Book Review: Are you a Career Renegade?

"No one else can take action but me.  Upon that realization, I began to accept responsibility not only for my life to date, but for the process of making it come alive from that point forward." - Jonathan Fields on pg. 268 of "Career Renegade"

I haven't done many book reviews, but a recent title, Career Renegade, caught my eye because it was featured on one of my favorite blogs: ZenHabits.  I believe that birds of a feather flock together, so any book featured on that blog would be worth checking out.

My suspicion was right!  Career Renegade hits on a few key areas that I believe are important in any self-development book: inspiration, tangible action items and resources.  The book begins with a brief look at the author's (Jonathan Fields's) career and the surprising turn he took when his body "shut down" due to his stressful job as a hedge-fund lawyer in New York City. 

After recovering from emergency surgery, he made a list of jobs he would enjoy.  He saved up several months income and left his law gig to explore a career as a personal trainer and later opened a wildly successful yoga studio.

If that story isn't enough inspiration for you, Fields sprinkles in several vignettes of other people who have pursued their passions and become entrepreneurs.  A few of my favorites include a struggling artist who found her niche decorating cupcakes and cakes; a video game addict who launched a popular Web site to provide tips for the John Madden football game; and a Doctor who moved to Hawaii and launched his own coffee business.

Inspiration.  Check.

I am a student of philosophy, but I think today's self-development books need to be less about philosophy and more about doing.  Career Renegade provides countless strategies and tactics on topics including identifying your genuine passion, testing the viability of your idea and acquiring the knowledge and assets you need to act.

Tangible action items.  Check.

Lastly, I am always eager to find new resources, books, blogs and Web sites.  Fields provides dozens of links to his favorite resources with a heavy emphasis on Web sites, blogs and social media.  Following are a couple of my favorite new resources gleaned from the book:

http://addictomatic.com/

http://tools.seobook.com/keyword-tools/seobook/

Resources.  Check.

I think Career Renegade is an excellent book for anyone who has a deep desire to start their own business whether it be a coffee shop, winery, art gallery, etc.  I think creative and idealistic thinkers would really embrace Fields, who has a passion for yoga and life, and doesn't appear to be driven solely by money.  It's definitely a must-read for would-be entrepreneurs who fear the unknown and need a final kick in the butt to make the leap.  I also think there are enough resources, and a great chapter on networking (chapter 19) for it to be valuable for folks who prefer to reside in Corporate America.

The second-half of the book is pretty heavy on Web sites and blogs so readers who are less tech-savvy might need to do some homework first.

On a side note, Fields has created a business for his Career Renegade empire at www.careerrenegade.com.  I have found some really valuable blog posts and fun videos including this one with another favorite blogger of mine, Gary Vaynerchuk.

Fields is all over social media.  Follow him at:

    * Twitter: jonathanfields
    * Facebook: Jonathan Fields
    * LinkedIn: JonathanFields
    * StumbleUpon: jonathanfields
    * Digg: JonathanFields