by Jaclyn Bauer
Ariana Huffington, founder of the famed online news blog the Huffington Post, authored her latest book Thrive earlier this year. Finding the somehow happy medium between a business and a motivational book, Huffington goes to great lengths to debunk the myth of the so-called “American Dream.” She begins the book by detailing her own collapse from exhaustion in 2007 after over working, stressing excessively, and ultimately living the very “dream” she goes on to expose as entirely faulty.
Huffington points out that in contemporary American culture success is measured by power and money alone, while the very attributes that would in fact contribute to a fulfilling and accomplished life are often ignored. In response to this attitude, the acclaimed author and business woman states that “we need a Third Metric…[that]consists of four pillars: well-being, wisdom, wonder and giving.” The rest of the book goes on to examine each of these pillars in depth, offering a plethora of anecdotal stories, suggested habit breaking activities, and ultimately a recurring reminder to always reach beyond the tangible measures of success.
So much of the literature and conversation around ideas of success repeatedly targets those who are inactive and lack motivation. While yes, a large portion of the American community is, to put it bluntly, lazy, there is a whole subset of people who don’t know when, or sometimes even how, to stop. Huffington is speaking directly to these Type A personalities in Thirve, categorizing them as those who are “determined to never get off the treadmill despite the cost in terms of their well-being, relationships, and happiness.”
It was both refreshing and inspiring to find recognition and critique of the “all or nothing” attitude that is pervasive in our culture. Though the volume of personal stories and Huffington’s affronting feminism were at times overbearing, the book as a whole was insightful, reassuring and motivating. Not only for the successful business people in need of toning it down, this book offers advice to readers of all and any social or economic class.
See an interview with Arianna Huffington by MindValley’s founder, Vishen Likhiani here.
Check this out: a visual reminder of Arianna Huffington’s steps to Thrive
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