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Life's Great Question: Discover How You Contribute To The World
A remarkable book, story, and online program from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of StrengthsFinder 2.0, How Full Is Your Bucket?, and Eat Move Sleep.
Life is not what you get out of it . . . it's what you put back in. Yet our current means for summarizing life's work, from resumes to salaries, are devoid of what matters most. This is why the work we do is often bad for our wellbeing, when it should be making us happier and healthier. What are the most meaningful contributions we can make? This is Life's Great Question.
Life is about what you do that improves the world around you. It is about investing in the development of other people. And it is about efforts that will continue to grow when you are gone.
Life's Great Question will show you how to make your work and life more meaningful, and greatly boost your wellbeing. In this remarkably quick read, author Tom Rath describes how finding your greatest contribution is far more effective than following talent or passion alone.
More than a book, each copy includes a code for an online program that identifies the most significant contributions you can make. This deeply practical book will alter how you look at your work and change the way you live each day.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published February 4, 2020
152 people are currently reading
1682 people want to read
About the author
Tom Rath
24 books639 followersTom Rath is an author and researcher who has spent the past two decades studying how work can improve human health and well-being. He has two books slated for publication in 2020, Life's Great Question: Discover How You Best Contribute to the World and It's Not About You: A Brief Guide to a Meaningful Life, published in partnership with Amazon Original Stories.
In total, Tom's 10 books have sold more than 10 million copies and made hundreds of appearances on global bestseller lists.
Connect with Tom at:
- www.tomrath.org
- Twitter.com/TomCRath
- Facebook.com/AuthorTomRath
- Google.com/+TomRath
- Linkedin.com/in/trath/
In total, Tom's 10 books have sold more than 10 million copies and made hundreds of appearances on global bestseller lists.
Connect with Tom at:
- www.tomrath.org
- Twitter.com/TomCRath
- Facebook.com/AuthorTomRath
- Google.com/+TomRath
- Linkedin.com/in/trath/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 5, 2020
From a personal standpoint, the release of every Tom Rath book is not merely an event, but a veritable cause for celebration. If you find this statement to be an exercise in gross exaggeration, then I would sincerely exhort the skeptic in you to read his bestseller, “Eat, Move, Sleep.” You can thank me once you become a convert to the Rath Philosophy! Humour aside, Mr. Rath’s books constitute a blend of wisdom juxtaposed with implementation. If practicality is the mother of his ideas, enriching outcomes make for the father.
Mr. Rath’s latest work, “Life’s Great Question: Discover How You Contribute to The World” is no exception to the rule. The Rath imprimatur permeates the pages of what arguably must be the smallest book that the author has penned till date. While the message conveyed is neither novel nor ingenious, the path laid down for the reader to follow is downright utilitarian. However, lest the reader be confused, the word Utilitarian is not to be used in the context of what or how Jeremy Bentham espoused it to be. The utility as proposed in this book does not target the maximization of happiness for many at the expense of a few.
At the heart of the book lies the notion of adding value to society in such a way that the value thus added provides something that others need. As Mr. Rath holds forth, “scientists have determined that we human beings are innately other-directed, which they refer to as being “prosocial.” According to top researchers who reviewed hundreds of studies on this subject, the defining features of a meaningful life are “connecting and contributing to something beyond the self.”
Using empirical and qualitative research finding, Mr. Rath proposes that “all teams need to do three very basic things: Create, Operate, and Relate. If a team is lacking in any one of these three major functions, it is almost impossible for the group to be effective, let alone thrive.”
Mr. Rath devotes the bulk of his book in dwelling about what he terms are twelve primary contributions.
Mr. Rath introduces his readers to each of the dozen contributions with a brief and perfunctory introduction that alludes to the most quintessential attributes of the contribution in function. This outline is immediately succeeded by two sections titled, ‘Contributing to Teams’ and ‘Contributing to Other’s Lives’, and ‘The Energy to Be Your Best’ respectively. It is in these two sections that one can experience the vintage Tom Rath touch. Shades of “Eat, Move and Sleep” keep darting in and out both unobtrusively and conspicuously depending upon the relevance of the topic being dealt with. However, the repeated emphasis on movement, dietary habits and repose is a telling acknowledgment of the tenets which the author himself swears by.
For example, in the contribution of “Connecting: under the heading, ‘Contributing to Other’s Lives’, Mr. Rath explains, “one of the challenges of being very active socially is that it involves a lot of dining out in groups. Find ways to get ahead of the endless temptations of bad choices by eating something healthy before you go to an event or setting rules for yourself about what to avoid.”
Yet another illustration of the “Eat, Move, Sleep” influence may be found in the “Energizing” contribution: “Today, make a list of the most common foods and meals that almost all experts agree are net positive for health and energy — foods like green leafy vegetables, nuts, legumes, and so on. Help others simplify and synthesize all the disparate information out there so eating well is that much easier for them. If you are better than most at juggling several tasks at once, try applying this to infusing movement into your workday — for example, find ways to talk or type while you are standing or walking. It’s likely that your focus on serving other people in your community sometimes comes at a personal cost. Are you taking care of yourself to the degree you should? Understand that the people you hope to serve need you to take care of your own physical health first so they can count on you in a time of need.”
The book also lends access to an online resource portal called “Contribify.” “The Contribify inventory is a series of questions that asks you to prioritize activities and situations that describe you or appeal to you most. This app will then show you the top three areas where you have the most potential for contribution.” The portal allows the reader to build a profile upon entering a unique access code that can be found at the back of every physical copy of the book. The inventory takes the reader through a series of open and close-ended questions. The portal also under a section titled, ‘Most Influential Life ExperienceS (“MILES”) encourages the reader to go back and identify a few of the most formative experiences of her lifetime. “What are the events, moments, or periods of time that most positively influenced who you are today?”
As Mr. Rath illustrates, researchers Amy Wrzesniewski, Justin Berg, and Jane Dutton, during the course of their studies spanning more than a decade and involving people who have successfully made their current jobs into much more meaningful and enjoyable careers, concluded that it is possible to turn the job you have into the job you want. It is this very objective which Mr. Rath strives to instill in his readers in general and the populace in particular. This he proposes to achieve by taking recourse to the twelve contributions which ought to be uncompromising in adherence and indelible in their execution.
While “Life’s Great Question” might not be viewed as a book that advocates principles that are neither radical nor lateral (as in out of the box – in Edward de Bono speak), it certainly possesses quality that can prove to be transformational.
Typical Tom Rath!
Mr. Rath’s latest work, “Life’s Great Question: Discover How You Contribute to The World” is no exception to the rule. The Rath imprimatur permeates the pages of what arguably must be the smallest book that the author has penned till date. While the message conveyed is neither novel nor ingenious, the path laid down for the reader to follow is downright utilitarian. However, lest the reader be confused, the word Utilitarian is not to be used in the context of what or how Jeremy Bentham espoused it to be. The utility as proposed in this book does not target the maximization of happiness for many at the expense of a few.
At the heart of the book lies the notion of adding value to society in such a way that the value thus added provides something that others need. As Mr. Rath holds forth, “scientists have determined that we human beings are innately other-directed, which they refer to as being “prosocial.” According to top researchers who reviewed hundreds of studies on this subject, the defining features of a meaningful life are “connecting and contributing to something beyond the self.”
Using empirical and qualitative research finding, Mr. Rath proposes that “all teams need to do three very basic things: Create, Operate, and Relate. If a team is lacking in any one of these three major functions, it is almost impossible for the group to be effective, let alone thrive.”
Mr. Rath devotes the bulk of his book in dwelling about what he terms are twelve primary contributions.
Mr. Rath introduces his readers to each of the dozen contributions with a brief and perfunctory introduction that alludes to the most quintessential attributes of the contribution in function. This outline is immediately succeeded by two sections titled, ‘Contributing to Teams’ and ‘Contributing to Other’s Lives’, and ‘The Energy to Be Your Best’ respectively. It is in these two sections that one can experience the vintage Tom Rath touch. Shades of “Eat, Move and Sleep” keep darting in and out both unobtrusively and conspicuously depending upon the relevance of the topic being dealt with. However, the repeated emphasis on movement, dietary habits and repose is a telling acknowledgment of the tenets which the author himself swears by.
For example, in the contribution of “Connecting: under the heading, ‘Contributing to Other’s Lives’, Mr. Rath explains, “one of the challenges of being very active socially is that it involves a lot of dining out in groups. Find ways to get ahead of the endless temptations of bad choices by eating something healthy before you go to an event or setting rules for yourself about what to avoid.”
Yet another illustration of the “Eat, Move, Sleep” influence may be found in the “Energizing” contribution: “Today, make a list of the most common foods and meals that almost all experts agree are net positive for health and energy — foods like green leafy vegetables, nuts, legumes, and so on. Help others simplify and synthesize all the disparate information out there so eating well is that much easier for them. If you are better than most at juggling several tasks at once, try applying this to infusing movement into your workday — for example, find ways to talk or type while you are standing or walking. It’s likely that your focus on serving other people in your community sometimes comes at a personal cost. Are you taking care of yourself to the degree you should? Understand that the people you hope to serve need you to take care of your own physical health first so they can count on you in a time of need.”
The book also lends access to an online resource portal called “Contribify.” “The Contribify inventory is a series of questions that asks you to prioritize activities and situations that describe you or appeal to you most. This app will then show you the top three areas where you have the most potential for contribution.” The portal allows the reader to build a profile upon entering a unique access code that can be found at the back of every physical copy of the book. The inventory takes the reader through a series of open and close-ended questions. The portal also under a section titled, ‘Most Influential Life ExperienceS (“MILES”) encourages the reader to go back and identify a few of the most formative experiences of her lifetime. “What are the events, moments, or periods of time that most positively influenced who you are today?”
As Mr. Rath illustrates, researchers Amy Wrzesniewski, Justin Berg, and Jane Dutton, during the course of their studies spanning more than a decade and involving people who have successfully made their current jobs into much more meaningful and enjoyable careers, concluded that it is possible to turn the job you have into the job you want. It is this very objective which Mr. Rath strives to instill in his readers in general and the populace in particular. This he proposes to achieve by taking recourse to the twelve contributions which ought to be uncompromising in adherence and indelible in their execution.
While “Life’s Great Question” might not be viewed as a book that advocates principles that are neither radical nor lateral (as in out of the box – in Edward de Bono speak), it certainly possesses quality that can prove to be transformational.
Typical Tom Rath!
September 21, 2021
This is a short, but helpful and uplifting book that reminds us to focus on our contributions and what we're doing to help others. Life and work are more meaningful when we're helping someone else. As we focus outward and think about what and where we can contribute, instead of on our own passions and needs, we will be more fulfilled and make a difference in the world. We all have something we can contribute, something that the world needs. Listed here are 12 contributions the world needs and ways we can fill them. Here are some of my favorite quotes and insights:
"'Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., p. 3)?'"
"The prospect of death leads to greater appreciation of life, more rapid formulation of values, more thought about the meaning of life, and stronger social connections... When you consider how short life can be, you create more meaning in the world (p. 7)."
"I do not believe it is in anyone's best interest to live like they have forever. When you view your time as finite, you build more like into each day (p. 7)."
"Our current means for summarizing a person's work are grossly inadequate. Resumes are remarkably sterile and lifeless... Think of it as moving from:
You are what you do --> You are how you help (7)"
"Consider how you can use your talents to make more meaningful contributions over a lifetime (p. 8)."
"Invest more time where your talents will yield the greatest return for others (p. 9)."
"The ultimate goal of development should be more about service and less about self (p. 9)."
"Strengths are for serving others (p. 10)"
"While your talents are nature's best building blocks, they serve the world best when your efforts are directed outward... Most of us are so caught up with daily demands that we continually put off serious reflection about how to make a greater contribution to the teams, families, and communities around us. This is a consequential mistake (p. 10)."
"Knowing who you are--and who you are not--is essential (p. 11)."
"Real growth is the product of following your contributions more than your passions (p. 11)."
"The defining features of a meaningful life are 'connecting and contributing to something beyond the self (p. 12).'"
"Work can actually improve your health and wellbeing every day. Work can also be about doing something each day that improves your relationship with your family and friends (p. 12)."
"We must find ways to celebrate people's lives and contributions while they are still alive (p. 14)."
"We have today to invest in what could outlive us. After that, there is no guarantee (p. 15)."
"The process starts by changing the way you think about work; redefining the way you approach what you do each day. I want to challenge you to think about how your daily efforts can be far more than 'just a job (p. 18).'"
"Jobs can be great opportunities to answer Dr. King's call of doing more for others. In place of the notion that we work primarily for pay, we need to start thinking about how we work to create improvement in other people's lives. This is what the vast majority of us would like our work to be about (p. 19)."
"It literally pays to focus on the value you're bringing to others (p. 20)."
"We cannot rely on companies alone to help us maximize our contribution and improve our wellbeing (p. 21)."
"It is up to each of us, individually, to rewrite our definition of work and rewire the way we work (p. 22)."
"Devoting time outside of work to serving others is a great idea... If your entire identity is wound up in a job that could go away, your wellbeing is in constant jeopardy... We should look for ways to make purposeful contributions both outside of work and at our jobs (p. 23)."
"Soley asking people what they 'do' doesn't reveal much... I ask, 'So what does... a typical day look like... what do you spend the most time doing (p. 24)?'"
"We have to do a better job of connecting practical daily actions with purpose (p. 25)."
"Instead of the sterile language of resumes, we need a language for contributions that captures the humanity of what we do--that expresses how we draw on our human talents to make contributions to people, not just to companies (p. 27)."
"Instead of following your passion, find your greatest contribution (p. 29)."
"People do change... Even your core personality can change (p. 31)."
"There is no good reason to believe you're simply stuck in a role that you've come to realize doesn't suit you. There is also no good reason to hold back from pushing yourself to move into a career you think you'd find more fulfilling but worry you may not have the right personality for (p. 32)."
"'It's good to accept and love who you are, but it's also good to know that you can change for the better (p. 34).'"
"Great work is forged with effort; it does not just fall from the heavens... 'Great jobs are made, not found.'... Effective job crafting starts with creating change in three key areas: tasks, relationships, and perceptions (p. 35)."
"People experience a far greater sense of belonging and more sustainable wellbeing when they connect their efforts in the moment with a larger influence on others (p. 38)."
"Who can, does, or will eventually benefit from my efforts (p. 39)?"
"Your contributions come into clearest view as you get closer to the source (p. 39)."
"Gain a better understanding of who you are--for the sake of doing more for other people (p. 41)."
"Focus on the top three contributions that best fit you and are what thew world around you needs (p. 42)."
"Contribution is the sum of what grows when you are gone (p. 46)."
"You create meaning when your motivators, abilities, and purpose meet to serve the world (p. 47)."
"Finding a way to positively influence others through your work requires ongoing analysis (p. 48)."
"What can I give (p. 49)?"
"Do work that improves the wellbeing of people you love... Do your work without haveing to sit in a chair all day... Have as much freedom, autonomy, and control as possible. Spend at least one hour per day doing something that gives you great energy (p. 49)."
"Team Contributions
What the World Needs
Create: initiating, challenging, teaching, visioning
Relate: connecting, energizing, perceiving, influencing
Operate: organizing, achieving, adapting, scaling (p. 52)"
"Individual Contributions
What Are You Doing for Others
Create
Initiating: How do we get started?
Challenging: Are we doing the right things?
Teaching: What do people need to know?
Visioning: What should we do next?
Relate
Connecting: How do we connect people to our mission?
Energizing: How do we get and stay charged?
Perceiving: What does each person need?
Influencing: How can we grow our client base?
Operate
Organizing: How do we make things run smoothly?
Achieving: How can we get more done?
Adapting: How can we adapt quickly to changes?
Scaling: How can we reach more people? (p. 53)"
"'The secret of getting ahead is getting started (Mark Twain, p. 57).'"
"Initiating... Pepole will look to you when they need a friend to listen. Keep asking great questions to get people talking. Plan events and conversations between people who will have common interests... Remember to continually reinvest in the closest relationships you have today (p. 58)."
"Help people see a more hopeful outcome using very specific language... Take time to notice and relish the small moments when your work creates or makes a difference for another person... Focus even more of your daily energy on giving people your truly undivided attention... Get through those hard times without letting it bring them or others down... Let others learn from you... Bring groups in your social circles together (p. 59)."
"'The power to question is the basis of all human progress (Indira Gandhi, p. 63).'"
"Challenging... One challenge that comes with being naturally curious is that you can learn, read, and ask questions almost indefinitely. Be aware that at some point, other people and groups often need to move to action... Inquisitive people keep us all moving toward a brighter and more exciting future (p. 65)."
"Your open-mindedness puts you in a unique position to try new approaches... To create any new product, service, or innovation, you need to have the right people in the right roles (p. 66)."
"Try to spend a bit more time with people who do not share your views and may even disagree with you regularly... Almost all new ideas are the product of multiple interactions with other people (p. 68)."
"'Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world (Nelson Mandela, p. 71).'"
"Teaching... Without learning, it is all but impossible to grow... Develping other people is one of life's most important investments, and its effects last well beyond a lifetime (p. 72)."
"Groups will look to you when they want to be heard, grow, and have more engagement as a team... When people can see and measure the way their work is improving other people's lives, they do better work and enjoy their jobs more (p. 73)."
"Think about how you intend to invest in the ongoing development of one specific person, and create a long-term plan for it today... While most of us likely do some meanginful work each day, we don't usually take the tie to acknowledge or recognize these small victories (p. 74)."
"People simply learn better in the context of a close friendship. Be there when someone needs you... Make undivided attention your secret weapon (p. 75)."
"'The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams (Eleanor Roosevelt (p. 79).'"
"Visioning... People who are dreamers often need and get energy from time alone... In a world that talks a lot, it is likely your observations and ideas are not heard frequently enough... People with more introspective talents are invaluable... When your team needs the opinions of someone who has done a lot of listening and thinking, speak up (p. 80)."
"You likely need more time alone to generate ideas and meaningful thoughts, so reserve specific blocks of the day that will allow you to take this space (p. 81)."
"Remember that most great relationships are built on at a time... Help groups you are a part of understand the need to budget for time to look inward and be more reflective (p. 83)."
"The more you learn and think, the more important it is to get at least seven to eight hours of sound sleep. This is what allows you to store all of the information you learned today and be a better learner tomorrow (p. 84)."
"'You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view (Harper Lee, p. 89).'"
"Connecting... People with a natural ability to make connections provide the spark for new conversations and can also enliven ones that are going quiet... You likely have a gift for bringing people together in groups. Think of a few new combinations of people you could bring together to achieve more as a team (p. 90)."
"Spend more social time with the people you most enjoy being around. Even the most outgoing people do not spend enough hours per week socializing. Schedule a few more hours with the people who energize you most, starting today (p. 93)."
"'The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others (Mahatma Gandhi, p. 97).'"
"Energizing... People who energize us are more likely to bring joy to our daily routines and boost our wellbeing over the years... One of the primary reasons why people will continue to congregate in traditional office settings will be for the sake of building relationships and inspiring one another (p. 98)."
"Consider ways in which you can inspire others to laugh, smile, or achieve extraordinary things using words people remember and find inspirational... As much as possible, remind yourself of the macro connections between your daily effort and all the people it serves... Invest in the development of other people (p. 99)."
"Dedicate a little time every day to bringing people together and helping them to see the importance and influence of their daily work... Are you taking care of yourself to the degree you should? Understand that the people you hope to serve need you to take care of your own physical health first so they can count on you in a time of need (p. 102)."
"'People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel (Maya Angelou, p. 105).'"
"Perceiving... You are likely a gifted listener and as a result can get along with almost anyone... People with higher-than-average sensitivity have far more emotional awareness than others as they move through the day... You are the glue that holds groups, teams, and families together. These groups are likely more diverse and inclusive because of your efforts... Show others how the most meaningful work often occurs at the intersections between people... Always be on the lookout for team members who do not feel included and need a little help to be brought into the fold of your group's greater mission (p. 106)."
"Your influence can ensure that people don't rush to decisions without getting proper input from everyone involved... Continue to cultivate your reputation for being one of the best friends and listeners in your social circles... Keep an eye out for friends or colleagues you can tell are in need of a deeper conversation (p. 108)."
"'How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world (Anne Frank, p. 113).'"
"Influencing... Persistent people keep going even in the face of obstacles... they often get far more done in a typical day than most (p. 114)."
"Creating works of substance that last often requires a great deal of persistence (p. 116)."
"'Out of clutter, find simplicity. From discord, find harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity (Albert Einstein, p. 123).'"
"Organizing... People with the unique ability to keep things organized ensure that expectations are met. They often prepare ahead, anticipating what will be next... People can likely count on you to be on time... Organizers keep all the people, places, and things in their networks moving in the right directions (p. 124)."
"Remember that your efforts, even though they may take significant time, genuinely help people be more safe and secure. This is a contribution that can be hard to see in the moment but is the foundation for better experiences and greater wellbeing (p. 126)."
"'Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else (Judy Garland, p. 129).'"
"Achieving... People learn better through example, so they need leaders who are great role models... Your friends likely know you are incredibly true to your word and trust you unconditionally as a result. Therefore, it is critical to continue to keep your promises and deliver on these essentials of your closest relationships (p. 130)."
"'Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change (Stephen Hawkings, p. 133).'"
"Adapting... When an environment is not fun, less gets done... Natural improvisers help us all live a little. Life is created in the moment, and these small, often unscripted, interactions have an outsized influence on our days and lives... Because you don't allow yourself to get as worked up over small things throughout the day, people will look to you to keep the spirits of a group high. Take a few moments to think about how you can help the groups around you add a bit more meaning to their daily routines... Take a moment today to relish being the friend people look to when they need a major boost for their spirits. It is an important and substantive contribution (p. 134)."
"'Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning (Benjamin Franklin, p. 137).'"
"Scaling is often about finding the smartest ways to work and engineering things to be more efficient. Think about processes and technologies that could speed up the project you're working on or help your mission reach thousands more... Doing meaningful work requires focus. Your efforts to scale products and services can give other people time back for what matters most (p. 138)."
"'Life's most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., p. 3)?'"
"The prospect of death leads to greater appreciation of life, more rapid formulation of values, more thought about the meaning of life, and stronger social connections... When you consider how short life can be, you create more meaning in the world (p. 7)."
"I do not believe it is in anyone's best interest to live like they have forever. When you view your time as finite, you build more like into each day (p. 7)."
"Our current means for summarizing a person's work are grossly inadequate. Resumes are remarkably sterile and lifeless... Think of it as moving from:
You are what you do --> You are how you help (7)"
"Consider how you can use your talents to make more meaningful contributions over a lifetime (p. 8)."
"Invest more time where your talents will yield the greatest return for others (p. 9)."
"The ultimate goal of development should be more about service and less about self (p. 9)."
"Strengths are for serving others (p. 10)"
"While your talents are nature's best building blocks, they serve the world best when your efforts are directed outward... Most of us are so caught up with daily demands that we continually put off serious reflection about how to make a greater contribution to the teams, families, and communities around us. This is a consequential mistake (p. 10)."
"Knowing who you are--and who you are not--is essential (p. 11)."
"Real growth is the product of following your contributions more than your passions (p. 11)."
"The defining features of a meaningful life are 'connecting and contributing to something beyond the self (p. 12).'"
"Work can actually improve your health and wellbeing every day. Work can also be about doing something each day that improves your relationship with your family and friends (p. 12)."
"We must find ways to celebrate people's lives and contributions while they are still alive (p. 14)."
"We have today to invest in what could outlive us. After that, there is no guarantee (p. 15)."
"The process starts by changing the way you think about work; redefining the way you approach what you do each day. I want to challenge you to think about how your daily efforts can be far more than 'just a job (p. 18).'"
"Jobs can be great opportunities to answer Dr. King's call of doing more for others. In place of the notion that we work primarily for pay, we need to start thinking about how we work to create improvement in other people's lives. This is what the vast majority of us would like our work to be about (p. 19)."
"It literally pays to focus on the value you're bringing to others (p. 20)."
"We cannot rely on companies alone to help us maximize our contribution and improve our wellbeing (p. 21)."
"It is up to each of us, individually, to rewrite our definition of work and rewire the way we work (p. 22)."
"Devoting time outside of work to serving others is a great idea... If your entire identity is wound up in a job that could go away, your wellbeing is in constant jeopardy... We should look for ways to make purposeful contributions both outside of work and at our jobs (p. 23)."
"Soley asking people what they 'do' doesn't reveal much... I ask, 'So what does... a typical day look like... what do you spend the most time doing (p. 24)?'"
"We have to do a better job of connecting practical daily actions with purpose (p. 25)."
"Instead of the sterile language of resumes, we need a language for contributions that captures the humanity of what we do--that expresses how we draw on our human talents to make contributions to people, not just to companies (p. 27)."
"Instead of following your passion, find your greatest contribution (p. 29)."
"People do change... Even your core personality can change (p. 31)."
"There is no good reason to believe you're simply stuck in a role that you've come to realize doesn't suit you. There is also no good reason to hold back from pushing yourself to move into a career you think you'd find more fulfilling but worry you may not have the right personality for (p. 32)."
"'It's good to accept and love who you are, but it's also good to know that you can change for the better (p. 34).'"
"Great work is forged with effort; it does not just fall from the heavens... 'Great jobs are made, not found.'... Effective job crafting starts with creating change in three key areas: tasks, relationships, and perceptions (p. 35)."
"People experience a far greater sense of belonging and more sustainable wellbeing when they connect their efforts in the moment with a larger influence on others (p. 38)."
"Who can, does, or will eventually benefit from my efforts (p. 39)?"
"Your contributions come into clearest view as you get closer to the source (p. 39)."
"Gain a better understanding of who you are--for the sake of doing more for other people (p. 41)."
"Focus on the top three contributions that best fit you and are what thew world around you needs (p. 42)."
"Contribution is the sum of what grows when you are gone (p. 46)."
"You create meaning when your motivators, abilities, and purpose meet to serve the world (p. 47)."
"Finding a way to positively influence others through your work requires ongoing analysis (p. 48)."
"What can I give (p. 49)?"
"Do work that improves the wellbeing of people you love... Do your work without haveing to sit in a chair all day... Have as much freedom, autonomy, and control as possible. Spend at least one hour per day doing something that gives you great energy (p. 49)."
"Team Contributions
What the World Needs
Create: initiating, challenging, teaching, visioning
Relate: connecting, energizing, perceiving, influencing
Operate: organizing, achieving, adapting, scaling (p. 52)"
"Individual Contributions
What Are You Doing for Others
Create
Initiating: How do we get started?
Challenging: Are we doing the right things?
Teaching: What do people need to know?
Visioning: What should we do next?
Relate
Connecting: How do we connect people to our mission?
Energizing: How do we get and stay charged?
Perceiving: What does each person need?
Influencing: How can we grow our client base?
Operate
Organizing: How do we make things run smoothly?
Achieving: How can we get more done?
Adapting: How can we adapt quickly to changes?
Scaling: How can we reach more people? (p. 53)"
"'The secret of getting ahead is getting started (Mark Twain, p. 57).'"
"Initiating... Pepole will look to you when they need a friend to listen. Keep asking great questions to get people talking. Plan events and conversations between people who will have common interests... Remember to continually reinvest in the closest relationships you have today (p. 58)."
"Help people see a more hopeful outcome using very specific language... Take time to notice and relish the small moments when your work creates or makes a difference for another person... Focus even more of your daily energy on giving people your truly undivided attention... Get through those hard times without letting it bring them or others down... Let others learn from you... Bring groups in your social circles together (p. 59)."
"'The power to question is the basis of all human progress (Indira Gandhi, p. 63).'"
"Challenging... One challenge that comes with being naturally curious is that you can learn, read, and ask questions almost indefinitely. Be aware that at some point, other people and groups often need to move to action... Inquisitive people keep us all moving toward a brighter and more exciting future (p. 65)."
"Your open-mindedness puts you in a unique position to try new approaches... To create any new product, service, or innovation, you need to have the right people in the right roles (p. 66)."
"Try to spend a bit more time with people who do not share your views and may even disagree with you regularly... Almost all new ideas are the product of multiple interactions with other people (p. 68)."
"'Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world (Nelson Mandela, p. 71).'"
"Teaching... Without learning, it is all but impossible to grow... Develping other people is one of life's most important investments, and its effects last well beyond a lifetime (p. 72)."
"Groups will look to you when they want to be heard, grow, and have more engagement as a team... When people can see and measure the way their work is improving other people's lives, they do better work and enjoy their jobs more (p. 73)."
"Think about how you intend to invest in the ongoing development of one specific person, and create a long-term plan for it today... While most of us likely do some meanginful work each day, we don't usually take the tie to acknowledge or recognize these small victories (p. 74)."
"People simply learn better in the context of a close friendship. Be there when someone needs you... Make undivided attention your secret weapon (p. 75)."
"'The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams (Eleanor Roosevelt (p. 79).'"
"Visioning... People who are dreamers often need and get energy from time alone... In a world that talks a lot, it is likely your observations and ideas are not heard frequently enough... People with more introspective talents are invaluable... When your team needs the opinions of someone who has done a lot of listening and thinking, speak up (p. 80)."
"You likely need more time alone to generate ideas and meaningful thoughts, so reserve specific blocks of the day that will allow you to take this space (p. 81)."
"Remember that most great relationships are built on at a time... Help groups you are a part of understand the need to budget for time to look inward and be more reflective (p. 83)."
"The more you learn and think, the more important it is to get at least seven to eight hours of sound sleep. This is what allows you to store all of the information you learned today and be a better learner tomorrow (p. 84)."
"'You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view (Harper Lee, p. 89).'"
"Connecting... People with a natural ability to make connections provide the spark for new conversations and can also enliven ones that are going quiet... You likely have a gift for bringing people together in groups. Think of a few new combinations of people you could bring together to achieve more as a team (p. 90)."
"Spend more social time with the people you most enjoy being around. Even the most outgoing people do not spend enough hours per week socializing. Schedule a few more hours with the people who energize you most, starting today (p. 93)."
"'The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others (Mahatma Gandhi, p. 97).'"
"Energizing... People who energize us are more likely to bring joy to our daily routines and boost our wellbeing over the years... One of the primary reasons why people will continue to congregate in traditional office settings will be for the sake of building relationships and inspiring one another (p. 98)."
"Consider ways in which you can inspire others to laugh, smile, or achieve extraordinary things using words people remember and find inspirational... As much as possible, remind yourself of the macro connections between your daily effort and all the people it serves... Invest in the development of other people (p. 99)."
"Dedicate a little time every day to bringing people together and helping them to see the importance and influence of their daily work... Are you taking care of yourself to the degree you should? Understand that the people you hope to serve need you to take care of your own physical health first so they can count on you in a time of need (p. 102)."
"'People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel (Maya Angelou, p. 105).'"
"Perceiving... You are likely a gifted listener and as a result can get along with almost anyone... People with higher-than-average sensitivity have far more emotional awareness than others as they move through the day... You are the glue that holds groups, teams, and families together. These groups are likely more diverse and inclusive because of your efforts... Show others how the most meaningful work often occurs at the intersections between people... Always be on the lookout for team members who do not feel included and need a little help to be brought into the fold of your group's greater mission (p. 106)."
"Your influence can ensure that people don't rush to decisions without getting proper input from everyone involved... Continue to cultivate your reputation for being one of the best friends and listeners in your social circles... Keep an eye out for friends or colleagues you can tell are in need of a deeper conversation (p. 108)."
"'How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world (Anne Frank, p. 113).'"
"Influencing... Persistent people keep going even in the face of obstacles... they often get far more done in a typical day than most (p. 114)."
"Creating works of substance that last often requires a great deal of persistence (p. 116)."
"'Out of clutter, find simplicity. From discord, find harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity (Albert Einstein, p. 123).'"
"Organizing... People with the unique ability to keep things organized ensure that expectations are met. They often prepare ahead, anticipating what will be next... People can likely count on you to be on time... Organizers keep all the people, places, and things in their networks moving in the right directions (p. 124)."
"Remember that your efforts, even though they may take significant time, genuinely help people be more safe and secure. This is a contribution that can be hard to see in the moment but is the foundation for better experiences and greater wellbeing (p. 126)."
"'Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else (Judy Garland, p. 129).'"
"Achieving... People learn better through example, so they need leaders who are great role models... Your friends likely know you are incredibly true to your word and trust you unconditionally as a result. Therefore, it is critical to continue to keep your promises and deliver on these essentials of your closest relationships (p. 130)."
"'Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change (Stephen Hawkings, p. 133).'"
"Adapting... When an environment is not fun, less gets done... Natural improvisers help us all live a little. Life is created in the moment, and these small, often unscripted, interactions have an outsized influence on our days and lives... Because you don't allow yourself to get as worked up over small things throughout the day, people will look to you to keep the spirits of a group high. Take a few moments to think about how you can help the groups around you add a bit more meaning to their daily routines... Take a moment today to relish being the friend people look to when they need a major boost for their spirits. It is an important and substantive contribution (p. 134)."
"'Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning (Benjamin Franklin, p. 137).'"
"Scaling is often about finding the smartest ways to work and engineering things to be more efficient. Think about processes and technologies that could speed up the project you're working on or help your mission reach thousands more... Doing meaningful work requires focus. Your efforts to scale products and services can give other people time back for what matters most (p. 138)."
April 5, 2020
BLUF: You're paying lots of money for the user's manual to a pseudoscientific instrument. Less than half of what's in the book will apply to you, and even the parts that do are too vague to be helpful.
Rath's "Eat Move Sleep" is one of my favorite books for general wellbeing, and his development of a related website is a go-to resource. "Are You Fully Charged" was less intensive but had a helpful framework and interesting practical ideas for self-care. I didn't like that the book was artificially lengthened with chapter recaps and discussion questions (how do you get 46 pages of discussion questions out of 160 pages of text?) but the content was worthwhile.
"Life's Great Question" is Rath's most blatant money-grab yet and its an embarrassing addition to his oeuvre. First, it's notably smaller than his other titles (which are already smaller than most books) but also more expensive, despite the fact that it has far less content than his other works. Rath apparently justifies this by giving readers a code to develop their personal profile on his Contribify website. As a result, this book is little more than a users guide to his website and the results of your "contribution" profile. The first 50 pages provide an overview of his theory--that we all have unique ways of contributing to others, which is the ultimate purpose in life--and the remaining 90 explain the significant of each of his 12 personality profiles. Since your profile gives you three strengths, that means over half of this short book doesn't even apply to you.
Is the profile worthwhile? Not particularly. There's no science behind it or explanation of how the items and categories were developed beyond Rath's global comments--"my team perused the literature along with job descriptions, developed some questions, and tested them." There's no evidence that this instrument has any validity or reliability, and we can't help thinking that our answers are simply letting Rath build his n for future editions ("Over 100,000 people have completed this instrument!"). The descriptions of the 12 "contribution" types are filled with Barnum statements (they sound specific but aren't), and padded with the same recommendations for each one (Rath is still a big proponent of healthy behaviors, so each includes recommendations on eating, sleeping, and moving). There's no evidence that the results are particularly accurate or helpful. So what's the point?
The first 50 pages are where Rath explains his theory that happiness in life comes from helping others. He shares a few studies that support his point along with lots of quotations, but there's little focus in this section. Rath touches on several points without putting them into a cohesive structure, so it reads like the filler it is before he tells you to complete his online survey.
In short, Rath lost me on this one. I come to trust authors to deliver worthwhile and practical information, but I no longer trust Rath to do so. This book is not worth the price of admission.
Rath's "Eat Move Sleep" is one of my favorite books for general wellbeing, and his development of a related website is a go-to resource. "Are You Fully Charged" was less intensive but had a helpful framework and interesting practical ideas for self-care. I didn't like that the book was artificially lengthened with chapter recaps and discussion questions (how do you get 46 pages of discussion questions out of 160 pages of text?) but the content was worthwhile.
"Life's Great Question" is Rath's most blatant money-grab yet and its an embarrassing addition to his oeuvre. First, it's notably smaller than his other titles (which are already smaller than most books) but also more expensive, despite the fact that it has far less content than his other works. Rath apparently justifies this by giving readers a code to develop their personal profile on his Contribify website. As a result, this book is little more than a users guide to his website and the results of your "contribution" profile. The first 50 pages provide an overview of his theory--that we all have unique ways of contributing to others, which is the ultimate purpose in life--and the remaining 90 explain the significant of each of his 12 personality profiles. Since your profile gives you three strengths, that means over half of this short book doesn't even apply to you.
Is the profile worthwhile? Not particularly. There's no science behind it or explanation of how the items and categories were developed beyond Rath's global comments--"my team perused the literature along with job descriptions, developed some questions, and tested them." There's no evidence that this instrument has any validity or reliability, and we can't help thinking that our answers are simply letting Rath build his n for future editions ("Over 100,000 people have completed this instrument!"). The descriptions of the 12 "contribution" types are filled with Barnum statements (they sound specific but aren't), and padded with the same recommendations for each one (Rath is still a big proponent of healthy behaviors, so each includes recommendations on eating, sleeping, and moving). There's no evidence that the results are particularly accurate or helpful. So what's the point?
The first 50 pages are where Rath explains his theory that happiness in life comes from helping others. He shares a few studies that support his point along with lots of quotations, but there's little focus in this section. Rath touches on several points without putting them into a cohesive structure, so it reads like the filler it is before he tells you to complete his online survey.
In short, Rath lost me on this one. I come to trust authors to deliver worthwhile and practical information, but I no longer trust Rath to do so. This book is not worth the price of admission.
September 14, 2024
Tom Rath's "Life's Great Question" serves as a profound exploration of how individuals can find meaningful ways to contribute beyond their personal desires, creating a legacy that endures beyond their presence. Rath’s narrative is rich with personal stories that not only inspire but also provide practical advice on fostering environments where work transcends the mere pursuit of a paycheck to become a source of lasting impact.
Here are some thought-provoking quotes from the book:
- Kids who battle cancer emerge stronger when compared to peers who have not faced a similar challenge.
- Contributions you make to other people's lives matter.
- The single greatest driver of achievement and wellbeing is understanding how your daily efforts enhance the wellbeing of others.
- Life is not what you get out of it; it's what you put back in.
- It is up to us, individually, to rewrite our definition of work and rewire the way we work.
- What do you spend most of your time doing? (I am not asking what you do for your job or what you do for work.)
- Asking someone to reconstruct yesterday is a better lens into their happiness than simply asking them if they are happy overall.
- All teams need to do three basic things: Create, Operate, and Relate.
Instead of following your passion, find your greatest contribution.
- Contrary to popular belief, people do, in fact, change over a lifetime — over the course of decades, substantial changes can occur.
- The goal is to maximize the contributions you're making already within your work, not necessarily changing jobs — Great jobs are made, not found — it is possible to turn the job you have into the job you want.
- Have to create change in three key areas: tasks, relationships, and perceptions.
- Employees who think of their jobs as something that grows and evolves are more likely to be engaged in their work, achieve more, and report more personal resilience.
- Connecting what you do with who your work serves.
- "Follow your passion" presumes you are the center of the universe, and pursuing your own joy, not the joy of others, is the goal; in contrast, people should be asking what they can give.
- Work for a company with leaders who value their own wellbeing and yours.
- Do your work without having to sit in a chair all day.
- Be treated fairly and on merit.
- Have as much freedom, autonomy, and control as possible.
- Spend at least one hour per day doing something that gives you great energy.
- There is no greater predictor of human wellbeing than the amount of social time we spend with one another.
- People who energize us are more likely to bring joy to our daily routines and boost our wellbeing over the years.
- "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Maya Angelou.
- "Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else." — Judy Garland
Rath's vision for a reimagined workplace is compelling. He argues that by shifting our focus from self-centered goals to the contributions we can make, we can achieve a greater sense of fulfillment and purpose. This book is a call to action, urging each of us to evaluate how we can infuse our daily tasks with meaning by focusing on how they improve the lives of those around us.
Here are some thought-provoking quotes from the book:
- Kids who battle cancer emerge stronger when compared to peers who have not faced a similar challenge.
- Contributions you make to other people's lives matter.
- The single greatest driver of achievement and wellbeing is understanding how your daily efforts enhance the wellbeing of others.
- Life is not what you get out of it; it's what you put back in.
- It is up to us, individually, to rewrite our definition of work and rewire the way we work.
- What do you spend most of your time doing? (I am not asking what you do for your job or what you do for work.)
- Asking someone to reconstruct yesterday is a better lens into their happiness than simply asking them if they are happy overall.
- All teams need to do three basic things: Create, Operate, and Relate.
Instead of following your passion, find your greatest contribution.
- Contrary to popular belief, people do, in fact, change over a lifetime — over the course of decades, substantial changes can occur.
- The goal is to maximize the contributions you're making already within your work, not necessarily changing jobs — Great jobs are made, not found — it is possible to turn the job you have into the job you want.
- Have to create change in three key areas: tasks, relationships, and perceptions.
- Employees who think of their jobs as something that grows and evolves are more likely to be engaged in their work, achieve more, and report more personal resilience.
- Connecting what you do with who your work serves.
- "Follow your passion" presumes you are the center of the universe, and pursuing your own joy, not the joy of others, is the goal; in contrast, people should be asking what they can give.
- Work for a company with leaders who value their own wellbeing and yours.
- Do your work without having to sit in a chair all day.
- Be treated fairly and on merit.
- Have as much freedom, autonomy, and control as possible.
- Spend at least one hour per day doing something that gives you great energy.
- There is no greater predictor of human wellbeing than the amount of social time we spend with one another.
- People who energize us are more likely to bring joy to our daily routines and boost our wellbeing over the years.
- "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Maya Angelou.
- "Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else." — Judy Garland
Rath's vision for a reimagined workplace is compelling. He argues that by shifting our focus from self-centered goals to the contributions we can make, we can achieve a greater sense of fulfillment and purpose. This book is a call to action, urging each of us to evaluate how we can infuse our daily tasks with meaning by focusing on how they improve the lives of those around us.
May 16, 2020
Overall a few good points, great idea but realization leaves much to be desired!
Disclaimer: I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, for which I am very grateful.
Well, where do I start? At first I thought that it would be one of those self-help books aimed at ‘finding your true calling’, which I’m skeptical of, so I didn’t really expect much from it. However, once I realized that it was more about successful teamwork, finding your place in a team and making your work more fun and purposeful not only for yourself, but for the people around you and, ultimately, the company - that’s where I got hooked.
I’m in student affairs and I hoped that I would learn new strategies to implement not only in my office and daily life, but also to teach my students in order to improve their well-being and increase work, school and life satisfaction. Unfortunately, the book did not deliver everything it had promised.
There is a website accompanying this book, and each reader gets a unique code that they can use to access the whole knowledge-base stored on the website. The book recommends that you take a test first in order to find your strengths prior to reading about the three dimensions of work (create, relate, operate) and contributions you can make in these areas. The test is supposed to identify your strengths and provide you with tools and strategies that can help you invest in these strengths in order to start contributing in a meaningful way and see the effect of your contributions right away.
Unfortunately, the test appears to be crafted very poorly. I got all the wrong results - instead of showing my strength, it showed me my weaknesses or strength of people that I admire and I wish I had. I could never use the ‘suggested’ strengths because things that come naturally to me and the things I’m actually good at and enjoy doing lie in exactly the opposite direction. Yet, once I read the descriptions of contributions in each dimension, it was more or less easy for me to recognize which strengths aka contributions apply to me. Unfortunately, they were opposite to the test results.
I also felt that many descriptions of different contributions were very similar, still there was no middle ground. You could not have a combination of two contributions in the same dimension. Also, there was no conclusion in this book whatsoever - after the description of the last contribution ends - that’s it.
I feel like the book needs more work and elaboration on the strengths, contributions, strategies and applicability of these to different areas of life. I got few good applicable ideas from this book, but it left me wanting more...
Disclaimer: I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, for which I am very grateful.
Well, where do I start? At first I thought that it would be one of those self-help books aimed at ‘finding your true calling’, which I’m skeptical of, so I didn’t really expect much from it. However, once I realized that it was more about successful teamwork, finding your place in a team and making your work more fun and purposeful not only for yourself, but for the people around you and, ultimately, the company - that’s where I got hooked.
I’m in student affairs and I hoped that I would learn new strategies to implement not only in my office and daily life, but also to teach my students in order to improve their well-being and increase work, school and life satisfaction. Unfortunately, the book did not deliver everything it had promised.
There is a website accompanying this book, and each reader gets a unique code that they can use to access the whole knowledge-base stored on the website. The book recommends that you take a test first in order to find your strengths prior to reading about the three dimensions of work (create, relate, operate) and contributions you can make in these areas. The test is supposed to identify your strengths and provide you with tools and strategies that can help you invest in these strengths in order to start contributing in a meaningful way and see the effect of your contributions right away.
Unfortunately, the test appears to be crafted very poorly. I got all the wrong results - instead of showing my strength, it showed me my weaknesses or strength of people that I admire and I wish I had. I could never use the ‘suggested’ strengths because things that come naturally to me and the things I’m actually good at and enjoy doing lie in exactly the opposite direction. Yet, once I read the descriptions of contributions in each dimension, it was more or less easy for me to recognize which strengths aka contributions apply to me. Unfortunately, they were opposite to the test results.
I also felt that many descriptions of different contributions were very similar, still there was no middle ground. You could not have a combination of two contributions in the same dimension. Also, there was no conclusion in this book whatsoever - after the description of the last contribution ends - that’s it.
I feel like the book needs more work and elaboration on the strengths, contributions, strategies and applicability of these to different areas of life. I got few good applicable ideas from this book, but it left me wanting more...
January 15, 2021
**Goodreads giveaway recipient**
Some good, solid ideas on how to make a company/team stronger/more cohesive, but nothing groundbreaking as far as I’m concerned. My biggest takeaway from this small book is to focus outward toward others and their needs rather than making life all about yourself (which I’d already found is a better, healthier way to live before I read this).
And I wasn’t thrilled by the major push for this contribify quiz/app/whatever/what-have-you. And the last half of the book seemed more like personality typing....which is fine....but that’s not really what I was expecting from this. And I guess it would be a good way to find areas you can grow in....?
I don’t know. Decent, but not great. Better for humans in the actual workforce—but that’s not how it was marketed or presented, so you get stay-at-home moms like me saying this doesn’t apply to them. Ah well...
Some good, solid ideas on how to make a company/team stronger/more cohesive, but nothing groundbreaking as far as I’m concerned. My biggest takeaway from this small book is to focus outward toward others and their needs rather than making life all about yourself (which I’d already found is a better, healthier way to live before I read this).
And I wasn’t thrilled by the major push for this contribify quiz/app/whatever/what-have-you. And the last half of the book seemed more like personality typing....which is fine....but that’s not really what I was expecting from this. And I guess it would be a good way to find areas you can grow in....?
I don’t know. Decent, but not great. Better for humans in the actual workforce—but that’s not how it was marketed or presented, so you get stay-at-home moms like me saying this doesn’t apply to them. Ah well...
August 20, 2024
Takeaways from reading the book:
Questions about making progress:
- Page 21: Ask yourself at the end of the day what progress you made that day.
- Page 23: Ask yourself what you spend your time doing and why.
- Page 62: To grow, identify and build on natural talents.
- Page 67: Test ideas early.
- Page 69: Look for ways to merge physical activity with creative thinking. Examples: A walk in nature. A bike ride.
Questions about serving people:
- Page 20: Ask yourself if your actions create improvements in the lives of other people.
- Page 24: Ask yourself what you would you do differently every hour yesterday to serve people better?
- Page 24: Ask yourself to what extent information you provide is useful for people.
- Page 33: Ask yourself who benefits from efforts you take. The more you can learn about a person who directly benefits from your time and effort, the more motivation you will have to improve that person's life in the future.
- Page 41: What are the most urgent needs that people in your immediate environment have?
- Page 76: At events, look for groups that have difficulty getting the conversation going. Help ignite dialogues.
Questions about strengthening self awareness:
- Page 21: Ask yourself if your actions serve your life.
- Page 39: Ask yourself to recall important experiences in your life that helped turn you into the person you are. Write down those stories. As you reflect on those life stories, think about the effect that those life experiences have on why and how you do things you do in your life today.
Questions about strengthening wellbeing:
- Page 42: To what extent do you work with people, who value their own wellbeing and your wellbeing?
- Page 42: How much freedom do you have?
- Page 42: What tasks, which you do, give you great energy?
- Page 64: When having developmental conversations with people, try to do that while moving around.
- Page 65: Help people find healthy habits that give them energy.
- Page 77: To avoid eating unhealthy food at events, eat something healthy before you go to events.
- Page 81: Consider ways in which you can inspire others to smile / laugh using words people find inspiring.
- Page 81: How many people move from negative or neutral to smiling after their interactions with you?
Questions about making progress:
- Page 21: Ask yourself at the end of the day what progress you made that day.
- Page 23: Ask yourself what you spend your time doing and why.
- Page 62: To grow, identify and build on natural talents.
- Page 67: Test ideas early.
- Page 69: Look for ways to merge physical activity with creative thinking. Examples: A walk in nature. A bike ride.
Questions about serving people:
- Page 20: Ask yourself if your actions create improvements in the lives of other people.
- Page 24: Ask yourself what you would you do differently every hour yesterday to serve people better?
- Page 24: Ask yourself to what extent information you provide is useful for people.
- Page 33: Ask yourself who benefits from efforts you take. The more you can learn about a person who directly benefits from your time and effort, the more motivation you will have to improve that person's life in the future.
- Page 41: What are the most urgent needs that people in your immediate environment have?
- Page 76: At events, look for groups that have difficulty getting the conversation going. Help ignite dialogues.
Questions about strengthening self awareness:
- Page 21: Ask yourself if your actions serve your life.
- Page 39: Ask yourself to recall important experiences in your life that helped turn you into the person you are. Write down those stories. As you reflect on those life stories, think about the effect that those life experiences have on why and how you do things you do in your life today.
Questions about strengthening wellbeing:
- Page 42: To what extent do you work with people, who value their own wellbeing and your wellbeing?
- Page 42: How much freedom do you have?
- Page 42: What tasks, which you do, give you great energy?
- Page 64: When having developmental conversations with people, try to do that while moving around.
- Page 65: Help people find healthy habits that give them energy.
- Page 77: To avoid eating unhealthy food at events, eat something healthy before you go to events.
- Page 81: Consider ways in which you can inspire others to smile / laugh using words people find inspiring.
- Page 81: How many people move from negative or neutral to smiling after their interactions with you?
August 3, 2020
Ugh. This was basically an extended advertisement for the author's new website and system for finding out how you can best contribute to the world, which was lame. Even the first 50ish pages which were more exploring how to have a meaningful life were shallow, with few citations and rather sweeping claims. It's a fascinating topic, but none of the interesting questions/implications were ever picked up. Like, for example, how can we actually prioritize contributing in a capitalist system where profit is the overriding concern and self-interest makes the system function? No idea, you'll have to find another book to take that up. I've heard that the author's book Eat Move Sleep was much better, so I'll give that a try before being done with him.
October 28, 2020
There are big questions we struggle with throughout our lives. Tom Rath advances the idea life’s great question is “How can we best contribute to the world?” Whether or not you consider it the biggest question, it is not hard to argue that it is a good one. Knowing our life purpose and how we can make a difference can lead to a more fulfilling and satisfying life.
In, Life’s Great Question: Discover How You Contribute To The World, Rath outlines the results of his latest research and identifies twelve basic ways we might be able to contribute to the world. The first half of this very readable book describes those twelve types of contributions.
Read more...
In, Life’s Great Question: Discover How You Contribute To The World, Rath outlines the results of his latest research and identifies twelve basic ways we might be able to contribute to the world. The first half of this very readable book describes those twelve types of contributions.
Read more...
July 27, 2020
Disclaimer: I got a free copy of this book via Goodreads Giveaway.
This book was pretty Meh. The suggestions were really vague and a lot of the results of the assessment didn't resonate as true (e.g. I don't think anyone I know would consider me a trendsetter).
If you're looking for a helpful assessment of your strengths then check out Strengthsfinder 2.0 (from the same author) or, if you're looking for something that specifically addresses your contributions then try Standout 2.0 (by Marcus Buckingham). Those each separately were more helpful than Life's Great Question, together they bring a whole lot more to the table.
This book was pretty Meh. The suggestions were really vague and a lot of the results of the assessment didn't resonate as true (e.g. I don't think anyone I know would consider me a trendsetter).
If you're looking for a helpful assessment of your strengths then check out Strengthsfinder 2.0 (from the same author) or, if you're looking for something that specifically addresses your contributions then try Standout 2.0 (by Marcus Buckingham). Those each separately were more helpful than Life's Great Question, together they bring a whole lot more to the table.
May 4, 2020
The first 50 pages or so are fantastic. They are like his last book "Are You Fully Charged," but really focusing in on the most important parts of life.
Then the rest was...well, fine, I guess. It was really just a quiz and how to read the results of the quiz. I mean, it's interesting, but not quite what I was looking for. It's more along the lines of Strenghtsbuilder than what I was hoping for.
Still, it does cement some thoughts I was having about my own life. Now if only I could figure out how to get there.
Then the rest was...well, fine, I guess. It was really just a quiz and how to read the results of the quiz. I mean, it's interesting, but not quite what I was looking for. It's more along the lines of Strenghtsbuilder than what I was hoping for.
Still, it does cement some thoughts I was having about my own life. Now if only I could figure out how to get there.
March 14, 2020
Won this book in a goodreads giveaway and soooo glad I did! Very practical book to alter how you look at work and your day to day life. Really enjoyed the fact that each book has a code for a program that helps identify the personalized contributions you can make rather than generic advice. While reading and thinking of my workplace I wrote a list of people I can’t wait to share this book with.
There is practical application steps in chapters. Overall a super quick but powerful read!
There is practical application steps in chapters. Overall a super quick but powerful read!
December 25, 2023
Two thirds of the book is explaining the results of a quiz which you can only access online if you originally purchased the book, so if you borrowed the book from the library or a friend or bought it secondhand, you are out of luck. How hard would it have been to include the quiz in the actual book? It’s not too hard to guess where you best fit, but frustrating enough to lose a star because of it.
January 13, 2026
Insightful guide to understanding human motivations and competencies
My wife laughs because I have taken so many “personality tests”, and this is another. Although that’s not why I read this. Tom Rath’s life is unique and interesting, and I like to learn from people like him. This book is part self exploration, part self-diagnostic. Both are helpful. Tom’s greatest value is in the questions, over the answers IMHO.
My wife laughs because I have taken so many “personality tests”, and this is another. Although that’s not why I read this. Tom Rath’s life is unique and interesting, and I like to learn from people like him. This book is part self exploration, part self-diagnostic. Both are helpful. Tom’s greatest value is in the questions, over the answers IMHO.
March 17, 2020
It’s all in the contribution
The meaning of life is not 46 it’s the contribution you make.
This book is full of ideas and suggestions as to how you can make your life meaningful or rather how you can feel and perceive your life has meaning and that’s what life is really all about.
One hopes that by reading this book you too find your contribution.
The meaning of life is not 46 it’s the contribution you make.
This book is full of ideas and suggestions as to how you can make your life meaningful or rather how you can feel and perceive your life has meaning and that’s what life is really all about.
One hopes that by reading this book you too find your contribution.
April 7, 2020
I received Life's Great Question by Tom Rath as a Goodreads' giveaway. The book was not your typical follow your passion advice but rather, how one can make the most contribution to others. I found the book easy to read and inspirational. I particularly liked the very first chapter when Mr. Rath shared his personal health issues with the reader while he was at a family reunion!
July 5, 2020
Wanting more depth
The premise of the book, helloing people identify the ways that they contribute the most, is worthy of Rath’s detailed analysis. I found the book did not go into enough depth of the various types, not enough background on the broader research on contribution. The book left me wanting more.
The premise of the book, helloing people identify the ways that they contribute the most, is worthy of Rath’s detailed analysis. I found the book did not go into enough depth of the various types, not enough background on the broader research on contribution. The book left me wanting more.
July 19, 2020
This is a companion book to a personality test you can take. I did not take the test but was still able to find myself in the descriptions. I wish there was a bit more depth to descriptions. I felt like - surprisingly - quite a few were fitness focused and repetitive across traits when the angle overall is more workplace/coaching-heavy.
November 25, 2022
A really unfortunate book—if you can call it that. The experience is crippled by the fact that you need to supplement the book with the online tools. Over half the book is just bullet points. Impersonal, boring and uninspiring. Why on earth does the Goodreads’ book description call it a story? Or even a book? It’s more like a user manual.
February 1, 2023
Would give this book 3.5 stars if I could. A lot of insightful information and the book started out very promising. But more as I got into it I was discouraged by the numerous points in list form. Many seemed to have the same underlying message, and so found it somewhat redundant. I did read the entire book and pulled out the ‘pearls’ that most spoke to me.
December 7, 2023
I should have stopped after reading “It’s not about you”
I should have stopped after reading “It’s not about you”. I thought that short book was very good. This was billed as a companion book to that so I was excited about reading it. I got about halfway through, and I just stopped. Was this book really written by the same person? Very disappointed I was.
I should have stopped after reading “It’s not about you”. I thought that short book was very good. This was billed as a companion book to that so I was excited about reading it. I got about halfway through, and I just stopped. Was this book really written by the same person? Very disappointed I was.
March 29, 2020
Thank you so much goodreads for the book give away! I really enjoyed the idea of this book. The idea that I can potentially increase my ability to contribute more to my community was enthralling. However, because I have done a lot of introspective research, this book felt a little rudimentary.
April 13, 2020
I love this book. It's one of them where I highlight almost every word for it really speaks to me. The timing of what's going on in our world couldn't be better for this extremely important book. The question right now is "How can I serve?" Thank you, Tom Rath.
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February 19, 2020I received my copy free through Goodreads Giveaways.
February 19, 2020
It was a good read.
February 27, 2020
A successful writer of nonfiction of his generation
March 3, 2020
Had some very insightful takeaways which made the read worthwhile.
March 8, 2020
A lot of good ideas for how to improve a workplace, home and interactions within a community.
April 4, 2020
Many grounding quotes useful to reflect on by a daily base but nothing groundbreaking or entirely new. Worth a quick read.
April 11, 2020
I received a copy via Goodreads giveaway! :)
Very inspiring little book - great picker-upper during these trying times.
I will have to check out the site mentioned that has a code in the back!
Very inspiring little book - great picker-upper during these trying times.
I will have to check out the site mentioned that has a code in the back!
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