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A CEO, an Entrepreneur, a Tourist, and the Monk: Finding the Balance Between Success and Happiness
Charles, a CEO, at the peak of his career, successful but unhappy, caught in his hamster wheel-of- fortune.
Antonio, an entrepreneur, constantly starting new ventures, but unsure of his long-term future
Toby, a tourist, trying to escape from a life that was not his own, and break his cycle of bad luck
A chance encounter between these three disparate characters and the Monk becomes the turning point in their lives. They embark on a journey of self-reflection, re-prioritise their lives, and take a different route to happiness, while enjoying the pursuit of material success.
But this story is just a parable for what we can all achieve in our lives.
Too many people today are preoccupied with work, have little time for their family and friends, and even less time for themselves. They tell themselves that they are doing this so that they can reap the fruits of their labour, relax, and be happy in the future. But, what if today was their future? When then will they be happy?
Author Alex Butt invites you to take a leaf from this book and ask yourself, "Are you content and happy with your life?" Just like these three characters, you too can apply the simple truths contained in this tale, redefine your own path to contentment, and discover a balance between success and happiness.
Antonio, an entrepreneur, constantly starting new ventures, but unsure of his long-term future
Toby, a tourist, trying to escape from a life that was not his own, and break his cycle of bad luck
A chance encounter between these three disparate characters and the Monk becomes the turning point in their lives. They embark on a journey of self-reflection, re-prioritise their lives, and take a different route to happiness, while enjoying the pursuit of material success.
But this story is just a parable for what we can all achieve in our lives.
Too many people today are preoccupied with work, have little time for their family and friends, and even less time for themselves. They tell themselves that they are doing this so that they can reap the fruits of their labour, relax, and be happy in the future. But, what if today was their future? When then will they be happy?
Author Alex Butt invites you to take a leaf from this book and ask yourself, "Are you content and happy with your life?" Just like these three characters, you too can apply the simple truths contained in this tale, redefine your own path to contentment, and discover a balance between success and happiness.
- GenresSelf Help
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 8, 2018
9 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
About the author
Alex Wai-Choon Butt
1 book7 followersAlex transformed himself from a multinational corporate executive into a successful Coach and Entrepreneur. Since 2010, he has coached and transformed many organisations and Entrepreneurs.
Prior to this and at his peak, Alex was leading Microsoft’s most profitable business, the OEM Division, in the Asia Pacific region. He started his career as a Systems Engineer at Honeywell and subsequently became a Support Manager at Hewlett-Packard before spending 17 ‘intense and defining’ years at Microsoft.
Butt has a Mensa-level IQ and became a millionaire at the age of 35. At the height of his careers, at the age of 49 and after 25 years in the corporate world, he gave up the suit to pursue the path of an entrepreneur. Though spiritually agnostic, on his 56th birthday, his consciousness compass guided his decision to be ordained as a Buddhist monk. This led hm to reboot himself by spending 45 days in seclusion in the forest of Thailand.
Alex believes in pushing ones career, stretching one’s physical state, and expanding ones mental faculty to the limit of their potential. “It’s not about being an extremist, rather about being ALIVE, constantly striving and balancing the best of bodily health, material wealth, and the inner wisdom of the mind. Find your balance and you will discover happiness.”
Prior to this and at his peak, Alex was leading Microsoft’s most profitable business, the OEM Division, in the Asia Pacific region. He started his career as a Systems Engineer at Honeywell and subsequently became a Support Manager at Hewlett-Packard before spending 17 ‘intense and defining’ years at Microsoft.
Butt has a Mensa-level IQ and became a millionaire at the age of 35. At the height of his careers, at the age of 49 and after 25 years in the corporate world, he gave up the suit to pursue the path of an entrepreneur. Though spiritually agnostic, on his 56th birthday, his consciousness compass guided his decision to be ordained as a Buddhist monk. This led hm to reboot himself by spending 45 days in seclusion in the forest of Thailand.
Alex believes in pushing ones career, stretching one’s physical state, and expanding ones mental faculty to the limit of their potential. “It’s not about being an extremist, rather about being ALIVE, constantly striving and balancing the best of bodily health, material wealth, and the inner wisdom of the mind. Find your balance and you will discover happiness.”
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 22, 2018
Alex Butt could share his real-life experience as a Buddhist monk and incorporated his insight knowledge of Buddhism in an easy-to-read way. He used hot and trendy topics about life and revealed the truth that we never think about.
So for me, this is one of the books I hardly put it down until the end! This book is also a great reflection on world view of Theravada monks in Thailand which is so interesting to learn from.
I read during the rescue mission of 13 wild boars of Tham Luang, Thailand, so I understand more how Buddhist teachings and meditation keep them survive gracefully.
So for me, this is one of the books I hardly put it down until the end! This book is also a great reflection on world view of Theravada monks in Thailand which is so interesting to learn from.
I read during the rescue mission of 13 wild boars of Tham Luang, Thailand, so I understand more how Buddhist teachings and meditation keep them survive gracefully.
April 27, 2018
Really excellent introduction to meditation, Buddhism, and the art of living a less "nosiy" life. the author's use of fictional characters to symbolise differnet types of people really sorked for me - in fact I am both an entrepreneur and was a CEO of a publicly listed company on the HK stock exchange, so I got a double benefit from the snesible, caring advice inside. Strongly recommended.
February 28, 2019
Genuine and extremely easy to read book about a path to unconditional happiness.
Besides talking about the for pillars leading to happiness as well as many other useful exercises helping to bring more clarity and mindfulness to your life, the author also introduces you to Buddhism, an incredibly interesting life of Theravada monks and meditation.
In a friendly and insightful way it uses storytelling and dialog to bring the reader from one page to another. Somehow you don't even notice when you open the last page of the book!
Besides talking about the for pillars leading to happiness as well as many other useful exercises helping to bring more clarity and mindfulness to your life, the author also introduces you to Buddhism, an incredibly interesting life of Theravada monks and meditation.
In a friendly and insightful way it uses storytelling and dialog to bring the reader from one page to another. Somehow you don't even notice when you open the last page of the book!
May 7, 2018
Many of us crave to be successful in our careers and other areas of our lives. However, in our pursuit of success, we often inadvertently choose to sacrifice key elements of our lives, either, subconsciously or consciously but resigned to not having a choice. The author carefully chose four characters in his story to reflect real and key personalities which we can relate to. From these four persons’ struggles and thoughts, he used the Monk to guide them onto their path of happiness without sacrificing success. I can connect with these four characters as I’ve personally interacted with people of such personalities and I’ve often cared and tried hard to steer them towards finding happiness. I now have the means to guide them by the tools given by the author and by the stories written within.
It’s an easy to read book and you’ll find yourself not being able to let go until you found the answers, and still crave for more.
If you are a CEO, an entrepreneur or anyone who is self-driven and still in search of that something that will bring happiness, this is a must read before your next step forward.
It’s an easy to read book and you’ll find yourself not being able to let go until you found the answers, and still crave for more.
If you are a CEO, an entrepreneur or anyone who is self-driven and still in search of that something that will bring happiness, this is a must read before your next step forward.
May 5, 2018
This book gives such insightful perspective to the hustle and bustle of life. The message of this book is one that will benefit anyone. Everyone needs to learn how to take a second and check in with themselves and this book has helped me greatly in that regard
May 22, 2018
This book refreshes my memory on many fundamental concepts of Buddhism. By including CEO, entrepreneur, tourist and monk into the book, the author demonstrates ways to assimilate Buddhist theory into real practice for people from all walks of life. The author also introduce people about a Theravada monk's life accurately. I would greatly recommend this book to everyone who wants to be both spiritually and materially successful in life.
June 16, 2018
Informative read
December 22, 2018
3.5stars
Original review in Today's Manager and on https://m360.sim.edu.sg/article/Pages...
Juggling Success and Happiness
WHEN I first saw the title, I was waiting for a punch-line. Instead, I embarked on an interesting journey of discovery to find a good balance.
Before I continue, let me introduce you to the key people in this book. They are Charles who is a CEO, Antonio who is an entrepreneur, Toby the tourist, and the monk. Charles is at the peak of his game but though he is successful, he feels stressed and unhappy. Antonio is uncertain about his long-term future but is keen to continuously get involved in new ventures. Toby is trying to break his streak of bad luck and finally, the monk whom they meet through a chance encounter becomes their turning point.
This is a modern day parable about pursuing material success without giving up one’s true journey towards happiness.
Author Mr Alex Butt brings forth the question about whether one is truly happy in the way you lead your life. In the three characters he has developed, one can certainly see traits of oneself whilst reading the book.
What I appreciated is the fact that Mr Butt did not make you feel like you are undermining yourself. In fact, the simplicity and clarity of how he writes will help you discover how to be truly happy. By now, you will know that I am not a big fan of such books, but this one might actually change my mind as I thoroughly enjoyed reading it as it was unpretentious and insightful. Everyone will be able to find something to benefit from by reading this book. Oh, and it may also help to know that Mr Butt is an actual ordained monk which makes it all the more interesting.
Original review in Today's Manager and on https://m360.sim.edu.sg/article/Pages...
Juggling Success and Happiness
WHEN I first saw the title, I was waiting for a punch-line. Instead, I embarked on an interesting journey of discovery to find a good balance.
Before I continue, let me introduce you to the key people in this book. They are Charles who is a CEO, Antonio who is an entrepreneur, Toby the tourist, and the monk. Charles is at the peak of his game but though he is successful, he feels stressed and unhappy. Antonio is uncertain about his long-term future but is keen to continuously get involved in new ventures. Toby is trying to break his streak of bad luck and finally, the monk whom they meet through a chance encounter becomes their turning point.
This is a modern day parable about pursuing material success without giving up one’s true journey towards happiness.
Author Mr Alex Butt brings forth the question about whether one is truly happy in the way you lead your life. In the three characters he has developed, one can certainly see traits of oneself whilst reading the book.
What I appreciated is the fact that Mr Butt did not make you feel like you are undermining yourself. In fact, the simplicity and clarity of how he writes will help you discover how to be truly happy. By now, you will know that I am not a big fan of such books, but this one might actually change my mind as I thoroughly enjoyed reading it as it was unpretentious and insightful. Everyone will be able to find something to benefit from by reading this book. Oh, and it may also help to know that Mr Butt is an actual ordained monk which makes it all the more interesting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2019
Interesting and awesome book.
Good introduction to mediation, path of happiness and gives an insight of perspectives by different people in the woks of life!
Good introduction to mediation, path of happiness and gives an insight of perspectives by different people in the woks of life!
October 29, 2018
If u’ve got everything, yet u’re still unhappy, this book is indeed helpful. It cannot solve all your problems but at least U will be on the right path in seeking happiness. Nothing is a coincidence. If u see this book, it means fated to read this.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews