Where in the world is LROL? (Plus a review of ‘Quitter’)

Yea, so I’m writing this post from a cruise ship bound for the Caribbean. (I know, right?) The weather is getting progressively warmer and my temperament is getting less “Cashmere Mafia” and more “Miami Vice” the farther south we go.

I hope you can close your eyes right now and picture yourself here with me … sipping a tropical smoothie … catching some rays – or burning a splotch on your right shoulder because that was the only place missed by the sunscreen …

The week leading up to this grand adventure was a whirlwind, to say the least.

Last weekend, our church’s praise and worship team and traveling singing group, “Fresh Fire,” hosted the music for a two-day women’s retreat. It was such a blessing to minister to these ladies in song. By the end of the weekend, though, I was beat! Coordinating worship music and logistics for an event like this is no small feat.

Then I had to finalize plans for child (and pet) care for Tiny and Howie before the hubster and I left for our cruise.

And, of course, I had to work ahead at the office last week to ensure no balls get dropped (hopefully) while I’m gone.

Needless to say, I was a hot mess by the time I boarded this boat on Sunday. Fortunately, I’m now well-rested and itchin’ to get back to the business of bloggin’ with y’all.

I recently finished Jon Acuff’s book, “Quitter.” And, as promised, I’m offering a review of it for all of you today. (Jon was a keynote speaker at Blissdom this year. He gifted each of us who attended with a signed copy of his book. Wasn’t that so nice of him?) 

The view from our stateroom on the ship

As I began reading “Quitter,” I realized this book is written differently than others in the self-help realm. Jon uses his own conversational, punchy style, interspersing edgy analogies and personal anecdotes throughout the pages. Although this book lacks the smooth transitions and flowing phraseology that you might find in other books on a bestseller list, I discovered the relaxed tone of “Quitter” to be one of its greatest assets.

And when “Quitter” won out over the latest Pottery Barn catalog as my bubble bath reading choice, I knew I could give this book nothing short of a “4” on my brushstroke scale of approval. Jon starts the book by describing his history as a “serial quitter,” hopping from one job to another, always seeking something more fulfilling. He then admonishes readers to look for the silver lining in our day jobs, offering all the reasons why we should stay put and explore (on our own time) what we believe to be our true passion and purpose in life. We should essentially see our current day job as a means to fund and prepare us for our dream job down the road.

What a fresh, motivating concept! In a later chapter, he even offers tips on how to fall in love with a job you don’t like.

In the next chapter, Jon urges us to look for “hinge moments” and shows us how to recognize them when they come.

The next few chapters hit me like a two by four across the forehead. In “What lies between a day job and a dream job,” Jon basically murders all the excuses we have for not moving forward toward the life we want.

He then talks about the real work – the “hustle” – that we’ll need to do to actually realize our dreams. I suspect this is where a lot of folks fall off the wagon, so to speak. The work and risk and sacrifice is too great, so they settle into a mediocre life, always wishing there could be something more, but lacking the drive and stamina to make it happen.

Jon wraps up the book by explaining how to handle success appropriately when it comes and how to know for sure when it is time to finally quit your day job.

This book has been a huge motivational tool for me personally. If you enjoy easy-reading, conversational books and are looking for a kick in the pants to start planning and pursuing the life you want, this book is for you. It will not disappoint (that is, if you commit to doing the work prescribed in it).