Summary
In "How Will You Measure Your Life?" Clayton Christensen, James Allworth, and Karen Dillon argue that the theories used to explain success in business can also be applied to finding happiness and fulfillment in life. Christensen begins by reflecting on his Harvard Business School classmates, many of whom achieved professional success but struggled with personal unhappiness. This observation leads him to explore how individuals can create a fulfilling life strategy, drawing parallels with successful business strategies.
The book emphasizes the importance of understanding one's motivations. It introduces Frederick Herzberg's motivation theory, which distinguishes between hygiene factors (like salary and work conditions) and motivators (challenging work, recognition, responsibility). While hygiene factors prevent dissatisfaction, true motivation comes from intrinsic factors. The authors argue that pursuing money as the primary motivator often leads to unhappiness, advocating instead for finding work that is meaningful and challenging.
The book also explores the concept of emergent and deliberate strategies, both in business and personal life. It encourages individuals to be open to unexpected opportunities, especially early in their careers. It introduces a tool called "discovery-driven planning" that helps individuals identify and test the assumptions underlying their career choices. This involves listing the assumptions necessary for success and happiness and then finding ways to test their validity.
The book devotes a lot of attention to building strong relationships. It uses the theory of "good money, bad money" to emphasize the importance of investing in relationships before problems arise. It highlights the importance of allocating time and energy to family and friends, even when career demands seem overwhelming. The authors also introduce the concept of "capabilities," stressing the need for parents to help their children develop essential life skills, like problem-solving and resilience.
The authors also underscore the importance of living a life of integrity. They use the idea of "marginal thinking" to explain how small ethical compromises can lead to disastrous consequences. They encourage readers to define their values and adhere to them consistently, avoiding the trap of "just this once" justifications.
The book uses the analogy of "jobs to be done" to emphasize understanding other people’s needs, both in business and personal life. It explains successful products and services are structured to satisfy a real job customer trying to get done. The authors argue that individuals can strengthen their relationships by understanding the "jobs" that their spouse, children, and friends are trying to do, and then by truly helping them accomplish those jobs.
Finally, the book discusses how parents can help their children develop the resources, processes, and priorities (capabilities) needed for life. It cautions against outsourcing too much of children's lives to outside enrichment activities instead of allowing them to take ownership of the challenges and problems that arise at home.
The book also introduces the importance of the "school of experience." The authors argue that it is not enough for managers to hire employees with "the right stuff" on their resumes, they should also have faced and overcame challenges similar to those required in the job. The authors argue that parents should similarly ensure their children face the challenges that will equip them for the future.