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Your 168: Finding Purpose and Satisfaction in a Values-Based Life
MP3 CD Format Despite our good intentions, many of us experience a chronic imbalance between the desire to live our values and the distractions and never-ending to-do lists that can get in the way. In Your 168: Finding Purpose and Satisfaction in a Values-Based Life , listeners learn how to pursue a values-based life by identifying and committing to their values and priorities. Bestselling author Harry Kraemer uses personal stories and insights from others to help readers discover the dissonance between what they say is most important and where they actually devote their time. This is an eye-opener for most people, uncovering the obstacles to leading a value-based life.
In Your 168 , you will learn how to make changes and build new habits that put your values first
● Using self-reflection to identify what matters most and become more aware of how you spend your time
● Re-evaluating priorities such as career, family, health, recreation, spirituality, and making a difference
● Avoiding unpleasant "surprises" and "hitting the brick wall"
● Experiencing better balance in real time amid shifting priorities—personally and professionally
In Your 168 , you will learn how to make changes and build new habits that put your values first
● Using self-reflection to identify what matters most and become more aware of how you spend your time
● Re-evaluating priorities such as career, family, health, recreation, spirituality, and making a difference
● Avoiding unpleasant "surprises" and "hitting the brick wall"
● Experiencing better balance in real time amid shifting priorities—personally and professionally
1 pages, Audio CD
Published March 1, 2021
54 people are currently reading
233 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 21, 2023
In my last review, I was pretty rough on another business and leadership book, Richard Lee’s Work That Counts. I found the advice to be basic and effectively non-implementable (what exactly should one do this week or this month to be empowered, and to empower others?) and the author, despite his proclaimed status as ‘the leadership coach to Silicon Valley’, nowhere to be found. Work That Counts provided value for a person in their first job needing a pep talk - but if you were beyond that, you were probably waiting for the good stuff to start, which it never did.
Your 168 is a far better book for having the things that Work That Counts lacked. It starts from a simple yet thoughtful conceit: you have 168 hours to use each week as you see fit. No one can tell you how to use those hours, and only you can come up with the allocations into life’s buckets that you want. There is no productivity hack that gives you more than 168 hours to work with here - it’s all about choices and trade offs.
Kraemer memorably tells the guy who calls him because he feels disconnected from his family. Okay, Kraemer says, why don’t you come by Saturday and let’s talk about it? Can’t do Saturday, comes the reply, because I’m golfing. Kraemer says to him, no problem, how about Sunday afternoon? Can’t do that either, because I’m golfing. Without hitting the reader over the head with it, Harry Kraemer tells us, this guy has chosen exactly the type of life that he wants to have. He may complain here and there about his kids not having a relationship with him, but he’s revealed his preferences in what he does, not in what he says.
The tactical portions of the book flow from the call to action which underpins Kraemer’s discussion around having a values-based life. Each day Kraemer engages in purposeful self reflection with a series of eight questions that allow him to align his life according to his six ‘life buckets’. Of course, even with checking in very regularly, no one is going to stay in alignment all the time - but because you’re checking in all the time, you’re able to make small adjustments. Making big adjustments - when your life gets seriously out of whack from what you say you want - that’s really hard to do, and usually you only know you need to do it when you’re hitting a wall.
I mentioned before that Richard Lee didn’t tell me much of anything about himself or his unique experiences in Work That Counts. That book could have been written by anyone. Harry Kraemer doesn’t have that problem - we hear about how he started dating and eventually wooed his wife. We hear, quite powerfully, about the three day annual silent retreat that he goes on to re-center himself on his purpose. We hear about the minutiae that makes up a life, but we don’t hear that much about his time at work, which is surprising for someone who has achieved as much as he has (CEO and Chairman of a billion-dollar healthcare company, executive partner at a well known PE firm and Professor at Kellogg School of Management). This seems like it could be a weakness, but it’s not. Harry Kraemer finds meaning in his work insofar as it helps others, but he’s not living to work. Our personal relationships - family, friends, community, God - are our truest form of wealth.
Overall, I give this book four stars - there are some sections that I’d love for him to have expanded more about (including his rigorous prioritization and day planning that allows him to both plan and to be spontaneous), but this deserves a space on my bookshelf. Your 168 is a strong central tentpole along which to hang other quality business books, as you explore what values-informed leadership means to you as well.
Your 168 is a far better book for having the things that Work That Counts lacked. It starts from a simple yet thoughtful conceit: you have 168 hours to use each week as you see fit. No one can tell you how to use those hours, and only you can come up with the allocations into life’s buckets that you want. There is no productivity hack that gives you more than 168 hours to work with here - it’s all about choices and trade offs.
Kraemer memorably tells the guy who calls him because he feels disconnected from his family. Okay, Kraemer says, why don’t you come by Saturday and let’s talk about it? Can’t do Saturday, comes the reply, because I’m golfing. Kraemer says to him, no problem, how about Sunday afternoon? Can’t do that either, because I’m golfing. Without hitting the reader over the head with it, Harry Kraemer tells us, this guy has chosen exactly the type of life that he wants to have. He may complain here and there about his kids not having a relationship with him, but he’s revealed his preferences in what he does, not in what he says.
The tactical portions of the book flow from the call to action which underpins Kraemer’s discussion around having a values-based life. Each day Kraemer engages in purposeful self reflection with a series of eight questions that allow him to align his life according to his six ‘life buckets’. Of course, even with checking in very regularly, no one is going to stay in alignment all the time - but because you’re checking in all the time, you’re able to make small adjustments. Making big adjustments - when your life gets seriously out of whack from what you say you want - that’s really hard to do, and usually you only know you need to do it when you’re hitting a wall.
I mentioned before that Richard Lee didn’t tell me much of anything about himself or his unique experiences in Work That Counts. That book could have been written by anyone. Harry Kraemer doesn’t have that problem - we hear about how he started dating and eventually wooed his wife. We hear, quite powerfully, about the three day annual silent retreat that he goes on to re-center himself on his purpose. We hear about the minutiae that makes up a life, but we don’t hear that much about his time at work, which is surprising for someone who has achieved as much as he has (CEO and Chairman of a billion-dollar healthcare company, executive partner at a well known PE firm and Professor at Kellogg School of Management). This seems like it could be a weakness, but it’s not. Harry Kraemer finds meaning in his work insofar as it helps others, but he’s not living to work. Our personal relationships - family, friends, community, God - are our truest form of wealth.
Overall, I give this book four stars - there are some sections that I’d love for him to have expanded more about (including his rigorous prioritization and day planning that allows him to both plan and to be spontaneous), but this deserves a space on my bookshelf. Your 168 is a strong central tentpole along which to hang other quality business books, as you explore what values-informed leadership means to you as well.
September 13, 2020
Wonderful book. This book is about making each hour of your week count. Each week we have 168 hours. It is up to us to carefully choose how we spend our time and how these choices align with our values.
A little background. I have been following Harry Kraemer's work since 2014 when I first discovered his first book "From Values to Action – The Principles of Values-Based Leadership". In this book the author talks about the four principles of values based leadership, which are Self-Reflection, Balance and Perspective, True Confidence and Genuine Humility.
In Your 168 I really enjoyed how these principles were intertwined with a foundational piece of self-reflection. The idea of a life grid resonated with me around your life buckets. Take the time to set goals of how much time you would like to spend in each of these areas and then look at where your time is actually being spent.
• Work and Career
• Family, Friends and Community
• Health
• Fun
• Faith and Spirituality
• Making a difference
A few thoughts shared:
Life Balance We are so much more than our work. "In pursuit of life balance, we are all works in progress." I really like he addressed the confusion around the idea of work life balance and how that means a choice between work and life. Life Balance is a theme shared throughout the book and really it is about choices.
Self Reflection "The more self reflective you are, the easier it is to make choices that are aligned with your values."
Being planful. I loved this idea of being mindful in our planning. The more we can be planful the easier it is to manage the unexpected.
Make a difference "If each of us believes strongly in bringing about positive change we cannot leave it to someone else." It is so important that each of us look for ways to make a difference.
As we learn to celebrate our imperfections and create space for self-reflection, each day we can make choices on how we spend our time that align with our values.
A little background. I have been following Harry Kraemer's work since 2014 when I first discovered his first book "From Values to Action – The Principles of Values-Based Leadership". In this book the author talks about the four principles of values based leadership, which are Self-Reflection, Balance and Perspective, True Confidence and Genuine Humility.
In Your 168 I really enjoyed how these principles were intertwined with a foundational piece of self-reflection. The idea of a life grid resonated with me around your life buckets. Take the time to set goals of how much time you would like to spend in each of these areas and then look at where your time is actually being spent.
• Work and Career
• Family, Friends and Community
• Health
• Fun
• Faith and Spirituality
• Making a difference
A few thoughts shared:
Life Balance We are so much more than our work. "In pursuit of life balance, we are all works in progress." I really like he addressed the confusion around the idea of work life balance and how that means a choice between work and life. Life Balance is a theme shared throughout the book and really it is about choices.
Self Reflection "The more self reflective you are, the easier it is to make choices that are aligned with your values."
Being planful. I loved this idea of being mindful in our planning. The more we can be planful the easier it is to manage the unexpected.
Make a difference "If each of us believes strongly in bringing about positive change we cannot leave it to someone else." It is so important that each of us look for ways to make a difference.
As we learn to celebrate our imperfections and create space for self-reflection, each day we can make choices on how we spend our time that align with our values.
September 27, 2020
Really enjoyed this! Harry is truly someone that I now look up to. After reading this book, I'm doing a lot more self reflection and have a deeper understanding of how I spend my time and if it reflects the values that I truly care about. Highly recommend this for all!
July 19, 2024
"Your 168: Finding Purpose and Satisfaction in a Values-Based Life" by Harry M. Kraemer Jr. is a
guide for those seeking to align their daily actions with their core values. A former CEO of Baxter
International and a clinical professor at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management,
Kremer leverages his experiences to provide advice on how to lead a fulfilling and impactful life. He
states that true leadership and personal satisfaction come from understanding and embracing one's
values and core beliefs and using those to navigate and align your actions.
A significant portion of the material is dedicated to the practice of self-reflection. Kraemer proposes that regular self-examination of any changes or doubts in your values and beliefs is crucial for maintaining focus. Advocating for a balanced approach to life, where professional ambitions do not overwhelm and eclipse personal well-being and relationships, he provides strategies for achieving this balance via deliberate and dedicated time management and prioritizations. This is also where the “168” in the title is derived from. There are 168 hours in a week. Kraemer encourages readers to think critically about how they allocate their time and to ensure that their daily activities reflect their values and priorities.
Kraemer also stresses the importance of being of service to others and contributing to a greater good than oneself. He argues that a values-based life needs to include and is inherently connected to helping others and trying to make a positive impact on the world in some fashion.
Providing practical advice, using personal stories and using reflective exercises are some of the ways Kraemer provides explanations and guidance for aligning your values with your actions. He offers concrete steps and actionable advice for integrating values into everyday life. His suggestions are grounded in real-world experience and are easily applicable. The book is rich with personal
anecdotes from Kraemer's life and career, which add authenticity and relatability to his teachings.
Each chapter includes reflective exercises that encourage readers to pause and consider how the
concepts apply to their own lives. These exercises make the book interactive and engaging.
On the other hand, some readers might find certain themes and concepts repetitive. Kraemer
frequently revisits the importance of values and self-reflection, which, while central to his message, can feel redundant at times. There is also quite a bit of generalization. While the advice is broadly applicable, some readers may feel that the book lacks specificity in addressing unique challenges faced by individuals in different stages of their careers or personal lives.
Overall, "Your 168" can be a compelling read for anyone who is interested in living a more intentional and values-driven life. Kraemer's insights are both profound and practical, making the book a valuable resource for personal development. His emphasis on self-reflection, balanced living, and service to others resonates deeply in today's fast-paced world for many people. Whether you are a seasoned executive or someone looking to make more meaningful use of your time, "Your 168" offers guidance that can help you find purpose and satisfaction.
guide for those seeking to align their daily actions with their core values. A former CEO of Baxter
International and a clinical professor at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management,
Kremer leverages his experiences to provide advice on how to lead a fulfilling and impactful life. He
states that true leadership and personal satisfaction come from understanding and embracing one's
values and core beliefs and using those to navigate and align your actions.
A significant portion of the material is dedicated to the practice of self-reflection. Kraemer proposes that regular self-examination of any changes or doubts in your values and beliefs is crucial for maintaining focus. Advocating for a balanced approach to life, where professional ambitions do not overwhelm and eclipse personal well-being and relationships, he provides strategies for achieving this balance via deliberate and dedicated time management and prioritizations. This is also where the “168” in the title is derived from. There are 168 hours in a week. Kraemer encourages readers to think critically about how they allocate their time and to ensure that their daily activities reflect their values and priorities.
Kraemer also stresses the importance of being of service to others and contributing to a greater good than oneself. He argues that a values-based life needs to include and is inherently connected to helping others and trying to make a positive impact on the world in some fashion.
Providing practical advice, using personal stories and using reflective exercises are some of the ways Kraemer provides explanations and guidance for aligning your values with your actions. He offers concrete steps and actionable advice for integrating values into everyday life. His suggestions are grounded in real-world experience and are easily applicable. The book is rich with personal
anecdotes from Kraemer's life and career, which add authenticity and relatability to his teachings.
Each chapter includes reflective exercises that encourage readers to pause and consider how the
concepts apply to their own lives. These exercises make the book interactive and engaging.
On the other hand, some readers might find certain themes and concepts repetitive. Kraemer
frequently revisits the importance of values and self-reflection, which, while central to his message, can feel redundant at times. There is also quite a bit of generalization. While the advice is broadly applicable, some readers may feel that the book lacks specificity in addressing unique challenges faced by individuals in different stages of their careers or personal lives.
Overall, "Your 168" can be a compelling read for anyone who is interested in living a more intentional and values-driven life. Kraemer's insights are both profound and practical, making the book a valuable resource for personal development. His emphasis on self-reflection, balanced living, and service to others resonates deeply in today's fast-paced world for many people. Whether you are a seasoned executive or someone looking to make more meaningful use of your time, "Your 168" offers guidance that can help you find purpose and satisfaction.
October 19, 2023
I wish the author would’ve spent more time developing the theory of why the best unit of account for managing your life is the week(168 hours) vs the day(24 hours). This book wasn’t rigorous at all. Felt like the author needed to write it to put a bow on his career. He didn’t advance the topic with this book. If this book was converted into a workbook it might be more useful. These types of books should be written as workbooks to be more useful to the user and to force the author to provide more value and less of a retrospective on their life success.
July 20, 2021
This is one amazing book. It made me acknowledge that, even without noticing it, I've been self-reflecting a lot during these past 20 months or so; the thing is, despite doing that, my priorities weren't in line and I was jumping on-off tasks, issues, career, personal life demands, instead of crafting a real plan to match my real life intents.
100% recommended if you aim to give your life a reboot.
100% recommended if you aim to give your life a reboot.
November 25, 2023
Having the chance to meet with Harry Kraemer at Kellogg/Northwestern and at Baxter Healthcare, this book comes as no surprise to helping me as a professional and spiritual person balance my week. His commonsense committment to his values and self-reflection are an important part of my every day. I find myself going back to the book and reviewing it often to reinforce my committments to my own values and the self-reflection questions I ask myself daily.
December 24, 2024
Having recently been given the opportunity to listen to Mr Kramer while at Kellogg school of management, I knew the book would have an impact… I just didn’t foresee how much. This book had a profound influence on understanding my vision and purpose in life, and has cemented in me the desire to further develop and implement my value-based leadership style.
February 15, 2021
enjoyed it. It's about living a value based life, but I really liked that the author didn't try to tell you what your values should be, just how to balance your values to what you are actually doing. Very impressed with the author
November 29, 2020
Thought this was an alright book. Got it as a gift. Normal "self help" fare, but focused on how to prioritize. Not too much original but had a few interesting ideas. The premise is to live a well rounded life and figure out how to allocate a scare resource (time) between the different buckets of life (career, family, experiences). Would recommend to people struggling with defining work life balance and what to focus on in life.
May 15, 2022
This book was a lot longer than it needed to be to benefit from it. Recommendation: watch one of his lectures/talks instead, you'll get the actionable gist pretty quickly
November 28, 2024
It's not for me. I think the 168 concept is fine, but all of the anecdotes come from a judgemental place, and the point of view is definitely one of privilege.
March 8, 2025
Great leader with a must read book!
June 19, 2025
You have 168 hours per week, make them count!
July 13, 2025
3.5 stars
May 21, 2025
The book was great it talked about how you only have 168 hours in a week and how we must make the most out of it, the book divides your time of the week into life buckets which are the most important aspects of your life for you. It also emphasized a lot on the importance of self reflection and how it can change your life,(life balance is key).
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews