The Restart Roadmap

Jason describes the feeling of having worked hard to get exactly where he was supposed to be in his career – even a little further ahead of the plan – but being riddled with anxiety and wanting to get out. He talks about striving to be true to an identity that isn’t you. He also shares his story about a crippling anxiety attack that prompted him to get help. What parts of his experience can you relate to? How did you respond to those feelings?

Think about the “blueprint” that was handed to you. Who and what influenced it? Did you follow it or break away from it? What were the consequences?

What is your definition of success that encompasses both the personal and professional? What’s one thing you can do today to pursue that version of success?

Jason leads readers through five issues that he has identified as the factors by which you can assess where you are, where you want to be, and how to get there: skill set, compensation, mobility, fear, and passion. What did you learn as you reviewed these issues in your own career?

Share your list of what you love, on one side, and what you hate, on the other side. Brainstorm ways to make a career out of the things you love. Does that align with what is most important to you right now?

Jason outlines three important issues to examine where you should live: financial, professional value and personal value. Share the conclusions you reached after thinking about these as they relate to where you live now and where you would like to live.

Jason used to think of his brand as showing people how he wanted to be perceived. But then he realized his brand should correlate with who he really is and the job he can and wants to do. Discuss some ideas of what your brand could be: What differentiates you? What’s your superpower? How can you reflect this in your resume, cover letter and social media accounts?

Jason recommends taking a step beyond just asking someone to lunch for networking, and rather customizing a differentiated and thoughtful way to add value that cannot be replicated by anyone else. “As best you can, make it a service, an action, a customized, targeted something that you are uniquely positioned to offer, something that exemplifies a particular strength, talent, or advantage that only you can bring to this person.” Discuss ways you can do this, or things others could do for you.

Jason describes the break-up that ignited his restart. What started you thinking about a restart and how has this book helped you develop a plan to make that change? What’s your next step?

Making a restart in your career and your life requires that you break down walls, dig deep, and get vulnerable, according to Jason. Describe one example of how this book has helped you do those things.