Review of Maureen Anderson's The Career Clinic
Eight Simple Rules for Finding Work You Love
Jan 18, 2009
In these times of economic woe, you can either climb aboard the "pity-me" wagon, or actually see your job situation as an opportunity. If you think by doing what you've always done before that you'll get different results, don't bother with the book or this article. If, however, you are ready to take control and look at your life and job in a different light, then The Career Clinic is just what you need to get you started.
Eight Simple Rules
Basically, the book is a collection of interviews from Anderson's radio show The Career Clinic, interwoven into her "Eight Simple Rules". Each section has a personal introduction relating to Anderson's own journey within life and work. Each section portrays, through these interviews, a simple rule. But all of them deal with transition. No one really started out doing what they were meant to do, or wanted to do for the rest of this or her life. But all found something lacking in what they were currently doing, and realized they had to do something about it.
Not Always Have to Hit Bottom First
More importantly though, is that in most of these examples, the respondents did not have to "hit bottom" before they realized what they needed to do, which is a refreshing insight. It gets tiring and annoying after awhile to think you must always hit bottom before you can rise again. What if you're in a rut, or having trouble finding a job right away? Most job seekers do not want to feel they must hit bottom before being able to climb up again. And many job seekers feel they have hit bottom but are unsure of what to do next, or how to help themselves.
Easy to Read, Follow and Apply
The book is entertaining and humorous; the style light but gives you points to incorporate and think about in your own life. The rules really are simple, and easy to apply – but you'd actually have to do the rules to see the results.
For example, Anderson's first rule – No Regrets – is a blueprint for life. Sounds easy to do, but how many of you can actually say you have no regrets? This rule does imply you want to have no regrets; and it does mean that good, bad, happy or sad, don't regret what you have already done or accomplished – everything you've done is already part of you, so use it to your advantage.
Bottom Line
Anderson's unique perspective on changing life and careers has come into its own with the current economic situation. You need to think "out of the box of doom and gloom". Stay tuned for future articles exploring her standpoint and guidance in Career Advice.
Reference:
Anderson, Maureen The Career Clinic: 8 Simple Rules for Finding Work You Love. New York, NY: AMACOM, a division of American Management Association, 2009
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