The author set out to answer the question 'What Should I Do With My Life' by interviewing hundreds of people who had transformed their lives. He travelled across the U.S., Canada, and as far as Hong Kong in his search for those that have struggled in finding their calling. Over fifty of their stories made it into the book.

I liked the narrative style of the author, Po Bronson. He intermingled his own story with those of his subjects in a humourous, honest and insightful way. As he went further into his research, his started to answer his own question.

That I assumed it was the typical self-help book and would find some guidance leading to answering the questions I have in my life. There was no advice, no end-of-chapter exercises. Just the stories. They made me realize it's not that simple. By having an insight into other's journey's, I learned that there is no easy way to answer the question, you have to experience all of the tough stuff first.

Sit down with the author over a few cold beers and engage in a very long conversation about anything.

Surprisingly, that I didn't have to answer the question right now as long as I was open and accepting of the process. That there are absolutely no wrong turns if you eventually end up where you want to be. Every experience on your journey is valuable in forming who you are and what you should be doing with your life.

Exemplifies the people he interviewed in his struggle to find meaningful work. This is no more apparent than when he turned down a bond sales position with projected first-year commissions of $300,000 because he realized the amount of money he could earn did not correlate with who he was and what he wanted. He has gone on to be a successful and critically-acclaimed author of books and screenplays, including The First $20 Million Is Always the Hardest.

I think we are all trying to answer this question and this book shows us how some of us make this journey. The stories and their subjects were fascinating. A lawyer turned long-haul trucker. A chemistry professor who switched to law in his fifties. A mother who chose to give up an Olympic career for her daughter. An investment banker that moved to Mississippi and became a catfish farmer. These are just a few examples.

Check out the author's web site. He has created it and maintains it himself.



http:///www.pobronson.com

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Created May 25, 2003 at 6:54am • Submit your own review...