Customer Reviews

I Could Do Anything, If I Only Knew What It Was

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A lot of people had told Barbara Sher that her book "Wishcraft," about getting what you want, was of little use to them because they didn't know what they wanted. So she wrote this book for those of us who need help figuring out what we want. After three introductory chapters, the remaining eleven chapters discuss eleven different forms of resistance to knowing what you want. I suspect that most readers will, as I did, find a few of the chapters especially relevant and won't bother reading past the opening sentences of some other chapters.

I particularly related to the chapters about being afraid to commit to something prematurely, and about not being interested in anything at all. There's also a chapter for you if you're afraid to take risks; if you're afraid of succeeding and leaving your loved ones behind; if you want too many different things; if you're succeeding spectacularly at something you don't really want; if you feel that what you really want is trivial or unworthy; if you've just been through a big life change and don't know what to do next; if you had a dream but it's become unattainable; if you resist doing anything ordinary or mundane; and if you're trying hard to love something you don't really want.

This book literally changed my life. I have been wondering - since about the age of 15, I'm now 31 - what I really wanted to do work-wise. I sort of bounced from one thing that I'm good at to the next variation on that theme, without ever feeling passionate or fulfilled. I painful breakup and growing discontent at work led me to try to sort this situation out once and for all and purely by luck I came across this book at the library.

I didn't start it until I felt ready, because I knew it wasn't going to be 'light on'. But one Saturday I picked it up and spent the next 8 hours pouring through it, doing the exercises and having one epiphany after another. At the end of it all I had applied to eight companies that did the sort of work I wanted to do and I ended up getting a job at my first choice, even without direct experience in that field. I'm 8 months into that job and I could not be happier.

The way I see it, the first three chapters of this book are about working out what you personally enjoy and are passionate about, while the remaining chapters are to help you overcome any barriers that prevent you from having that sort of work. This means that maybe only one of those latter chapters are for you, but it's all so practical that it's bound to have something that helps.

For me, the barriers weren't the big deal, it was knowing what on earth I wanted to do. And trust me - I had tried almost every other thing, including personality tests, seeing professional counsellors, everything. This book helped me unlock those activities that I have enjoyed since I was just a little child, and see the common thread amongst them. It was like learning more about yourself in a day than you learn in a decade.

I recommend that people buy this book but use it a) only when you really feel ready to explore yourself from a different point of view and b) with an open mind. Actually that makes it sound like it's full of really weird and challenging stuff, which it's not. That's what makes it different - the activities are quite straight forward and non-threatening, and the tone of the book makes it feel like the author is there with you, helping you all the way through.

I have emphatically recommended this book to everyone I know who is lost career-wise. Maybe it's not for everyone, but it changed my life in better ways that I ever imagined possible. Surely that's worth trying out?

Maybe you're just out of college wondering how you ended up with a business degree when you hate business. Or you've been spending way too much time on the job/in life daydreaming about some other job or life. Or maybe, like me, all seems right with your world, but you have a nagging feeling there's something else you should be doing. Barbara Sher's book will help you sort it all out. She'll help you figure out what's at the root of these feelings and how to understand and handle them. Through a series of exercises, explanations and examples she guides you to discover just what it is that you truly want to do. And then she shows you how to get to do what you want.

You have to be ready to do a little psychological work on yourself, think hard about your past and realistically about your future. You have to be ready to put aside the excuses and fears, and Sher knows them all, and commit yourself to working towards the life you want to live. If you're looking for something easier, like tests or checklists to tell you what you should be doing, this book might not sound like it's for you. But buy it anyway. I read all the books with the tests, the checklists, the affirmations and the goal making, etc... and they got me nowhere. This book finally got me somewhere.

"Wishcraft" knocked my socks off many years ago. While this didn't pack the same punch for me, I still recommend it heartily as a follow-up to the previous book: she builds upon its insights to offer eminently practical help for discovering what you want in life. I like Sher's approach for two reasons: (1) she makes it clear that achieving what you want in life doesn't necessarily shape itself neatly into "career" (a common mistake in career and life-planning books), and (2) she recognizes that not everyone has one GRAND passion; some people are generalists by nature, and that's just as valid (and achievable!) a way of life. Her down-to-earth and realistic approach is refreshing, and she makes no extravagant promises. In fact, her books WILL change your life -- but only because she's shown you that you know what you're looking for, and just need some practical guidance about how to find it!

I have imagined myself doing thousands of different careers, but the interest in each career would fade as fast as it appeared. Each day was a new idea. Then I found this book and couldn't put it down. It helped me realize the patterns and interests I had all my life, but never pursued as a career. I just didn't have a formula to create a career out of what makes me the happiest. How to do find your life's desire when you feel so confused? The answer: Get this book. The exercises, when done honestly, really help flush out all the garbage you have learned along the way on what you "should" be doing versus what you need to do deep down inside. The author focuses a little much on blaming parents and other significant figures we have had in our lives, but they did only as well as they could. Each chapter, even if they don't entirely relate to you, teaches you something about life and the choices you have made. This book is practical and thought provoking. It really got me excited about finally living my dream. Here I go! A must read!

I really wanted to read this book as it had gotten some good reviews and the chapter outline 'spoke to me'. However, once I started it, I was very disappointed for 2 main reasons. Firstly, my philosphy differs with the author and it made reading some sections difficult. So for example when I saw something like 'I believe in planning but the truth is that most planning is science fiction' or the constant reference to 'luck', I was turned off. However, if these ideas appeal to you, then this book will be a godsend. Secondly, the book seemed to be geared to people who had never done anything with their life or experienced the world and were cloistered at home or at work. If that's you, then read the book. On the other hand, if you have travelled, had some adventures or done anything else above the 'norm' or in control, it may be difficult to relate to the book with its extreme hand-holding, which was gnawing after a short while.

I like the book's concept and chapter outline, and I think it's aimed at persons who aren't used to taking any control for themselves. And I'm sure they need a good guide. But if you're having a career change crisis and you're used to exercising control or planning your way, but still need some help, then look some place else for a book to assist you.

I LOVED this book. The only book on finding a career direction that has been helpful to me. It was so different, in the way that it explained to me what has been blocking me from going after my true desires. The other books I have read just did a bunch of career assessments and personality assessments. Who needs that? I know my personality already, I don't need someone to test me on it. Barbara Sher went so deep into a person and why their desires remain repressed. She had different chapters for different types of situations. It was like a personalized book. I highly recommend this book. It gets to the root of the problem, and motivates you to get out there and go after what you want. She tells you to start NOW, which is scary, but that is what is stopping you...the scare. Buy this one...I promise, you will be glad you did!!

If you're the type who has always wanted to make a career move but has allowed doubt, fear, family pressure, or some other excuse to get in the way of progress, then this book might be the cure you're looking for. It describes the different obstacles that individuals often face when they try to find fulfilling employment and explains different motivational techniques to overcome these barriers.

This book is written as a self- help guide and it is complete with exercises that you can complete at home with a pen and piece of paper. These exercises ask you to list out things about yourself, like your ideal career lifestyle, or typical excuses you make that interfere with career changes. Then, following your writing exercise, the book will help you analyze what you have said and help you make your wishes reality.

Besides the exercises, this book also contains plenty of quotations from people who have attended the author's self- help seminars. This is added so that you, the reader, can hear what other people have to say who are probably in the same predicament as you. They share their personal feelings on the problems they have encountered when trying to switch lifestyles and they hold nothing back. It provides a good dose of reality to the book.

This book isn't a self- test type of book that tries to determine what type of career would suit your skills best. It is intended for those who already have a general idea what they want to do but are unsure how to overcome the mental obstacles, family pressures, financial concerns, and other problems that interfere with pursuing a major life change.

I found the last few chapters of this book to be a little bit boring and repetitive, mainly because I already found out what I needed to know about myself in the earlier chapters, where I discovered that I am (what the author refers to as) a Scanner. The ending of the book didn't relate to my situation so there was little useful information to read. But for other individuals, this book could prove to be very handy if one is looking for that extra boost needed to stop talking and take action toward change. Like the book correctly points out, life is too short to wait. You need to figure out what you want to do with your life and proceed toward making it reality.

You can trust desire to lead you to the life you were meant to live. Barbara Sher has a direct, no-nonsense approach to finding and leading a meaningful life. Her answers are simple, straightforward -- and the kind of things that make you think: "WOW, why didn't I think of that? It's so easy." Its common sense, but somehow we lose track of it, become afraid, lost, forget what we dreamt for ourselves. Her central message do what you love to give your life meaning. Find your resistance by taking action. Sher uses exercises, lots of examples, ideas, personal anecdotes (hers and from other people) "The universe is not going to see someone like you again in the entire history of creation." (Gregorian) That's why its important to live the life you were meant to live - and as Sher states - that life is as individual as you are. If you don't think you remember your dreams ... or don't believe you had any -- if you think you're all over the map and want too many things, if you feel you have nothing left, or have lost interest - then there's something here for you too -- Sher addresses these problems, and their underlying reasons.

I've never needed to read Self-Help books; I'm not that kind of girl. But this particular one caught my eye at the bookstore and after actually reading it ... let me tell you, I'm sold! I was looking for a book on Career Change. Naturally, this section of the store has quite a few, but the back jacket of Sher's book kept me interested because it detailed the content I was seeking:

- How to find my career path - What am I supposed to be doing with my life

- What to do if I have a fear of success

- What if I want too many things and cannot choose just ONE thing

So I took a chance, what did I have to loose.

This is what I learned about myself:

- I was a "Jack of all trades, master of none" kinda gal

- I love too many things and cannot commit to only one

- I am a "scanner" and not often a "diver" when it comes to my passions

So, I'm still at the same job, but now I know why I find it unsatisfying and what it is that I should be looking for to suit my "scanning" personality, and now I know how to get it!

This book has many great exercises that help you identify and learn about your "self" and take pleasure in the simplicity that is your life. I recommend this book, if you are having doubts about your present career. The worst you'll get from it is practical advice on how to get what you want.