10 Little Rules When Good Jobs Go Bad: Learn, Grow and Reclaim Your Power at Work and in Life
Order the book
Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop.org, or 10LittleRules (direct from the independent publisher).
Read about the book
This modern career guide helps readers clarify their career decisions and rewrite their own rules for more job satisfaction.
We take every job, assuming it is a good one. Yet at any point, our intuition tells us something has changed. It could be the organization or us. Regardless, only we can fix our work and our lives. This book helps you do that.
Rules (chapter titles)
Rule 1…Know Your “Now or Never” Moment
Rule 2…Claim Your Power
Rule 3…Go Lateral
Rule 4…Observe, Don’t Absorb
Rule 5…Align Interests and Skills
Rule 6…Leverage Boredom
Rule 7…Forgive Yourself the Unknown
Rule 8…Rise Above the Noise
Rule 9…Bet on Yourself
Rule 10…Embrace Uncertainty
Recent Interviews
Online for Authors podcast interview with host Teri M. Brown on Apple, YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio
The Stories of Service (S.O.S.) podcast interview with Theresa Carpenter on LinkedIn, YouTube, Parade Deck, Spotify and Apple.
The Career in Technicolor podcast interview with Baiba Wisse on Facebook, X , Apple, Spotify, RSS feed.
The Career Flipper podcast interview with Jenny Dempsey on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Instagram.
Upcoming Events
March 13, 2025 – Writing Workshop: The Art of Simplicity
Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road NW, Leesburg, VA 20176
Time: 7-8 PM
Author Kate Goggin presents effective plain language techniques that simplify writing, enhance its impact, and engage audiences. This workshop is designed for all writers.
Free, open to the public
March 28, 2025 – Meet the Author: Kathleen Goggin
Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road NW, Leesburg, VA 20176
Time: 4-5 PM
Hear from Kathleen Goggin, certified technical writer and plain language editor, about her book 10 Little Rules When Good Jobs Go Bad: Learn, Grow and Reclaim Your Power…at Work and in Life.
Free, open to the public.
April 5, 2025 – Aligned Words: Journaling for Clarity and Balance
1:30-2:30 PM
Stay tuned for further details…
Past Events
January 17, 2025 – Speaker/Panelist, “Authors Answer Your Questions About Publishing”
Roanoke Regional Writers Conference
Hollins University, Roanoke, VA
Time: 8:15 – 9:00 PM.
Panel members Betsy Ashton, Kate Goggin, Debbie Seagle, and Dan Smith. Four Virginia-based authors will share their path-to-publishing stories and discuss how RRWC energy contributed to their successful projects. Conference attendees will learn about traditional, self- and independent publishing, and everything in between.
Private event. Open to conference attendees only.
January 26, 2025 – Author Talk and Book Signing with Kate Goggin at Yoga Six (Kingstowne) Book Club
5920 Kingstowne Town Center, Suite 100, Alexandria, VA
Time: 4 – 5 PM
Public event.
December 12, 2024 – Meet the Author: Kathleen Goggin
Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls, VA
Time: 7 – 8 PM
Free, open to the public.
December 14, 2024 – Special Presentation by Kate Goggin to the
Rust Library Writing Group
380 Old Waterford Road Northwest, Leesburg, VA
Time: 3 – 5 PM
Free, open to the public.
Reviews
A unique blend of engaging storytelling and insightful advice. Professionals at all stages of their careers can find inspiration and value in this helpful guide.” Richard Sammon, Writer, Editor and Commentator, Kiplinger, Congressional Quarterly, CNN, C-SPAN, National Public Radio, MSNBC, FOX, Former National Press Club President
Difficult career choices and job environments can lead to self-doubt and paralysis. This wise, honest and deeply personal book points the way forward from stagnation to growth.” Patricia Linderman, Well-Being Coach for Women, Co-author, The Expert Expat, and Co-editor, Realities of Foreign Service Life
Professional Coaches will embrace this book…each story defines ‘work traps,’ lessons learned, and strategies to help clients create their own rules. The guided journaling format, reflective questions, and resource list will help every reader reinvent their career.” Natalya Pestalozzi, PCC, MAPP
“10 Little Rules When Good Jobs Go Bad by Kathleen Goggin takes a hard look at changing jobs, what it looks like, what it means, and when you might consider the switch. I love how Kathleen seasons the book with her work history story, allowing us a peek into her decisions, both good and not so good.
“My favorite rule was “Leverage Boredom.” When Kate’s job no longer challenged her, she became bored. However, rather than just accept boredom, or spend time scrolling social media reels, she took a technical writing certification program. As Kate states, “I always advise people they should learn something new if their job search is in neutral.” This certification paved the way for the next stepping stone in her career. As a semi-retired author, I wish I had this book earlier in life. Knowing that, I think I’ll buy several copies for my children in hopes of helping them navigate this area of their life. Well-done, Kathleen!” Teri M. Brown, author and host of the Online for Authors podcast
Other Publications
- Backpack Kids: The Safety Planning Checklist for Overseas Travel – iPhone app writer and editor for this online guide for parents, teachers, and volunteer leaders planning international travel with children.
- Hello USA: An Everyday Guide for International Residents – second edition editor for this guidebook for new U.S. residents
Clutter is the disease of American writing. We are a society strangling in unnecessary words, circular constructions, pompous frills and meaningless jargon.”
William Zinsser, On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction