Your Finest Work: Career Fulfillment in a Complicated World

by Merideth Mehlberg, David Houle (Foreword)

There are a lot of things you can do with your career - it's what you want to do that matters.

Your finest work is achieved when you experience your own definitions of fulfillment, impact, and success. Rather than a destination, it’s an ongoing journey and state of being.

Over thousands of coaching conversations, the thought and action patterns that keep professionals stuck have become crystal clear to Merideth. A playbook has emerged from these findings, one that takes the form of strategies and tactics that include both a new way to think and to be.

Just seven traps, when you fall prey to them, cause the most damage to your career trajectory and well-being over time. They are also the ones that, when dealt with, allow your career to flourish in almost any situation. The good news is that you can travel from wherever you are now to where you want to be by addressing your gaps.

Your Finest Work guides you in your desired direction, whether you’re growing in your role or changing jobs or careers. Merideth’s seven strategies help you build the finest version of your career. You will achieve almost immediate gains once you start incorporating the practices and tactics, with rewards increasing over time.

You’ll learn how to:

Take the driver’s seat of your professional life
Get crystal clear about what you want
Rejuvenate your energy for work and avoid burnout
Finally get unstuck and open doors to the career future you want
Increase your self-confidence and sharpen your professional narrative

This is the moment to wake up to the power you have over your life, to make your career what you want it to be, and to make the impact you want in the world. You’ll take inspiration from real-life stories of those who have traveled the path to career fulfillment with Merideth by their side.

Amidst an uncertain world, the desire for professional meaning is strong. The good news? Now is the ideal time to cultivate agency and enact change. Regardless of your starting point, transformation is achievable. Your Finest Work supports you in embracing change, offering courage, space, and a transformative playbook.

188 pages, Paperback

Published October 26, 2023

Reviews

[Perry Solomon]

"Your Finest Work" by Merideth Mehlberg is a game-changer in the realm of professional development. Mehlberg, a coach par excellence, demystifies the complexities of personal and career growth, making the insights accessible to a broad audience. From CEOs to newcomers in the coaching field, and even extending to family dynamics, the book's reach is universal. It equips readers with practical strategies for taking charge of their careers, clarifying goals, rejuvenating work passion, overcoming stagnation, and enhancing self-confidence. The immediate applicability of Mehlberg's advice is its strongest suit, promising not just short-term gains but a lifelong journey towards career fulfillment. Through real-life success stories, Mehlberg inspires readers to harness their power for professional transformation. In a time ripe for change, "Your Finest Work" offers the tools for anyone to sculpt the career they've always envisioned.

[Shannon]

Was able to start and finish this book in the same day. Need to go back and work through each section. It’s filled with great ideas related to seven different strategies. The book also has some free downloads on the associated website for readers to work through. This book is not restricted to those looking for a new career but provides ideas of how to get the most from the job a person currently holds.

[Darren D]

“Your Finest Work” is an invaluable resource for executives seeking to make a positive impact in their careers and lives. The author’s approach is both practical and inspiring, offering a clear roadmap for achieving personal and professional fulfillment. The book's seven pillars provide a framework for executives to assess their current situation, identify areas for growth, and develop strategies for success. The author's insights are particularly relevant for executives navigating the challenges of the 21st century, such as the need for adaptability, resilience, and a strong sense of purpose. With its relatable stories and actionable advice, "Your Finest Work" is a must-read for executives committed to achieving their full potential.

[Elizabeth Baker]

Unlock Your Potential with "Your Finest Work" - A Career Development Must-Read

Seeking career inspiration and personal growth strategies? Merideth Mehlberg's powerful book "Your Finest Work" is a game-changing career advice guide disguised as engaging stories. This motivational book empowers readers to embrace their authentic selves and discover their life's purpose for ultimate career satisfaction. Importantly, she offers practical exercises that you can apply immediately for a personalized experience - uncover your own blocks and identify your own needs so that you can get unstuck and move in the direction of your needs, not just dreams.

Mehlberg's profound assembly of real-life examples with workbook-esque prompts, offers an uplifting roadmap to navigate life transitions, overcome challenges, and manifest your professional desires. Her relatable protagonists showcase the importance of aligning your career with your core values and talents for a truly fulfilling work life.

With real-world storytelling, "Your Finest Work" imparts invaluable career development lessons about perseverance, self-belief, and leaving a lasting legacy through your life's work. Inspiring and transformative, this motivational career book is a must-read for anyone striving for professional growth, career change, or finding deeper meaning in their job.

Uncover your passion, reach your career goals, and make your finest work a reality with Mehlberg's tour de force. Get inspired today!

[Tom and Dana Laird]

Need validation on where you are in your career development, or wondering where to go from where you are currently? Invest in yourself and read this book!

I finished reading this book on my last business trip and I found it very helpful. Easy to read, easy to follow, and especially easy for me to understand how it applied directly to my career path. I gained clarity of purpose and direction for myself from the detailed examples provided. I gained a better personal depth of understanding, revealing added potential for myself, and potentially for friends and coworkers too! More “why” was answered, as well as proposed for personal growth. The online assessment and action guide are an excellent addition to help provide a roadmap reference for continued personal improvement.

[Karen H]

I am currently in the midst of pondering the extremely overwhelming question of “What do I want to be when I grow up?” After many decades being “stuck” in a career that was not only unfulfilling but also caused burnout, I have decided that I need to make a major change. It seems serendipitous that I was introduced to Merideth and her book, “Your Finest Work,” just as I was making this big career change leap. The book is full of inspiration and the stories Merideth uses vividly illustrate each of the strategies she introduces in the book. The book gives a clear roadmap with practical information to move forward with a major change career or to sharpen your leadership skills and make your current career more fulfilling. I highly recommend this book!

[TJ]

The world is complicated, and yet our need to do good work and feel like our work matters hasn't gone away. In "Your Finest Work," Merideth tackles the complex task of finding career fulfillment in a world of many choices by answering some tough questions about ourselves. The compact reads are the ones that pack the most punch, and "Your Finest Work" delivers a knockout. Whether you're in your quarter-life crisis or your mid-life crisis, whether you're contemplating a career switch, a career break, or a career reset, this book is for you. If you need no-nonsense advice that gets to the point yet encourages you to think deeply and take your time, Merideth has the perfect roadmap for you. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

[Leeann Alameda]

"Your Finest Work" is full of inspiring stories that vividly demonstrate the power of its strategies. Merideth Mehlberg has crafted an insightful and practical guide that offers valuable tips for transforming your professional life. Whether you're looking to enhance your leadership skills and make your current job more fulfilling, or you're ready to embark on a new career journey, this book provides a clear roadmap to move forward confidently. The guidance and wisdom in this book will help you take your career to the next level. It's a great read that can genuinely make a difference. I highly recommend this book.

[Samir Ghosh]

Hits home if looking for a career boost or change. Straightforward with actionable steps wrapped up in relatable stories. The 7 practices outlined feel doable and grounded in real-world scenarios. It’s like getting advice from a wise friend who knows the ropes—insightful, grounded, and genuinely helpful.

It makes what seems like a mountain of a task (transforming your career) more like a series of manageable hills. It’s a refreshing read that encourages finding fulfillment in one's work life without promising overnight miracles. High marks for its realism, practicality, and engaging storytelling.

[Nancy]

I can’t recommend this book highly enough. I would say it’s useful far beyond the scope of work/career and can be applied to all areas of life. The way that individual case studies are shared is incredibly relatable and the tools and suggestions are helpful and accessible. I really recommend you check this out, especially if you have any question about where you are in your work life compared to where you want to be. I read it through and am now going back to start engaging with the prompts and incorporating practices.

[Kenny Davis]

This is one of those resource books like the 7 habits of highly successful people that I keep on a bookshelf next to my desk. I read it a month ago and I've returned to it several times. When I get stuck or stressed I flip open to the chapter headers which reminds me of the lessons spelled out in the book. It's like having a personal coach that reminds you of 7 tools that are in your toolbelt. If the 1st one isn't right, check the next one... and so forth. Highly recommended, easy read. Add it to your bookshlelf. You won't be sorry.

[Terry Liu]

While this was written about finding career fulfillment, I found nuggets of wisdom that can apply to other realms as well. The Try 3 things, 3 ways, 3 times methodology helped me to explain sell’s and collections to my team. Reading about power of observations made me think how to better read the room and taking imperfect action made me think what was really keeping me from moving forward. Chapter after chapter made me think how I might improve and enjoy what I do now. I can’t say enough good things about this book and how it opened me up to new ideas.

[Ebony Frelix]

"Your Finest Work" is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to enhance their career. One of my favorite aspects of the book is the inclusion of real-life, personal stories based on Merideth's coaching sessions. These stories add an inspiring touch and demonstrate that meaningful change is possible. Additionally, the seven common traps that can hinder professional growth are extremely insightful and nice to refer back to again and again. If you're ready to steer your career in the direction you desire, "Your Finest Work" provides the tools and motivation to get there. Highly recommend!

[Debbie]

Your Finest Work is based on Meredith Mehlberg's decades of coaching experience with C-level clients. She uses a straightforward framework of seven proven strategies to move you from where you are now to where you want to be. And there's even a self-assessment quiz that shows you in just a few minutes what areas need your attention most right now. I plan to use this book whenever I'm feeling stuck or frustrated in my career or any other area of my life. If only I had it as a resource years ago!

[Sonya Krawczyk]

Goes straight to the point and heart of the issue! I am in my 40s, I run my own business but I want to do better. This has helped me think about how to get to the next level. The examples she uses are also very relatable - I see my friends going through the same things she describes in her interviews. Worth reading especially for those stuck in a rut in their careers and need some inspiration and tactical steps.

[Eric Lai]

The author was able to use the stories to illustrate the concepts well. The book gives readers practical advice for a practical world. I found the seven traps particularly insightful. I would highly recommend this book!

[Bernard Chen]

Sometimes you get stuck in a rut. I found the ideas presented in "Your Finest Work" to be very useful in rebooting my own goals and perspective. The book is for mid-to-high level executives who've achieved big things and are looking for a way to recalibrate for their next accomplishment.