March 20, 2023
Americans are fed narrow, outdated notions of what work means—9 to 5 days, climbing the corporate ladder, dreams of bigger offices and higher salaries—argues TV personality Feiler (Life Is in the Transitions) in this energetic challenge to status quo notions of success. After taking in the disruptions wrought on work culture by the pandemic, Feiler embarked on a “Work Story Project” in which he interviewed people across the country to discover what makes jobs meaningful. He found that most people reported having more than one job, and that definitions of success are highly individual and based on a “work narrative” rooted in personal beliefs, experiences, and lessons. Since people can be unaware of their work narrative, he suggests conducting a “meaning audit”—surveying past, present, and future priorities and perspectives—in order to assume control of the story. As well, Feiler discusses harnessing “workquakes,” or moments of professional disruption, to initiate soul-searching, and the importance of allowing oneself permission to enact a life change; he supports his arguments with examples of those who overcame difficulties to find fulfilling careers. While the abundance of anecdotes sometimes crowds out Feiler’s advice, his down-to-earth delivery and emphasis on individual agency will resonate with readers seeking direction. Those at professional crossroads will benefit.
April 1, 2023
With many people seeking alternatives to the 9-to-5 routine, Feiler speaks to those who have successfully made a "workquake" transition. Feiler has written a number of life-affirming bestsellers, including Life Is in the Transitions and The Secrets of Happy Families. In his latest, he delves into a subject that he has touched on previously: work, which can give our lives meaning if approached in the right way. However, as the author shows, the worth of work is often undercut by the idea of the career. The notion of joining a corporation in an entry-level position and then slowly climbing through the ranks to a corner office is the antithesis of a meaningful life to many people, and Feiler believes that there needs to be a new definition of what constitutes success. True, there are some who find great satisfaction in the corporate life, but the point is that everyone should be able to seek out what is suitable for them. The author chronicles his interviews with hundreds of people who found meaning by making radical changes in their work paths, often eschewing regular salaries to do something that they loved. Some jumped into a different type of organization, some founded their own companies, and others retrained for new opportunities later in life. Of course, it's difficult to determine what makes you happy, and Feiler sets out a number of questions to ask yourself, ranging from what sort of stories you like to identifying when you were happiest as a child. He emphasizes that finding a new direction can mean getting past the expectations of other people and accepting tough challenges--hardly easy but essential to finding satisfaction. Feiler communicates all this in plain language, and it is an important message. After all, nobody dies wishing they had spent more time at the office. A useful, insightful guide to anyone who is seeking a more satisfying way to live.
COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
May 15, 2023
At a time when the American workplace is morphing more than ever, Feiler (Life Is in the Transitions, 2020) delivers a timely treatise on finding meaningful work. He encourages readers to shirk a linear career path by working to create a career-success story. He offers assessment tools in the book, which is presented in three segments: "The Three Lies about Work," "The One Truth about Work," "The Six Questions to Ask in a Workquake" (interruptions and mindset changes about work). Feiler's research shows that advice like following your passion, having a 10year plan, and focusing on the bottom line is antiquated. Based on interviews with numerous people, he demonstrates how individuals can move from a "means-based economy to a meaning-based economy." One example is a career corporate executive who redefined his path by purchasing a cleaning business and focusing on employees, customers, and quality of life rather than on earning money. Readers will find this book relevant at a time when many Americans are still reconsidering what it means to not only work but also to live a quality life while doing it.
COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.