Design Your Dream Career Now
Zen and the Art of Making a Living: A Practical Guide to Creative Career Design
by Laurence G. Boldt
Self-Help
TL;DR
This book is all about ditching the 'suck it up' mentality and designing a career that actually feels good. It teaches you to tune into your inner self (your 'vibe check') to figure out what you're truly passionate about, then strategically build a path to make that your actual job. It's less about 'finding a job' and more about 'creating your own damn lane' by understanding your unique talents and desires, embracing uncertainty, and taking consistent, mindful action towards a fulfilling work life. Basically, stop being a corporate sheep and start being the GOAT of your own career journey.
Action Items
Grab a notebook and list three things you did this week that made you lose track of time because you were so into it. That's your inner vibe talking.
Pick one small thing you've been overthinking (like what to eat for dinner) and just make a quick decision without stressing about the 'perfect' outcome.
Send one email or message to someone in a field you admire, asking for a quick virtual coffee chat.
Think about one thing you value deeply (e.g., creativity, family time, helping others). How does your current work either support or hinder that value? Just observe, no judgment.
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Key Chapter
Chapter - Your Inner GPS: Figuring Out What Doesn't Suck
Okay, so you know how everyone's always telling you to 'follow your passion,' but then you're like, 'WTF even is my passion?' This chapter is like a brutal but necessary self-intervention. It's not about some grand, mystical calling; it's about paying attention to what genuinely lights you up and what makes you feel alive, even if it's just binge-watching obscure documentaries or organizing your spice rack. The book pushes you to stop ignoring those subtle nudges and start seeing them as clues to your actual purpose. It's about peeling back the layers of societal BS to find out what you truly value, not what your parents or TikTok tells you to value. Once you get a handle on that, designing a career that doesn't feel like a prison sentence becomes way less daunting. It's about authenticity over algorithms, fam.
Key Methods and Approaches
Your Inner Vibe Check
(AKA: Self-Inquiry & Reflection)
Description:
Seriously asking yourself what makes you tick, what you're good at, and what you actually care about, instead of just going with the flow.
Explanation:
Imagine your brain is a messy ass closet. This method is like Marie Kondo-ing that shit. You pull out every thought, every desire, every skill, and ask, 'Does this spark joy? Is this useful?' If not, yeet it. It's about getting real with yourself, no cap, about what you actually want to do with your limited time on this planet, instead of just doing what your boomer parents or society expects.
Examples:
Spending 30 minutes journaling about your ideal day, not just your ideal job.
Listing 10 things you genuinely enjoy doing, even if they seem 'unproductive.'
Reflecting on past experiences where you felt truly engaged and energized.
Today's Action:
Grab a notebook and list three things you did this week that made you lose track of time because you were so into it. That's your inner vibe talking.
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