By Dr Dean Burke, The Millionaire Nurse Blog
A Book Review: The Art of Non-Conformity
The Art of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau.
(Details about a signed book giveaway at the end)
Reviewing a book after it’s been out a year rather than the week it debuted, now that could be nonconformity……
That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it…
Actually this is the first free e-book I downloaded from my local library on the Kindle. (Sorry Chris…)
Why I read it:
Your first question might be why a fifty something gynecologist would read the book (besides the free part).
- I went to college, medical school, residency, (12 years after high school) and then started my practice-the essence of delayed gratification. (one sign of a conformist.)
- I got married, raised two children, and am still together emotionally with my nuclear family-and have lived in one place for the last 26 years-yep a conformist….
- I’ve only visited 7 or 8 countries in the world, and probably only 25 states in our great country. Not exactly a homebody, but not in Chris’s or Adam Baker’s category.
I would say the best way to judge a book’s success is to hear what the “cynics” say, as Chris describes those who don’t follow his footsteps. Call me “The Cynic!”
The bottom line: I enjoyed the book immensely. It may even change my life, but that remains to be seen.
As Chris stresses, it is so easy to get jacked up about an idea and then then not execute.
Sleepwalkers he calls them.
Early in the book he advises not to bother reading if:
- You aren’t open to new ideas-hell, I wouldn’t be a Yakezie member if I was closed minded.
- You are satisfied with the status quo– I’m not so sure. I have a great life. In my medical practice I help people everyday. I treat patients from all walks of life. I don’t live in Manhattan, LA, or Seattle. I live in what some have described as a “third world country” right here in the US of A. The poverty level is high, unemployment is high, dropout rate is high.
- You aren’t ready for personal responsibility. That’s a given.
- You are afraid of hard work. Got that one covered.
Part One: The Art of Non-Conformity
The book unfolds with chapters on Setting the terms, Smashing through fear, Fighting Authority and Winning (martial terms all). For a little while I thought I was at Berkley in the 60’s or on Wall Street this week protesting….whatever it is they’re protesting….
In this early portion of the book, Chris pushes you to find your passion. What’s missing from your life? What might make “work” your passion rather than drudgery?
Reclaiming Work:
The second part of the book is titled “Reclaiming Work.” This section covers how to learn to work on your own and develop your version of solo entrepreneurship. Here he stresses the importance of your own competence. Be great at what you want to spend the rest of your life doing. He discusses the possibility of getting your “Graduate Education” somewhere besides grad school.
In his review of the costs of becoming an expert, he gives a practical course to follow. His “A One Year, Self-Directed, Alternative Graduate School Experience” I found fascinating. Don’t think of it as a lazy man’s way, the tips he gives require a lot of hard work and discipline.
He stresses the importance of developing a small army to help guide and support you. He explains how to build your own customer base by making great products, writing great content, and helping others on similar journeys.
There are tips on personal finance that involve developing your own safety-net as you move away from a traditional job and it’s structure. He makes an argument for what I have come to realize myself. Working your ass off to save money for retirement, then being too old, too sick, too burned out to enjoy that same retirement is a fool’s game.
If you enjoy what you do, and it can provide for your needs, who needs to retire?
“Convergence”-last but not least.
Convergence:
- How to have an abundant life without piles of material goods as proof.
- How to eliminate the unnecessary and non-productive parts of your life that interfere with your new journey. (I’m all in on eliminating meetings!)
- How important it is to learn to say no.
- How to travel inexpensively (travel hacks) and how to get the most out of your time away (this was the least interesting to me personally).
- How to define your “legacy”. Now, rather than at the end of your life ( As an older person I wanted to jump up and say “AMEN” here.)
Three must reads to a new you at work:
- This book: The Non-Conformist Guide
- 4 Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris
- Enchantment by Guy Kawasaki, I reviewed here,
If that’s your pleasure….
Reader Questions:
What say you? Have you read the book? What did you think? Has it changed your life?
Dr Dean Burke is the owner/writer/chief bottle washer at “The Millionaire Nurse Blog”. “My passion is teaching the basics of personal finance, though I reserve the right to write about whatever suits me.”
You Want to Win?
To win the signed copy of The Art of Non-Conformity Chris so generously donated, let us know in the comments that you: Follow @Yakezie, follow @DrDeanBurke, and have signed up for the Yakezie feed, and my RSS feed. (Yes that adds up to 4 chances for each if you do ’em all!) I’ll announce the winner in a coupla weeks here.
I think this book describes all of us Yakeziers quite well. Sounds like a good read! Thanks!
No prob. Hope you enjoyed the review. You don’t want to win the signed copy?
I read this book last year, and thought it was great!
It’s not a long read, and it’s like the author is talking to you directly. Definitely worth the read!!! two thumbs up!
I have to admit, being a frugal-ish blogger, I too borrow the book from the library (but the old fashion paper kind).
I was charged a bit, great story!
Thanks for reading
Need to add this one to my reading list. Now if I can only find the time :)
Thanks Doc for doing the book review. I met Chris when he was in SF earlier this year. I think it will be a fun read. Signing off from Mykonos!
Enjoyed reading it. I always get more out of books that I plan to review. Keeps you focused on what you get the most and least out of.
Sounds like a good read. I think we all too often get caught up in the materialistic stuff and forget about what’s really important. With two small children, I try to remember that every single day!
Maybe if I would have read it, I’d never left Yakezie! Just kidding… Sounds like a great read. Thank you for reviewing it. I always liked setting my own rules. Sometimes it is not that easy though. :)
I have had the book sitting on my nightstand for about a year…you have inspired me to start reading it this weekend, thanks!
Yea, go ahead, it’s an easy read. But try to spend a little time on reflection. Most of these books sound good, but are easy not to put into action-even with best intentions!
Great book. I read it and had the opportunity to meet Chris in person. The book is great and Chris is genuine. I highly recommend it.
Cool, yea I think he writes from the heart.
Some of his concepts seem familiar such as an army of advisors. I put together my advisory (Attorney, CPA & banker) when I was in business.
I have his other works (empire building kit). I would love to win a copy of this book. I already do all the 4 entry options, does that count?
Of course Suba!
I would love to win this! I subscribe to the Yakezie feed and follow @Yakezie on Twitter. (2 entries, please!)
I heard of the book, but thank you so much for your review. I was wondering what the “fuss” was about. I think there is a great deal of conformity in many of our lives. Particularly given your background as a physician, I suspect there are many external pressures to ensure that you walk a narrow line.
Hey Doc, I’ve already done all four and would love a copy of the book. Great review, I’m officially intrigued!
This sounds like a great book! I’ve heard of it somewhere before, I think Gitomer mentioned it in one of his newsletters about better sales.
Great review! Thinking outside of the box is always important… what’s the sense of doing and thinking like “everyone else does?” Do what works for you and what makes you happy :) Thanks for sharing.
This is one of my favorite books of all time and one of the first I read after I started blogging- it really propelled me to push forward and begin to dream, develop my entrepreneurial spirit and question authority! :)
[…] signed copy of the Book, the Art of Non-Conformity, by Chris Guillebeau is at Yakezie, the book review written by yours […]
I haven’t read that one yet and have added it to my reading list. That’s neat you were able to read it through your library. I read an article the other day about a public library that actually lets patrons check out ipads to read ebooks. I love how paperless we are getting! Nice review. :)
Interesting, I need to check out this book!
Did you choose a winner yet? I am doing all four. :)
Shoot the Doc a Tweet or e-mail! Good reminder!
I will notify the winner this week.
I follow @yakezie
I also follow @DrDeanBurke, the Yakezie feed and the Millionaire Nurse feed — 4 entries, please! I would love to read this book. :-)
[…] reading “The Art of Non-Conformity“, by Chris Guillebeau. I actually won the book via a book review and giveaway hosted by Dr. Dean at the Yakezie. Thanks Dr. Dean and Chris for giving me the […]