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Carve Your Own Road: Do What You Love and Live the Life You Envision

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Carve Your Own Road

Jennifer and Joe Remling

The Career Press, Inc., 3 Tice Rd. PO Box 687, Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417

ISBN: 978-1-60163-052-0

$14.99

Reviewed by: Emily Decobert

Everyone wants to leave the rat race and try their own dreams and Carve Your Own Road, was written to help us do just that. It is based on the theory, Mindset on Clarity, which states picturing yourself doing successful things build the same neural pathways as doing them.

Jennifer and Joe Remling practice what they preach and the first part of the book is how they took the leap and realized their dreams using the Mindset of Clarity theory. A interesting and inspiring story, it sets the right tone to lead into the practical instructions of the theory.

Mindset of Clarity is in itself simple and Jennifer and Joe do a great job breaking down each step so anyone can understand. The instructions are enriched by real life stories of people who accomplished their dreams, which are weaved seamlessly into the text.

The only confusing part is the fact that some real life stories were stuck in-between the first part, which was Jennifer and Joe's story, and the instructions on the Mindset of Clarity. Since real life stories are so expertly meshed in the first and second part, the adding of a bulk of extra stories breaks up the otherwise great flow.

"Carve Your Own Road" by Jennifer Remling and Joe Remling is a motivational book to get you to reconnect to what you want to do with your life since you may have gotten off the path. If you picked up the book, then maybe you took the wrong path and need to get back on track. I was hoping to learn how to get myself back on track and motivate myself to see the possibilities that are out there. Instead, they talk about how they were able to secure a book deal and a free Airstream so that they can interview people that went out and changed their careers and lives. That was okay, but I was yearning for more.

This is a fantastic book! I really enjoyed the journal-like storytelling from Jennifer and Joe as they traveled the country interviewing people who had indeed "carved their own road." But I particularly loved the inspiring stories from the many independent souls who broke free from jobs they hated to pursue their passion. Eric Yaverbaum's story really resonated with me. So did Robin Sharma's and Holley Henderson's. The insights these passionate individuals provide in this book are invaluable. If you're looking for inspiration and great ideas on how to do what you love -- and make a good living doing it -- this book must absolutely be on your reading list.

CARVE YOUR OWN ROAD: DO WHAT YOU LOVE & LIVE THE LIFE YOU ENVISION offers a process for reconnecting to dreams and opportunities - and comes from those who have successfully transitioned to careers that inspire. Dozens of stories of entrepreneurs who have pursued new jobs and discovered happy new lives in the process make for a powerful coverage perfect for any lending library strong in re-careering opportunities.

I heard about this book on CNN one day and the story behind the lives of the authors. The best part is that they give stories of people from ALL walks of life that turned their careers around. It also showed me that by focusing on something other than money, profits and salary, you can be happy. Typically when the people discussed in this book focused on what they enjoyed, the money followed. The same held true for the authors.

Hook a shiny new Airstream up to a big SUV. Jump in and take off across the country. See the sights. Visit new places. Interview successful people who made positive changes in their own lives. Write a book that will help others realize their dreams. This was Jennifer Remling's dream.

Carve Your Own Road is the two-part handbook that is the realization of her dream.

The first part of the book reveals the path Jennifer Rembling took to: one) understanding that she was unfulfilled in her current career position, two) discovering exactly what her dream was, and three) creating a plan and a path to make that dream a reality. Concurrently, her husband Joe was making a similar journey in his own professional life.

The first half of the book weaves Jennifer's and Joe's stories together as they learn, both individually and as a couple, what is and is not working in their professional lives, and the impact it is having on their personal lives. Throughout the telling of their stories the Remilings share hints and ideas as well as the stories of other successful entrepreneurs. These start the reader down the path of analyzing his own life and career, and his place in them.

The second part of the book details the seven step process for putting yourself into The Mindset of Clarity, that place in life that where a person is open to receiving guidance and help, and achieving his dream. The Seven Aspects - or steps - for achieving the Mindset of Clarity to are easy to understand, but not necessarily easy to follow. Old habits tend to die slowly. With commitment and diligence anyone can incorporate the Seven Aspects into their life and embark on the journey toward living the life they dream of and long for.

Carve Your Own Road is not a get-rich-quick scheme. In fact many people who travel this path find that money is not nearly as important as a quality, creative lifestyle is. Carve Your Own Road is a proven method of learning how to take your skills and experience, and put them to work to create the type of career and lifestyle that brings you the most fulfillment, peace and joy, and leaves you time to spend with the people you love. It won't happen easy, and it won't happen fast, but you will be able to make your dream happen. The journey will be surprising, challenging, sometimes scary and hard, other times thrilling.

While the book is geared to those who have climbed the corporate ladder and found life at the top less than satisfying, it does offer a wealth of ideas and suggestions anyone can use to learn how to live the life they dream of, and enjoy a career that utilizes the best of their talents and skills and delivers satisfaction at the end of each day.

Are you ready to throw off the corporate shackles and find a freer, more creative life style? Do you have dreams and ideas buzzing around in your head begging for release? Are you longing for more time with your family? More time to indulge yourself in the things you enjoy most? Carve Your Own Road could very well be your first step in a journey toward all that and more.

I loved this book, it felt like I knew the author and she was telling me how she changed her life and the steps that I could take, at my own pace to see my life differently and to make a change.

Jennifer and Joe Remling traversed America in an Airstream trailer, interviewing people who found a way to make meaning in their work. They spoke to veterans in several industries, both entrepreneurs and those working in established corporations. Not incidentally, they discovered how to enjoy their own work, and strengthened their marriage. And now they're ready to share their lessons with you.

Mixing reporting, memoir, and manifesto, the Remlings take up a thesis that is much ballyhooed in this down economy: it doesn't matter if you're well paid, if your job strips your humanity. They scan hours of interviews with the working world's path-breakers and find several common habits and insights. And, in a pleasing change from many books like this, they don't just promulgate a philosophy; they offer exercises in how to actually think and act productively.

The Remlings don't just urge everybody to create their own start-up and go for broke. They admit that some of us can find meaning in working for somebody else. The question is not just who signs the paycheck, they say, but how much control you have over your work, and how much your work sustains your soul. Therefore they offer tips on how to find meaningful work, or how to make meaning in the work you already have.

Most of this book is Jennifer's project, and her love of her work shines through and is an inspiration. The book hits some early rocky bits when Joe takes over the writing. Chapters 5 and 6 in particular lapse into self-indulgent travelogue. But don't let this distract you, because the second half of the book is where the most specific pointers and exercises live, and that's what you want to get from your authors.

I will be using the exercises in this book to salvage my admittedly wobbly career. You can do the same. Though you must push through a sluggish start, the culmination rewards the effort with advice you can put to use. If you're sick of following the old roads and working for someone who doesn't work for you, grab this book and give it pride of place on your shelf.

The book Carve your Own Road has been such an inspiration and a great source of motivation in my search for clarity. The book and the message behind it are something that everyone needs to hear. It opens your eyes to living your life for yourself and allows you to imagine and create the path you want to take. The book not only is great on giving examples and relating experiences from other people and their great achievements but also gives you the tools on how to get where you want to be. It is an uplifting book which gives you the insight and the tools to succeed. I recommend the book to everyone out there who needs some direction and clarity in their life.

"Carve Your Own Road" is an easy and fun read. The book is composed of stories of others who have created their own destiny and has a set of questions to get you started thinking about your own destiny.