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I still haven't figured a few of those things out.However, there are quite a few nuggets of gold hidden between the craziness. Did you see that commercial that CareerBuilder ran during the Superbowl about how you know it's time to leave your job (I think they said if you cry all the time, get no respect, want to punch small animals. That was me, I had pretty much all those symptoms. For an example from my own experience, during my job search I knew that I wanted a lot more problem solving and responsibility at my new job. However, I don't think it is worth the 500$ price tag.
Ok, The Pathfinder is not an easy book to read. I think that that is actually the main purpose of the journal - maybe some of the things they have you do don't make much sense but at least you're thinking about how to change things. They want you to do all these exercises and keep a notebook journaling your wants, commitments, and requirements. That chapter alone has helped me through many obstacles. Plus, there are several parts of the book that are kind of confusing, such as, what's the difference between a commitment and a goal, and a meta-goal and your purpose. I could have figured out from the test that I wanted more problem solving, but I already knew that before I took the test.I was definitely a victim of the American way of job selection, and I now believe that every senior in high school should have to take a class in deciding what they want to do with their lives before they go to college and get forced to select. Finally, there are some extremely good and different ideas in here, stuff that I have never seen before. Well, after the 2nd or 3rd time of calling in sick because I just couldn't face another day, I decided I wanted to look at my options, and I picked up The Pathfinder.
I hated going to work everyday. I love his discussion about the "yeahbuts," which are the things that make you fail your commitments. I was stuck in a job that was just not right for me. This Nicholas Lore guy has an extremely different way of thinking.
I will admit that the journal thing is not all that clear (or at least it wasn't to me). This was the biggest revelation for me. Until I read this book I thought that my last job was the best that it would ever get, which in retrospect was pretty sad because I was really unhappy in my last job. This is the first book that I can honestly say changed my life. You could even use this book outside of the job search purpose, if you had something else in your life that you wanted to change.A side note - I did the talent assessment that Lore recommends to go along with this book. I would say, it is very interesting, and it helps you see why you are the way you are a little more. Especially since it didn't affect my job search in the slightest, and I am slightly skeptical of the way they are calculating their "grades" on the exam. My opinion after going through the entire process of finding a new job is that you innately know what you want from a job, and you probably don't need a talent assessment to tell you that.
It is unfair to ask a kid that has never been out in the workforce and has very little life experience to simply just decide what they want to do for the next 40-50 years, especially if they are not the type of kid with some sort of hobby that could translate into a career. ect). When I have kids, they are going to learn from me that the most important thing that they can do to get into a career that suits them is to pick up a book like Pathfinder, and really assess their lives and ask questions about what profession would be best for them.This book has it's flaws, but I feel that the main goal of this book (to get you off your hiney and looking for a job if you're unhappy, or to start thinking about what careers would be best for you if you're a student) is achieved, and the author has some genius pearls of insight that can help you in every aspect of your life. First of all, this book will convince you that there is a better job out there for you, that you are not necessarily stuck forever in your current crappy job unless you decide to be. Secondly, it will get you off your butt and help you think in more positive ways about how you can improve your situation. When I took the talent assessment it showed me that I had high analytic and diagnostic reasoning. Plus, I can also attest that I have this book to owe for getting me out of my old job and into a new job that I am much happier in.
I was a single mother, unemployed, depressed, living in a ratty apartment complex when I found the Pathfinder seven years ago.Today, I have an MBA from an excellent university, am employed as a management consultant for a top-notch firm, own a wonderful home and sailboat in a bucolic neighborhood, and am raising a happy, vibrant 9- year-old boy.I credit this book. The Pathfinder allowed me to develop a route to attain what I wanted out of life. It's not just for career improvement, but for life improvement.
I found this book so useful, I bought it twice. I just repurchased to complete the values exercise. The first time to examine my overall interest and possible fit for career. Then, I lent the book out. This book has a mini Myers-Briggs Type assessment (useful to understand how you make decisions, where you get your energy, how you take in information and how you organize your life) and its potential impact on career and other life choices.If you like to read and aren't into doing 'self work', this book is not for you. Hope it does for you what it did for me, clarity around things I'm passionate about and creating a plan to align my work with the things I'm most passionate about.I found the quotes and drawings inspirational and relevant, pushing me to keep digging and searching for my right path.
Besides, the book isn't just about having a great career, it's about having a great life. But remember, if it was that easy to figure out how to have a satisfying career, we wouldn't need career counselors or books like these.
Therefore, it would be nice if your job was truly satisfying. You spend about a third of your life (or so) working, so it's a hefty chunk of your time.
It also is quite detailed, so don't expect to pick it up and have all the answers in an hour or two- there are exercises and "things to do", so be prepared to put some elbow grease into it. That's why this is a such an important book for a lot of people- job satisfaction can definitely equal greater happiness in life.
At over 300 pages, the book is a bit on the long side. In the end, you will get what you put into it.
Also recommend "Finding Happiness in a Frustrating World" for more on setting specific goals that can bring one long-term happiness.
If you are one of those radical airhead humanists who are looking for "a life that sings"; or if you are eight years old, this is a great book. If you are a grownup, you will find this book insulting and disturbing -- especially the occasional illustrations that appear to have been drawn by someone you really don't want to have wandering around in your house.It is probably necessary, given the subject matter, that books about self-fulfillment are a little hippie-wacky, but this one is intolerable. It is written at a very low grade level and that's not even considering the ooey-gooey tone.
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