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.