Review: Career Intensity by David Lorenzo

As regular readers know, I post frequently on the value of your career. In fact, I have a whole category dedicated to careers. Why have career information on a money blog? Because your career is your single-largest asset and can make a tremendous difference in the value of your net worth.

Several months ago, I befriended another blogger named David Lorenzo. He told me later that he had a career management book coming out and asked if I wanted to read a pre-release copy. I said I did and he sent me a book a couple months later. I read it and ...well...I'll save my final conclusion until later. I recently re-read the book in order to write this review and my opinion was the same -- but more so. Does that make sense? ;-)

Anyway, David's book is titled Career Intensity. It says it's about "business strategy for workplace warriors and entrepreneurs," but I would describe it as "a guide to proactively managing your career for maximum results."

The book comes with some pretty hefty endorsements. Marketing guru Seth Godin (who I LOVE) says this on the book's front cover:

"The first chapter of this book might just be the most important thing you read this year (or this decade). If you're not living 'My future is too important to leave in the hands of someone else,' then you need to read Career Intensity right now."

On the back cover, marketing expert Laura Ries comments:

"Most people forget to develop their personal brand as they go from job to job. Dave Lorenzo shows you how to discover your value, build your brand, and position yourself for success. Career Intensity is the perfect handbook for individuals who want to build a rewarding career for the long haul."

Not bad endorsements. Not bad at all. And, there are more that I'm not including.

Here's how the book's introduction kicks off the piece:

Your career is what happens while you are moving from job to job. We often measure progress by how quickly we move up the corporate ladder. We are content to take our performance reviews and our cost-of-living increases and move through our careers believing that this is the success we had hoped for. If we are lucky, a big event shakes us up and we realize that there is more out there for us. There is more value we can provide. We can make more money, have more fun, and help more people all at the same time. It can happen.

But I like what's inside a bit better as a description of what the book's about. It's stated succinctly in the first few pages:

The most important thing to remember about your career is that every day presents an opportunity to add something new to your personal portfolio. Every day, you have the opportunity to increase your personal equity. If you have the courage to market yourself and the desire to push forward down the path of continuous career improvement, you will be rewarded both financially and intrinsically.

From here, the book goes on to offer ten power-packed chapters including:

• Chapter One: Compete in the Individual Economy
• Chapter Two: Channel Your Passion
• Chapter Three: Embrace Strategic Thinking
• Chapter Four: Attack Your Goals
• Chapter Five: Create Your Own Luck
• Chapter Six: Prepare for Every Interaction
• Chapter Seven: Master Perception
• Chapter Eight: Generate Buzz
• Chapter Nine: Become a Master Persuader
• Chapter Ten: Maximize Your Career Value

It is FULL of strategic guidance and practical tips for making the most of your career. I usually have two-thirds of a page of notes when I read/review a book, but for this one I had two and a half pages. It includes some great sections like:

• Four Qualities that Attract Success
• Five Rules for Developing Your Personal Brand
• Seven Tactics Used by Master Persuaders
• Six Ways to Enhance Your Credibility
• Five P's of Personal Branding

As I'm sure you can tell by now, I LOVE this book. In fact, it's the book I would write if I were writing one on career management (and I've even outlined a book on the subject in the past and it's very similar to this one). Maybe I like it so much because I'm a marketing guy and truly believe in the concept of a personal brand. Or maybe it's just because this book is so full of great thoughts that I've seen work in my own career and the careers of others.

All this said, there will be people who don't like the book. If you're content to let your career develop on its own by happenstance, this book isn't for you. It will be too challenging, too proactive, and too intense for you. But for those of you who really want to manage your career to get the most enjoyment, satisfaction, and financial reward out of it, this book is right up you alley.

So, it will come as no surprise to you that the Free Money Finance Rating for Career Intensity (based on my 0 thru 10 rating system) is: 8 Stars.

Congratulations, David. This is a great, great book.

And good news for Free Money Finance readers -- you have several chances to win one of these books. Check back in an hour or so and I'll have a new post up giving you all the details.

For reference, here are all the books that earn 8 stars or more from Free Money Finance.

Comments

[Dave Lorenzo]

Wow. Thanks very much. I am humbled by your praise.

[luan le]

informative blog!! Definitely on my reading list.

[M.Duff]

Wow, sounds like an interesting read! I hope the advice is applicable to multiple professions.

[S. Hudson]

Looks like a great read--I like the idea of "personal branding." I work for Habitat for Humanity ($1.8 billion brand value) and use the power of that brand all the time. I can use help building my "personal" brand to help even more people!

[penis enlargement]

Nice work to discuss more and more. But try to keep topics short . Thanks