The Good Enough Job: Reclaiming Life from Work

Balancing meaningful work with a life fully lived

Simone Stolzoff

2023

8 Key Insights

About This Book

The Good Enough Job unveils why work has become more than a paycheck—and how to reclaim control over your identity, time, and meaning. You’ll follow nine diverse professionals—from a Michelin-star apprentice to a Silicon Valley engineer living in a truck—as they navigate ambition, burnout, and the trap of 'dream job' lore. Along the way, you’ll learn how to set boundaries in a culture that measures worth by output, diversify your sense of self beyond the office, and define success on your own terms. Whether you’re a driven executive or a creative soul, this guide will help you craft a healthier, more sustainable relationship with work.

About the Author

Simone is a writer and former design-firm creative director whose work has appeared in major publications. With a background in journalism, tech, and advertising, she’s reported from five continents and guided executives on balancing business goals with human-centered values. When she’s not untangling work-life puzzles, she’s hiking coastal trails, reading poetry to her daughters, or savoring espresso in Italy.

Biggest Takeaway

• Reclaim your self-worth from endless hustle by diversifying your identity and finding meaning beyond the office. • Protect your time and sanity with research-backed strategies for setting boundaries that stick. • Spot and avoid passion-profession pitfalls that reward sacrifice over fairness. • Learn to define success on your own terms—free from status games and external pressures. • Gain practical steps to negotiate for time, money, and respect—inside any workplace.