"How Gen Z is Rewriting the Work-Life Rulebook "
My exposure to 'Gen Z' has mostly been through my children which means that on top of it being mystifying, it's also terrifying. Any chance of getting a normal job? Have you thought about your pension? Forget it. Erifili Gounari’s Design Your Life was the penny dropping - this book isn’t just career advice, it’s a guide for young people rewriting the rules on work, life, and success.
What really struck me is it’s no longer about the titles, the big office, or the traditional markers we may have aimed for. For Gen Z, it’s all about freedom—the freedom to decide when, how, and where to work, and the freedom to feel a sense of ownership over their lives. Gounari draws on her own experiences and insights from other young professionals to break down what this new “economy of ownership” looks like.
This generation doesn’t want to fit into structures. They want to build their own, and it starts with passion. For my generation this is the stuff of semi-retirement. For Gen Z it's the starting point.
Gounari explains how finding something you’re passionate about can naturally lead you to seek more control over your work, while having freedom at work can help you discover and grow that passion. It’s a two-way street that gives you room to explore and shape your path, rather than getting boxed into one.
There’s also practical advice for anyone looking to find balance in work and life, whether that’s through side gigs, pursuing passions outside of work, or just allowing room for happiness along the way. Gounari’s approach feels personal and grounded—she doesn’t pretend it’s all easy, but her perspective makes the possibility of designing your own path seem real.
For me, Design Your Life offers a fresh way of seeing success, not just for young people but for anyone who’s looking to reimagine their relationship with work. Or understand their kids.
| Primary Genre | Business and Management |
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