In need of some direction and inspiration for where my life is going I picked up this wonderfully titled book by the oddly named Po Bronson. It turned out to be full of real life stories of people who have changed career or found their calling, or simply just done something different with their lives.
brilliant...
Bronson's approach divides the stories into useful sections, some deal with the question alongside other commitments like family, others with what it means to find fulfilment in a job, and whether you should actively seek out opportunities that could lead to failure. The author also gets involved in the stories, as in he goes and visits with each person, and he offers comment on their choices but without judgement (much). The book therefore made me think a bit more creatively about my future and what it is I might like to do, and more importantly, the stories encouraged me not to give up hope, that the right job could come along by accident, although it helps to explore possibilities. While I didn't put the book down knowing the answer to the title's question, I'm more confident about being able to figure it out and enjoy doing so. While reading the book I've begun volunteering at the Playhouse, and I'm about to begin a second Open University course, on creative writing - I'm not sure I consciously did these things as a direct result of my reading this work, but it may have helped.
briefly...
A thought-provoking work, with a range of interesting people leading varied and fulfilling lives - a real piece of inspiration to ponder as I go.
Po Bronson has written quite the inspirational book. It's not like traditional self-help books (which I believe is the section I found it). It doesn't necessarily give you a set of rules or procedures. It tells the story of everyday people and how they found a sense of balance in their lives by trying to do something meaningful while also facing their everyday responsibilities. I found it motivating because it wasn't necessarily about living your dream. It was about people who had dreams, but for one reason or another have been unable to fulfill them in the traditional sense. But while on the journey to their dreams they found other things that were satisfying. It was about living and when you put your whole self into living fully you will lead an incredible life, even if you do not realize your dreams.
ReplyDeleteYou're write, it's full on inspiring tales and is so much better than an instruction manual for how to live life - although I could do with a nudge in the right direction! I think the ultimate effect of Po's book was to make sure I don't give up hope that the right job/dream might come along when I least expect it.
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