Take the Leap: Change Your Career, Change Your Life

by Sara Bliss

A road map for landing your dream job.

Take the Leap features inspiration and advice from more than sixty-five people who transformed their lives—and with this guide, so can you. These are game changers, rule breakers, and side hustlers who once stood where you are now, wondering if they should take a risk. They went from production assistant to million-dollar screenplay writer; attorney to surf instructor; mom to DJ; hairdresser to firefighter; real estate agent to award-winning chef.

Do you want to go for that career you’ve always dreamed about? Launch a new company? Become a tech mogul? Live a life of adventure? Save the world? You’ll find wisdom from successful mentors like creative visionary and writer Simon Doonan, entrepreneur Barbara Corcoran, NFL player turned artist/activist Aaron Maybin, and wellness and beauty guru Bobbi Brown.

This is a career guide for today’s ever-changing job market. Thinking about your own next chapter? Take the leap.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Business, Audiobook, Inspirational

256 pages, Hardcover

Published December 4, 2018

About the author

Sara Bliss is a Forbes Contributor, NY Times Bestselling writer and the author/co-author/or ghostwriter of 11 books including Hotel Chic at Home. Her latest, Take the Leap proves that it's not too late to chase your dreams, change up your life, hit it big, and go for it.

Sara has made countless leaps of her own going from short order cook to auction house assistant to magazine scribe to to branding/content advisor to ghostwriter to book author. She has covered a wide range of topics including design, travel, profiles, celebrities, hotels, beauty, health and business.

Sara is the co-author of three bestselling books with beauty and wellness guru Bobbi Brown including Beauty From The Inside Out. Her work has appeared in Travel & Leisure, Town & Country, Refinery 29, and The Wall Street Journal.

Reviews

[Mai M Ibrahim · Rating 4 out of 5]

عرفت الكتاب بالصدفة ومبسوطة أنه كان متاح ف المكتبة العامة
حلو اوي وف كمية تحفيز ع النجاح جميل اوي 😍

خلصته ف يوم واحد من حلاوته

هو عبارة عن مقالات قصيرة عن ناس نجحت ف تغيير مسار شغلها لحاجه بتحبها وبتجيب فلوس ..بتصميم لطيف وأسلوب بسيط كأنه blog

حقيقى كتاب جميل وبيديك افكار حلوة للشغل عامة

اكيد ف قصص كانت بالنسبة لي مملة ف كنت بعديها بس برضوا كانت ف قصص ملهمة وحلوة اوي اكيد هتفضل معلقة شويه معايا 😌✨

[Steve · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unrealistic book written by someone with very little respect for the reader or knowledge of how the world even works. The new ‘career’ choices are not the type that are often encountered or could even provide a living. Absolutely pie in the sky kind of stuff, idealistic to the point of embarrassment. In fact I’m embarrassed I bought it. One chapter was a leap into becoming a ‘tarot card reader’. Gimme a break!

[Genevieve Trono · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take the Leap arrived at the perfect time for me. I love self-help books but often find that they can be a little unrelatable with just the author's viewpoint. This book took a completely different approach of sharing dozens of stories of career pivots from all different perspectives and career paths. I am a big fan of listening to NPR's podcast How I Built This with Guy Raz and this book was similar in the way of sharing different entrepreneurs (often rocky) paths to success.

As a creative who has recently made a career pivot, I was excite to read this new book by Sara Bliss. I found the stories to be so relatable and I found myself nodding my head along in agreement with so many parts. Overcoming self-doubt can be such a hurdle for so many, myself included, and it is often hard to take the path less followed. Often, what you are leaving behind was something that was lucrative and something you worked and trained many years for.

For many, the switch they were making focused around a hobby that they were passionate about and wanted to turn into a career. Often, this can cause friends and family to question why you would make this untraditional change in your career trajectory. I loved the advice of surrounding yourself with the right people and always people who were focused on bettering themselves and moving forward, even if their path was sometimes rocky. No one gets where they are going if they don't start. Making a move is your first step and if you are waiting to be ready or have your concept "perfected" you will never get going. These 65 people who shared their journeys did not just dream it, they did it. I recommend this book to those looking for inspiration or just wanted to hear stories of people who followed their own unique and unexpected pivots to career success.

Thanks to NetGalley and Touchstone for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up at the right time as I'm currently thinking about a career change on top of thinking about relocation and dealing with all the uncertainty/anxiety that comes with both things. I liked the "pitch to practice" way this book was done, sharing advice from many people but also providing real world applications on how to go about accomplishing a career change in various fields, it wasnt a typical "preachy" read. Liked this book alot and gave me alot to think about, definitely recommend.

[Leslie · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a vapid slog (mostly). Leaping from a position of magnificent resources: wealth, connections, prestige, Ivy League education, and trading it for a perpetual adventure that is dubbed a "career" is neither inspiring nor helpful. I don't need stories of how a movie company president "pivoted" (a noxious buzzword overused in the text) into charity work. That moved me not 1 inch, particularly with constant mentions of how tough it is to live in a 3rd world country. Ugh.

Magazine editor in chief to inn keeper? Check that, hotelier, offered me nothing. This was like a fluff piece in People about "Look at how these well-connected, urban, rich people decided to earn less money doing stuff to "find themselves". All while reminding the reader about attending the Academy Awards, owning multiple homes across the globe, and trading that to *gasp!* price out health insurance.

These stories are worth telling....but not in a book selling itself as motivation for a career change. I'm not in the NFL. I'm not on TV. I'm middle everything looking for usable info and relatable inspiration to "pivot" into a different middle something.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I have recreated my profession a few times in life and considering doing it again, I thought this book would have some interesting perspective. While it was full of stories of many who pivoted their careers in totally different trajectories, it was not helpful for me in many ways. I will say it was helpful in that some of the quotes from these individuals switching their careers were poignant and note worthy. Sometimes we just need a really good quote or story to remind us that anything is possible, revitalize where we are going or simply to give us a clarity that we might not have known prior to reading this book.

[Jo’Nae Olds · Rating 3 out of 5]

if i did not specify i had chosen this book as part of my professional development plan for work, i would not have finished this book. a lot of the career explorations and experiences were not applicable to my trajectory. even if they were applicable, it lacked a lot of tangible strategies for career development. and while everyone has a different path and will reach their aspirations in many different ways, there are some common experiences with taking a leap that i wish were discussed. for example, imposter syndrome, maintaining financial stability, or even taking a leap within your specific profession.

[Joseph Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book for anyone that needs a push into the unknown!

[Barred Owl Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take the Leap is the go-to book for anyone making a career change.

Take the Leap features inspiration and advice from game changers, rule breakers, and side hustlers who once stood where you are now, wondering if they should take a risk. They went from production assistant to million-dollar screenplay writer; attorney to surf instructor; mom to DJ; hairdresser to firefighter; real estate agent to award-winning chef.

Do you want to go for that career you’ve always dreamed about? Launch a new company? Become a tech mogul? Live a life of adventure? Save the world? You’ll find wisdom from successful mentors like creative visionary and writer Simon Doonan, entrepreneur Barbara Corcoran, NFL player turned artist/activist Aaron Maybin, and wellness and beauty guru Bobbi Brown.

Whether you watch Shark Tank religiously and think I could have thought of that, or harbor daydreams about traveling the globe in style, your wildest career dream is represented in this empowering guidebook. Take the Leap serves as the reminder we all need: don’t settle—go after whatever it is that you truly want.

[Madi Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t love the writing style but a pretty quick read and interesting to hear others’ stories!

[Liusmiler323 · Rating 2 out of 5]

not very helpful, just some stories, no analysis, no consolidation. This may be the easiest book for the author to write.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked it up at a Five Below store for a couple of bucks. It was like reading a bunch of magazine articles about people who’ve changed their careers. Somewhat interesting, a few decent ideas in there.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and found it super inspiring because it approached changing your life and career path in a very practical way. You actually read how these people made the change, the challenges they went through, as opposed to the instant success you often read about. It’s inspiring me to make small changes and keep focusing on goals instead of thinking they’re too out there.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book during the month of October in 2019. This is the month that my mother-in-law died, sending me into a deep depression. I let this book sit unopened until late November 2019. They say that some of the best things come in small packages. While this book is only 252 pages, it really does pack a wallop. Reading the stories of other people accomplishing their dreams, even in some of the wildest (to me) ways, makes my dreams seem a little more achievable. Dare I say, possible.

It is now January 2020, and I am only now getting to writing a review for this book. If you need help seeing that the possibilities are out there, this book is for you. If you need help looking at ways that are outside of the box to get there, this book is for you. This book doesn't simply talk about other people doing amazing things. It also gives you steps on how to get there, all in a colorful easy-to-read format.

This is definitely a book that I plan on coming back to, once I figure out what I want to do when I grow up.

Full disclosure: I won this book in a Goodreads contest. Courtesy dictates that I write a review. This review is completely my own, and I have not received anything more than a copy of the book from both Goodreads & author Sara Bliss.

[Becki Iverson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really split on this book. I thought it was about how to plan a career jump and it really isn't, so I was disappointed with the mis-marketing. It's actually a collection of very short stories talking about other people's career changes and how they made them. I found those to be interesting, especially as most of the career shifts were pretty profound and transcended truly disparate industries. There was some value in reading those and definitely inspiration, I just couldn't quite get the full value out of this book that I intended to when I added it to my list. Could be a good add for someone thinking of a change in work, but it's also fluffy - so keep that in mind.

[Chris Elia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. So inspiring, and so upbeat about people finding their way to their dreams from wherever they are starting from. Sara captures both the nitty gritty mechanics (which I find so interesting) of how people got where they wanted to go, as well as some of the meta-struggles they each faced in their starting points. If you feel like you aren't quite (or at all...) close to what you want to be doing with your professional life, read it!!!!

[KR · Rating 2 out of 5]

99.9999 inspiration and .0001 practical information. Bliss writes engaging profiles, so it was fun reading about people who’ve made interesting career changes or segues. I jotted down some notes. But a “road map for landing your dream job,” like the promotional blurb says, is a huge over promise. Very fluffy compared to a book like “So Good They Can’t Ignore You.”

[Grete · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

This book has lots of little intros on people doing something creative with their lives and careers. I'd have to do more research on any of them to really understand them and what they did, but it's a good overview. Inspiring!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring. Bunch of normal people finding success in a wide array of different fields. What I liked about it is that success didnt mean the same thing for everyone in the book. Quick, easy read with 2-3 pages highlighting each person's story.

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not actively bad, but definitely not helpful. It's one of those "just work hard for years with no reward and you'll achieve your dreams!" books, the kind that tries to hype you up without acknowledging any of the priviledges and/or luck that allow people to live without making money. Yawn.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

perfection - a must read also for current graduates!

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you looking to change your job or your career? "Take The Leap" by Sara Bliss is packed with inspirational stories.

First, the negative, that some other reviewers have mentioned ad nauseam. Yes, many people profiled in the book were financially successful in other careers or had family support (financial and emotional), allowing them to try something new without worrying about how to pay bills. However, the book is not subtitled "How to Change Your Career or Job Even Though You Can Barely Pay the Bills."

This book is about inspiration and provides real-life examples. Focus on the inspiration - let it inspire you. No one said pursuing your dream would be easy.

I'm not sure how I stumbled across this book, but I'm so glad I did. The author herself is a professional writer who took a leap and launched her own brand strategy agency in January 2020.

What I like about this book is that it features people from different walks of life, some of whom I know of and others I don't. The chapters are broken into short and concise sub-chapters, making the book easy to dip in and out of. It's organized into seven sections:

Unleash Your Creative Side
Launch Your Own Business
Choose Your Own Adventure
Give Back
Follow Your Bliss
Become a Wellness Warrior
Become a Professional Foodie

Unlike so many of these "follow your dream" books, the contents of this one are attractive and engaging. It's not all text or text with tables, which can be numbing to read. Intentional design was used so there are helpful pictures, graphics, and color. Plus, there are articles within the book that expound upon some of the interviewees' experiences, such as "Face Down Imposter Syndrome" and "So You Want to Write a Novel."

While I checked this out from my library, I may buy this book because I like it so much.

If you feel stuck or restless in your job or career, pick up this book and flip to a story that intrigues you. That's what I did. I didn't start on page one. I started with what interested me. Keep in mind that while someone's job or career change may not be the path you want, you may still be able to take something away from their story that you can apply to your path, your dream.

[Ashley]

I basically just got through the introduction so... My opinion is obviously very limited. But goodness. This book is just... Not for me. I don't want a job as a "creative" (absolutely nothing against that but dude, not interested 🤷🏻‍♀️) she's listening to a book that seems like it's going to ra-ra need through it by telling me stories of how other people managed to accomplish it... 😴😴
I'm sure this book will have it's audience, and there will undoubtedly be people who felt so inspired. But I feel like this is more likely just another mediocre book without enough real content, taking advantage of this self-help boom that really, probably, should just have been a TED Talk.
But again, I didn't actually make it past the first 10 minutes of the audio 🤷🏻‍♀️ I'm not actually at all interested in listening to person after person talk about how they left that job for this one 🤷🏻‍♀️ The book wasn't what I was expecting and the only real reason I'm bothering to mark it DNF is so I don't bother trying to read it again in the future.

[RoF · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy thanks to Goodreads.

The flexible and agreeable design of this book is a big contribution to the pleasure of reading it. You can take it with you anywhere and the colorful pages reinforce the fact that it is a feel-good list of short portraits of real people who have taken more or less bold steps to switch to a new work or occupation. Few pages are enough for each person to present their motives and success factors.
Additionally, there is an interesting variety of people, careers, ages and reasons for change.

On the downside, there are too many people measuring their success based on their bank account, doing superficial things or badly impacting the environment with travels to far flung destinations for rich people. It was refreshing to see the positive impact of some people really taking care of themselves, giving back and developping activities that foster the well being and protect our planet.

So you can be pretty sure that at least a couple of portraits will spark your interest and may lead to a bold jump in your own life ! Good luck !

[Melissa Koesel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and with that in mind, I wasn’t expecting anything out of it. Had I purchased it myself expecting career advice I may have been disappointed. There many different paths/options outlined, most of which are possibly unattainable to those that are trying to switch careers simply because they are unrealistic. I thought the book was simply a fun way to look at jobs you may never get to have. If you buy it for that and think of pie in the sky dream jobs,then it’s a fun read.

[nourmjouda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Motivational but Sometimes Repetitive: "Take the Leap" offers a plethora of motivational stories from people who have made successful career changes. Sara Bliss provides a diverse range of examples, which can be very encouraging for readers feeling stuck in their current jobs. However, some parts of the book felt a bit repetitive, and I found myself skimming through similar stories after a while. While the advice is solid, it sometimes lacks depth in terms of actionable steps. Overall, it’s a good read for initial motivation, but you might need additional resources for more detailed guidance.

[Tackela · Rating 3 out of 5]

An encouraging read

I liked how realistic this was. It wasn't hypothetical musings of how you could change your life but concrete examples. It also made it clear that sometimes you wont have it all together, you might take a pay cut or the road to success may be rocky. However, if you follow this path or even movr back onto the path you left, satisfaction and happiness with your work/career is possible.

[Kristi Becknell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was not what I thought it was going to be. It does go into individuals journeys of switching careers which I like to hear about people’s journeys but it was more like a memoir than actually learning how to do it yourself. Plus it is very Arts heavy, like going from being a stock broker to a DJ... lol honestly most of the stories were about privileged people who were well connected. So really that’s what I learned 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has some solid career and life advice, and I did take some nuggets of wisdom away, but I didn't enjoy reading it as much toward the end. Perhaps it was the fact that I knew each story was going to end in success (duh, it's a how to be successful book, silly) that made each of them feel like the same story being told over and over again.

I do think that this could have been a magazine spread or something, even the pages have the glossy feel of a magazine.

[Sylvie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Consumed via audiobook.

Anecdotes were nice...BUT, I got on Goodreads to comment on the narration. Because there were multiple narrators, the quality vacillated between acceptable to downright cringeworthy. They had a group of voice actors/actresses attempt British/Newfoundland/African accents that had no business doing so in the slightest. Distracting and off-putting.

But again, the actual content of the book was alright.