2020: Book #4

“…when you consider how short life can be, you create more meaning in the world.”

“The ultimate goal of development should be more about service and less about self.”

“Figuring out how you can make a greater contribution through your work has to be driven by you.”

“There is now a body of science showing that great work is forged with effort; it does not just fall from the heavens.”

These are quotes from Tom Rath’s newest book, Life’s Great Question: Discover How You Contribute to the World.

Rath is famous for his books Strengthfinder 2.0, How Full is Your Bucket and several others.

Rath also has fought cancer since he was a child. The dude is a fighter.

He personifies growing and investing in others.

I have nothing but respect for Rath.

Yet, the book falls flat.

The first half of the book is gold.

However, in the second half, you’re asked to go online and take a test that identifies your skills and how you can best contribute to the lives of others.  If you don’t take the test, then you’ll get lost.

The book is worth your time.
I wish Rath would have expanded on the first half of the book with practical examples rather than the online component.

His main goal is to help us not to follow our passion, but to focus on where we can contribute.

That’s a worthy focus.

That’s book #4 for 2020.
48 more books to go to hit 52 for the year.

If you want to be a better leader…be a reader.
#52in2020