Killing Rapunzel: Learning to Save Yourself Through Determination, Grit and Self-Employment

By Liesha Petrovich

Why do I think killing Rapunzel is a good idea? Because she’s the scariest character in all the fairytales. She’s the lock on the door, the killer of dreams, and the tiny voice inside your head telling you that you’re not good enough to do it yourself. She’s depression dressed in a princess gown.

And Rapunzel is wrong

This book is about my journey, and what I think helps. I think everyone has it in them to start a business. To take control of your life and start moving towards your dream job - it's only a matter of determination.

It’s a way out of the muck and into a new life. It’s not easy, but neither is life. It’s time we kill the Rapunzel attitude and take charge of our own lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Liesha Petrovich
• Release date: May 10, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311341402

Book preview

Introduction

Idon’t know why you’re reading this right now.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m ecstatic that you bought my book. But I don’t know you, and you don’t know me. Except if you’re my mom reading this because she has too.

What I do know is that you’re feeling stuck. Stuck in a life you don’t like, trapped in a job you hate, or maybe just sitting at the crossroads waiting for something to happen. Either way, you’re not moving forward.

This book is about my journey, and what I think helps. I think everyone has it in them to start a business. To take control of your life and start moving towards your dream job - it's only a matter of determination.

So this book is part kick in the ass, part cheerleader, and part strategy. It’s to show you that the only person putting limits on you is you.

It’s a way out of the muck and into a new life. It’s not easy, but neither is life. It’s time we kill the Rapunzel attitude and take charge of our own lives.

And why do I think killing Rapunzel is a good idea? Because she’s the scariest character in all the fairytales. She’s the lock on the door, the killer of dreams, and the tiny voice inside your head telling you that you’re not good enough to do it yourself. She’s depression dressed in a princess gown.

And Rapunzel is wrong. So lace up your kick ass boots, because we’re about to Kill Rapunzel.

Side note: Of course I’m not advocating actual murder. So calm down because it’s a metaphor.

Part I

Killing Rapunzel

Chapter 1

Once upon a time , there was a girl named Liesha…

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…w ho thought white knights actually existed. Who believed that she was the princess in her story. Who didn't take the lead in her story and let others drag her around. Who wanted something important, but didn't know what that was or how to get it.

So she waited. And waited and waited and waited.

Actually, I wasn’t much of a princess. I wanted to be a leader, never a follower. I wanted to be independent, but had no direction. I wanted to be strong.

But when the going got tough, I wanted to be rescued.

I got married at 23. I loved my husband desperately (still do). He wanted to open a business in a different town. It wasn’t my dream, it was his. I was in love, so I would have followed him anywhere. Sure, let's do exactly what you want...it will be awesome.

Fast forward a few years…

I had two young children, and tried to juggle a business and family. Tried to be everything to everyone, while internally I was breaking down.

I needed a life raft.

I just couldn’t see past my problems, to the options I already had. Instead, I called myself stuck. I complained – rather loudly – to anyone who would listen. Sure, I got lots of sympathy. But nobody asked me the right questions.

What’s holding you back?

What do you really want?

Why put limitations on yourself?

And I stayed up in my tower. Waiting - until I asked the right set of questions.

Chapter 2

Stars , Dreams, and Crossroads

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Remember dreaming while looking at the stars when you were little? Staring up at millions of tiny lights in the sky. You couldn't