How will you measure your life?

The author had just overcome the same type of cancer that had taken his father’s life. As he struggled with the disease, the question “How do you measure your life?” became more urgent. He drew upon his business researches and tried to find out the true meaning and happiness of life.

I, in particular, was impressed by what the author shared in Section I: Finding Happiness in Your Career. Many young people find themselves stuck in unhappy careers is often the result of a misunderstanding of what really motivates us. For true motivation, the author believed, “is getting people to do something because they want to do it.” (P.32)

According to Frederick Herzberg, job satisfaction is not a spectrum. Instead, satisfaction and dissatisfaction are two independent measures. Hygiene factors are status, compensation, job security, work conditions, company policies and supervisory practices. Bad hygiene or lack of it causes dissatisfaction in work. Please note, Herzberg classified compensation as a hygiene factor, not a motivator.

While motivation is much more about what’s inside of you and inside of your work. They are the feelings that you are making a meaningful contribution to work, like challenging work, recognition, responsibility, and personal growth.

Many young people had chosen their careers using hygiene factors as their primary criteria. They viewed their education as an investment and often believed that income was the most important criterion. It wasn’t too long, some of them had actually begun to resent their jobs. Worse still, they found themselves stuck as they expanded their lifestyle to fit their salaries. It was, if not impossible, really difficult to wind that back.

You have to find a career that both satisfies the hygiene factors and motivates you.

In Section II: Finding Happiness in Your relationships, the author found out that people are constantly pressured, both at home and at work. Yet most high-achievers focus a great deal on becoming the person they want to be at work – and far too little on the person they want to be at home. They might be hoping that their family ties and friendship bonds are strong enough to endure neglect. But that’s seldom the case. It is paradoxical that it is important to invest in building strong families and close friendships when it appears as if it’s not necessary. Or it is often too late to repair them when serious problems arise.

Indeed, relationships with family and close friends are one of the greatest sources of happiness in life.

Reflected from his own life, the author recognized some of the greatest gifts he received from his parents stemmed from what they didn't do for him. They helped him to learn that he should solve his own problems whenever possible; they gave him the confidence that he could solve his own problems; and they help him experience pride in that achievement. That’s how self-esteem comes from. Yet, many parents mistakenly flooding their children with knowledge, skills and experiences as to get ahead. Some even outsource too much of their lives: their values, which may be the most important capability of all.

Christensen, C., Allworth, J. & Dillon, K. (2012). How will you measure your life? NY: HarperCollins.