I have been a fan of Ernie Zelinski, the Canadian author of The Joy of Not Working, for well over ten years. His advice helped me discover my values for work and life, and led to the development of my long-term action plan. Indeed, ten years ago one of my stated goals was to become a published book author. After self-publishing for the past five years, I have now reached that goal with Alternative Resumes: Definitely Not Your Parents' Resume Book! Needless to say, his work has had a tremendous impact on my life.
Real Success Without a Real Job is one of his best. He starts off by stating that one of the keys to success is "not accepting society's definition of success as our own," and then defining what success means to him personally:
"One of the most important elements of real life success to me is having the freedom and independence to make choices in what I do with my life. Success means doing what I want at the time I choose."
He goes on to examine non-traditional career options such as working at an unreal job or starting an unconventional business. Real-world examples can be found on almost every page, like the story of the American couple who work part-time for an auto dealer driving luxury cars across the state (and sometimes across the country) to customers and other dealerships. They get to travel and visit out-of-town friends while making money and enjoying a sense of freedom at the same time. Driving cars for a living may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it sure gets you thinking beyond what's typically found in the college brochures.
As an author himself, it's understandable why he strongly recommends the information business of writing and publishing. No employees, low overhead, and the staying power of intellectual property are just a few of the advantages of a writing career. However, this book isn't just for would-be authors. His lessons on creativity and non-conformity can apply to any field.
Zelinski's books are always an enjoyable read, non-academic, and full of thought-provoking quotes from (sometimes) famous people:
- Bo Bennett: "We can create the ultimate job security by becoming less dependent on the organization for which we work and more dependent on our own resources."
- Jim Rohn: "Formal education will make you a living. Self-education will make you a fortune."
- Mark Twain: "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do."
I encourage anyone who isn't satisfied with their career to pick up a copy of Real Success Without a Real Job, particularly those who feel unfulfilled in their work or desire a stronger work-life balance. It will help you to broaden your horizon without putting you to sleep.
