Acuff - Do Over

PRAISE FOR DO OVER

This is the best career book ever written. Im not even sure what book comes in second. This is practical, human, touching, urgent, vulnerable, universal, actionable truth, all in a well-written, handy package. Go!

SETH GODIN, author of What to Do When Its Your Turn

As Abraham Lincoln once said, being forced into work you dont love is like paying to upgrade your cell phone to the latest model: no one should have to do that! Fortunately, you dont need to do at least one of these things anymore. Take it from me and from Honest Abe: Jons book can get you unstuck.

CHRIS GUILLEBEAU, author of The Happiness of Pursuit and The $100 Startup

Do Over is an energetic, user-friendly guide to navigating the jumps, bumps, and ceilings that we all face in our careers.

ADAM GRANT, author of Give and Take

Jon Acuff has redefined the entire category of career books. Do Over is so easy and fun to read, you almost forget how much youre learning. But the lessons he shareslessons picked up the hard way and told with honesty and heartwill help anyone looking to keep moving forward in their career. This is career guidance in hyperdrive.

BRIAN KOPPELMAN, screenwriter/filmmaker, Rounders , Oceans 13 , and Solitary Man

Warning: Only read this book if you are prepared to completely revolutionize your career, your goals, your dreams, your plans, and basically your life . Jon takes a topic that tends to terrify the average human (including me)starting overand turns it into an exciting and life-changing adventure that makes even a person not looking for a do-over want a do-over. If youre stuck, frustrated in your career, lost a job, or feel like youre missing out on your dream while you help someone else chase theirs... this is the book for you.

MANDY HALE, New York Times bestselling author of Ive Never Been to Vegas, but My Luggage Has and creator of @TheSingleWoman

This straightforward, hilarious, yet intensely practical book is your guide to career success in the new century. Jon Acuff tells you, from his hard-won experience, what you need to do to stay happily employed and highly employable. Free from complicated matrices and useless jargon, you will love the read almost as much as you love the advice.

PAMELA SLIM, author of Body of Work

Do Over is one of those rare gems that is not only packed with practical, hard-earned wisdom but is thoroughly enjoyable to read. Whether or not you are in a time of transition, Jon Acuff shows you how to prepare today for whatever is next.

TODD HENRY, author of Die Empty

Honest, funny, helpful, fresh: theres a long list of words to describe the wisdom youll find in Do Over . I dare you to read the first few pages of this book. If youre like me, you wont be able to stop. I have ordered a copy for every member of my team.

MICHAEL HYATT, author of Platform

Big dreams often start with big books. Do Over is one of them. The impact this book is going to have on the careers and lives of people across the world is going to be really fun to watch!

ANDY ANDREWS, author of The Noticer and The Travelers Gift

Jon Acuff serves up heaping portions of sage advice with a healthy side of self-deprecating humor. As an entrepreneur and business owner, I found myself nodding, laughing, and getting my toes stepped all over in a good way throughout these pages.

CRYSTAL PAINE, founder of MoneySavingMom.com and author of Say Goodbye to Survival Mode

If youre sick of constantly fighting the Monday blues, this book is for you.... [Acuffs] career advice is solid.... By the end, most will have a new outlook on their role in the workplace. They will be ready to take on the day with nothing but an adjusted attitude and a ton of grit.

Associated Press

For Jenny, of course.

PENGUIN BOOKS

Published by the Penguin Group

An imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

375 Hudson Street

New York, New York 10014

penguin.com

First published in the United States of America by Portfolio / Penguin 2015

This paperback edition published 2017

Copyright 2015 by Jonathan Acuff

Penguin supports copyright. Copyright fuels creativity, encourages diverse voices, promotes free speech, and creates a vibrant culture. Thank you for buying an authorized edition of this book and for complying with copyright laws by not reproducing, scanning, or distributing any part of it in any form without permission. You are supporting writers and allowing Penguin to continue to publish books for every reader.

Most Portfolio books are available at a discount when purchased in quantity for sales promotions or corporate use. Special editions, which include personalized covers, excerpts, and corporate imprints, can be created when purchased in large quantities. For more information, please call (212) 572-2232 or e-mail specialmarkets@penguinrandomhouse.com. Your local bookstore can also assist with discounted bulk purchases using the Penguin Random House corporate Business-to-Business program. For assistance in locating a participating retailer, e-mail B2B@penguinrandomhouse.com.

Illustrations by William C. Warren. Copyright 2015 by Jonathan Acuff.

ISBN 9780698184794

While the author has made every effort to provide accurate telephone numbers, Internet addresses, and other contact information at the time of publication, neither the publisher nor the author assumes any responsibility for errors or for changes that occur after publication. Further, the publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites or their content.

Cover design: Karl Spurzem

Cover photograph: Deborah Feingold

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Contents

1

The Career Savings Account

W hen youre a mailman, you shouldnt ask people if you can use their bathroom.

In hindsight, I probably didnt need to learn that lesson via personal experience. And yet, there I stood on the front steps with todays mail and an awkward request.

As a creative writer, I made for a pretty horrible mailman. I was disorganized, fumbling and prone to get pepper spray in my own eyes. One day I switched my morning route with my afternoon route, which meant people who usually got the mail late got it early. A happy homeowner told me I was way better than that other guy, unknowingly referring to me. I agreed, telling her, Hes the worst. Just a real jerk.