The scope is extensive, drawing from historical constructs behind the hunt for meaning, plus thinkers like Aristotle and Confucius, and expanding to contemporary examples of entrepreneurial success, such as Steve Jobs’s marketing of Apple as not just a new product, but a new identity. The authors delve into the more difficult-to-answer questions that come with the territory, specifically how to combat the growing selfishness they identify as a worldwide problem. Offering up “strategic selfishness” as an alternative, they suggest prioritizing your best interests while aligning those interests with the wellbeing of others, using the golden standard of Jante Law—cultural norms in Nordic countries that highlight “sacrificing a little bit of one’s self-interest for the common good”—as a benchmark model.
Readers will find plenty of practical counsel here, most notably the user-friendly exercises that range from loose journaling prompts to structured application of the book’s concepts—and QR codes to access online resources. Creative suggestions, like “ampersand thinking” (avoiding the binary thought processes based on “or” in favor of the more inclusive “and”), balance the more technical business tips. Ultimately, readers will find this guide a helpful starting point to “gather your inner advisors around you, point your GPS satellites into the unknown and press ‘go’.”
Takeaway: A practical how-to on finding your purpose and passion, in business and life.
Great for fans of: Simon Sinek’s Start with Why, Vincent A. Santiago’s Finding Your Purpose in Life.
Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A
