THE SEARCH by Bruce Feiler, subtitled "Finding Meaningful Work in a Post-Career World," is an extremely interesting look at work and how it is changing. He writes about making job choices and others' expectations and making what feels like an "un-right choice" since it disappoints someone, but often ends up being the right choice. Feiler explores the idea of finding meaning through work and having an impact. He cites studies by Gallup and Deloitte which have respectively found that well-being and balance are more important, especially to younger workers, than salary or money. He argues that his research shows that the average person experiences twenty "workquakes" (e.g., getting laid off, taking time away to care for family members, starting your own business) during their time at work and that the majority of these workquakes are initiated outside of work. In its second half, THE SEARCH provides a series of questions to help you find work that you love and to evaluate your own situation. For example, Feiler notes that the story we learn from parents is often about the value of working hard, but that we are increasingly pushing back at the sacrifices (e.g., less family time) that are expected. THE SEARCH, based on hundreds of interviews, is written in a very accessible manner and will encourage a great deal of thoughtful reflection, including the final section on success and the American Dream(s). Readers who are interested may wish to also look at this recent excerpted essay by Feiler plus a book review, both from The Wall Street Journal:
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-new-rules-of-success-in-a-post-career-world-3e54b343
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-search-review-rethinking-the-rules-of-success-d8f7b38c

Also, Feiler recently spoke at Family Action Network – here is a video of that discussion:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrsPVdYiVIs&t=971s

I wish I had had this book when I was first starting out -- back then, the path was high school, college, career, and then up that career ladder. And one career, not a patchwork of jobs, side hustles, and gigs to make a living. Mr. Feiler's thesis is that work today isn't that linear and that what we want and think will make us happy changes over time.

Mr. Feiler's research shows that we actually have the impetus to reinvent ourselves every two and half years, what he calls “workquakes.” If we notice and act, these can give us a reason to explore where we are and what we want and, if warranted, rethink our priorities. It's an interesting though exercise, and one I'll be trying -- soon than two and a half years!

The main message: stop chasing someone else's dreams, discover your own -- and be prepared for it to change over time.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy of this book.

Timely and relevant. A recommended purchase for collections where self-help and career titles are popular.