Work from the Inside Out: Seven Steps to Loving What You Do [Paperback]

Nancy O'Hara (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 11, 2001

Everyone hopes for a rewarding and fulfilling career, but the day-to-day reality can be just the opposite. The routine of our jobs, office politics, and problematic projects can often be the cause of frustration, worry, and disappointment. The quest to find personal satisfaction, much less pride in our work, can be daunting.

It doesn’t have to be that way. According to Nancy O’Hara, we can find meaning in our jobs—but the first thing we have to do is look within ourselves. Grounded in principles of Zen Buddhism and full of real-life stories, Work from the Inside Out presents a simple plan to reclaim your job and your life—and ultimately find the ability to truly love what you do.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Work from the Inside Out: 7 Steps to Loving What You Do, by Nancy O'Hara (Find a Quiet Corner), a former publishing executive and a practicing Buddhist who now conducts corporate seminars and retreats on mindfulness, applies the Zen precept of doing things for their own sake, as opposed to for an end, to our work lives. Her seven broad steps include "Understanding and Acceptance" and "Disciplined Attention." She suggests specifics such as asking ourselves at the end of each day if we blamed someone else for something we didn't accomplish, or making a list of the aspects of our work situations we don't like and then assessing if it's within our power to change each one. )

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

The seven steps eluded to in the title are understanding and acceptance, seeing clearly and letting go, realizing this is it, balance, disciplined attention, seeing things as they are, and you're already there (meaning that while your work is never done, in any given moment it is complete and perfect just as it is). O'Hara, the author of Find a Quiet Corner (1995) and Just Listen (1997), is a student of Zen Buddhism who conducts corporate seminars on mindfulness at work. She promises readers that by following her advice they can discover a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment on the job that will penetrate all other areas of their lives. Her words are worth paying attention to. George Cohen
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Three Rivers Press; 1st Edition 1st Printing edition (December 11, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0609805924
• ISBN-13: 978-0609805923
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,341,921 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Nancy O'Hara is the author of six books on the subject of mindfulness and meditation, including the bestselling Find a Quiet Corner, and is now writing Zen mysteries. Along with her writing, Nancy shares her experience through her Zen Life Coaching practice, meditation classes, workshops, and retreats. Nancy worked in the book retail and publishing business; has lived in a Zen Buddhist monastery; and, to her surprise, loves reading books on her Kindle.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A workbook for being happy with the work you have now, February 27, 2003

By 

S. Harvey "Stef" (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Work from the Inside Out: Seven Steps to Loving What You Do (Paperback)

Nancy O'Hara's book is an excellent guide to finding satisfaction at work - including your current employment (for those who prefer to stay or do not have an option to leave) or planning on new employment/career.

The book is a slow read - there are numerous exercises which take time and are meant to be part of the self discovery process. I recommend reading the entire text first before doing the exercises; it will help you better understand the logic and flow.

If you're looking for a quick fix or career guide, this isn't the book for you. If you are looking to change your own attitudes and action toward your work, this is ideal.

I found it excellent.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good book to self-revelation, true and honest., January 27, 2003

By 

"dessertcat" (Jakarta, DKI Jakarta Indonesia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Work from the Inside Out: Seven Steps to Loving What You Do (Paperback)

It took me awhile to finish reading this book. Not because it is boring, but I'd rather to read it thoroughly. I'd like to enjoy the exercise Nancy offers us, to take one day at a time, to take one step at a time for even the smallest change I decided to make. I successfully made an honest confession to myself and finally found a path of life that I was longing to find, both on my career decisions and personal life. This is a simple book that requires your patience, sincerity, honesty and compassion to get through our denial stage and to finally find our "true" decision out of so many choices in life. Read it full-heartedly, be honest and consistent... then, you'll find your way!