Dream Year

June 2, 2014
This upbeat manifesto from Arment, who runs the coaching organization Dream Year, will help readers shed the tyranny of nine to five clock-watching. Aimed at frustrated, bored workers, Arment’s book urges readers to escape mediocrity and follow their dreams into a self-directed and meaningful job. First, readers must figure out what they were born to do. According to the author, we already have all the required resources in terms of wisdom and ability to put together that new life; it’s only the drive and acquisition of specific skills that’s needed to move forward. Urging us to fear insignificance rather than failure, he presents a strategy based on breaking the rules of an industry and beating learning curves. Being obsessed is the best way to become a leader; assuming that his readers already carry this obsession, Arment describes the strategy behind constructing a financial model, branding, building a platform, marketing, growing a business, and sustaining success. Rife with tips, tricks, and goads to action, Arment also offers lists, bullet points, and items to cross off. Readers looking to launch their dreams will find inspiration, and move on to process books down the line. In the meantime, it would take a cold soul to resist the clarion call of dream-catching: “Don’t quit. Never give up. Refuse to walk away.” Agent: Curtis Yates, Yates & Yates.

August 1, 2014

Arment (Church in the Making), who runs the coaching organization Dream Year, here creates a framework to help people realize a life dream. Filled with inspiration and practical advice, this coach-in-a-book can aid in impelling dreamers to action by helping them make a plan for their dream project. The author discusses the "importance of starting," "creativity to-do lists," finances, branding/marketing, time management, building a platform, and dealing with fear of failure or insignificance. Also covered are the necessity of "making asks" for the assistance one needs and having an "idea model" that can create a new industry perspective similar to the way Netflix and Airbnb changed their markets. Quoted throughout the text are successful people, such as Will Smith on the value of hard work and Bono on U2's early experiences. Arment also features many examples of ideas that started small, e.g., Ree Drummond's The Pioneer Woman Cooks began with a blog. Arment advocates for stick-to-itiveness and looking for a niche, as opposed to tackling the whole market. VERDICT Positive encouragement for a career and life change along with practical steps to make it happen.--Barbara Kundanis, Longmont P.L., CO

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