Rating: 4 stars
Headline: An insightful book that helped me see the world beyond deadlines and the 9-5
Review:
You’re Not Your Job: Going Above and Beyond for Yourself is a self-help / personal development guide by debut author, Daniel Voigt Godoy. Godoy enters the creative profession with over 25 years in a variety of roles, from technology scientist to teacher.
In what could be seen as a 50-20-10 split between guidance, personal experience and thought-provoking exercises for the reader, this is a guide that can easily be consumed in one sitting. The reader exercises are also helpfully repeated in the two appendix sections towards the end of the book, which is great for those wanting to see them all laid out in one place.
As a book of 127 pages go, this is a tidy and manageable read, with a strong cover design and pages that are beautifully formatted with the inclusion of simple illustrative diagrams and note-style sections to encourage reader engagement. The tone of voice strikes the right balance of professional and informal, and gives the strong impression of an author who has been there, done that and got the t-shirt to prove it. The content treats readers as equals and supports them to see beyond the 9-5 day job, in a way which they are unlikely to receive from a traditional employer (for obvious reasons).
Personally, I was not always convinced by some of the recommendations made by the author. For example, the attitude of “living for the moment” when it comes to financial savings and some of the slightly probing questions placed on readers at the end of the opening chapters. It is a difficult tightrope to walk when trying to get people to see the bigger picture, but when author suggestion dips into something akin to formal guidance, that is when a reader should be seeking the guidance of someone who knows their onions (and is fully qualified for them too!)
You’re Not Your Job is a thoroughly engaging title and one that would suit the majority of those in any form of employment. Godoy’s entry into the publication market is a strong one, an author you could probably have a laugh or two with over a coffee. Entirely personal opinion, but just a hunch.
AEB Reviews
Links:
Reedsy Discovery Review: AEB Reviews – “You’re Not Your Job: Going Above and Beyond for Yourself” by Daniel Voigt Godoy
Purchase Link: “You’re Not Your Job: Going Above and Beyond for Yourself” by Daniel Voigt Godoy (Amazon)
Author Website: Daniel Voigt Godoy (dvgodoy.com)
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