Life Is What You Make It: Find Your Own Path to Fulfillment

by Peter Buffett

From composer, musician, and philanthropist Peter Buffett comes a warm, wise, and inspirational book that asks, Which will you the path of least resistance or the path of potentially greatest satisfaction?

You may think that with a last name like his, Buffett has enjoyed a life of endless privilege. But the son of billionaire investor Warren Buffett says that the only real inheritance handed down from his parents was a Forge your own path in life. It is a creed that has allowed him to follow his own passions, establish his own identity, and reap his own successes.

In Life Is What You Make It, Buffett expounds on the strong set of values given to him by his trusting and broadminded mother, his industrious and talented father, and the many life teachers he has met along the way.

Today’s society, Buffett posits, has begun to replace a work ethic, relishing what you do, with a wealth ethic, honoring the payoff instead of the process. We confuse privilege with material accumulation, character with external validation. Yet, by focusing more on substance and less on reward, we can open doors of opportunity and strive toward a greater sense of fulfillment. In clear and concise terms, Buffett reveals a great Life is random, neither fair nor unfair.

From there it becomes easy to recognize the equal dignity and value of every human life—our circumstances may vary but our essences do not. We see that our journey in life rarely follows a straight line but is often met with false starts, crises, and blunders. How we push through and persevere in these challenging moments is where we begin to create the life of our dreams—from discovering our vocations to living out our bliss to giving back to others.

Personal and revealing, instructive and intuitive, Life Is What You Make It is about transcending your circumstances, taking up the reins of your destiny, and living your life to the fullest.
 

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Business, Psychology, Personal Development, Biography, Philosophy

272 pages, Paperback

First published April 27, 2010

About the author

Emmy Award-winning musician Peter Buffett has an acclaimed career that spans more than 28 years as a professional composer, musician, philanthropist and author.

From 1987 to present, Buffett has released 15 records, and has been signed to such labels as Narada, Epic and Hollywood Records. Most of his releases had been instrumental recordings until 2006 when Buffett began experimenting with vocals and a more eclectic pop/rock sound. His latest work combines elements of soft and progressive rock in the vein of Guster, Death Cab for Cutie and Beck.

Beyond music, social action and philanthropy are very important to Buffett. His work with numerous non-profit organizations and charities has made him into a well-known activist for social concerns and these messages play out through his music. His philanthropic work includes singles benefiting environmentalism, education and the elimination of human trafficking, as well as co-chairing his own foundation.

Buffett’s latest venture is his inspiring new book, Life Is What You Make It. Personal and revealing, instructive and intuitive, Life Is What You Make It is about following passions over conventions, transcending your circumstances or status, taking up the reins of your destiny, and living life to its fullest.

Reviews

[Yesenia Cash · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 nothing spectacular. Like eating a plain bagel when you’re not even hungry.

[Breck · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd probably give this more like 3.5 stars. I liked it, it was interesting, was inspired by Buffet's words and path in life. Anyone can read this book, but it's a must read for the affluent. The title could have been "How to Raise Decent Children When You're Filthy Rich." The author, Peter Buffet, is the son of Warren Buffet, whose mantra when raising kids was basically, "a silver spoon in a child's mouth, may someday become a silver stake in their back".

Growing up, the Buffets lived a comfortable lifestyle, weren't yet extremely wealthy, but by the time the kids were on their own, Warren was doing extremely well, and could have supported the kids the rest of their lives. However, Warren knew what wealth might do to his children and instead gave them a single sum of money and said that's all they would get from him -- ever. The sum was enough to get started, get a good education, start a business, but from there on out he expected them to make their own life. And he never pressured them to do what he did. In fact, Peter became a musician, quite the opposite path. And he spent the first several years of his career just getting by. Basically, he took the sum his father had given him and set up a financial plan to make it last as long as he could until his own career got off the ground. So for several years he lived in a small apartment in Chicago, commuted by bike, lived very simply, until he started making a small living off producing music for commercials and recording for other musicians in his apartment/studio.

Long story short, Peter Buffet went on to become a critically acclaimed music producer, done a lot of giving back. I liked the book because it wasn't presumptuous. He talked about all his set backs, his own struggle in finding a path in life, admits that he had an advantage due to his father -- "won the genetic lottery." He talks about the problems in affluent families, how we assume that only lower income families suffer, but that wealth can be as much of a hindrance *to some* as lack of wealth.

After reading the book I have a little more respect for Warren Buffet the person, as a parent, and his philanthropy. I guess a few years ago he gave away half his money to the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation -- 35 billion, nice! But Peter reiterates his father's intention was never to amass wealth, he just loved what he did, stuck with it, and wealth has been the side benefit. One of the underlying themes is finding your passion and pursuing it.

[jennifer]

this book was the one present my dad, who is very sick, wanted to give me for my birthday last week. he heard about it on XPN. despite what the author says many times, dude has a lot of unexamined privilege. and quotes every profound thing you'd find on a greeting card at whole foods and/or a college introduction to thinking seminar.

all that said - there is a certain sweetness in someone telling you not to be limited by self or society and to live the things you want to see happen. and the focus on commitment as the foundation of both change and meaningful life is actually profound.

i had been trying to figure out why daddy wanted to get this for me and he explained he heard that the foundation this guy runs was planning to massively fund women candidates in an attempt to undo the endless mess men had made of things to date. i will choose to think that the gift had to do with this and not some persistent concern my dad might have that i have no idea what to do with my life.

[Ginny · Rating 3 out of 5]

two quotes I liked from this book:

"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." Joseph Campbell

"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now." Goethe

[Renee Liu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about personal and fundamental values. It is a dangerous and sometimes hypocritical thing to write a book on values in this Nietzschean nihilism world. But this book does an outstanding job. This is a book that offers condensed and distilled wisdom on parenting, career and life path choice and self-value building. Peter Buffett is not at all teaching the reader in a pedagogical tone, rather, he conveys important messages through anecdotes, humor, and raw passion. I am very Lucky to be able to read this book at this juncture of my formative year, and it helps me clear out the cloud that cloaks the 'way' I have been searching for in my life. After all, this is one of the few paradigm-changing books one can encounter within a lifetime. It makes me realize that a meaningful life is a dual process, where the ego is degrading while the communication to the outside world is upgrading and deepening. I strongly recommend this book to people who are in the middle of determining their life path.

[Rajasuba Subramanian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Buffet one of the living examples who discovered one's vocation. In the first half of the book describes on how to discover what one is passionate about doing.

“Not all who wander are lost.”
“But there are many circumstances in which wandering through a labyrinth of choices is not a symptom of being lost, but a necessary passage on the road to being found.”
We grow by messing up.
“If parents love their work and approach it with passion, then kids will come to see the value of work itself, and will be inclined to seek and discover a passion of their own.”

He sums up meaningful work as,

“I get up in the morning knowing that I’m going to learn something that day, and hopefully help somebody else. I’ve learned something precious that I could never have learned at home: that the work should be its own reward.”

At the end he summaries the importance of giving back. He mentions about how donating time is at least as important as donating money. Teaching and mentoring are ways of giving back.

“Directing our work outward, toward the common good, rather than for private gain, is a way of giving back. Stretching beyond our comfort zone to engage a wider world is a way of giving back.”

“What does seem pretty certain is that giving of ourselves will require us to stretch, to venture past our comfort zones and break out of our usual routines.”

and ends with an interesting note,

“We are stronger than we think we are.
We have courage that we do not recognize until we need it.
We are equal to challenges that we haven’t even imagined yet.”

What is it that allows us to tap into these reserves of strength and nerve—that allows us to discover what is best in ourselves?
Commitment, boldness, and the determination to shape our own lives.

“Your life is yours to create. Be grateful for the opportunity. Seize it with passion and boldness. Whatever you decide to do, commit to it with all your strength … and begin it now.
What are you waiting for?”

[Maria Regina Paiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

The son of one of world's richest billionaires, Peter Buffett received from his dad what many could call a dubitable inheritance: a $90K check at age 19. Period. Peter was raised to expect nothing unearned. He understood from early on that his father's substantial fortune would never trickle down his way, because he needed to find his own path, prove himself, make his own living, and discover his self-worth, self-respect, and the meaning of his life all on his own. His true inheritance was less tangible: uncompromising moral and ethical values, true love of knowledge and learning, and a strong work ethic that was based not on acquiring wealth but on committing to his passion. Eventually Peter carved out his own successful career as a music composer and author, and later also created a way to give back to society by starting a foundation that helps girls and women find equality and opportunities.

Children born to wealth are often passionless or indifferent: they have little motivation to work because they take everything for granted. Oftentimes, as well, parents misguidedly give to their children in excess, trying to make up for their own lacks while growing up. This little book offers many insights that may help all find the right attitude and perspective to discover true passion and joy in their lives.

[Jasmin.M ياسمين منصور · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely inspiring book for new careers out there. With books like these they all share a common message in different forms and experience. GRATITUDE is a key to any human success with the good & bad times in our lives.
Quote from the book " your life is yours to create. Be grateful for the opportunity. Seize it with passion and boldness. Whatever you decide to do, commit to it with all your strength and begin it now "

[Jay French · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book somewhat interesting, really on two levels. On one level, I got a little voyeuristic thrill hearing how the world's richest man gave his offspring $90,000 as their inheritance in order to teach them how to live a normal life. It was interesting to listen to Buffett describing how he decided to live his life. On another level, I found Buffett's description of his career in music quite interesting. I would have read the book for either of those two reasons. And here you get a bonus, a motivational self-help book to boot. This didn't really add anything to the motivational literature, limiting my rating, but it was enjoyable.

[Rash J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author is the son of Billionaire, philanthropist Warren Buffet. Even though the father was a billionaire his mantra when raising kids was basically, "a silver spoon at birth, may become a silver dagger later on in life". Author created his own life as a musician with his own set of achievements and mistakes. He mentions his childhood was a happy and loving one with family & friends.

[Naveen Chandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

Buffett, the last name was the only inspiration to pick up this book and I regretted it only after reading few chapters. Same old self help stuff from a billionaire’s son.

[Alejandro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, inspirational and motivational book.

[Sean Goh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The silver spoon in the mouth too often becomes the silver dagger in the back - an ill considered gift that saps ambition and drains motivation, that deprives the young person of the adventure of finding his or her way.

Grasping an opposing point of view was a way of sharpening the mind.

He thinks of education, ultimately, as the fulfillment of curiosity.
The substance of education has to do with understanding human nature - both our inmost hearts, and the motives and longings of people very different from ourselves. This comes from careful listening.

A parent should give his children enough to do anything, but not enough to do nothing. - Warren Buffett

Compassion wasn't true compassion if it applied only to people who had less than you; compassion should apply to everyone who could use a little help and understanding - which is to say, everyone in the world.

Aspirations can be boundless, actions have to be tempered by morality and integrity, by decency and ethics.

Being average has the advantages of keeping the pressure off and the expectations manageable.

Good teachers do far more than convey information, they pass along something of themselves.

I had to acknowledge that with my limited understanding and experience, I had no way of knowing what would happen next, or even, with any great exactness, what I wanted to happen next.

A lucky break is not a free pass, it often comes as an opportunity to rise to a challenge, to do something difficult.

Wish fulfillment is not the end of a process, as commonly perceived, it is only the beginning of a chapter.

In some ways, it's easier to settle for someone else's version of success than to risk falling short at one's own.

The danger was a sad and life-diminishing alienation - people not really knowing where they are because they haven't taken the time to notice how they got there.

[Lisa Lachowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life Is What You Make It is one of the most unique and thought-provoking non-fiction selections I have read. Because the central themes revolve around the ethics, morals, and values formulated through Peter Buffett’s experiences, I also remain heavily invested in his philosophies.
Buffett stresses lessons of trust, responsibility, independence, acceptance, and merit, among other things. Personal anecdotes, many including reminiscing instances of his parents and other influential adults, heighten readers’ interests by clearly explaining the origin of each belief.
One unique theme I find most relatable is that of money as not a leader, but rather a follower in life. Despite a Wall Street, affluent family, Buffett is forced to fend for himself given a more common sum of inheritance. His parents give him “enough to do anything, but not enough to do nothing” (38). He talks about the priority of pursuing one’s passion so that their job, or purpose, can be carried out with conviction – independent of the salary. As a future middle school or high school band director, I value this notion like no other, and therefore, enjoy reading the topic in a wiser person’s words.
I would recommend this book to nearly anyone – as Bill Clinton states, it is “Wise and inspiring . . . should be required reading” (Buffet). Its humble lessons are ones I wish more young people would express. While this does examine a more philosophical approach, its meaning it of utmost importance today.

[Roland Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the great motivational and inspirational books I've read. Firstly Buffett shares my worldview that success is defined as a process not just as the material reward generated from that process. How many of us have people that we value in our lives that we can never repay with money? How would we value a good parent, a good teacher, a good friend? Certainly not in dollars and cents. This book also talks about the value of commitment to excellence, and how to find one's vocation. This is a book I hope everyone would read and I plan to read it again in the future.

[Rita Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of common sense in this very readable book. The Buffetts really knew how to raise children!

I particularly enjoyed the chapter on mistakes...perhaps because I read it just after I had been notified of mistakes I made in a newsletter article.

[Hayley Hu · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why would anyone want to read a privileged person discussing how he doesn't use his privileges?

[Daniel Ottenwalder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life is what you make it
Trust in the world and people are all trying their best
Tolerance can be developed
Open mindless helps sharpen the mind
Education is about learning everything and reading books is a link to the culture
Work is about the actual work not the reward of works
No one deserves anything - deserve is about merit
The mixed blessing of choice sometimes what we want is perverse to our privilege - not all who wander are lost
There are no shortcuts to success we must learn from as many teachers in our life
Took his inheritance and used it to pursue his career his music

It’s a myth to imagine a good writer just writes - practical and passion must be blended. Need to understand the audience and marketplace.

Be careful what you wish for sometimes you get it - king midas have to be aware of the goals we reach for and see it as the beginning not the end

Success is not about pay it’s about the process - success is inside made up of self respect, confidence and our own worth. It’s a personal journey of finding what we value. The key to the treasure is the treasure of yourself.

Life is what we make it - we choose who we become

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.

[Henry Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book in the trash room in my building, and it looked interesting enough to grab for free. I'm glad I read it. It wasn't particularly innovating as far as writing style, but it did give me a few new perspectives on things that I really appreciate:
-Rich kids with neglectful parents can become just as dysfunctional as poor kids with neglectful parents. Good parenting is more important than money.
-Most people have inner voices that they ignore for a long time until finally, hopefully, they realize what their calling is. Try to listen sometimes.
-If you chase money as an end to itself, you will probably end up richer and just as happy or less happy. If you chase things you enjoy, you won't care about the money.
-When people describe someone as "successful" they usually are describing them as rich. Success is a term that changes over the years and varies across cultures, so we should recognize that there isn't a universal definition.

Overall, worth reading since it is very short and interesting enough to read quickly.

[Micah Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some great advice from an examined life. Peter is the son of Warren Buffet, but other than recommendation letters for Stanford (which he dropped out of) there was no inheritance or family fortune for him to live off of. He spends time talking about privilege and the silver spoon versus what his father called the "silver dagger in the back," and how kids of privilege and those in poverty exhibit the same behaviors in relation to their parents. While girls of privilege have a much higher rate of clinical depression than the average of the nation. He also discusses finding your vocation, and how mistakes along the way can be stepping stones on the path. And how reaching a goal is not the end, but a beginning. He offers some advice throughout the book, but mostly he asks questions to help the reader think about their own life and examine where they are, where they came from, and what they need to do to make their life what they want it to be.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Making a life is the one profound and sacred opportunity shared by every person ever born. Life is what we make it. No one else can do it for us. No one else has the right to tell us how it ought to be.

We make our own goals. We define our own successes. We don't get to choose where we start in life; we do get to choose the kind of people we become.

Measure your wealth in personal fulfillment and peace of mind.

Your lie is yours to create. Be grateful for the opportunity. Seize it with passion and boldness. Whatever you decide to do, commit to it with all your strength.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book easy to read and inspiring. It had a nice positive tone. It was refreshing to read about a family that had a tremendous amount of money but didn't seem to let it get in their way of understanding what life is all about. It was endearing to hear that Warren Buffet's children, particularly Peter, came away from his parents' upbringing with a level headed grip that principles in life matter more than things.

[Moises Mendoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised by how well the outline of the book is structured and the personal stories within. Buffet is very clear on that all the authority he has to write this book is his own life. And all reflections are pertinent, generous in the sense that he wants to help and share what he has learned. It also helped me to understand the problems of the "upper class" that I have not considered before. One of the best books on personal development I've read. I wish I had known about these lessons 20 years ago, not sure if I would have listened, but still.

[Sujit · Rating 3 out of 5]

This books is more of an autobiography of Warren Buffet's son. Peter was born in an affluent family, but he was free to choose his own path for happiness. .

[Rianto Dermawan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a very rich and becomes a famous rich man in a lengthy period of time, it is like a champion of life, more over for his family . Peter Buffet, the child, his efforts trying to be a humble kid by this book, but we admit that his decent father would not let him be shortfall in his life.

[Valeria de haro · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like how Peter communicated his thoughts. Very nice descriptions of his lessons and values he developed throughout his life. And I think they are going to be very nurturing to the people who read this book. Personally, I was really inspired by his lessons but only in certain parts. Nothing exceptional.

[Jinglei C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly good! I wasn't expecting to learn a lot from Peter since he is not an investor. But I was wrong

[Mohammed · Rating 2 out of 5]

كتاب فلسفي، يحتاج الى ذهن صافي لقراءته
في الكثير من القق والتجارب، وبالتالي فهو كتاب واقعي بالدرجة الاولى
الا أنه يطرح الأسئلة أكثر من كونه يعطي اجابات، وبالتالي فهو كتاب يحفز التفكير

[Abhishek Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book. Agreed I paid heed to the book because of the last name that Peter inherits, but his ideas and simplicity has convinced me of his personal genius. The fact that this book conveys so many essential ideas is amazing. Already one of my favourite books. Peter shares a lot of dilemma we face as an average human being and shares lessons from his humble journey on how we can love a fulfilling life of purpose.
If nothing else, I would recommend this book for the epilogue quote-

“Until one is committed, there is hesitance to draw back. Considering all acts of creation, there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans- the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence does too. All sorts of things occur to help one, that would otherwise had not occurred. A stream of events issue from the decision raising in ones favour all manner of unseen incidents and meeting and material assistance which no man would have seen coming his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can do, BEGIN IT. Boldness has power and magic in it. Begin it now!”

[Fatomah Al-Doughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

للتو إنتهيت من هذا الكتاب الممتع لبيتر بافيت ولد أغنى مستثمر في القرن الواحد والعشرين وارين بافيت، وفي الحقيقه كان هذا إحدى أحد الأسباب الرئيسيه التي شجعتني لإمتلاك هذا الكتاب وقراءته، أردت أن أرى كيف كان تأثير والده الناجح عليه؟ هل كان اغنى مستثمر في العالم ناجح ايضاً مع أسرته وأبنائه؟ ماهي المعتقدات التي زرعها فيهم وبالفعل الكتاب أجاب عن كل هذه التساؤلات، نعود الآن لبيتر، كتابه هذا كان وكأنه جلسة مناقشه لطيفه خفيفه عميقه عن مختلف القيم في الحياه وعن افكاره اتجاه اتباع الشغف بدون خوف او تردد من المجتمع والذي يمليه عليك مدعما لها ببعض القصص لأصدقائه ومواقفه الشخصيه، اتفقت معه في أغلب النقاط واختلفت في بعضها وهذا مايجعل الكتاب ماده جميله للمناقشه، بالنسبه لرأيي الخاص اجد انه من التهور لشخص ان يتبع شغفه الخاص ويعتمد عليه في لقمة عيشه ويلقي بعرض الحائط تعليمه الأكاديمي، الشهاده التعليميه مهمه لتوفير الأمان بعدها يستطيع الشخص ان يزور شغفه من حين لآخر ولا يوجد أي مانع من توظيف الشغف مع العمل الروتيني ومن هنا يولد الإبداع 🙏🏻
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في الحقيقه استمتعت في قراءة هذا الكتاب كثيراً ولم أمّل منه خلال قراءتي
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