Introduction xi
Part 1 Creativity
Find Your Voice 5
Once You've Found Your Voice, Let it Evolve 15
If You Want to be the Star, Create the Show 20
The Only Way to Start Is To Start 27
It's Called Work for a Reason 29
Ideas are a Dime a Dozen 31
It's Okay If It Sucks 33
Fail More 35
You Are Not Your Art 38
Develop a Thick Skin 39
Part 2 Identity
When It Comes to Self-Care, Find What Works For You 45
Succeed Because of Your Race, Not Despite It 54
It's Okay To Want to Be Beautiful As Long As It's Your Definition of Beauty 65
You Can't Treat an Emotional Problem Physically 71
Part 3 Money, Work, and Career
More Money, More Independence 81
On Being an Internet Personality 94
How to Be a Boss 99
Give Yourself Permission 101
You Don't Need Balls 103
Take Care of Your People 105
Crunch the Numbers 107
Stand Up For Yourself; No One Else Is Going To 110
Don't Sign Anything Unless You Understand What It Means 112
Do Every Job 116
Work Hard, Work Smart 119
Know Your Shit 122
If You Don't Know How to Do Something, Find Someone Who Does 124
Part 4 Relationships
You Don't Realize How Important Friends are Until You're Friendless 129
Don't Be Afraid to Cross People off the List 135
Love 139
If He Doesn't Listen, Ditch Him 142
Take Your Birth Control 148
The Hardest Part of Being in an Emotionally Abusive Relationship is Actually Admitting That You're in One 162
Nice Guys Don't Finish Last 170
Choose Life 174
Acknowledgments 179