then implement steps towards becoming a genius in those areas of my life.

I'll be coming back to this again and again to revisit the principles and hear Kendra's pep talks to live in the season, let people in and be kind to myself.

If you pick one self-improvement/lifestyle book this year, I highly recommend The Lazy Genius Way. I have been listening to Kendra’s podcast for well over a year and I find her so calming and reassuring, but also so incredibly insightful about the little things in life. While you some of what Kendra shares in her book can be found within her podcast, it’s a bigger expansion on her principals for living a more meaningful and productive life. As a longtime listener to Kendra and her weekly Instagram live chat sessions, I read this whole book with her voice in my head. She has an audiobook version of this available with her as the narrator and I can’t wait to give it a listen. 

The layout of the book is excellent. Each of her thirteen principles has its own chapter. Along with plenty of real-world examples, each chapter ends with a summary section and one small step to think about and focus on. Kendra has talked openly about her requirement that the book be a quality hardbound that will be used and written in and she’s exactly right-so many times I found myself adding in notes and bookmarks. 

One of the best parts of this book is the way that Kendra can apply all of these principles to literally every part of life. Lazy Genius Principle #2 is Start Small. She uses the example of a beginning a yoga practice but it also applies to wanting to start your own business or beginning a garden. It has given me so many things to think about and a new perspective that has been especially helpful during these crazy times. Whether you are a parent, an adult, a person just starting out in college, or even on the older side, this book will be helpful. I truly believe that everyone will find something thought provoking and insightful. 

One thing you will not find on any of the pages is guilt or shame. Kendra’s focus on finding what truly matters to you as a guiding focus is literally that-what matters to you. Not to the other moms, social media, or your friends and family. What matters to you. 
I received an advanced copy of this title as part of Kendra’s launch team. All opinions and mistakes are my own.

The Lazy Genius Way is a helpful guide to getting out of your rut, figuring out what really matters, and tackling life one small step at a time. Kendra does not prescribe one single method or 'way' of doing things, but instead asks questions of her readers to help them determine their priorities. Knowing and embracing what matters helps put everything else in focus. As a perpetually indecisive person, her chapter on "making one decision" was empowering and life giving. This book is one I will revisit as I learn to focus on the big things and let the other 'noise' fade away.

This is a wonderful and practical book that helps you identify and make time for *your* priorities, while giving you strategies for getting everything else done more efficiently, and with a better attitude! The principle that I need the most right now is "Live in the Season." 

"You don't have to be afraid of stress or sadness. You don't have to panic when things fall out of order. You don't have to run away from a season in life that seems to require more than you have to give. Staying engaged with the sadness but not letting it dictate your decisions is a practice in being a genius about what matters."

"We become a generation of woman 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". This is just one of many quotes I could pull from this book. Kendra is here to help us Lazy Genius our way through life, in ways that work for us. She reiterates many times that we need to plan & live in the season we're in and do what works for that season. Kendra infuses this book with humour and personal stories that make you feel like you are sitting down with a friend. Even if you are a follower of her podcast and blog you will still gain many useful nuggets. Check it out!

Kendra Adachi is the QUEEN of figuring out systems for all those things that drive you crazy about managing your home. My kids are young adults and have both moved out now, but I wish I had this book 25 years ago when I first was married. It would have saved my sanity. Not only will she teach you how to be smart about the things that YOU need taming in your life (laundry, dinner, holidays), but she does it with a sense of humor that leaves you not wanting to turn the book down. This was the best book I've read this summer, and I know I'll come back to it again and again.

Kendra really is a genius and her book is delightful. She gives you smart strategies to manage your home and your life without making you feel like you have to have everything together. I already have tried several of her suggestions, and they are (of course) genius. I know I will be returning to this book often.

I loved "The Lazy Genius Way" because it is practical and inspirational. It has been highlighted and notes taken of things I want to apply to my life. And the way Kendra writes, it made me laugh at times. It is a book that anyone can apply to their own life.

I've been looking forward to this book since Kendra mentioned she was working on a book proposal. I've been following her work since 2018, and her attitude and positivity really helped me feel like I can have some affect on my daily life, even with small children. This book is a pocket sized distillation of all her Lazy Genius ideas, and it's the most digestible way to absorb her ethos. She's motivating, supportive and practical in equal measure. It's like having your Enneagram 1 friend on speed dial!

ARC provided by published via NetGalley, but the opinions are my own.

I’ve finished reading, and I’m ready to read it again.

The Lazy Genius Way made me feel seen, opened my eyes to some thought processes I was unaware I had, provided the kick-in-the-pants motivation I needed, and gave me principles that will actually affect my daily life. I’m not a fan of books that are bossy, but Kendra is gentle and kind. She helps you see what matters to you, not anyone else, and shows you how to make changes that will stick. I want everyone I know to read it. It’s that good. Truly.

As so often happens, I would love to give this just one more half-star, so consider this a 4.5 star book. I have been following The Lazy Genius blog for some time now and truly appreciate Kendra's approach to life and how to make things work to create the best days you can have FOR YOU. This book is a distillation and compilation of all of the individual and specific ideas (meal planning, holidays, exercise, etc) and approaches she offers into a set of thirteen more global principles. Her idea is to use simple mindset and decision shifts to change the expectations and approaches of your everyday to create a day filled with what matters to you and therefore feels "easier." Kendra is very good at finding relatable examples for the principles to better illustrate how they can be applied to real life beyond the pure explanation. I came away from each chapter with a confident understanding. For example, under "Decide Once," if I think of that principle alone, I feel sure that I can find specific examples in my life where making one global decision can help me "better my days." However, where I feel the book didn't quite reach my needs was the final stage when she tried to put everything together. The book has A LOT of information - a lot of GOOD information. Kendra attempted to apply all of the principles together in two real-life situations as she had done throughout the book. It helped, but the trouble is, it's just too much information to take in and apply all at once. I LOVE the book and the ideas. What I would have liked was one more chapter to help us more progressively learn how to apply the principles to our lives. Having said that, I liked the book to such a degree that I might create my own "program" to begin to build each principle into habit.

“When you fill your life with things that are not essential to what matters, you unintentionally add noise, and managing noise is part of why you’re tired.” – Kendra Adachi.

So much noise, so much stuff, so much tired! I’m sure everyone can relate, especially in the dumpster fire that is 2020. The Lazy Genius Way provides a way out – a framework of principles that you can apply to any portion of your life, no matter how big or small. But this is not a how-to book with detailed step by step instructions on how to make a meal plan or clean your house. Instead it is a how-to how-to book. You decide what matters to you, you apply the principles to your specific situation, and you end up with a plan that works for you. Along the way, Kendra guides you with humor and kindness, the big sister you always wanted to provide you the best life advice.

There are few books that I think should be recommended to everyone, but this is one of them. It would make a great gift for a bridal shower, baby shower, housewarming, or graduation party, but do yourself a favor and pick up a copy for yourself while you’re at it! And the book is just the tip of the iceberg – check out The Lazy Genius podcast for even more examples and encouragement for being “a genius about the things that matter, and lazy about the things that don’t.”

I've been a fan of The Lazy Genius Podcast for a year or so, and while not every topic fits my stage of life, the "general principles" that comprise this book will work for anyone. One of my favorite quotes: "I have good news. You don't need a new list of things to do; you need a new way to see." Kendra's tag line from the podcast--"Be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don't--is that "new way to see" in a nutshell. And goodness knows ... I do NOT need a new list of things to do, especially a list that fits someone else's life better than it does mine.

Read this book! Principles such as "Decide Once," "Ask the Magic Question," and "Live in the Season" will give you a fresh way to look at what works and what needs to be tweaked, and "Case Studies" give some concrete examples that you can riff on. Kendra's voice comes through loud and clear (and I'm not just talking about "voice" as a literary term --she writes the same way she speaks on her podcast, and I can literally hear her voice in my head as I read!).

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Kendra is one of my favorite people on the internet - I've been a podcast listener for years, and I still learn something every time I listen. I was so excited to read this book, and it didn't disappoint! It is a fun read; Kendra's voice is authentic and funny, and the book is filled with personal anecdotes that make you feel like you get to know her while reading.

The book is filled with simple and practical advice that is especially helpful for mothers, but can be applied to anyone. While reading, I found that I was applying, almost without thinking, the principles in the book to areas of my life that I've needed to Lazy Genius: cleaning, scheduling, and working from home with a one-year-old without losing my mind. That being said, I don't feel that the book is life-changing in any huge ways, I didn't fly through reading it like I often do with my favorite books, and I don't find myself ruminating on it like I have with some non-fiction reads. However, that may be where the book is special - instead of trying to totally overhaul your thinking overnight, it helps you change your thinking in small ways that will help you lead a less chaotic life. None of the advice feels like it's difficult to implement or that it's completely out of my comfort zone, but I've noticed definite changes in some of my habits since reading.

If you're a fan of Kendra's, are looking for ways to make cooking dinner or cleaning or entertaining easier, or just need help figuring out what things deserve your time and what things don't, this is a great book for you!

Long time listener, first-time reader.

The principles Kendra shares in The Lazy Genius Way echo the wisdom she's shared on her podcast for years. Rather than comb through the episodes looking for the exact situation you want to Lazy Genius, she puts the strategy in your hands so you can personalize what works for you.

After all, in most cases, there isn't one right answer for everyone. She gives concrete examples of how to implement each principle, but clearly conveys that these are not rules. They are just a springboard to give you ideas for your own practical application.

Written pre-COVID, there is much information for the year that is 2020. We didn't have time for what doesn't matter before this year, and we certainly don't now. The timing of the book's release couldn't be better.

I'm a big fan of The Lazy Genius podcast so I was thrilled to find out Kendra was writing a book. I was afraid that the book would just be retelling of the podcast, but it was delightfully different. This book is full of life hacks and tips and tricks to be a genius about the things that matter, and lazy about the things that don't. It discusses habit building and the importance of starting small and building from there. This is a great book for mothers who feel like they are overwhelmed and don't know where to start when it comes to cleaning, cooking, or just keeping their cool after they step on a Lego for the 343th time that day. I took a lot of notes while reading this book and I have already put some of Kendra's tips to work.

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 motto is simple but life-changing: “Be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don’t.”

Anyone who has attempted to be a fully functioning adult knows that doing everything and doing it well is an unattainable goal for most. Yet we still strive to perfect the glossy lives shown to us daily whether it is in our social media feeds or our observations in the daily life of the people surrounding us. This not only leaves you feeling like a failure but also makes you take on too much and not have the time or space for the things that matter most.

Enter Kendra Adachi’s Lazy Genius Way. Adachi walks the fine line of giving advice while also being aware that we all have different sets of challenges and goals. She shares systems that can help us no matter what our set of circumstances but doesn’t tell you what to do or how to do it like many books in this genre. Focusing on what matters in our own lives and creating systems to support them is her ultimate goal, and how refreshing is that?

I love how she first helps you identify and name the things that are important to YOU. She then presents smart no-nonsense mindset shifts to put in place so we can approach everyday necessities with more thought, move through hard things without giving up, accomplish the things that are important to us, and then move on!

This book could not have come at a better time for me personally, and probably many, as we are all navigating this pandemic and “new normal.” Her recent episode #168 tackles How to Go Back to School and if you are in this stage of parenting life too, I highly recommend it.

Thank you to WaterBrook & Multnomah for the gifted copy. As always, all opinions are my own.

SO brilliant! I'm so happy to have had the opportunity to read it before everyone else...so that I can truthfully spread the word as soon as publication day!
Kendra made a self-help book for the ages, because she tells you how to think about things in a new way. It is not her telling you what to do, just a new mindset!
Love it!

The Lazy Genius Way is a fabulous “self-help” book! I loved the real life examples & the “realness” of the book. Kendra Adachi details how to get the things you want done without being overwhelmed with the central tenet of naming what matters to you. This is a book that I will keep coming back to as I learn to embrace the Lazy Genius Way!

Thank you Kendra Adachi, WaterBrook, and Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. #NetGalley #TheLazyGeniusWay

Kendra is the big sister you didn't know you needed. Let her come alongside you and assure you that you don't have to be doing all the things--you only have to do the things that matter to YOU. Not to your mom, or your friend, or the random influencer on the internet--TO YOU. This book will give you plenty of concrete tips and tricks for making your life more efficient, but the underlying message is this--figure out what matters to you and become a genius about it.