The Quarter-Life Breakthrough

Invent Your Own Path, Find Meaningful Work, and Build a Life That Matters

By: Adam Smiley Poswolsky

Narrated by: Adam Smiley Poswolsky

Length: 6 hrs

Publisher's summary

Have you ever known that you needed to make a change but felt unable to do anything about it? Have you ever felt like you aren't where you are supposed to be and wondered how the people around you managed to find their purposes in life?

After realizing that his well-paying, prestigious job was actually making him miserable, Adam "Smiley" Poswolsky started asking these big questions: How do you actually find meaning in the workplace? How do you find work that makes your heart sing, creates impact, and pays your rent?

In The Quarter-Life Breakthrough, Smiley provides fresh, honest, counterintuitive, and inspiring career advice for anyone stuck in a quarter-life crisis (or third-life crisis), trying to figure out what to do with their lives. He shares the stories of many 20- and 30-somethings who are discovering how to work with purpose (and still pay the bills). With practical exercises and advice, this book is essential listening for career changers and anyone passionate about getting unstuck, pursuing work that matters, and changing the world.

©2016 Adam Smiley Poswolsky (P)2016 Gildan Media LLC

Critic reviews

“Fresh and engaging, this book will inspire the next generation to lead with purpose.” (Tony Hsieh, CEO, Zappos.com; New York Times best-selling author of Delivering Happiness)

Slightly Disappointing

The beginning of this book was great - I kept saying "Yes, I can totally relate!" However, as the book went on I felt that I could not really relate to the stories he shares of his friends/colleagues or even some of his stories. I felt that a lot of the stories were about journalism, writing, and other liberal arts careers, or individuals who likely do not relate to a large portion of society. I found myself fast forwarding through the majority of the middle of the book and got a lot more out of the "lessons" from the beginning and the end of the book. Overall, it had some useful information but I did not find it as relatable as I hoped.

Highly Recommend!

I’ve never written a review for a book before but I felt compelled to for this one. (I swear no one paid me to write this). I wish I could give a copy of this book to every young person I know who is still figuring out their career path. This book is really relatable and easy to digest and has a lot of humor and optimism. It was exactly what I needed. It completely changed my view on what it means to have a meaningful career, and provided me with a lot of practical advice and insights. I realized how many options I have in pursuing work. It gave me the hope I was lacking to stop feeling like a failure and to move forward and pursue what I want.

Inspiring

The Quarter Life Breakthrough has so many helpful pieces. It's validated many of my own feelings of needing a breakthrough and I'll be listening to it again soon. I like the simplicity of the book and the activities that it has. Also, really enjoyed that the author was the reader of the book. Thanks Smiley!

Great Perspective

I think the author did an excellent job of explaining how to live a live of purpose and fulfillment. Definitely recommend reading this book to all young professionals beginning their careers!

awesome!

Loved the candor and personal stories. Inspiring, practical and full of relevant resources. great book.

Not like other motivational books

If you're a millennial and you're thinking about a career change, this book is required reading.

It's that advice you never knew you needed

Listening to this book was the welcoming embrace of affirmation with not following the corporate ladder. Jumping from one lily pad to the next and finding new ways to dig a little deeper on current projects I've been working on. Thank you Smiley for creating this to be an audiobook that made it possible to read during transit that led to having the courage to ask my support groups for help. I would highly recommend this book to all ages!

Real Breakthrough Tips !!

As a millenial reader, I really like the style of Adams Poswolsky because he is relatable and I felt his deep passion from start, middle up to this book's final chapter. I purchase the audible version and there was never a boring chapter for me. I found his narration very honest and very engaging to the listeners. Since I found this book influential to my current professional career, I decided to buy a hardcopy of this book as well.

Will definitely listen to it again !

Love this practical, applied (yet still inspiring) read!

There are a lot of ways to get information about what you should do next-- I would recommend reading this book.

Each chapter is full of practical, applied activities to help you explore who you are, what brings you meaning, and build what you want for your next step. At risk of being boring or formulaic (aka: like many other self help books aimed at this audience), this book remains inspiring and supportive. It brings hope without impulsivity, ubiquitous advice while remaining individualized. It is truly a remarkable book.

In addition, listening to the audiobook provides an additional closeness/support from the book that might be missed in text. As a remarkable speaker, Smiley does not disappoint in his reading of the book. My only advice would be to print off or look at the extra materials on his website as you go along so you can do the activities.

This book started making a difference in my life the minute I ordered it. It is a reminder that you don't always have to get exactly where you're going (or even know where that is) you just have to take a step in the right direction.

Recommending it to oodles and oodles of millenials and beyond!

Right in the Feels!

This book is excellent! It captivated from page one and it was exactly what I needed to hear.