Synopses & Reviews
It is conventional wisdom that there is one true path in life for each of us. But what about all those who have a wide array of interests, a dynamic curiosity about the world, and an ever-renewing wellspring of passions?
Margaret Lobenstine calls these people "Renaissance Souls," and in this groundbreaking book, she offers a life-planning strategy in tune with their dynamic, change-loving personalities. Renaissance Souls often get stuck, moving from entry-level job to entry-level job, degree to degree or hobby to hobby, unwilling to settle on just one thing to do "for the rest of my life." Or, after achieving success in one field, they yearn for new challenges and begin looking around for something different. Yet they are also afraid that if they pursue their changing interests, they will have to give up on financial security, becoming "a jack of all trades or a master of none."
The Renaissance Soul, the first book devoted to this personality type, not only shows that it's possible to design a successful, vibrant life built on multiple passions but also gives readers the practical advice to do so. Lobenstine arms readers with powerful life-design strategies, including how to:
•Understand the exciting and powerful difference between choice and focus
•Transform one's day job so that it carries one's dreams forward
•Manage one's time the Renaissance Soul way
•Thrive on many interests without feeling scattered
•Get paid for your passions
•Learn a new field without going back to school
•Get inspired by Renaissance Souls from ancient times to the present, from Leonardo da Vinci to Ben Franklin to Oprah Winfrey.
Stocked with creative exercises, relevant resources, and interviews with successful Renaissance Souls, this profoundly inspiring guide will show readers the way to a richer, more fulfilling life--big enough to embrace all their dreams.
Review
“Lobenstine has identified a situation rarely addressed by self-help books, and her advice is sensible, concrete and do-able.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Here’s one self-help book that is exactly as advertised, well thought out and offering sage advice . . .”
—Boston Sunday Globe
“The perfect career- and life-crafting guidebook for innovative, creative, multipassionate individuals who were not made for the one-track traditional career. Help is at hand! No matter your life stage, here’s a book full of inspiration and practical information on how to create a life and career that fulfills your Renaissance soul.”
—Swarthmore College Bulletin
“Can’t decide which life or career path is right for you? Maybe you don’t have to! In The Renaissance Soul, Margaret Lobenstine offers inspiration, advice, and practical tips for people with more than one burning passion.”
—Laurence Boldt, author of Zen and the Art of Making a Living
“I’m so grateful this book has finally been written! I need, my clients need, the world needs this incredibly helpful, practical, life-changing guidebook for those of us with a multitude of passions and aptitudes. Please, get this book into the hands of every person you know who is a Renaissance Soul. You could change their lives!”
—Jennifer Louden, author of Comfort Secrets for Busy Women and other books in the bestselling Comfort Book series
“The Renaissance Soul will help highly innovative and creative people find ways to make their many dreams come true. I’ve already begun using its wonderful ideas and practices with clients.”
—M. J. Ryan, author of This Year I Will
“Wow! Where was The Renaissance Soul when I needed it during my five career changes? This is a fabulous guide for people who find themselves constantly tap dancing from job to job. Benjamin Franklin would be proud!”
—Julie Jansen, author of I Don’t Know What I Want, But I Know It’s Not This
“Sure to speak to Boomers and older people who have done many things well yet feel sidelined by a culture that rewards consistency and focus. Margaret Lobenstine makes the world safer for the multigifted of any age who are well served by her wit and wisdom. Bravo!”
—Marika and Howard Stone, coauthors of Too Young to Retire: 101 Ways to Start the Rest of Your Life
“The Renaissance Soul is welcome news for individuals who just can’t make up their mind ‘what they want to be when they grow up!’ Career coach Margaret Lobenstine shows how you can have it all and create a structure for yourself that blends your many talents, abilities, and intelligences into one vital and satisfying lifestyle.”
—Thomas Armstrong, PhD, author of 7 Kinds of Smart: Identifying and Developing Your Multiple Intelligences
“Finally the multigifted have a champion. But anyone feeling that they only need a little sunshine in order to blossom will find this book bursting with light—it has all the creative and practical ideas they need for getting life on toward its purpose.”
—Elaine Aron, PhD, author of The Highly Sensitive Person and The Highly Sensitive Child
Synopsis
Are you unwilling to settle on doing just one thing "for the rest of your life"? Do you jump at the chance to learn something new--or, after achieving success in one field, find yourself yearning for new challenges and looking around for something different to do? If so, you may be a Renaissance Soul. The Renaissance Soul is the first book devoted to this personality type, and in this updated edition--in paperback for the first time-- author Margaret Lobenstine offers a life-planning strategy perfectly in tune with those who fear becoming "a jack-of-all-trades and master of none." Discover how to design a vibrant, fulfilling life and how to:
- Manage your time the Renaissance Soul way
- Thrive on many interests without feeling scattered or overwhelmed
- Pursue your passions even if they "don't pay"
- Carry your dreams forward no matter what your day job is.
Stocked with creative, doable exercises, relevant resources, and interviews with successful Renaissance Souls, this is "one self-help book that is exactly as advertised, well thought out and offering sage advice" (Boston Globe).
Synopsis
Now in paperback for the first time, the life-changing guidebook to a successful, multifaceted life for those who have more than one passion
"Follow your bliss," the old adage goes. But what if you have many blisses? Career and life coach Margaret Lobenstine calls those with too many passions to pick just one "Renaissance Souls," and here provides them with powerful life-design strategies in tune with their dynamic, change-loving personalities. The Renaissance Soul--the only book devoted to this personality type--shows that it's possible to design a successful, vibrant life built on multiple passions and gives readers the practical advice to do so, including how to:
• Thrive on many interests without feeling scattered
• Design your life around your passions even if they 'don't pay,' and carry your dreams forward no matter what your day job is
• Manage your time the Renaissance Soul way
Stocked with creative exercises, practical advice, and interviews with successful Renaissance Souls, this singular guide shows readers the way to a more fulfilling life--big enough to embrace all their dreams
Synopsis
The guide to leading a creative, passionate, and multifaceted life--big enough to embrace all your dreams
Are you unwilling to settle on doing just one thing "for the rest of your life"? Do you jump at the chance to learn something new--or, after achieving success in one field, find yourself yearning for new challenges and looking around for something different to do? If so, you may be a Renaissance Soul. The Renaissance Soul is the first book devoted to this personality type, and in this updated edition--in paperback for the first time-- author Margaret Lobenstine offers a life-planning strategy perfectly in tune with those who fear becoming "a jack-of-all-trades and master of none." Discover how to design a vibrant, fulfilling life and how to:
• Manage your time the Renaissance Soul way
• Thrive on many interests without feeling scattered or overwhelmed
• Pursue your passions even if they "don't pay"
• Carry your dreams forward no matter what your day job is.
Stocked with creative, doable exercises, relevant resources, and interviews with successful Renaissance Souls, this is "one self-help book that is exactly as advertised, well thought out and offering sage advice" (Boston Globe).
About the Author
Margaret Lobenstine founded Alternative Approaches, a career and life-coaching business, fifteen years ago and has worked with more than five thousand clients. A Renaissance Soul herself, she has created three successful—but entirely different—businesses. She lives with her husband in Amherst, Massachusetts.