Ken Coleman - From Paycheck to Purpose: The Clear Path to Doing Work You Love

I press on toward the goal to win the prize

for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:14 NIV

2021 Lampo Licensing, LLC

Published by Ramsey Press, The Lampo Group, LLC

Franklin, Tennessee 37064

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Scripture quotations marked CEV are from the Contemporary English Version Copyright 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version). ESV Text Edition: 2016. Copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.

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The names and other identifying facts of individuals whose stories appear in this book have been changed to protect their privacy.

Editors: Jennifer Day and Rachel Knapp

Cover Design: Chris Carrico and Gretchen Hyer

Photography: Seth Farmer

Interior Design: PerfecType, Nashville, TN

Ebook formatting: Mark DAntoni, eBook DesignWorks, Austin, TX

ISBN: 978-1-942121-54-1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Coleman, Ken (Radio talk show host) author.

Title: From paycheck to purpose: the clear path to doing work you love / Ken Coleman.

Identifiers: LCCN 2021029158 | ISBN 9781942121534 (hardback)

Subjects: LCSH: Self-actualization (Psychology) | Motivation (Psychology) | Success.

Classification: LCC BF637.S4 C65225 2021 | DDC 158.1 dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021029158

Printed in the United States of America

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F or thirty years, fifteen hours a week, Ive been taking calls on a national talk radio show from people with money questions. And Ive found there are really only two sides to the money equation: the income side and the outgo side. Most of the questions I get are about the outgo side. People want to know what to do with money once theyve gotten it. They want to know how to get out of debt, build wealth, and make wise decisions with their hard-earned cash. But oftentimes when I dig into the backstory and the life of the caller, I find that they are really facing an income problem... which usually reveals theyre struggling with career issues or even worsea career crisis.

Career-building and finding work that matters in America today is about as American as apple pie. But the reality is, the quest for a dream job plays out in tandem with all of the sidetracks, setbacks, and stupid decisions of real life. Along the way, people realize that pursuing a slice of the pie doesnt always guarantee that theyll actually love what they do and why they do it. Instead of growing their greatest wealth-building tooltheir incomethey find themselves trapped living paycheck to paycheck, which causes a divide between their approach to money and meaningful work. They begin to believe that money and meaning cant coexist. In fact, people often fear they have to take a dumbed-down income in order to find work that has meaning. So, they stay stuck in a soul-sucking J-O-B, believing the lie that you cant have your dream career and the income to go with it. But money and meaning can and should exist together, if done right. And Ken Coleman will show you how.

Ken has the experience and has done the research to silence your fears, answer your questions, and help you get out of a career crisis or avoid one altogether. My first pastor used to say, A man with an experience is not at the mercy of a man with an opinion. Ken and I have been friends for several decades, and I can tell you hes been in the trenches. The information he offers in this book comes not just from theoretical constructs, it also comes from his personal journey and the journeys of the thousands of people hes successfully coached. People who hated their current jobs and saw no way out. People who didnt know the first thing about writing a resum, growing their skills, making professional connections, or getting promoted. People who were too busy paying bills to dream about their true purpose. Ken has seen it all and has developed a clear and practical path that comes from real-world know-how.

Like a lot of books that come from Ramsey Solutions, this one puts the responsibility on you to implement its principles. Lets face it, we can give you all the plans in the world, but if you dont put them into action, then you wont experience the change youre wanting in your life. You are the variable that has the most impact on your future. Youve got to get up, leave the cave, kill something, and drag it home. You have to get with it.

There are a lot of gets in this book. As a matter of fact, Ken lays out a plan with six things you have to get and one that you have to give to be successful. The very words get and give indicate that this process is on you. If you will follow this very clear path, it will work. It will not work without bumps in the road. It will not work without fog and rain. It will not work without disappointment. But if you persist and follow this path, it will work every time.

Im so proud of the journey that Ken is going to lead you on. And Im so proud of where youre going to end up as a result of this book. It will cause you to not just get the career youve always dreamed about but also get the life that God intended for you.

Now, getafter it!

A finished book is a testament to the team that took an idea and made it a reality. I am so blessed to be a part of a team of All-Stars!

I must first thank my home team, Stacy, Ty, Chase, and Josie. Stacy, your unfailing love and never-ending encouragement give me strength. To our kids, your curiosity and support lift me.

Dave Ramsey, thank you for believing in this message, for giving me this opportunity, and for modeling the clear path.