Dream Year

Make the Leap from a Job You Hate to a Life You Love

By: Ben Arment

Narrated by: Sean Pratt

Somewhere along your road to adulthood, you pushed your dreams to the side. You had to pay bills. You feared taking a risk on yourself. And so you settled into an unfulfilling, perhaps even unpleasant career. If it's any comfort, you’re far from alone; 66 percent of Americans hate their jobs.

But what if someone could guide you, step-by-step, as you identify, plan, and launch your dream career - in just one year. That's what Ben Arment does in his transformative coaching class, which has helped hundreds of people reinvent their lives to enjoy greater enthusiasm and fulfillment while also making a living.

Now he's sharing his best insights, advice, and inspiring true stories in Dream Year. You'll find out how people just like you are discovering (or rediscovering) what they were truly born to do, then following a proven process to make it real. And you'll meet men and women such as…

Chuck Templeton, who created an online reservation system, OpenTable, that now serves more than thirty thousand restaurants worldwide.

Katie Strandlund, who launched her own event-planning business and developed a full and deeply gratifying client list.

Fabien Riggall, who combined his love for film and theater into a unique experience called Secret Cinema, which has reached 120,000 people.

Hilary Barnett, who started a social media company that now employs several team members and creates content for national brands.

©2014 Ben Arment (P)2014 Gildan Media LLC

Critic reviews

"Ideas alone aren’t sufficient; it’s what you do with them that counts. If you have a brilliant idea but aren’t sure where to begin, Dream Year will show you step-by-step how to make it reality." (Todd Henry, author of Die Empty and The Accidental Creative)

A practice approach to REAL challenges

I found Ben’s insight, advice, and stories did well to address the challenges and obstacles to my entrepreneurship journey that no other book had. Dream Year‘s perspectives and approach seemed to come from a place of authenticity – like the experiences of real startup founders were examined to extract useful lessons that will apply to other real startup founders like me. The book’s content is relatable and its process is doable.

Great for entrepreneurs, not so much for writers

I came across Dream Year after listening to another book of the same idea. This is a great book for people who are interested in starting a business, or someone who just in the field of entrepreneurship in general. However, although they claim they can help people who are writers with the same ideas. I found very little advice in this book that would be useful to writers. There's a lot about staying focused, keeping yourself in the game when you're hitting a rut, and even smart ways you can promote your stories. But it's ultimately more for business and marketing savvy people, who I feel will get the most out of this book. However I'll least say that the performance was excellent and it can definitely help people who are wavering on their dream to take the plunge and go for it. It just personally didn't seem that helpful to writers (aka me, myself). But there's a lot of good ideas and ways to stay motivated, so give it a try if you've got a big idea and need some help getting started.

Awesome

Awesome book it will aid and help you propel to yourself in to your Dream Year.

Inspiring AND practical advice

I would recommend this book for anyone starting a business or needing encouragement to continue it. Rather than writing what I liked about the book, I have decided to outline how my real world experiences with self-employment have dove-tailed with some of its concepts.

I am an accountant by training and experience. 20 years ago this year I started my first business helping other small businesses, especially non-profits. I did this successfully for six years until 9/11 when I moved from NJ to Maine. Not knowing anyone here, I decided to get a job "for a few years" to make contacts and then strike out on my own again. Well, it turned out to be 12 years! After the first few, however, I became very frustrated. As the author says, this emotion is the sign of two things: 1. You are frustrated because all of your hard work is going into manifesting the dream of others. 2. You are not living your own dream, working to make your own vision come true.

In 2014, I decided that I hated my life and had to get back to being self-employed. As the author outlines, planning is essential. So, I waited almost a year before I left my job, cutting back expenses and socking away as much money as I could.

In January, 2015, I took a leap of faith and left the full time job I hated. My first client came from a co-worker at that job whose spouse is self-employed and needed help with his finances. Additionally, contacts that I had made at audit firms through my various jobs over 12 years became leads for my new business. One had a client that needed a part time person while they looked for a new Controller. Granted, it was another "job" but it provided me both income and flexibility while I built my client base. Another contact became the source of several of my clients. My experience has been an example of two other points made in the book: 1. The process of building a business will take time but the longer you wait, the more time it will take and 2. Don't hide your dream! Tell everyone you know. If they don't need your product/service, they may know someone who does.

As of this writing, my small business consulting practice is building nicely and is paying the bills. However, even it is only a stepping stone. The author introduces a concept that I really love-that of "an artificial dream." As he points out, even such dreams, though, will move you along toward finding and manifesting your real dream.

The freedom that comes with being self-employed again has been wonderful. However, even it does not fully deal with yet one more concept that he outlines: the choice between the fear of failure and the fear of being "insignificant." What I do now is not without merit-I think my clients would say that my work is certainly significant to them. However, I am on a three year plan for a much bigger dream-of writing and teaching a system of principles that I believe are important for humanity's spiritual evolution. That is my real dream-the one that will leave me with the satisfaction of having lived a life of significance.

If you are reading this review, it means that you have dreamed of a different work, a different life. I would encourage you to take a leap of faith and go for it! Good luck.

Inspiring

This book provokes and inspires one to follow that dream to do that which only you know how to do. Very thought provoking to provide steps to start or grow a new business or idea. This will be a re-read or listen to see what I missed the first time through.

Incredible

get a notebook. Listen twice. Excellent narrator. I buy audio books based on Sean Pratt narrating them.

Overall well written also. Excellent. I have it in paperback also and wouldn't trade it for any other book

Perfect Timing

I listened to this audiobook in a time in my life where I was busy building my first business and where I had many obstacles, more mental than physical, that kept me awake at night.

At first the book felt as if it bombarded me small chunks of wisdom and it frustrated me that I could not listen for a longer time before getting an info overload, but this was what I needed. The book kept me occupied for 3 months and took me on a journey to go for my dream and not be scared!

In the end I came to love the author, narrator and inspiration and rate this book full stars, on all levels, and will recommend this for anyone in need of inspiration into following your dream.

excellent, motivating and inspiring

excellent book with all the right questions to ask ourselves and wonderful advice. I plan on listening a few more times through and throughly answering the questions. easy to listen and very engaging. highly recommend.

Motivational!

One of the most motivating and inspiring books I've read to pursue your dreams. The audiobook narrator did a wonderful job depicting the tone behind the words. Well done author and narrator!
P.S. I've never commented on a book, but this one inspired me so much I had to recommend to others.

Ben knew what he was talking about

Where does Dream Year rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 20.

Have you listened to any of Sean Pratt’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, Sean Pratt is unique, and he delivers each time. Great narrator.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Your dream, your life, your burden...all in your hands

Any additional comments?

This book, although being about "dreams", is very realistic. The author has found the perfect balance between motivation and practical guidance.Before even finishing the early chapters, you will realize that "this guy knows what he's talking about."I specifically appreciated the level at which Ben has mastered the subtle ups and downs of the journey, his understanding and easy anticipation of problems and setbacks.This book will motivate you, educate you, give you foresight, and support you. I found it very informative even after reading many other books on the topic.