The Anti 9-to-5 Guide: Practical Career Advice for Women Who Think Outside the Cube (9)

Title: The Anti 9-to-5 Guide: Practical Career Advice for Women Who Think Outside the Cube
Author: Michelle Goodman
Genre: Non-Fiction

Has there ever been a book title that seems more appealing to me and more apt for this moment in my life? Probably not. A lot of the stuff in this book was old hat to me because I've been freelancing either full time or on the side for a lot of years. However I was able to look at both old and new information with new eyes because what I want in work situation(s) has evolved over the years and is very different now than it was 8 or 9 years ago when I wanted to be a freelance copy editor and web monkey full time.

The book talks a lot about being an artrepreneur. That's a new phrase to me that fits me perfectly. I like business, I love art, I love my passions and want to combine them all. Also there is a do-gooder-preneur dwelling deep in me that wants to get out. One of the books key points is to not be afraid of a patchwork income or what I call a portfolio income. Meaning don't have all your eggs in one basket. Find some combination of having a part time gig, freelance on the side, temping, volunteering, seasonal work, etc that works for you. There are trade offs (lack of benefits, etc) but a lot of those trade offs are present in 9-5 jobs that driver you crazy. I just spent 3 years working for a "real" company that kept me as an independent contractor all 3 years so they didn't have to pay taxes or benefits. That's what the corporate world is really like these days so coming up with your own patchwork income plan isn't that scary in the light of what corporate culture is really like.

The book is full of personal stories about woman who have left the cube for good, stayed in the cube part time, started non-profits, work 4 months a year, live and work part time in Antarctica and all kinds of other real-life inspiration stories. Those stories and the author's action plans for each chapters gave me several thinking points. These thinking points are things that I need to really examine and think about to help me move forward with my artistic and work life goals. I'm really glad I read it and I have these things to think about. I think having read it will be beneficial to me moving forward. That's the best endorsement of a business/lifestyle/advice book I can give.