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Wonderhell: Why Success Doesn't Feel Like It Should . . . and What to Do About It Kindle Edition
Instead of success bringing you happiness, it hands you an increased hunger to achieve something even bigger. And with that desire also comes uncertainty, self-doubt, anxiety and stress.
Success, in other words, is kinda wonderful ... but it’s also kinda hell. Welcome to Wonderhell.
Wonderhell is that space in your psyche where the burden of your newly discovered potential plops down, unpacks its backpack, and asks: Hey, you! Whatcha got for me?
Living in an ambitious, results-oriented society, we often mischaracterize the turbulent emotions that surround success, deeming them a “necessary evil”—a byproduct of one’s rise to the top. We tend to think that we just need to survive these difficult moments, to hang on by our fingernails and somehow get through these stressful, unwanted side effects of our success. We torture ourselves with a never-ending internal dialogue: I can handle this. Can I handle this?
But we are wrong.
Learning to live in this newfound potential can be exciting rather than exhausting. Emotions like fear, anxiety, and heartbreak are not collateral damage, slings and arrows to be absorbed and swallowed down, silenced and pushed aside. Rather, each emotion is a portal that shows us what more we can do, if instead we recognize that on the other side of this wonderful hell that we so badly wanted is another and another and another . . . but only if we choose to accept it.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“Lucky for you—Laura Gassner Otting is here with her highly anticipated new book. She’ll teach you to achieve your dreams and the success you deserve by navigating your Wonderhell.”
—MEL ROBBINS, New York Times best-selling author of The 5 Second Rule
“Packed with wide-ranging research, inspirational interviews, relatable hilarity, and just the right amount of edginess, Wonderhell is a hopeful and entertaining roadmap for anyone who has ever dreamed that they could be more.”
—DR. AMY CUDDY, New York Times best-selling author of Presence
“Wonderhell helps us make sense of the joy and anxiety, the promise and uncertainty, the fun and hardship that so often define moments of profound transformation.”
—JONATHAN FIELDS, Best-selling author of Sparked, host of Good Life Project® podcast
“With her inimitable mix of inspiration, relatability, and real talk, Laura Gassner Otting guides us to meet our potential. Wonderhell is a book for anyone and everyone who chooses to grow in life.”
—DR. SUSAN DAVID, #1 Wall Street Journal best-selling author of Emotional Agility
“High achievers understand that the first success is just the first step to what you can accomplish. Part cheerleader, part roadmap, Wonderhell perfectly lights the way for those who dare to dream bigger.”
—AMY PURDY, New York Times best-selling author of On My Own Two Feet, 3x Paralympic Medalist, Oprah 100
“Wonderhell packs Laura’s beautiful writing, passionate stories, and seasoned wisdom into the ultimate guide to finding balance in our success. If you want advance praise to set your intentions and priorities, learn to find peace, and embrace the potential for the life you’ve always wanted—read this book!”
—DR. MARSHALL GOLDSMITH, Thinkers50 #1 Executive Coach, New York Times best-selling author of What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
“Laura Gassner Otting reimagines the stories we tell ourselves about success and shows how mixed emotions like fear, uncertainty, and stress that accompany success are often a sign that we’re on the right track.”
—OZAN VAROL, Best-selling author of Think Like a Rocket Scientist
“If you want to feel seen, heard, and affirmed for who you are and who you are becoming—Wonderhell is the must-have guide for a journey that can often feel lonely.”
—MINDA HARTS, Best-selling author of The Memo
“With actionable insights and an intuitive framework, Wonderhell is a bold invitation that every entrepreneur must read.”
—KARA GOLDIN, Founder of Hint Water, Wall Street Journal best-selling author of Undaunted
“A wise, loving, laugh-out-loud funny guide / kick in the pants for navigating the inevitable (but rarely discussed) fear we face on the path to success. For anyone who wants to be more and do more, Wonderhell will help you turn confusion into confidence, exhaustion into exhilaration, and worry into winning.”
—DR. TASHA EURICH, Organizational Psychologist, New York Times best-selling author of Bankable Leadership and Insight
“Wonderhell is an essential book for those who are ready to push themselves to new heights. Full of inspiring stories of people who dared to ask more of themselves, Laura offers research, tips, and tools in an easy, fast read so that you can push forward with confidence through the messy middle.”
—ERICA DHAWAN, Author of Digital Body Language
“Laura’s decades of experience as an executive recruiter shine in Wonderhell. She offers readers practical and powerful tools to achieve consistent success that’s delivered with her trademark warmth and wit. If you’re on the dangerous and exciting cusp of becoming more than you thought you could be—or you dream of getting there—then Laura Gassner Otting’s new book is for you.”
—DORIE CLARK, Wall Street Journal best-selling author of The Long Game, executive education faculty, Duke University Fuqua School of Business
“I count myself lucky that Laura Gassner Otting responds to my texts. Sure, I’ll brag that I have that kind of unbridled access to someone who has both had success and knows how to help others achieve it. Thankfully, her brainy new book, Wonderhell, is much more than a few text messages. Now, you too can benefit from her unique perspectives, powerful thoughts, and actionable strategies to better manage your present and future opportunities. When doubt creeps (or when the ego wails ‘You deserve this!’), Wonderhell is here to provide balance and a healthier approach to keep things going in the right direction. What a ride!”
—MITCH JOEL, Founder of ThinkersOne, host of Six Pixels of Separation
“If you’ve ever gone further and achieved more than you thought you could . . . and then gone, ‘Now what?!’ . . . this is the book for you. Wonderhell shows you not only how to make the most of your present success, but what it takes to go further still.”
—MICHAEL BUNGAY STANIER, Author of The Coaching Habit and How to Begin
“You will realize you are not alone after reading these incredible stories of triumph and tragedy from so many different people and perspectives. Wonderhell is a masterclass filled with humor, truth, and a bit of edge. If you feel lost, if you feel alone, if you feel stuck . . . this book is for you.”
—TIFFANI BOVA, Wall Street Journal best-selling author of Growth IQ
“LGO’s unique take on a seriously under-discussed success truth is both illuminating and incredibly timely. Her practical guidance is truly invaluable for today’s high performers—especially those looking to invest their time and energy with more intentionality and clarity.”
—ERIN KING, Author of You’re Kind of a Big Deal
“Wonderhell takes a deep dive into the gap between who you were and who you’ve become so you can experience your full potential without limit (and help others do the same), now! Laura Gassner Otting inspires me again and again!”
—RICHIE NORTON, Award-winning author of Anti-Time Management and The Power of Starting Something Stupid
About the Author
Laura's secret superpower is seeing your greatness and reflecting it back on you, so that you can get “unstuck” — and achieve extraordinary results.
Through Limitless Possibility, Laura collaborates with entrepreneurs and investors to push past the doubt and indecision that consign great ideas to limbo. She delivers strategic thinking, well-honed wisdom, and catalytic perspective informed by decades of navigating change across the start-up, nonprofit, political, and philanthropic landscapes.
Laura’s 25-year resume is defined by her entrepreneurial edge. She served as a Presidential Appointee in Bill Clinton’s White House, helping shape AmeriCorps; left a leadership role at respected nonprofit search firm, Isaacson, Miller, to expand the startup ExecSearches.com; and founded and ran the NPAG, which partnered with the full gamut of mission driven executives, from start-up dreamers to scaling social entrepreneurs to global philanthropists. She is the author of Mission-Driven, a book for those moving from profit to purpose, and Limitless: How to Ignore Everybody, Carve Your Own Path, and Live Your Best Life. Through her own commitment to give back, Laura has helped build a local Montessori school, co-founded a women’s philanthropic initiative, advised a start-up national women’s PAC, grew a citizen-leadership development program, and completed three charity-inspired marathons—projects emblematic of her passions and values. She’s turned on by the audacity of The Big Idea and that larger-than-life goal you just can’t seem to shake. She’s an instigator, a motivator, and a provocateur, and she’s never met a revolution she didn’t like.
Product details
- ASIN : B0BW166D6M
- Publisher : Ideapress Publishing (April 4, 2023)
- Publication date : April 4, 2023
- Language : English
- File size : 5.0 MB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 223 pages
- Page numbers source ISBN : 1646871227
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,119,211 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #1,465 in Business Motivation & Self-Improvement (Kindle Store)
- #1,627 in Motivational Business Management
- #5,559 in Success eBooks
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Laura’s secret superpower is seeing your greatness and reflecting it back on you, so that you can get “unstuck” — and achieve extraordinary results.
A frequent contributor to Good Morning America, the TODAY Show, Harvard Business Review, and Oprah Daily, Laura’s 30-year resume is defined by her entrepreneurial edge. She served as a Presidential Appointee in Bill Clinton’s White House, helping shape AmeriCorps; left a leadership role at respected national search firm to expand a tech start-up; and founded, ran, and sold her own global search firm, partnering with the full gamut of mission driven corporate and nonprofit executives.
She is the author of Limitless: How to Ignore Everybody, Carve Your Own Path, and Life Your Best Life (April 2019), which debuted at #2 on The Washington Post Bestseller List, right behind Michelle Obama, and which was chosen by Robin Roberts as one of Good Morning America's Favorite Books of the Year. Her next book, Wonderhell: Why Success Doesn't Feel Like It Should...and What To Do About It, comes out in April 2023.
Laura is turned on by the audacity of The Big Idea and that larger-than-life goal you just can’t seem to shake. She’s an instigator, motivator, and provocateur, and she’s never met a revolution she didn’t like. Just ask her enduringly patient husband, two almost-grown sons, and two troublesome pups with whom she lives outside of Boston, MA.
Customer reviews
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Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book deeply researched with many stories and appreciate its engaging writing style. Moreover, the book provides a roadmap for finding fulfillment and offers actionable items, with one customer noting it's packed with actionable insights. Additionally, customers value the voice of the book, with one describing it as pitch perfect.
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Customers find the book deeply insightful and relatable, with one customer noting it provides a roadmap for finding fulfillment, while another appreciates how it offers a refreshing perspective on embracing challenges and obstacles.
"This book spoke to me deeply. As a corporate exec turned entrepreneur, I have been and find myself again in Wonderhell...." Read more
"...Overall, Wonderhell is a powerful and inspiring book that provides a roadmap for finding fulfillment and purpose in our lives...." Read more
"...From the very first page, Otting's writing style is engaging and relatable, making it easy for readers to connect with her words and experiences. "..." Read more
"...the end of each chapter, I can keep digging deeper and continue my exploration and growth...." Read more
Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a cool, entertaining, and engaging read that encourages perseverance.
"...A great read for anyone chasing a dream and looking to understand and redefine success." Read more
"...From the very first page, Otting's writing style is engaging and relatable, making it easy for readers to connect with her words and experiences. "..." Read more
"...author Laura Gassner Otting takes you through an amusement park of personal development...." Read more
"...Love the voice, the message, and the fun Candyland approach to how we can overcome imposter syndrome and uncertainty and the stress of performance..." Read more
Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, finding it clever and simple, with one customer noting that it's easy to connect with and apply the game-changing principles.
"...Otting's writing is clear, concise, and packed with actionable insights that are backed up by real-world examples and anecdotes...." Read more
"...Otting's writing style is engaging and relatable, making it easy for readers to connect with her words and experiences. "..." Read more
"Laura Gassner Otting is a great writer. Seriously... the metaphor of the amusement park is freeeeegin' brilliant! LOVE it...." Read more
"...This book was very well written, inspirational, fun to read and put together in a very creative format. I highly recommend this book!" Read more
Customers find the book actionable, with one mentioning it is packed with insights that readers can apply.
"...Otting's writing is clear, concise, and packed with actionable insights that are backed up by real-world examples and anecdotes...." Read more
"...by telling great stories and offering powerful tools and tactics a person can really apply!..." Read more
"...But about the book ... LGO combines storytelling, examples, and actionable items that will help get you over the hump of your first success, and..." Read more
"...The relatable writing style and actionable steps make it easy to apply these game-changing principles...." Read more
Customers appreciate the voice of the book, with one describing it as pitch perfect and another noting that everything resonated with them.
"...Love the voice, the message, and the fun Candyland approach to how we can overcome imposter syndrome and uncertainty and the stress of performance..." Read more
"...It's a pitch perfect follow up to Laura Gassner Otting's first book, Limitless...." Read more
"...of WONDERHELL made me feel at home & it made me feel seen, and heard...." Read more
"Everything resonated and more!..." Read more
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Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2025This book spoke to me deeply. As a corporate exec turned entrepreneur, I have been and find myself again in Wonderhell. I didn't have language for how I was feeling and now I do. This book is full of thought provoking questions and strategies I can use to ride the ups and downs of business success. I took so much away - show up even when its uncomfortable, build a network, cast side the script, say no and be flexible! A great read for anyone chasing a dream and looking to understand and redefine success.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 5, 2023I had the privilege of receiving an advanced copy of Laura Gassner Otting's new book, Wonderhell, which is a must-read for anyone looking to break out of their own personal "wonderhell" and achieve their full potential. Otting's writing is clear, concise, and packed with actionable insights that are backed up by real-world examples and anecdotes.
One of the key themes in the book is the idea that success doesn't always feel like success. Otting argues that even when we achieve our goals, we can still feel unfulfilled or unsatisfied. This can happen because we may be pursuing someone else's definition of success rather than our own, or because we're not aligned with our true purpose and values.
What sets Wonderhell apart from other self-help books is its emphasis on authenticity and purpose. Otting encourages readers to dig deep and discover their true values and passions, then use those as a guide for making meaningful changes in their lives. This approach is refreshing and empowering, and it left me feeling motivated and ready to take action.
Overall, Wonderhell is a powerful and inspiring book that provides a roadmap for finding fulfillment and purpose in our lives. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to break free from their own "wonderhell" and live a life that feels truly successful.
- Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2023I recently had the pleasure of reading "Wonderhell" by Laura Gassner Otting. This book is a true gem that has the power to ignite change in the way we perceive and approach our lives.
From the very first page, Otting's writing style is engaging and relatable, making it easy for readers to connect with her words and experiences. "Wonderhell" is not just a collection of motivational quotes and platitudes.
What separates "Wonderhell" is its refreshing perspective on embracing challenges and obstacles. Otting doesn't shy away from discussing the uncomfortable aspects of life; instead, she encourages readers to find the beauty and growth hidden within these moments. Her emphasis on embracing discomfort and uncertainty as catalysts for positive change is both refreshing and liberating.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2023In Wonderhell, author Laura Gassner Otting takes you through an amusement park of personal development.
Perhaps I ate one too many funnel cakes or corn dogs during my trip, because I have a stomachache.
I closed the book and had this thought: you ARE and CAN be more. And it hit me hard in the gut.
And now, because Laura included thought-provoking questions at the end of each chapter, I can keep digging deeper and continue my exploration and growth.
Laura had me from the intro all the way through to the end. I took my time with the book because I want it to sink in.
Hop on the ride - eat the funnel cake and corn dogs at your own risk!
- Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2023My copy just arrived last night and I’ve been digging into it between meetings and client deliverables today. Love the voice, the message, and the fun Candyland approach to how we can overcome imposter syndrome and uncertainty and the stress of performance anxiety.
An epiphany for me is the many times I have achieved success and then backed away because of Wonderhell.
Today, I’m back on the roller coaster running my own start-up and about to have my second book published this fall. Rather than back away, I’m going to use Wonderhell to keep me on the ride.
Thanks, Laura, for your sage advice, real talk, and the many belly laughs your book gave me!
- Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2023Laura Gassner Otting is a great writer. Seriously... the metaphor of the amusement park is freeeeegin' brilliant! LOVE it. BUT... sometimes... when a writer taps into a solid metaphor... it can almost derail their efforts to stay grounded and/or offer practical and implementable strategies. The good news is Laura navigates those waters so well. She nails the metaphor but keeps it real by telling great stories and offering powerful tools and tactics a person can really apply! It's a fun read... but you walk away with tools you can use! Enjoy the ride!
- Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2023What can I say? Laura has done it again! She is written another incredible book. "Wonderhell" provides a refreshing perspective on success and what it truly means to live a fulfilled life. She draws on her own experiences and those of others to challenge readers to question traditional definitions of success and embrace their own unique paths. Her writing is engaging, relatable, and filled with practical advice encouraging readers to identify their strengths, build meaningful relationships, and pursue their passions. Whether you're feeling stuck in your career or simply seeking a more fulfilling life, "Wonderhell" is a must-read that will inspire you to break free from the constraints of society's expectations and live a life of purpose and meaning.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2023As a second time business founder and being one that strives to achieve the most out of life, I felt this book totally got me. Laura put to words the feeling I have often felt while going after things less conventional and often difficult: “Wonderhell”. Going after Wonderhell is exciting, exhilarating and also has a lot of tough negative feelings associated with it. And it also can offer the most growth opportunities for those daring enough to enter this life course. This book was very well written, inspirational, fun to read and put together in a very creative format. I highly recommend this book!
Top reviews from other countries
- Matt CallananReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 25, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb book!
Great read from Laura! Lots of awesome stories and relatable case studies. Helping you on your success journey 📚🏆 5 Stars from me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Matt CallananSuperb book!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 25, 2023
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- AllisonGReviewed in Canada on April 12, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars A rollercoaster of stories and authenticity!
It was an inspiring way to spend Saturday afternoon (plus a couple extra sessions of reading)!
With the lake in the background and Winston watching over me and the squirrels outside - I snuggled up with the book: WONDERHELL - It’s a new book by bestselling author Laura Gassner Otting …
if you’ve ever chased a goal, achieved it, then realized you want MORE and skipped the plateau to bask in the glory of success… then you need to read this book!
Laura has a way to bring you inside the story. At times I felt like I was hanging with a friend for dinner swapping some pretty amazing and inspiring stories.
She tackles everything from perfectionism, embracing uncertainty and even why burning bridges can be a good thing …
AllisonGA rollercoaster of stories and authenticity!
Reviewed in Canada on April 12, 2023
With the lake in the background and Winston watching over me and the squirrels outside - I snuggled up with the book: WONDERHELL - It’s a new book by bestselling author Laura Gassner Otting …
if you’ve ever chased a goal, achieved it, then realized you want MORE and skipped the plateau to bask in the glory of success… then you need to read this book!
Laura has a way to bring you inside the story. At times I felt like I was hanging with a friend for dinner swapping some pretty amazing and inspiring stories.
She tackles everything from perfectionism, embracing uncertainty and even why burning bridges can be a good thing …
Images in this review
- RobynKReviewed in Canada on May 26, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a transformational book. A must read!
Every once in a while a book comes along that you have to flip the corner on almost every page
because you need to come back to it. You proceed with a yellow highlighter and underline all the juicy nuggets. That's this book!
Wonderhell could not have come at a better time for me. I feel like Laura is talking directly to me. It is exactly what I need right now.
This is a must read for anyone who tuly and deeply wants to understand the meaning of their own success. I am fully in Wonderhell and I love it here! Five stars *****
RobynKThis is a transformational book. A must read!
Reviewed in Canada on May 26, 2023
because you need to come back to it. You proceed with a yellow highlighter and underline all the juicy nuggets. That's this book!
Wonderhell could not have come at a better time for me. I feel like Laura is talking directly to me. It is exactly what I need right now.
This is a must read for anyone who tuly and deeply wants to understand the meaning of their own success. I am fully in Wonderhell and I love it here! Five stars *****
Images in this review
- Karen WyersReviewed in Canada on April 5, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars It’s like LGO is on the ride with me!!!
I just read the Preface (yes… just the preface) and I am in tears. Thank you, LGO, for seeing ME!! You have already captured exactly where I am (as you did in your first book, Limitless!!) and I just can’t tell you what a relief it is to know that my success CAN actually feel so unbelievably overwhelming. And while I know “I’ve got this”, knowing you have put a word and feelings to ALL of it is like finally getting that sought after diagnosis that, once it has a name and a way forward, can be faced head on and conquered.
And again…. That’s just the Preface.
I can’t wait for the next page.
Karen WyersIt’s like LGO is on the ride with me!!!
Reviewed in Canada on April 5, 2023
And again…. That’s just the Preface.
I can’t wait for the next page.
Images in this review
- Coltt455Reviewed in Canada on May 17, 2023
4.0 out of 5 stars A Refreshing and Bold Take on Success
“Why Success Doesn't Feel Like It Should and What To Do About It" is a truly invigorating read. With a fun and engaging tone, the book redefines conventional views of success, offering a creative lens to examine its different stages. It walks us through the full spectrum of success, painting a picture that is as starkly real as it is unexpectedly humorous.
Rather than presenting success as a polished, alluring final destination, "Wonderhell" takes us on a journey, revealing both the exhilarating highs and the often-ignored lows. It boldly expresses the hard and ugly aspects of success, not just the good. This unflinching honesty sets the book apart, adding depth and nuance to our understanding of what it truly means to succeed.
The book is more than just a critique. It's also a guide, providing actionable advice on how to navigate the complex world of achievement. Even as it exposes the pitfalls and challenges, it inspires resilience, encouraging readers to learn from their experiences and keep pushing forward.
"Wonderhell" is a brilliant combination of wit, wisdom, and warmth. Its creative and realistic portrayal of success is enlightening, making it a must-read for anyone on their own personal journey to achievement. With its rich blend of insights, anecdotes, and practical advice, this book is not just informative but also a genuinely enjoyable read. Don't miss out on this fun-filled ride through the realities of success