Option B

Facing Adversity, Building Resilience and Finding Joy

by Sheryl Sandberg, Adam Grant

4.4(7,894 ratings)

10 min read

Brief overview

This book offers a heartfelt exploration of how to bounce back after a devastating loss or crisis. Through reflective storytelling and a focus on practical strategies, it highlights that resilience is both within reach and strengthened through community and self-compassion. Readers will discover how small steps, honest conversations, and embracing new possibilities can lead to renewed purpose and lasting hope.

Introduction

From one moment to the next, life can morph from normalcy into profound crisis. When tragedy struck and a loved one was suddenly lost, everything changed forever. Facing such a monumental blow can feel impossible, as though there is no clear path back to joy.

Yet amid the shock and heartbreak, we also discover new strength we did not know existed. Friends, family, and even coworkers rally, offering help and empathy. More than anything, the power of resilience lies in how we slowly choose growth over despair.

In these pages, you’ll see that while grief demands we confront the darkest realities, it can also open us to deeper relationships. This book’s journey begins with an unthinkable loss and unfolds into a framework for regaining equilibrium, one small step at a time.

Understanding Grief and the 3 Ps

A key breakthrough involves recognizing three tendencies that amplify suffering: Personalization, Pervasiveness, and Permanence. Personalization is the trap of blaming ourselves for fate’s tragedy. Pervasiveness is the belief that the pain will poison every area of life. And Permanence is the fear that sorrows will never fade.

By learning to spot these mental habits, we can gradually loosen their hold. We see that sometimes bad things happen regardless of anything we did or did not do. We realize that one devastating event need not derail an entire life. And crucially, understanding that acute pain can lessen with time lets us move into the future with renewed hope.

Embracing this perspective is not about suppressing sadness. It’s about granting ourselves permission to see that adversity may be intense but need not be infinite. Even small changes in mindset begin to open doors to healing.

Acknowledging that grief is temporary, not permanent, helps us find a path forward.

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What is Option B about?

Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience and Finding Joy is an uplifting guide to healing after life-altering events. Drawing on personal heartbreaks and scientific findings, Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant help readers see that pain and progress can coexist. Through honest storytelling and researched insights, the authors show how shifting our mindset can soften the hardest blows.

This book explores a framework known as the "3 Ps," which stand for Personalization, Pervasiveness, and Permanence. By challenging these damaging thought patterns, readers can break free from guilt, broaden their view of life’s challenges, and open the door to renewed hope. With empathy and clarity, Option B illustrates how a supportive community and self-compassion can guide individuals toward meaningful recovery.

Review of Option B

A standout strength of Option B is the authors' ability to mix intimate anecdotes with clear psychological strategies. The text highlights real-life examples of resilience and offers insights to help readers handle personal, familial, or work-related crises. The 3 Ps model is especially practical, as it demonstrates how reframing our thoughts can lift us out of despair. There's also an emphasis on small steps and open dialogue—simple but powerful tools for daily progress.

The writing is accessible, blending relatable storytelling with well-researched data. Sandberg and Grant address a wide audience, from parents teaching children about adversity to professionals nurturing team resilience. Their tone is warm and direct, offering honest reflection rather than quick fixes. If you’re looking for a thoughtful resource that respects both emotional depth and practical action, this book is a recommended read.

Who should read Option B?

Individuals coping with significant personal loss who want supportive strategies.
Parents and guardians eager to foster resilience skills in their children.
Managers and team leaders aiming to build a more empathetic workplace culture.
Professionals seeking concrete methods for overcoming setbacks and adapting to change.

About the author

Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant are the co-authors of "Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience and Finding Joy". Sheryl Sandberg is a renowned businesswoman and advocate for women's rights, best known for her role as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Facebook from 2008 to 2021. She holds a degree from Harvard Business School, where she was a Baker Scholar, awarded to the top 5% of the graduating class. Adam Grant is a psychologist at Wharton, bringing his research expertise to the book. Together, they combine personal insights and research to provide practical advice on building resilience and finding joy in the face of adversity. Sheryl Sandberg is also the author of the bestselling book "Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead".