What should I do with my life?
It's a question many of us have wondered with frequency. Author Po Bronson was asking himself that very question when he decided to write this book - an inspiring exploration of how people transform their lives and a template for how we can answer this question for ourselves.
Po traveled the country in search of individuals who have struggled to find their calling, their true nature. People who made mistakes before getting it right. People of all ages and all professions -- fascinating individuals trying to answer questions such as: Is a career supposed to feel like a destiny? How do I tell the difference between a curiosity and a passion? Should I make money first, to fund my dream? If I have a child, will my frustration over my work go away? Should I accept my lot, make peace with my ambition, and stop stressing out? Why do I feel guilty for thinking about this?
This audiobook is like listening in on an intimate conversation among people you care about and admire. There is wisdom and guidance in these stories of people who found meaningful answers by daring to be honest with themselves.
"We all have passions if we choose to see them," Bronson writes. "Most of us don't get epiphanies. We don't get clarity. Our purpose doesn't arrive neatly packaged as destiny. We only get a whisper. A blank, non-specific urge. That's how it starts."
With humor, empathy, and insight, Po Bronson probes the depths of people who learned how to hear the whisper, who overcame fear and confusion to find a larger truth about their lives. A meditation, a journey, and a triumph of storytelling, What Should I Do With My Life? is a life-changing audiobook.
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"The book is the stories of about fifty career-changers. You won't find plans or guidance for your own career move. Just other people's adventures to learn from their experience. Bronson came up with some sound insights into career change. He observed that people avoid change because of the accompanying loss of identity. It's a great non self-help book and it's nice to read."
— Daniel (4 out of 5 stars)
" You must read this book (or listen to the audiobook as I did). But, beware. The title is not "This is what you should do with your life", as it would be easy to falsely interpret. This won't give you any answers, but it will give you a greater appreciation for the question and broaden your horizons as to the possible answers. "
— Phil, 1/9/2014" A lot of people snicker at the title, but apart from non-encouraging reactions it's a good read. For people who know the direction they're headed it's inspiring, don't expect motivational. Those who are tackling this question-of-a-lifetime - it won't and can't give you an answer. It just tells you the paths others have taken. "
— Debra, 1/2/2014" stories of people asking this question. this book doesn't provide easy answers, but it does make you feel better about asking the questions in the first place. "
— Christina, 1/2/2014" I loved it. I'm at a point in my life where I'm not sure what I want to do, and now I'm reflecting and figuring out what my passions are - and the best part is it's ok to do it all. My head is buzzing with so many ideas now! "
— Thadeus, 12/31/2013" I've never been much of a 'self-help' book person, but I LOVE THIS BOOK! It's come to me at a perfect moment when I want to be inspired and encouraged to make changes in my career. Thank you Brent and Laura for bringing it into my life. "
— Robin, 12/14/2013" I think I was looking for a book to tell me that I'd figure it out. I only made it halfway through this book before giving up. Too many confused people with depressing stories. It felt like most of them never did figure out what they wanted to do/be. "
— Kristen, 11/24/2013" This is one of the books that lead me to change my career. Bronson follows about 10 people through surprising career transitions "
— Chad, 11/1/2013" This book seems cheesy but is actually really heartwarming. "
— Neha, 10/16/2013" This book made me realize that every job I have had or currently have is either honing my skills or creating new skills that make me a better employee and person, even if I do not enjoy the position. "
— Virginia, 6/11/2013" I've read this book since in the last year and a half and after reading Radio Shangri-La, I feel the need to re-read this book again. Still I read the title of this book as follows: What Could I Do With My Life? "
— Topicofinterest, 1/31/2013" Great writing. Great short stories about finding our way. I love Po Bronson. "
— Nedra, 11/30/2012" A gift from YPY over conveyor belt sushi. An elegant and fascinating motif for delicate voyeurism, especially spiriting for the bonded and otherwise suspended. "
— PMP, 11/20/2012" Thought-provoking and not at all what I expected. Some stories spoke to me, otheres didn'tt so much. As I've been grappling with this question myself, I'm glad someone out there collected the thoughts and real-life successes and failures of those who ponder this question "
— Annemarie, 10/4/2012" Meh. I didn't even finish this book, it was that blah. The narration is so over the top, Po Branson should be the next host for Cops or some similar show. "
— Elizabeth, 11/7/2011" Very interesting personal accounts of people who are searching for their intended life's mission "
— Jack, 9/16/2011" I've read this book twice! It's a compliation of true stories where people changed their careers and listened to their inner "whispers" to follow their heart to their ideal life. "
— Tina, 9/15/2011" Not what I expected at all. Too much "me, me, me" from the author and not enough real stories from other people. Only made it about a quarter of the way through and then quit. "
— Beth, 8/10/2011" An excellent book listing the life stories of a lot of people who were looking for what they wanted in life. It has helped me decide not to feel guilty about what I am doing in Dudley. "
— Kate, 7/23/2011" Terribly un-inspiring. Most people that answer the question never seem to be going any-where. At points this book did have it's moments. "
— Mits, 5/25/2011" Interesting perspectives so far. It makes me feel less alone. "
— Amy, 4/11/2011" I couldn't relate to many of the people, so I stopped reading it. "
— Mary, 3/17/2011" I'm about to reach a fork in the road, so to speak. In a couple years I'll retire (with a lowercase 'r') with twenty years of service in the Army. So...this book's title jumped right out at me. WSIDwML smelled appetizing on the shelf. I'll let you know how it tastes. "
— Steven, 2/27/2011" Excellent. Started slow, didn't really gather full speed until second-to-last section for me. Took my breath away at the end. <br/> "
— Robotwriter, 2/26/2011" Wasn't exactly what I expected, as the stories were about people in situations very different from what I would consider "norm." Overall, I would say it was just okay. "
— Madalene, 2/9/2011" Because I'm trying to figure it out!<br/><br/> "
— Emily, 1/10/2011" I didn't particularly like the writing style, but the stories were good, and as I am asking myself the question which is the book's title currently, it had a lot of meaning for me. "
— Leslie, 12/17/2010" A great collection of anecdotal biographies of interesting people seeking meaningful work. A great book to give someone looking for vocational guidance. "
— Harrison, 12/5/2010Po Bronson is the author of five books, including the #1 New York Times bestseller What Should I Do With My Life? His New York magazine articles with Ashley Merryman on the science of parenting have won the Magazine Journalism Award and a Clarion Award. Their articles for Time magazine have won the award for outstanding journalism from the Council on Contemporary Families. Bronson lives in San Francisco, with his wife and two children.