Review Excerpt:

EDMONTON - For a man who's relished the joy of not working for 25 years, Ernie Zelinski's been pretty busy.

Author Ernie Zelinski working, or not, at the Sugar Bowl Cafe

Photograph by : John Lucas, The Journal

The Edmonton author and world-class idler has just published his 15th book Real Success Without a Real Job

(Ten Speed Press, $21.95), which touts the benefits of jumping off the corporate treadmill and restructuring your life so it has meaning, direction ... and joy.

The premise is that you can't be genuinely prosperous unless you have personal freedom, Vipbooks author Zelinski says.

"You will have attained true freedom in this world when you can get up in the morning when you want to get up, go to sleep when you want to go to sleep, and in the interval work and play at the things you want to work and play at -- all at your own pace."

And how do you achieve this lofty goal?

By not having a real job, and creating your own "unreal" job instead.

That way you work for the best boss in the world, yourself.

The book, aimed at people who are tired of corporate politics or are just burned out, will also help retiring babyboomers who want to do something fulfilling, Zelinski says.

"It's not so much a how-to book, although there is some of that in there. It's more an inspirational book so people can make major changes in their lives."

While one chapter contains a comprehensive list of "unreal" jobs, the most exciting new area is information, Zelinski says.

"You don't need a lot of capital, and while it's true there is a lot of information already out there, the key is in how you present it."

Intellectual property, as he is finding out with his books, is a good way to keep getting paid for something you created, Zelinski says.

While it may appear Zelinski's literary output has put a lie to the premise of his The Joy of Not Working, which has sold 200,000 [now 225,000] copies in 17 languages over 15 years, he still has essentially the same leisurely daily routine he perfected after being fired from his engineering job for taking unapproved holidays.

He rises at about 11 a.m., rides his bike in the river valley for an hour, and then wanders down to a southside bistro for coffee and conversation, and to write on his laptop for three or four hours. The rest of the day he's busy doing nothing.

"I'm not lazy per se. I actually do run a company, and make a living at it. Sometimes I work seven or eight hours a day, and some days I don't work at all. The key is that it's my choice."

The frugality that's allowed him to do this is still evident in his 12 year old Toyota Camry, which he rarely drives, modestly furnished apartment and limited wardrobe.

He does spend money at favourite Edmonton restaurants - and tips well, he says - and visits friends across the country.

It's just that he doesn't put much stock in material possessions.

He estimates everything he owns, including the Camry and his beloved vintage MG sports car, is worth less than $20,000. But on the other hand he has no debts, not even a mortgage.

He has no new projects in the pipeline right now, and will spend the next months marketing the new book, and his previous volume How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free, which has already sold 45,000 [now 90,000] copies.

Zelinski produces a letter from a 39 year old Los Angeles lawyer who wrote that he was burned out, and How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free inspired him to change his life for the better.

"It's those kinds of letters and e-mails that make what I do so rewarding."

© The Edmonton Journal 2006

Real Success Without a Real Job by Ernie Zelinski is a pleasure to read and its positive, up-beat message is full of hope and encouragement for those who are ready to become their own boss.

Download the Free E-book (in PDF format) with the first chapter of Real Success Without a Real Job : The Career Book for People Too Smart to Work in Corporations at:

Free Downloadable Ebooks at The Real Success Resource Center

Purchase Real Success Without a Real Job: The Career Book for People Too Smart to Work in Corporations by Ernie Zelinski at:

Real Success Without a Real Job at Amazon.com

or

Real Success Without a Real Job at BarnesatNoble.com