The Great Recession could have been the undoing of Michael Froehls. Everything seemed to go downhill: the economy, the stock market, and his job situation. His company started instituting cost cutting and to reorganize. The writing was on the wall.
His portfolio temporarily lost 30% of its value, despite being conservatively invested. Thinking of these loses in terms of annual salary was a wake up call. He asked himself this... if he could lose this much in such a short time due to factors beyond his control, "wouldn't it have been better to gave spent the money on things that would have made [him] happy or used the time differently if [he] had known in advance?"
And so began a journey of exploration... Froehls decided to take six to twelve months off, move to Austin where he went to graduate school, and learn a new language (Spanish). Serendipitously, he met a woman who became his companion in life.
Froehls explores the world of ideas for using job loss as an opportunity to do some of the things that were not possible while employed. It is inspirational food for thought. What's on your bucket list? Many (most?) of us have never put any thought into what we would do if we had an unexpected windfall of time. Job loss can be just this.
Whether or not you choose to follow Michael's example, his story is an uplifting ray of light in a world that lately has been too dark and filled with bad news. Should you do it? Could you do it? This book will help you explore your own personal situation and maybe even help you to come up with a plan.
Reviews of galleys received through netgalley.com
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Book Review: Unbeatable Resumes by Tony Beshara
Are you unemployed for the first time this century? Have you discovered that the job hunting methods you used in the past are not working? What now?
In his book, Unbeatable Resumes, Tony Beshara outlines the steps needed to create an effective 21st century resume - a marketing document that sells YOU. He explains what it is you need to do, and why this is necessary. Key features of the most effective resumes are detailed, as well as the top ten resume mistakes.
More than just resume writing, Beshara talks about how to strategize in your job search to be effective. He does this by telling stories about other people's successes and failures. If you are facing a job search, and it has been a while since you were in the job market, this book will jumpstart your search and give you direction.
Book Review: Growing up Amish by Ira Wagler
Imagine if your family and the church you grew up in told you that you would go to hell if you did what most American youth consider normal - leave home and start your own life. This is just what faced Ira Wagler as a young man in the 1970s.
Born into the Old Order Amish community of Aylmer, Ontario, the tenth child of eleven, Wagler found that the "stifling, hostile culture" of his community to be increasingly unbearable as he matured from a teenager to a young man. Youth rebellion in the Amish community started with sneaking beer and cigarettes, and listening to the radio or to music tapes, and it ended with running away to live outside the church.
Wagler's older brother's and one of his sisters left home and the community, escaping from the "comfortable but confining box" of Amish culture. His father reacted to this by selling the farm, and moving the family south to Bloomfield, Iowa, in the hopes that joining a different Amish community would keep his remaining children from leaving the community.
Soon it was Wagler's turn to leave. In the dark of the night, leaving behind everything he knew, the 17 year old slipped away, leaving only a note telling his family he too was gone. Over the next decade, Wagler returned to the Amish community and left again, homesick, and wanting desperately to fit in but finding the culture too restricting.
Wagler left the Amish community many times before leaving for good when he was 26. Each time he returned, he attempted to make amends by joining the church through baptism, or courting a girl with the apparent goal of marriage. He experienced doubts and confusion, and he caused and experienced much pain.
In his memoir, Wagler details what life is like for an Amish boy as he grows into adulthood. He shares his doubts and confusion, as well as the road he was finally able to follow that gave him peace. Though his circumstances are unique, this story of adolescence is universal in its appeal.
Born into the Old Order Amish community of Aylmer, Ontario, the tenth child of eleven, Wagler found that the "stifling, hostile culture" of his community to be increasingly unbearable as he matured from a teenager to a young man. Youth rebellion in the Amish community started with sneaking beer and cigarettes, and listening to the radio or to music tapes, and it ended with running away to live outside the church.
Wagler's older brother's and one of his sisters left home and the community, escaping from the "comfortable but confining box" of Amish culture. His father reacted to this by selling the farm, and moving the family south to Bloomfield, Iowa, in the hopes that joining a different Amish community would keep his remaining children from leaving the community.
Soon it was Wagler's turn to leave. In the dark of the night, leaving behind everything he knew, the 17 year old slipped away, leaving only a note telling his family he too was gone. Over the next decade, Wagler returned to the Amish community and left again, homesick, and wanting desperately to fit in but finding the culture too restricting.
Wagler left the Amish community many times before leaving for good when he was 26. Each time he returned, he attempted to make amends by joining the church through baptism, or courting a girl with the apparent goal of marriage. He experienced doubts and confusion, and he caused and experienced much pain.
In his memoir, Wagler details what life is like for an Amish boy as he grows into adulthood. He shares his doubts and confusion, as well as the road he was finally able to follow that gave him peace. Though his circumstances are unique, this story of adolescence is universal in its appeal.
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