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Make Work Matter

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In the past decades, work has changed dramatically. Yet we are still sent into the new world of work with old, outdated tools, expectations, and strategies. This leaves us ill-equipped in our pursuit of meaningful work that will impact our communities and change the world. The result? Unmet expectations and unfulfilled longings. Not to mention curiosity about how to do the work we sense God calling us to.

Make Work Matter provides a blueprint for a better future. Filled with stories and insights from faithful entrepreneurs and built on solid research, this book will help you

- discover what God is calling you to do in a changing world
- define where you are in this season of work
- embrace what the Bible says (and doesn't say) about calling
- develop a mindset and habits suited for the new world of work
- reflect on and work out ways that sustain you on the journey

It's time to close the gap between what you're doing now and the meaningful work you desire to accomplish. This book will help you chart your own way forward.

256 pages, Paperback

Published November 9, 2021

15 people are currently reading
1077 people want to read

About the author

Michaela O'Donnell

3 books4 followers

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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for Bob.
2,473 reviews725 followers
December 14, 2022
Summary: A book on finding meaningful work, focusing on the adaptive skills and sense of calling one needs, the character one develops, and a four-part entrepreneurial cycle for the journey.

This is a book for the person who wants to find meaningful work that has impact on our world. In the first part of the book, the author, an entrepreneur who has started businesses and directs a leadership center, talks about the places where we may feel stuck and the changing landscape of work, which she likens to white water rafting, requiring us to grab a paddle, prepare to be unprepared, navigate our own way, and even re-route the river! But it all begins with understanding calling: belonging to Christ, working toward redemption, creating, as well as our particular calling.

She then focuses on the kind of people we need to become in the new world of work. She contends we all need to embrace an entrepreneurial stance that seizes opportunity, creates value, and faces risk. The entrepreneur is rooted in relationship and O’Donnell encourages us to identify our brain trust, the people who will support us, speak truth, and share their expertise to help us along. Entrepreneurs trust their creativity, participating with God to make the world new, anticipating God’s redeemed world, and recognizing that creativity is often collaborative. And entrepreneurs are resilient, living between Good Friday and the Resurrection, which means being able to grieve our failures with hope.

Finally, O’Donnell discusses what she calls as the entrepreneurial way, really a cycle involving four actions: practicing empathy along the way, converting empathy into imagination, letting imagination fuel risk-taking, and after taking risks, reflecting. She uses the story of the Good Samaritan to show what practicing empathy along the way looks like and recounts the story of the co-founder of Kiva, Jessica Jackley, who empathized with entrepreneurial women doing amazing things with very little, and recognized the potential of small personal loans to help them do even more. The paralytic’s friends in Luke 5 practiced imagination in coming up with the idea of lowering him through to roof to get him to Jesus. Risk then says, “let’s try.” She concludes with discussing how important reflecting on where you’ve been to keep going.

O’Donnell illustrates throughout the book both from her own life (including failures, like having to re-write her dissertation) and the stories of other entrepreneurs. Each chapter concludes with an exercise. The book is designed to help those trying to discern what it means to find and pursue meaningful work in today’s marketplace. It explores both what it means to lean into our faith and calling, and the practical things we need to work on as workers, the mindset and habits that will sustain us on the rapids.

This strikes me as a valuable book at those junctures where one is taking stock, whether as a student entering the marketplace, or when one has lost a job and needs to figure out what is next, or is embarking on a career change or new venture. The book is less about job skills and more about working on who we are and the life God is inviting us into through our work. To me, this is where the real work is, where people truly flourish in work…or not.
Profile Image for Ben.
2,738 reviews233 followers
January 11, 2022
This was an excellent read.

A great blend of business / personal development, but keeping a Christian outlook.

I really enjoyed the writing and felt the author was very strong in their views.

I liken this book to Garden City: Work, Rest, and the Art of Being Human., which I would also recommend reading if you enjoyed this.

The book is a bit more geared towards female readers, but I still got a lot out of it, and would recommend it!

One of my favorite genres is Christian personal development, and this covers both perfectly.

4.8/5
Profile Image for Bill Pence.
Author 2 books1,039 followers
December 28, 2021
Michaela O’Donnell is the executive director of Fuller Seminary’s De Pree Center for Leadership. She has taken her research findings and paired them with theological reflection to come up with a set of tools that people can use in order to discover more about themselves, God’s callings, and their work. She has spent the years since finishing her degree testing the tools with hundreds of people in lab-like classrooms, workshops, retreats, small groups, and coaching sessions.
She tells us to think of Make Work Matter like a map. As you read it, you’ll do the work you need to do and lay aside the rest. Whether you’re hoping to move from stuck to unstuck, be liberated to take new risks, or discover deeper truths about what God has for you, there is something in this book and in these tools for you.
As a result of the author’s research, she has come to believe in what she calls the “entrepreneurial way” - a way of thinking and acting that is about paying deep attention to the needs of people and creatively joining in God’s mission of redemption in the world. The entrepreneurial way is a way of working and living that helps us respond faithfully to God’s callings. The author is convinced that the entrepreneurial way is for anyone trying to do meaningful work in a changing world.
A section of the book that I found particularly interesting was the author’s view of Luther’s doctrine of vocation and calling. She writes that some of the most influential work on calling was done in a time period when commerce was almost exclusively local and people’s work was fairly fixed. Today, neither of those things is true. She writes that theology is always contextual. In Luther’s work on vocation and calling, theology that was absolutely liberating in sixteenth-century Europe still holds up in some ways. But in other ways, it is incredibly limiting for twenty-first-century America. I don’t recall previously reading anyone analyzing Luther’s doctrine of vocation and calling in this manner.
The author summarizes her findings in a helpful model:
1. Practice Empathy Along the Way
2. Convert Empathy into Imagination
3. Take the Next Doable Risks
4. Reflect on Where You’ve Been
Among the many topics the author addresses include a holy wrestling, change, grief and hope, failure, empathy, risk, relationship, creativity, rest, resurrection, the parable of the Good Samaritan, imagination, reflection, iterating and growth.
The book ends with a benediction for the way forward. It is the author’s prayer for the reader, herself and anyone who seeks meaningful work and the way of Jesus in a changing world.
This was a book that I read slowly, letting the author’s words soak in. The book, which would be a good one to read and discuss with others, is filled with stories of those she has interviewed and from workshops she has conducted which illustrate the points she makes in the book. A helpful “Exercise” is included at the end of each chapter.
Here are my favorite quotes from the book:
• We don’t make our way to the meaningful work we crave without a bit of holy wrestling.
• I’ve come to believe that the changing world of work is part grief and part hope: grief for what was, hope for what might be; grief for what felt doable, hope for what feels possible.
• Today, we’ve got to focus on cultivating skills such as grief, resilience, adaptability, agility, creativity, emotional intelligence, empathy, self-reflection, and the ability to perform well amid ambiguity.
• It’s no longer enough to have a good education, technical skills, and a good network. In addition to these, we also need the ability to thrive in the midst of constant change.
• Sometimes it’s the case that we need to stay and help to redeem broken systems. Other times that’s absolutely not our work to do. Regularly living in these tensions constantly demands that we use our energy to decide what to do and how to do it, and to hope that we’ve made the right decisions.
• We’re made to belong to Jesus and to creatively work toward God’s mission of redemption in the world. Our identity is found in our belonging to Jesus. Our purpose is to participate in the mission of redemption. Our God-given creativity becomes a vehicle for the first two.
• For most of us, God’s callings don’t come all at once and don’t stay fixed for our entire lives. Our lives and our work environments are dynamic, not static.
• We are called to follow Jesus by creatively working in love for others, especially toward God’s mission of redemption in the world, through particular relationships, roles, places, tasks, and moments.
• At the heart of God’s work in us is an invitation to close the gap between who we are and who we’re continually called to become.
• If we’re truly bearing God’s image, we never start from scratch. We always start in the middle of things.
• In our work, our creativity is part of what might close the gap between what the world is and what the world might be.
• I am convinced that our very best and most meaningful work can be traced back to empathy.
• Reflection is the intentional practice of pausing to consider what has happened and what it has to teach us.
• Much of the meaningful work we crave is found when we embrace our own growth as followers of Jesus. When our work is less about changing the entire world and more about being a people who grow and change, alongside others, for the sake of God’s redemptive work in the world.
Profile Image for Justin Phillips.
Author 1 book8 followers
May 31, 2022
If you or someone in your orbit is stymied in their work or in need of a new vocational direction, Dr. O'Donnell's book is a great resource. She helps you sort through Christian notions of calling, reflect on your professional journey, and how to consider new avenues. It's like a workshop that's found me at the right time. Pick it up!
Profile Image for Paul King.
36 reviews10 followers
May 26, 2024
Michaela O'Donnell's Make Work Matter: Your Guide to Meaningful Work in a Changing World offers a refreshing and timely exploration of finding purpose and significance in our professional lives, especially amid rapid societal and economic changes. O'Donnell, an experienced entrepreneur and academic, provides practical advice, thoughtful insights, and inspirational stories to help readers navigate the complexities of modern work environments.

The central point of Make Work Matter is that meaningful work is achievable for everyone, regardless of their job or industry. O'Donnell asserts that by aligning personal values, passions, and skills with our professional lives, we can create a fulfilling and impactful work experience. She emphasizes that this journey involves continuous learning, adaptability, and a deep understanding of one's purpose.

O'Donnell brings a wealth of experience to this book, drawing from her roles as an entrepreneur, teacher, and consultant. Her academic background and practical experience give her a unique perspective on the intersection of faith, work, and purpose. The book is structured to provide a blend of theoretical concepts and actionable steps, making it accessible to a wide audience.

Make Work Matter is divided into three main sections:

1. Understanding the Changing World of Work:
O'Donnell begins by examining the current state of the workplace, noting the disruptions caused by technology, globalization, and recent events like the COVID-19 pandemic. She highlights how these changes have shifted our perceptions of work and what it means to have a meaningful career.

2. Finding Your Purpose:
In this section, O'Donnell guides readers through a process of self-discovery. She encourages them to reflect on their passions, skills, and values. Through personal anecdotes and practical exercises, she helps readers identify their unique strengths and how these can be applied in their professional lives.

3. Making Work Matter:
The final section focuses on integrating one's purpose into their daily work. O'Donnell provides strategies for setting goals, building relationships, and creating a positive impact in the workplace. She emphasizes the importance of resilience, adaptability, and lifelong learning in maintaining a fulfilling career.

Make Work Matter is a well-structured and engaging book that successfully bridges the gap between theory and practice. O'Donnell's writing is clear and relatable, making complex concepts accessible to a broad audience. One of the book's strengths is its emphasis on actionable steps, which empowers readers to take immediate steps towards finding more meaningful work.

However, while the book is rich in personal anecdotes and practical advice, some readers may find the theoretical sections less compelling. Those looking for more in-depth analysis of economic and social trends might find these parts of the book somewhat lacking. Additionally, while O'Donnell's faith-based perspective adds depth to her arguments, readers from different or non-religious backgrounds might find some of the spiritual references less relevant.

Make Work Matter by Michaela O'Donnell is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to find purpose and significance in their professional lives. It offers a thoughtful and practical guide to navigating the changing world of work, with a focus on aligning personal values and passions with one's career. O'Donnell's blend of personal experience, academic insight, and actionable advice makes this book a compelling read for those at any stage of their professional journey. Despite some minor shortcomings, Make Work Matter is an inspiring and practical manual for creating a more meaningful and fulfilling work life.
Profile Image for Baylor Heath.
280 reviews
February 11, 2023
How much meaning should we find in our work? Some put all their chips in on this while others (more my background) suggest you practically don’t need to find any of your meaning “at work.” The wrestle between those extremes brought me to this book. What do you know, O’Donnell encourages this wrestle! Our deepest longings are present in that wrestle and it’s not something to simply escape.

I need a new framework for the essential questions of belonging & purpose and it’d be too much pressure on any one book to provide that, but O’Donnell provides a good start:

Four Layers of Calling:
1. Belong to Christ
2. Work Toward Redemption
3. Create
4. Particulars

This is grounded and broad enough to apply to any believer’s life and work.

O’Donnell spends a lot of time likening the way of entrepreneurship and the Way of Christ. This very fact was what made me hesitant about the book (c’mon, that sounds like some yuppie nonsense), but then she helpfully dispels the myth that you either are or are not an entrepreneur. Instead, we are all capable of entrepreneurial traits/actions: resilience, risk-taking, and growth mindset, to name a few. These are actually all parts of Christ’s Way as well and so there is much to gain from stretching entrepreneurial muscles.

17 reviews
August 24, 2022
I thought this book would be about the theology of work; it's not...
Then I thought this book would be about how to discover your own calling; it's also not.

Interestingly, Michaela carves her own path in writing a how-to guide for Christians to navigate change in this "Age of Overwhelm" filled with change and disruption.

She starts by naming the harsh realities of the current world of work, and calls us to embrace it: it is what it is whether we want it or not. Our job is not to resent it, but to figure out how to navigate it winsomely. In the pursuit of our Christian calling(s), Michaela urges us to embrace an entrepreneurial spirit, to be rooted in relationships, and to be creative and resilient people. And finally, she suggests a simple and practical model for us to keep moving forward towards what we are being called to do. Starting with empathy, we stay sensitive to the needs of other people; from these needs, we use our imagination to creatively think of ways to love them, and then implement them by taking a "next doable risk". Finally, we reflect and give thanks.

I commend her for such a helpful and practical resource for Christians who are stuck in the pursuit of their calling.
Profile Image for Holly.
5 reviews2 followers
April 16, 2022
I hope leaders immediately add this to their list of books to read in the near future. Not only does Michaela’s wisdom in this book help leaders individually navigate the constantly changing environment, but leaders will find they’re better able to support their team and employees who are also navigating the constant of change. Really grateful for this helpful book that Michaela offers us!
Profile Image for Virginia.
9,263 reviews22 followers
March 14, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Make Work Matter provides practical insights and strategies that are easy to understand and apply in real-world situations. It's a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their skills and approach to business challenges.
Profile Image for Sandra.
97 reviews
January 10, 2024
Enjoyed this book and thinking through some of the exercises
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews

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