The Good Enough Job
by Simone Stolzoff
A journalist profiles people who let work become their identity, a Michelin chef, a Google engineer, a Wall Street banker, and what happened when it stopped. The argument is that a job should be a job, good enough, and that meaning should be spread across a life. It is calm, well-reported and relevant to anyone who answers 'what do you do' too eagerly.
Read it if…
your sense of self rises and falls with your performance review.
Skip it if…
you love your work and have other sources of meaning; the book is for the over-identified.
Three things you will actually use
- Diversify identity like a portfolio.
- Set a limit on work's claim on your time and defend it.
- Measure success by the whole life.
Do this first
Write who you are in three sentences without mentioning your job.
Our verdict
Measured and timely; a healthy corrective for workaholics.
Compare with other Career books
Browse all Career book reviews or get the free Reality Code Cheat Sheet.
As an Amazon Associate, WisdomDeck earns from qualifying purchases. Links marked “Click to see” go to Amazon. We are not paid for opinions, prices and availability are not shown here and change on Amazon, and we never see your purchase details. Nothing here is medical, legal or financial advice.