Work's a Bitch and Then You Make It Work

Book excerpt: A career consultant’s empowering, inspiring strategies for beating dissatisfaction and disillusionment—and making your work life better. Are you frustrated by the indignities of today’s workplace? More work, longer hours, fewer benefits, incompetent bosses—career consultant and executive coach Andrea Kay has heard it all. In this book, Kay connects with the 85 percent of the workforce who feel unsatisfied with their careers. You may recognize yourself in some of the stories she tells, gleaned from thousands of unhappy workers who’ve responded to her nationally syndicated column and appearances. But Kay doesn’t just explore what’s wrong with the workplace today—she empowers workers to think about their careers in a new way, to get past disillusionment and feelings of powerlessness to see the possibilities and control they do have. She counsels you on how to: aim high and be fearless in presenting new ideas cope with the unpredictable determine whether a company is a good match for you define the kind of work arrangement you want—and get up the nerve to ask for it With tips and thought-provoking exercises, she offers concrete, positive steps to improve both your career and your life. Work may indeed be a bitch sometimes, but with Andrea Kay’s help, you can work it out. Praise for Andrea Kay “Surprisingly insightful . . . no-nonsense advice.” —Publishers Weekly