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93 of 95 found the following review helpful:
 a great resourceAug 01, 2004
By Jon Norris
This is a remarkably interesting book about how to approach self-employment. It is not a cookbook or listing of readymade businesses, but rather a guidebook about the entire process of moving into self-employment.
Published in 1993, some of the information is a bit dated, but since the primary thrust of the book is not to provide the reader with specific current opportunities, the book holds up very well over time.
There are many examples of people building different types of businesses, and advice from some well-known success stories. The book is broken into five parts, each with two or three chapters. Each chapter starts with a relevant quote, and treats a specific area of focus, such as; Doing First Things First, Uncovering Your Assets, Creating Multiple Profit Centers, Marketing On A Shoestring, etc.
While there is plenty of advice on creating and starting a business (or multiple businesses), the thing that I think is most important in this book is how the author deals with the psychological issues. Most books on starting your own business will mention the emotional and mental obstacles involved, but seldom give the reader much in the way of concrete methods for dealing with them. This book gives you the tools for dealing with the most difficult part of running your own business - your own habits and attitudes. Winter spends a great deal of time covering the psychological groundwork necessary to succeed at being your own boss. She does this in a clear manner, with examples from the real world. There is also a booklist in the back with resources for different areas, such as Personal Growth, Marketing, Entrepeneurial Inspiration, and so on.
I found this book one of the most useful in working on my attitude about being self-employed. It is a positive, uplifting read without being unrealistic and full of fluff. This may well be one of the best books around for preparing a person to start their own business. While there is not a laundry list of business ideas nor a lot of technical detail like legal issues and such, I think that creating the kind of mindset that allows one to succeed is the first and most important step in reaching that success, regardless of the venture. This book will be a very great help in establishing the kind of mindset that will allow one to succeed. I think the author's approach will also allow this book to be of use for decades to come, regardless of how technologies and markets change. This information is basic to all business ventures.
58 of 59 found the following review helpful:
 Change your thinking about what "work" meansDec 05, 2001
By P. Lozar
"plozar"
My work history has ranged the spectrum from Corporate Clone to short-term contracting, and even when I was employed full-time at a "real job" I always had one or two other businesses going on the side. But, like most Americans, I'd been brainwashed into thinking everyone should have a well-defined and well-thought-out CAREER, so I didn't take my "sidelines" seriously. And, after thirty-plus years in the work force, I was still searching for the One Perfect Job that would best utilize my abilities and satisfy my soul. This book changed my thinking: Barbara Winter shows how to evaluate your talents, interests, and skills, and turn what you already like to do into multiple income streams. She gives inspiring examples, provides tools for self-analysis, and offers encouragement; she doesn't give specifics on how to create your perfect work, but she can't because everyone's combination of abilities and knowledge is unique. The book started me thinking on how I could create income sources from the things I enjoy doing, and convinced me that I don't need to find that elusive Perfect Job after all. I recommend it highly to anyone searching for a better way to work.
65 of 67 found the following review helpful:
Inspiring, Informative, and Practical. Must Read!Oct 11, 1999
I read this book from cover to cover in no time, great writing that inspires as well as informs. Not only does the author provide excellent advice drawn from her wide range of experience, she also includes the stories of other successful entrepreneurs to show the reader that regardless of you financial situation or life circumstances, you can chuck your boring job and make a living doing something you love! Get ready to throw out lame excuses as the author dispels all the myths that surround starting your own business. You can do it and this book will show you how.
41 of 41 found the following review helpful:
Afraid to Change Jobs - Don't Be - This Book Makes it Fun!Jul 28, 2006
By Connie J. Wehmeyer
I first encountered "Making a Living Without a Job:.." by Barbara Winter about 9 years ago. I had bought it for my husband, who was in between jobs, and ended up reading it myself. By the time I was done, I had determined to leave a 20 year career in computers and go to massage school. I now own my own health center in New York state.
One year I gave 10 of these books to people who were 'stuck' in their jobs/careers but who were afraid to change. As a result 14 people ended up changing their jobs/careers because the people to whom I gave the book also passed it on.
I find, as a massage therapist, that much of the stress people have is due to a poor fit in their career. What might have been right at one time in their life, no longer is good for them.
I recommend this book to someone at least once each week and have now decided to have it in stock.
I recently gave copies to two friends who might need to leave high executive positions in an international corporation.
ANYONE at any LEVEL in ANY JOB can find the step-by-step analysis in this book the most helpful thing EVER in helping them to find the job that will really be fulfilling for them!
Connie Wehmeyer
48 of 49 found the following review helpful:
DO YOU THINK YOU ARE PAID LESS THAN YOU DESERVE?Sep 20, 2000
By Anne Lazarus
My mission (writing and training) is in showing workers that there is money missing from paychecks (over $16 million dollars) and how to find it. A key in the formula for finding and getting this missing money, without losing your job, is to not have a fear about losing your job. And, that's where Making a Living Without a Job steps in. I picked this book up several years ago and love that it isn't a quick fix, be a millionaire in thirty days, book. It's offers up a system (a life plan) that is both practical and imaginative, safe and bold. The best part from my perspective, and how I've compelled dozens of people to add it to their library -- you don't have to quite your job to become joyously jobless. . . you only have to realize your job is JUST one of your profit centers. When you sneak up on independence by creating one or two little profit centers outside your "regular" job it's amazing how the stresses of the day job can be reduced. If you think you are paid less than you deserve, then you owe it to yourself to explore the ideas in Making a Living Without a Job. And, by the way, Barbara is a wonderful writer with a lively voice. If nothing else you will enjoy her insight and humor.
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