Be Happy at Work: 100 Women Who Love Their Jobs, and Why (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

With the number of U.S. workers dissatisfied with their jobs at an all-time high, here, in contrast, are 100 women who love their occupations. (And yes, the author, now a contributing editor to Forbes^B magazine, counts herself as one.) In defining "happy," Gordon uses this as her common thread: "Being engaged in activities whose outcomes you are proud of and with people you respect." She exposes the three reasons behind happy work--process, purpose, people--and the 10 different categories of it. There are lovers, like latent librarian Karrie Fisher-LaMay, who live to work; thinkers, a la on-air journalist Leslie Stahl; and after-achievers, who have realized a "post peak incarnation" in a second career or via retirement vocations. And so on. What is significant--and absolutely inspiring--are the enthusiastic voices and the seven lessons to be learned from them, from knowing what you want to exuding confidence. Eminently personal and approachable. Barbara Jacobs
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

Advance praise for Be Happy at Work

“Finally a book that celebrates the joys of women and work. A perfect antidote to all of the depressing talk about women not having it their way. If you want to feel great about your work life, let these women empower you.”
–Gail Evans, author of She Wins, You Win and Play Like a Man, Win Like a Woman

“You can go through your working life frustrated or you can rekindle your career enthusiasm. The key is being open to the proactive thinking and advice Joanne Gordon offers.”
–Florence Stone, editorial director, American Management Association

“Don’t remain trapped in the awful cycle of hating your job. Joanne Gordon’s sound advice and the inspiring stories make Be Happy at Work an important book for any woman who wants to do good–for herself, her family, and her employer.”
–Tory Johnson, co-author of Women for Hire: The Ultimate Guide to Getting a Job

“As inspirational as it is practical, Joanne Gordon’s Be Happy at Work can help women navigate the twists and turns it takes to find not only work you get paid for . . . but work you love. Thanks to her, The Happy 100 will soon be the Happy Millions!”
–Mary Lou Quinlan, author of Time Off for Good Behavior: How Hardworking Women Can Take a Break and Change Their Lives

“This book celebrates the hard work and determination of one hundred diverse women. By showcasing women in a variety of situations, Gordon reflects a reality of today’s workforce: Women are managing their careers–and lives–through a series of informed decisions. The Happy 100 demonstrate the many paths to career success.”
–Ilene H. Lang, president, Catalyst


From the Hardcover edition. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (March 29, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345468554
• ISBN-13: 978-0345468550
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #449,155 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than Po Bronson's What Should I Do With My Life, April 29, 2005

By	Diane K. Danielson "CEO, DowntownWomensClub.com" (Cohasset, MA USA) - See all my reviews

After all, isn't being happy what we should do with our lives? But why are some women happy at work and others not? Joanne Gordon wanted to find out so she interviewed 100 women with varied careers: truck-drivers, CEOs, retailers, you name it. Then she boils down what makes them happy to a few common themes - process, purpose and people. What's great about the book? She leaves out the work-balance discussion and focuses on the work. This is a much more intriguing and thought-provoking read than Po Bronson's <em>What Should I Do With My Life?</em>

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and thought provoking, May 5, 2005

By	armchairinterviews.com (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

We spend almost a third of our life working, yet so many of us aren't happy with what we do. Joanne Gordon, author of Be Happy At Work, spent over a year searching for women who love what they do. Gordon has identified three themes and ten categories of happy working women. The 100 women come from all walks of life. Some are famous and some are everyday women. She tells their stories in a lively and straight-forward manner and discusses why they are happy and how we can achieve that same happiness in our own lives.

I liked Gordon's bullet point definitions and descriptions. They were easy to find, read and refer to again. The stories are inspiring. If you're not happy at work, you might want to read this book - and then spend some good old-fashioned thinking time about what you can do to change your situation.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Be Happy at Work by Joanne Gordon, August 12, 2005

By	Joseph S. Maresca "Dr. Joseph S. Maresca CPA,... (Bronxville, New York USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The author identifies behavioral strategies requisite to selecting an enjoyable career that rewards and makes us happy. Specific motivational strategies include the following:

- Persons displaying an innate enthusiasm and energy
- Determined healers who try to facilitate disagreements rather
than exacerbate them
- Goal reachers who set goals and achieve them at each major
milestone
- Overcoming hurdles and obstacles to goal attainment

This work reinforces the notion that there are no happy jobs but
there are happy and well-adjusted workers. The volume would be
helpful for anyone engaged in career planning. The author emphasizes constructive behaviors and strategies aimed at enhancing the work group situation during major milestones.