Chasing the Bright Side

Embrace Optimism, Activate Your Purpose, and Write Your Own Story

By: Jess Ekstrom

Narrated by: Jess Ekstrom

Length: 5 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

One flicker of hope. That’s all it takes to catapult yourself into the life you’ve always imagined.

Success is not born out of skill, school, where we’re from, who we know, or what we scored on the SAT. None of us were born ready. None of us started life knowing how to fly a plane or launch a company or knit a sweater for our dog.

But we are born with something more important than skills. We’re born with optimism—the initial seed for success. Optimism fuels the belief that you can be the one to create the good the world needs. But you’ve got to hone it. And practice it. And determine to live from it.

In Chasing the Bright Side, Jess Ekstrom shares her own inspirational story of how optimism helped her overcome multiple challenges, and the dynamic ways her mindset propelled her as a young entrepreneur, international speaker, and philanthropist.

Do you have dreams for yourself and the world that are tucked away in your box of somedays? What would happen if today was the day you opened the box? And what if that box was the key to a better tomorrow?

Jess' journey will inspire you embrace the power of optimism in your own life, and help you reimagine your purpose so you create good in the world while fulfilling your own dreams—right where you are.

Discussion questions and info on a listener exclusive are available in the audiobook companion PDF download.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 Jess Ekstrom (P)2019 Thomas Nelson

Critic reviews

"Chasing the Bright Side is essential reading for anyone facing a challenge, in work or in life. With emotion, humility, and humor (and some amazing stories), Jess Ekstrom not only demonstrates how anyone with a dream can eventually persevere, but also shows by example how we all can tap into the passion to do so. It's the book I wish I had read before starting my own entrepreneurial journey, but luckily it's not too late for everyone else. I'll be recommending this book to my own children, to the aspiring entrepreneurs I work with, and to everyone I meet who aspires to find more purpose in their life. It's a page-turner that you won't be able to put down until you've finished but holds lessons that will reveal themselves to you for a lifetime." Marc Randolph, Netflix cofounder and first CEO

"Optimism is never accidental. Jess Ekstrom knows this better than anyone. I love that she's given practical, encouraging, empowering steps to discovering what it takes to lead with optimism. Read this today if you want to change your tomorrow." Jon Acuff, New York Times bestselling author of Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done

"'Optimism is a daily choice. It's not naive or Pollyanna; it's a foundation for success in life. In Chasing the Bright Side, Jess Ekstrom will motivate you see your challenges as opportunities to learn and grow and believe the best is yet to come. Every day you can focus on being positive, working hard, and making others around you better, and Jess's inspiring message will help you get there." Jon Gordon, bestselling author of The Energy Bus and The Power of Positive Leadership

All you need is a dream & courage to succeed!

I'm on my 2nd time listening to "Chasing the Bright Side". Out of all the self helps I've listened to this one stood out as the most relatable! It gave me so much confidence and made me realize that I don't have to have all the answers. I can figure it out as I go along. I was always that person who thought different and was teased and talked about you know "she think she better" so I dimmed my light for a long time to make other ppl comfortable. Thank you Jess for taking the time to put your thoughts and experiences into the book/audioable 💕

Smiles, Tears, and Laughs

This book was everything and more. The writer pulls you during her story and helps you visualize her experiences in a way that makes you feel like you're there. I laughed, cried, and really dug deep within myself when listening. I've been telling everyone about this story and how impactful it is. I love that the writer narrates her own book. I wish I could listen to her read more.

Loved it!

This book was everything! So so good and a great easy listen. Thank you for writing it!

Raw honesty and a heavy dose of encouragement!

Jess is a fantastic storyteller - incorporating her personal sense of humor and a raw honesty about her experiences as an entrepreneur. As someone getting her own business off the ground, I felt empowered to tackle even the potholes in the road, because Jess displays humility in a way that's encouraging to the reader.

This book is the perfect gift for start-up owners and people in need of a few good laughs. You'll feel like Jess is your best friend by the end of the book!

So encouraging

So many great nuggets of wisdom from this beautiful and authentic woman. If you are looking to feel re-aligned with yourself and your purpose, read this book! If you are looking to have a spark again, read this book. Thank you Jess for inspiring me and so many others!

2020 1st Read- Chasing the Bright Side

This book is great! Filled with moments of tears and laughs and encouragement and real emotions. Besides the numerous quotes, I found myself taking notes and replaying to hear stories again and again. I strongly recommend this book!

Hands down BEST book I've read in quite a while

The encouragement to continue with my optimistic approach on life was truly validating! Thank you Jess for your amazingly BIG HEART!

Powerful story about not giving up

This is the rare, and awesome, book when the author doesn't make themselves the hero. Reading this book feels as if you're having a conversation with Jess as opposed to some expert lecturing you. The book provides a bright dose of inspiration, and thankfully, tips and strategies you can actually take action on. The combination of humor, "real talk," a directness makes this book a game changer for something looking to shift their life from one of pessimism to optimism.

A must read if you need loads of inspiration

Jess, thank you for writing who a must read for every new entrepreneur wondering if they are doing the right thing to start a business in this current climate of pandemics, racism and riots! You have inspired me to step into my destiny to change what I don’t like in this world. Hearing you read the book feels like hanging out with a trusted friend. I have been stuck in a place wondering if I’m doing the right thing starting my new company but listening to your truths: the good, the struggles and the funny has helped me focus on what I’m learning and how I can make a difference in the world. You have been a trusted companion every day this past week when I took my daughter on our daily walk around our neighborhood. I’m so inspired by your words that I have ordered the hard copy of the book so I can make notes at my favorite sections in the boo.

Would 1000% recommend this book to anyone

I've been starting my days off by listening to this book while doing my morning walk and man, what a great way to start the day!! Jess is real, raw, and transparent in this book. She tells her story in a super relatable manner, almost as if you're just listening to a friend talk, which makes the time go by so quickly. Would recommend this book 1000% to anyone. Such a great listen!