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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Quitter summary
Closing the Gap Between Your Day Job and Your Dream Job
18 mins
Brief summary
'Quitter' by Jon Acuff is a motivational book that encourages readers to pursue their dreams while still being responsible. It provides practical advice on how to transition from a job you dislike to a fulfilling career.
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Quitter
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Key idea 1 of 9
Finding your dream job doesn’t start with quitting your current one.
A survey in the United States in 2011 showed that 84 percent of employees planned to look for a new job that year. That’s a huge number, isn’t it? You might’ve even been one of them!
Yet how do you go about finding this dream job? By quitting your old one? Well, no. Don’t quit your day job. If you quit right away without planning what to do next, two things could happen.
First, you might replace your old boss with new mini bosses that were previously hidden. That means your electricity bill, your water bill, your health insurance – in short, bills. When they rule your life, there’s not much chance of being your own boss.
Second, your personal relationships can be put under pressure. Worrying about money leads to an unhealthy and neurotic mind-set. You might find yourself shouting at your partner for spending too long in the shower and causing the water bill to go up, for instance.
There’s a wiser way to find your dream job: keep your day job. Well, at least initially.
Why? You run less risk of getting sucked into a opportunity that isn’t actually good enough. You don’t have to feel forced into accepting any old offer just because you have no others.
Jon Acuff’s first book contract, for example, was terrible. A publisher offered to buy the book for nothing, keep 100 percent of the profits and then sell copies back to him so he could then sell them via his blog. Luckily, he had work at the time, so he could reject the offer. Imagine if he’d been unemployed and desperate. It probably would’ve been a completely different story.
Of course, staying in your day job also helps you maintain a disciplined and healthy lifestyle, whereas being unemployed can lead to procrastination and unhappiness. And we want to avoid a negative state of mind.
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What is Quitter about?
Finding out where you really want to be in life requires patience, hard work and planning, but anyone can do it with the right dedication. Filled with many personal anecdotes from a 12-year span of job-hopping, Quitter shows you the smartest way to quit your day job for your dream job.
Quitter Review
Quitter (2015) by Jon Acuff is an insightful book for anyone who wants to quit their day job and pursue their dreams. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Packed with practical advice and actionable steps, it helps readers navigate the challenging transition from a traditional job to a fulfilling career.
- Through real-life stories and personal anecdotes, Acuff offers inspiration and reassurance to those who are hesitant about taking the leap.
- With its engaging writing style and relatable examples, the book manages to entertain while imparting invaluable wisdom, ensuring it is far from boring.
Best quote from Quitter
Fact: Ryan Gosling got a job making sandwiches in a deli to keep structure in his life after the success of the film The Notebook.
—Jon Acuff
Who should read Quitter?
- Anyone seeking to transition from their day job to their dream job
- Anyone still searching for their ideal career
- Anyone who feels a bit lost in life
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Quitter FAQs
What is the main message of Quitter?
The main message of Quitter is finding a fulfilling career while navigating the challenges of the real world.
How long does it take to read Quitter?
The reading time for Quitter varies depending on the reader's speed. However, you can read the Blinkist summary of Quitter in just 15 minutes.
Is Quitter a good book? Is it worth reading?
Quitter is definitely worth reading. With practical advice and inspiring stories, it helps you pursue your passion without neglecting real-life responsibilities.
Who is the author of Quitter?
The author of Quitter is Jon Acuff.
What to read after Quitter?
If you're wondering what to read next after Quitter, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
- Start by Jon Acuff
- The 5 AM Club by Robin Sharma
- 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do by Amy Morin
- Start With Why by Simon Sinek
- Soundtracks by Jon Acuff
- First, Break all the Rules by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman
- Lean Out by Marissa Orr
- Of Boys and Men by Richard Reeves
- One Second Ahead by Rasmus Hougaard