Prescient. Prophetic. Perceptive.

I have never wanted to be an entrepreneur. The concept feels terrifying. But I’m also a big chicken. Sure, I worked for years as a freelance music journalist, but I also worked in coffee shops and other retail gigs for the security of a slightly stable paycheck. Even now, when people ask me what I’d do if I won the lottery, I tell them that I’d probably open a small independent bookstore. It’s almost as if I don’t trust myself or my skills.

Which is why I remain in awe of people like Joe Pulizzi. One of my favorite marketing thought leaders – and the founder of the Content Marketing Institute – I’ve been reading his words and listening to his podcasts since 2012. His dual focus on audience perspective and niche voice has helped me in both my day job and how I approach all of my personal writing projects. He has always trusted his skills while continually surrounding himself with people who can amplify his work and encourage him to keep going. I also love his irrepressible optimism and willingness to bet on himself.

That combination of factors made me the perfect reader for his latest book, Burn the Playbook. It’s a treatise on how to approach your life and career with fresh eyes and clear vision, complete with practical, actionable steps. The refreshing twist is that it’s not some sort of pie-in-the-sky self-help book. Yes, he does speak candidly about his own experiences, but not only is he upfront about his own privileges, he does bring in plenty of examples from the lives of others to make his points.

On one hand, it’s a perfect guidebook for solo content entrepreneurs who look to leave a corporate marketing job where they feel stuck by bureaucracy and “that’s how we’ve always done it” mentalities. On the other hand, it’s designed to help anyone in any field who has a dream for their life that lies even a bit outside the rigamarole of the repetitious rat race. He frankly addresses why the old models are broken while sharing thoughtful and realistic concepts about how people can reshape their dreams, goals, ideas, and purpose so they can, as the subtitle says, “build a life on your terms.”

Honestly, reading the book scared me – because it made me think I can do the hard things I’ve always avoided out of the fear of failing. And I think Joe would tell me that means I REALLY need to do it.