HOW WILL YOU MEASURE YOUR LIFE?

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Clayton Christensen provides many insights in his book, How Will You Measure Your Life? In chapter two, he discusses the idea of motivation and what drives us. It is important to know what you are truly motivated by in order to become successful and satisfied with your career. Originally, managers thought that employees were only motivated by how much they were being paid, or the incentive theory. Herzberg focused his research on the idea that incentives and motivation are not the same thing and came up with the motivation theory. He found that true motivation involves an internal desire to do something that will continue throughout good times and bad. In order to be deeply satisfied, you must have a balance of hygiene factors and motivation. This is important to consider when selecting a future job. Rather than solely focusing on which job pays the most, you need to consider other aspects that will contribute to job satisfaction.

 

In chapter ten, Christensen warns against telling yourself that just this once is okay. If you fall into the mindset of allowing yourself to go against your ethics and morals just once, then it could potentially have a negative snowball effect on your life. It will become easier each time you break your rules for small instances, potentially causing you to easily make the wrong choice in an important situation. I think this is an easy trap you can fall into when you are young. There are many temptations and it is easy to justify your actions by saying to yourself that everyone else is doing it or what your doing is not as bad as what other people do. It is important not to allow yourself to morally slip for small things because they will add up only to cause a bigger problem in the future.

 

Throughout his book, Christensen provides theories and insights dealing with the potential challenges you will face concerning finding happiness in your life and career, and how you can live a life of integrity. One idea that I think should have been included is the topic of leadership. I think leadership is an important skill to have in life. In order to be successful, you have to have confidence in yourself and your abilities. You have to be able to put your self out there and take charge of a situation in order to get that dream job or family that will bring you happiness. Confidence has always been something I struggle with, and since I am naturally a shy person, it is sometimes hard for me to take the leader role. Leadership skills are evident in every job position, which is why you should constantly be trying to improve them with experience in leadership roles. In order to find the happiness Christensen discusses in How Will You Measure Your Life?, you must become a confident leader and take charge of your own life.