Book Review: Work Like Your're Showing Off by Joe Calloway

Filed in archive Book Reviews on June 28, 2007

There is no shortage of self-help/motivational books out there, and before reading Work Like You're Showing Off, I had no idea who Joe Calloway was. But after reading the book, I want to hear more from him.

It's not that Calloway has anything particularly new to say. His basic message is to be exceptional. "Showing off" is just another way of saying "be excellent," "go above and beyond," etc.

The reason the book's worthwhile is that Calloway has enough of an edge to his writing that it's not just about telling you how to be exceptional. It's challenging you to be exceptional. It's saying, "If you want to be exceptional, go do it." He never says it in the book, but I could almost imagine Calloway saying, "Why are you reading this book when you could be out there doing something great? Put the book down, for God's sake!"

He comes across sort of like that favorite uncle who prods you to do good, and who you don't want to let down, because you hate to see him shake his head and give you that look that says you haven't lived up to your potential.

A few quotes from the book that I enjoyed, and that show the style you can expect:

"'You just want me to bust my butt and do extra work to make everybody else happy and make my company more money and take advantage of me!' Yeah right. Cry me a river."

"It's all well and good to listen to your friends' advice and counsel. But sometimes you just have to take it all in and then say, "To hell with it. I'm doing it anyway.'"

"Why should you get the promotion instead of your co-worker? You say because you're the best choice. Fine. But don't tell me. Show me. Prove it. Put up or shut up."

This part is my favorite, because I think it's the perfect thing for people who don't excel because they feel like they still haven't found the job that totally excites them and fits their every qualification for the perfect career:

"One thing that has always irritated me is this idea that if you just 'follow your passion' the windows of heaven willopen up and shower you with success and peace of mind and life will be a bowl of self-actualized cherries. Right. If only it were that simple. My problem is that I'm not completely sure what my passion is when it comes to work.

...

Rather than just quit work and go on a sabbatical to discover some burning career passion... I've decided to go all in with my work..."

In other words, thinking your work is not utopia is not a valid reason to not do an exceptional job at it. That's a message a lot of us need to hear, and Calloway tells it with a style that I think is more refreshing than the typical self-help voice.

If you're in the career doldrums, this book might be the kick in the pants you need.