Zen and the Art of Making a Living: A Practical Guide to Creative Career Design (Paperback)

~ (Author)

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

Product Description

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.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 608 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); Revised edition (August 25, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 014311459X
• ISBN-13: 978-0143114598
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #255,480 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 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 "www.LuckyFreelancer.com" (VA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars expected much more, October 12, 2009

By	Linda Drake "lunar-designs artist" (GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I was so excited when I found this book. I have an old version (1993)and thought this 2010 version would hit on the age of the internet... you know...
Self promoting yourself/work vis website, blog, social networking.

What I found? 2 pages on creating your website.

That is it. Nothing about blogging, or networking via the internet.
NADA.

So warning, if you are expecting some Zen vision about developing yourself/work using the internet, it isn't happening in this book.
Boldt's idea of life changing apparently means he's not looking to the internet that much.
Look else where my friends.