...you will find (yes, still...life is a little busy these days):
Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt
The People Project: Your Guide for Changing Behavior and Growing Your Influence as a Leader by Steve Laswell
What are YOU reading?
{In Review}
Work Shift by Anne Bogel
I first "met" Anne through a monthly book link-up that Jessica hosts online at Life as MOM. We connected over our mutual love of Jane Austen (both of our blog titles pay homage to her books), and our shared wedding anniversary, and last year, Jessica connected us again as we worked together to come up with book ideas for Booking It 2012.
While Anne has four children and I have none, that hasn't stopped us from having similar dreams of finding jobs that give us the flexibility we both crave. Anne has done a bang-up job of taking her blog from hobby to career - Work Shift being one result of that. Even though I haven't become a powerhouse blogger, Busy Nothings was instrumental in helping me land my job with Weaving Influence - which also allows me to work from home and meet financial goals.
Earlier this year, Anne asked if I would share my story of transitioning from an outside-the-home job that I hated, to a work-from-home job that I pinch myself for having. I was honored by her request, and was doing the {happy dance} when I saw it included in Work Shift {pg. 44, if you're interested!}. And even though I looked for my story first, I was quickly drawn in by the examples that Anne collected from other women who shared their journeys to find a work/life balance that fit their needs.
A personalized plan that’s tailored to the needs of your family and your work isn’t going to just happen. You've got to create it. {Work Shift, pg. 25}As often happens when I start reading a book to review, I'm always a bit skeptical about what I'm actually going to take away from it. I should really know better by now - one can always learn something! As I ran through Work Shift to write this review, I came to a complete stop in the section on time.
Although I am enjoying the flexibility off my new-ish job, I struggle with creating "work hours" and "off hours" because there is always something that needs to be done. I have long struggled with the issue of time management, but Anne's point on page 58 was the exact reminder that I needed for the day.
Quit wasting time. Seriously. Stop checking your email. Stay off twitter and facebook.
Find a strategy to stay focused, or use a service like RescueTime or Leechblock to
block email and social media when you’re supposed to be working. {Work Shift, pg. 58}
I have a slightly different problem with this because I work in social media for a living, but that doesn't mean that I need to work on my social media accounts while I'm at "work". So here I am, writing a review of a book that I figured wasn't meant for me since I already had the perfect non-traditional job, and even I walked away with something to consider and implement in the coming weeks!
Anne really did her research for Work Shift, and I think she has come away with a thoughtfully crafted book, filled with practical examples, suggestions, and encouragement for women (and men!) to think outside the traditional work box. Well done, Anne. Work Shift is available for direct download from Anne (the links I've used are affiliate links), or for Kindle from Amazon.
{GIVEAWAY}
Besides being a talented writer, Anne is also extremely generous and has offered to give away one copy of Work Shift to a reader of Busy Nothings! To enter: leave a comment on this post about your experience in the work force, or the what works for your family. Giveaway ends at 8:00 AM, Friday, September 21st. Winner will be announced on the Nightstand post on Monday, September 24th.
Are you working 9-5 at a brick and mortar building,
or have you found a way to engage in a non-traditional work environment?
So far, I'm slowly but surely figuring out how to navigate a non-traditional work environment. I'm with you, Carrie, I struggle with "work hours" vs. "me time."
ReplyDeleteThis book looks great and I'd love to WIN a copy!!!
Ok, I too stuggle with time management. Checking email and being on the Internet can be a huge waste of time for me. I'm back in the classroom, but only as a sub for now. I would like to get a full time teaching job, but subbing now allows me to pick my schedule and it works for our family.
ReplyDeleteA free book would be awesome!
I'm working an out-of-home job that I hate, pregnant with our first child due in eight weeks, and dreading returning to work in January. I should probably stop whining about all of this and instead read Anne's book and *do* something about it. Heh.
ReplyDeleteYep, I need this book. Guilty as charged with about 5 browser windows open right now. Time to close and go WRITE.
ReplyDeleteI work part time (8-3 M-TH) at our church. My husband doesn't have to be at work until 10 so he brings our daughter to me then and she spends the rest of the day with me. Yes, I am blessed.
ReplyDeleteI started my own business in May, and I love the flexibility, but I need more structure and need to truly separate my work life from my home life to be successful in my business. Organization and goal setting is where I'm stuck...
ReplyDeleteNon-traditional and loving it! I work at home M-F 7-6 which allows me the flexibity to do laundry or clean the house during lunch and enjoy the extra time with my kids. While it took some adjustment I can't imagine doing anything else.
ReplyDeleteAfter having worked in a traditional work setting and at home, I definitely love the flexibility of being my own boss. However, like most self-employed folks, I'm constantly trying to find a happy balance between work and home responsibilities (and the ever-present distractions). Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteIt is always a continual struggle between what is urgent and what is important!
ReplyDeleteI am blessed to be able to set my own hours and work on my own ventures full time. But sometimes it's hard to keep myself on track and also balance family with work...especially with Mack not yet being in preschool after our move. I think finding balance is always one of the trickiest parts of being employed by yourself. That and not working around the clock since one rarely has set working hours as an entrepreneur. ;)
ReplyDelete