raggedyme's review against another edition
5.0
Everyone should read this book. Regardless of life stage, it's insightful. How to achieve happiness is a skill we sometimes fail to teach.
gvns's review against another edition
3.0
Some of the parallels in this book between business and personal life are interesting and inspiring; some are a bit farfetched.
I gave this book 3 stars because, generally for me, self-help/improvement books are either exceptional and change my life, or are just OK. I felt this one was OK, definitely good material for a blog post.
I took some interesting concepts from it that now allow me to put a name to certain events/situations in my life, but nothing revolutionary that will change the course its course.
I gave this book 3 stars because, generally for me, self-help/improvement books are either exceptional and change my life, or are just OK. I felt this one was OK, definitely good material for a blog post.
I took some interesting concepts from it that now allow me to put a name to certain events/situations in my life, but nothing revolutionary that will change the course its course.
manuelte's review against another edition
3.0
Summary: https://www.getabstract.com/en/summary/how-will-you-measure-your-life/16899
Take-Aways:
Consciously choose the kind of person you want to become. Commit to that path.
Causality is critical to making good business and life decisions. Beware the difference between causality and correlation (the coincidental closeness of two factors).
As you pick a direction for your career, distinguish between external “hygiene” factors, such as high pay, and internal “motivation” factors, like passion for your work.
The best way to be truly satisfied with your work is to let motivation factors guide you.
Use causal theory, written in “if-then” statements, to predict what will happen – not what you hope will happen.
You have three kinds of capabilities: “Resources,” what you use to do something; “processes,” how you do it; and “priorities,” why you do it.
Consciously build the capabilities you (and your children) will need in the future, not just the ones that matter right now.
Sacrificing for something meaningful will strengthen your commitment to it.
Defining and living your purpose requires creating an image of what success looks like. Make a commitment to that goal and measure your progress.
“Decide what you stand for. And then stand for it all the time.”
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While I don't disagree with any of the ideas, these are presented with little nuance or room to account for different circumstances. i.e.: the difference between hygiene and internal motivators is not as clear cut as presented - a good wage is not hygiene if it empowers the motivator of family wellness. If-Then statements are great when coding or making business decisions, but direct causality isn't clear to identify when dealing with human interactions and engagements. Similarly, "decide what you stand for and stand for it all the time" sounds great on paper, and feeds into the current culture of "personal branding", but it is important to remain flexible and grow alongside the culture to avoid becoming a dinosaur entrenched in values rooted in the past.
Overall, I consider this a good intentioned book that won't hurt to read and try to apply to your life, as long as you are aware that business logic doesn't directly apply to personal life events.
Take-Aways:
Consciously choose the kind of person you want to become. Commit to that path.
Causality is critical to making good business and life decisions. Beware the difference between causality and correlation (the coincidental closeness of two factors).
As you pick a direction for your career, distinguish between external “hygiene” factors, such as high pay, and internal “motivation” factors, like passion for your work.
The best way to be truly satisfied with your work is to let motivation factors guide you.
Use causal theory, written in “if-then” statements, to predict what will happen – not what you hope will happen.
You have three kinds of capabilities: “Resources,” what you use to do something; “processes,” how you do it; and “priorities,” why you do it.
Consciously build the capabilities you (and your children) will need in the future, not just the ones that matter right now.
Sacrificing for something meaningful will strengthen your commitment to it.
Defining and living your purpose requires creating an image of what success looks like. Make a commitment to that goal and measure your progress.
“Decide what you stand for. And then stand for it all the time.”
----------
While I don't disagree with any of the ideas, these are presented with little nuance or room to account for different circumstances. i.e.: the difference between hygiene and internal motivators is not as clear cut as presented - a good wage is not hygiene if it empowers the motivator of family wellness. If-Then statements are great when coding or making business decisions, but direct causality isn't clear to identify when dealing with human interactions and engagements. Similarly, "decide what you stand for and stand for it all the time" sounds great on paper, and feeds into the current culture of "personal branding", but it is important to remain flexible and grow alongside the culture to avoid becoming a dinosaur entrenched in values rooted in the past.
Overall, I consider this a good intentioned book that won't hurt to read and try to apply to your life, as long as you are aware that business logic doesn't directly apply to personal life events.
raggedyme's review
5.0
Everyone should read this book. Regardless of life stage, it's insightful. How to achieve happiness is a skill we sometimes fail to teach.
msmithr's review against another edition
2.0
This was ok. He tried to connect business theory to our personal relationships... Interesting concepts and definitely some golden nuggets of wisdom in there... But it took me months to get through this.
The best takeaway: we can measure our parenting based on what we DON’T do for our kids. Let them become resourceful, learn and do the hard things.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was super dry.
The best takeaway: we can measure our parenting based on what we DON’T do for our kids. Let them become resourceful, learn and do the hard things.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was super dry.
mjsteimle's review against another edition
5.0
So, so good. Christensen talks about adapting business theory for successful career and family life. I'm going to use this as a text in the Career Strategies class I'll be teaching in the summer.
1/18 - I pulled this from my "books to read once a year" shelf and it was such a great reminder of some important ideas. I love the way Christensen adapts ideas about strategy and emergent opportunities and challenges to careers. I use these ideas when teaching students about their career plans. I also gained a lot from re-reading what Christensen has to say about finding and living according to your personal purpose. I love that this book is super clear and straightforward but also gives me a lot to ponder and think about.
1/18 - I pulled this from my "books to read once a year" shelf and it was such a great reminder of some important ideas. I love the way Christensen adapts ideas about strategy and emergent opportunities and challenges to careers. I use these ideas when teaching students about their career plans. I also gained a lot from re-reading what Christensen has to say about finding and living according to your personal purpose. I love that this book is super clear and straightforward but also gives me a lot to ponder and think about.
tanya_the_spack's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, I actually didn’t like this book, but I’m still giving it four stars because I think it’s well written and fine advice, I’m just the wrong audience. Probably useful for someone just starting their career or about to graduate from college.
jennaherr's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty good. Focuses more on parenting than I expected. Two main take-away points for me: it's easier to do something 100% of the time than it is to do it 98% of the time (as far as principles are concerned) and if you say something is a priority, then your resource allocation should match that assertion (more time, energy, money, talent to the priority items).
bethgiven's review against another edition
3.0
After making it through the first hundred pages of this one, I realized that there was definitely a reason that the only class I took at the Tanner Building at BYU was University Chorale. Lots of business theory and case studies to wade through! It definitely took some mental effort to see how they fit together with the overall message. It bogged me down enough that I feel like I have to give this "only" three stars. (Maybe if I sit on this a few days I'll change my mind.)
Still, the themes in this book (like, living with purpose, having complete integrity, and making time for the things that are most important) are very valuable. I found myself taking notes throughout and I'm looking forward to our book club discussion -- it will be great. And even though the theories presented felt complex to a business-newbie like me, this book really is superbly written -- I could still grasp the basics of the theories as they applied to business and to one's personal or family life. Plus I really admire the author, Clayton Christensen; the stories from his personal life are some of the real gems of this book.
This is definitely worth picking up, especially if you have education or experience in the professional world -- but even if you don't.
Still, the themes in this book (like, living with purpose, having complete integrity, and making time for the things that are most important) are very valuable. I found myself taking notes throughout and I'm looking forward to our book club discussion -- it will be great. And even though the theories presented felt complex to a business-newbie like me, this book really is superbly written -- I could still grasp the basics of the theories as they applied to business and to one's personal or family life. Plus I really admire the author, Clayton Christensen; the stories from his personal life are some of the real gems of this book.
This is definitely worth picking up, especially if you have education or experience in the professional world -- but even if you don't.