Review: Engaging and Encouraging Self-Help Book for Leaving the Typical Office Life Behind
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 7, 2014
“No More 9 to 5” is an upbeat and conversational guide to what many people dream of—leaving their office jobs behind and becoming self-employed doing something they enjoy.It starts out by noting that some people are suited for the nine to five life and prefer it, but the book’s audience is still wide—from the person who is just thinking about exploring the option to the person who is ready to make the leap to the person who just retired but still wants some income options. The book is comprehensive in its scope, including identifying your passion, transition plans, and summaries of important business concepts (cost-benefit analysis, opportunity cost, etc.).The section I found most helpful, though, was the in-depth section on working remotely and the different tools you can use to get a remote business off the ground; that chapter is full of helpful facts and tips that you can tailor specifically to your own needs. Another helpful chapter explores the different fields that lend themselves to freelancing and how you can get a start there, from marketing to technical writing.The author has left the typical office environment himself, and his writing style is friendly, engaging, and encouraging without being unrealistic. The structure of the book flows nicely so that you build upon your knowledge, and I finished the book with a good sense of what I would need to do if I ever decide to take the step from part-time freelancing to full-time entrepreneurship. I would recommend “No More 9 to 5” to readers who are either thinking about striking out on their own and need guidance, and to readers who have already started on that journey and would like more in-depth knowledge about how to increase their chances of success.