I’ve been listening to audio books like crazy for the last year or so and I’ve come to realize that I mainly enjoy two types of audio books: memoirs and advice/business books. Kind of weird ends of the spectrum, right?
The only downside to listening to the advice books, is that it’s really hard to go back to certain passages you enjoyed or want to quote. Unlike my paperback where I can add a post-it for something I want to share here, audio books don’t really allow for book marking.
Why am I going into this?
Well, I just finished Leave Your Mark: Land Your Dream Job. Kill It in Your Career. Rock Social Media. by Aliza Licht and it was excellent! There was so much good advice in it that I wanted to share here, but well…#audio book problems. So instead of going through my favorite tips from the book, I’m instead going to share the top three reasons I loved it.
It’s not just for interns
When I started reading the book, I was first afraid that it was going to be all tips for interns and things I’ve already heard (I had a really good career center at my grad school). For the first few chapters it was, but as she went deeper into her career and life, it was clear that this book wasn’t just for interns, but people well into their careers.
When I started reading the book, I was first afraid that it was going to be all tips for interns and things I’ve already heard (I had a really good career center at my grad school). For the first few chapters it was, but as she went deeper into her career and life, it was clear that this book wasn’t just for interns, but people well into their careers.
She reminds readers that it’s okay to quit.
I feel like so many people that I know have a hard time saying no (myself included). It can be hard to quit something you’ve been working towards, but Licht was already well on her way to becoming a doctor when she realized that it wasn’t what she wanted anymore. Yes, she had to go back to zero and start from scratch, but look where she is now! It’s good to hear from someone who’s gone through the experience that it’s okay to quit.
I feel like so many people that I know have a hard time saying no (myself included). It can be hard to quit something you’ve been working towards, but Licht was already well on her way to becoming a doctor when she realized that it wasn’t what she wanted anymore. Yes, she had to go back to zero and start from scratch, but look where she is now! It’s good to hear from someone who’s gone through the experience that it’s okay to quit.
Licht shows that it’s not just about what’s on paper, people matter too.
Have you noticed that a lot of times when you’re getting business advice, you don’t really get that much advice about how to act or manage the people around you? It’s become more relevant lately, but I feel like people only discuss it in terms of engagement with fans/followers/consumers and on social media. Though Licht is easily one of the social media queens, she shares stories that remind the audience how much interaction with your co-workers and colleagues really does matter to your life and career.
Have you noticed that a lot of times when you’re getting business advice, you don’t really get that much advice about how to act or manage the people around you? It’s become more relevant lately, but I feel like people only discuss it in terms of engagement with fans/followers/consumers and on social media. Though Licht is easily one of the social media queens, she shares stories that remind the audience how much interaction with your co-workers and colleagues really does matter to your life and career.
Leave Your Mark is the perfect read for anyone entering their career or already a ways into it. Even if advice books aren’t normally your thing, I would still suggest to pick it up and give it a chance. In Leave Your Mark, Licht’s advice is sassy, smart, and on point.
