If You Don't Know Where You're Going, You'll Probably End Up Somewhere Else: Finding a Career and Getting a Life [Paperback]

David P. Campbell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2007

This updated edition of a widely successful book offers sound, practical guidance for attaining the best possible future for yourself. Written by David P. Campbell, co-creator of the popular Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory, this easy-to-read book urges you to do things you like, things that interest you, and things you can do well, emphasizing how the daily choices you make will bring you closer to your ideal future. Campbell offers a simple method for setting goals, followed by advice for prioritizing, pursuing, and ultimately realizing those goals as a means to securing the future you've hoped and planned for.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"David Campbell gives great advice on using goals as a tool for creating the pathway for your future." -- Toraneka, a senior from Immaculate Conception Cathedral School in Memphis, Tennessee

"Helpful to anyone needing an easy-going guide to arranging their priorities." -- Rob, a senior from Seton Catholic High School in Richmond, Indiana

"I loved the frank and realistic language. . . It made me want to reassess my goals and make sure they were attainable." -- Dee, a senior from Marian High School in Mishawaka, Indiana

"This book gives excellent advice to students entering college and the working world." -- Luci, a senior from Saint Gertrude High School in Richmond, Virginia

"Very wise advice that makes me feel more comfortable with and confident about leaving high school and starting the adventure of college." --Georgene, a senior from Saint Gertrude High School in Richmond, Virginia

Product Details

• Paperback: 123 pages
• Publisher: Sorin Books (April 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933495065
• ISBN-13: 978-1933495064
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #305,971 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic, Updated, June 16, 2008

By 

T. Shanahan (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: If You Don't Know Where You're Going, You'll Probably End Up Somewhere Else: Finding a Career and Getting a Life (Paperback)

I read this book in its first edition back in 1974 or 1975, when it had just been published for the first time. I'd completely forgotten about it all these years, but then came across a copy in a used book store, instantly recognized it, started reading it, and realized how much it had influenced my life these past 30+ years -- for the better. I just bought a copy of the revised edition for my daughters, one graduating high school, the other mid-way through college. This is probably the best book I've read on how to rationally plan one's life, emphasizing the probable outcomes of different choices, how to make the most of one's assets, and the importance of forging ahead while making sure to create options because while life is fairly predictable in its general outline, it is highly unpredictable in its specifics. The balance of optimism and realism in the book is perfect. This book should be required reading for every teenager. The revised version updates this classic making it even more valuable. I recommend it without qualification.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Working on Assets, April 21, 2008

By 

Jayne P. Bowers "jayne bowers" (SC USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: If You Don't Know Where You're Going, You'll Probably End Up Somewhere Else: Finding a Career and Getting a Life (Paperback)

I LOVE this little primer about planning an effective and satisfying life. I first discovered If You Don't Know Where You're Going, You'll Probably End up Somewhere Else about 15 years ago and can well recall sitting on the beach and sharing passages from it with a friend. She liked what I was reading to her so much that she borrowed the book from me, and within a week she and her husband had resigned from their jobs, put their house on the market, and sent out resumes to potential employers. The message of Dr. Campbell's book is that powerful!

David Campbell's book is easy to read, sprinkled with neat quotes, and packed with practical advice written in an engaging, upbeat style. I recently reordered and reread the book and was just as delighted this time around as I was the first time, especially with certain passages. The one in which he describes life as a pathway with paths off to the side is a favorite, and I've always remembered his admoniton to make certain the choice is in your hands, not a gatekeeper's. Speaking of choices, Dr. Campbell says that the greatest tragedy in life is to have no options, and this book is all about helping the reader find and develop them.

To repeat, I loved it. How could anyone not like a book that ends with this quote by Henry Van Dyke? "Be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look at the stars."

3.0 out of 5 stars Seems different from the orginal, January 3, 2012

By 

justdave (US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: If You Don't Know Where You're Going, You'll Probably End Up Somewhere Else: Finding a Career and Getting a Life (Paperback)

I bought this book in the late 70's and found it to be full of great advice and a wonderful philosophy. Someone borrowed it and didn't return it. I was thinking about it the other day and searched for it and found it on Amazon, a revised version so I ordered it and couldn't wait to re-read it. When it arrived I read it cover to cover and unless I am just missing something the analogy about "planting seeds" is missing. That was the best part of the orginal book and I wanted to get the exact wording again. But I can't find it in the "revised" edition.
To me, having bought it twice now 38 years apart, the revision took out the totally best part. Very disappointed. This is a book for high schoolers, and would be a GREAT graduation gift. But the best part of the first publication is sadly missing. If someone finds it, pls give me a page number. The book is a lot more basic now and I felt the first one was much better. Dumbed down maybe? Must have been pretty good in the 70's as I not only remember it 38 years later but bought it again! Wish it hadn't changed.