Review of Now What?: 90 Days to a New Life Direction (Hardcover)

Fortgang begins with a straightforward premise. In ninety days, you can set goals and begin to move in a new direction.Unlike many books of this genre, Now What does not overpromise. Ninety days won't find you in a new job or a new life -- but you'll have a better sense of where to go and how to get there.

I gave Now What five stars for easy reading and originality. I must admit I expected to find tired advice and exercises, but Fortgang offers mostly fresh ideas.And I agree with much of what she says.

For example, "Your purpose in life is right under your nose." So true! I've seen versions of these life purpose exercises before but she presents them well.

Overall, true to her coaching background, some of the best exercises relate to identifying what you really want to do. "I want to be someone who..."

I applaud Fortgang's definitions of needs and values. Needs are not optional and non-negotiable, e.g., the need for honesty. Values are "the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow." Needs bring out the worst in us when they're not met; values bring out the best.

But Fortgang goes beyond self-awareness, encouraging readers to check reality. She offers good advice for investigating various career fields: Talk to 3 people in 3 fields.And she's not afraid to ask clients, "What would you have to give up..."

Perhaps the very best exercises involve scenario-writing. Describe how your life will be in a year, then six months from now, then three months from now. These steps clarify the need for actions along the way.

Anyone contemplating a life change can have fun with these exercises.They'll help you change your thinking and uncover ideas.My major reservation comes from a warning in Herminia Ibarra's book, Working Identity.Often self-discovery tends to be easier than implementing change.If you're in a comfort zone, you'll need another book-- or a coach -- to get moving, even if you know where you want to be.

And there's a downside of a book that appeals to many people for many kinds of change.You have to take practical, specific tips with a grain of salt.For instance, Fortgang alludes to moving to a place with a lower cost of living -- but this type of move often contains hidden pitfalls.A lower cost of living means fewer options to earn money and less access to resources.



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