Love Your Job: The New Rules for Career Happiness

Praise for Love Your Job: The New Rules for Career Happiness

"Kerry Hannon unlocks the secrets to finding true career happiness in this smart, practical, and entertainingly written guide. Finding passion, value, and genuine satisfaction in the job you do is rare yet eminently desirable and obtainable as Hannon shows. Another first–rate effort from one of the top personal finance journalists in the field."
Diane Harris, Executive Editor of MONEY Magazine/Money.com

"Once again, Kerry Hannon nails it in a book that′s original, smart, and important. This book questions the follow–your–dream mantra so prevalent today and instead provides insightful, practical advice that will work for anyone, whatever the field, whatever the life stage, whatever the circumstances."
Marci Alboher, VP of Encore.org and author of The Encore Career Handbook: How to Make a Living and a Difference in the Second Half of Life

"The greatest feeling in life is knowing who you are, doing what you love, and living the life you enjoy. Kerry Hannon leads you to that place. Don′t miss this book!"
Richard Leider, international bestselling author of The Power of Purpose, Repacking Your Bags, and Life Reimagined

"Love Your Job is a great addition to the AARP catalog. As people live longer, there′s ever more desire to get the most out of the hours we spend at work. This book can help you cure the career blahs, tackle serious burnout, and get your spark back."
Daniel H. Pink, author of Drive and A Whole New Mind

"I love the job Kerry Hannon did writing this excellent, practical book. As a noted authority on work and careers, she knows exactly what the rest of us need to do to become more fulfilled at our jobs. Take her advice and I′m confident you′ll get more out of work and more out of life."
Richard Eisenberg, Assistant Managing Editor of Nextavenue.org

Introduction. What My Dog Taught Me About Loving My Job

Chapter One. Curing the Workplace Blues

Should You Switch Careers?

Chin Up!

Take it up a Notch

Loving Your Job

The HOVER Approach

Get a Grip

How to Use This Book

Chapter Two. Creating the Blueprint for Your Dream Job

Map Your Future

Your Past Isn t Prologue

Nothing is Forever

Look at the Big Picture

What Would Make You Love Your Job?

What Are Your Work Goals?

Adopt New Ways to Envision Your Career

Chapter Recap

Chapter Three. Do an MRI on Your Work and Your Life

Create Your Job Budget Sheet

What Does Your Work Really Mean To You?

Write in Your Journal Every Day for a Week

Is Your Pay What s Really Bothering You?

A Can–Do Philosophy

Consider Taking a Self–Assessment Test

Get Ready to Love Your Job

Chapter Recap

Chapter Four. Refresh Your Attitude: The Keystone to Your Love Your Job Action Plan

Attitude Adjustment

Create Your Own Purpose

Write It Down

A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words

Build a Bear

Practice HOVERing

Mental Games

Adjusting Your Attitude

What to Do If You re Bullied at Work

Step Right Up and Enroll in My Three–Step Fitness Program

Chapter Recap

Chapter Five. Beyond the Job Description

Take Time for Renewal

Volunteering and Mentoring

Adding Value to Your Job

Take Control of Your Time

Get Involved in Extracurricular Activities

Chapter Recap

Chapter Six. How to Build Flexibility into Your Job

Work Flexibility and Happiness

A Myriad of Flex–Time Options

How is Flex–time Working?

Is Telework for You?

The Risks of Working at Home

Chapter Recap

Chapter Seven. How to Upgrade Your Game

The Benefits of Learning New Tricks

Learning and Healthy Aging

Getting Over the Hurdles

Chapter Recap

Chapter Eight. How to Have the What s Next? Talk with Your Boss

The Time is Now

Questions to Ask Yourself Before the Big Meeting

Your Plan–and–Prepare Strategy

Carrying Out the Ask

Chapter Recap

Afterword

Resources

Ideas for Further Reading

Helpful Career Happiness Websites

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Index

KERRY HANNON (kerryhannon.com) is a nationally recognized authority on ca– reer transitions and retirement, a columnist for The New York Times and PBS Next Avenue, and a contributing writer at Forbes and MONEY. She has spent more than 25 years covering personal finance for leading media companies. She is the author of the bestselling Great Jobs for Everyone 50+ and the award–winning What′s Next? Finding Your Passion and Your Dream Job in Your Forties, Fifties, and Beyond.