How Will You Measure Your Life?

by Clayton Christensen

August 14, 2020 — October 16, 2020

Los Angeles, CA

From Michael Bloomberg’s List + Read with Kaleendra Malwatta

I read this book with Kali (Taz dropped out by ch. 3), over the course of two months that have been quite dynamic with several ups and downs, but this book remained relevant and useful because it focuses on the different aspects and stages of life. It’s interesting how the book manages to compare managing successful businesses, raising good kids, and guiding a successful career and happy life to each other. While I felt that some topics about raising children felt too early, it actually made me analyze my own childhood and I felt a little more prepared to have kids; on the other hand, Kali was fascinated with how a management book unexpectedly presented chapters revolving around children’s psychology. Overall, it’s a good read if you accept that not everyone shares the same goals and desires in life, that’s okay, but be strict and tenacious about the concept that it’s mandatory that people deliver on their goals.

The book can be divided into a person’s professional and personal life, also in the perspectives of having a strategy in life and having a sense of self in life. It makes it clear from the start that you are not your job (I definitely am not), that your time and energy are limited sources, and that your plans in life cannot be strictly set and aren’t assured. It provides how to think about your own life in its different aspects through terms and strategies used by businesses and provides examples and stories revolving around businesses like Honda, Motorola, Dell, as well as, from other business books; again, I found this method very interesting.

The highlight of measuring your life is understanding your capabilities through your resources, processes, and priorities (the same goes for a business). Then you must develop your purpose in life, with three parts: likeness (vision), commitment, and metrics. My purpose has always been to lead, defend, and reform Egypt. My vision is to restore Egypt. While the strategies and paths might evolve, this purpose has been deliberately conceived, chosen, and continuously pursued.