Customer Reviews

The Business of Happiness: 6 Secrets to Extraordinary Success in Life and Work

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

As a 20+ year Caps fan, serial entrepreneur and voracious business book reader, I immediately pre-ordered the book when it was first available...and it was one of the best books I've read this year!

There are 2 main parts to the book. The first starting with Ted's story and the second with the 6 principles outlined and dissected. Following Ted's blog I've read parts of his story but never the whole thing and found this really insightful and inspiring.

I loved the journey and how each new endeavor (business or charitable) lead to more insights and distinctions for Ted towards happiness. Starting with a list of 101 items it was instructive to see how `business-like' Ted started with this journey to happiness or what he thought would make him happy. I really like how he pointed out buying a Ferrari (which was on the list) was like an empty calorie and didn't have much meaning afterwards. But other items on the list had a tremendous impact on his happiness.

The life list is the first of 6 tenets of happiness as identified by Ted. 1) Life list. 2) Multiple Communities of Interest. 3) Finding Outlets for Self-Expression. 4) Gratitude. 5) Giving Back. 6) Higher Calling.

It's a great list to focus on and this was the first business book I've seen to mention "Higher Calling" and "Finding Outlets for Self Expression" to help with your happiness. I love that and totally believe in it!

Ted repeatedly warns readers that `over-indexing' in one facet of your life - business success - prevents you from being happy. It's in the variety and living a full life that happiness occurs as a by-product. And this is certainly a good roadmap for anybody who wants to get there and take a shortcut.

This is a book that many in the workforce should be able to relate to: it describes one very successful entrepreneur's path to self-realization and fulfillment beyond the mere size of one's bank account, and provides concrete examples of how that actualization has actually resulted in more success in business. And, it does so without shamelessly promoting any particular religious philosophy or morality. Not only does it provide extensive details to serve as a blueprint for others, but it goes into considerable discourse about the reasons for the various components that make up that blueprint. Unfortunately, it does detour somewhat extensively, (the middle portion of the book), into more detail than is needed into the rise and fall of America On Line, (and a pre-occupation with the potential negative effects of short-term financial performance over long term goals). That portion reads more like a condemnation of public companies and wall street analysts generally than a book about why and how to be a happy businessman. It's the only distraction from an otherwise outstanding manifesto.

While I'm not quite done with the book yet, kudos to Washington Capitals owner and former AOL exec Ted Leonsis for a terrific book based on this simple premise: Happiness leads to success, not vice versa. Ted does a nice job of mixing personal experiences with "life lessons," both as a business owner and executive and lead owner of the most exciting NHL franchise in recent history. He makes a compelling and inspirational case for his premise.

It starts with the proverbial life changing event -- an "almost" plane crash that forced him to confront the fact that had he died that day, he would not have died a happy man. Using tried and true business techniques (building a "bucket list" of sorts, although he doesn't call it that), he created a personal metric to both largely define and measure his progress towards being happy. He shows that happy people are successful people, not vice versa.

It's a delightful read, chock full of common sense. As one who took Ted's "Happiness Survey" on his blog ([...]), I couldn't wait to order his book, and have not been disappointed. Ted is honest, open, transparent and inspiring. You'll discover why Ted's been a huge success as the transformational owner of the NHL's leading hockey team. And for those of us in business, we will discover some not-so-secrets of his success, including humility, transparency, and respect for all. A must read for hockey fans and business leaders, especially aspiring ones.

It's clear that Ted Leonsis has lived a remarkably successful and charmed life. He has given back time, money and opportunities to those less fortunate than him. He has a lot to be proud of: a healthy family, profitable business ventures and impactful charitable endeavors. Leonsis argues that because he became intentional about living a happy life, these successes followed him.

I expected to learn tools, actions and steps from Leonsis about how to create happiness in one's life. I was sadly disappointed. The first half of the book is dedicated to the author's personal journey. The second half of the book is intended to offer tips to help create happy lives. However, in my opinion, the entire book is dedicated to self-acknowledgment, name-dropping and reliving his departure from AOL, from which he clearly still harbors resentment. Again, I don't question the fact that Leonsis is a fantastic person. I just wish he would've acknowledged that this book is an autobiography, not a personal development book written to help others.

The book was suggested as a selection for our small group that has gathered for some time to support one another. The price was steep for this type but I agreed since we were to discuss it. I expected EXCELLENCE from this person. What I read was full of typographical errors and incomplete sentences. At one point the author had the audacity to publish this book with the following : "... [insert second example here]." I think the editing was cut-off in the second half of the book since the mistakes were rampant. I expected so much morefrom this successful person. While I appreciate what he has done for many people, I think I did not get anything near the value of what I paid.

An excellent book. However I got the feeling that I was reading an auto-biography.

Even though the author tried to generalize his experience, there was too much focus on himself.

Having said that, this book was a breath of fresh air compared to the other 'ZEN' happiness books floating around.

The book clearly shows one can successfully pursue happiness even in the midst of a busy life & career.

You're never too old to start your List, but this is a great recommendation for high school and college students about to be dumped off the academic treadmill into careers, new relationships, and Life. Ted's path to success demonstrates that being open to new ideas and experiences, taking advantage of serendipitous events, and spending the time to keeping contacts with friends, family, and people you meet in school and your career really count in both business and in life.

Ted's book, The Business of Happiness is the prescription for The American Dream of happiness and success. Ted's realization of some INCREDIBLE TRUTHS send him on a personal journey to pursue happiness. He starts with a classic list and along the way, he develops a brilliant life plan, The Six Tenets of Happiness. The book is written with clarity and such a willingness to share that it becomes thought provoking and extremely persuasive. Yes, it is better to be loved than needed. Lets Go Caps!

Excellent read, the kind you want to immediately rush out and share with someone else. It's Happiness 101, with all of Mr. Leonsis' observations and opinions on the basics with many applications to business. Throughout the book I kept finding parallels with the best parts of the world's great religions framed in a way that's open and accessible to everyone regardless of belief.

Write your list, then give the book to someone who might not be able to afford it.

This book offers many great lessons on how being a better person (connecting to others, giving back, etc.) can make you happier. I took so many great things away from this book. I related a lot to the organizational lessons from his AOL experiences, and have started my list. Goals help us all professionally, and now they can help you personally. I also really appreciate the slant toward his "double bottom line" mentality. Revolutionary for someone so successful to make that case. Thanks, Ted, for a great read!