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It's Not About You: A Brief Guide to a Meaningful Life
From the author of the #1 bestseller StrengthsFinder 2.0 comes a moving memoir and inspiring call to action for bettering your own life by doing your best for others.
Life is not about you. It’s about what you do for others. That’s the realization that has driven Tom Rath—the mega-bestselling expert in self-development research—to evolve his focus from one’s inward search for strength to the larger outward search for purposeful contribution to others. It’s Not About You is a short introduction to the next chapter in the life and career of perhaps our greatest living self-help writer.
Diagnosed with a rare genetic condition at age sixteen, Tom’s awareness of his own mortality drove him to pursue a meaningful life in the nurturing care of his family, including his eventual mentor and collaborator, Tom’s grandfather Don Clifton. In this empowering hybrid of a self-help memoir, Tom remembers and celebrates his greatest teacher as he emphatically encourages each and every one of us to answer life’s great What can I put into the world?
Life is not about you. It’s about what you do for others. That’s the realization that has driven Tom Rath—the mega-bestselling expert in self-development research—to evolve his focus from one’s inward search for strength to the larger outward search for purposeful contribution to others. It’s Not About You is a short introduction to the next chapter in the life and career of perhaps our greatest living self-help writer.
Diagnosed with a rare genetic condition at age sixteen, Tom’s awareness of his own mortality drove him to pursue a meaningful life in the nurturing care of his family, including his eventual mentor and collaborator, Tom’s grandfather Don Clifton. In this empowering hybrid of a self-help memoir, Tom remembers and celebrates his greatest teacher as he emphatically encourages each and every one of us to answer life’s great What can I put into the world?
38 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 26, 2019
7853 people are currently reading
2856 people want to read
About the author
Tom Rath
23 books636 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 733 reviews
January 13, 2020
The author of How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids
brings us a short 35 page brief guide about finding a purposeful life.
Though there are powerful highlights along the way, I enjoyed the first half more than the second half. Mostly this book is a celebration of those who have contributed to the author’s life, but the beginning does provide the reader with a quick reminder of how to invest in filling up others around us. It’s somewhere between a self-help and a memoir.
There is a three step guide, but the third step focuses on his career exploration differing in design form the first two . He does eventually explain how he ended up writing the book How Full is Your Bucket. From Step 3 on, it is a lot of rambling stories. The organization is muddled, and after the first couple of chapters the focus of the book doesn’t stay completely defined; it repeats ideas and goes on to tell more stories about people he has encountered.
6 Total Chapters:
*Step 1-Get Over Yourself
*Step 2- Invest in the People Who Matter Most
*Step 3- Focus on What Will Grow When You Are Gone
*Living a Life of Contribution
*How Can I Contribute Today
*Answering Life's Greatest Questions
Currently available for free download on Amazon for Prime members.
brings us a short 35 page brief guide about finding a purposeful life.Though there are powerful highlights along the way, I enjoyed the first half more than the second half. Mostly this book is a celebration of those who have contributed to the author’s life, but the beginning does provide the reader with a quick reminder of how to invest in filling up others around us. It’s somewhere between a self-help and a memoir.
There is a three step guide, but the third step focuses on his career exploration differing in design form the first two . He does eventually explain how he ended up writing the book How Full is Your Bucket. From Step 3 on, it is a lot of rambling stories. The organization is muddled, and after the first couple of chapters the focus of the book doesn’t stay completely defined; it repeats ideas and goes on to tell more stories about people he has encountered.
6 Total Chapters:
*Step 1-Get Over Yourself
*Step 2- Invest in the People Who Matter Most
*Step 3- Focus on What Will Grow When You Are Gone
*Living a Life of Contribution
*How Can I Contribute Today
*Answering Life's Greatest Questions
Currently available for free download on Amazon for Prime members.
February 2, 2020
Compared to TED talks or inspirational videos on YouTube this is a 1.
I love Strengths Finder, but this 'book' was a big failure for me. (I was also surprised to learn Rath's grandfather started Gallop, and that Tom went to work there post-college when it was already a huge success with over 1,000 employees...)
Anyway, this is mostly a 50-minute blab or snoozefest of a 'keynote'-type address that centers around this point: Be of service to others — your job needs to be helping people.
It’s not that I disagree; this is the basic sentiment of nearly every religion and 12-step program, but I was expecting a lot more than blabbing in circles...
After 40-ish minutes Tom Rath talks briefly about his medical issues (he has many; My heart goes out to him and his family) and then throws in the comment that he has backed off work to spend time with his kids, which made his life even better!
buuuuut he totally skips past/conveniently forgets to mention ALL his privilege of having money and access to the best medical care, and the ability to “not work” (!)
The majority of people listening (and not listening) do not have wealthy families or personal wealth to just “not work” and spend time with their kids and "be of service" rather than "be employed".
Most people need to work to support their children... IDK, it rubbed me, especially for someone who is preaching to appreciate our blessings and have gratitude. It came across as a steamy pile of white male privilege and mansplaning 🤷🏻♀️ (it’s also basically an advertisement for Gallop services at the end, so I suppose it’s genius marketing in that regard).
Maybe the lesson here is I need to avoid GOOP-y super-rich people writing "self-help" books.
I love Strengths Finder, but this 'book' was a big failure for me. (I was also surprised to learn Rath's grandfather started Gallop, and that Tom went to work there post-college when it was already a huge success with over 1,000 employees...)
Anyway, this is mostly a 50-minute blab or snoozefest of a 'keynote'-type address that centers around this point: Be of service to others — your job needs to be helping people.
It’s not that I disagree; this is the basic sentiment of nearly every religion and 12-step program, but I was expecting a lot more than blabbing in circles...
After 40-ish minutes Tom Rath talks briefly about his medical issues (he has many; My heart goes out to him and his family) and then throws in the comment that he has backed off work to spend time with his kids, which made his life even better!
buuuuut he totally skips past/conveniently forgets to mention ALL his privilege of having money and access to the best medical care, and the ability to “not work” (!)
The majority of people listening (and not listening) do not have wealthy families or personal wealth to just “not work” and spend time with their kids and "be of service" rather than "be employed".
Most people need to work to support their children... IDK, it rubbed me, especially for someone who is preaching to appreciate our blessings and have gratitude. It came across as a steamy pile of white male privilege and mansplaning 🤷🏻♀️ (it’s also basically an advertisement for Gallop services at the end, so I suppose it’s genius marketing in that regard).
Maybe the lesson here is I need to avoid GOOP-y super-rich people writing "self-help" books.
May 12, 2021
An inspirational anecdote about the author who suffers from a rare terminal disease (von Hippel-Lindau). This gives Rath a different perspective on life. The main takeaway, "The key to creating collective well-being is to start by improving the life of another person, not your own."
I appreciate that he shared his story and offered sound advice.
I appreciate that he shared his story and offered sound advice.
November 15, 2020
More people need to have this sort of mentality. :)
June 29, 2023
I've been reading alot of self-help books lately to help my inner healing and become a happier person all around. Reading this book was very eye opening, as it teaches you to stop going internally for happiness as happiness will be from helping others and doing things for others. It's truly a remarkable way to live your life being selfless and truly caring about other individuals. It's not a "get burnt out and become a people pleaser" way it's more of showing more compassion towards others and in return it'll help you show more compassion and understanding to yourself and your own struggles. It's really reflective and I absolutely enjoyed this book!
August 22, 2022
4 stars
January 4, 2020
My first book of 2020. A fitting follow up to three of my favorite reads of 2019, all by Ryan Holiday. The Obstacle is the Way; Ego is the Enemy; and Stillness is the Key.
This book by Tom Rath represents a key paradigm shift (for me, begun a couple of years ago) from a life of confrontation as a mindset to one of contribution.
This book by Tom Rath represents a key paradigm shift (for me, begun a couple of years ago) from a life of confrontation as a mindset to one of contribution.
February 16, 2020
Rajinikanth is one of the most famous silver screen personalities in the annals of Indian cinema. He is also known for his spiritual inclinations and innate altruistic predilections. In a public gathering he once famously quoted that if one was to be aware of the date of his/her shedding the mortal coils, every remaining day until that day of reckoning would be an absolute torture. One person who can relate to this philosophy is one of my all- time favourite authors, Tom Rath. When he was just sixteen years old (or young), Mr. Rath was diagnosed as having a fatal genetic mutation, one that basically shuts off the body’s most powerful tumour suppressor. This was after what was supposed to be a routine eye test. What this meant was that in addition to large tumours that were already growing on his left eye, Mr. Rath was likely to have kidney and pancreatic cancer, and tumours in his spine, brain and adrenal glands. If this list was not daunting enough, Mr. Rath also lost the vision in his left eye, post multiple surgeries.
But at the time of this writing, Mr. Rath has braved the odds and lived to tell his tale. And, what a fascinating tale it has been! A prolific author, Rath has penned many bestsellers that have changed the contours of his reader’s perspectives. In “It’s Not About You”, his shortest book till date, he juxtaposes wisdom with fortitude. Asserting that life is not just about oneself, but about what you do for others, Mr. Rath, conveys to his readers the most fruitful way to lead a contended and enriching life.
Battling the dreaded von Hippel-Lindau condition, Mr. Rath has been an inspiration to millions across the globe. Echoing the late great Randy Pausch on how it takes the realization of mortality to develop an outward focus, Mr. Rath emphasises that life is about what you put back into the world and not what you take out of it.
He illuminates his readers about an empirical research finding which revealed that “kids who battle cancer somehow emerge stronger when compared to peers who have not faced a similar challenge. In particular, when children twelve and older battle cancer and survive, they are more likely to experience what scientists call post-traumatic growth.
Mr. Rath exhorts us to invest in people who matter the most. Relying on a finding by researchers, Mr. Rath informs us that if one is able to have at least five positive exchanges for every negative exchange in a given day, it should carry forward and energise the networks around that person. Such persons, incidentally, are five times as likely to have a very high sense of well-being.
For facilitating positive exchanges, Mr. Rath argues that it is imperative for one to assume the role of both a positive questioner and a keen listener. Both of these qualities are in peril, courtesy, the information age. As Mr. Rath illuminates his readers, in a study titled, “The iPhone Effect”, which was based on an experiment with two hundred participants, and examined the effects of the mere presence of a smartphone on a conversation, the researchers revealed that anytime a smartphone is visible, even if it is not ringing, vibrating, buzzing or even powered on, it degraded the quality of the conversation for everyone. In the cases where the phone was visible, the participants had lower levels of empathetic concern and found the conversations less fulfilling. The people who took their phones out were essentially saying, “This device comes before you and this conversation.”
Inspired by his grandfather, with whom Mr. Rath wrote the bestseller, “Strenghtsfinder”, Mr. Rath recollects the poignant story, where after being diagnosed with a gastroesophageal cancer (advanced stage), his grandfather Don Clifton collaborated with Mr. Rath to finish their bestseller in record time. The book titled “How Full Is Your Bucket?”, was based on the concept that filling in others’ bucket provides more contentment than dipping into another’s. To paraphrase Mr. Rath, “Contribution starts when you see beyond self.”
It may seem preposterous if one was to claim that life’s quintessential philosophies were all packed within the confines of a thirty-five-page book. But then again, it’s quality that matters than quantity. Mr. Rath, in his inimitable style and using an imprimatur that has by now become a trademark, manages to pull this feat off in a brilliant fashion.
To which we shall remain indebted to him.
Share this:
But at the time of this writing, Mr. Rath has braved the odds and lived to tell his tale. And, what a fascinating tale it has been! A prolific author, Rath has penned many bestsellers that have changed the contours of his reader’s perspectives. In “It’s Not About You”, his shortest book till date, he juxtaposes wisdom with fortitude. Asserting that life is not just about oneself, but about what you do for others, Mr. Rath, conveys to his readers the most fruitful way to lead a contended and enriching life.
Battling the dreaded von Hippel-Lindau condition, Mr. Rath has been an inspiration to millions across the globe. Echoing the late great Randy Pausch on how it takes the realization of mortality to develop an outward focus, Mr. Rath emphasises that life is about what you put back into the world and not what you take out of it.
He illuminates his readers about an empirical research finding which revealed that “kids who battle cancer somehow emerge stronger when compared to peers who have not faced a similar challenge. In particular, when children twelve and older battle cancer and survive, they are more likely to experience what scientists call post-traumatic growth.
Mr. Rath exhorts us to invest in people who matter the most. Relying on a finding by researchers, Mr. Rath informs us that if one is able to have at least five positive exchanges for every negative exchange in a given day, it should carry forward and energise the networks around that person. Such persons, incidentally, are five times as likely to have a very high sense of well-being.
For facilitating positive exchanges, Mr. Rath argues that it is imperative for one to assume the role of both a positive questioner and a keen listener. Both of these qualities are in peril, courtesy, the information age. As Mr. Rath illuminates his readers, in a study titled, “The iPhone Effect”, which was based on an experiment with two hundred participants, and examined the effects of the mere presence of a smartphone on a conversation, the researchers revealed that anytime a smartphone is visible, even if it is not ringing, vibrating, buzzing or even powered on, it degraded the quality of the conversation for everyone. In the cases where the phone was visible, the participants had lower levels of empathetic concern and found the conversations less fulfilling. The people who took their phones out were essentially saying, “This device comes before you and this conversation.”
Inspired by his grandfather, with whom Mr. Rath wrote the bestseller, “Strenghtsfinder”, Mr. Rath recollects the poignant story, where after being diagnosed with a gastroesophageal cancer (advanced stage), his grandfather Don Clifton collaborated with Mr. Rath to finish their bestseller in record time. The book titled “How Full Is Your Bucket?”, was based on the concept that filling in others’ bucket provides more contentment than dipping into another’s. To paraphrase Mr. Rath, “Contribution starts when you see beyond self.”
It may seem preposterous if one was to claim that life’s quintessential philosophies were all packed within the confines of a thirty-five-page book. But then again, it’s quality that matters than quantity. Mr. Rath, in his inimitable style and using an imprimatur that has by now become a trademark, manages to pull this feat off in a brilliant fashion.
To which we shall remain indebted to him.
Share this:
November 28, 2024
this was a very short book, took me 12 minutes to read it. the author wandered around in a few too many circles for as few pages as there are, but i think there’s some really valuable and inspiring thoughts about contributing to the people around you
May 31, 2020
An obvious bullshit about nuances of life. Additionally - an advertisement to sell services and more books by that guy. Seems like coaching shite :D
I can summarise it : everything you do- do it for others. You never know when you will die, so do something which will last after your death. Btw I had a rare disease and I worked on a program (click here) and I am a WRITER. If you want to know your strengths -buy my next books.
Ehh nowadays everyone can be a "professional" writer writing a books consisted of 50sites or so of total bullshit :D
I can summarise it : everything you do- do it for others. You never know when you will die, so do something which will last after your death. Btw I had a rare disease and I worked on a program (click here) and I am a WRITER. If you want to know your strengths -buy my next books.
Ehh nowadays everyone can be a "professional" writer writing a books consisted of 50sites or so of total bullshit :D
August 15, 2021
I began this in July but only finished the first few pages before I got distracted. Silly me. I reread it again in today in a 20-30 minute session and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's full of easily readable, easily understood advice regarding the need to step away from self and help others. Well worth your time.
January 2, 2020
Short powerful read
A short powerful read to start the new year off with the right message ITs Not About You! Live life tonite fullest by doing for others. A message that can make a difference and meaningful lasting g change.
A short powerful read to start the new year off with the right message ITs Not About You! Live life tonite fullest by doing for others. A message that can make a difference and meaningful lasting g change.
January 9, 2020
Favourite quote.
This is what I believe we should all aim for: to make contributions to others’ lives that will grow infinitely in our absence.
This is what I believe we should all aim for: to make contributions to others’ lives that will grow infinitely in our absence.
June 5, 2023
id literally rather take life advice from someone like friedrich nietzsche or ichiro kishimi
January 7, 2020
Easy read
Thought provoking book that makes you appreciate the good & bad in life. Helps you be of service to others!
Thought provoking book that makes you appreciate the good & bad in life. Helps you be of service to others!
January 14, 2020
Right. It’s not all about you. It’s all about the author, Tom Rath.
I listened to this on audiobook and I can say one of the positives it has going for it is that it went quickly. I had the whole thing done in the time it took me to shower and get ready for work.
Here’s the thing. It didn’t offer up anything new for me. Are you going to get the secrets of a meaningful life in a book this short? Or in ANY book, for that matter? Fuck no! But I was hoping for a lot more than I got with this book.
While I commend Mr. Rath for his courage and positive outlook, given his condition, he maybe should’ve just titled it differently since the majority of the book focused on that. Not hating on him for writing about his own life and friends and family- I just didn’t realize that was going to encompass most of the book. I was expecting something different based on the book summary not only on Goodreads but also Kindle. 🤔🤔 That keeps happening to me and it makes me want to throw the book across the room when it does. But I don’t throw books because OHMYGODWHYWOULDSOMEONEDOOOOTHAAAT! Also- I’m a recent Kindle convert and most of the books I’ve read the past few months have been on the Kindle App on my phone. And I don’t think it needs to be said that I won’t be throwing my phone anytime soon. No matter how bad the book is. And there have been some doozies in the past few months.
I listened to this on audiobook and I can say one of the positives it has going for it is that it went quickly. I had the whole thing done in the time it took me to shower and get ready for work.
Here’s the thing. It didn’t offer up anything new for me. Are you going to get the secrets of a meaningful life in a book this short? Or in ANY book, for that matter? Fuck no! But I was hoping for a lot more than I got with this book.
While I commend Mr. Rath for his courage and positive outlook, given his condition, he maybe should’ve just titled it differently since the majority of the book focused on that. Not hating on him for writing about his own life and friends and family- I just didn’t realize that was going to encompass most of the book. I was expecting something different based on the book summary not only on Goodreads but also Kindle. 🤔🤔 That keeps happening to me and it makes me want to throw the book across the room when it does. But I don’t throw books because OHMYGODWHYWOULDSOMEONEDOOOOTHAAAT! Also- I’m a recent Kindle convert and most of the books I’ve read the past few months have been on the Kindle App on my phone. And I don’t think it needs to be said that I won’t be throwing my phone anytime soon. No matter how bad the book is. And there have been some doozies in the past few months.
February 24, 2020
Mostly vapid ramblings from a man born into wealth who spent his life working for his grandfather's company.
April 24, 2020
Excellent. We need more books just like this one. I plan on reading more by this author.
March 7, 2021
This is a VERY short book, I think I finished it in an hour or less? I just bought this on impulse because it was on sale and I thought the writing was super readable based on the sample. I respect the author for going for density rather than length (I have something like 10 highlights within 35 pages).
The message of the book is “Life is short so you should make the most of it, and the way you do that is by contributing to and spending time with others”. That’s literally it. I don’t think there’s anything more that anyone could possibly take from this book. I bought it for $1 so I’m fine with that. At full price... yeah, I think not.
So... this isn’t really a book that you read to learn a brand new interesting outlook on life, but more as a reminder of some pretty obvious life lessons to give you a kick in the butt, because (at least for me) it’s easy to fall into a daily routine and forget about the big things. Think next week I’ll go join my dad on one of his hiking trips.
The message of the book is “Life is short so you should make the most of it, and the way you do that is by contributing to and spending time with others”. That’s literally it. I don’t think there’s anything more that anyone could possibly take from this book. I bought it for $1 so I’m fine with that. At full price... yeah, I think not.
So... this isn’t really a book that you read to learn a brand new interesting outlook on life, but more as a reminder of some pretty obvious life lessons to give you a kick in the butt, because (at least for me) it’s easy to fall into a daily routine and forget about the big things. Think next week I’ll go join my dad on one of his hiking trips.
July 24, 2020
This book was short, sweet, and to the point and the message is powerful! We live in a world of “follow your passion” when we really should be following our contributions to the lives of those around us. Our lives have an end but our contributions live beyond us and I love the author’s personal stories and examples to show this. A quick read I recommend to all! (And right now the digital version is free with Amazon Prime!)
December 29, 2019
A brief but impactful read.
January 29, 2020
"... anytime a smartphone is visible, even if it is not ringing, buzzing, vibrating, or even powered on, it degrades the quality of the conversation for everyone."
January 21, 2020
Tom Rath shares his insights from his life focused on others instead of self, after his diagnosis at sixteen of a rare genetic mutation with a 20-year expiration date.
We are all terminal. No one gets out alive. Now that you accept that, what will you do with your life? Make a difference and make a lasting contribution. When you see or are given a rare opportunity, take it. Life is too brief to live with regrets. The key to collective well-being is to start improving the life of another, not your own. According to Rath, real growth is the product of following your contributions more than your passions. By asking yourself, "What can I contribute?" leads to a better path and result than starting with self. In the end, you are what you contributed to the world.
Great book to start the new year from the co-author of How Full is Your Bucket?
We are all terminal. No one gets out alive. Now that you accept that, what will you do with your life? Make a difference and make a lasting contribution. When you see or are given a rare opportunity, take it. Life is too brief to live with regrets. The key to collective well-being is to start improving the life of another, not your own. According to Rath, real growth is the product of following your contributions more than your passions. By asking yourself, "What can I contribute?" leads to a better path and result than starting with self. In the end, you are what you contributed to the world.
Great book to start the new year from the co-author of How Full is Your Bucket?
January 18, 2020
Very encouraging
This book pushed me to not feel so sorry for myself and to getup and do something with my life. To what this man went through and what he is doing for people now is just amazing. I just wish I can be at least half as amazing as he is.
This book pushed me to not feel so sorry for myself and to getup and do something with my life. To what this man went through and what he is doing for people now is just amazing. I just wish I can be at least half as amazing as he is.
June 8, 2020
The brilliance of the human species lies in our ability to put collective interests ahead of our own.
This short work by Tom Rath, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller How Full Is Your Bucket?, provides an insight into his life, those who have positively contributed to it, and how you can lead a positive and meaningful life.
I found that it said a lot that didn't really amount to much overall, just variations on the theme of having positive interactions with people, rather than negative; such as:
Life is not about you. It’s about what you do for others.
The key to creating collective well-being is to start by improving the life of another person, not your own.
Life is about what you put back into the world, not what you take out of it.
The advice is sound, to be fair, but it doesn't always come so easily to people, especially those who suffer from mental health conditions. To that end, I found the following a little assumptive and unhelpful:
The worst thing you can do during a challenging time is to withdraw from relationships and social circles.
However, a very good piece of advice, and one I would recommend, is:
Tell someone how they have contributed to your life . . . while they are still around to hear it.
This short work by Tom Rath, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller How Full Is Your Bucket?, provides an insight into his life, those who have positively contributed to it, and how you can lead a positive and meaningful life.
I found that it said a lot that didn't really amount to much overall, just variations on the theme of having positive interactions with people, rather than negative; such as:
Life is not about you. It’s about what you do for others.
The key to creating collective well-being is to start by improving the life of another person, not your own.
Life is about what you put back into the world, not what you take out of it.
The advice is sound, to be fair, but it doesn't always come so easily to people, especially those who suffer from mental health conditions. To that end, I found the following a little assumptive and unhelpful:
The worst thing you can do during a challenging time is to withdraw from relationships and social circles.
However, a very good piece of advice, and one I would recommend, is:
Tell someone how they have contributed to your life . . . while they are still around to hear it.
June 17, 2020
This is a VERY SHORT book that reads more like an advertisement for the other full volume books that the author has written or co- written.
The concept is good.
The promo is good.
His medical issue issues are truly challenging & brings quite a bit of concern for him.
But in the telling, he cannot disregard the privilege he had & has, & how those privileges allow him 2 be as magnanimous as he’s been.
Serving others is a basic theological construct. I believe in it, but I don’t get 2 stay home with my kids while I serve the community.
I believe that this booklet is intended for the wealthy & financially independents who R living self absorbed lives.
Applying it to the “work place” can be a challenge when you R not the grandson of the founding fathers, or when you punch the clock in Corporate America.
I do support the belief in service to community. But this book didn’t sell it 2 me. I found that in my religious beliefs as I worked my fingers 2 the bone at some job that didn’t encourage civic duties.
I wish Mr Rath well. I hope he lives to enjoy grandchildren in good health.
I really do.
The concept is good.
The promo is good.
His medical issue issues are truly challenging & brings quite a bit of concern for him.
But in the telling, he cannot disregard the privilege he had & has, & how those privileges allow him 2 be as magnanimous as he’s been.
Serving others is a basic theological construct. I believe in it, but I don’t get 2 stay home with my kids while I serve the community.
I believe that this booklet is intended for the wealthy & financially independents who R living self absorbed lives.
Applying it to the “work place” can be a challenge when you R not the grandson of the founding fathers, or when you punch the clock in Corporate America.
I do support the belief in service to community. But this book didn’t sell it 2 me. I found that in my religious beliefs as I worked my fingers 2 the bone at some job that didn’t encourage civic duties.
I wish Mr Rath well. I hope he lives to enjoy grandchildren in good health.
I really do.
January 18, 2020
Great read
I enjoyed reading this . In today's world we are getting caught up with just thinking about ourselves which is why I think we are heading in the wrong direction. This book opened my eyes because we do feel better giving rather than receiving .It's better to make an impact on one's life rather than just making in impact in ours.Impacting ourselves won't live on once we are gone . Great read highly recommend
I enjoyed reading this . In today's world we are getting caught up with just thinking about ourselves which is why I think we are heading in the wrong direction. This book opened my eyes because we do feel better giving rather than receiving .It's better to make an impact on one's life rather than just making in impact in ours.Impacting ourselves won't live on once we are gone . Great read highly recommend
November 16, 2020
It's not about you...it's about the author. This would have been a pretty good essay but as a book, there is little to say. It's 90% about the author and how he has beaten a rare genetic illness. The rest is about how we should find ways to benefit humanity and not ourselves. The author, who comes from a privileged and well-connected family doesn't seem to realize that few of us have the ability to affect humanity on a global level. Overwhelmed parents and those struggling to make ends meet will find his message an unattainable luxury.
March 11, 2023
Short & Sweet this one! And as the titles suggests - It very much so is a brief guide, or as I like to call it - A “pick this up to kill some time on the way to the heavily congested Bali airport” and/or a shelf stuffer. Had some good points, probably could’ve been a YouTube video, won’t be blowing anyone’s minds but offers some interesting perspectives on how we should approach lives, even if it forces us to think through a morbid lens.
December 24, 2024
I’m trying to prepare myself to read more nonfiction next year so this quick read was me dipping my toe in…. this is why I don’t read nonfiction though. To be fair, I feel like the intention & overall message of the story is pure and inspirational??? I guess idk I have lots of thoughts about books like this but I will spare yall and keep them to myself…it wasn’t all bad though there were some good things we could all integrate into our lives in some capacity
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