Zen and the Art of Making a Living: A Practical Guide to Creative Career Design [Mass Market Paperback]

Laurence G. Boldt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 25, 2009

The most innovative, unconventional, and profoundly practical career guide available-newly revised and updated

With today's economic uncertainties, millions of Americans realize they must seize control over their own career paths. They want work that not only pays the bills but also allows them to pursue their real passions. In this revised edition, Laurence Boldt updates and revises his revolutionary guide to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century workplace. The first part of this book helps readers to identify the work that they really want to do, while the second provides practical, active steps to finding or creating that work. Zen and the Art of Making a Living goes beyond inspiration, providing a proven formula for bringing creativity, dignity, and meaning to every aspect of the work experience.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I commend this book to all thoughtful readers and seekers."
-Richard N. Bolles, author of What Color is Your Parachute?

"Boldt is a master at transforming philosophy into action."
-Business Ethics

About the Author

Laurence Boldt is a nationally known writer and career consultant.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 608 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); Revised edition (August 25, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 014311459X
• ISBN-13: 978-0143114598
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #64,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thought-provoking guide to choosing a path, October 23, 2009

By 

Janice Campbell "Freedom is not in doing what... (VA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Zen and the Art of Making a Living: A Practical Guide to Creative Career Design (Mass Market Paperback)

I have four sons, so I have purchased many career guides over the years. Zen and the Art of Making a Living is one of my favorites because it doesn't assume that the reader necessarily wants to enter the corporate world. It offers a good overview of many possible career tracks, and doesn't seem to imply that one is superior to another.

I'm very pleased that the guide treats freelancing and entrepreneurship as two separate areas, and addresses important issues for each. It's true that freelancers are in business for themselves, so in a general sense they are also entrepreneurs, but since their goals and methods of working are different in many ways, it's important to distinguish between the two. One size advice doesn't fit all, here! As director of the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors, I was delighted to see Boldt's advice on page 370: "Whatever your specific field, if there is a 'National Association for...", join it!" as one of the necessary steps for starting a business;-).

Boldt has provided helpful forms and an enormous amount of information, including guidance to help you determine which career path best fits your talents, skills, and desires. This guide contains all the information promised, and does a visually-pleasing job of presenting it. I recommend it for anyone considering a career change, or anyone mentoring a teenager through this stage in life. It's a valuable guide!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bring integrity, service, enjoyment and excellence to your work, December 16, 2009

By 

Alec Satin (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Zen and the Art of Making a Living: A Practical Guide to Creative Career Design (Mass Market Paperback)

There are shelves and shelves of career and vocational resources available on how to write a resume, use a job search board, network or ace an interview. If you're looking for a 1-2-3 checklist on how to do these things, this may not be the best book for you (though it could help). If on the other hand you believe you have more to offer than you are at present, this is a great place to start.

This is book to help clarify your vision, inspire you, and help you discover what you need to do next to bring that vision into reality.

Some reviewers on the earlier edition commented that the book was too long, too verbose or meandering. I'm personally glad that the author took his time and shared his breadth and depth. Working through the journey of this book with sincerity will deliver.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just what is needed at this time, January 10, 2010

By 

Susanne C. Donoghue - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Zen and the Art of Making a Living: A Practical Guide to Creative Career Design (Mass Market Paperback)

We purchased this item at a time when I am considering a new career direction. This is not just the same old stuff!
The author applies spiritual insights from Zen and Christianity to ask fundamental questions of the reader--who are you, why are you here? This is not just a book to read, it is a companion for a life journey that results in work that fulfills the individual and also blesses the community. I can't recommend it highly enough. There should be 10 stars!