Happen to Your Career: An Unconventional Approach to Career Change and Meaningful Work

Before I read this book, I was feeling pretty down about my job search strategy. In my early years, I didn't seek out the best schools, I didn't engage in the career competition or study business, or computer science. Instead, I sought out to do what I loved. I did well and I got to where I wanted to be, but when I wanted to make a career change, instead of planning and doing research, I started jumping into the first things that were made available. As that started leading to undesirable results, I started to really feel hopeless in my career search. For the first time, I started thinking, "man, I wish I had gone to a top school and done a bunch of extracurricular activities." It felt like I was doomed to the status-quo, which is exactly what I had been avoiding in my early years.This book and Scott Anthony Barlow's programs helped me out of that mindset. It helped me to see my value again and find a way forward. It reminded me that the people on the other side of the screen are people too. You can reach out to them, figure out what they're trying to do, see how that matches with what you're good at (which the book helps you to figure out), and find a way to do what you love, to make an impact, and get paid well for doing it. That's the way it should be, right?

I've personally benefited so much from the coaching, materials, and podcast put out by Scott and the Happen To Your Career crew, so when I learned that they were publishing a book I was eager to pre-order immediately. And it turns out to be timely, since I happen to be at another crux point where I am considering more changes and career experiments to see what's next for me.First off, I want to clarify what this book is *not*. It is not a book about "manifesting" your ideal life just by visualizing and realizing you deserve it. It is not a list of "secret tricks" to get promotions and accolades, or get rich quick and retire early. And it is not a book that will tell you what you have to do to find the one, magic, perfect career. (If it was any of these things, I wouldn't be recommending it to you.)What this book is is a ton of good advice for all the steps of a career transition, for all the hard work you can do to really understand yourself -- your strengths and your needs -- and then go out seeking a way to be happier in the work you do to make a living. The methods are backed by research and the years of experience from the coaches at Scott's company, and supported by stories from real people, coaching clients who found improvements in their own lives. And it covers the essentials of all these topics in under 200 pages, so there's no room for fluff -- but plenty of suggestions where you might go to learn more, including recommendations for some of my favorite books.If you have struggled to understand what it is you really want from your job and why none of the roles or companies you've stumbled into ever quite fit, this may be the book for you. Even if you're given careful thought to your career and work choices, have gone through career coaching, or even just want to be better able to mentor and help others with their own job choices, I'd still recommend this book.

This is one of the best books I've ever read about career transition BY FAR!! It's not only encouraging, it also provides tactical information and steps to secure your dream job. One of my favorite lines from the book is, "...Some people say, 'I would take less money if I had more flexibility.' This seems like a reasonable statement. Let's evaluate it, though. What goes into that seemingly innocent statement? First why do you believe you would have to take less money? Second, when you make that kind of statement, you are assuming there must be a trade off: you can only have this if you let go of that. But being a paid a premium to tolerate a lack of what you really need (flexibility) isn't thriving. It is settling..."

I really enjoyed this book and the author’s approachability throughout the book. I stumbled upon the HTYC podcast after hearing the author interviewed on the Coaching For Leaders podcast (I highly recommend both).After listening to only the interview and then a HTYC podcast, I knew I wanted to learn more and read the book. I’m not one known to read enough to plow through a book but this one I did in a day or two because I enjoyed the writing and what I was learning so much.What I enjoyed most was the fact this book never felt like it was pushing me to buy things even though it occasionally mentioned the HTYC resources. It truly reads like someone who cares about helping others—like a friend coming alongside you. Just as a friend would be honest with you, Scott gives hope and encouragement but equally talks about the amount of work needed and the up and down periods one will face. You feel like he cares about helping you but wants you to know it won’t be easy but will be worth it.Highly recommend this book to anyone desiring insight on this topic!

the book and podcasts are great. Happen to your career shows you how to take charge of finding the career that fits your lifestyle and your strengths, not skills, so that you can thrive and be happy doing that thing we call "work". Something as elusive as this does not come without work though so be prepared that you are going to have some homework to do to get there. I have to believe the work to get there will be worth it. Short read but packed with nuggets.

I read numerous career change books, listened to podcasts, saw therapists, and nothing worked until I found Scott and went through his program. Read this book and listen to his podcasts and you'll get a feel for his method. Then do the work he suggests, and you will figure out a better way to structure your life and your career. Many of us are not taught to choose our careers, but be grateful for what we have. This book will change your perspective and empower you to define and go after what you really want. It worked for me!