People are always seeking ways to create the perfect work-life balance. Many may challenge that such a balance does not exist if you are an entrepreneur. However, those that subscribe to this notion would be shocked to meet the entrepreneurs in
Life Entrepreneur by Christopher Gergen and Gregg Vanourek. The authors interviewed 55 business and social entrepreneurs that are leading extraordinary lives because they all share eight characteristics. You may not be aware of everyone named in this book, but I guarantee you will never forget them after reading their stories. The authors have coined the phrase “life entrepreneurship” as one who seeks to “create a life of significance through opportunity recognition, innovation, and action.”
This is not your typical business book. The authors state very early in the book that the main purpose is for readers “…to apply the principles of entrepreneurship to life itself.” The authors have somehow managed to empower their readers with principles that they can not only use to further them in business, but can also enable them to live an extraordinary life. Everyone has a desire to live an extraordinary life, but many are not sure how to go about achieving this goal. Gergen and Vanourek have determined that if you have the right combination of direction and drive you will be successful. In order to attain this combination you have to be able to identify one of the “…four common patterns of living that most of us fall into.” Once you have identified your pattern, you will be able to see “…what elements are missing and then go do something about it.”
The authors provide instructions on the traits that you must develop and possess in order to successfully implement the seven steps you take in becoming a life entrepreneur.
When you read these steps they appear to be relatively effortless to perform. However, once you start answering the thought provoking questions that accompany each step, you quickly realize that your journey along the path to becoming a life entrepreneur is not going to be easy and will require hard work, patience, and determination.
One of my favorite steps along the path is “discovering our core elements.” This step allows you to establish your core identity (your purpose and value) by addressing external and internal factors in order for you to truly “discover” yourself. Mastering this step is essential because “…too many people lead a life that doesn’t cohere with their authentic existence.” What makes this book unique is that it is inundated with stories of entrepreneurs who have truly embraced these steps. Many of them truly did start out like you and me and did not give into the enticement of being “…successful at the wrong thing [because] the mix of praise and money and opportunity can lock you in forever.” I believe that this is the main reason why many people become complacent and do not achieve their dreams. They get comfortable and fear causes them to give into the notion of not wanting to “rock the boat.”
However, you cannot help but feel extremely motivated and inspired to take the leap when you read the stories of the entrepreneurs that did not allow complacency and fear prevent them from achieving their goals. One of the stories that I felt most inspired by was Cory Booker. He was raised in a middle class family in New Jersey and it was instilled in him very early in life how important it is to give back to the community. His dream was to “…be a part of community in transformation.” He endured many obstacles in his quest to do so, but he prevailed and is now the Mayor of New Jersey.
There are numerous stories throughout this book that readers can and will relate to that will give them the push they need to not just live life but to lead an extraordinary life. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to those seeking to gain more from their life and assist others in achieving their dreams.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
This book was published in 2008 and contains 256 pages. The price of this book is $24.95 and can be purchased on http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0787988626?ie=UTF8&tag=virtualadministration-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0787988626.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0787988626?ie=UTF8&tag=virtualadministration-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0787988626!
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Life Entrepreneurs
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