How to Navigate Life: The New Science of Finding Your Way in School, Career, and Beyond

by Belle Liang, Timothy Klein

An essential guide to tackling what students, families, and educators can do now to cut through stress and performance pressure, and find a path to purpose.

Today’s college-bound kids are stressed, anxious, and navigating demands in their lives unimaginable to a previous generation. They’re performance machines, hitting the benchmarks they’re “supposed” to in order to reach the next tier of a relentless ladder. Then, their mental and physical exhaustion carries over right into first jobs. What have traditionally been considered the best years of life have become the beaten-down years of life.

Belle Liang and Timothy Klein devote their careers both to counseling individual students and to cutting through the daily pressures to show a better way, a framework, and set of questions to find kids’ “true north”: what really turns them on in life, and how to harness the core qualities that reveal, allowing them to choose a course of study, a college, and a career.

Even the gentlest parents and teachers tend to play into pervasive societal pressure for students to PERFORM. And when we take the foot off the gas, we beg the kids to just figure out what their PASSION is. Neither is a recipe for mental or physical health, or, ironically, for performance or passion. How to Navigate Life shows that successful human beings instead tap into their PURPOSE―the why behind the what and how. Best of all, purpose is a completely translatable quality to every aspect of life, from first jobs to last jobs and everything in between.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Parenting, Education, Audiobook, Psychology, Professional Development

320 pages, Hardcover

Published August 2, 2022

About the author

Belle Liang is a professor of Counseling Psychology in the Lynch School of Education and Human Development at Boston College. She is Principal Investigator in the Purpose Lab; her research focuses on positive youth development, including mentoring and relational health in adolescence and young adulthood. She lives in Boston, MA.

Reviews

[Izzy Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, I’m not the fastest reader nor do I consider myself a good reader but I was obsessed with this book. This book gave great insight on how to live a purposeful life, something that I’ve been thinking about a lot recently as I navigate my 20s. I enjoyed the theories about the “games” in life and the conclusion was an amazing wrap up. Highly recommend this book, if more people read this, I truly believe the world would be a better place.

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Navigate Life: The New Science of Finding Your Way in School, Career, and Beyond
By Belle Liang and Timothy Klein

How to Navigate Life by Belle liang and Timothy Klein is a well written and a great read - awesome resource for students, educators and families on how to navigate the complexities of college bound kids and the demands of their life as they navigate, college, career and issues beyond that. I love that the book taps on the importance of instilling purpose and passion rather than the pressure to perform.

I highly recommend this book. Reading this will help parents, children, and families to reflect on how to make choices to live life more meaningfully and joyfully.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably a 3.5 stars. It contains lots of good advice and ways to think about navigating life. High school and college students and there parents would benefit from reading it and working through the thought processes outlined in the book. The main weakness is it sits awkwardly between a book for students and a book for parents. Some sections are clearly aimed at parents, mentors, etc. and the voice and tone align with this perspective. Others are aimed at students or young people and the voice seems just a little off. I also think the focus on inequality is a bit overdone. Lastly, it wasn’t always a great read books some of the early sections almost feel like a workbook. I could see sitting down with young people and working through the skills and value sections but as an older adult it was a bit of a slog reading through that. Or it could be I should have just stopped and worked through the issues for myself and then with my daughter who is senior in high school. Regardless, they were very practical career and college planning type advice about how to understand your skills and values. If you need an Ernest but insightful guidance counselor in book form, read this book.

[Katelyn Birchfield · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 🌟s: Basically the first half of the book tells you how success doesn't have to come from college or a career and then the second half lists all the ways to succeed in college and careers. The whole thing was hypocritical. It also kept presenting old, well-known ideas like they were brand new.

[Linda Miron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eminently readable, well-researched, and very topical, How to Navigate Life: The New Science of Finding Your Way in School, Career, and Beyond is an inspiring book for all ages.

I started the book, reading as an educator and thinking about how to apply the ideas in my classroom. As a high school English teacher for 28 years, I’ve always encouraged reflection in my students and I’ve tried to help them understand the big-picture objectives and goals of the work I assign - not always successfully. In the wake of the pandemic, I find it even harder to convince all students that the work I’m asking them to do is meaningful. Liang and Klein’s explanation of the Five Purpose Principles is thought-provoking and full of tips for engaging my students more fully, helping them to see the relevance of the work they do in my class.

And yet, the book is more than a how-to guide for educators and parents of teenagers. In the second half of the book, Liang and Klein illustrate how the purpose mindset is beneficial throughout one’s lifetime. As I read, I found myself not only reflecting on my own life choices and experiences but also thinking about the choices my own children, all in their 20’s, are navigating.

I highly recommend this book. Reading it will help you to reflect on how to make choices to live life more meaningfully and joyfully, no matter what stage of life you’re at.

[Phoebe Thompson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Words cannot describe how much I hated this book.

[James The Outdoor Asian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t like this book, per se, however the content has tremendous value, especially for parents of growing children or even for anyone transitioning from school, military, or career.

The book starts from a premise of beginning with a specific goal and begins breaking it down and evaluating different kinds of guided modalities (passion, performance, and purpose) and breaks them down into pros and cons, arriving at purpose as the optimal, with a number of evidenced and anecdotal reasons why. It also starts getting into finite and infinite games and mindsets, which are very useful in understanding longevity as it relates to...purpose. There’s a whole lot more, including some valuable tools for helping others explore their strengths and incentivizing them between behavior and milestones.

It maybe a little 'over-structured' but better to have it and not need it, rather than reverse.

We must arrive at a certain level of maturity and wisdom to recognize things outside of our own preferences that can be informative, enlightening, or powerful.

And I very well may return to this book, that I didn’t like, for future reference.

Therefore, it’s quite a good book. 🤓

[Samuel Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a world that can easily overvalue performance and passion, the authors of this book skillfully draw us to the heart of the matter where life is concerned: PURPOSE. Should the reader desire, the knowledge shared here in this book can be delved into much further through the research that the authors have unveiled. Yet, the wisdom shared here can also easily be accessed and used in informal "talk story"-type conversations. All of which have the potential to draw individuals towards purpose in life - whether it be their own individual purpose or in aiding others to find their purpose. As one who is currently juggling the opportunities and responsibilities of being a working professional, a graduate student, a father to adult children, a son to elderly parents, and various other roles; it is refreshing, encouraging, and inspiring to read a book that can bring about thoughtful reflection as to my purpose(s) in each of those roles as well as engage me to be intentional about moving towards my purpose(s) in those aspects of my life. Mahalo (thanks), Belle and Tim!

[ThatBeMeDiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a very informative book that I highly recommend to teachers to connect with their students and help guide them towards internal and external success. The first half of the book is a long persuasive essay about the purpose mindset, core values to have, needs of the world, etc. It has many references to science articles, real life news, and pop culture to show how these view points affect our youth generation’s mindset on what happiness is and how to attain it. After showing the best science-backed methods/mindset of success, the second half of the book goes into details of HOW to apply these to high schoolers, college students, the workplace. This book is so thorough in its explanations. I think it is perfect for teachers, but also students who are trying to figure out what values to emphasize in personal statements or college essays. It’s a perfect example of a persuasive essay that proved its point beautifully. I highly recommend this book.

[Sabrina Kappler · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Navigate Life is a fun, engaging, and thought provoking read that tells you exactly what the title says it will. I related strongly to the mindsets it discusses, and reading it made me feel more confident and informed about my decisions as a student in the midst of the college process. The science and research-based strategies that it illustrates are actionable and have helped me localize my goals and make important choices as I think about applications and relationships.

This book has impacted my thinking more than I thought a book could, and I couldn’t stop myself from recommending it to my friends and parents. Though I read this as a student, I genuinely think the principles discussed in this book can be applied by anyone. At its core, this is a book about finding your purpose and owning your path, and it does an excellent job of providing the reader with the skills and strategies to reach their goals.

[Marilyn Archibald · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book Belle and Timothy have written. "How to Navigate Life" is that rarest of things--both down to earth and high-minded at the same time. Written in a clear, succinct and often humorous voice, "Navigate" explores the pursuit of life purpose for students, teachers, and the rest of us along the way. Never preachy or didactic, the book outlines different types of strengths and skills and how they can be honed to help us accomplish life goals. As Belle and Timothy write "We don't teach (students) their strengths and skills...We whet their appetites for their self-discovery. Purpose can be learned, but it cannot be taught." This book is thoughtful, humbling, and inspiring all at once--a beautiful and instructive exploration of the idea that we already have everything we need, once we make up our minds to live a life of purpose.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for work, and I quite enjoyed it despite it being a self-assigned homework project. This book discusses a counseling framework for realigning career and life planning to focus on Purpose, rather than achievement or happiness. Those things matter too, but the authors' thesis is that reframing life as a quest for Purpose fosters better mental health and resilience, as well as success and satisfaction.

The book is a good guide for parents or mentors of young people, and gives some exercises and sample questions to structure conversations around. I plan to use this content in my work, but this is also a good book for those who interact with teenagers, or for those looking to organize their own life goals.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really well-timed read for me personally and professionally; I usually skim these types of books but read this one cover-to-cover. It fostered a lot of reflection on my interactions with students and especially my 16-year-old son, and helped me generate new resources I plan to use as a school counselor. The emphasis on using one's core values to guide life choices and ultimately find purpose made great sense. I enjoyed determining my own top three core values (wisdom, knowledge, and family) and guessing my son's (which turned out to be knowledge, humor, and independence). If people had more opportunities to "advertise" their essential drives, then we could listen to, guide, and collaborate with one another in much more meaningful ways.

[Destiny || readingisyourdestiny]

First of all, thank you so much to St Martin's Press for the chance to read and review this book prior to release.

This book is about "equipping young people to navigate school, career, and life with joy an excellence." I was a business management major in college and could definitely see this book being supplemental to a college textbook in class.

I love how it was broken down in easy to read short paragraphs often with bullet points, charts, and graphs.

I think this would make a perfect graduation gift for both high school and college students and is a book I could easily see myself coming back to time and time again to read sections that are applicable for that stage of my life.

[Andy · Rating 2 out of 5]

There's some reasonable advice in here and some of it pertinent to young people today in a way htat older books wouldn't be. Unfortunately, there's not a lot of solid "new science" about successful life navigation. There is a lot of referring to "thought leaders" like Brene Brown, etc. And then there's just plain nonsense, like a whole long story about playing tennis, concluding that figuring out who's best at tennis is not at all objective, even though the preceding story illustrated exactly how it is objective (you win or lose the match).
The book also seems somewhat confused about its audience, i.e. parents and teachers vs. young adults.

[Jim Petipas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learning to navigate the peaks and valleys of the performance-based world that we live in can be a tricky and exhausting endeavor, especially if we may struggle to have a compass, a rudder, or a guide. Liang and Klein do a great job of suggesting ways that we can find our compass and sense of purpose that can help to lead us in a passion-focused meaningful direction. In this book, you will learn that life is not primarily about finding success or happiness but understanding that it is better lived and found along a purposeful journey.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the ultimate read for my daughter who is working on her RN BSN and contemplating which area of nursing she would like to devote her life to. She graduates in December 🎓

With its successful approach to cutting through the stressors and pressures, it allows for her to make more informed choices based on what she desires. This helps her on a path that leads to her goals and purpose without a head full of self doubt.

This is a book that should be given to all students upon graduation when they embark on their journey into their future.

[Bryn Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This reads like Brene Brown and is on my shelf next to Dare to Lead. Although the context for the book and research is higher education, its content and applicability extend to anyone in purpose-work fields. Then again, even if this doesn't apply to you vocationally, it will personally — especially if you're a millennial who lives on the perpetual edge of an existential crisis (speaking for a friend). Seriously though, I believe that we all should strive to be the kind of person we needed in our formative years. This book is a practical step toward doing just that.

[Steve Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

High school educators: Looking for a research-based, relevant summer read? This is it! Help your students develop their unique skillsets, lead with their identities, articulate their values... and forge their purpose in school and beyond. I've applied the research and ideas to my own practice helping educators connect more deeply and meaningfully with their students: Lots of resonance with teachers at all kinds of schools.

[Kimberly Mace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend! A fresh, newly researched and highly insightful read for parents of teenagers and young adults, and secondary educators, counselors, even college freshman advisors and professors. Loved it’s tried and proved methods for navigating one’s life! I found personal reflections throughout many parts of this book!

[NWL · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life; the principles, research and advice within this book will empower parents, young people and those looking to deepen the purpose in their everyday lives. This heartfelt read will encourage you to align your heart’s truest purpose with your everyday routine and schedule - I hope it blesses you as it has me.

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thought provoking read that asks you to look inside of your thoughts, emotions and life choices and consider how to adjust them to live your best life. By adjusting your thinking about something, you can change outcomes. Find a quiet place and dive in to this book.

[Mary Louise Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world tells us that to be successful one needs to do more, get more, and be more, but we can't be all things to all people. According to the authors, pursuing and living a purposeful life is what will help people find their true north.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for work as I now work alongside college “navigators”. This book is packed with a lot of the positive psychology (growth mindset, grit) that educators are sick of, but it’s surprisingly easy read and has interesting recent research and helpful anecdotes.

[Allison Docter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great for people who support students whether in an advisor, mentor, or parental role. Well research and readable.
It didn’t get a higher score bc I read it over such a long time that it was difficult to retain everything.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a mentor or parent to any young person that’s (soon) going college, this book is for you! I’m totally glued to it. Such a great resource packed into an very readable book.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous and practical read that will help you be a better teacher, mentor, parent, human. Listen to the audio version--it's great!

[M. Sarker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend for teachers and parents, and even for students themselves, especially if you're worried about all the pressure students put on themselves for school and college admissions.

[Connor Oswald · Rating 3 out of 5]

probably fine for recent graduates

[Britney Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting nuggets about the sweet spot of a purpose mindset. Overall, partially enjoyed it as a whole.