Book Description Review PARADE, “25 Self-Help Books To Get Your 2020 Off on The Right Foot”“Whether you are running for elected office, asking for a promotion, or returning to work after time off raising your children, you need to know your power, know your value, and know your ‘why.’ Have confidence in what you have to say, in what you bring to the table, and have a vision for what you are going to do. This book is the guide to help craft your plan. Read it and know your power, at any age.”―SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI“Women leave the workforce for many reasons, but they face a common challenge when they try to re-enter. This is a critical, empowering, and practical book for any woman who wants to jump back in the workplace. As Mika shows, you can be the author of the next chapter of your life.”―ARIANNA HUFFINGTON, Founder and CEO of Thrive Global“Mika has done it again! Mika has partnered with Ginny to offer additional pertinent, valuable, and practical advice for anyone contemplating a career reinvention or extension of a current job.”―MARTHA STEWART, Founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia“An immensely useful blueprint for any woman thinking about a professional reinvention.”―INDRA NOOYI, Former CEO of PepsiCo.“WARNING! Don’t pick up this book unless you are prepared to actually take your career to the next level, return to work, or reinvent your work life…The Brzezinskis have created a modern bible for anyone trying to launch themselves back into the workforce: 33% empathy and sympathy, 33% inspiration, plus the 33% kick-in-the butt you need to get moving in the right direction.”―LESLEY JANE SEYMOUR, Founder of CoveyClub and former editor in chief of More and Marie Claire Read more About the Author Mika Brzezinski is a co-host of Morning Joe, an MSNBC anchor, author of the New York Times bestsellers All Things at Once, Knowing Your Value, and Obsessed. and founder of the women’s empowerment community, “Know Your Value”. She also served as a visiting fellow at the Harvard Institute of Politics. She is the mother of two daughters. Formerly a press secretary on Capitol Hill, a stay-at-home parent, and a real estate agent, Ginny Brzezinski is currently a contributor for the Know Your Value website. She is married to Mika’s brother Ian, with whom she has a son and a daughter. Read more Customers Review: I’m 53 and interviewing to go back to work. I pre-ordered this book and was so psyched when it arrived today. My problem? I’m nervous about returning to work, I think my CV looks weak, and I’m pretty sure I’m often not even being considered because of my age. Well, I’m done with kids so maybe I’m an even better bet than a younger woman! I know from her Know Your Value series that these are topics Mika is certain to address and I need this advice Today! I heard her say on Morning Joe this morning something about women getting out of their own way, changing their minds about their own possible value to a prospective employer, and I’m pretty sure I need to read that chapter closely. I think Mika writes well and has been exactly where so many women are in the employment arena, so I respect her advice and look forward to this read! Great cover.
I have never written a review before but feel compelled to do this one. If you are on the fence about buying this book or simply paralyzed about how to begin your mid-life career re-entry/pivot/change, do not hesitate to get this amazing resource! I originally bought this book for a friend whose husband passed away and needed to get back into the workforce; ditto another friend who just went through a devastating divorce. Then I decided to get the audiobook for myself. I didn’t think I really needed the advice in this book since I know what my next move will be and am entering a certification program (so I have plan and path), but boy was I wrong! This book is incredibly comprehensive, offering meticulous advice on all aspects of mid-life career re-entry/pivot/change. And it’s really not only for women but I would say most of the advice is equally applicable to men as well (I am certain my 55-year old brother would have benefitted from this book immensely had it been published a few months earlier). It is very logically laid out, chock-full of details and references, and thorough, thorough, thorough. I am blown away by the details (how many times can I say the word details?) and can’t think of a thing they left out. I found myself eager to get into the car or to work out so I could listen to the audiobook because I feel so motivated/hopeful/excited about the future when I listen to it. I even ordered the hardcover so I can use it as a workbook, because that is what it is — a workbook. You follow the steps, in the order presented, and this will work! It is recipe for success!!!My only constructive remark (and this is not enough to ding even a fractional star for) is that the audiobook version opens with Mika narrating but then switches entirely to who I assume is her co-author Ginny narrating. I presume this was done to give Ginny more involvement and because Mika is super busy, but it made for some confusion during the listening process because Mika’s voice is so well known (to me at least) so to hear Ginny’s voice read a lot of “I” statements that are Mika’s, the stories would sometimes get confusing and I would have to rewind to replay the sentence to get the right context/perspective; it would have been way more helpful to the listener if Mika narrated the whole thing. I understand wanting to give Ginny credit and participation (and kudos for doing so), but in my opinion, it comes at too high a cost for the listener’s sake. But enough on that…BUY THIS BOOK! For you, a friend, a relative, a neighbor, female or male — anyone you know who is looking to get back to work or change career fields mid-life. This is a game-changer!
Ordered for my sister that’s trying to get back into the work force after yrs of PTA things w/ 3 kids. She was surprised because she didn’t even know this amazing book was out yet. She is reading it now and said it’s full of great stories that have inspired her!
I bought this book a few weeks ago and have been recommended to several of my friends who are in transition and looking for inspiration and practical advice.Many highlighted sections, dog-eared pages and notes I’ve taken to review what is meaningful.Well done!
This book is so important, specifically for anyone looking to make a career change or come back from time off. I think it is helpful for women at all stages of their career, because it is never too early to plan for upcoming changes. The combination of Mika and Ginny’s perspectives is interesting and shows how our different choices can take us on different paths.
Once again Mika provides a roadmap to help women navigate an often complex and challenging professional landscape by inspiring them to take – no matter the age – and leap of faith and land their dream job. She talks to women who took the bull by the horn and actually did it, speaking to the founder of Orangetheory and other women who shifted course mid-career to find a much more fulfilling professional life. In today’s world that more then ever rewards entrepreneurs, Mika and coauthor Ginny Brezinski provide the tools and the encouragement to set your own path, no matter if this is in your 40s, 50s, 60s or even 70s. Come away feeling motivated to rock your work life!
Comeback Careers should be on the reading lists of women and men. The understanding that this books encourages leads to a safe place for empathy from all genders. The takeaway from Mika’s and Ginny’s book is an accessible lesson in raising your game. The stories, advice and lessons are aspirational, as well as straightforward and user-friendly. What I love about the community that Mika is building is that she encourages women to be present in their own lives and not to be afraid to take risks.
Mika writes clearly and cogently about mid-career challenges so many women face across the board, a topic that is overdue for its close-up. This book lays it all out: the way things are, the way things should and need to be, and what women can do to achieve the work life they want for themselves. Get this book for yourself to take stock personally (ME!), and get copies for all your fellow female midlife friends you love. Mika’s genuine, passionate advocacy for women, along with her specific advice and guidance, underscore her long-standing commitment to changing the narrative on women and work. This is another great, useful read in her Know Your Value series. |
34 reviews