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Roadmap: The Get-It-Together Guide for Figuring Out What to Do with Your Life
The New York Times bestseller is back! The career workbook Roadmap is better than ever.
Roadmap has been updated and expanded with tons of brand new content—including chapters on changing directions mid-career and not letting your past define your future.
Through inspirational stories and interviews, journal-like prompts, and practical career development information, this helpful resource will steer students, recent graduates, and career-changers toward an authentic, fulfilling life.
• Features fresh perspectives from people like singer-songwriter John Legend, surfing world champion Layne Beachley, and MacArthur fellow and radio host Jad Abumrad
• Full of advice for people seeking a fulfilling work life that will make them happy and keep them engaged
• A self-mapped guide to creating a rewarding and satisfying work life
Roadtrip Nation, based in Costa Mesa, was founded by Nathan Gebhard, Mike Marriner, and Brian McAllister in 2001, and has grown into a national career exploration movement, educational organization, and PBS series.
Since its original publication in 2015, the team at Roadtrip Nation has continued to travel the world and interview accomplished individuals about their path to success.
• Great for recent college graduates, interns, or anyone questioning their career path and in need of advice and a fresh perspective
• Useful as a resource for career advisers, educators, and companies who want to foster an engaged workforce
• Add it to the collection of books like What Color Is Your Parachute? 2019: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers by Richard N. Bolles, Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, and How to Have a Good Day: Harness the Power of Behavioral Science to Transform Your Working Life by Caroline Webb
Roadmap has been updated and expanded with tons of brand new content—including chapters on changing directions mid-career and not letting your past define your future.
Through inspirational stories and interviews, journal-like prompts, and practical career development information, this helpful resource will steer students, recent graduates, and career-changers toward an authentic, fulfilling life.
• Features fresh perspectives from people like singer-songwriter John Legend, surfing world champion Layne Beachley, and MacArthur fellow and radio host Jad Abumrad
• Full of advice for people seeking a fulfilling work life that will make them happy and keep them engaged
• A self-mapped guide to creating a rewarding and satisfying work life
Roadtrip Nation, based in Costa Mesa, was founded by Nathan Gebhard, Mike Marriner, and Brian McAllister in 2001, and has grown into a national career exploration movement, educational organization, and PBS series.
Since its original publication in 2015, the team at Roadtrip Nation has continued to travel the world and interview accomplished individuals about their path to success.
• Great for recent college graduates, interns, or anyone questioning their career path and in need of advice and a fresh perspective
• Useful as a resource for career advisers, educators, and companies who want to foster an engaged workforce
• Add it to the collection of books like What Color Is Your Parachute? 2019: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers by Richard N. Bolles, Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, and How to Have a Good Day: Harness the Power of Behavioral Science to Transform Your Working Life by Caroline Webb
368 pages, Paperback
First published March 31, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
April 23, 2015
Project #4 is a Stroke of Genius
ROADMAP is a book filled with practical ideas. The physical appearance of the book is a little deceiving. At first, I actually thought it was some type of coffee -table-type book. You know, the kind of book that has lots of glossy pictures, but not really much substantive information. Well I was completely wrong. This book is not anything like that.
A key themes of the book is to figure out what they call your "foundation." This is the thing you really love to do. Is it teaching, is it writing, what is it. They provide this little thought experiment to help the reader figure it out: "As long as I am x____ I'll be happy." They provide lots of suggestions for helping the reader define their foundation.
The authors emphasize how important it is to actually take action. It's not enough to just dream about what you want to do--you need to take specific concrete steps. They explain: "The cumulative effect of action is the most powerful force in defining your road." I really loved one illustration on this point:
▲ do something
▲ then do something else
▲ then do something else
▲ then splash
The authors provide a little chart to help get you started with taking action. Here's how it works: Think of what you can do in 10 minutes of time, or in one hour of time or in one day. List these things, then take your first steps. It's not what you feel that's important--it's what you DO. As they explain in Chapter 16, "You are your decisions."
At the end of the book, there is a list of possible projects that the reader can try. These projects are ways to figure out what you can really do with your life. For example, project #1 is to start a blog about your interest. The point is, you need to "Start somewhere." Project #4 is a stroke of genius. It's called, "Create your own semester." The idea is, you create your own semester to " learn what you want to learn, experience what you want to experience..." Sort of like going to school, except you design your own class to help you further your ideals.
√ All in all, ROADMAP is a tremendous book. Honestly, I was surprised. ROAD MAP emphasizes the practical--the DOING. The ideas here contain wisdom that goes beyond the experience of the youthful creators. Clearly, the writing team of road map has picked up tremendous value from all of their interviews on "Roadtrip Nation." The emphasis on action reminds me of the classic book by David Allen, "Getting Things Done." He also emphasize the importance of figuring out the next concrete step to take.
Highly recommend!
Review copy for impartial view provided by the LibraryThing.
ROADMAP is a book filled with practical ideas. The physical appearance of the book is a little deceiving. At first, I actually thought it was some type of coffee -table-type book. You know, the kind of book that has lots of glossy pictures, but not really much substantive information. Well I was completely wrong. This book is not anything like that.
A key themes of the book is to figure out what they call your "foundation." This is the thing you really love to do. Is it teaching, is it writing, what is it. They provide this little thought experiment to help the reader figure it out: "As long as I am x____ I'll be happy." They provide lots of suggestions for helping the reader define their foundation.
The authors emphasize how important it is to actually take action. It's not enough to just dream about what you want to do--you need to take specific concrete steps. They explain: "The cumulative effect of action is the most powerful force in defining your road." I really loved one illustration on this point:
▲ do something
▲ then do something else
▲ then do something else
▲ then splash
The authors provide a little chart to help get you started with taking action. Here's how it works: Think of what you can do in 10 minutes of time, or in one hour of time or in one day. List these things, then take your first steps. It's not what you feel that's important--it's what you DO. As they explain in Chapter 16, "You are your decisions."
At the end of the book, there is a list of possible projects that the reader can try. These projects are ways to figure out what you can really do with your life. For example, project #1 is to start a blog about your interest. The point is, you need to "Start somewhere." Project #4 is a stroke of genius. It's called, "Create your own semester." The idea is, you create your own semester to " learn what you want to learn, experience what you want to experience..." Sort of like going to school, except you design your own class to help you further your ideals.
√ All in all, ROADMAP is a tremendous book. Honestly, I was surprised. ROAD MAP emphasizes the practical--the DOING. The ideas here contain wisdom that goes beyond the experience of the youthful creators. Clearly, the writing team of road map has picked up tremendous value from all of their interviews on "Roadtrip Nation." The emphasis on action reminds me of the classic book by David Allen, "Getting Things Done." He also emphasize the importance of figuring out the next concrete step to take.
Highly recommend!
Review copy for impartial view provided by the LibraryThing.
March 7, 2015
Roadtrip Nation's "Roadmap: The Get-It-Together Guide for Figuring Out What to Do with Your Life" is an excellent guide on exploring opportunities for the future. It includes interviews, questions to answer, advice on sorting priorities, exercises and references to sites that may be beneficial to those who are trying to figure out what they want to do in the future.
The guide includes a lot of illustrations and graphs to help readers visualize different aspects regarding planning for one's future.
I would definitely recommend this guide to high school graduates, college students and others unsure of their career aspirations.
I won a copy of this book on the Goodreads.com website.
August 13, 2015
This was a good book, inspirational and provided a more freeing view of life paths, but it was a slow read for me. It was really heavy on quotes and examples and started to read like a laundry list after awhile. I could relate to a lot of the points and it was interesting, but not earth shattering.
March 2, 2017
LOVE the formatting, the pics and diagrams etc. Some of the message is a bit repetitive, but I think since it's obviously aimed at college students, it repeats for a reason.
July 3, 2015
I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway for free. As someone a year removed from college and not exactly on the path I saw myself traveling at this point, reading this book couldn't have come at a better time. This book collects great life and career advice, interviews with professionals who have succeeded in creating their own roads, and ways you can "leave the Assembly Line life." I would have loved a book that covered just one of these three aspects of how to live your own life and find an occupation that is rewarding, but this guide properly explores all three without neglecting one nor rambling on. It did help me as someone just starting out on their journey, but I'm sure it could benefit anyone at any stage of their career/life trip. In short, this is a terrific read that will have you reflecting on where you've been and, more importantly, looking at how you can make the upcoming travels even better.
March 16, 2015
I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway for free.
I must say I am loving this book. I have not finished the entire thing and am reading a few chapters between other titles I am reading. The formatting is great very readable with great stories of paths that people have taken that are not the ordinary. Love the way u are shown so many different paths that lead to personal fulfillment in each individual life. Every store and every question leaves you with an introspective look into your own life and how you can do what you really want and need in life.
I must say I am loving this book. I have not finished the entire thing and am reading a few chapters between other titles I am reading. The formatting is great very readable with great stories of paths that people have taken that are not the ordinary. Love the way u are shown so many different paths that lead to personal fulfillment in each individual life. Every store and every question leaves you with an introspective look into your own life and how you can do what you really want and need in life.
December 17, 2016
This was a fantastic read. I loved the format of the book and the layout. It has loads of interviews from people that have forged their own paths, but the interviews are the perfect length. The book also has activities to help you to know what to do next. This would make a good book for someone graduating high school, college, or even just someone stuck on what to do next. I highly recommend.
August 31, 2015
Still reading this book....I feel that it is a book that should be read slowly and really taken in. Fantastic so far and thought provoking. It's not often that I write a review before I am finished with a book, I just simply could not wait to say how happy I am to have this book and how helpful I feel it is. Won via Goodreads Giveaway.
August 15, 2015
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
I don't know if I'll finish; I read a good chunk in one weekend with no internet and no other books, but it makes me angry. No matter how many people they interview who found their own path, there is at least a thousand who tried and wasn't lucky. Also, we need those thousands to do the boring, mundane jobs.
I don't know if I'll finish; I read a good chunk in one weekend with no internet and no other books, but it makes me angry. No matter how many people they interview who found their own path, there is at least a thousand who tried and wasn't lucky. Also, we need those thousands to do the boring, mundane jobs.
January 6, 2022
Good for skimming bc a lot of it is motivational fluff; some nice practical ideas namely
1. Doing > thinking
2. There's probably some job at the intersection of your foundation and your interests
But still a bit too fluffy
1. Doing > thinking
2. There's probably some job at the intersection of your foundation and your interests
But still a bit too fluffy
February 23, 2015
If you feel as if you're not pursuing your purpose in life (and perhaps don't even know what exactly it is), then you need to read this book! It's changing my life for the better. Review to come.
March 29, 2015
I received this book at part of the goodreads giveaway program. It is written in a workbook format with many engaging mental exercises.
January 31, 2023
As an old guy, I found parts of this book to be a bit cheesy and obviously directed toward the non-experienced 20-something. While I was shaking my head at times listening to this book, I also realize that I'm the one with 50 years of experience vs that 20-something so I should give them a break. Overall, I would recommend this book to that 25 - 40yr old still trying to figure out life (good luck!). There are several great thoughts in the book deserving of more thought; thus, I was glad I picked this one up as I am in a career transitional phase myself. Hopefully, I can use some of these concepts in the near future.
- You’re not really an explorer if you never get lost. PJK: Interesting. If you always follow the path created by someone else, are you really creative? Or are you really just living a pre-defined life? In terms of land navigation, I've traveled the great unknowns many times in the Army, especially during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. I knew where I was on the map... but it was a huge desert wasteland. Was the map really accurate? Am I really leading these 100 soldiers in the right direction? Only once have I truly been 100% lost in the world and it was very distressing as I was on foot in Belgium and under a timeline to make movement back to Afghanistan. Luckily I found my bearing after an hour. It's a great story but best told in person. :)
- On your tombstone is just your birthday "dash" date of death. The "dash" is the most important part. What are you doing in between? PJK: make that dash worth it! Very interesting comment to spur one into action.
- A priest once said you can’t steer a bike unless it’s moving. PJK: Outstanding! I hope to use this line at some point in the future. Once again... do something! It's ok to be stumped for a couple of weeks or even months, but eventually, you need to get moving in some direction.
- Just say yes. PJK: the authors describe needing to say yes to more things in your life in order to explore more and find new things that you enjoy. Say yes when someone asks you to join them at the bar, at the movies, at a new restaurant, etc. Great advice.
- You’re not really an explorer if you never get lost. PJK: Interesting. If you always follow the path created by someone else, are you really creative? Or are you really just living a pre-defined life? In terms of land navigation, I've traveled the great unknowns many times in the Army, especially during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. I knew where I was on the map... but it was a huge desert wasteland. Was the map really accurate? Am I really leading these 100 soldiers in the right direction? Only once have I truly been 100% lost in the world and it was very distressing as I was on foot in Belgium and under a timeline to make movement back to Afghanistan. Luckily I found my bearing after an hour. It's a great story but best told in person. :)
- On your tombstone is just your birthday "dash" date of death. The "dash" is the most important part. What are you doing in between? PJK: make that dash worth it! Very interesting comment to spur one into action.
- A priest once said you can’t steer a bike unless it’s moving. PJK: Outstanding! I hope to use this line at some point in the future. Once again... do something! It's ok to be stumped for a couple of weeks or even months, but eventually, you need to get moving in some direction.
- Just say yes. PJK: the authors describe needing to say yes to more things in your life in order to explore more and find new things that you enjoy. Say yes when someone asks you to join them at the bar, at the movies, at a new restaurant, etc. Great advice.
January 3, 2021
This book definitely provides a fresh perspective for those questioning their career path—I love how they’ve compiled the experiences of so many ‘road trippers’ with such diverse interests and backgrounds. However, I feel the book contains conflicting ideas on some levels.
Part one particularly focuses on ‘its okay to not know what you want, giving yourself the space to figure what drives you, keep your options open and to go with your inner compass’; and as you read along, moving to part three the advise has more to do with having an end goal in mind, being passionate and working towards it consistently. Basically, the connecting part two ‘Define’ between ‘Let Go’ and ‘Become’ could have been more solid. So, perhaps this book is best suited to be used as a guide while you’re navigating through the various stages in life as opposed to reading it altogether within a month.
Overall, a good read—minus 1.5 stars, to be precise —owing to the seemingly contrasting takes in the first and second half of the book.
Part one particularly focuses on ‘its okay to not know what you want, giving yourself the space to figure what drives you, keep your options open and to go with your inner compass’; and as you read along, moving to part three the advise has more to do with having an end goal in mind, being passionate and working towards it consistently. Basically, the connecting part two ‘Define’ between ‘Let Go’ and ‘Become’ could have been more solid. So, perhaps this book is best suited to be used as a guide while you’re navigating through the various stages in life as opposed to reading it altogether within a month.
Overall, a good read—minus 1.5 stars, to be precise —owing to the seemingly contrasting takes in the first and second half of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 6, 2021
I’ve read a lot of career books over the past few decades, and this is another one. It covers the typical kinds of “live your best life” advice with the typical positive, uplifting spin. To the good, I enjoyed most of the many writeups showing how different people approached their working life and career. These have links to a website for additional information and multimedia interviews, so you can really get some background in some of the people and their choices. I found the ones I looked into interesting. To the bad, I read the ebook, and the spacing of the many art and design components that apparently work well in the physical book just get in the way in the ebook. You are constantly scrolling past a multiscreen piece of art. OK for an edgier career book full of examples.
November 14, 2017
Roadmap is an upbeat, creative way to seek your individual career path. The authors began Roadtrip Nation searching for alternative career choices for themselves. What started as their own journey turned into them helping many other people find their own way. Using creative steps to help you identify foundational truths, the authors take you through key interests and motivations to help you think outside the box and to stop listening to all the voices telling you to settle for ordinary. They also interview fascinating people across all dimensions that have either unusual careers or unusual stories of how they ended up in their careers. Encouraging, helpful, inspiring.
January 18, 2021
I want to give this book exactly 3.5 stars. To be quite honest, it needs some editing. This book could have been shorter and achieved the same goals better than it did in its current form. I think some of the picture lost its clarity after a number of anecdotes that, while inspirational, started to teach the same themes. However, even as someone who’s genuinely confident with who I am/what I want to do in life, I gained something from the structure of the writing. Cool idea, and probably very valuable for a lot of people who are still trying to figure things out, even at a later point in life.
January 13, 2018
The book was interesting, inspirational and full of great advice as well as an eye opener. My only issue was it had too many interviews with too many people although with different personal stories but who in the end add to the same conclusion: do what you dream of. It was a bit of a slow read for me especially for the first part but I still recommend the book to those who don't know what to do of their life at some point.
October 16, 2019
Wonderful read, helped me a lot with finding my goals, intentions, and how to plan it out. Whether my plan works out or not, they champion the idea of being flexible with your future. We never know that what we want to do will work out or not, and if it doesn't be creative and find another way. I loved that about this book. Recommend checking it out from your local library.
February 2, 2020
I started reading this book inside the bookstore and I knew I had to buy it after the first chapter! It’s an easy read that’s very insightful and inspirational. There are lots of amazing stories of successful people across different industries. It can get a little cliché at times but I didn’t mind it.
April 8, 2018
This book was instrumental in helping me gain the confidence to live the life that felt right to me, the life that I was passionate about. It's an easy read but charged and inspirational. I recommend it to seniors in high school and college, as well as anyone who feels a little stuck.
February 5, 2018
This book really opened my eyes to a lot of options for my future and helped me keep an open mind about different opportunities I might come across in my life. I highly recommend this to all ages, I'll personally be using as a gift for people in the near future.
March 16, 2020
An awesome twist on the typical "career" guide, Roadmap instead focuses on finding your passion, figuring out WHY, and then applying that to lifelong work. Featuring interviews with visionaries from all walks of life (tech, sports, art, and more) and exercises to get your brain going in order to personalize the questions, this book is perfect for people wondering "what am I doing with my life?" - young and old.
June 15, 2020
I really thought I'd like this book, but I didn't. It felt choppy. I would have liked more complete stories of each journey instead of the thoughts and pieces of the journeys sprinkled here and there.
February 8, 2021
I'm not the intended audience
I'm not the intended audience, but there was still a lot of good information in the book. I would recommend it to high schoolers and college kids.
I'm not the intended audience, but there was still a lot of good information in the book. I would recommend it to high schoolers and college kids.
January 13, 2023
Lots of stories and advice from others who have found their path. Personally, I got tired of the stories and wanted more activities. That said, this org is doing some cool things and worth checking out online.
October 27, 2017
Changed my entire life. Please pick this book up today.
February 19, 2017
A pretty good motivator with some fundamental techniques to identify passions, but written towards a bit younger audience I feel like. If you get past the overarching social media references, it's pretty okay. May motivate me to do something.
February 1, 2016
When two post-graduate students deck out an RV and set out on the road with the best intentions, a roadmap movement was created to provide a meaningful guide to discovering who we are. The reader is bombarded (in a good way) with various iterations of disembarking the “assembly line”, a path filled with the noise of what you shoulda, coulda but will not do with your life. Ironically, this book breaks down a person by their interests and motivations, building them up, defining them and shaping them into who they probably already are. To show that you are not alone, there are interviews and shared stories of distinguished public figures, celebrities and individuals excelling in their “careers”, just by doing what they love. It isn’t an easy plight but with this interactive step-by-step guide full of colorful and thought provoking information, you will learn things you never knew you never knew...about yourself! Don’t forget to visit RoadTrip Nation’s website for full in-depth interviews, additional stories and the original series for more inspiration.
April 25, 2020
I received a copy of the book through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
This book was around 3.5 stars for me.
I didn't read the original so I'm not sure how this version compares. I was surprised about how many videos are linked to in the digital version. Early on it's pointed out that the book is supposed to compliment the website so they're meant to be used together.
The content of this book is interesting. There's a lot of traditional advice about figuring out what you're good at and what you want to do. While there aren't a lot of 'how to's for the first third of the book there are helpful exercises. I do wish that the book had more tips to act on and acknowledgement that this advice is largely for middle and upper middle class Americans. While there are some stories of people overcoming incredible obstacles, it's also important to talk about how that isn't the case for everyone. We can't just all pack up and hit the road!
The list-making and questions are the most valuable part of this book and are helpful in finding what might be a good next step.
This book was around 3.5 stars for me.
I didn't read the original so I'm not sure how this version compares. I was surprised about how many videos are linked to in the digital version. Early on it's pointed out that the book is supposed to compliment the website so they're meant to be used together.
The content of this book is interesting. There's a lot of traditional advice about figuring out what you're good at and what you want to do. While there aren't a lot of 'how to's for the first third of the book there are helpful exercises. I do wish that the book had more tips to act on and acknowledgement that this advice is largely for middle and upper middle class Americans. While there are some stories of people overcoming incredible obstacles, it's also important to talk about how that isn't the case for everyone. We can't just all pack up and hit the road!
The list-making and questions are the most valuable part of this book and are helpful in finding what might be a good next step.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews