Am I Doing This Right?: Foundations for a Successful Career and a Fulfilling Life

by Tony Thelen, Matthew C. Mitchell, Jeffrey A. Kappen

This book was written for everyone who has ever wondered, am I doing this right? when thinking about their lives and careers. Leveraging the collective experience of hundreds of professionals, this book is the ultimate early career desk reference! When readers finish reading, it is not the end, but the beginning of a successful career and a fulfilling life. Write in the margins, highlight key insights, answer questions, and come back to this book often as your career grows!

308 pages, Paperback

Published October 28, 2022

About the author

Tony Thelen is the founder and principal executive coach of The River Coaching and Consulting, LLC, where he partners with leaders to navigate the complexities of business and personal growth. With over 35 years of executive leadership experience across engineering, manufacturing, marketing, finance, and customer support, Tony brings practical insight to helping leaders achieve clarity, confidence, and purpose in their careers and lives.

He is a certified executive coach with credentials in NeuroLeadership and Hogan Assessments, equipping him with tools to unlock potential and guide leaders through meaningful transformation. Tony has coached more than 500 professionals across six continents, supporting executives through high-stakes transitions, C-suite responsibilities, and the pursuit of greater fulfillment. His coaching philosophy blends neuroscience, leadership science, and hard-earned corporate wisdom.

In addition to his coaching work, Tony is the author of the forthcoming book Things We Desire – The Desiderata Turns 100 (launching November 2025), which expands the timeless wisdom of Max Ehrmann’s classic poem into a modern guide for living well. He also writes a widely read weekly column, The River, syndicated in more than a dozen newspapers, where he shares practical insights on leadership, fulfillment, and personal growth.

Tony holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University, an MBA from the University of Northern Iowa, and a Post-Graduate Diploma from Oxford University. He resides in West Okoboji, Iowa, with his wife of over 30 years, where they have raised three adult daughters.

Reviews

[Carsen Codel · Rating 3 out of 5]

While certain grammatical or editing errors detracted from the prose, I appreciated the messages this book presented and the way it organized the topics into four respective stages. Given the fact that I’m still in college, the first half of the book was more relatable and engaging for me, but I still gleaned some good advice I can use for later from the latter half. Lots of good insights, and I can feel my mindfulness towards how I use my time increasing as a result of reading this book, for the better.

[Mollie Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read that covers the basics of many topics that young professionals should be aware of. I also loved the recommended reading list at the end of each chapter so you could dive in deeper to a topic!

[flowers6 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, very insightful. It's packed with practical advice and personal experiences. As well as, I really liked how the information was presented in a simple matter.

[Sudhir Thite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly Practical read !!!!

In various phases of career, individual will face crossroads where one feels lost for experienced guidance. The book “Am I doing right” serves this purpose who are looking forward to make career successful and fulfilled life. Each of us look forward for some kind of mentoring/coaching no matter how successful we are. It is said that - One can always learn from books or practical experience of other people. The book is combination of this both.

The book is classified into four parts

Who am I ? (Self-Image, Personal Brand, Balance, Well Being)
Where do I want to go? (Purpose, Goals, Clarity, Feedback)
How will I get there? (Teamwork, Decisions, Hard Work, Relationships, Adversity)
What can I learn along the way? (Learnings, Resilience, Listening, Finances)

Each topic in the said parts dwells upon the Concept, Tony’s lessons from personal experiences, Leading Practices and comments from professionals. The concepts are explained in most simple manner. Author’s lessons from practical experience makes readers connect to practical situation. Situations stated in book would resonate with individual and provide perspective of successful individuals too.

Topics chosen for this book are practical. The manner in which they are intervened makes one think of “Have I done this right?”. On Career trajectory, individuals pick up few elements and may ignore various aspects that are extremely crucial as we go further in shaping career.

In brief the book covers concepts such as - Career is far broader concept than its tangible aspects. Individual’s ability to see through intangibles is extremely crucial. Building self-image and develop personal brand can create a significant difference to career. Ability to maintain well-being in present context is equally important as taking care of your body, which is like servicing the vehicle for long run. All those who see the bigger picture will make greater impact in career. Fear is the biggest enemy of the people in achieving their goals. It is important that individuals should not let someone’s story dominate your career. Gaining clarity is what people will need to value over lifetime. Getting to reach career goals can be teamwork and will depend a lot on your ability to make decisions, ability to put in hard work. Building strong relationship throughout your lifetime is like tree that produces fruit every day all along. Adversity is a great teacher in a positive way. Lifelong learning will make a difference between what you are today and what you can become. Character will be tested through resilience. As one grows in career, listening is far greater skill and can bring a difference in shaping of the leader. Solid understanding of basics of personal Finance will aid in your growth and help manage financial resources.

Combination of concept and experience sharing makes this a profound reading. This is not a theoretical book where one is left with concepts and readers has to figure out the solutions. Book almost handhold the readers into shaping their actions.

Laying a solid foundation through this book will help you accomplish much more. For all people who are looking forward to make great career and fulfilled life- MUST read through this book and find answer for yourself - “Am I doing this right”? Either the answer will be yes or you will find out ways of affirmative answer.

Overall this book has author’s stamp of his authority over the subject matter. His sense of stating concepts in lucid manner makes this an amazing read!!! Enjoy Reading!!!!