To Build the Life You Want

by Marsha Sinetar

Book Overview

The author of the million-copy bestseller Do What You Love, the Money Will Follow now delivers a provocative sequel which shows readers how to embrace the seven inner qualities of effective, fulfilled... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312141416
• ISBN13: 9780312141417
• Release Date: December 1995
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
• Length: 210 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Philosophy, Education, Career

This book is the sequence to Sinetar's best seller "Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow." I recommend reading the former before reading this one. This book deserves a high rating overall. It is interesting, thoughtful, well-researched, and the author herself is one-of-a-kind. That having been said, certain features which may "throw" some readers need to be mentioned. Here is how the book's introduction starts: "When my book came out, it was a big hit. I was thrilled with its success but somewhat overwhelmed by the onslaught of reader mail that followed. Intelligent, well-educated readers expressed their unhappiness about their current work. They hadn't a clue "how" to make the transition into their preferred careers. Collectively they pleaded for specific roadmaps to their destination..." Will her readers find this book with sufficient roadmaps? She certainly offers more specific advice than the first, but some may still feel this book is short on concrete guidance. This book is developed around the stories of entrepreneurs of all ages and walks of life who have created the work they love. Obviously, Sinetar has done extensive research on these success stories. However, did she work "hands on" with these people or solely interview them after-the-fact? That is unclear. Utilizing the success-story cases as models, Sinetar gives advice and direction. She stresses the importance of: 1-Increasing one's self-esteem (via professional counseling if need be), as self-esteem is foundational to life and work 2-Listening to self to try to better discern one's own inner voice and preferences, large and small, a key to life and vocational direction 3-Utilizing such tools as meditation, prayer, and journaling as aids to expanded awareness and creativity 4-Experimenting with new products and services which better serve humanity and, in particular to vocation, one's customers 5-Assessing and improving one's own risk-taking proficiency 6-Starting small from where one is to develop new avenues of vocation 7-Studying all successes and failures 8-Coming to know that purely economic motives may not be the most reliable impulses to follow Sinetar is a "new-age" philosopher and very much a teacher, if not a minister. She interweaves a point here and there from Christianity as well as Buddhism. Sinetar takes great pains to picture for us what self-actualization and true vocation leading to fulfillment ought to look like in ideal terms. I fear that this might set some readers up for discouragement, who may feel that their "good enough" lives and careers seem ordinary or even "not enough" when viewed in this idealized mirror. Regarding the book's structure, Sinetar's words speak on many levels - the practical, philosophical, and psychological. Her background in college academics is immediately apparent. But what may resound with academics may lose something in the translation to the general public. For example, she repeats ideas a lot. Some rea

2nd best book I"ve ever read!

What? The last reviewer of this book says the author wasnt focused? If she was anymore focused on the emotional, mental and spiritual processes that go about in keeping us from reaching our "soul" purpose, our brain would fry! Filled with lots of quick inspiring stories of ordinary people who made their dreams come true. She says "Responsible choice involves consequences not the least of which are relinquishments along the way. (page81) If you could just get that it would be worth 100 times the price of the book. She talks about how the creative process can even trigger chronic fatigue and other stressors. She clearly guides us thru the "What do I do next?" panic attack we have when we get stuck or defeated. Even better than her 1st book and that was great! As a personal consultant and coach I am always greatly interested in hearing how books effect people. Email me at:mince38@yahoo.com and let me know how you are enjoying this wonderful book. Personally, I would buy it for any person who is not living the perfect life they want! Its the 2nd best birthday gift you could give someone. In fact, we could even start a message board on this book. Marc

True vocation is a spiritual journey

This book has been one of the most valuable books I have read on the topic of creating meaningful work. Sinetar artfully illustrates how entrepeneurs find their true vocation in their own wholeness--work as a natural expression of their authentic selves. The catch is...this takes time. Time in reflection. Time in retreat. Time in honest evaluation of one's values and skills. Meaningful, fulfilling work is a spiritual journey and I fear that, in our fast and faster world, a book about slow and stop will be overlooked. I actually purchased this book in 1998, but put it down because it didn't seem to "apply" to me. Picking it up again in 2001, I was ready to hear the truth about creating the work that I had always wanted.I'm happy to say that I'm well on my way. I highly recommend this book as a light for your spiritual path.

Positive, realistic and practical side of entrepreneuring.

Seems the "skills" and reality side of Do What You Love.... these are stories that show everyday people --not superstar Trump types -- in various stages of starting their own small ventures or shaping the life and values they love. Especially relevant to me is the story of Esther, the eighty-something woman who returned to ministerial college at seventy-something and now runs a little spiritual direction business out of her home. More power to Esther and anyone like her. Good stories for adult ed. course, too.

Another approach to discover the true nature of "work"

Often we read passages from how-to books which do not consider the true depth of enlightenment in the workplace. Marsha Sinetar in her book, does not try to prescribe a sollution yet rather lets the reader think outloud about the potential that is awaiting us in a place of Positive relection at the workplace.I found her approach refreshing and on the mark, her open ended questions are helpful and realistic. Less puffery than other "spiritual books"