The Career Manifesto

November 20, 2017
Steib, CEO of the XO Group media company, taps into the frustration overachievers feel when their career trajectories fall short in this motivating and action-oriented guide. Steib identifies what he calls the five pillars of success, namely purpose, plan, productivity, people, and presence. These five pillars, Steib asserts, will help readers reconfigure goals, increase productivity, and overcome obstacles both in and out of the office. To stimulate this transformation, he offers up a series of necessary steps, including “telling yourself the truth,” “thinking for yourself,” and “changing your stripes.” He details exercises aimed toward gaining a sense of direction and control, such as creating “impact maps” and “happiness matrices.” Steib’s chapter on increasing productivity to the point of getting “10 times as much done” is particularly sharp and widely applicable, imparting beneficial advice on following effective habits such as generating “if-then” formulas, managing willpower, and systematically measuring results. In chapters devoted to “people,” he explores “achieving impact with others” in various capacities, such as through networking, attending meetings, and collaborating on projects. For a brief discussion of “presence,” Steib brings in insights from happiness studies. His book lays out a sound and logical approach, with easily applicable and customizable advice aplenty.

January 1, 2018

Finding a balance between personal fulfilment and a successful career is tough. For those who never felt a "calling," how will they know if they've chosen the correct career? Then once they get there, how can they advance in a way that's meaningful, both professionally and personally? Steib, CEO of XO Group (known for websites such as the Knot, the Bump, and the Nest), provides an inspiring guide to personal and career fulfillment, breaking success down into five achievable "P"s: Purpose, Plan, Productivity, People, and Presence. Librarians beware, there are dozens of exercises that invite readers to pencil in the book, beginning with an Impact Map, moving on to a Happiness Matrix, to writing one's eulogy. Steib provides advice on fending off "time suckers" such as emails, social media, and meetings, adding more hours to the day. Steib even goes beyond the typical career advice (e.g., "dress well and network more"), suggesting improved sleep habits and expressing gratitude as healthy ways to find balance. VERDICT Steib's voice is so energetic and inspiring that readers are sure to find at least one takeaway to improve their lives, career or otherwise.--Jennifer Clifton, Indiana State Lib., Indianapolis

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