Laurence G. Boldt - Zen and the Art of Making a Living: A Practical Guide to Creative Career Design

Comments from Career Professionals

Zen and the Art of Making a Living is one hell of a book. I [feel] that [it] really challenges What Color Is Your Parachute? for leadership in the career field. Nice job!

Daniel Lauber, author of Non-Profit and Education Job Finder President, Planning Communications, River Forest, IL

After fifteen years, four thousand clients and authorship of my own career counseling program, this is simply the best book in its field that I have ever seen! I have reviewed almost all career counseling books, programs and strategies available. None is better than Zen and the Art of Making a Living .

Jim Fritz, V.P. Program Development, Access Influential, Inc., Denver, CO

Over the past six weeks, I have read and digested your book Zen and the Art of Making a Living . As a therapist and educator, I found your writing very readable and informative. More importantly, on a personal level I was struck by the depth at which many of the ideas resonated in my psyche. I was impressed with the scholarly yet deceivingly simple marriage of the ideas you presented. Your succinct, clear melding of Archetypes, Zen, and Career seemed so appropriate in dealing with the Fallen heroes I travel with daily. I see your work as a source of inspiration for many men and women.

Larry Dick, L-M Dick and Associates, Alberta, Canada

[Our staff enjoys] your book, and, of course, we share the book with our students. Your ideas about meaningful livelihood are important to me and to my students. Your book with its basic principle of choosing to be in control of ones career is very valuable to these people. It helps us to help them to create their new reality.

Lou Smith, Re-Creating Your Future, Dallas, TX

First I would like to say thank you in a very large way! I was given your book, Zen and the Art of Making a Living, last March. I am an outplacement consultantand also have a private practice working with people in career and life transition. It is the best book and most aligned material I have ever come across. Since receiving the book, I have been recommending it, not only to my clients, but to other consultants, career centers, and friends. I have probably recommended it to several hundred people so far. I acknowledge you for an epic and powerful piece of work. It makes my life a lot easier and is a great way for me to support my clients. Again, thank you. Your work is very important at this time.

R. B., outplacement consultant, Colorado Springs, CO

I have been a career counselorfor the past ten years. In all of this time, I have not found a book that is as effective and well rounded. Your book has become a fixture in my career center. But beyond its appeal to me, I think it finally takes career education in the many directions necessary to establish, not only ones identity, but an assessment of what makes work meaningful to an individual. Few, if any, texts Ive worked with in the past have accomplished this.

M. R. H., career counselor, Seattle, WA

I am writing this letter while enthusiastically making my way through Zen and the Art of Making a Living and wanted to express my reaction and thanks. For three years, I have run the Womens Outreach Program for a community college in New Jersey, guiding women towards careers through empowerment, education, and support. I am grateful that there are career counselor/authors out there, like yourself, who affirm and give flesh to the things we try to do on a daily basis. Your work reminds me what the path means and [of] the necessity for tending my own psychic garden so that the fruits of a value-laden life will be mine. Thank you.

A. F., career educator, New York, NY

I am a career/placement counselor located in New York City. I wanted to thank you for writing such a wonderful book. It seemsthe unfortunate trend is for people to keep their work and emotional/spiritual lives separate. I believe the integration of the two is the very essence of happiness in ones work life, and I was glad to learn that someone [had] elaborated so eloquently on the topic. I also loved the way your book was laid outit is very user friendly and interactive, without losing its deeper meaning. Thank you.

A. S., career counselor, Brooklyn, NY

Comments from Readers

How can I possibly express the life-transforming realizations your book has helped me to see? I truly feel blessed to have found it. Its given me a whole new perspective on work and couldnt have come along at a better time in my life. Ive been longing to make a career change for many years, and your book has inspired me to go for it.

Dave Powell, Newman, GA

I am writing to you to let you know how much I enjoyed and benefited from your book, Zen and the Art of Making a Living . I found it fascinating, stimulating, meaningful, and helpful. You truly helped me to resolve to take the first steps on a new path (my quest) for which my heart and my mind have been yearning for years. It has served not only as an invaluable resource for information and ideas but also as a source of wisdom and a jumping-off place for discovery. I thank you for writing it.

Jeffrey R. Kastin, La Jolla, CA

I recently discovered your book, Zen and the Art of Making a Living . Its the best career planning book Ive ever read, and Ive read quite a few. Unlike most career planning books, your book deals with the deeper issues of what work (and life) is all about.

D. S., San Francisco, CA

Thank you. Thank you graciously, passionately, joyously. I had lost purposeand your book provided a mirror, a process, a background, chunks of wisdom, assurance. My work has just begun, of course, but your book really reaches me. It sings to me. I wanted to say thank you for your work, for putting me back on the Way, for re-awakening me.

E. J., Haverhill, MA

Just had to tell youIve had the ultimate Zen experience with your book, Zen and the Art of Making a Living . I was thoroughly stuck in regard to career decisions. I bought the book and immersed myself in it, vowing to do the book as quickly and as thoroughly as possible so that I could get myself to decide upon a direction and get on with my life. I am busily doing the next step I need to take, career-wise. I do not know exactly how and where this step will lead me, but my next step is obvious, and I have finally admitted that that sort of clearness is all that matters to me.

C. B. I., Worthington, OH

I have just ordered from a favorite local bookstore ten copies of your book, Zen and the Art of Making a Living . What a wonderful out-of-the-blue gift to friends and not-so-friends alike. This is a WORK!What a work! For both the spiritual life/philosophies AND [as] a practical workbookThere aint nonenot like this! Thank you.

C. K. L., Perrysburg, NY

I picked up a copy of your book, Zen and the Art of Making a Living : by page ten, I was on the phone trying to locate your phone number. Thank you for writing this most wonderful expression of love. I have always considered work as a persons primary art form; your book is the first time Ive run across the idea put forth so totally and helpfully. Thank you so much for giving and sharing.

R. S., Marion, IA

Thank you for your time and energy in writing Zen and the Art of Making a Living . Of the books I have read, yours will be listed as one of the most influential in changing the way I think and live.

S. P., Silver Spring, MD

I am amazed at the talent of Mr. Boldt in so many ways. Certainly, his ability to organize a very lengthy publication in a way that takes each individual through the process so they can understand it and actually achieve the desired outcome, in itself is a tremendous accomplishment. His talent in writing effectively, clearly, yet [in a way that can be] understood by people of various educational backgrounds is a beautiful talent. Most importantly, his eloquent style, his words come from a place within himself that is truly real. I thank him from the bottom of my heart and soul for helping me and many others to change their lives. Words cannot express the thanks for the gift he has given so many.