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Work That's Worth It: The Ambitious Professional's Guide for a High-Impact, High-Reward Career
Build a career that’s worthy of your valuable time
Did you know the average person spends 90,000 hours of their life working? That's a third of your adult life! What if you could use those hours to make a significant impact on the world AND earn a living?
In Work That's Worth It, Harvard MBA graduate Georgi Enthoven teaches you to turn your career into a powerful force for good and break free from the unnecessary choice between income or impact.
In this powerful book, you’ll discover:
-The Good Work Spiral: Create a virtuous cycle where your career benefits both you and the world, leading to growth and fulfillment.
-The 7 Cs of work that's worth it: Master the essential building blocks for a purposeful and rewarding career.
-Inspiring success stories: Draw motivation from social entrepreneurs, impact investors, and corporate innovators who solve real-world problems while building successful careers.
-Practical strategies: Assess your current career satisfaction, set clear goals, and align your work with your values to create a new perspective.
Whether you're a young professional feeling stuck between chasing a paycheck and pursuing your passion or wanting a clear direction for your work, this book offers the insights and tools to craft a career that's truly worth it.
Did you know the average person spends 90,000 hours of their life working? That's a third of your adult life! What if you could use those hours to make a significant impact on the world AND earn a living?
In Work That's Worth It, Harvard MBA graduate Georgi Enthoven teaches you to turn your career into a powerful force for good and break free from the unnecessary choice between income or impact.
In this powerful book, you’ll discover:
-The Good Work Spiral: Create a virtuous cycle where your career benefits both you and the world, leading to growth and fulfillment.
-The 7 Cs of work that's worth it: Master the essential building blocks for a purposeful and rewarding career.
-Inspiring success stories: Draw motivation from social entrepreneurs, impact investors, and corporate innovators who solve real-world problems while building successful careers.
-Practical strategies: Assess your current career satisfaction, set clear goals, and align your work with your values to create a new perspective.
Whether you're a young professional feeling stuck between chasing a paycheck and pursuing your passion or wanting a clear direction for your work, this book offers the insights and tools to craft a career that's truly worth it.
- GenresBusinessNonfiction
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 14, 2025
13 people are currently reading
1496 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 26, 2025
Nada como ser joven y creer que vas a cambiar al mundo.
August 7, 2025
As someone over 50, I didn’t expect this book to resonate with me as deeply as it did. From the moment I opened it, I couldn’t put it down—and finished it just two days later.
The book opens with a disarming question: “Is a fulfilling career too idealistic?” This immediately pulls you in, regardless of where you are in your professional journey. Whether you're reflecting on the past or contemplating your next chapter, the question is both grounding and provocative.
Then, without giving the reader time to recover, Georgi poses another striking question: “Can you really solve real problems in the world and experience personal growth and financial stability at the same time?” The hopeful tone of this inquiry challenges the long-standing notion that making a difference must come at the expense of financial security. Instead, she introduces a more optimistic tension: negotiating the balance between income and impact.
Many people I know reserve the idea of “impact” or “legacy” for later in life—once they’ve achieved financial stability. But early in the book, Georgi asks pointedly: “Do you want to wait for your second act to make a difference in the world?” This question lingers. What if we never get that second act? What if waiting robs us of the time or resources to truly contribute? The urgency becomes clear when Georgi references the staggering reality of workplace disengagement—suggesting a deeper need to connect with purpose much earlier in life.
Without hesitation, she asks: “What if you could use those 90,000 hours—the average person’s career—for something positive?” “Something that harnesses your talent and ambition?” “Something that is worth it for you and helps the world we live in?” By page six, the book had already challenged many of my long-held assumptions—that a career is primarily about earning a paycheck. Georgi proposes something richer, something that aligns with who you truly want to be.
Like the food you eat or the books you read, your work shapes you. So she urges: “You need to ask yourself: Who do you want to be?”“What about raising the bar for our 90,000 career hours?”
And that’s just the introduction.
One of the most powerful questions she poses is: “Who determines your impact?” Georgi generously offers an answer: we each do. Before I could fully process that, another question landed: “Do you want to embrace the privilege and opportunity to make a difference?”
I’ve listed many of these questions here intentionally—for my own reflection and hopefully to spark interest for other readers. The beauty of these questions is that they evolve with time. They aren’t meant to be answered once and shelved, but revisited as we grow.
What initially seems like an optional framework becomes essential when Georgi asks: “What if you embrace your right to be responsible—not as a duty, but as an exciting opportunity?” And then, to close the introduction: “How will you build a career that’s worth it?”
The second chapter opens with another compelling question, especially relevant for those just starting out: “What would your career look like if you solved a real problem in the world and had the security and satisfaction of a well-compensated job?” Each of these questions deserves deep contemplation. While it’s hard to reflect on them all at once, Georgi provides a clear framework to guide readers in finding their own answers.
She later asks: “What is one powerful step you can take—a big move you can make—to align your capabilities with the valuable work you want to do in the world?” I wish my mentors, teachers, or parents had asked me that question when I was younger. It sounds simple but carries profound implications.
The questions I’ve quoted are just a small sample of what makes this book compelling. Georgi not only presents an inspiring framework but also brings it to life through real stories—profiles of companies, entrepreneurs, and professionals across industries and countries, all navigating different stages of their careers. (Her podcast—named after the book—is also an excellent complement.)
Each question stands alone as a topic of reflection, but together they form a powerful journey of self-discovery. Perhaps the most foundational question is: “What are you here to do in the world?” This is one we should ask ourselves regularly, allowing the answer to evolve and challenge us to grow.
You can extend that reflection with: “What do you care about in the world?” and “What would you love to change about the world?”
The book closes with two more questions I hope readers keep close:
What personal mission would make sense for me? What can I try on as my personal mission for my career?
These 17 key questions aren’t just for those changing careers. They’re for anyone seeking alignment between what they do and who they are. Ignoring them would be a personal loss. Failing to revisit them over time could disconnect us from our true selves.
There’s only one point where I slightly diverge from the author. Georgi places strong emphasis on passion as the key to a meaningful career. Personally, I believe discipline plays an even more critical role. As her husband, I witnessed the discipline it took her to write this book—three years of effort, persistence, and commitment. Many days were not about passion, but about doing the work anyway.
Still, her passion is undeniable—and contagious. And when paired with discipline, it’s a force to be reckoned with.
I hope you find this review helpful—and more importantly, I hope you give yourself the gift of reading this book.
The book opens with a disarming question: “Is a fulfilling career too idealistic?” This immediately pulls you in, regardless of where you are in your professional journey. Whether you're reflecting on the past or contemplating your next chapter, the question is both grounding and provocative.
Then, without giving the reader time to recover, Georgi poses another striking question: “Can you really solve real problems in the world and experience personal growth and financial stability at the same time?” The hopeful tone of this inquiry challenges the long-standing notion that making a difference must come at the expense of financial security. Instead, she introduces a more optimistic tension: negotiating the balance between income and impact.
Many people I know reserve the idea of “impact” or “legacy” for later in life—once they’ve achieved financial stability. But early in the book, Georgi asks pointedly: “Do you want to wait for your second act to make a difference in the world?” This question lingers. What if we never get that second act? What if waiting robs us of the time or resources to truly contribute? The urgency becomes clear when Georgi references the staggering reality of workplace disengagement—suggesting a deeper need to connect with purpose much earlier in life.
Without hesitation, she asks: “What if you could use those 90,000 hours—the average person’s career—for something positive?” “Something that harnesses your talent and ambition?” “Something that is worth it for you and helps the world we live in?” By page six, the book had already challenged many of my long-held assumptions—that a career is primarily about earning a paycheck. Georgi proposes something richer, something that aligns with who you truly want to be.
Like the food you eat or the books you read, your work shapes you. So she urges: “You need to ask yourself: Who do you want to be?”“What about raising the bar for our 90,000 career hours?”
And that’s just the introduction.
One of the most powerful questions she poses is: “Who determines your impact?” Georgi generously offers an answer: we each do. Before I could fully process that, another question landed: “Do you want to embrace the privilege and opportunity to make a difference?”
I’ve listed many of these questions here intentionally—for my own reflection and hopefully to spark interest for other readers. The beauty of these questions is that they evolve with time. They aren’t meant to be answered once and shelved, but revisited as we grow.
What initially seems like an optional framework becomes essential when Georgi asks: “What if you embrace your right to be responsible—not as a duty, but as an exciting opportunity?” And then, to close the introduction: “How will you build a career that’s worth it?”
The second chapter opens with another compelling question, especially relevant for those just starting out: “What would your career look like if you solved a real problem in the world and had the security and satisfaction of a well-compensated job?” Each of these questions deserves deep contemplation. While it’s hard to reflect on them all at once, Georgi provides a clear framework to guide readers in finding their own answers.
She later asks: “What is one powerful step you can take—a big move you can make—to align your capabilities with the valuable work you want to do in the world?” I wish my mentors, teachers, or parents had asked me that question when I was younger. It sounds simple but carries profound implications.
The questions I’ve quoted are just a small sample of what makes this book compelling. Georgi not only presents an inspiring framework but also brings it to life through real stories—profiles of companies, entrepreneurs, and professionals across industries and countries, all navigating different stages of their careers. (Her podcast—named after the book—is also an excellent complement.)
Each question stands alone as a topic of reflection, but together they form a powerful journey of self-discovery. Perhaps the most foundational question is: “What are you here to do in the world?” This is one we should ask ourselves regularly, allowing the answer to evolve and challenge us to grow.
You can extend that reflection with: “What do you care about in the world?” and “What would you love to change about the world?”
The book closes with two more questions I hope readers keep close:
What personal mission would make sense for me? What can I try on as my personal mission for my career?
These 17 key questions aren’t just for those changing careers. They’re for anyone seeking alignment between what they do and who they are. Ignoring them would be a personal loss. Failing to revisit them over time could disconnect us from our true selves.
There’s only one point where I slightly diverge from the author. Georgi places strong emphasis on passion as the key to a meaningful career. Personally, I believe discipline plays an even more critical role. As her husband, I witnessed the discipline it took her to write this book—three years of effort, persistence, and commitment. Many days were not about passion, but about doing the work anyway.
Still, her passion is undeniable—and contagious. And when paired with discipline, it’s a force to be reckoned with.
I hope you find this review helpful—and more importantly, I hope you give yourself the gift of reading this book.
July 20, 2025
As someone going into university this fall, questions like “So what are you studying?” or “What do you want to?” inevitably make their way into most of my conversations with adults.
These questions feel daunting—not just because I’m only 18, but also because I’ve long perceived a rigid dichotomy between earning money and doing meaningful work. Work That’s Worth It helped shift that mindset. The author, Georgi Enthoven, has curated stories of impactful entrepreneurs who are doing good at scale. Reading about their journeys and motivations is deeply inspiring.
Now, instead of feeling claustrophobic by the boxes that my majors, internships, or current interests put me in, I feel empowered to imagine a future where purpose and sustainability can happen simultaneously. These individuals’ commitment to “making the world a better place” is so powerful that their work not only creates real impact but also brings in enough income to make their efforts sustainable. The author explains that giving repeatedly without income, regardless of its shape of form, has an expiration date. Especially in today’s alarming cost of living, burnout is inevitable if compensation is ignored.
I highly recommend Work That’s Worth It to young people who feel like they are blindly stepping into their future regarding careers, anyone struggling to find purpose in their current work, or those who are simply interested in reshaping how the next generation thinks about work and setting an new standard. This book reminds us that there is work that’s mutually worth it.
These questions feel daunting—not just because I’m only 18, but also because I’ve long perceived a rigid dichotomy between earning money and doing meaningful work. Work That’s Worth It helped shift that mindset. The author, Georgi Enthoven, has curated stories of impactful entrepreneurs who are doing good at scale. Reading about their journeys and motivations is deeply inspiring.
Now, instead of feeling claustrophobic by the boxes that my majors, internships, or current interests put me in, I feel empowered to imagine a future where purpose and sustainability can happen simultaneously. These individuals’ commitment to “making the world a better place” is so powerful that their work not only creates real impact but also brings in enough income to make their efforts sustainable. The author explains that giving repeatedly without income, regardless of its shape of form, has an expiration date. Especially in today’s alarming cost of living, burnout is inevitable if compensation is ignored.
I highly recommend Work That’s Worth It to young people who feel like they are blindly stepping into their future regarding careers, anyone struggling to find purpose in their current work, or those who are simply interested in reshaping how the next generation thinks about work and setting an new standard. This book reminds us that there is work that’s mutually worth it.
July 23, 2025
Leading Kardias, a nonprofit dedicated to saving children's lives in Mexico, has shown me the profound joy of finding fulfillment in my work. I was inspired and gained clarity by understanding my own capacities, which allowed me to align my purpose with meaningful action. Georgi Enthoven’s book Work That’s Worth It offers a practical framework to help others do the same—discovering not just a job but a true calling that brings both personal satisfaction and a lasting impact.
April 7, 2025
‘Work That's Worth It' is a must-read guide for young professionals seeking to deepen their career impact and self-awareness. As a realist, I found Georgi's idealistic yet grounded approach encouraging. She provides clear and practical pathways to understanding my professional place and purpose. Highly recommend.
February 24, 2025
As someone in her early twenties (I'm not 25 just yet) in graduate school, trying to make my path in the world, Work That's Worth It is exactly what I needed. If you’re looking to build a career that’s not just about the paycheck, but also about feeling good and making an impact, this book is for you.
Right to the point, the traditional “climb the corporate ladder” advice is overrated. Georgi gives readers the tools to actually find work that aligns with your values, creates real impact in the world and in the communities around you, and actually feels worth it. The book is practical and interactive and allowed me to reflect on what I truly think is my purpose for work in my life.
Georgi understands Gen Z and understands how important it is that we reject the corporate burnout life in favor of things that actually feel more purposeful, and gives practical advice on how to take control of your career in a way that feels good. I'm personally tired of the idea that in order to be something in this world, we have to work our asses off for corporations that don't understand us or think we're lazy or entitled for believing we are 1. made for more and 2. prioritizing ourselves, our families, our mental health, etc.
This book is definitely worth reading. It made me feel motivated, empowered, and inspired to make some changes in my work life.
Right to the point, the traditional “climb the corporate ladder” advice is overrated. Georgi gives readers the tools to actually find work that aligns with your values, creates real impact in the world and in the communities around you, and actually feels worth it. The book is practical and interactive and allowed me to reflect on what I truly think is my purpose for work in my life.
Georgi understands Gen Z and understands how important it is that we reject the corporate burnout life in favor of things that actually feel more purposeful, and gives practical advice on how to take control of your career in a way that feels good. I'm personally tired of the idea that in order to be something in this world, we have to work our asses off for corporations that don't understand us or think we're lazy or entitled for believing we are 1. made for more and 2. prioritizing ourselves, our families, our mental health, etc.
This book is definitely worth reading. It made me feel motivated, empowered, and inspired to make some changes in my work life.
April 28, 2025
How to find financially rewarding and meaningful career
A great read for those of us who wonder how to find financially rewarding careers that are also meaningful and align with one’s values. By giving us the tools to look inward, the author empowers us to look ahead by refocusing on our strengths. The book offers real life examples and practical strategies to leverage our strengths (who knew love of learning is a strength), communicate our capabilities without being salesy or boastful, build our network and find our community where we can be successful and impactful. This is also a great read in book clubs, as it invites us to seek input from friends who can help us view ourselves in new ways and find inspiring mentors and interest groups where we belong and thrive.
A great read for those of us who wonder how to find financially rewarding careers that are also meaningful and align with one’s values. By giving us the tools to look inward, the author empowers us to look ahead by refocusing on our strengths. The book offers real life examples and practical strategies to leverage our strengths (who knew love of learning is a strength), communicate our capabilities without being salesy or boastful, build our network and find our community where we can be successful and impactful. This is also a great read in book clubs, as it invites us to seek input from friends who can help us view ourselves in new ways and find inspiring mentors and interest groups where we belong and thrive.
July 8, 2025
This book goes in pretty deep on why one should work for love or for money. is worth the sacrifice of your family and happiness
July 28, 2025
Work That's Worth It" is the ultimate guide for young professionals and students ready to build careers that matter—without sacrificing their financial stability or burning out. Teaching graduate students, I see firsthand how today’s generation wants work that feels meaningful, makes a difference, and still pays the bills. Georgi Enthoven nails it with a mix of practical tools, real talk, and inspiring stories that show you how to align your strengths, values, and goals. This book is your go-to playbook for creating a career you love—one that works for you, the world, and your well-being.
July 22, 2025
Through Work That's Worth It, Georgi Enthoven has masterfully crafted a proven roadmap that demonstrates how to create both impact and income, weaving together inspiring stories of those who are already living it. By spearheading this transformative initiative, Georgi is equipping the leaders of today and tomorrow with the tools to achieve true fulfillment. The force for good behind this movement isn’t just inspiring—it’s destined to move mountains and change lives.
July 23, 2025
Something the world is in dire need of right now; Cannot recommend it enough for anyone with a career, business or goals for their future!
November 24, 2025
Loved this book, can't wait to start implementing some of these strategies, thank you so much for the ARC!
March 30, 2025
This book does focus on teaching you to turn your career into a powerful force for good and break free from the unnecessary choice between income or impact.
The author explores 7Cs of work that's worth it and each chapter covers these Cs and more, giving you exercises and journal prompts to review your understanding of the content. I love this approach of read, reflect and practice that this book employs. My absolute favorite has got to be chapter 5 which focuses on "Compensation," and asks the question "How would you like to be rewarded for your great work?" Because this is the one thing I struggle with- and just asking for better appreciation for my work is frightening.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.
The author explores 7Cs of work that's worth it and each chapter covers these Cs and more, giving you exercises and journal prompts to review your understanding of the content. I love this approach of read, reflect and practice that this book employs. My absolute favorite has got to be chapter 5 which focuses on "Compensation," and asks the question "How would you like to be rewarded for your great work?" Because this is the one thing I struggle with- and just asking for better appreciation for my work is frightening.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.
July 23, 2025
This book made me rethink how I approach work. It’s clear, honest, and full of practical advice. The real-life stories made it feel possible to build a career that’s both meaningful and sustainable. A great read if you're looking for more purpose in your work.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews