How Will You Measure Your Life?

I have read other books by this author and thought I would give this book a read. He gave me things to think about and how his ideas translate into my life and circumstances. I especially enjoyed reading about Dell and it's outsourcing.

This is the thought provoking information that could have made my life much easier ... could have enriched my college experiences ... could have helped me become all that I should have been. Read it now!

Wonderful mix of common sense and strategy literature. I teach executives and MBA and they consistently rate is as one of the best books they have read. Specially if they have many years of experience.

The theory behind the book is neither new nor original from the author, but he does a wonderful job in collecting it and connecting it at a rationa and at an emotional level with the reader.

I highly recommend it to anybody looking for answers about decisions in the professional life. Read it before it is too late.

Brilliant interpretation of life using theory. The parts that constitute purpose have enabled me to focus my resources and priorities. I recommend this book for the still young, at least they still have time to adjust their lives.

I was so excited to hear Clayton Christensen was going to make a book on this subject. I couldn't put it down once I started reading. He gives excellent advice about life and how we can discover where we can focus our efforts. Clayton is very qualified to speak about this subject and gives many stories from his personal life to engage the reader.

From the recent college grad to the executive, this book really speaks to the need for us to analyze how we are using our resources. As a professor, I love how he applies tested theories to the individual. It is so easy to get caught up in the short-run benefits of projects and promotions; this book will help you take greater control of your life.

This is a remarkable book, easy read and with remarkable analogies from lots of Clayton Christensens excellent academic work. But it goes beyond and above that, with reflections on living a better life and how just being aware, and early on, you can do just that. Read it, this is one excellent piece...short and deep at the same time.

This book, "How Will You Measure Your LIfe?" is written by an LDS man named Clayton Christensen. Here is my book review off the store:

Christensen's thesis is this -- take examples of theories and principles from business, and describe them in the context of large corporations and managerial situations. Then, highlight how these theories and principles apply to individuals. The result is a book that is fascinating to people with an interest in business. But also relevent to their personal lives. The book is not about generating wealth -- it's about how to live a good life in ones family, career, and citizenship.

I read this on Kindle, and I have highlighted many passages that moved or educated me. I have found that most books leave me with perhaps one or two permanent nuggets of information -- and this book brought me three or four. Here are some key concepts for me.

First is Christensen's statement that mangement, if done well, is among the noblest of positions as it has such an impact on the overall happiness of so many people, who give managers such a large part of their day. This really inspired me.

His description of deliberate and emergent strategy was new to me, in spite of years of teaching business. It solidified what age had convinced me was true all along -- that you start out with your best estimate of what a good strategy is, and then learn as you implement the strategy, making adjustments. He gives rules for when to use deliberate and emergent strategy and applies it to career development.

Also significant was his statements about how to "stay out of jail". I was surprised he put that into his book given the well-educated audience he apparently targets with this book -- but then he described many high profile graduates of well-known universities who ended up in jail...I realized that no one is invulnerable and that repeated, escalating lapses in ethical judgment that can land anyone in jail -- based on Christensen's observations about graduates from his own university.

Last of all, the name of the book -- How to Measure Your Life -- seemed like a misnomer for most of the book. I was constantly wondering why he chose this title as he never seemed to address it. But then, in the last chapter, he wrote the most moving description of his own personal mission statement, and how HE measures his life. It was like a reveal in a movie where you can't see the next plot development coming, and sit in suspense about how situations will be resolved. Then, in the last chapter, he ties it all together. It was like the ending to a well-crafted movie.

In this way,he has a lot in common with Stephen Covey who was also a proponent of adapting the business mission statement concept to a person's life. Unlike Covey, Christensen shares his personal mission statement. You get a feel for the greatness of his character with some of the comments his collaborators on the book wrote about him as well. It brought some light tears to my eyes when I read it, particularly when he described a health challenge he faced (a significant, disabling one) and how his personal mission statement helped him through it. I recommend this book to anyone -- although I think people with a strong interest in business will find the book more engaging than people who aren't drawn into his business principles as an analogy for living one's life...

I have two criticisms of the book. One, is his use of marginal costing principles to draw a parallel about "not giving into temptation once". I don't think he made the analogy's applicability to the personal point he was making, clear. Yet, for some reason, his advice, although disconnected from his example, made a powerful impression on me. This provided redemption for the mistake...

Second was his criticism of technique-based learning. This form of learning occurs when you see something successful and try to emulate it by using the same techniques that led to the positive outcome. In contrast Christensen advocates a more academic approach to effectiveness, involving the application of theory. Although I agree that application of theory is a powerful way of having a meaningful impact on problems, it too has its pitfalls (picking the wrong theory for the situation, for example), the idea of taking what has worked in one situation and transposing it to a similar situation also has merits. My associates in various professional circles are realizing that technique based learning is often far less expensive than theory-based learning and can be just as effective. You have to conceive and test theory, where you can simply go straight to implementation with technique based learning.

Nonetheless, I value this book and will be re-reading my highlights regularly. Great job Clayton -- I hope to meet you sometime!

Perfect book to make you think about your life and where you want to go. I recommend this to everyone, but especially upcoming college graduates and recent grads looking for a way to map out the life you really want.

Although this book focuses mostly on an audience that is familiar with business and business strategies, Christensen does an excellent job of relating all the anecdotes back to a central point. The section on family inspired me to consider deeply what I want in a future family, and the epilogue had some great nuggets of wisdom.

Great book, Clayton M. Christensen write in such a way that really catches your attention and makes you think. I totally recommend it.
I'm an MBA and I read it as an assignment but I'd recommend it to anyone, it not a business book but rather how to get the most out of your life.

Well written with a good balance of anecdotes and questions to help one analyze her life and her choices.

I would recommend this to anyone looking to have their thinking challenged in regards to how they prioritize the facets of their life.

The author brings up his religious faith on numerous occassions as this is clearly an important part of his life. For the most part i did not find the book preachy or moralistic, but i personally could have done with less shared about his religion - though i do not consider this to be a major detractor to the book.

Christensen takes a business strategist's approach to building an authentic and happy life. You'll find plenty of business-related examples that illustrate Christensen's points; somewhat surprisingly, they translate to everyday life quite well.

The author approaches three major areas in life: happiness in one's career, family, and integrity.

The chapters on raising children are eye-opening and are worth the price of the book alone.

I think people need to think more about these things, especially those starting out in the workforce. I bought this one for a gift to a friend that is now in graduate school. Easy read and I keep a copy on my coffee table to remind me to focus on what's really important in life.

I've read everything Clay has written, and have spent the last year trying to teach my very large company how to apply his teachings. This book, however, is hands down the best and most beneficial book he's written today. It's an amazing business book disguised as a powerful self improvement book. EVERY MBA in america should receive a copy upon graduation.
The premise of the book is to take many of the business theories that Clay teaches at Harvard, (and in his other books) and apply them to your own personal life. And it is wonderful for that. It really does help you look inward and realize that many of the things we do every day make as much sense as managers who throw millions of dollars at innovation teams hopping that something good will come out the other side.

What is success?
Is my current career plan in line with my true goals?
Will reaching my career goals actually make me happier?
What is integrity, and is it ever OK to "cross the line"?

These questions, and many more, are at the heart of "How will you measure your life"

With families having both parents working, I though this was a great read. Trying to balance family vs work life can be very difficult and the author discusses these challenges. He also discusses the choices that we make in our professional and personal life and how to stay true to your core values as a person. Solid read

Highly recommended. Great advice for every facet of life, boiled down to it's essence, and explained simply yet elegantly. Since "Innovator's Dilemma" it was clear that Clayton Christensen was exceptional with his clear insights. In this book it was nice to discover his humanity matches his intellect.

I bought this for my husband for Christmas because he heard it was good. He started reading it right after Christmas and has been talking to me about it ever since. This book has given us tons of good deep conversations about life! It has awesome insights and is very uplifting. Definitely recommend this book!

How'd I, a 30-something, utterly depressed with my professional and entrepreneurial lives sum up the life lessons learnt from this book? Well, whatever I write won't do justice. So, in the words of Mr. Tolkien,

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king

Loved the book. It really makes (lets) you step back and evaluate what is important. Once you have clarity on what is important, you can make decisions to focus on those things instead of the distractions.

Loved the book. It really makes (lets) you step back and evaluate what is important. Once you have clarity on what is important, you can make decisions to focus on those things instead of the distractions.

I would recommend this book to anyone particularly those who are starting on their career path. It is a book that needs to be read more than once so would be great to reread after being in the career race a few years. This book encouraged me to reflect on what is really most important in my life.

Mr. Christensen begins from his point-of-view as one of the world's leading business thinkers, and takes a very nuanced, almost case-based approach to understanding how people create meaning in their lives. Very fascinating in that I believe he successfully applies theoretical methods towards demonstrating an almost empirical understanding of the subject at hand.

In a nutshell, Mr. Christensen covers three broad areas:

1.) A meaningful and rewarding career
2.) Meaningful and rewarding personal relationships
3.) Personal integrity, and remaining in alignment with one's own personal code of ethics

By applying theories of behavior taken from other domains, he illuminates the root causes of success (and failure) in each of these areas.

On a personal level, Christensen is clearly a very warm hearted and sincere person. His personality is imbued throughout the work, and it is clear that he has the best interests of his readers foremost in mind.

Recommended.

Clayton masterfully weaves a story about work/life balance and priorities that will change your life. If you feel this book and get it, you can make changes to better your life's outcome. If you don't feel and get it, then you know you have chosen the right path... I am of the former camp...

Great book for any and all seeking balance between work and personal life. It provides a good intermixing of language to enable the reader to apply the strategies of business to the realities of life and vice versa. The stories behind the stories make it even more meaningful.

Clayton Christensen is a Harvard Business professor that has help shaped and change the view of those around him. This book helps people identify what is really important in life and what our goals should really be.

I highly recommend this book. He teaches excellent lessons on how to be truly successful in life through business analogies and personal experiences. I learned a lot about business principles and how to live more meaningfully and successfully. I plan to read this again and apply the principles to my own life.

This is a great book with lots of helpful information. My only dislike with this book is that it took a few chapters before it actually gets to what the book is about. The beginning was all setup which according to Clayton is Critical in understanding the further chapters. Maybe it is but it was hard to get through the first couple chapters. After that is was fantastic

This book will deeply resonate with both who have BEEN there and got the t-shirt and those about to depart on the journey we call the REAL WORLD that generally takes place after high school...

Giving this book to a newly minted graduate is probably the best investment you can make. While it can't guarantee they'll make the right choices, it will at least give them pause to think.

As for newlyweds...the second part of this book should be required reading FOR ANY COUPLE once they decide to get married.

I plan on buying at least 20 copies over the next few months to give to family, friends and business associates.

The writing style is breezy and direct.

Are these folks writing about things that you've seen elsewhere? Sure. But they do it with a brilliance rarely seen.

Highly recommended.

I particularly liked the first few chapters relating to common misbeliefs and errors both in management and life. The book became too evangelical as it progressed and the personal experiences of the author made it interesting but less applicable, in my opinion, to most executives. Writing about College epiphanies in a book directed to executives probably is not that useful. Nevertheless, Christensen's theory of disruptive innovation is always worth reading even if the examples are repetitive in his various books

Clayton Christensen weaves together business and personal anecdotes as he teaches you about finding success in your work and in your home life. This book is a wonderful tool to help you think critically about your life and where you invest your time each day. There is great wisdom to be had in his discussions on marginal thinking and resource allocation, I encourage you to give this book a read.

Clayton Christensen puts into perspective the important things in life and does so with stories, analogies and academic studies that add emphasis and proof. A great read for anyone wanting to stay on the important tracks of life

I highly recommend this book especially for all new, or soon to be, graduates (undergrad or B-School). It's a great book for anyone, but as you are going out to make your mark on the world whether as a homemaker or a CEO (and everything in-between), this book will help you consider the road ahead and help you to avoid the many traps the world has to offer and ultimately potential disaster in career and life--especially if you are willing to really consider what Christensen is teaching. It is a great read and will leave you inspired to do better and to be the best you can be.

Authors provide a wide perspective of the life, looking from the Family point of view and extended it to the Professional career point of view. It demonstrate how simply personal desicions or behaviors, could impact the outcome of a Family or a Business.

I love this book. Its eye opening. My first impression was why didn't read this before? Dr. Christensen has excellent advise for finding carrier, happiness in carrier and relationships. Book might be pricey but worth every penny. So much wisdom was packed into each chapter.