Fart Out Loud

Book excerpt: From the day you are born, you are told to follow a book of rules. In my teen years, I was told, "You have two options. Become a doctor or an engineer. If you can't do either one of those, at least you could be a lawyer." But it gets better. To reinforce the importance of succeeding in a career that was decided by others, I was instructed, "All you have to do is study hard, get a degree, and find a job. Then you will be able to buy a house and a nice car. You will be well respected." No pressure at all. This is the norm: become like the person next to you to be successful. Then society will accept you. We have built a robust system to support all of it-from education to career to the grave. The problem with this system is that it's getting old. Five decades ago, if you follow the path, you would make it to the top. But no longer. Over the last couple of decades, we have seen drastic changes in our society due to improvements in technology. There are more startups in this world than ever before-a plethora of career paths for us to explore. Sitting at a desk and waiting for your manager to offer you a promotion might not work anymore. Is the promotion years overdue? Does the least qualified person get the pat on the back. Does it seem like you are invisible? Whether it's an interview or meeting, you have to show what you are worth. So ... fart out in style! This book is for those trying to find a way to get past those interviews, gain that promotion, and achieve great career heights. It will help you master the art of showing how good you are through making simple observations and adopting those tactics to navigate corporate politics. You will learn to fart out loud to be successful in your career, gain visibility and achieve what you deserve. "We get limited opportunities in our careers to pursue the goals we dream. There are no shortcuts, but if we know how to fart at the right places, at the right times, we are a step ahead of the rest."