Starting Over: 25 Rules When You've Bottomed Out

by Mary Lee Gannon

At age 36, Mary Lee Gannon was a mother with four young children and a self-employed husband. Suddenly she found herself in litigation and then homeless. Seven years later she was president and CEO of a large foundation. Gannon brings the lessons she learned to this timely book. These lessons, offered in 25 rules, are aimed at anyone facing an economic or personal challenge, from the fired or laid-off employee to the empty nester seeking to re-enter the workforce to those seeking new life goals. The rules are commonsense but also fresh, from "begin with the end in mind and sketch that vision on paper" to "find a mentor in an offbeat place" to "surround yourself with people who possess your weaknesses as their strengths and give the glory away." Gannon's clear, encouraging writing and interactive approach offers both inspiration and specific strategies for overcoming setbacks in business and in life.

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Jerry Williams]

Very good and useful rules, although some of them didn't apply to me necessarily. I would recommend this book to anyone that needs to hit the "reset" button in life.

[Elizabeth]

Some of the advice here is timeless and readily found in other self-help/career books, but much of it is outdated. Written 15 years ago, times have changed in the employment landscape and the book could use an update—some links to websites no longer work and her advice about always wearing pantyhose to a job interview and how to use your silverware at a business lunch is quaintly antiquated. The chapters are often redundant as the author relies heavily on the same anecdotes from her own rags-to-riches story. Yes, she overcame adversity as a divorced mother of four small children, but she had some distinct advantages all of us weren’t born with, namely being a neurotypical, extroverted, self-confident and educated white lady naturally gifted at sales and networking, in addition to forging her destiny during the economically healthier years of the Clinton administration. Her story reads like the plot of an 80s/90s movie where an overworked but plucky single mom finds herself dead broke due to her hapless ex-husband’s financial mis-dealings but manages to schmooze her way into executive leadership with her can-do attitude, tenacious know-how, and won’t-take-no-for-an-answer elevator pitch, all while still finding the time to bake cookies for the PTA bake-off and lead her kids’ Girl Scout troop. Wait a second, isn’t this similar to the plot of one of my all-time favorite childhood movies, Troop Beverly Hills? But, set in Pittsburgh. You go, Phyllis Nefler!

So it’s all a bit eye-roll-inducing, but i suppose it’s not a bad idea to banish my negative self-talk, work on my vision board and keep manifesting, since to do it, you’ve first got to dream it! and oh yeah, I should probably get a mentor. And the ever-earnest Mary Lee does leave me with a comforting piece of encouragement: “if you still have sensitivity, love and trust in your heart, you have a lot to give the world. So get moving.” Thanks, Mom.