The Art of Work: A Proven Path to Discovering What You Were Meant to Do

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.

I have followed Jeff Goins for some time and am currently going through a mini course of his on writing. I find his passion and easy-to-follow communication style something that challenges me to be a better communicator and writer.

This book is a bit different than the rest of his books in that he focuses more on finding what someone is meant to do rather than instructing on how to do it.

I found that this book was very easy to follow and that he delivered on his goal: helping the reader discover what they were meant to do.

One area that stuck out was legacy. Recognizing that it is not enough to be passionate about something but to be so passionate that you think about those who come behind and how to benefit their lives.

Many people have the goal to be in it for themselves. Goins challenges that idea and shows that people who live their calling are those who think of others instead of being selfish.

I would recommend this book to those who are getting ready to graduate high school and/or college. Many people wander through life trying to find their calling. Goins is a great guide to help those in need.

Before picking up this book to review, I've already had private conversations with God regarding career choices. I can't give up my day job, just yet, because I need to pay the bills and feed myself. It's for this reason that I picked up this book in the hopes that this will revive me in how I see my season today.

Indeed, it did. This book lays out a set of ideas that we can use for a roadmap in pursuing the art of work especially when we don't know why we do what we do at this stage of our lives.

Today, many struggle, just like me, to find identity in their work. It's living to work versus working to live. We'd like to spend our work hours doing something that we really like, one that fulfills us, one that we were created or meant to really do instead of dreading the reality of a 9 to 5.

I have read many books about pursuing your passion, but The Art of Work provides the reader with practical exercises to figure out where there passion lies and how to start moving in the right direction to begin living for a larger purpose.

I recommend anyone that is simply working to pay the bills and cannot see a greater good produced by their career to carefully read this book and walk through the exercises in the Appendix. I'm going through it myself.

Don't read this book if you are looking for a step by step guide on what to do with your life. The proven path that Jeff talks about isn't a clear cut list of ways to improve life. Instead Jeff shares lots of wisdom through stories to show you how to identify things your life is already showing you.

Guiding you through seven themes or stages that you will pass through in life. Often he uses the stories of others to show this. sometimes I find that the stories hinder the message. While I enjoy a good story as much as the next person having more than one story in a chapter just gets confusing. I would have preferred less sharing of others stories and more discussion of practical steps to take.

At the same time, I have gotten a lot from the book and have witnessed many people making progress towards their goals as they read it.

God has opened my eyes to certain things as I have read. I also at least know how to describe it. I realize that I need to move forward toward my own calling. Jeff grants us permission to get it wrong without giving up on our calling.

A must read if you are still trying to figure out what you should do with your life.

"The Art of Work" by Jeff Goins is a good title for anyone wanting to learn more about finding out their purpose in life. The book is around 200 pages and covers such points as:

1. The importance of finding a good mentor. Unfortunately, in today's society, it's harder to do than in earlier times.

2. Keep working at what you're doing until you see results - "play through the pain" and don't give up unless it's obvious you're not called to do that.

3. Passion is a very important part of discovering your calling - the deep sense of doing what you're meant to do will get you through the tough times.

4. Discovering your calling contains both intentionally working/planning and being flexible enough to take advantage of an opportunity that comes your way.

5. Using failure to your advantage - like I've said to some people "you didn't fail, you're learning!".

The book is an easy read and the narrative flows smoothly. I will use the title as a future reference to remind me of the points listed above and mentioned in the book as I pursue present and future callings. Recommended.