Dave Pollard's book, Finding the Sweet Spot: The Natural Entrepreneur's Guide to Responsible, Sustainable, Joyful Work, is a jem for those searching for their life's work. This is not just another business book of tips or self-actualization guide, it is a valuable workbook with thoughtful insights on life and purpose, but written in a playful and approachable style.
The "sweet spot" of which he refers is the intersection between your gifts, passions, and purpose. Pollard's exercises guide the reader with probing questions and real-life examples. His case studies are also interesting and insightful, examining businesses that many people will recognize and appreciate. Finding this "sweet spot" may seem like common sense, but Pollard warns that it can be a challenging process. "It may be iterative – you may start with your Gifts, your Passions, or a need, and go back and forth many times between them before you discover where they intersect."
The book is thoughtfully laid out in a format that is at times akin to a workbook, providing space for the reader to list and sketch ideas and exercises. It's divided into three sections that outline his process in a very organized way – discovering the sweet spot, creating work that aligns, and making it sustainable.
One thing that may not appeal to everyone is that he implies a strong appreciation of social responsibility and readers are expected to have a concern and commitment for environment and sustainability issues. While these underlying concerns are true for many people these days, your work and personal life examples may not align with this. Pollard does show other perspectives though, even differing theories from his own. If anything, the book is a valuable resource for other business and personal work philosophies. On nearly every page, he references or recommends other books and web resources, many that I found myself noting for further reading.
Pollard encourages readers to discover their "natural work" in order to break free of "wage slavery" and dull career progression. His material is presented in an inspiring way and will very much interest anyone curious about her calling and career. It is certainly a sweet reprieve from the everyday business and career books, and will hopefully encourage people to think creatively about their life's work.
--Becky Hughes
imagineatrium.com
Read Dave Pollard's popular environmental and business blog at howtosavetheworld.ca.
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