I bought this on a bit of a whim from Amazon as I had seen Kelly at work on the Hills and the City and thought that she was an icon for powerful, no nonsense business women. From the title of the book and the small blurb shown online I expected it to be just an amusing, tongue-in-cheek guide to life in the crazy world of fashion PR. Although parts of the book are like this it is also part autobiography (in shocking and brutally honest detail; dealing with abortion, addiction and divorce) and also a self-help guide. I hesitate to use the term 'self-help' guide because that conjures up associations with such pathetic titles as 'How to be truly happy' and other seemingly bullshit tomes of hippy happy advice whereas this actually offers practical, useful and inspired notes of guidance. I warn you in advance that there are aspects of spirituality and religion in Kelly's suggestions but they are far from being either intrusively didactic or holier than thou irritating. Kelly is not averse to using real examples from her own personal and professional life to illustrate how certain things have succeeded and equally how certain experiences were immense failures- this up front honesty is really compelling. It is refreshing to see her admit her faults, weaknesses and fears and inspiring to see her follow her own advice in difficult situations- as she states: 'It is not a breakdown, It's a breakthrough'. Kelly is intuitively aware of how past media coverage has painted her (in her own words) a bitch, witch or cunt, and how certain people may react to her writing this guide, which only serves to heighten her sense of self awareness and strength- something we could all learn from.
I don't want to sound like an obsessive convert but I really feel like this book offered some life changing advice- from lists of what not to wear to work and career don'ts to sound advice on how to conduct yourself within the office and prove yourself as an intern. If you are in a similar position to me, that is at the bottom of the career ladder having recently graduated, then the advice within this book is priceless. Sure, it records the life experiences of an older woman like giving birth, being CEO of your own company and conducting business with clients (all of which we can't relate to yet) but it also gives invaluable advice on how to go about getting a job and more importantly how to prove yourself once you've started and get that promotion. Kelly may be the boss of a world renowned PR company and offer advice from the employers perspective but she also has experience being the employee, and a failed one too.
In short, Kelly knows what she is saying. She has the credentials to prove her success and alongside her business know how she also has some interesting things to say about relationships, gender equality and social stereotyping. If you are sick of the Disney induced labelling of women as frail princesses in need of a rescue then you will find Kelly's ballsy and forthright commentary on 21st century society a breath of fresh air in a world of stifling conformity.
I sat and read all 197 pages in one go it was that gripping. Admittedly I may have been slightly impressionable after receiving some less than great news about an upcoming job but I shall heed Kelly's advice about getting through the bad times:
"Things will change: you won't feel this way forever. And anyway, sometimes the hardest lessons to learn are the ones your soul needs most. I believe you can't feel real joy unless you've felt heartache. You can't have a sense of victory unless you know what it means to fail. You can't know what it's like to feel holy until you know what it's like to feel really fucking evil. And you can't be birthed again until you've died."
Thanks Kelly.
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