From the world’s leading thinker on innovation and New York Times bestselling author of The Innovator’s Dilemma, Clayton M. Christensen, comes an unconventional book of inspiration and wisdom for achieving a fulfilling life. Christensen’s The Innovator’s Dilemma, notably the only business book that Apple’s Steve Jobs said “deeply influenced” him, is widely recognized as one of the most significant business books ever published. Now, in the tradition of Randy Pausch’s The Last Lecture and Anna Quindlen’s A Short Guide to a Happy Life, Christensen’s How Will You Measure Your Life is with a book of lucid observations and penetrating insights designed to help any reader—student or teacher, mid-career professional or retiree, parent or child—forge their own paths to fulfillment.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"If you're ready to get deep, real quick, you need to read Clay Christensen's new book, How Will You Measure Your Life?, co-written with James Allworth, a consultant and Harvard MBA, and Karen Dillon, former editor of the Harvard Business Review. It mixes tested business theories and a heap of common sense. It's one of the more surprisingly powerful books of personal philosophy of the 21st century." Forbes "How Will You Measure Your Life? is an intriguing paradox. A self-help book that is not a self-help book, based on rigorous research but enlivened by anecdotes about the experiences of a man who is hailed as a model by his students. It neatly reverses the technique of those business bestsellers that use the lives and careers of great leaders - from Attila the Hun to General George Patton - to lay down timeless rules for corporate executives." Financial Times "[A] highly engaging and intensely revealing work...Spiritual without being preachy, this work is especially relevant for young people embarking on their career, but also useful for anyone who wants to live a more meaningful life in accordance with their values." Publishers Weekly "The book encapsulates Christensen's best advice to keep high achievers from being disrupted in their own lives...[P]rovocative but reassuring: Peter Drucker meets Mitch Albom." Bloomberg Businessweek Praise for The Innovator's Dilemma: "Addresses a tough problem that most successful companies will face eventually. It's lucid, analytical-and scary." Dr. Andrew S. Grove, Chairman, Intel Corporation "The Innovator's Dilemma is absolutely brilliant. Clayton Christensen provides an insightful analysis of changing technology and its importance to a company's future success. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in business or entrepreneurship." Michael R. Bloomberg, CEO and Founder, Bloomberg Financial Markets
Review
"If you're ready to get deep, real quick, you need to read Clay Christensen's new book, How Will You Measure Your Life?, co-written with James Allworth, a consultant and Harvard MBA, and Karen Dillon, former editor of the Harvard Business Review. It mixes tested business theories and a heap of common sense. It's one of the more surprisingly powerful books of personal philosophy of the 21st century." Forbes "How Will You Measure Your Life? is an intriguing paradox. A self-help book that is not a self-help book, based on rigorous research but enlivened by anecdotes about the experiences of a man who is hailed as a model by his students. It neatly reverses the technique of those business bestsellers that use the lives and careers of great leaders - from Attila the Hun to General George Patton - to lay down timeless rules for corporate executives." Financial Times "[A] highly engaging and intensely revealing work...Spiritual without being preachy, this work is especially relevant for young people embarking on their career, but also useful for anyone who wants to live a more meaningful life in accordance with their values." Publishers Weekly "The book encapsulates Christensen,s best advice to keep high achievers from being disrupted in their own lives...[P]rovocative but reassuring: Peter Drucker meets Mitch Albom." Bloomberg Businessweek Praise for The Innovator,s Dilemma: "Addresses a tough problem that most successful companies will face eventually. It's lucid, analytical-and scary." Dr. Andrew S. Grove, Chairman, Intel Corporation "The Innovator's Dilemma is absolutely brilliant. Clayton Christensen provides an insightful analysis of changing technology and its importance to a company's future success. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in business or entrepreneurship." Michael R. Bloomberg, CEO and Founder, Bloomberg Financial Markets
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
163 of 174 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A thinking man's version of Covey and Collins that is deeper and profound -- not a fluff book at all!
May 15, 2012
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Christensen is one of the deepest thinkers and most thoughtful people I have had the pleasure to meet or hear present. Those traits of deep integrity, thought, consideration come through in this book. However, the title will be misleading as this is not another self help book, nor it is an attempt for Christensen to break into the Tuesday with Morrie crowd. Rather, Christensen turns his considerable intellect and experience to perhaps the most fundamental question of all -- why are we here and how do we know we are making a difference. The book is exceptional in its combination of deep feeling that is personal and experiential alongside deeper thought and business experience.
This is a business view of life, not in terms of profit or loss, but more in terms of ideals, ethics, integrity and brutal honesty about yourself, who you are and where you are going. Such deep moral subject matter could be dry and preachy, but Christensen and his co-authors are anything but. They explain their position in a series of theories -- simple ideas that you can use as tools to inspect and apply to your own experience. They avoid simple formulaic answers like you would find in some books and generic principles about success contained in others. This is a book that exposes the theory behind the issues below, the sources of conventional business and management wisdom and offers new ways of thinking about these important issues.
The book is organized into parts with a particular focus on core questions
Part 1 -- Finding happiness in your career, discusses the true basis of motivation and reward
Part 2 -- Finding happiness in your relationships, concentrates on spending time consistent with your priorities, patience and how they apply
Part 3 -- Staying out of Jail, about living with integrity and the pitfalls of marginal versus full thinking.
The chapters are short, well written and feature some of the material Christensen's prior talks -- for example the question of what is the job of a milkshake. The book is pure Christensen and that says its focused, educational and equips rather than preaches to the the audience.
This is not a self help book, but it is a book for people wanting to think about how to help themselves. The difference is subtle but important as after all is said and done, we all have to measure our own lives, and change based on what we see and believe using the tools we have. This book is chocked full of such tools.
Highly recommended.
This is a business view of life, not in terms of profit or loss, but more in terms of ideals, ethics, integrity and brutal honesty about yourself, who you are and where you are going. Such deep moral subject matter could be dry and preachy, but Christensen and his co-authors are anything but. They explain their position in a series of theories -- simple ideas that you can use as tools to inspect and apply to your own experience. They avoid simple formulaic answers like you would find in some books and generic principles about success contained in others. This is a book that exposes the theory behind the issues below, the sources of conventional business and management wisdom and offers new ways of thinking about these important issues.
The book is organized into parts with a particular focus on core questions
Part 1 -- Finding happiness in your career, discusses the true basis of motivation and reward
Part 2 -- Finding happiness in your relationships, concentrates on spending time consistent with your priorities, patience and how they apply
Part 3 -- Staying out of Jail, about living with integrity and the pitfalls of marginal versus full thinking.
The chapters are short, well written and feature some of the material Christensen's prior talks -- for example the question of what is the job of a milkshake. The book is pure Christensen and that says its focused, educational and equips rather than preaches to the the audience.
This is not a self help book, but it is a book for people wanting to think about how to help themselves. The difference is subtle but important as after all is said and done, we all have to measure our own lives, and change based on what we see and believe using the tools we have. This book is chocked full of such tools.
Highly recommended.
206 of 225 people found the following review helpful
By K. Evans
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
How Will You Measure Your Life aims to be a fluff free piece on finding purpose and happiness in your life. To achieve this, Christensen examines how businesses thrive and fail, turning those examples as lessons for our personal lives. He breaks down the book into 3 parts:
1. FINDING HAPPINESS IN YOUR CAREER--Readers familiar with the book "Drive" by Daniel Pink or the two factor theory will find similar advice here. Most people think getting rewards for jobs (i.e. money, benefits, vacation) will increase happiness. Instead these factors merely reduce dissatisfaction. Whereas, Challenging work, recognition, and responsibility will increase our satisfaction in a job. Christensen urges us not to focus on the result of our career, but on the process (which is a running theme throughout the book). I felt this simple cliche was clouded in Academic language. When I state "Academic," - I merely mean using too many words or new jargon to describe simple concepts. For example, he states if you are currently unhappy in your job, try out new things on the side or use an "emergent strategy," while if you are happy in your career, use a "deliberate strategy" to get better. Despite using the words "emergent", "deliberate", and "strategy", I felt this was pretty common advice.
2. FINDING HAPPINESS IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS--this section is particularly useful if you are a parent, as much of part II is dedicated to raising better children. Instead of rewarding children for the result (i.e. getting an A), we should congratulate them on their work ethic. I found the point of treating ourselves and people in our lives as "jobs" a particularly fascinating way to look at life. For example, we "hire" school so children can feel successful and have friends. Think of your relationships as "what jobs does this person need me to do?" Christensen also reemphasizes the need for parents to be present in a Child's early years, as research has shown, they gain a vast cognitive advantage (become smarter earlier). The main takeaway I got from part II was to stop placing so much emphasis on building a career and THEN focus on relationships--instead make the time and apply the effort to building both--even if that means an engaging project has to wait until tomorrow.
3. STAYING OUT OF JAIL--The shortest section of the book, this part deals with living a life of integrity. This chapter in summary states: set a boundary (i.e. going to Church on Sundays), and never violate it...not even "just this once."
EPILOGUE: The last part of this section contains "The Three Parts of Purpose," which Christensen attributes to Likeness, Commitment, and metrics. This part alone exemplifies the unnecessary long winded writing found throughout. "The Three Parts of Purpose" which comprises numerous pages, is more or less "Set a goal based on your values, commit to it, and measure it" advice in disguise.
As a twenty something self-employed business owner, I realize I am not the target demographic for this book. This book is more suitable for managers or employees of a large corporation, parents, or both. While perhaps the book's aim was not to be another self-help book, it merely turns out to be one disguised under academic language. Those new to the concepts of the "two factor theory," or overworked parents may find this book to be particularly useful. As a whole, it brings common self-help themes and career advice under one roof.
1. FINDING HAPPINESS IN YOUR CAREER--Readers familiar with the book "Drive" by Daniel Pink or the two factor theory will find similar advice here. Most people think getting rewards for jobs (i.e. money, benefits, vacation) will increase happiness. Instead these factors merely reduce dissatisfaction. Whereas, Challenging work, recognition, and responsibility will increase our satisfaction in a job. Christensen urges us not to focus on the result of our career, but on the process (which is a running theme throughout the book). I felt this simple cliche was clouded in Academic language. When I state "Academic," - I merely mean using too many words or new jargon to describe simple concepts. For example, he states if you are currently unhappy in your job, try out new things on the side or use an "emergent strategy," while if you are happy in your career, use a "deliberate strategy" to get better. Despite using the words "emergent", "deliberate", and "strategy", I felt this was pretty common advice.
2. FINDING HAPPINESS IN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS--this section is particularly useful if you are a parent, as much of part II is dedicated to raising better children. Instead of rewarding children for the result (i.e. getting an A), we should congratulate them on their work ethic. I found the point of treating ourselves and people in our lives as "jobs" a particularly fascinating way to look at life. For example, we "hire" school so children can feel successful and have friends. Think of your relationships as "what jobs does this person need me to do?" Christensen also reemphasizes the need for parents to be present in a Child's early years, as research has shown, they gain a vast cognitive advantage (become smarter earlier). The main takeaway I got from part II was to stop placing so much emphasis on building a career and THEN focus on relationships--instead make the time and apply the effort to building both--even if that means an engaging project has to wait until tomorrow.
3. STAYING OUT OF JAIL--The shortest section of the book, this part deals with living a life of integrity. This chapter in summary states: set a boundary (i.e. going to Church on Sundays), and never violate it...not even "just this once."
EPILOGUE: The last part of this section contains "The Three Parts of Purpose," which Christensen attributes to Likeness, Commitment, and metrics. This part alone exemplifies the unnecessary long winded writing found throughout. "The Three Parts of Purpose" which comprises numerous pages, is more or less "Set a goal based on your values, commit to it, and measure it" advice in disguise.
As a twenty something self-employed business owner, I realize I am not the target demographic for this book. This book is more suitable for managers or employees of a large corporation, parents, or both. While perhaps the book's aim was not to be another self-help book, it merely turns out to be one disguised under academic language. Those new to the concepts of the "two factor theory," or overworked parents may find this book to be particularly useful. As a whole, it brings common self-help themes and career advice under one roof.
97 of 107 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book grew out of Christensen's address to the HBS Class of 2010. When they entered the school our economy was strong and their ambitions could be limitless. Then came an economic tailspin that we've named the 'Great Recession.' His address to the graduates, and the focus of this book, centered on how to apply his principles to their personal lives.
His first key point is that when people ask what he thinks they should do, he has learned to rarely directly answer their question. Instead, he runs the question through one of his models involving an industry quite different from their own. Then, more often than not, they'll say "I get it,' and answer their own question more insight fully than he believes he could have.
On the last day of class Christensen asks his students to apply the models he's presented during the course to themselves to answer three questions: 1)How can I be sure I'll be happy in my career? 2)How can I be certain my relationships with my family become an enduring source of happiness. 3)How can I be certain I'll stay out of jail. (Not a facetious question - Jeff Skilling was Christensen's classmate at HBS, and two of the 32 in his Rhodes scholar class spend time in jail.)
Addressing the first question, Christensen references Frederick Herzberg's assertion that money isn't the most powerful motivator in our lives - it's the opportunity to learn, grow in responsibilities, contribute to others, and be recognized for achievements. He also points out that if management is practiced well it helps others learn and grow, take responsibility and be recognized. Doing business deals doesn't provide the deep rewards that come from building up people.
Clayton's recommended approach to the second question is based on his own having spent an hour each night reading, thinking, and praying about why God put him on this earth. Finding a purpose is essential to avoiding a hollow life. Personal decisions then can be seen as involving the allocation of time, energy, and talent - just like in a business. His assessment of why some lives end up hollow and unhappy - they had a short-term perspective.
The simplest tools that parents can use to elicit cooperation from children are power tools - eg. coercion. But these no longer work at some time. Building an appropriate culture from the start would have been more effective.
As for the third question - Christensen suggests thinking of marginal costs, always alluring low for 'just this once' situation. The problem is that after 'that once,' repeating the mistake becomes much easier in the future. It's easier to hold on to one's principles 100% of the time than 98% of the time.
Finally, he also adds that if one's attitude is that only smarter people have something to teach you (eg. such as parents, professors), one's learning opportunities will be very limited. Humility, however, allows learning from everybody and unlimited learning.
Others who know Professor Christensen believe he could add three other keys for success, based on his own conduct over the decades:
1)Have an eternal quest for truth, and focus on high-impact issues.
2)Believe in basic goodness - this helps identify root problems.
3)Persistence - his 1997 'The Innovator's Dilemma" won the Global Best business book award. He could have stopped there. Instead he continued and wrote seven mass-market books, and an additional 13 HBR articles, including three that won McKinsey awards.
Bottom-Line: An incredibly valuable book from an outstanding human being and teacher.
His first key point is that when people ask what he thinks they should do, he has learned to rarely directly answer their question. Instead, he runs the question through one of his models involving an industry quite different from their own. Then, more often than not, they'll say "I get it,' and answer their own question more insight fully than he believes he could have.
On the last day of class Christensen asks his students to apply the models he's presented during the course to themselves to answer three questions: 1)How can I be sure I'll be happy in my career? 2)How can I be certain my relationships with my family become an enduring source of happiness. 3)How can I be certain I'll stay out of jail. (Not a facetious question - Jeff Skilling was Christensen's classmate at HBS, and two of the 32 in his Rhodes scholar class spend time in jail.)
Addressing the first question, Christensen references Frederick Herzberg's assertion that money isn't the most powerful motivator in our lives - it's the opportunity to learn, grow in responsibilities, contribute to others, and be recognized for achievements. He also points out that if management is practiced well it helps others learn and grow, take responsibility and be recognized. Doing business deals doesn't provide the deep rewards that come from building up people.
Clayton's recommended approach to the second question is based on his own having spent an hour each night reading, thinking, and praying about why God put him on this earth. Finding a purpose is essential to avoiding a hollow life. Personal decisions then can be seen as involving the allocation of time, energy, and talent - just like in a business. His assessment of why some lives end up hollow and unhappy - they had a short-term perspective.
The simplest tools that parents can use to elicit cooperation from children are power tools - eg. coercion. But these no longer work at some time. Building an appropriate culture from the start would have been more effective.
As for the third question - Christensen suggests thinking of marginal costs, always alluring low for 'just this once' situation. The problem is that after 'that once,' repeating the mistake becomes much easier in the future. It's easier to hold on to one's principles 100% of the time than 98% of the time.
Finally, he also adds that if one's attitude is that only smarter people have something to teach you (eg. such as parents, professors), one's learning opportunities will be very limited. Humility, however, allows learning from everybody and unlimited learning.
Others who know Professor Christensen believe he could add three other keys for success, based on his own conduct over the decades:
1)Have an eternal quest for truth, and focus on high-impact issues.
2)Believe in basic goodness - this helps identify root problems.
3)Persistence - his 1997 'The Innovator's Dilemma" won the Global Best business book award. He could have stopped there. Instead he continued and wrote seven mass-market books, and an additional 13 HBR articles, including three that won McKinsey awards.
Bottom-Line: An incredibly valuable book from an outstanding human being and teacher.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Changed (or about to change) my Life
Clayton masterfully weaves a story about work/life balance and priorities that will change your life. Read more
Published 2 days ago by Mark J Donatelli
5.0 out of 5 stars
thought provoking and timely for those who want the most out of life
Devoid of one-liners and superficial answers, How Will You Measure Your Life, employs well thought out theories of business management and applies them to the difficult and also... Read more
Published 3 days ago by Scott
5.0 out of 5 stars
easy access insight
Despite there being way too much god stuff, the book presents some core business principles about change, growth and innovation without the business jargon in an accessible and... Read more
Published 4 days ago by Sean Gallagher
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very insightful book
I keep recommending it to my friends. I learned the pitfalls of short term thinking. Just like big companies, individuals can forget about investing into what matters in the long... Read more
Published 5 days ago by Anna
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read, must read
Great mix of story telling, business acumen, and perspective.
I was recommended this book at the perfect time, then realized it's a book for everyone no matter what point of... Read more
I was recommended this book at the perfect time, then realized it's a book for everyone no matter what point of... Read more
Published 7 days ago by Adam Cubbage
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the best reads in a long time!
All time classic - must read and a very useful / relevant 'handbook' if you are contemplating the next step in your life / career.
Published 13 days ago by Anush Kumar
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love this book!
The book is a bit intellectual so I read it twice to understand it all, but I highly recommend it. It changed my life!
Published 14 days ago by Katherine N. Mouritsen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Profound
His course sounds exceptional but the way he brings business strategy insights into personal development must be life-changing for students.
Published 15 days ago by James Shankle
5.0 out of 5 stars
Life changing
This book is on my shelf next to the bible. Life changing. This book will help you find purpose to life.
Published 16 days ago by Aaron Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
A truly important read
A wonderful and truly important book for every human being to read. It is a beautifully concise book as well.
Published 16 days ago by Killer Bee
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