A Worthwhile Endeavor

I just got my copy of Worthwhile magazine this weekend. I must admit I wasn't sure what to expect--most fledgling, non-Time-Inc-backed business magazines have the best of anti-establishment intentions, but about as much insight as a Playbill, and they’re stuffed with vapid stock photography more suitable for a Macy’s Sunday circular (White, Nordic female in gray power suit? Check. African American male in pinstripes? Check. Asian woman in twin set? Check….)

For those of you who are still stuck between Fast Company and Esquire for your dose of work/life perspective, you finally have your rag to read and virtual podium from which to rant (Worthwhile has a very thought provoking blog as well).

I'm happy to report that Worthwhile passes my litmus test--smart, but optimistic, not too much acidity, but also not too base. The writers and editors assume you've done your homework; don't bother reading if you aren't aware of current events or widespread business and management trends. With two Wall Street Journal veterans at the helm, you can be assured that you aren't reading rehashed press releases or USA Today’s take on the outsourcing crisis.

This magazine assumes a level of comfort with business principles and then slowly dismantles every one. Contributing Editor Tom Peters, after all, has a Stanford MBA, even if he now decries modern-day business education. Every contributor has at least tried on a high-profile career and reports with humility from the other side. Very encouraging for us Gen X outsiders who are not sure we want to be invited to the party in the executive suite (still, it wouldn’t hurt to hear our stories, as we will no doubt have a say in how work will be done over the next 20 years).

While the issue was slim--Vogue's Fall Fashion Preview it isn't--Worthwhile has blessedly more content than ads. Yet it has attracted the likes of PalmOne, Georgia Pacific, American Airlines, and Ford (pushing the hybrid vehicles of course, you're dealing with the crunchier end of the career-obsessed), who have taken up a considerable amount of 100 percent recyclable, elemental-chlorine-free ad space. It's nice to know that companies see a value in at least appearing like they support humane, meaningful, work lives.

I can make furniture out of my monthly reading pile, but one must do what one must do. Worthwhile must go on top. There is no other place to get this elusive combination of work/life philosophy without the preachy career coaching. I’m curious to see where this pub will go from month to month, how it will evolve and recreate itself; how many ways the editors will find to say “follow your bliss.”

Comments

[genevieve]

Interesting, too, to see how it will continue to compare with the blog. And I hope it's not a one-idea mag, I was doing some research into PR and new media while they got the ideas circulating via the blog and found it quite fascinating to watch the editors defend their perspectives against all comers... Amen to the call for more GenX input, let's hope that's part of the evolution.

[Evelyn Rodriguez]

I headed out to Utah before I had a chance to raid my P.O. box so it's good to get your perspective on the first issue. (There are many, many ways to say "follow your bliss.") I'd love to see a Gen Y perspective too.