Head: (4.5 of 5)
Heart: (4 of 5)
Leadership Applicability: (4.5 of 5)

A sequel to Sink or Swim: New Job. New Boss. 12 weeks to get it right, which was described by critics as “the ultimate guide for all new hires,” Job Spa is an “on the job refresh and tune-up kit” for those in the midst of the toil, once the honeymoon period is over and the doldrums have set in.  Why spend so many hours of your life on something you don’t enjoy, ask the Sindells?  Instead of looking for greener grass, they suggest re-committing—not necessarily to the particular job or company you have landed in, but to yourself and your own personal success.

But first, they recommend taking a “cold plunge” by reminding readers that today, most employment is “at will,” which means that any employee can be terminated at any time, for almost any reason.  This means increased flexibility for both parties, but it also means eroded commitment and trust.  In doing research for this book, the Sindells discovered that more than 70 percent of employees are not engaged with their jobs, meaning they’re just going through the motions or even spending company time looking for a new job. And when employees aren’t engaged, low productivity and high turnover are the result - not to mention making for a miserable day-to-day existence on the part of the job holder.

In a week-by-week guide complete with calendar pages, reminders, questions, exercises, “bonus challenges” and “spa treats”, the Sindells walk you through a complete program of re-energized growth and renewal. In this day of mergers, buyouts and mass layoffs, you have two responsibilities: one, to your company to do what you were hired to do, and two, to yourself, to challenge and develop your skills, to create opportunities, and manage your image and your career.  You have the power to create your success and control your future by the choices you make.

The book is divided into 12 clearly laid-out chapters, one for each week of the program.  Each chapter emphasizes the five must-have “job spa” skills that are spelled out in the introduction: effective goal setting, painless time management, expert knowledge and skill development, savvy relationship management, and smooth image-crafting.  Key points that make the Job Spa as much about replenishment as it is about renewed effort include making sure you’re taking 100 percent when you’re giving 100 percent, leveraging your network for support and mentoring as well as contacts and knowledge; controlling your work hours, rather than having time control you; and stepping back from time to time to look at the bigger picture and plot where you want to go, rather than letting random events take you somewhere else.

The book may be light-hearted in tone and super easy to read and follow, but the message is that undertaking the Job Spa is a serious commitment in itself.  If you're going to spend a third of your adult lifetime working, why not make the most of it.  In this case, refreshment and renewal comes from the hard work of commitment, much like a spa treatment feels all the more luxurious and rewarding after a long, hard workday. Buy it.