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Design Your Career: Lead Self, Lead Others, Lead Change
Today, we are confronted with a lot of compelling career options, but with little guidance. The new age engagement models, such as working-from-home, freelancing, gig-workforce, moonlighting, co-working spaces, solopreneur and entrepreneur-in-residence, have ushered significant flux in both the formal and informal work settings. There are opportunities galore, and the democratization of technology has only exacerbated our quest for the most suitable career.
Design Your Career is the distillation of Pavan’s 550 workshops at over 175 organizations across five countries where he infers that human talent is grossly underutilized. This book is a humble attempt in offering hope and clarity to individuals who feel helpless amid all the chaos and to give them the appropriate tools and frameworks to guide their careers towards fulfilment.
Design Your Career is the distillation of Pavan’s 550 workshops at over 175 organizations across five countries where he infers that human talent is grossly underutilized. This book is a humble attempt in offering hope and clarity to individuals who feel helpless amid all the chaos and to give them the appropriate tools and frameworks to guide their careers towards fulfilment.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published November 15, 2024
3 people are currently reading
24 people want to read
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September 27, 2025
"Design Your Career" is a guide not only for literally designing, & enhancing, your career but also to improve various aspects of an individual's life.
It used tons of examples, anecdotes from role models, to get it's points across which I appreciated. I also find perspectives of their lives, I hadn't known before. Many are inspiring, & very quotable too.
I typically skim through guide books, to take in the key points of it, but this book actually made me linger on some points. Kudos for that! Of course, I still easily went through this fast in an hour. The writing style is simple, conversational. It uses figures as visual representation to get the points across, which was great. I really liked to see references at the end too.
Few things that stayed with me after reading:
1) We may die accidentally, but we shouldn't live accidentally.
2) Technology is a good slave, but a bad master. (Tho, it sometimes isn't even a good slave tbh.)
3) Empathy is important, but not it's excess.
4) "If it’s important, don’t drag your feet on it." (I gotta make this my philosophy!)
5) Just good manager doesn't make a good leader.
6) See the big picture, delegate, prioritize & stick by it.
Thank you to the author & organiser for providing me a review copy. Overall, this is a good book, I'd give it a 4.5/5 stars ✨. If you want to learn deeper about the topics I mentioned above, & even more, I say give this book a try!
** #arcHonestReview #AllViewsAreMyOwn **
FB Page | Instagram | Bookbub | FB group
It used tons of examples, anecdotes from role models, to get it's points across which I appreciated. I also find perspectives of their lives, I hadn't known before. Many are inspiring, & very quotable too.
I typically skim through guide books, to take in the key points of it, but this book actually made me linger on some points. Kudos for that! Of course, I still easily went through this fast in an hour. The writing style is simple, conversational. It uses figures as visual representation to get the points across, which was great. I really liked to see references at the end too.
Few things that stayed with me after reading:
1) We may die accidentally, but we shouldn't live accidentally.
2) Technology is a good slave, but a bad master. (Tho, it sometimes isn't even a good slave tbh.)
3) Empathy is important, but not it's excess.
4) "If it’s important, don’t drag your feet on it." (I gotta make this my philosophy!)
5) Just good manager doesn't make a good leader.
6) See the big picture, delegate, prioritize & stick by it.
Thank you to the author & organiser for providing me a review copy. Overall, this is a good book, I'd give it a 4.5/5 stars ✨. If you want to learn deeper about the topics I mentioned above, & even more, I say give this book a try!
** #arcHonestReview #AllViewsAreMyOwn **
FB Page | Instagram | Bookbub | FB group
July 11, 2025
Your career is too precious to leave to chance.
Design it—with awareness, courage, and purpose.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
In Design Your Career, Pavan Soni throws a lifeline to those lost at sea in the constantly changing waves of work today. Leveraging his own rich cross-section of experience across 550+ workshops and 175+ organizations worldwide, he condenses decades of wisdom into one single forceful concept: careers aren't constructed—they're designed.
Why This Career Guide Excels:
• Frameworks That Empower, Not Prescribe:
Through models such as ITC (Ignore, Tolerate, Confront) and reflective empathy, Soni deconstructs readers' strengths, values, and energy drains, so that they can create careers that fit and not just conform.
• Rooted in Real-World Chaos:
From freelancing to moonlighting, solopreneurship to gig employment, Soni speaks to the chaos of today's careers with astuteness. His guidance is down-to-earth, timely, and deeply pertinent.
• Lead Self → Lead Others → Lead Change:
The book's format resonates with the very heart of intentional growth. It starts with self-leadership, then moves toward relational influence, and ends with creating impact—making it personal yet aspirational.
• A Mentor's Voice, Not a Guru's Megaphone:
The tone is conversational, like sitting with a wise coach. Instead of generic advice, Soni invites reflection, action, and iteration—echoing the design thinking ethos.
• Accessible Wisdom + Indian Relevance
With international insights made Indian context-specific, Soni brings career growth to cultural vibrancy, using real-life examples and references from icons such as Bruce Lee and Dr. Abdul Kalam.
Final Thoughts:
Design Your Career isn't a book—it's a compass. Amidst a sea of distraction and choice, Pavan Soni brings clarity, option, and above all, ownership. Whether you're beginning, lost midstream, or need to be reinvented, this book encourages you to wake up from drifting and begin designing—with intent, with empathy, and with courage.
Design it—with awareness, courage, and purpose.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
In Design Your Career, Pavan Soni throws a lifeline to those lost at sea in the constantly changing waves of work today. Leveraging his own rich cross-section of experience across 550+ workshops and 175+ organizations worldwide, he condenses decades of wisdom into one single forceful concept: careers aren't constructed—they're designed.
Why This Career Guide Excels:
• Frameworks That Empower, Not Prescribe:
Through models such as ITC (Ignore, Tolerate, Confront) and reflective empathy, Soni deconstructs readers' strengths, values, and energy drains, so that they can create careers that fit and not just conform.
• Rooted in Real-World Chaos:
From freelancing to moonlighting, solopreneurship to gig employment, Soni speaks to the chaos of today's careers with astuteness. His guidance is down-to-earth, timely, and deeply pertinent.
• Lead Self → Lead Others → Lead Change:
The book's format resonates with the very heart of intentional growth. It starts with self-leadership, then moves toward relational influence, and ends with creating impact—making it personal yet aspirational.
• A Mentor's Voice, Not a Guru's Megaphone:
The tone is conversational, like sitting with a wise coach. Instead of generic advice, Soni invites reflection, action, and iteration—echoing the design thinking ethos.
• Accessible Wisdom + Indian Relevance
With international insights made Indian context-specific, Soni brings career growth to cultural vibrancy, using real-life examples and references from icons such as Bruce Lee and Dr. Abdul Kalam.
Final Thoughts:
Design Your Career isn't a book—it's a compass. Amidst a sea of distraction and choice, Pavan Soni brings clarity, option, and above all, ownership. Whether you're beginning, lost midstream, or need to be reinvented, this book encourages you to wake up from drifting and begin designing—with intent, with empathy, and with courage.
October 15, 2025
This book is a combination of ancient and contemporary wisdom. Author Pavan stresses the need to have a clear head, a deep heart and thick skin, the qualities that will result in sustainable success. He incorporates the use of stories of leaders, scientists, and artists to enrich the lessons.
The language is understandable, coherent, and inspiring, so the book is worth reading and anyone who wants to find a purpose in his or her work.
October 15, 2025
Design Your Career by Pavan Soni is an invaluable book that gives any person a real clue about how to manage the current workplace environment.
The book guides the reader to get answers to those questions that seem to have endless options with freelancing, gig jobs, and entrepreneurship. Pavan Soni explains his experiences in conducting 550 workshops, giving simple frameworks easy to use.
His words on how to pace life and being resilient also make this more than a career guide.
The book guides the reader to get answers to those questions that seem to have endless options with freelancing, gig jobs, and entrepreneurship. Pavan Soni explains his experiences in conducting 550 workshops, giving simple frameworks easy to use.
His words on how to pace life and being resilient also make this more than a career guide.
August 30, 2024
Hello,
I got to go to a book store and got to pick up this book because of the cover where it is written “lead yourself , lead other”. It is so true that you cannot lead other if you aren’t leading yourself.
The reason why I bought this book is because of the first line of the first paragraph of the book. It goes as:
It’s okay to die accidentally , but it is not worth of living accidentally. (Might not be the exact words, but meaning is exact)
This line made me buy the book and read it!
The whole book is of really useful and practical guide for people who look to understand oneself and their work environment better and to improve oneself.
I really liked the book a lot and many advices from the book is apt for applying it in real life.
I highly recommend reading this book!
I got to go to a book store and got to pick up this book because of the cover where it is written “lead yourself , lead other”. It is so true that you cannot lead other if you aren’t leading yourself.
The reason why I bought this book is because of the first line of the first paragraph of the book. It goes as:
It’s okay to die accidentally , but it is not worth of living accidentally. (Might not be the exact words, but meaning is exact)
This line made me buy the book and read it!
The whole book is of really useful and practical guide for people who look to understand oneself and their work environment better and to improve oneself.
I really liked the book a lot and many advices from the book is apt for applying it in real life.
I highly recommend reading this book!
October 15, 2025
The engaging aspect of this book is how the author links growth as an individual to choice of career. He presents the new age work models in a clear manner and provides the tools to adjust with confidence. His focus on prioritising and saying no is very compelling in the modern world.
June 30, 2025
Design Your Career" by Pavan Soni is a must-read for anyone feeling lost or overwhelmed by the endless career options available today. In a world where work-from-home, freelancing, gig jobs, and entrepreneurship are the new normal, this book is a guiding light for navigating career chaos and uncertainty.
🔍 Drawing from his experience of conducting 550 workshops across 175 organizations in five countries, Pavan Soni reveals a powerful truth: human talent is often underutilized. Through practical tools and frameworks, he offers hope and clarity for those seeking fulfillment in their professional lives.
The book breaks down complex career dilemmas into simple, actionable steps. It addresses the realities of modern work—remote jobs, solopreneurship, and the gig economy.
The writing is empathetic, making you feel understood and empowered.
Soni’s global perspective and real-life examples make the advice relatable and inspiring.
🌱 If you’re ready to take charge of your career and design a path that’s uniquely yours, this book is your roadmap!
📖 Highly recommended for students, professionals, and anyone at a career crossroads.
🔍 Drawing from his experience of conducting 550 workshops across 175 organizations in five countries, Pavan Soni reveals a powerful truth: human talent is often underutilized. Through practical tools and frameworks, he offers hope and clarity for those seeking fulfillment in their professional lives.
The book breaks down complex career dilemmas into simple, actionable steps. It addresses the realities of modern work—remote jobs, solopreneurship, and the gig economy.
The writing is empathetic, making you feel understood and empowered.
Soni’s global perspective and real-life examples make the advice relatable and inspiring.
🌱 If you’re ready to take charge of your career and design a path that’s uniquely yours, this book is your roadmap!
📖 Highly recommended for students, professionals, and anyone at a career crossroads.
June 29, 2025
Design Your Career by Pavan Soni presents a refreshing, design-thinking approach to career development.
Instead of following a linear or traditional path, the book encourages readers to view their careers as something they can actively shape through reflection, experimentation, and learning.
With clear frameworks, real-world examples, and practical exercises, Soni provides a roadmap for navigating today’s dynamic job market with purpose and adaptability.
What makes this book stand out is its simplicity and relevance. Whether you're a student unsure about your future or a working professional looking to pivot, the book offers valuable insights in a conversational and relatable tone.
It’s not just about finding the "right" career — it’s about designing one that aligns with who you are and how you want to grow.
Instead of following a linear or traditional path, the book encourages readers to view their careers as something they can actively shape through reflection, experimentation, and learning.
With clear frameworks, real-world examples, and practical exercises, Soni provides a roadmap for navigating today’s dynamic job market with purpose and adaptability.
What makes this book stand out is its simplicity and relevance. Whether you're a student unsure about your future or a working professional looking to pivot, the book offers valuable insights in a conversational and relatable tone.
It’s not just about finding the "right" career — it’s about designing one that aligns with who you are and how you want to grow.
June 11, 2025
How to Design Your Career and Life And Live a Rich Life?
How many years have you waited for that elusive promotion?
How many hours do you toil away each day, caught in a never-ending cycle of Zoom meetings?
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be your own boss?
For many of us, the world has painted a singular path in life: work tirelessly in a 9-to-5 job until retirement, regardless of how miserable it makes us feel.
This was the path I believed in, the path I was raised to follow.
But what if I told you there are other ways, countless ways, to design your life?
"Design Your Career" by Pavan Joshi is a thought-provoking guide aimed at helping individuals navigate the complexities of career planning and development in today's fast-paced and ever-changing job market.
Joshi, drawing on his extensive experience in career coaching and human resource management, offers practical insights and actionable strategies that readers can implement to take charge of their professional journeys.
The book is structured to lead readers through a step-by-step process of self-discovery, skill assessment, and goal-setting.
Joshi emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s strengths, values, and interests as foundational elements for designing a fulfilling career.
He encourages readers to engage in introspective activities that help clarify their aspirations and align them with their skills and market opportunities.
What sets "Design Your Career" apart from other career guides is its emphasis on adaptability and lifelong learning.
Joshi acknowledges the rapid pace of technological and socioeconomic change and highlights the necessity for individuals to remain agile in their career paths.
He offers tools and frameworks for continuous skill development, networking, and personal branding, ensuring that readers are equipped to pivot and seize new opportunities as they arise.
Ultimately, "Design Your Career" serves as both a roadmap and a motivational resource for anyone looking to gain clarity and direction in their career.
Joshi's approach is empowering, encouraging readers to take ownership of their career destinies rather than leaving them to chance.
How many years have you waited for that elusive promotion?
How many hours do you toil away each day, caught in a never-ending cycle of Zoom meetings?
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be your own boss?
For many of us, the world has painted a singular path in life: work tirelessly in a 9-to-5 job until retirement, regardless of how miserable it makes us feel.
This was the path I believed in, the path I was raised to follow.
But what if I told you there are other ways, countless ways, to design your life?
"Design Your Career" by Pavan Joshi is a thought-provoking guide aimed at helping individuals navigate the complexities of career planning and development in today's fast-paced and ever-changing job market.
Joshi, drawing on his extensive experience in career coaching and human resource management, offers practical insights and actionable strategies that readers can implement to take charge of their professional journeys.
The book is structured to lead readers through a step-by-step process of self-discovery, skill assessment, and goal-setting.
Joshi emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s strengths, values, and interests as foundational elements for designing a fulfilling career.
He encourages readers to engage in introspective activities that help clarify their aspirations and align them with their skills and market opportunities.
What sets "Design Your Career" apart from other career guides is its emphasis on adaptability and lifelong learning.
Joshi acknowledges the rapid pace of technological and socioeconomic change and highlights the necessity for individuals to remain agile in their career paths.
He offers tools and frameworks for continuous skill development, networking, and personal branding, ensuring that readers are equipped to pivot and seize new opportunities as they arise.
Ultimately, "Design Your Career" serves as both a roadmap and a motivational resource for anyone looking to gain clarity and direction in their career.
Joshi's approach is empowering, encouraging readers to take ownership of their career destinies rather than leaving them to chance.
June 22, 2025
Dr. Pavan Soni’s “Design Your Career” is a refreshing, practical guide in an age where career paths are no longer linear. The book is filled with frameworks and actionable advice, but what makes it stand out is how it blends ancient wisdom with modern career dilemmas. From Michelangelo to Nadal, the examples spark inspiration while driving home meaningful points.
The idea of life being long, so pace it well, was a standout message for me. 🐢🏁 I’ve often rushed decisions without much reflection, and this book taught me the importance of slowing down, observing, and moving deliberately. The emphasis on high-leverage activities was another crucial takeaway that I’ve already started applying in my daily workflow.
This book doesn’t just lecture you; it engages you. The exercises prompt self-introspection, and the personal stories scattered throughout make it feel like a conversation with a wise friend. 🌱 I’d recommend this book to young professionals, mid-career individuals, and even students. If you’re craving clarity and control in your work life, this is a smart, thoughtful read you won’t regret. 📖✨
The idea of life being long, so pace it well, was a standout message for me. 🐢🏁 I’ve often rushed decisions without much reflection, and this book taught me the importance of slowing down, observing, and moving deliberately. The emphasis on high-leverage activities was another crucial takeaway that I’ve already started applying in my daily workflow.
This book doesn’t just lecture you; it engages you. The exercises prompt self-introspection, and the personal stories scattered throughout make it feel like a conversation with a wise friend. 🌱 I’d recommend this book to young professionals, mid-career individuals, and even students. If you’re craving clarity and control in your work life, this is a smart, thoughtful read you won’t regret. 📖✨
August 30, 2024
The modern career landscape resembles a bustling marketplace, vibrant with opportunities yet overwhelming in its complexity.
Along with several aspects of the career, the author has also kept the focus on topics of flexibility and innovation which reign supreme.
While navigating through the labyrinth of career choices, shifting work paradigms and a whole lot of confusions, an individual may feel overwhelmed or miss out on certain micro and macro opportunities therefore "Design your career" offers clarity as well as practical tools and famous personalities life stories that convey professional spheres of recognition of balance of life.
As readers embark on their journeys, they are reminded that fulfillment is not merely a destination but a continuous exploration. Ultimately, this book inspires hope, encouraging each person to embrace the myriad opportunities available, transforming uncertainty into empowerment and chaos into clarity.
In doing so, Pavan Soni paves the way for a future where careers are not just jobs but meaningful pursuits.
Along with several aspects of the career, the author has also kept the focus on topics of flexibility and innovation which reign supreme.
While navigating through the labyrinth of career choices, shifting work paradigms and a whole lot of confusions, an individual may feel overwhelmed or miss out on certain micro and macro opportunities therefore "Design your career" offers clarity as well as practical tools and famous personalities life stories that convey professional spheres of recognition of balance of life.
As readers embark on their journeys, they are reminded that fulfillment is not merely a destination but a continuous exploration. Ultimately, this book inspires hope, encouraging each person to embrace the myriad opportunities available, transforming uncertainty into empowerment and chaos into clarity.
In doing so, Pavan Soni paves the way for a future where careers are not just jobs but meaningful pursuits.
October 15, 2025
Design Your Career is different in that it does not provide hard and fast formulas. It does not tell one to follow a certain way, but it urges them to create their own path by being clear and resilient. The chapters about what to do with failures and how to learn to slow down are especially strong.
Pavan Soni makes the book thoughtful and interesting to read by combining practical suggestions with historical and philosophical ponderings.
It encourages the professionals to think about meaningful growth instead of rushing to make short term success.
Pavan Soni makes the book thoughtful and interesting to read by combining practical suggestions with historical and philosophical ponderings.
It encourages the professionals to think about meaningful growth instead of rushing to make short term success.
August 21, 2025
★ Book: Design Your Career: Lead Self, Lead Others, Lead Change
★ Author: Pavan Soni
★ Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
I'll be honest: I picked up this book during one of those late night moments when I was questioning everything about my career path. You know the feeling when you're scrolling through LinkedIn, seeing everyone else's achievements, and wondering if you're completely lost? That was me. What I found in Pavan Soni's "Design Your Career" wasn't just another self help book, but something that felt like a conversation with someone who actually understood the chaos of modern work life.
★ Finally, Someone Who Gets the Real Struggle ~
What hit me immediately was how Soni completely tosses out the old "climb the corporate ladder" advice that never felt right to me anyway. Drawing from his experience with 550 workshops across 175 organizations, he talks about career development like it's a creative process, not a rigid checklist. This resonated deeply because I've always felt like my career was supposed to be more experimental, more personal.
When he described careers as having dissolved into "fluid, multidimensional pathways," I literally highlighted that line. It perfectly captured why traditional career advice always left me feeling more confused than confident. His three part approach (Lead Self, Lead Others, Lead Change) felt like someone finally mapped out what authentic professional growth actually looks like.
★ The Tools That Changed How I Think ~
The ITC model (Ignore, Tolerate, Confront) became my new framework for workplace frustrations almost immediately. I found myself categorizing my daily annoyances and realizing how much energy I was wasting on things I should simply ignore. It sounds simple, but it was revelatory for someone who tends to overthink every workplace interaction.
What I loved most was his treatment of modern work arrangements. As someone who's dabbled in freelancing while maintaining a day job, I appreciated that he didn't romanticize any particular path. He just gave me tools to think more strategically about whatever direction I choose, which felt incredibly freeing.
★ Stories That Stuck With Me ~
Soni's references to figures like Dr. Abdul Kalam alongside Bruce Lee created these beautiful moments of connection throughout the book. I found myself pausing to reflect on how different successful people have navigated their paths. These weren't just inspirational quotes thrown in randomly; they felt like carefully chosen examples that illustrated his points about designing rather than following predetermined routes.
★ The Mindset Shift That Mattered Most ~
The biggest revelation for me was treating career planning like design thinking. I've always been paralyzed by the pressure to make "the right choice," but Soni reframes this entirely. He encourages prototyping your professional choices and embracing failure as feedback. As someone who's always been afraid of making the wrong move, this perspective felt like permission to actually try things.
I started thinking about my next career step as an experiment rather than a permanent decision, and that shift alone was worth the price of the book. The anxiety that usually accompanies major professional decisions began melting away.
★ Where I Wanted More ~
While I was absorbed in the frameworks and mindset shifts, I found myself craving more detailed stories of people who completely pivoted their careers. The examples were inspiring but sometimes felt too brief. I wanted to hear more about the messy middle parts of those transitions, the doubts, the practical challenges. Maybe that's just my own hunger for reassurance that career changes can work out.
★ Why This Book Matters Right Now ~
"Design Your Career" arrived in my life at exactly the right moment, but I think it would resonate with anyone feeling stuck or uncertain about their professional direction. Soni treats readers like intelligent adults who can figure things out if given the right framework, which felt respectful and empowering.
What moved me most was realizing that my career doesn't have to look like anyone else's, and that the uncertainty I've been feeling isn't a sign of failure but a natural part of designing something meaningful. In a world where everyone seems to have it figured out (spoiler: they don't), this book gave me permission to embrace the process of figuring it out.
Reading this felt like finally having someone validate that modern careers are supposed to be messy, experimental, and deeply personal. If you've ever sat wondering whether you're on the right path, or if there even is a "right" path, this book will meet you where you are and help you design where you want to go. To me it's A Career Blueprint That Actually Gets It.
★ Perfect for: Anyone tired of generic career advice and ready to create their own roadmap.
September 2, 2025
You know that restless feeling when you’re sitting at your desk, staring at your laptop, wondering if the work you’re doing today is actually leading you anywhere tomorrow? That was me when I stumbled onto Design Your Career: Lead Self, Lead Others, Lead Change by Pavan Soni. I picked it up half-expecting another glossy self-help book full of catchy one-liners and “10 rules for success.” What I found instead was something far more grounded—and oddly comforting.
Pavan Soni isn’t just theorizing from an ivory tower. This book is the distillation of over 550 workshops he’s run across 175 organizations in five countries. That scale alone tells you he’s been in the trenches with students, freelancers, managers, and CEOs. And the tone? It feels like sitting with a wise mentor over chai—firm but never preachy, practical yet full of heart.
The premise is simple but powerful: your career isn’t a ladder, it’s a design challenge. You’re not climbing rung by rung; you’re experimenting, iterating, testing prototypes of your professional self. He divides the journey into three arcs—Lead Self, Lead Others, Lead Change—and within those, he slips in models and stories that feel both familiar and refreshing. You’re not handed a rigid roadmap; instead, you’re given a compass and asked to chart your own terrain.
What makes the book so engaging is the writing style. It’s conversational without being casual, clear without being dry. The pacing keeps you hooked—you get theory, then a crisp case study, then a reflective nudge that makes you pause and scribble in your notebook. He pulls in everyone from Bruce Lee to Dr. Kalam to Rafael Nadal, not as empty quotes but as textured stories that leave you mulling over your own choices.
Certain frameworks stayed with me long after I closed the book. The ITC model—Ignore, Tolerate, Confront—sounds simple but hits deep when you realize how much energy you waste just tolerating things that drain you. Another was his take on “high-leverage activities,” which reimagines the Pareto principle through real career examples. I found myself mapping my daily work against these frameworks, and let’s just say I had a few uncomfortable realizations about where my hours actually go.
Structurally, the book works like a gentle escalator. It starts with self-leadership—your habits, your mindset—then moves outward to influencing others, and finally to sparking change in your larger ecosystem. It never feels like a lecture; it feels like someone slowly widening the lens for you. That balance of strategy and soul is rare in career books, and Soni nails it.
Emotionally, the book gave me something I didn’t realize I was craving: permission to not have it all figured out. Careers today are chaotic—remote work, freelancing, side hustles, mid-life switches. Instead of pushing you to “follow your passion” or “hustle harder,” Soni nudges you to experiment, fail forward, and treat your career like a living, evolving design. That shift in perspective felt oddly liberating.
Of course, no book is perfect. At times, I wished he had gone deeper into unconventional career pivots—real stories of people who made radical changes would have made it even richer. But maybe that’s me being greedy; the book already brims with enough tools and reflections to keep you busy for months.
On a personal level, I found myself underlining lines about “deserve before you desire” and “think strategically, act decisively.” They made me rethink not just my work but also how I approach long-term goals in life. This isn’t a book you finish and shelve; it’s the kind you’ll pull out again when you hit a crossroads, when you’re restless, or when you just need a voice reminding you that clarity comes from small, intentional steps.
If you’re a student staring at too many options, a mid-career professional wondering “what next,” or a freelancer juggling multiple gigs, Design Your Career is the kind of book that won’t hand you answers but will give you better questions. And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.
For me? It was a 4.8/5 kind of read—practical, humane, and deeply relevant to the world of work we’re living in today. I’ll be recommending it to friends not as a “career manual,” but as a companion for the journey. Because really, isn’t that what we all want? A little clarity, a little courage, and someone reminding us that we can lead our lives by design, not default.
So if you’ve ever caught yourself staring at the ceiling asking, “What am I doing with my life?”—this book might just be the gentle nudge you need. Pick it up. You’ll thank yourself later.
October 7, 2025
-Relax, Rethink & Reshape-
Review of 'Design Your Career'
Quote Alert
"𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐰𝐨, 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚 𝐍𝐨𝐨𝐲𝐢, 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐂𝐨 𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝? 𝐒𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐄𝐎, 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟔, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐫, 𝐟𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐞𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐂𝐨. 𝐅𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐢, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬, 𝐏𝐞𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐂𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐮𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭����𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭-𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬. 𝐀𝐬 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞: 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭-𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬, 𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞-𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲, 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬? 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫."
Does your career shape your life or is it vice versa? Can your life shape your career? But the years are slipping out of your reach and you still haven't made it. 30 under 30 has already passed as you are now on the wrong side of the 30s and still the rainbows don't shine over your head.
Tired of hearing stories about those young trailblazers who kicked their careers, not at a cheap government-run college but Ivy Leagues like Harvard & Princeton: the mecca of education and business iteself? The ones who were so sure of themselves that they ditched the traditional model of money-making that has proven itself over the years and chose to go down the pathes of their own paving.
Well, Pavan Soni says, fret not people. This is your time. Haven't made it yet? Why not now? Because of you can change yourself, and your life, you will change the parameters governing it. And when your life changes, your career will change too. He writes:
"What happens when you make time for yourself? You get to contemplate and create."
The authors bats for 40s, claiming that this is the time when humans are most productive. He hails Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, who started in their 20s but peaked in their 40s.
He writes:
"You may assume that the most successful entrepreneurs are school or college dropouts and that they max out in their early twenties. On the contrary, research suggests that the prime age for successful founders is forty-five and not twenty-five. Based on a study of 2.7 million people who founded businesses between 2007–14, researchers at MIT discovered that the average age of founders for high-tech employment, VC-backed firms and patenting firms is forty-three, forty-two and forty-five, respectively."
So who's stopping you? The author asks you to be selfish and to achieve what you want to for yourself first and later for anybody else. The author has written extensively upon the motivators of our lives. He calls them prime movers. One of them is fear. What are the others? Well, read the book to find out more. I am not going to tell you everything here.
About fear he writes: "Let's not confuse courage with fearlessness. Being courageous is about bravery in the face of uncertainty, respecting your boundaries and being adaptive to the terrain. Since every creative endeavour involves risk-taking and it triggers fear, often when people try to kill their fear, they end up inadvertently murdering their creativity in the process. So, if you are afraid, it's natural." He also gives the example of an ATM guard, a dunali propped by his side, to cement his point.
The author has peppered the book with multiple refrences, real life stories and anecdotes to make it relatable. He quotes everybody from Paul Kalanithi to Yuval Noah Harrari, Vishwanathan Anand to Indira Nooyi. He has shared stories from the lives of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Nadal and Bear Gryllis, to name a few, adding to his narrative.
A fun, intresting and inspiring read. Pick it up this festive season. You will have done yourself a favour.
Review of 'Design Your Career'
Quote Alert
"𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐰𝐨, 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚 𝐍𝐨𝐨𝐲𝐢, 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐂𝐨 𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝? 𝐒𝐨𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐄𝐎, 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟔, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐎𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐫, 𝐟𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐞𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐂𝐨. 𝐅𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐩 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐢, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬, 𝐏𝐞𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐂𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐮𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐡 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭����𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭-𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬. 𝐀𝐬 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲, 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞: 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭-𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬, 𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞-𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲, 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬? 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫."
Does your career shape your life or is it vice versa? Can your life shape your career? But the years are slipping out of your reach and you still haven't made it. 30 under 30 has already passed as you are now on the wrong side of the 30s and still the rainbows don't shine over your head.
Tired of hearing stories about those young trailblazers who kicked their careers, not at a cheap government-run college but Ivy Leagues like Harvard & Princeton: the mecca of education and business iteself? The ones who were so sure of themselves that they ditched the traditional model of money-making that has proven itself over the years and chose to go down the pathes of their own paving.
Well, Pavan Soni says, fret not people. This is your time. Haven't made it yet? Why not now? Because of you can change yourself, and your life, you will change the parameters governing it. And when your life changes, your career will change too. He writes:
"What happens when you make time for yourself? You get to contemplate and create."
The authors bats for 40s, claiming that this is the time when humans are most productive. He hails Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, who started in their 20s but peaked in their 40s.
He writes:
"You may assume that the most successful entrepreneurs are school or college dropouts and that they max out in their early twenties. On the contrary, research suggests that the prime age for successful founders is forty-five and not twenty-five. Based on a study of 2.7 million people who founded businesses between 2007–14, researchers at MIT discovered that the average age of founders for high-tech employment, VC-backed firms and patenting firms is forty-three, forty-two and forty-five, respectively."
So who's stopping you? The author asks you to be selfish and to achieve what you want to for yourself first and later for anybody else. The author has written extensively upon the motivators of our lives. He calls them prime movers. One of them is fear. What are the others? Well, read the book to find out more. I am not going to tell you everything here.
About fear he writes: "Let's not confuse courage with fearlessness. Being courageous is about bravery in the face of uncertainty, respecting your boundaries and being adaptive to the terrain. Since every creative endeavour involves risk-taking and it triggers fear, often when people try to kill their fear, they end up inadvertently murdering their creativity in the process. So, if you are afraid, it's natural." He also gives the example of an ATM guard, a dunali propped by his side, to cement his point.
The author has peppered the book with multiple refrences, real life stories and anecdotes to make it relatable. He quotes everybody from Paul Kalanithi to Yuval Noah Harrari, Vishwanathan Anand to Indira Nooyi. He has shared stories from the lives of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, Nadal and Bear Gryllis, to name a few, adding to his narrative.
A fun, intresting and inspiring read. Pick it up this festive season. You will have done yourself a favour.
August 6, 2025
When I first opened Design Your Career, I was struck by how Pavan Soni immediately reframes a career as an ongoing design challenge rather than a linear ladder. He invites readers to step back, question assumptions, and adopt the playful, experimental mindset of a designer. That opening tone—part pragmatic coach, part creative thinker—set the stage for a book that feels both energizing and grounded in reality.
Embracing the Designer Mindset
One of the book’s central premises is that careers today live in “chaotic” terrain—gig platforms, remote work, freelancing, moonlighting—and conventional blueprints no longer apply. Rather than prescribing “five steps to success,” Soni shows how to prototype, test, and iterate on work choices. He draws on lessons from his 550 workshops across 175 organizations to illustrate that treating your career as a series of experiments helps you learn faster and recover gracefully from setbacks.
Key Frameworks: ITC and High‑Leverage Activities
Two frameworks stood out for me. The Ignore–Tolerate–Confront (ITC) model offers a simple but powerful way to categorize workplace discomfort and decide when to let go, endure, or address issues head‑on. Meanwhile, the chapter on high‑leverage activities urges focusing 80% of your energy on the 20% of tasks that create exponential impact—an idea borrowed from the Pareto Principle but reimagined through real career stories. These tools felt immediately practical; I found myself mapping my own priorities against them as I read.
Standout Chapters: From “Deserve” to “Lead Change”
“Deserve before You Desire” reminded me that personal credibility is built by consistently delivering even in small tasks—an idea I occasionally overlook when chasing big goals.
“Think Strategically, Act Decisively” drilled home the importance of long‑term vision balanced with short‑term action, using case studies from startups and large corporations alike.
“Leadership Is a Choice, Not Everyone Can Make” closed the book on a high note, emphasizing that everyone can—and should—lead in their sphere, whether that’s as a mentor, project owner, or change agent.
Real‑World Applicability: Case Studies and Stories
Soni peppers each chapter with crisp case studies—ranging from entrepreneurial pivots to corporate turnarounds—each described in just a couple of pages. Rather than abstract theory, these real‑life examples made the frameworks stick. I found myself googling a few of them afterward, which speaks to how engaging the narratives are without ever feeling like filler.
Personal Takeaways: Designing My Next Moves
By the end, I felt armed with both mindset shifts and concrete tactics. I’m now re-evaluating one long‑term project through the lens of high‑leverage activities, while also drafting small “career experiments” to test new skills. Most of all, the reminder that failing forward is part of the design process has given me fresh confidence to take on ambiguity.
Who Should Read It & Final Thoughts
If you’re a student uncertain about which path to pick, a mid‑career professional seeking a reset, or a freelancer juggling multiple gigs, Design Your Career offers a humane, adaptable playbook. Pavan Soni doesn’t promise a silver bullet—instead, he hands you the tools to craft one yourself. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone ready to stop drifting and start designing.
Embracing the Designer Mindset
One of the book’s central premises is that careers today live in “chaotic” terrain—gig platforms, remote work, freelancing, moonlighting—and conventional blueprints no longer apply. Rather than prescribing “five steps to success,” Soni shows how to prototype, test, and iterate on work choices. He draws on lessons from his 550 workshops across 175 organizations to illustrate that treating your career as a series of experiments helps you learn faster and recover gracefully from setbacks.
Key Frameworks: ITC and High‑Leverage Activities
Two frameworks stood out for me. The Ignore–Tolerate–Confront (ITC) model offers a simple but powerful way to categorize workplace discomfort and decide when to let go, endure, or address issues head‑on. Meanwhile, the chapter on high‑leverage activities urges focusing 80% of your energy on the 20% of tasks that create exponential impact—an idea borrowed from the Pareto Principle but reimagined through real career stories. These tools felt immediately practical; I found myself mapping my own priorities against them as I read.
Standout Chapters: From “Deserve” to “Lead Change”
“Deserve before You Desire” reminded me that personal credibility is built by consistently delivering even in small tasks—an idea I occasionally overlook when chasing big goals.
“Think Strategically, Act Decisively” drilled home the importance of long‑term vision balanced with short‑term action, using case studies from startups and large corporations alike.
“Leadership Is a Choice, Not Everyone Can Make” closed the book on a high note, emphasizing that everyone can—and should—lead in their sphere, whether that’s as a mentor, project owner, or change agent.
Real‑World Applicability: Case Studies and Stories
Soni peppers each chapter with crisp case studies—ranging from entrepreneurial pivots to corporate turnarounds—each described in just a couple of pages. Rather than abstract theory, these real‑life examples made the frameworks stick. I found myself googling a few of them afterward, which speaks to how engaging the narratives are without ever feeling like filler.
Personal Takeaways: Designing My Next Moves
By the end, I felt armed with both mindset shifts and concrete tactics. I’m now re-evaluating one long‑term project through the lens of high‑leverage activities, while also drafting small “career experiments” to test new skills. Most of all, the reminder that failing forward is part of the design process has given me fresh confidence to take on ambiguity.
Who Should Read It & Final Thoughts
If you’re a student uncertain about which path to pick, a mid‑career professional seeking a reset, or a freelancer juggling multiple gigs, Design Your Career offers a humane, adaptable playbook. Pavan Soni doesn’t promise a silver bullet—instead, he hands you the tools to craft one yourself. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone ready to stop drifting and start designing.
June 15, 2025
Okay, I’ll be honest I picked up this book expecting one of those typical career advice books filled with motivational quotes and generic tips. But this one? It felt so real, so grounded, and honestly, so refreshing.
Dr. Pavan Soni doesn’t give you a fixed path or some “10 steps to success” kind of formula. Instead, he invites you to design your career like a product with trial and error, creativity, curiosity, and lots of self-awareness. I absolutely loved that idea. It’s not about having it all figured out; it’s about being open to possibilities, exploring, and adjusting along the way.
What stood out to me the most was how relevant this book is to the kind of work life we all are living today freelancing, remote jobs, side hustles, switching industries. He talks about real things, without sugarcoating them. There’s no pressure to “follow your passion” blindly instead, it’s more like "Let’s figure this out together, practically and honestly."
There are some great frameworks in here like ITC (Ignore, Tolerate, Confront) and so many little tools that made me actually pause and reflect. I wasn’t just reading; I was thinking, journaling, and kind of resetting how I look at my career altogether.
The tone of the book is super friendly and relatable like a mentor who’s genuinely been through things and wants to help you, without sounding preachy. And the way he brings in stories of Bruce Lee, Dr. Kalam, and even Nadal? Loved it. It gave depth to the lessons without making it feel like a lecture.
One small thing I did wish there were a few more real-life examples of people who completely switched paths or took unconventional routes. That would’ve made it even more relatable for people like me who are figuring out new directions. But that’s just me being greedy the book already offers so much.
By the time I finished it, I didn’t feel like I had all the answers but I definitely had a better sense of the questions I should be asking myself. And that felt empowering.
Who should read this?
Honestly, anyone who's ever sat on their bed staring at the ceiling thinking, “What am I doing with my life?” Whether you're a student, mid-career professional, freelancer, or just someone wanting more meaning in what you do this book is for you.
Overall, this isn’t a one-time read. It’s the kind of book you come back to whenever you're at a crossroad. It gives you clarity without pressure and guidance without being bossy. Definitely one of those books I’ll be recommending to friends.
Dr. Pavan Soni doesn’t give you a fixed path or some “10 steps to success” kind of formula. Instead, he invites you to design your career like a product with trial and error, creativity, curiosity, and lots of self-awareness. I absolutely loved that idea. It’s not about having it all figured out; it’s about being open to possibilities, exploring, and adjusting along the way.
What stood out to me the most was how relevant this book is to the kind of work life we all are living today freelancing, remote jobs, side hustles, switching industries. He talks about real things, without sugarcoating them. There’s no pressure to “follow your passion” blindly instead, it’s more like "Let’s figure this out together, practically and honestly."
There are some great frameworks in here like ITC (Ignore, Tolerate, Confront) and so many little tools that made me actually pause and reflect. I wasn’t just reading; I was thinking, journaling, and kind of resetting how I look at my career altogether.
The tone of the book is super friendly and relatable like a mentor who’s genuinely been through things and wants to help you, without sounding preachy. And the way he brings in stories of Bruce Lee, Dr. Kalam, and even Nadal? Loved it. It gave depth to the lessons without making it feel like a lecture.
One small thing I did wish there were a few more real-life examples of people who completely switched paths or took unconventional routes. That would’ve made it even more relatable for people like me who are figuring out new directions. But that’s just me being greedy the book already offers so much.
By the time I finished it, I didn’t feel like I had all the answers but I definitely had a better sense of the questions I should be asking myself. And that felt empowering.
Who should read this?
Honestly, anyone who's ever sat on their bed staring at the ceiling thinking, “What am I doing with my life?” Whether you're a student, mid-career professional, freelancer, or just someone wanting more meaning in what you do this book is for you.
Overall, this isn’t a one-time read. It’s the kind of book you come back to whenever you're at a crossroad. It gives you clarity without pressure and guidance without being bossy. Definitely one of those books I’ll be recommending to friends.
June 5, 2025
If you’ve ever found yourself staring at your career wondering, What now? then this book might just be the lifeline you didn’t know you needed.
This isn’t your usual climb the ladder career guide. Author takes a far more honest and refreshing approach. Rather than handing out formulas or trying to box you into a specific path, he invites you to think differently,to design your career the way a product designer might design a prototype. With curiosity, flexibility, and a willingness to iterate.
What struck me most about this book is how real it feels. Author speaks like someone who’s been in the trenches,working across cultures, industries, and generations. He’s not selling overnight success. He’s advocating for something much harder but more rewarding: intentional growth.
The book dives into the reality of today’s working world,remote work, side gigs, freelancing, portfolio careers and doesn't shy away from the messiness of it all. But instead of making you feel overwhelmed, Soni offers clarity. His frameworks (like the brilliantly simple ITC: Ignore, Tolerate, Confront) and reflections are like tools you can pick up and use the very next day.
This book doesn’t just talk to you. It makes you pause. Reflect. Think. It nudges you to zoom out from your daily grind and ask yourself: Is this really what I want? And if not, what’s stopping me from designing something better?
Don’t expect fluff or sugar-coated motivation. Do expect stories,from Bruce Lee to Abdul Kalam to Nadal,that stick in your head and make abstract ideas suddenly click. Also expect a very human tone,this is a book that wants to walk with you, not ahead of you.
In a world that’s changing faster than most career handbooks can keep up with, this book feels timely, useful, and oddly comforting. It won’t give you all the answers, but it will help you ask the right questions and that might be more valuable in the long run.
Who should read it?
Fresh graduates trying to make sense of their choices, mid-career professionals itching for something more, anyone tired of being stuck in autopilot, or just curious souls looking to align work with purpose.
This isn’t your usual climb the ladder career guide. Author takes a far more honest and refreshing approach. Rather than handing out formulas or trying to box you into a specific path, he invites you to think differently,to design your career the way a product designer might design a prototype. With curiosity, flexibility, and a willingness to iterate.
What struck me most about this book is how real it feels. Author speaks like someone who’s been in the trenches,working across cultures, industries, and generations. He’s not selling overnight success. He’s advocating for something much harder but more rewarding: intentional growth.
The book dives into the reality of today’s working world,remote work, side gigs, freelancing, portfolio careers and doesn't shy away from the messiness of it all. But instead of making you feel overwhelmed, Soni offers clarity. His frameworks (like the brilliantly simple ITC: Ignore, Tolerate, Confront) and reflections are like tools you can pick up and use the very next day.
This book doesn’t just talk to you. It makes you pause. Reflect. Think. It nudges you to zoom out from your daily grind and ask yourself: Is this really what I want? And if not, what’s stopping me from designing something better?
Don’t expect fluff or sugar-coated motivation. Do expect stories,from Bruce Lee to Abdul Kalam to Nadal,that stick in your head and make abstract ideas suddenly click. Also expect a very human tone,this is a book that wants to walk with you, not ahead of you.
In a world that’s changing faster than most career handbooks can keep up with, this book feels timely, useful, and oddly comforting. It won’t give you all the answers, but it will help you ask the right questions and that might be more valuable in the long run.
Who should read it?
Fresh graduates trying to make sense of their choices, mid-career professionals itching for something more, anyone tired of being stuck in autopilot, or just curious souls looking to align work with purpose.
June 21, 2025
✨ Quote of the Day:
"You don’t find meaning at the end of your career — you create it every day, step by step, decision by decision."
✨
Book Review: Design Your Career by Pavan Soni
✨
Design Your Career by Pavan Soni is a highly refreshing and thought-provoking view that students and anyone stuck in the classical career hamster wheel would appreciate. Instead of giving strict formulas for "success," Soni calls the reader to think like designers: curious, flexible, and ready to prototype their own avenues. Drawing R-approach from deep personal experience and ageless stories, Soni connects career strategics with design thinking, thereby making the innumerable challenges of our present-day world of work seem less intimidating and more traversable.
✨
What differentiates Design Your Career from all other books on the subject is that it is not a manual with a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, Soni presents frameworks to work from, exercises to stimulate introspection, and personal stories to illustrate his points. These all facilitate a pause to contemplate: "Am I designing my life, or am I drifting through it?" The book embraces the realities of gig work, remote jobs, and the nonlinear career path with stark honesty, daring readers to welcome uncertainty and possibilities instead of fearing them.
✨
Meanwhile, what really makes it stand apart from other career books is its personal voice full of heart and honesty. Soni certainly writes a mentorship voice, not a preachy one. His points about ignoring challenges, tolerating them, or confronting them (the ITC model) offer you real insights that you can use immediately.
✨
Designed for fresh graduates, mid-career explorers, or anyone who desires their work to be meaningful and purposeful, Design Your Career is about much more than just climbing ladders; it is about putting together a life that is fulfilling and ever-changing. It comes highly recommended for today's working professionals.
✨
❓ Question of the Day:
"If you could redesign just one part of your career or work life today, what would it be — and what’s stopping you?"
"You don’t find meaning at the end of your career — you create it every day, step by step, decision by decision."
✨
Book Review: Design Your Career by Pavan Soni
✨
Design Your Career by Pavan Soni is a highly refreshing and thought-provoking view that students and anyone stuck in the classical career hamster wheel would appreciate. Instead of giving strict formulas for "success," Soni calls the reader to think like designers: curious, flexible, and ready to prototype their own avenues. Drawing R-approach from deep personal experience and ageless stories, Soni connects career strategics with design thinking, thereby making the innumerable challenges of our present-day world of work seem less intimidating and more traversable.
✨
What differentiates Design Your Career from all other books on the subject is that it is not a manual with a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, Soni presents frameworks to work from, exercises to stimulate introspection, and personal stories to illustrate his points. These all facilitate a pause to contemplate: "Am I designing my life, or am I drifting through it?" The book embraces the realities of gig work, remote jobs, and the nonlinear career path with stark honesty, daring readers to welcome uncertainty and possibilities instead of fearing them.
✨
Meanwhile, what really makes it stand apart from other career books is its personal voice full of heart and honesty. Soni certainly writes a mentorship voice, not a preachy one. His points about ignoring challenges, tolerating them, or confronting them (the ITC model) offer you real insights that you can use immediately.
✨
Designed for fresh graduates, mid-career explorers, or anyone who desires their work to be meaningful and purposeful, Design Your Career is about much more than just climbing ladders; it is about putting together a life that is fulfilling and ever-changing. It comes highly recommended for today's working professionals.
✨
❓ Question of the Day:
"If you could redesign just one part of your career or work life today, what would it be — and what’s stopping you?"
May 18, 2025
Design Your Career by Pavan Soni operates at the intersection of career strategy, personal growth, and the changing nature of work. Soni builds a compelling case for treating one's career as a design challenge—requiring iterative thinking, creativity, and structured frameworks. Drawing from his exposure to varied organizational contexts and inspired by design thinking principles, he advocates a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to career planning.
Rather than offering prescriptive paths, Soni emphasizes possibility thinking—encouraging readers to embrace ambiguity and adapt their professional identities to an evolving work environment marked by gig work, remote setups, and entrepreneurial fluidity. The book proposes that traditional career ladders are being replaced by career lattices—nonlinear, multi-dimensional, and self-directed.
Strengths:-
🎯Soni introduces adaptable tools for career self-assessment and planning, making the book both reflective and action-oriented.
🎯He directly addresses the modern professional landscape shaped by technology, hybrid work, and portfolio careers—making it timely and relatable.
🎯Despite his academic background, Soni writes in a clear, approachable manner, ensuring the book appeals to a wide audience—students, early professionals, mid-career pivoters, and even organizational leaders.
Design Your Career is an insightful, contemporary guide that empowers readers to take ownership of their professional journeys. Soni’s blend of empathy, practical advice, and systems thinking makes the book a valuable resource in a world where careers are no longer confined to linear trajectories. While it’s more of a toolkit than a textbook, its greatest strength lies in its adaptability—helping readers not just to find a job, but to design a vocation.
Recommended For: Professionals navigating career transitions, students seeking clarity, HR practitioners, and anyone interested in aligning purpose with work in a dynamic world.
Must read♥️♥️
Rather than offering prescriptive paths, Soni emphasizes possibility thinking—encouraging readers to embrace ambiguity and adapt their professional identities to an evolving work environment marked by gig work, remote setups, and entrepreneurial fluidity. The book proposes that traditional career ladders are being replaced by career lattices—nonlinear, multi-dimensional, and self-directed.
Strengths:-
🎯Soni introduces adaptable tools for career self-assessment and planning, making the book both reflective and action-oriented.
🎯He directly addresses the modern professional landscape shaped by technology, hybrid work, and portfolio careers—making it timely and relatable.
🎯Despite his academic background, Soni writes in a clear, approachable manner, ensuring the book appeals to a wide audience—students, early professionals, mid-career pivoters, and even organizational leaders.
Design Your Career is an insightful, contemporary guide that empowers readers to take ownership of their professional journeys. Soni’s blend of empathy, practical advice, and systems thinking makes the book a valuable resource in a world where careers are no longer confined to linear trajectories. While it’s more of a toolkit than a textbook, its greatest strength lies in its adaptability—helping readers not just to find a job, but to design a vocation.
Recommended For: Professionals navigating career transitions, students seeking clarity, HR practitioners, and anyone interested in aligning purpose with work in a dynamic world.
Must read♥️♥️
July 1, 2025
Book Review: Design Your Career by Pavan Soni
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉Design Your Career isn’t your typical career advice book filled with rigid steps or one-size-fits-all paths. Instead, Pavan Soni offers a refreshingly thoughtful, honest, and human approach to navigating today’s ever-evolving work landscape. Whether you’re a fresh graduate, a mid-career professional, or someone simply feeling stuck—this book meets you where you are and helps you design a career that feels intentional and fulfilling.
👉Pavan, through insights gained from conducting 550+ workshops across 175+ organizations in 5 countries, understands that careers today are nonlinear, uncertain, and deeply personal. He shows us that instead of climbing someone else's ladder, we should design our own—with creativity, reflection, and purpose.
👉What sets this book apart:
🌟 Practical tools like the ITC model (Ignore, Tolerate, Confront)
🌟 Insights into modern career trends: freelancing, side hustles, moonlighting, etc.
🌟 Real-life examples featuring icons like Bruce Lee, Dr. Abdul Kalam, and Rafael Nadal
🌟 Exercises that nudge you to pause, reflect, and take action
🌟 A warm, conversational tone that feels like talking to a wise mentor—not a motivational speaker
👉What I truly appreciated was the emphasis on leading self before leading others. Pavan encourages you to dig deep—to reflect on what energizes you, what drains you, and what truly matters. The result? A shift in perspective from surviving your job to intentionally designing your journey.
👉 If you’ve ever felt lost in the noise of today’s fast-paced career world or struggled to balance passion with practicality—this book is the compass you need. It’s not about finding the perfect career. It’s about creating it, one mindful decision at a time.
👉“Your career is too important to be left to chance. Design it with purpose.” — Pavan Soni
📚 A must-read for anyone ready to take ownership of their professional path. Highly recommended!
Happy reading 😁 😁
#bookreview
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉Design Your Career isn’t your typical career advice book filled with rigid steps or one-size-fits-all paths. Instead, Pavan Soni offers a refreshingly thoughtful, honest, and human approach to navigating today’s ever-evolving work landscape. Whether you’re a fresh graduate, a mid-career professional, or someone simply feeling stuck—this book meets you where you are and helps you design a career that feels intentional and fulfilling.
👉Pavan, through insights gained from conducting 550+ workshops across 175+ organizations in 5 countries, understands that careers today are nonlinear, uncertain, and deeply personal. He shows us that instead of climbing someone else's ladder, we should design our own—with creativity, reflection, and purpose.
👉What sets this book apart:
🌟 Practical tools like the ITC model (Ignore, Tolerate, Confront)
🌟 Insights into modern career trends: freelancing, side hustles, moonlighting, etc.
🌟 Real-life examples featuring icons like Bruce Lee, Dr. Abdul Kalam, and Rafael Nadal
🌟 Exercises that nudge you to pause, reflect, and take action
🌟 A warm, conversational tone that feels like talking to a wise mentor—not a motivational speaker
👉What I truly appreciated was the emphasis on leading self before leading others. Pavan encourages you to dig deep—to reflect on what energizes you, what drains you, and what truly matters. The result? A shift in perspective from surviving your job to intentionally designing your journey.
👉 If you’ve ever felt lost in the noise of today’s fast-paced career world or struggled to balance passion with practicality—this book is the compass you need. It’s not about finding the perfect career. It’s about creating it, one mindful decision at a time.
👉“Your career is too important to be left to chance. Design it with purpose.” — Pavan Soni
📚 A must-read for anyone ready to take ownership of their professional path. Highly recommended!
Happy reading 😁 😁
#bookreview
June 2, 2025
I recently read *Design Your Career* by Pavan Soni, and it’s a thought-provoking guide for navigating today’s dynamic career landscape. As someone grappling with the overwhelming array of modern work options—freelancing, gig work, solopreneurship, and more—I found Pavan’s insights both grounding and empowering. The book draws from his extensive experience conducting 550 workshops across 175 organizations, offering a practical framework to help individuals align their careers with personal fulfillment.
Pavan's core argument is that human talent is underutilized, and he tackles this by demystifying career planning through design thinking principles. His approach is refreshingly systematic, breaking down the process into tools and frameworks that encourage self-reflection and proactive decision-making. I particularly appreciated the emphasis on adapting to new-age work models like remote work and moonlighting, which felt relevant to my own career crossroads. The real-world anecdotes from his workshops added credibility and relatability, though I occasionally wanted deeper dives into specific success stories.
What sets this book apart is its optimistic yet pragmatic tone. Pavan doesn’t sugarcoat the chaos of today’s job market but offers clarity through structured exercises and mindsets that anyone can apply. I found myself rethinking my career priorities, especially after trying some of the suggested tools for mapping out long-term goals. However, the book could have benefited from more focus on practical steps for transitioning between vastly different career paths, as the advice sometimes felt broad.
Overall, *Design Your Career* is a valuable read for anyone feeling lost in the modern work world. It’s not just about finding a job but about crafting a meaningful career. I’d recommend it to professionals, students, or anyone seeking direction in a time of endless possibilities.
Pavan's core argument is that human talent is underutilized, and he tackles this by demystifying career planning through design thinking principles. His approach is refreshingly systematic, breaking down the process into tools and frameworks that encourage self-reflection and proactive decision-making. I particularly appreciated the emphasis on adapting to new-age work models like remote work and moonlighting, which felt relevant to my own career crossroads. The real-world anecdotes from his workshops added credibility and relatability, though I occasionally wanted deeper dives into specific success stories.
What sets this book apart is its optimistic yet pragmatic tone. Pavan doesn’t sugarcoat the chaos of today’s job market but offers clarity through structured exercises and mindsets that anyone can apply. I found myself rethinking my career priorities, especially after trying some of the suggested tools for mapping out long-term goals. However, the book could have benefited from more focus on practical steps for transitioning between vastly different career paths, as the advice sometimes felt broad.
Overall, *Design Your Career* is a valuable read for anyone feeling lost in the modern work world. It’s not just about finding a job but about crafting a meaningful career. I’d recommend it to professionals, students, or anyone seeking direction in a time of endless possibilities.
September 26, 2025
Design Your Career by Pavan Soni is a deeply insightful book blended with personal and professional wisdom coming from the author's keen research on the topics of career development and personal growth. Divided into 6 insightful Chapters, this book takes us on a journey of uncovering the best career options based on your skills, Preferences and Passion. In today's world where career opportunities are flooding with multiple options like - Corporate jobs, Freelancing, Entrepreneurship etc. This book stands out as a guide which not only helps you understand the basics of selecting a suitable career path for yourself but it also helps you build a strong mindset which certainly impacts your professional and personal lives.
One of my favourite aspects of this book was its realistic tone and significant lessons shared in between the chapters. The author shares real life examples of how some famous personalities built a career based on their skills and passion and not on the basis of what others were doing. The author urges the readers to believe in themselves and craft a career for them which aids them on a long term basis and brings fulfilment to their lives. Woven from the experiences gained through around 550 workshops at over 175 organizations, Pavan's Commendable research helps you in taking your professional career's growth to the next level.
Overall, Design Your Career is an inspirational read presenting readers with the themes of Self- Development, Career Growth, Transformation, Motivation and Faith. The Author encourages readers to delve deeper into finding the best career options for them through practical methods provided in the book which can certainly help them discover a long term beneficial career option. In conclusion, I will highly recommend This book to all those individuals who are looking for an impactful yet significant personal development book to read.
One of my favourite aspects of this book was its realistic tone and significant lessons shared in between the chapters. The author shares real life examples of how some famous personalities built a career based on their skills and passion and not on the basis of what others were doing. The author urges the readers to believe in themselves and craft a career for them which aids them on a long term basis and brings fulfilment to their lives. Woven from the experiences gained through around 550 workshops at over 175 organizations, Pavan's Commendable research helps you in taking your professional career's growth to the next level.
Overall, Design Your Career is an inspirational read presenting readers with the themes of Self- Development, Career Growth, Transformation, Motivation and Faith. The Author encourages readers to delve deeper into finding the best career options for them through practical methods provided in the book which can certainly help them discover a long term beneficial career option. In conclusion, I will highly recommend This book to all those individuals who are looking for an impactful yet significant personal development book to read.
May 29, 2025
I recently read a book called Design Your Career by Pavan Soni. It’s not a storybook or a fiction novel. It’s more like a guidebook that talks directly to people like us — those who are confused about what to do in life, or feeling stuck in their job, or wondering if they’re on the right path. The book feels like a heart-to-heart talk with a wise elder who has seen life and wants to share what actually matters.
The author explains how, in today’s fast-moving world, people are running without knowing where they want to go. Many of us choose careers because of family pressure, fear of failure, money, or what others are doing. Dr. Pavan Soni breaks this down in simple language and makes you think about your own reason for working. He says people either work out of fear, greed, love, or duty — and figuring out your reason is the first step to finding peace in your career.
What I liked most is how he uses real-life stories of people like Bruce Lee, APJ Abdul Kalam, and Rafael Nadal to explain his points. These are famous names, but their struggles were like ours. They had doubts, they made mistakes, and they kept moving. The book gives clear, simple advice like how to ignore useless things, how to pick your battles, and how to stop wasting energy on things you can't control. The ‘Ignore, Tolerate, Confront’ rule he shared really made sense to me, and I’ve started using it in my own daily life.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who feels lost or restless about their job or career. It’s easy to read, simple to understand, and makes you think about your own choices in a calm way. It won’t magically fix your problems, but it will help you look at them differently and give you a way to deal with them better. A very useful and thoughtful book for today’s young people and working adults.
The author explains how, in today’s fast-moving world, people are running without knowing where they want to go. Many of us choose careers because of family pressure, fear of failure, money, or what others are doing. Dr. Pavan Soni breaks this down in simple language and makes you think about your own reason for working. He says people either work out of fear, greed, love, or duty — and figuring out your reason is the first step to finding peace in your career.
What I liked most is how he uses real-life stories of people like Bruce Lee, APJ Abdul Kalam, and Rafael Nadal to explain his points. These are famous names, but their struggles were like ours. They had doubts, they made mistakes, and they kept moving. The book gives clear, simple advice like how to ignore useless things, how to pick your battles, and how to stop wasting energy on things you can't control. The ‘Ignore, Tolerate, Confront’ rule he shared really made sense to me, and I’ve started using it in my own daily life.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who feels lost or restless about their job or career. It’s easy to read, simple to understand, and makes you think about your own choices in a calm way. It won’t magically fix your problems, but it will help you look at them differently and give you a way to deal with them better. A very useful and thoughtful book for today’s young people and working adults.
July 18, 2025
Design Your Career is a guide to help you take control of your professional life. In today's world, with so many career options like freelancing, remote work, and entrepreneurship, it's easy to feel lost. Dr. Pavan Soni, through his experience of conducting over 550 workshops across five countries, observed that many people are not fully utilizing their talents. This book aims to provide clarity and tools to design a fulfilling career path.
Key Lessons from the Book
⭐Life Is Long, Pace It Well: Don't rush your career decisions. Understand that it's okay to take time to find your true calling.
⭐Know Your Prime Mover: Identify what drives you—fear, greed, duty, or love. Understanding this can help align your career choices with your inner motivations.
⭐ Own Your Career: Take responsibility for your career path. Don't let others make decisions for you.
⭐Focus on High-Leverage Activities: Concentrate on tasks that have the most significant impact on your goals.
⭐ Think Strategically, Act Decisively: Plan thoughtfully and take bold actions when necessary.
⭐Leadership Is a Choice: Leadership isn't about titles; it's about taking initiative and guiding others.
Reading this book made me reflect on my own career choices. I realized that I often made decisions based on fear—fear of failure or missing out. The concept of identifying my "prime mover" helped me understand my motivations better. It encouraged me to pursue work that I love rather than what I fear losing.
I highly recommend Design Your Career to anyone feeling uncertain about their professional journey. Whether you're just starting out, considering a career change, or seeking more fulfillment in your current role, this book offers practical advice and insights to help you navigate your path with confidence.
Key Lessons from the Book
⭐Life Is Long, Pace It Well: Don't rush your career decisions. Understand that it's okay to take time to find your true calling.
⭐Know Your Prime Mover: Identify what drives you—fear, greed, duty, or love. Understanding this can help align your career choices with your inner motivations.
⭐ Own Your Career: Take responsibility for your career path. Don't let others make decisions for you.
⭐Focus on High-Leverage Activities: Concentrate on tasks that have the most significant impact on your goals.
⭐ Think Strategically, Act Decisively: Plan thoughtfully and take bold actions when necessary.
⭐Leadership Is a Choice: Leadership isn't about titles; it's about taking initiative and guiding others.
Reading this book made me reflect on my own career choices. I realized that I often made decisions based on fear—fear of failure or missing out. The concept of identifying my "prime mover" helped me understand my motivations better. It encouraged me to pursue work that I love rather than what I fear losing.
I highly recommend Design Your Career to anyone feeling uncertain about their professional journey. Whether you're just starting out, considering a career change, or seeking more fulfillment in your current role, this book offers practical advice and insights to help you navigate your path with confidence.
July 23, 2025
"Design Your Career: Lead Self, Lead Others, Lead Change" by Pavan Soni is a timely and insightful book that addresses the challenges of navigating modern careers. With the rise of new-age engagement models like freelancing, gig-workforce, and remote work, individuals are faced with a plethora of options, but often lack guidance on how to make informed decisions.
Soni's book is a culmination of his extensive experience, having conducted over 550 workshops across 175 organizations in five countries. Through his work, he has identified that human talent is grossly underutilized, and seeks to empower readers with the tools and frameworks needed to unlock their full potential.
The book is divided into three key sections: *Lead Self*, *Lead Others*, and *Lead Change*. These sections provide a comprehensive roadmap for individuals to take control of their careers, develop leadership skills, and drive meaningful change in their professional lives.Throughout the book, he shares practical strategies, real-life examples, and actionable advice to help readers navigate the complexities of modern careers. He emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, effective communication, and strategic planning in achieving career fulfillment.
Overall, Design Your Career is a must-read for anyone seeking to take control of their professional life, develop leadership skills, and achieve career fulfillment. With its unique blend of practical advice, real-life examples, and actionable strategies, this book is sure to inspire and empower readers to reach their full potential.
If you're looking for a comprehensive guide to navigating modern careers, "Design Your Career" is an excellent choice. Whether you're just starting out or looking to transition to a new role, this book provides valuable insights, practical strategies, and actionable advice to help you achieve your career goals.
Soni's book is a culmination of his extensive experience, having conducted over 550 workshops across 175 organizations in five countries. Through his work, he has identified that human talent is grossly underutilized, and seeks to empower readers with the tools and frameworks needed to unlock their full potential.
The book is divided into three key sections: *Lead Self*, *Lead Others*, and *Lead Change*. These sections provide a comprehensive roadmap for individuals to take control of their careers, develop leadership skills, and drive meaningful change in their professional lives.Throughout the book, he shares practical strategies, real-life examples, and actionable advice to help readers navigate the complexities of modern careers. He emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, effective communication, and strategic planning in achieving career fulfillment.
Overall, Design Your Career is a must-read for anyone seeking to take control of their professional life, develop leadership skills, and achieve career fulfillment. With its unique blend of practical advice, real-life examples, and actionable strategies, this book is sure to inspire and empower readers to reach their full potential.
If you're looking for a comprehensive guide to navigating modern careers, "Design Your Career" is an excellent choice. Whether you're just starting out or looking to transition to a new role, this book provides valuable insights, practical strategies, and actionable advice to help you achieve your career goals.
July 31, 2025
This book guides the reader on how to discover your interests, systematically analyse your options, take tough decisions, navigate uncertainties, course correct and inspire others to follow their passions, meaningfully. It sheds light on passion, though: passion is blind.
The book has six chapters, each offering a specific insight on how to shape your thinking and harness it to build a rewarding career, as an individual contributor, as a manager and as a leader. Each chapter has sub-sections detailing key concepts, with associated models and relevant examples.
Quote from the book that piqued me:
"Live content with small means; seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion. Be worthy, not respectable, wealthy, not rich; study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never."
The book gleans insights from the realms of history, psychology, sociology, medicine, politics, sports, military, business, economics, arts, music, entertainment and spirituality to offer you a nudge on how to think better, live better and make an impact on people around you.
I particularly liked how much emphasis was placed on adapting to cutting-edge work models like working from home and moonlighting, which seemed to be relevant to my own career transition. Although I occasionally desired deeper dives into specific success stories, his workshops' real-world anecdotes added credibility and relatability.
Overall, Pavan Soni's "Design Your Career" is a must-read for anyone feeling lost or overwhelmed by the plethora of career options today. This book serves as a guiding light for navigating career chaos and uncertainty in a world where work-from-home, freelancing, gig jobs, and entrepreneurship have become the new normal.
The book has six chapters, each offering a specific insight on how to shape your thinking and harness it to build a rewarding career, as an individual contributor, as a manager and as a leader. Each chapter has sub-sections detailing key concepts, with associated models and relevant examples.
Quote from the book that piqued me:
"Live content with small means; seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion. Be worthy, not respectable, wealthy, not rich; study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never."
The book gleans insights from the realms of history, psychology, sociology, medicine, politics, sports, military, business, economics, arts, music, entertainment and spirituality to offer you a nudge on how to think better, live better and make an impact on people around you.
I particularly liked how much emphasis was placed on adapting to cutting-edge work models like working from home and moonlighting, which seemed to be relevant to my own career transition. Although I occasionally desired deeper dives into specific success stories, his workshops' real-world anecdotes added credibility and relatability.
Overall, Pavan Soni's "Design Your Career" is a must-read for anyone feeling lost or overwhelmed by the plethora of career options today. This book serves as a guiding light for navigating career chaos and uncertainty in a world where work-from-home, freelancing, gig jobs, and entrepreneurship have become the new normal.
July 27, 2025
📖 Book Review | Design Your Career by Dr. Pavan Soni
Some books come to you at the right time. Design Your Career felt like one of them.
I didn’t read this book in one sitting. I paused a lot. Not because it was hard to understand, but because it made me think about my own life. My choices. The paths I’ve taken without really asking myself if they were right for me.
This book doesn’t shout advice. It speaks quietly, like a friend who truly wants you to grow. Dr. Pavan Soni doesn’t tell you what to do — he gently shows you how to understand yourself better.
He divides the book into three parts — Lead Self, Lead Others, Lead Change. That order stayed with me. Because how can we lead anything if we haven’t first understood ourselves? It’s not just about careers, honestly. It’s about who you are and what kind of life you want to build.
There were parts that felt like someone was finally saying the things I’ve been thinking for so long. About feeling stuck. About pretending to be okay. About following a path just because everyone else is. The ITC model — Ignore, Tolerate, Confront — made me ask myself some hard but needed questions.
What I really loved is how the book gives space. It’s not fast-paced or preachy. It lets you breathe. It doesn’t make you feel bad for being confused. It simply reminds you that it’s okay to pause, to reflect, and to start again. And again. And again.
I didn’t feel like I was reading a “career book.” I felt like I was having a slow, healing conversation — with someone who’s walked this road and understands how messy it can be.
This book doesn’t promise to fix everything. But it gives you the tools to slowly understand your direction. And in today’s noisy world, that itself is a gift.
Rating: 5/5⭐
Some books come to you at the right time. Design Your Career felt like one of them.
I didn’t read this book in one sitting. I paused a lot. Not because it was hard to understand, but because it made me think about my own life. My choices. The paths I’ve taken without really asking myself if they were right for me.
This book doesn’t shout advice. It speaks quietly, like a friend who truly wants you to grow. Dr. Pavan Soni doesn’t tell you what to do — he gently shows you how to understand yourself better.
He divides the book into three parts — Lead Self, Lead Others, Lead Change. That order stayed with me. Because how can we lead anything if we haven’t first understood ourselves? It’s not just about careers, honestly. It’s about who you are and what kind of life you want to build.
There were parts that felt like someone was finally saying the things I’ve been thinking for so long. About feeling stuck. About pretending to be okay. About following a path just because everyone else is. The ITC model — Ignore, Tolerate, Confront — made me ask myself some hard but needed questions.
What I really loved is how the book gives space. It’s not fast-paced or preachy. It lets you breathe. It doesn’t make you feel bad for being confused. It simply reminds you that it’s okay to pause, to reflect, and to start again. And again. And again.
I didn’t feel like I was reading a “career book.” I felt like I was having a slow, healing conversation — with someone who’s walked this road and understands how messy it can be.
This book doesn’t promise to fix everything. But it gives you the tools to slowly understand your direction. And in today’s noisy world, that itself is a gift.
Rating: 5/5⭐
October 7, 2025
INTRO:-
Pavan Soni’s “Design Your Career: Lead Self, Lead Others, Lead Change” is a powerful and practical guide for anyone determined to take control of their career in a rapidly evolving world.
SUMMARY:-
After working with tons of organizations (seriously, over 175!) and leading more than 550 workshops, Soni brings a really cool perspective to the table: he mixes design thinking with career strategy. Basically, he wants you to see your career as a creative adventure—a journey that needs you to really know yourself, try new things, and never stop learning.
ANALYSIS:-
What I loved about this book is that it's packed with real stories and super practical frameworks that take the stress out of those tricky career decisions. It doesn't try to sell you some magic formula for success. Instead, it gives you the tools to build a career that actually means something to you, personally.
KEY INSIGHTS:-
Soni's ideas really resonated with me. Things like "Your curiosity shapes your destiny" and "Careers are designed, not discovered" – they're so true! He really nails the idea that it's all about being flexible, always learning, and finding work that fuels your purpose.
PERSONAL RESPONSE:-
Honestly, I found this book incredibly relatable and inspiring. It's not about climbing the corporate ladder just for the sake of it. It's about finding that sweet spot where your passion meets your professional growth. It really got me thinking!
RECOMMENDATION:-
Seriously, if you're a student, a working professional, or even a leader who's feeling a bit lost or wants to inject some creativity into their career, you need to read this. It's a game-changer for finding clarity and a fresh perspective on your path.
Pavan Soni’s “Design Your Career: Lead Self, Lead Others, Lead Change” is a powerful and practical guide for anyone determined to take control of their career in a rapidly evolving world.
SUMMARY:-
After working with tons of organizations (seriously, over 175!) and leading more than 550 workshops, Soni brings a really cool perspective to the table: he mixes design thinking with career strategy. Basically, he wants you to see your career as a creative adventure—a journey that needs you to really know yourself, try new things, and never stop learning.
ANALYSIS:-
What I loved about this book is that it's packed with real stories and super practical frameworks that take the stress out of those tricky career decisions. It doesn't try to sell you some magic formula for success. Instead, it gives you the tools to build a career that actually means something to you, personally.
KEY INSIGHTS:-
Soni's ideas really resonated with me. Things like "Your curiosity shapes your destiny" and "Careers are designed, not discovered" – they're so true! He really nails the idea that it's all about being flexible, always learning, and finding work that fuels your purpose.
PERSONAL RESPONSE:-
Honestly, I found this book incredibly relatable and inspiring. It's not about climbing the corporate ladder just for the sake of it. It's about finding that sweet spot where your passion meets your professional growth. It really got me thinking!
RECOMMENDATION:-
Seriously, if you're a student, a working professional, or even a leader who's feeling a bit lost or wants to inject some creativity into their career, you need to read this. It's a game-changer for finding clarity and a fresh perspective on your path.
July 18, 2025
Design Your Career: Lead Self, Lead Others, Lead Change by Dr. Pavan Soni is a book packed with wisdom and life lessons we rarely learn in schools 🎓. It teaches us how to design a career that isn’t controlled by others but led by us. In today’s time, when people are chasing job titles, salaries, and social media validation, this book reminds you to first know yourself before you start running in the rat race.
The book talks about several meaningful ideas. One of my favourites is the concept of “ITC — Ignore, Tolerate, Confront” ⚙️. It says we don’t have to react to everything life throws at us. Learn to ignore what doesn’t matter, tolerate what’s unavoidable, and confront only when necessary. This one rule has honestly made my everyday life a lot easier — from office politics to social media negativity, I’ve started applying ITC everywhere.
Another highlight is the chapter about Prime Movers — fear, greed, duty, or love 💖. It made me realise that my decisions were often influenced by fear of missing out or duty towards others’ expectations. This book helped me pause and think — what do I truly want? It feels good to be reminded that it’s okay to be selfish sometimes, to prioritise yourself.
I feel this book is not just for people looking for job advice. It’s for anyone confused about their life’s direction. It makes you introspect, motivates you to be bold, and teaches you how to stay calm in chaos 🌿. I would happily gift this book to my younger cousins and friends starting their careers. A must-read 📖✨!
The book talks about several meaningful ideas. One of my favourites is the concept of “ITC — Ignore, Tolerate, Confront” ⚙️. It says we don’t have to react to everything life throws at us. Learn to ignore what doesn’t matter, tolerate what’s unavoidable, and confront only when necessary. This one rule has honestly made my everyday life a lot easier — from office politics to social media negativity, I’ve started applying ITC everywhere.
Another highlight is the chapter about Prime Movers — fear, greed, duty, or love 💖. It made me realise that my decisions were often influenced by fear of missing out or duty towards others’ expectations. This book helped me pause and think — what do I truly want? It feels good to be reminded that it’s okay to be selfish sometimes, to prioritise yourself.
I feel this book is not just for people looking for job advice. It’s for anyone confused about their life’s direction. It makes you introspect, motivates you to be bold, and teaches you how to stay calm in chaos 🌿. I would happily gift this book to my younger cousins and friends starting their careers. A must-read 📖✨!
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