How to Find Your Mission in Life [Paperback]

Richard N. Bolles (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2005

Now in Paperback!In this intimate treasury of wit and wisdom, Richard Bolles, author of the job-hunting bible: WHAT COLOR IS YOUR PARACHUTE?, explores the spiritual aspects of finding one’s place in the work world. For anyone who has ever wondered how to make the most of their unique natural gifts, or how to find a vocation that is both socially responsible and personally fulfilling, this enlightening and empowering little volume provides immeasurable guidance. Originally appearing as an appendix in PARACHUTE, this book has led countless people through life’s most difficult passages and is sure to inspire anyone who is either new to the job market or reconsidering their place in it.

A guide to exploring the spiritual aspects of finding one’s mission in the workplace.

Previous editions have sold 85,000 copies.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“It is easy to understand its spectacular popularity . . . for its strong, simple message.” —NAPRA ReView

About the Author

RICHARD NELSON BOLLES is the best-selling author of WHAT COLOR IS YOUR PARACHUTE? and has been a leader in the career development field for more than 35 years. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Ten Speed Press (March 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580087051
• ISBN-13: 978-1580087056
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.3 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #302,904 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Christian Living > Business
  • #22 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Business & Investing > Careers > Guides
  • #46 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Health, Mind & Body > Self-Help > Happiness

More About the Author

RICHARD N. BOLLES has been a leader in the career development field for more than thirty-five years. He was trained in chemical engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and holds a bachelor's degree cum laude in physics from Harvard University and a master's in sacred theology from General Theological (Episcopal) Seminary in New York City. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, Marci.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

91 of 94 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fine Gift Book for Christians in Search of Meaningful Work!, November 29, 2001

By 

Donald Mitchell "Jesus Loves You!" (Thanks for Providing My Reviews over 109,000 Helpful Votes Globally) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: How to Find Your Mission in Life, Gift Edition (Hardcover)

Before commenting on this book, let me note that versions of this have appeared in past editions of What Color Is Your Parachute? So, if you have a copy of that book, check it out to see if an appendix on setting your life mission exists there. Then, you can evaluate the book's content for yourself.

In this gift edition, the author has added many woodcuts and blank pages to what is an essay with elaborations about finding your mission in life.

In the essay, Mr. Bolles answers a question posed to him about the diagram in The Three Boxes of Life in terms of what a personal mission looks like.

Mr. Bolles explains that to him mission is a religious concept that cannot be discussed without considering an individual's relationship to God. With apologies and respect to other religions, Mr. Bolles points out that he is a Christian and can only effectively describe a mission from the Christian perspective. Those who are not religious, or not Christians, will probably not find this approach to a mission to be as valuable as a more secular approach.

Mr. Bolles also focuses his thinking more on a job-oriented mission than most people would consider. If you want something broader, you might find this approach a little too narrow. Mr. Bolles points out that there are many processes for arriving at a mission. He is merely describing the one he knows best, not proclaiming it to be the best.

This book will be most helpful to someone who is a Christian, and is spiritually troubled because of discomfort with her or his job or life role. If you know someone like that, you may have found an ideal Christmas or birthday present.

Mr. Bolles describes your mission has having three components, which you need to develop sequentially.

The first is simply being conscious of God. The second is to do good works. Both of these mission components are shared by all Christians.

The third component is unique to you. Combine your talent and what you love to do in order to serve God's purpose.

To pursue these three components, you are warned that you will have to unlearn some common ideas. For example, you should feel gratitude towards God, rather than pride in yourself. When choices come up, be sure to consider the alternatives and pick the one that will add to love and goodness. Your mission will not be dictated by God, rather you will use your free will to select one with Him "where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet."

The book ends with a brief list of suggested reading, and lots of ads for Mr. Bolles's other books. I found the ads to be in appropriate for such a book, and graded it down one star accordingly.

Overall, I found the book to be simple, moving, and consoling. I think most Christians would feel greater access to Divine guidance through the experience of reading and reflecting on these simple, but powerful, suggestions. Although the book will not take you a long time to read, it may take you a lifetime to live.

Where does your work lack deep gladness in meeting the world's deep hunger

41 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful & Honest & God-centered, March 19, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Find Your Mission in Life, Gift Edition (Hardcover)

If you aren't "into" God, you may not find this book useful. On the other hand if you at least have an open mind, you will find that this God-centered book respects all forms of religion and draws on universal religious beliefs to give direction. The writer just happens to be Christian.

The premise of the book is that nothing can be sorted out in life until you have your spiritual life in order. Then the rest will follow.

As someone who has a strong belief in God, I found this book to be an honest guide to finding a focus in life. It isn't the only way, but it ring true for me.

It isn't cut and dry and interpretation by the individual reader will give this book value.

33 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful * Inspirational * Practical * Probing * Sincere *, August 9, 2000

By 

old_hyperbolic_squiggly - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Find Your Mission in Life (Paperback)

* This book gets to the heart of the matter. It's one of the most fruitful vocational guidance books I've ever read, and I've read -AHEM- (embarrassed) several dozen over the years. You CAN learn from it; it WILL help guide you; and you will feel inspired, too. Bolles addresses in the most fundamental way what it means to be a contributing and fully-expressive human being within a basic spiritual framework. The book feels whole, honest, complete - simple yet powerful. There are some exercises with wonderful questions to which I realized important answers that focused me (somewhat). Not a single page is a waste of time or energy. The efficacious brevity is refreshing after reading so many other thick and fruitless "career" books, hence the five stars.

*very highly recommended* - May I also recommend Boldt's little book book "How to Find the Work You Love." Together, these two little books make a great team for help with career indecision!