By Betsy Mack
Book is highly recommended.
I'm new to writing book reviews, but I'm especially new to writing reviews on non-fiction books. Evedn more so, the ones that are self-help/empowerment books. How do you really rate that? I'll explain later on how I rate my books, but the important part of this moment is - I recommend this book to anyone who is either stuck in their career goals and thought process, or just wants to take a look at advice from someone who is also just figuring this out.
Inspire & Empower
I would never recommend anyone to binge-read a non-fiction book like this; instead, read a chapter at a time and let it sink in. Focus on the words, the advice, the emotions and thoughts that it evokes. What is so special about this book is that it's written from the perspective of someone who is currently still trying to reach her goals. I think this is such a great focal point because it puts the focus on the current process, instead of a looking back type of guide that most books contain. That, on its own, had me gripping.
"Let your personality shine, but not in a way that compromises promises."
The best way to read this book (or re-read as I will do once I finish this review) is to read a chapter in the morning before starting your day. Get your cup of coffee, make your breakfast and take a minute to read one chapter. It helps shape your day in a thoughtful and positive manner, it inspires you to get out there and "make it happen, cap'n" and it just makes you feel like Betsy Mack really is like a friend in your corner. Reading Chapter 4 (Opportunities) and Chapter 5 (Be Genuine) in the morning really does pump me up - the same level as a good, positive, Girl-Boss song does. Hell, I'm convinced that this book needs a positive playlist to go along with it.
After reading this book, I have every sense of need, desire, and courage to write to Betsy Mack (maybe not in a hand-written note, sorry!) to get to know her more - for her to get to know me. I want to talk to her, to let her know my thoughts, to talk through some of the focal points throughout the book and get some advice from someone who is further along in her career than I am. Going through this book, little by little, helped renew my faith in my career choice and empowered (that's an important word throughout this guide) to make decisions that might feel scary in the beginning but has the potential to change the direction of where I'm headed now to where I want to be. "Your career is a marathon built of sprints and jogs..." Ain't that the truth.
While I'm not in the same industry as Betsy, a lot of what she offers and suggests relate to me on a level that I haven't felt in a book like this in a long time.
The tag line of this book reads:
A book to inspire, empower and celebrate failing while in the midst of success.
She does just that.
Personally, I love how she uses real life-daily life situations to exemplify them into a narrowed down approach to your career. There is a big difference between a job and a career, and Betsy Mack uses her knowledge to help separate the two. A lot of the lessons within the book can be adhered to real life, as well - to those moments when you're stuck in your rut outside the four walls of your office.
I think the most memorable chapter for me was Chapter 11 (You Failed). Why? Because, I have a fear of failing. It cripples me. It hinders me. It forces me against a wall where I don't try certain things because I'm terrified I will fail at it. "I learned to embrace failure in a a way that reenergized my efforts and reinforced my need to succeed." It was at this moment I realized that I wanted nothing more than to set up a virtual coffee date with Betsy Mack and just talk to her. I have so much I want to discuss with you!
Recommendations
When you start this book, grab a pen. I spent much of my time writing down my thoughts with every page, highlighting important moments and tagging pages that I wanted to revisit. I recommend this book to anyone who feels stuck - it doesn't have to be just in your career. Throughout the course of this story, Betsy bridges the gaps between chapters to intertwine together. The best part of this book is that -- you can use the chapters as individual mood boosters/pick-me-ups for when you need it.
Like when I fail at another attempt to take the ARE exams to become a licensed Architect, I can pick out Chapter 11 and Chapter 15 to just boost me up. Like I have a true friend rooting for me to keep going.
Thank you again, Betsy Mack, for sending me a copy of this book. You better believe I'm recommending this to every friend I work with!
What did you all think? What was your favorite part? Let me know in the comments!
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