How to Find the Work You Love

by Laurence G. Boldt

Technological advances and the global marketplace are changing the way we live and work. Doing the work you love is the critical factor to personal fulfillment and economic success. No one understands this more than Laurence G. Boldt, whose Zen and the Art of Making a Living helped many carve out new and rewarding career paths. But how do you find the courage to start the search for a new career? And how do you tap into your own best resources to discover what you want to do and what you’re good at? This remarkable guide offers simple yet profound strategies to help you answer those questions by focusing on four key elements to be sought in any life’s Integrity, Service, Enjoyment, and Excellence. Boldt has reduced the quest for meaningful work to its essence and will lead you to an understanding of what you could and should be doing with your life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Buddhism, Reference

192 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1996

Reviews

[BM · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a strong sense of idealism that runs through this book. Boldt does emphasize that we should not confuse talents with skills. There are innate abilities which we have that can be cultivated and leveraged in the workplace. Skills you can always learn. But you have to discover your own purpose. Also be aware of "soft enemies" --people who appear to be supportive but actually have low expectations of themselves and others.

[Nic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gem of a book, with advice about setting priorities hitting my needs at precisely the right time. Though it's a short, comfortable volume, I find myself wanting to spend time considering each section and how the advice and examples apply to my own situation. Peppered with inspiring quotes and questions to make you think about your own life's purpose, this is one of those wise little books you want to give as a present to everyone you know, whether they are beginning, mid or late in their careers.

[Emily Goodson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the most inspiring work related book I have ever read. If you feel like you’re struggling to figure out what your vocation is, or if you are just searching for a book to help you explore what it might be, this is the book for you!

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It's short, but each page is filled with things to think about. The quotations that the author includes are fantastic. He asks some good questions to get you thinking, and there were so many times when it felt creepily accurate, like he was talking directly to me. It's one of those books where much of what it says seems obvious, but seeing things set out so clearly helps you to work through what exactly is holding you back.
I appreciated how he differentiated between skills and talents and doesn't make it seem like anyone can be anything if only they try hard enough. That's not realistic. He does, however, talk about how to figure out what your talents are and begin to form those into a viable career. It definitely doesn't have all of the answers (really, it has no answers... just a lot of questions). I didn't come out of it with a clear idea of what my "life's work" should be. But, I do feel like I have a better awareness of the ways that I self-sabotage and am more equipped to explore and grow my ideas rather than squashing them immediately.

[James]

Technological advances and the global marketplace are changing the way we live and work. Doing the work you love is the critical factor to personal fulfillment and economic success. No one understands this more than Laurence G. Boldt, whose Zen and the Art of Making a Living helped many carve out new and rewarding career paths. But how do you find the courage to start the search for a new career? And how do you tap into your own best resources to discover what you want to do and what you’re good at? This remarkable guide offers simple yet profound strategies to help you answer those questions by focusing on four key elements to be sought in any life’s work: Integrity, Service, Enjoyment, and Excellence. Boldt has reduced the quest for meaningful work to its essence and will lead you to an understanding of what you could and should be doing with your life.

[Claire Binkley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical. Small. Logical. As the authors of Your Money or Your Life said, [this book] "[p]rovides a thoughtful context for reflecting on the deeper meaning and purpose of work." (The first one, there are four good ones that GR offers and one that has no relation to anything at all.)

So, please have at it, dear friends of mine! Sprinkled with quotes from the greats of history such as Martin Luther King Jr., Charles Dickens, and Winston Churchill, this author provides an almost foolproof guide to seeking out the work at which you excel (closer to his words, it's a guide to "hearing the call of compassion from your conscience") and going on to infinity and beyond (the last chapter is called Excellence: The Call to Greatness). (Yes, you are allowed to extrapolate about my fascination with astrophysics from that paragraph close.)

See, it makes you feel much better in the end. You can do it. We all can do it, whatever it ends up being. (You see, I just hate the phone and would really rather not call anybody else ever again even if I were paid for every millisecond of the time I spent on it.)

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book provides a nice framework for evaluating your life and your chosen career path. It hi-lights some of the barriers (“Voices of Doubt”) that hold us back from finding ‘The Work You Love’ and provides a framework for moving forward.

The Introduction of the book also provides a nice overview of view of careers through history and how we now, in our modern age, have both the ability and opportunity to find the work we love.

Ultimately, however, the book’s message is “Don’t be afraid to do what makes you happy!”, which isn’t much different from many other career guidance books.

[Deb Schell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an amazingly easy read and a book that I looked forward to opening and didn't want to close or finish because I found meaning and thought in each paragraph. I journaled along with reading and have gotten clarity about my journey.

“you need the sustained motivation that comes from having a real passion for your work, and that requires a self-defined sense of purpose.” ― Laurence G. Boldt, How to Find the Work You Love

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is packed with wisdom. I found something useful, thought-provoking, or inspiring on just about every page. Although it doesn't get specifically religious, it goes deep spiritually. You can tell that it was written from a loving heart by someone who is inspired to help people grow fully into their potential. The questions/exercises for reflection at the end of each section were also helpful to me. It made me want to dust off my used copy of "Zen and the Art of Making a Living" (a much larger book by the same author).

[Farrah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Terrible communistic manifestations laden in the framework of career advice. This guy seems to think that creativity is a talent bestowed to all and/or members of the neo-liberal Free World are inherently miserable if volunteerism, philanthropy, or the fine arts are absent from the equation. He speaks through the great historical figures of time [calling the Persian poet Rumi "Middle Eastern: was not appreciated]. It was these quotations which saved this shriveled mass of paper for me.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of nice things to think about, but not much useful advice, at least not where I am in my career. I think if I were trying to make a decision between A Job and Pursuing My Creative Dreams Of Being An Artiste, I might have enjoyed it more.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best book I have read on the concept of what one wants to do for meaningful work or career choices. Is not a typical vocational assistance book. Is very much about the self and ones own unique view of the world that we live in.

[Steven · Rating 2 out of 5]

Zen and the Art of Making a Living: A Practical Guide to Creative Career Design is a much better practical reference guide.

[Eva · Rating 2 out of 5]

Encouraging words, but not much practical advice

[Goodthelife · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very decent book. Focusing on what’s important in life. Lots of good quotes.

See notes in Evernote

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hmmm...I'm not sure this book is all that practical, but it helped keep me inspired to find meaningful work. I found comfort and encouragement in this small, thin volume :)

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Book is at least a comfortable read. SInce I read for utility I do not think this book was exactly what I was looking for.

[Michelle Beese · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's out there! You just have to search for it, and this book helps.