Stop hating your job. Find the work you love.
Understand what’s wrong, improve your situation now, and follow the career change process I used to become a full-time author-entrepreneur. By Joanna Penn.
Do you hate your job, but don’t know what to do with your life?
You’re not alone. I know exactly how you feel, because I’ve been there too. Over and over again.
I spent 13 years as an IT business consultant in large corporates, going to pointless meetings and writing endless documents no one would read. Every day, my soul and my creativity died a little.
In the depths of misery, I wrote the first version of this book. I was desperate to understand what was wrong. I wanted to love my work or find something more fulfilling, but I didn’t know how to start.
In 2011, I left my job to become a full-time author-entrepreneur, and I love what I do. In this book, I share the career change process I used and a lot of my personal story, so I hope it helps.
Who this book is for
This book is for anyone who dreads Monday morning: people stuck in jobs that drain them, who know something has to change but don’t yet know what they want to do instead.
It’s also for those who want to improve their current situation while they plan their next step, and for anyone curious about working for themselves.
What you’ll learn
The book has three parts: I hate my job, how to improve your current situation, and how to change your career. Here are the questions it answers.
- What exactly is the problem with my job, and why does it feel so bad?
- How does an unhappy workplace lead to stress, depression and weight gain?
- How can I develop myself and cope with stress at work right now?
- How do I feel valued and appreciated, and escape the trap?
- How do I make money and keep hold of it, so I have options?
- How can I bring more creativity into my life?
- When is escape necessary?
- What do I really want to do?
- Is entrepreneurship or working for myself right for me?
- What is the career change process, and how do I set and achieve my goals?
Where to buy
Available as an ebook and a paperback. When you buy the ebook direct from my store, it’s delivered by BookFunnel so you can read it on any device. The paperback is available from Amazon. Thank you for supporting my work.
What readers say
This book is excellent for anyone who is looking to transition into a more rewarding and fulfilling career, or anyone who is presently looking to supplement their existing vocation. Penn has mastered the art of infectious motivation.
Charles McGarry
Joanna Penn, thank you! This book & your work has started me on a journey that is altering the trajectory of my life for the better.
Mary Maz C
This book is really amazing. I was so overwhelmed by my current situation and Joanna gave me so many ways to change it with this book.
Sergio Emmanuel
About Joanna Penn
I’m an award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. I write non-fiction for authors as Joanna Penn, and thrillers, dark fantasy, horror and travel memoir as J.F. Penn.
I’ve hosted The Creative Penn Podcast since 2009, with interviews on writing, publishing, book marketing and making a living with your writing.
I have a Master’s degree in Death, Religion and Culture from the University of Winchester (2026) and a Master’s in Theology from the University of Oxford. I live in Bath, England.
Articles on changing your career
These articles share more of my own journey from the day job to full-time author-entrepreneur.
- Thinking about quitting your day job to become a full-time writer? Tips from CJ Lyons and Joanna Penn
- Writing and the mixed blessing of a day job
- What is your definition of success?
- How to make a living with your writing through books and multiple streams of income
Podcast episodes about changing direction
These episodes of The Creative Penn Podcast cover leaving the day job, second careers and building a creative life on your own terms.
- Lessons learned from 15 years as a full-time author entrepreneur (Joanna Penn)
- The end of jobs and the rise of creative entrepreneurs with Taylor Pearson
- Happiness, anxiety and writing as a second career with Lisa Lilly
- Business mindset and pivoting your author career with Holly Worton
- Creative confidence, portfolio careers, and making without permission with Alicia Jo Rabins
- Embracing change: how to flux with April Rinne
- Time freedom: rethink your work and money with Brian Herriot
Questions about changing your career
Is Career Change only for writers?
No. It's for anyone who is unhappy at work and wants to find something more fulfilling. I share my own path from consultant to author-entrepreneur as an example, but the process works for any change of direction.
Do I have to quit my job straight away?
No. Part two is about improving your current situation so you can create enough space to work on breaking out. Developing yourself, coping with stress, and making money and keeping hold of it all give you more options when you are ready to change.
What if I don't know what I want to do?
That's where most people start, and part three opens with exactly that question. The book helps you work out what you really want to do, whether working for yourself might suit you, and then how to set and achieve your goals.
Is there a paperback or audiobook?
There’s a paperback, available from Amazon, as well as the ebook. There’s no audiobook. You can buy the ebook direct from my store, delivered by BookFunnel to read on any device, or from other online retailers.
Next steps
Get the free Author Blueprint
Join my email list and I will send you my Author Blueprint, with the steps on the author journey from idea to published book and beyond, plus my newsletter with tips on writing, publishing and marketing.
Listen to The Creative Penn Podcast
New episodes every Wednesday, wherever you listen to podcasts: interviews and solo shows on writing, publishing, book marketing and making a living with your writing. Browse the podcast.
Watch on YouTube
Tutorials, interviews and full audiobooks of my non-fiction on The Creative Penn channel.
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