A Groundhog Career: A tale of career traps and how to escape them

**International Book Awards Finalist: Careers & Best Cover Design (Non-Fiction)**

We all ‘play the game’ at work.

As we begin our journey in the professional world, we’re encouraged to compete, to participate in a system of promotions, pay raises, bonuses... but how far should we take this game? And, perhaps more importantly, where will this game take us if we limit ourselves to thinking this way?

In attempting to master and gain an advantage in the ‘system’, we use short cuts, blips, hacks, or ‘cheats’. Particularly in the early phases of professional life, it can be irresistibly tempting to focus on whatever tactics help us progress.

But this comes at a cost.

The longer we pursue this approach, the further we navigate away from meaning and purpose. The hacks and cheats start to define us. The professional persona or façade we assume becomes a parasite, feeding on our integrity and eroding our individuality.

A Groundhog Career, through a combination of the hugely entertaining Shey Sinope fable, and the accompanying deeply insightful and thought-provoking analysis from Drs Schuster & Oxley, illustrates the absurdities, temptations, rationalizations, consequences and compromises faced by anyone who wants to succeed in a world where all the power seems to be in the entrenched organizational systems. It also reveals how to be more aware of the risks, to stay aligned with your core identity and your convictions, and ultimately how to take control of your own career journey... to live professional life on your own terms.

'Entertaining, wise, humorous, an intergenerational approach to career and life. So much more than just a book about career choices.' Sir Ian Davis, Businessman, formerly Managing Director of McKinsey Company and Rolls Royce Chairman.

'Career advice reimagined for our times. There is great wisdom in this highly entertaining and thought-provoking new take on how to get the most from professional life.' Trisha Conley, Executive Vice President, People and Culture at LyondellBasel

1145861571
A Groundhog Career: A tale of career traps and how to escape them

**International Book Awards Finalist: Careers & Best Cover Design (Non-Fiction)**

We all ‘play the game’ at work.

As we begin our journey in the professional world, we’re encouraged to compete, to participate in a system of promotions, pay raises, bonuses... but how far should we take this game? And, perhaps more importantly, where will this game take us if we limit ourselves to thinking this way?

In attempting to master and gain an advantage in the ‘system’, we use short cuts, blips, hacks, or ‘cheats’. Particularly in the early phases of professional life, it can be irresistibly tempting to focus on whatever tactics help us progress.

But this comes at a cost.

The longer we pursue this approach, the further we navigate away from meaning and purpose. The hacks and cheats start to define us. The professional persona or façade we assume becomes a parasite, feeding on our integrity and eroding our individuality.

A Groundhog Career, through a combination of the hugely entertaining Shey Sinope fable, and the accompanying deeply insightful and thought-provoking analysis from Drs Schuster & Oxley, illustrates the absurdities, temptations, rationalizations, consequences and compromises faced by anyone who wants to succeed in a world where all the power seems to be in the entrenched organizational systems. It also reveals how to be more aware of the risks, to stay aligned with your core identity and your convictions, and ultimately how to take control of your own career journey... to live professional life on your own terms.

'Entertaining, wise, humorous, an intergenerational approach to career and life. So much more than just a book about career choices.' Sir Ian Davis, Businessman, formerly Managing Director of McKinsey Company and Rolls Royce Chairman.

'Career advice reimagined for our times. There is great wisdom in this highly entertaining and thought-provoking new take on how to get the most from professional life.' Trisha Conley, Executive Vice President, People and Culture at LyondellBasel

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A Groundhog Career: A tale of career traps and how to escape them

A Groundhog Career: A tale of career traps and how to escape them

by Helmut Schuster, David Oxley
A Groundhog Career: A tale of career traps and how to escape them

A Groundhog Career: A tale of career traps and how to escape them

by Helmut Schuster, David Oxley

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Overview

**International Book Awards Finalist: Careers & Best Cover Design (Non-Fiction)**

We all ‘play the game’ at work.

As we begin our journey in the professional world, we’re encouraged to compete, to participate in a system of promotions, pay raises, bonuses... but how far should we take this game? And, perhaps more importantly, where will this game take us if we limit ourselves to thinking this way?

In attempting to master and gain an advantage in the ‘system’, we use short cuts, blips, hacks, or ‘cheats’. Particularly in the early phases of professional life, it can be irresistibly tempting to focus on whatever tactics help us progress.

But this comes at a cost.

The longer we pursue this approach, the further we navigate away from meaning and purpose. The hacks and cheats start to define us. The professional persona or façade we assume becomes a parasite, feeding on our integrity and eroding our individuality.

A Groundhog Career, through a combination of the hugely entertaining Shey Sinope fable, and the accompanying deeply insightful and thought-provoking analysis from Drs Schuster & Oxley, illustrates the absurdities, temptations, rationalizations, consequences and compromises faced by anyone who wants to succeed in a world where all the power seems to be in the entrenched organizational systems. It also reveals how to be more aware of the risks, to stay aligned with your core identity and your convictions, and ultimately how to take control of your own career journey... to live professional life on your own terms.

'Entertaining, wise, humorous, an intergenerational approach to career and life. So much more than just a book about career choices.' Sir Ian Davis, Businessman, formerly Managing Director of McKinsey Company and Rolls Royce Chairman.

'Career advice reimagined for our times. There is great wisdom in this highly entertaining and thought-provoking new take on how to get the most from professional life.' Trisha Conley, Executive Vice President, People and Culture at LyondellBasel


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781788607117
Publisher: Practical Inspiration Publishing
Publication date: 03/17/2025
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 256
File size: 6 MB
Age Range: 17 Years

About the Author

Schuster and Oxley are long time collaborators and former work colleagues. It is their shared outlook that has bound them together as authors. They are optimistic futurists, advocates for next generation talent, pioneers of new approaches to work, enthusiasts for new technology adoption, and crusaders against entrenched thinking. Their first book - A Career Carol - was Highly Commended in the Business Book Awards 2024.


Dr Helmut Schuster is a dual Austrian/British citizen who lives in London, UK. He is the former Group HR Director of BP PLC and Chairman of the Board for Ivocar Vivadent. He currently serves on the board of several dynamic start-up businesses including ExpectAI, a Greentech enterprise. Helmut is an active entrepreneur, investor, and frequent contributor to leadership and AFS Cultural programs. He completed his PhD in Economics from the University of Vienna.
Dr David Oxley is a dual UK/US citizen based in Austin, Texas. David started his career as a management consultant before leading major people and corporate restructuring projects for BP PLC across Europe, USA, India, and the Middle East. He worked closely with Reliance Industries in India, one of BP’s partners, as they embarked on their big corporate restructuring. He currently spends his time researching and writing on future career trends for publications around the world including Fast Company, Forbes, Big Think, Reader’s Digest, and HR Today where he also serves as a member of the global advisory board. David was awarded his doctorate in Organizational Change at Cranfield University and his MBA from the University of Notre Dame.

Table of Contents

  • Cover
  • Praise
  • Title
  • Copyright
  • Dedication
  • Contents
  • Introduction
  • Part I: A Groundhog Career
    • Chapter 1: There was a storm brewing
    • Chapter 2: Into the breach
    • Chapter 3: Into the breach once more
    • Chapter 4: Whether to suffer the breaches of outrageous fortune
    • Chapter 5: A breach is what you make it
    • Chapter 6: The first day of the rest of your life – TGI Friday!
  • Part II: Living Professional Life on your Own Terms
    • Chapter 7: A groundhog career – introduction to Part II
    • Chapter 8: Don’t become a captive of the career game
    • Chapter 9: Pursue your career not someone else’s
    • Chapter 10: Reframing leadership – from control to shared purpose
    • Chapter 11: And finally… a defence of formulas
  • Authors’ notes
  • Acknowledgements
  • Supplementary notes
  • Index

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Entertaining, wise, humorous, an intergenerational approach to career and life. So much more than just a book about career choices. - Sir Ian Davis, Businessman, Former Managing Director of McKinsey Company and Rolls Royce Chairman

A Groundhog Career tackles one of the most crucial questions in work and life: how do I find my purpose? The authors provide a comprehensive blueprint for identifying what truly matters on your career and life journey. With insightful guidance and practical advice, this book will help you navigate your path to a fulfilling and meaningful career. - Daniel Obst, President and Chief Executive Officer, AFS Intercultural Programs

Career advice reimagined for our times. There is great wisdom in this highly entertaining and thought-provoking new take on how to get the most from professional life. I only wish I’d been given this book much earlier in my career as it would have come in handy! - Trisha Conley, Executive Vice President, People and Culture at LyondellBasell

A transformative guide to help you break free from career traps and find true fulfilment. The modern-day guide to finding your ikigai: what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can find success in. A must-read for those contemplating whether and how to reshape their career path. - Jaron Soh, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, VODA, The LGBTQIA+ Mental Health App

If you’ve ever felt that you were getting exactly what you think you wanted… watch out, it can turn out to be a trap because you might lose yourself in exchange – just as the clever friend of this story’s hero remarks right at the beginning.

Drs Schuster & Oxley’s newest book doesn’t only provide us with a good story – and with advice for a satisfying work life, based on real-life experiences – it also provides readers young and old with ‘ingredients of joy’. So don’t miss it! - Ulrike Lunacek, Former Vice President of the European Parliament

An insightful and relatable book with practical advice on how to navigate the complexities of career progression and the sometimes-confusing choices that we face on our individual journey. A must-read. - Chan Boodhai, Chief Industry Officer, bp/ Sustainable Market Initiative (SMI)

A gripping story with wonderfully insightful introspection and thought exercises. - Oliver Carter, Online Creator and Founder of Brainy Creators

This book stands out as one of the best and most relatable guides on career advice, particularly for an 18-year-old like me. Shey’s story, which illustrates the importance of self-discovery and personal fulfilment while focusing on career advancement, is crafted in a way that every young person can truly connect with, providing essential lessons. - Sebastian Paar, Austrian Student

A Groundhog Career has been a revelation, blending behavioural science with practical wisdom. It reimagines the workplace from a grind into a source of fulfilment and purpose. For anyone navigating modern career complexities, this book is an indispensable guide. - Jendrik Sielaff, German Hockey Athlete and HR Professional


A thought-provoking read that challenges the way we view our jobs, society, and the pervasive influence of technology. This book is not just a casual read; it’s a wake-up call that compels readers to reassess perspectives on various aspects of modern professional life. By illustrating the broader implications of our work, the authors push us to think beyond the routine and recognize the deeper significance of our roles. This book is a catalyst for introspection, urging us to question our assumptions and think critically about the societal norms we often take for granted. In addition to its philosophical insights, it’s packed with useful tips and tricks. - Nitesh Prakash, Partner at Bain & Company

A beacon for anyone feeling lost in the corporate maze. Schuster and Oxley’s A Groundhog Career offers a transformative approach to professional life, urging us to break free from the system’s confines and rediscover our true selves. - Felix Henderson, Serial Entrepreneur, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Offcer of Oh

An inspiring read that captures the fear and liberation of leaving corporate life to follow one’s passion. A must- read for aspiring entrepreneurs. - Niharika Prakash, Founder of Moolae

A Groundhog Career oozes class from start to finish. A bucket list must-read for all business professionals – young, budding, aged, tenured, retired. Insightful, magnificent, awesome, fantastic, brilliant, reflective – dare say a perspective changing masterpiece. Just wow! - Ashwani Prashara, Chief HR Officer, O2C, Reliance Industries

Brilliant book that is full of career strengthening, practical advice. Highly recommended for budding entrepreneurs and aspiring professionals who want to make an impact through their actions. - Anand Verma, Green Tech Entrepreneur, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ExpectAI

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