The Daredevil

Book Proposal The Daredevil: Taking time out from management - a journey of transformation is my personal story. I was a successful manager at the DaimlerChrysler Corporation but had hardly any free time. Not even time for proper wedding celebrations not to mention a honeymoon. For years I was caught in the corporate treadmill. But soon I realized that things could not continue in that way. I needed to take time out. The desire to take a sabbatical grew ever so strong to the point that I could do nothing but follow through - and what an awakening that was. Suddenly I was in India and Bangladesh, China, Nepal, Australia, Guatemala and Colombia far away from luxury cars and consumer goods but close to real life. I experienced for the first time real joy outside the western life comforts. Without asking why or how, I took a two-year break and used that time to analyze my life and priorities. Most of all I re-evaluated the fixation I had on my career and the high price I had to pay for it. Enriched by the experience of travel and newly motivated, I returned to my job as a manager at the DaimlerChrysler Corporation. My backpack was filled with a changed attitude on life and work and with concretely formed ideas what it takes to be truly happy. In this book I recount how new perspectives opened up during my sabbatical and how I slowly transformed, taught as I was by people who had hardly any material possession but who possessed so much of the human spirit. I take the reader along some important stretches of my world travel and into my adventures. I recount moments where I discovered the greater human potential, which we all have. I will answer question along the way ... with the hope that the reader may ponder his or her own time out so as to expand. This book, I believe, is a challenging yet delightful read for the manager and the secret daredevil who may just ponder his or her own get away. And for all those who yearn to take a break and wish to grow. I would greatly appreciate if you would consider my book for publication. Thank you for your attention. Best Regards. Sincerely, Carsten Alex