Customer Reviews

Dare to Change Your Job and Your Life

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Dare to Change Your Job and Your Life, 2nd Edition

This is one great book for someone who may be unhappy in their life or career - and needs a reality check. I've read a number of so-called "self-help" books over the years - and this one really did it for me. I'm delighted to say that the new 2nd Edition merits equal praise.

I especially recommend this book for lawyers who are thinking of making a change. I had left the law and had a vague feeling of disquiet concerning my non-legal position that I had held for some three years. When I had completed the Job Satisfaction Questionnaire found in Chapter 7, I found out that I hated my new career even more than my former position in the legal field. I liked the book so much, and since we were in the same metropolitan area, I retained Dr. Kanchier as my personal career consultant. Now, as a "Quester", I'm off to something new, but back to the law.

The author has created a new description of a particular type of person, which she refers to as a "Quester." This is someone who may change occupations or status levels, and sacrifice financial rewards and position for self-expression and personal growth. Flexibility, self-expression, and freedom from conventional restraints identify Questers. They are independent, innovative spirits who generally have an optimistic outlook on life and want a healthy balance between work, love and leisure time. They seldom get bored unless they make the mistake of staying on a particular career path longer than they should. Chapter 3 in the book has another questionnaire to help the reader determine whether he or she is a "Quester."

The book includes a number of questionnaires and checklists to assist the readers in evaluating their strengths, weaknesses and choices throughout the quest. Dr. Kanchier has years of professional and "life" experiences upon which to draw, and is well-qualified to author such a book. It is based upon personal research involving more than 30,000 individuals.

The book focuses on feelings and personal concerns - it is not a superficial "how to get a job" book - but a life journey that takes the reader to a far deeper level of introspection and self-assessment than the usual book of its type.

"Dare to Change Your Job -- And Your Life"

This book provides a fresh outlook on careers and jobs. Kanchier initiates the concept of "Questers" and utilizes it to both explore the segment of the population that fits its definition and elucidates how an individual can become more Quester-like. Quester's have a unique approach to careers as exemplified by the famous Quester, Pablo Picasso, who stated:

"What is always there is your work. It is the extension of you, not your child but you. You are the work. The passions that motivate you may change, but it is your work in life that is the ultimate seduction."

After describing what a Quester is like, and providing examples of famous Questers, Kanchier poses the question in Chapter 3 "Are you a Quester?" There is an interesting and enjoyable self-scoring, 149 item, questionnaire that identifies Questers.

If one were to just read Picasso's rendition on work, one may confuse the Quester with a workaholic. However, Kanchier's Quester is definitely a mentally healthy, well balanced individual. The Quester is in fact unlike a workaholic in every way except the focus on work. Indeed, the Quester values personal relationship that are "extremely rich." The balance of Chapter 3 defines healthy qualities of the Quester including: self-confidence, purpose (meaning of life), autonomy, achievement, innovativeness, androgyny, risk and growth. After each characteristic and its definition she provides useful tips on how to develop each characteristic of the Quester.

Another interesting aspect of the book, in Chapter 4, differentiates between the traditional ladder climber and the Quester. Unlike those individuals that see up as the only desirable alternative, Questers many times opt for "sideways" and even "down" in terms of traditional career advancement. They do this because "they have learned to do a little investigation into their needs, values and purposes". So the tradition "down" in dollar terms might be "up" for a Quester in terms of quality of life with the family.

The reward system that motivates a Quester is also highlighted. Questers often refer to their jobs as "fun" and "pleasurable", with such qualities of the job being more rewarding than titles or money. Chapter 7 provides the reader with another self-assessment to determine the reader's current level of job satisfaction. The book concludes with challenges to risk and to change.

This book would be an excellent reference for a career counselor. It would also be ideal as a supplementary text in career development classes. The book is also clearly designed as self-help book and would be highly helpful to anyone reflecting upon a career or job at any developmental stage. This reviewer found the book both interesting and enjoyable to read.

Well, it was about time, finding a book that answered all my questions about what I really wanted out of life and, but of course, my fears and doubts. I was so trapped in my job, believing every manipulation corporate America put into my head. Now, I know what I want to do, and I am not afraid to risk and lose. Job satisfaction is more important than the money I'll lose, or that I'll make in the future. I just want to be happy. Security? There's no security anywhere, so the only risk I can avoid is the risk of not trying it. You should, too. Just read the book, and see what I mean.

This is a daring book. It challenges you to dare to change your life. Best of all, it gives you real encouragement and sound practical ways of going about it. It encourages risk taking, but with a factual basis offering real promises and possibilities of success.

The author, in her preface, disclaims originality in the ideas of this book. She does so, recognizing that she is adding yet another volume to the already crowded shelves in the self-help sections of bookstores and to the life span literature long graced by the names of White and Sheehy and other psychologists. What Carole Kanchier claims as her unique contribution is that she presents a holistic picture of career decision making especially in the realm of the emotions, addressing the question of liking or disliking a job in relationship to the broader perspective of personality development and periods of life. It is this that makes her claim for a niche on those already crowed shelves. She largely meets her own criteria by offering not only a holistic developmental view but practical help for decision making and excels by doing it all in an encouraging, two-feet-on-the-ground approach to the challenges of life in the real world.

Kanchier is not only addressing Questers, she is developing Questers with the firm conviction that these people are made and not born that way. She identifies their characteristics: Purposeful, Autonomous, Intimate, Androgynous, Achieving, Growing. She provides a 149 item test one can use to indicate if one is a Quester. "You too can become a Quester" she proclaims. She illustrates and encourages this premise with a multitude of short life stories. The question remains: "But can I become a successful Quester?" Much of the book is devoted to answering this all important question. Some of this is done with "Job Satisfaction," "Job Involvement" and "Burnout" questionnaires, insights into the process of decision making and practical down to earth help including guidelines for writing a resume.

Behind the practical aids in this book is a philosophy that is refreshingly broad and humane in the age of the "me" generation, when self satisfaction is often the only goal of some self-help books. "Job satisfaction" is there up front, but Carole Kanchier gently reminds her reader that public service, family responsibilities and altruism are still valid facets of job satisfaction, and strong motives for becoming a Quester. "Dare to Change Your Job -- And Your Life," although emphasizing the mobility of today's world of work, is based on an appreciation of lasting values.

In some academic circles to label a book as "popular" is to scorn it as trivial or at least to damn it by faint praise. This is a popular book. The language is straightforward. The illustrations are concrete, specific; the kind of life stories with which one can easily identify. The vocational choice theory behind it all is not fully developed as a scholarly document, but to a point that is tangible and meaningful for someone who is not just looking for a job, but seeking self-understanding that will help find a meaningful job. The self-help questionnaires, though not supported by documentation which would ease the doubts of academics about whether they are truly valid and reliable, have a face validity that should make them popular and truly helpful for the "man (or woman) in the street." In the case of Questers, the term "popular" is a compliment. Counselors will want to have several copies on their desks - one for their own use, and replacement copies for those that potential Quester clients keep stealing away.

Carole Kanchier, Ph.d offers powerful and specific advice for those unhappy. She says, "The choice is yours. You can complain or you can change."

Here is what she suggests:

* Redfine Success

* Know yourself

* Take career control

* Enhance creativity

* Think positively

* Develop resilience

Overall a good read and I highly recomend it.

"Would you know a Quester if you met one? Are you a Quester? Could you become one? Who are Questers, anyway?" Carole Kanchier poses these questions in "Dare to Change Your Job -- And Your Life".

Questers can be recognized by certain traits and approaches to their careers and lives. Do these characteristics sound like you or someone you know or heard about?

Questers value internal over external rewards, are inner-directed and self-confident, embrace change, take charge of their lives, and have a mission and sense of purpose.

Traditionalists and Self-Seekers are different from Questers. Traditionalist "are concerned about how their careers measure up with the approved timetables for their professions." They conform to rigid, narrow tracks which follow traditional sequences of moving up the ladder, severely limiting their options. Self-Seekers are "motivated by desire for personal fulfillment," shunning ambition and leadership in search of comfortable lifestyles.

Are you a Quester? The questionnaire Kanchier provides in Chapter 3 proves fun and thought provoking, with a useful scoring method that breaks down into trait categories such as innovativeness, self-confidence, and purpose. A person could be strong in some areas, less strong in others. Good information to create a road map!

In "Dare to Change" Kanchier covers much territory, including how the workforce has changed (and implications for now and the future) and how the career and life cycles interact. She explores job satisfaction and psychological aspects of decision making.

Interest, clarity, and relate-ability are enhanced by many excerpts from personal stories laced throughout the chapters, selected from the thousands of adults Dr. Kanchier has personally counseled and interviewed.

"Dare to Change" is an excellent resource for anyone wanting to develop the knowledge, confidence, strength, and courage to take charge of career and life!

Dare To Change Your Job and Your Life by Carole Kanchier provides a step-by-step method for you to develop and grow in a new career path. If anyone can show you how to make a career transition, Dr. Kanchier can -- she takes you on a journey by focusing your mind on what it is you really want in a job. She provides details in all aspects of career in order to help you define or find your dream job. This book provides thorough and complete knowledge necessary to find work that you enjoy.

My favorite thing about this book is the stories about real people and how they handled their situations. These "true stories" helped give me the courage to quit my job and turn my life around. In fact, after perusing this book, I quit the job I hated the very next day! I soon turned my life around. It was the best decision I ever made. The book really helped me muster my courage.

What I don't like about this book are the stupid personality tests. One of the questions were like "Are you sometimes impatient?" And the answer choices were "always," sometimes" or "never." So if I am sometimes impatient, should I answer "always?" I mean, I am always sometimes impatient. Or should I answer sometimes? These tests are poorly worded and are a complete waste of ink.

"An exceptional resource at the top of my list. It leads the way in the new millennium." Evelyn Kragie, EdD, John Hopkins University

"A fascinating and powerful formula for personal fulfillment and success." J. Michael Farr, Best-selling career author

"Chock full of information, suggestions, guidelines and case histories that will help you control your own life and career." S. Norman Feingold, EdD, President, National Career and Counseling Services, Washington, D.C.

"A superb model for living the examined life and career." David V. Tiedeman, EdD, Vice-President, Lifecareer Foundation, Los Angeles, CA

"... excellent ... filled with constructive messages for opportunity, growth, and mastery ..." Pat Nellor Wickwire, PhD, President, American Association for Career Education

"Challenges you to change your life ... gives real encouragement and sound practical advice." Bill Hague, PhD, University of Alberta

"A 'must' read if you are at a career crossroad or contemplating serious changes ..." Les Hewitt, President, Achievers

"Challenges us to explore ... and find our best role in the future. I strongly recommend this book to anyone seeking a new career or a new meaning in their life's work." Warren Farrell, PhD, author, The Myth of Male Power and Why Men Are the Way They Are