Sabotage to Success: Rising from the ashes of cancer and divorce; how to embrace life's second chances.

By Barabara Majeski and David Lloyd Strauss

Rising from stage three colon cancer and divorce, Barbara Majeski shares her personal struggle with self-sabotage, offering a relatable and raw story. Her signature wit, wisdom, and unfiltered sense of reality provide hope and inspiration, leading you to your true potential and authentic self.

Her five pillars of transformation, which help

• Language: English
• Publisher: Barbara Majeski Enterprises Inc.
• Release date: Feb 14, 2024
• ISBN: 9798989615711

Barabara Majeski

Barbara Majeski is a force to be reckoned with, embodying strength, resilience, and an insatiable zest for life. Known as the "Curator of the Good Life," Barbara's journey to this title was far from easy-it was forged through the trials of motherhood, a life-altering cancer diagnosis, and a flourishing career as an on-air television personality.Her visibility and impact have been widespread. She's been live on the plaza with the TODAY Show multiple times and has traveled the globe, finding love and prospering on her own terms along the way. A savvy investor and self-challenger, Barbara has learned the art of walking away from things, people, and situations that don't serve her well-being. Her television appearances are numerous, extending beyond the TODAY Show to platforms like Inside Edition, Fox, Good Day New York, and many more, always embodying her role as "The Curator of the Good Life."But what does it mean to be the "Curator of the Good Life?" For Barbara, it's not just about relishing the luxe and opulence that the world has to offer. It's a philosophy that calls for embracing each moment, be it joyful or challenging, and using those life experiences to cultivate a life teeming with style, purpose, and adventure.Her unique brand of authenticity has earned her the moniker "The Queen of Oversharing." Barbara pulls no punches when it comes to sharing the highs and lows of her personal journey. Whether she's live on the plaza with the TODAY Show or dishing out "Steals and Deals," her aim is singular: to inspire her audience to overcome their own hurdles, to venture outside their comfort zones, and to discover their personal version of the good life.

Book preview

This book is dedicated to my three biggest

inspirations. Gabe, Max & Milena.

In her book, Sabotage to Success," Barb Majeski

shows us how to overcome our defeatist perceptions

to live our fullest life. With stories and actions for us

to take, she guides us on this path. You can feel her

energy, enthusiasm, tenacity, and fun coming out of

the pages of this book. It is who Barb is."

—Gary Polson, Executive Chairman, Cydcor

Copyright © 2023 | Barbara Majeski Enterprises INC.

ISBN: 979-8-9896157-0-4

ISBN: 979-8-9896157-1-1 (e book)

First Edition

Version 01.2023 | December 2023

The MORE Life Collective Series

Published by:

Barbara Majeski Enterprises Inc.

111 Murray Street, #9c

New York, NY 10007

Cover and Interior Design: SAM Inc — Barbara Wade

Editor: Book Your Brand LLC — David Lloyd Strauss

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

ORDERING INFORMATION:

Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and organizations. Contact the publisher at: [e-mail]

The More Life Collective is a Registered Trademark of Barbara Majeski Enterprises Inc.

DISCLAIMER

The content in this book is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. It is not meant to replace the personalized guidance of a qualified financial advisor, mental health care professional, or relationship counselor.

The author and publisher disclaim any liability or responsibility for any loss or incidents, or consequential damages that may arise, whether directly or indirectly, from the information provided in this content.

Individual circumstances vary, and the strategies suggested herein may not be suitable for every unique situation. It is strongly recommended that individuals seek personalized advice from qualified professionals to address their specific needs and concerns.

Table of Contents

Welcome

Chemo Brain

The Autobahn with BABS

The Self-Sabotage Zone

PILLAR ONE | Your Conversation with Yourself

Symmetry of Beauty

PILLAR TWO | Toss Judgment Out the Window

Black Pants

PILLAR THREE | You Are the Company You Keep

PILLAR FOUR | intention · Effort · Attitude

The Cookbook Isn’t Going to Bake the Cake

PILLAR FIVE | Take the High Road. Play the Long Game.

The More You Give, the More You Get

The Grit Behind the Glamour

It’s Time…

The More Life Collective

Acknowledgments

Special Thanks To My Pioneer Book Orders

About The Author

Welcome…

Aheartfelt thank you for taking the time to read Sabotage to Success! Your support is the rocket fuel powering this exhilarating adventure of helping you live your best life.

Creating this book has been an extraordinary journey—a kaleidoscope of ah-ha moments and deep-dive reflections, like unlocking a treasure chest filled with the most impactful events of my life. Knowing how much I adore storytelling; you can bet this book is a dazzling firework display of my best-loved tales.

I’ve poured immense thought and care into shaping the message of this book, showing you how to transition your life from sabotage to success. Each page is marinated with hard-earned wisdom and life lessons, ensuring that this book won’t just be a one-time read but a lifelong companion to fuel your journey toward success.

From nostalgic childhood escapades, the mountains and valleys of my journey through divorce and cancer, to my debut on television, Sabotage to Success is more than just words on paper. It’s a piece of my soul, packaged as a never-ending source of inspiration that I know you’ll revisit time and time again.

As you delve into the pages of this book, I encourage you to embrace three non-negotiable practices that have played a pivotal role in my own transformative journey: water, walking, and writing (journaling). These practices are the bedrocks of personal growth and have the power to enhance your experience with the content you’re about to explore.

First and foremost, keep a water bottle handy as you read. Throughout my life, I’ve come to see water as more than just a means to flush toxins from my body; it’s also a powerful metaphor for purging toxic thoughts, narratives, and beliefs that can be unproductive and destructive. Whenever a passage resonates with you or strikes a chord, take a sip of water. Perhaps you’ll even find yourself needing to hydrate more profoundly. This simple act, when aligned with personal development principles, reinforces habits critical to optimizing your life.

Secondly, consider making walking a daily priority. Walking is one of the most underrated methods for improving your mental health. Throughout this journey, I urge you to set aside 30 minutes a day to hit the pavement. Use this time to process the ideas and concepts presented in this book and reflect on how they align with your own path to living your best life. Walking not only benefits your mental health but also contributes to your physical well-being. In the journey of transformation, it symbolizes forward motion and aligns with the progress you’ll make toward life optimization.

Lastly, commit to writing! Journaling is a powerful tool for crystallizing the vision and dreams you hold for yourself. By engaging both hemispheres of your brain, it unlocks hidden potential within you. On the left side, it sharpens your problem-solving skills and language prowess, while on the right side, it unleashes your creativity and aids in emotional processing. Journaling allows you to explore your potential, gain clarity, and set a clear direction. Armed with a precise vision, you become unstoppable, taking bold steps toward turning your dreams into reality.

So, grab that journal, keep your water bottle within reach, and put on those walking shoes. Let’s unleash your creativity and begin the journey of optimizing YOU!"

These three actions — Water, Walking, and Writing — are integral to the experience I’ve designed through this book. They are not just activities; they are tools to expedite your transformation and personal growth.

Let’s not allow this book to be another item collecting dust on a shelf. Information alone doesn’t lead to change; it’s the action we take that sparks transformation. So, as you journey through the chapters, remember to hydrate, reflect while walking, and express through writing.

And remember, these aren’t just recommendations for the duration of the book; they’re best practices to incorporate into your life, paving the way to a more fulfilled and optimized existence.

Enjoy the journey!

Barbara Majeski

Chemo Brain

Isold my wedding ring and threw all caution to the wind. This time, I wasn’t just going to wish for it... I was going to go for it.

It had always been my dream to be on television, but crippling insecurities and a defeatist perception of myself always stopped me dead in my tracks. I wasn’t pretty enough, smart enough, or tall enough. I had an endless list of reasons why I was not good enough. Not only that, but I also had a toxic love affair with people-pleasing. I put so much weight on what other people thought: What would they say? What will they think? I was checking all the boxes that I perceived would make me more likable. It was as if I was running for Mrs. Popularity in a contest where I was the judge, the contestant, and the runner-up because there was no one else in this make-believe land of other people’s opinions matter. There was always a gaping abyss between the life I wanted and where I was. I thought I could bridge that gap with the validation of others, but it turns out, life had its own wake-up call lined up for me.

In the fall of 2015, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer. This came on the heels of my marriage of 12 years coming to an end. Even though our vows did not last, I was blessed with three beautiful children. At the time, they were 12, 10, and 4 years old, and were in 6th, 4th, and pre-k. Until this calamity of misfortunes, I was head down, blinders on. Wear this, do that, be this, be that. I was juggling the responsibilities and ideas of who I am, checking all the boxes, and you could feel my stress. I didn’t even know I wasn’t sleeping or eating. I wasn’t taking care of myself. My stomach was in knots.

Cancer and chemo put me face-to-face with the battle for my life. At first, I thought I would be fine. I told myself, Other people have survived cancer, so I’ll survive cancer too. However, around the 8th chemo infusion, I realized I didn’t have this. I couldn’t believe how much chemo kicked my ass. I’ve always considered myself a hardy woman. I’m a descendant of Holocaust survivors; my grandparents were the only survivors of their families. I’m born of hardy stock. I ran the New York City Marathon twice, and I don’t let my problems rule my life. I face them head-on. Even though I’m a strong woman, I couldn’t believe how debilitating chemo made me feel.

I couldn’t feel my fingers or toes. Driving was out of the question because I couldn’t concentrate. Reading a book felt impossible, and even long TV shows or movies were too much to handle. At best, I could sit through a 30-minute episode of Property Brothers; the quick results at the end kept my fleeting attention. Anything more complex than an HGTV Home Makeover? Forget it.

Chemo brain is a real thing. Things were not coming back to me. And