What is Your Life's Work?: Answer the Big Question about What Really Matters...and Reawaken the Passion for What You Do

by Bill Jensen

What Is Your Life's Work? captures a most extraordinary moment in each of our lives—the time when we sit down with loved ones and attempt to answer the big question about what really matters. Bill Jensen has created a wonderfully practical space for you to explore who you are, what you stand for, what you believe in, what's risky, what's not, what's worth it, what you're struggling with, and what you've accomplished. He has captured the intimate exchanges between mothers and daughters, fathers and sons, and caring teammates—all talking about what really matters at work, and in life. Their conversations are as real as yours would be: In What Is Your Life's Work? you will discover a new way to see and know who you are in today's more-better-faster world. Exposed is what usually stays private; the raw truths we've all experienced, the personal frailties and mistakes we'd like to hide, and the proudest achievements we'd like to celebrate. In the letters and work diaries of others, we see ourselves. In their struggles, we see our own. Bill Jensen has made it his life's work to battle corporate stupidity and help us all simplify our workdays, take more control, and rediscover our passions. As your trail guide and partner, he will take you through five distinct discoveries that thousands have encountered in finding their voices: While it touches your heart and lifts your soul, What Is Your Life's Work? does not shy away from difficult introspection. You are an active participant in this book. Yes, you will find value here—stories of people like you, new ways of looking at what really matters, or simple confirmation that others have chosen the same path as you. But the ultimate takeaway asks something of you in return: Take something from this book and pay it forward. Start a new conversation with a loved one about what really matters—about your own life's work. You will get back even more than you give. You will have brought these pages to life.

Genres: Self Help, Business

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 3, 2005

About the author

Bill Jensen makes it easier to do great work.
Bill is today’s foremost expert on work complexity and cutting through clutter to what really matters.

He has spent the past two decades studying how work gets done. (Much of what he’s found horrifies him.)

He is an internationally-acclaimed author and speaker who is known for provocative ideas, extremely useful content, and his passion for making it easier for everyone to work smarter, not harder.

His first book, Simplicity, was the Number 5 Leadership/ Management book on Amazon in 2000. His next best-seller is Simplicity Survival Handbook: 32 Ways to Do Less and Accomplish More.

His latest books, Disrupt! Think Epic. Be Epic. and The Courage Within Us, reveal the secrets of 100 great disruptive heroes on how to thrive and take advantage of continuous disarray, disorder and change.

Bill holds degrees in Communication Design and Organizational Development.

He is CEO of The Jensen Group. Among his clients are Bank of America, Merck, Pfizer, GE, L’Oréal Italia, Genentech, NASA, The World Bank, BBC, Philips Lighting, the US Navy SEALS, the government of Ontario, Singapore Institute of Management, Guangzhou China Development District, and the Swedish Post Office.

Bill’s personal life fantasy is to bicycle around the globe via breweries.

Reviews

[Diana Nagy]

The person who wrote this book asked a variety of people to write to someone of importance to them. In the letter, he asks that each individual include how they know they were making a difference in their work, what's the real reason they are here, is this all there is, how much is too much, and how do I decide whether I should stay or go. While I don't believe everyone answered every single question in each letter, I do believe that the entire book includes a story with one or more of the questions answered in each. Each question is covered in at least one of the letters in the book. This book, according to the author, "is about what we learn about ourselves when we teach our loved ones, especially our kids, what matters, and abut the powerful need we have to leave something behind-what we want to be remembered for. I had several flags I placed on the pages that I found of interest to me. Things that I would have appreciated receiving in a letter. And just as promised, some of the books affected me, and others did not.

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The frank honesty in most of these letters made me re-think what I consider success.

The recommendation at the beginning of the book suggests picking a few letters from each section - I ended up reading all of them. Whether you are young, old, satisfied or still hungry for more, I would highly recommend reading this book. The greatest resource we have is other people and this book is filled to the brim with just that, people.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book of letters written to family members honestly describing their thoughts about life and the things they wish they would have done differently. Also things that they want their loved ones to learn from their mistakes. Overall....most people said to not choose work over family. But knowing that everyone must work, to choose work that is fulfilling and makes a difference in others lives. I learned so much from this book! At the end of the book it gives suggestions on how to compose an honest letter to your own children. Its an amazing concept!

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book written by people who have found out what they want to do with their lives and even had a mission president. This book really made me think.

[Iskandar]

I love the excerpt of Caroline Simond's Letter.