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Your favorite work/career books

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by evangelist6589, Jun 23, 2012.

  1. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    48 days to the work you love
    What color is your Parachute
    The Christians Career Journey

    These are the three that I have. They are detailed but perhaps there is a better one. I am or will be in a career transition to a better paying career that does not require me to work 6 days a week, but will pay far better working just 5 days. I am interested in other books..


    John
     
  2. Winman

    Winman Active Member

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    What special skills or work experience do you have now?
     
  3. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    Get a master's degree in the field you plan to work in from an accredited university (if you don't have one already)- that will entail reading lots of books and will increase your chances of getting the career you desire.

    Outside of that the book of Proverbs is probably the best career book there is.
     
  4. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    Indeed so but that was not the answer to the question that I asked.
     
  5. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    What are your favorite career books?
     
  6. Don

    Don Well-Known Member
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    I don't have a favorite book. I've read dozens, maybe hundreds, and each of them had something worthwhile; but none of them were the "total package" or "the only book you'll ever need."

    When you get down to it, they're ALL someone's personal opinion about what worked for them, but may not necessarily work for you.

    My only question for your career path is: are you working to live, or living to work?
     
  7. Oldtimer

    Oldtimer New Member

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    Over my lifetime I've read a number of them. There are bits and pieces of good advice in most of them. From those I've read, most are the equivalent of modivational speakers telling folks to get off their backsides and get to work. EDIT: Many of them also contain questionable eithics, as some teach how to climb the success ladder by standing on someone else's shoulders. Rather than standing on your own two feet. Success shouldn't be judged based on the number of dollars put into a bank account.

    None of these books are very useful if you aren't willing to roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty, and do what it takes to move forward in life. Doesn't matter what field of work is involved. Applies equally to hobbies, special interests, and even faith.

    Speaking from experience, I didn't learn woodworking from pep talks.

    Nor, did I learn how to troubleshoot/replace defective computer components by reading some author's viewpoint on how to advance my career. Instead, my nose was buried in how-to manuals and taking classes.

    As to faith, 2 Tim 2:15 comes to mind. Listening to preachers, who are hawking their best seller versions of "growing in the faith" books does not replace picking up the Bible and actually devoting serious time for study and understanding.

    For your job change, save your money. Instead, use those dollars to buy educational materials directly assocated with that industry. Then, spend your time in REAL study of those books, instead of trying to learn how to have a Golden Parachute.

    It's easy to read pipe dream books. It takes dedication and committment to read how-to-do-the-job-successfully manuals.

    Again, I'm speaking from experience.
     
    #7 Oldtimer, Jun 24, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 24, 2012
  8. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    Someone on another site mentioned some book on highly successful people. It looked very secular. But you are right about a book being an opinion. However some of them are very very useful as far as giving interview tactics, sample resumes, job search methods, and websites. When I lost my job I found Parachute, and Christians Career Journey very helpful which helped me land more than 10 interviews in a short period of time. So the books did help.

    The career counselor told me that everything that pays better and will get me out of student loan debt will require me to take on new loans which I refuse to do. I have gotten someone at my church involved and he may be able to help. I have listened to many hours of Ramsey and have heard him tell plenty of people that they need a better paying job or bigger shovel. Some I have heard him say that there is nothing they can do but just pay what they can. One caller had over $700,000 in medical debts. He was working his tail off working 7 days a week or so making only $3200 a month with 2 jobs. There was nothing he can do but pay what he can as there is no hope for him with that income. There are no community colleges in my area, so other schools is all they have. I have not yet applied for Fafsa but will do so soon hoping to get a good investment. But if the Lord does not open the door then there is nothing I can do.

    John
     
    #8 evangelist6589, Jun 24, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 24, 2012
  9. Winman

    Winman Active Member

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    Not to be offensive, but nobody is going to pay you to read books.

    Are you looking for a good job that you enjoy and also provides you a good income? If so, you need to look at the skills you already possess and look for jobs where you can use these skills.

    You have to start at the bottom and work your way up. You have to work hard and be faithful. If you do, your employer will reward you and promote you. It will take a few years, but if you are faithful and do a good job, eventually you will work yourself up into the better positions.

    That is the only way it works, there are no shortcuts.
     
  10. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    Excellent advice, Winman. I have started out at the bottom several times but I've never stayed there- if you make yourself valuable to your employer he will find a better place for you.
     
  11. Winman

    Winman Active Member

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    Yes, this morning our pastor preached about Joseph. If ever there was a fellow who had an excuse to be discouraged and blame others, it was Joseph. His own brothers hated him and sold him into slavery. But he was so diligent and faithful that Potiphar put him in charge of all his household. Then he was falsely accused by Potiphar's wife and thrown into prison. Even here he was faithful and diligent and soon was in charge of all the prisoners. When the baker and butler had dreams, Joseph correctly interpreted them. The butler was restored to his job, but forgot to mention Joseph to Pharaoh for two full years. Joseph just continued to be faithful in prison. When Pharaoh had two dreams, none of his magicians could interpret it. The butler remembered Joseph, and he was brought before Pharaoh and correctly interpreted his dreams. David was promoted to be second-in-charge of all Egypt.

    If there was ever a fellow that had a lot of bad breaks, it was Joseph. But he did not get discouraged and complain. He did not charge God with being unfair to him. He just worked hard and was faithful, and eventually he rose to the top.

    This was written as an example for all of us.
     
  12. Oldtimer

    Oldtimer New Member

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    John, yes there is some help in these books. My point is to use the help in the books you already have. Buying more of them will do little, if anything, as they all cover the same basic principles of climbing the ladder.

    Next, there are no short cuts, no quick fixes, easy way out where jobs and paying off debt are concerned. Yes, there is sound advice from people like Dave Ramsey, if people are willing to use it. Are you eating beans & rice and rice & beans?

    The two phrases in bold in your reply speak volumes. You say there's no hope for the man with huge medical bills. What kind of hope are you talking about? Hope for a quick and easy way to meet his obligations? A relatively sweat free way to begin enjoying weekends at the beach or playing golf?

    Yes, I feel deeply for this man who has to shoulder the burdon of massive medical expenses. Providing he didn't have the means to prevent having to assume that tremendous debt load. ie could have had medical insurance and chose not to pay for it. If this man, through no fault of his own has this problem, then this is when the Christian community should come in an lend him a hand. Help him carry the cross he must bear.

    Student loans are a little different situation. That's more like buying a house. In either event, the person willingly goes into to debt to obtain something they want. He or she signs on the dotted line, agreeing to pay off that debt, even if it means making payments for 30 years. It is a cross they chose to bear voluntarily.

    What do you mean by "I have not yet applied for Fafsa but will do so soon hoping to get a good investment." http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/repaying.jsp?tab=repaying Are you seeking a way to avoid replaying your debt?

    A voluntarily incurred debt is an obligation to pay that debt and has nothing to do with "hoping to get a good investment". You say that if you don't get what you're seeking at FAFSA, then there's nothing you can do.

    Yes, there is something you can do. I know this sounds harsh, but it is truth. You can work for ever how many years it takes to pay that debt. You can use money spent on "success" books and apply it to your loan. You can spend the hours listening to Dave Ramsey at a second job, instead. You can postpone having a good time on the weekends and such until you've satisified the obligations that you made. AFTER you've met your obligations that others have invested in your education, you can begin to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Not before.

    Again, I'm speaking from experience.

    Thinking back to the long hard hours, sometimes at jobs paying far less than current minimum wages, we've paid our debts. At one time we had to pay rent every 2 weeks as we didn't have enough money to pay for a full month at one time. Had to walk by simple pleasure of life because we knew we'd be paying for them with someone else's money. (Spending money on ourselves when we owed others.)

    Yes, there is something you can do. Stop looking for easy ways out. Stop looking for quick fixes. Stop moaning about the money you have to REPAY for the benefits you've already received. As a professing Christian, pick up your cross and carry it. As a preacher, what does it do to your testimony, when you try to find ways to avoid the weight of a cross that you designed for yourself?

    Think about it.

    The lost and undecided are watching you. Watching what kind of fruit you bear. As a man of God, watching how closely your life actions bear witness to the gospel you preach. Are you willing to pick up your cross and bear it with the same grace as our Lord, when he bore the sins of the world on his back?
     
  13. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    No I am not trying to not pay my debts. I am trying to get a better paying job so I can pay my debts. Listening to Mr. Ramsey this is EXACTLY what he would say to someone in my situation. He would not tell someone like me to cut and trim when my shovel is not adequate anyways. I am investing into finding a better paying job. Oh and your advice on books is in left field. Ramsey very often recommends books on the show as that is how people get smart and get new ideas. I am just not sure which ones to get as there are so many, many out there. Some are self-help, and some are not. There is wisdom and ideas in the books which is my plan. Well I will see what I get on the fafsa and how much they will pay to going back to school. If not or if they require another loan, then I will need to find another way.



     
  14. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    You have got to be one of the most judgmental persons I have ever met online. I am not looking for a quick fix, I am looking for a shovel big enough to clean out the dirt!! This will require a better paying job plain and simple. I remember one caller called the Ramsey show and he was cutting and trimming, and working over and this and that. Ramsey clearly told him he had an income problem plain and simple, as he needed a better paying job. He was an old person so maybe that did not clique. But I hope he got the message and went back to school or somehow got a better paying job.






     
  15. Oldtimer

    Oldtimer New Member

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    John, I know what it took to get the beam out of my eye, so I can clearly see the mote in yours. Call me judgemental if you wish. That's fine. Call me anything that you wish, if what I say causes you to take a hard look at reality.

    First, back to books, the topic of this thread. You already have several books on climbing the success ladder, plus a selection on dating (another thread) . If you will put anger aside for a moment, you see that I said you won't get much more wisdom from buying more of them. The return on investment just isn't there.

    Additionally, if you want more self-help advice, check your local library instead of spending more money. Once read, this type of book usually goes back on the bookshelf to simply collect dust. I gave my collection "career" books away because I got tired of dusting them. Once read, most were never opened again.

    Use the money that you have available for "success" books towards paying off your debt. Yes, Dave Ramsey recommends a book or two to aid in resume prep, interview techniques, etc. He doesn't recommend buying stacks of them. Just as he doesn't recommend spending money on trips while carrying a debt load.

    Yes, looking for a better job can be looking for a quick fix. If you go into debt to buy a bigger shovel to dig yourself out of already existing debt hole, there's something wrong with that picture. There's nothing wrong with trying to get a better paying job. If you succeed in doing that, without piling on more debt, I'll applaud your success.

    I see you didn't comment on the advice to get a second job to help pay off your existing debt first. Dave Ramsey also recommends that, if the first job isn't enough to meet obligations. I know some recent college grads who are using their second job specifically to pay off their education loans. That's an excellent "quick fix". Sweat equity usually reaps a high return on investment.

    Ephesians 4:10-12 KJB
    11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

    12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

    Repeat:
    Only you can answer the following. Only you can be as judgemental as is needed about the impact your ministry has on those around you.

    Are your spending habits, efforts to set aside your debts and/or obtain "free" money, possibly adding more debt, unwillingness to work a second job (if that's the case), edifying the body of Christ?

    I don't know. Only you can answer that question in your own heart, as you listen to the Holy Spirit for guidance.

    Father, as it be thy will, please help this young man. Help him find the path that fulfills your plans for his life and his ministry. In Jesus most holy and precious name, I pray. Amen.
     
  16. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    I have not been successful at finding a second job. I definitely could work another 20 hours somewhere if possible. I do not have stacks of these books. I have only a few in each category. However today I will put in my application for financial aide. I do not agree with 100% of what Dave says, but I definitely do agree with him in principle. Some on this site think that because I do not agree with 100% of what he says, then I am not following his advice. I will add that this is anything but the truth. Sometimes he does recommend people to buy self-help books like "the millionaire next door", "thou shall prosper" and so forth. I would never buy these books. My income can pay off my CC debt which is my current challenge and something my shovel can do.





     
  17. evangelist6589

    evangelist6589 Well-Known Member
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    Oldtimer I do not know your motives but you are coming across as very very judgmental. I have gotten someone in my church involved and he is far more humble and has a proven tract record.
     
  18. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

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    Come back and let us know how it turns out.
     
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