We can all relate to stress, and especially stress from work. We are constantly connected and always available. Success means working late and starting early. It means not having time for yourself and always putting work first. And if this sounds like a day in your life, then it is time to read the Tech Girl Book Club choice – Thrive by Arianna Huffington.
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The owner of the Huffington Post had been working tirelessly to grow her media empire, when she collapsed and broke her cheekbone due to exhaustion. This was her wake up call.
In Thrive, Huffington wants to change the way we view traditional metrics of success (money and power) and create a life wherein we don’t only exist, but thrive. The main messages in the book are ones we can all relate to. Opt-out of other people’s standards (fly your flag), listen to your inner wisdom and give back to society. The one that seems simple but is the most difficult to follow is to put your well-being first.
[Tweet “I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself. – Arianna Huffington #TGBookClub”]
Put your well-being first
Being available all the time and rushing through life, makes us feel stressed. Prioritize your well-being by:
- getting at least 8 hours of sleep a night
- spending 10 minutes a day on meditation (Here are the best free meditation apps)
- unplugging from your devices at night
- taking proper vacations (Why not take a road trip? There are apps for that)
I’ve got the sleep one down to a tee because I become a moody toddler when I have less than 8 hours of sleep, the rest are a work in progress.
[Tweet “Failure isn’t the opposite of success. It is part of success. #TGBookClub “]
Food for thought: I really liked the idea that gadgets connect us while at the same time stop us from connecting. Facebook uses algorithms to determine what shows up in your feed, and will never show you anything outside of that. According to Huffington, we are losing the element of surprise.
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Read this if: You need a reminder that there is no need for you to collapse from exhaustion to have break through. Thrive makes you evaluate your own life and what you consider to be successful. Following these tips will make you more mindful, happier and despite what you think, more productive. I do realize the irony in finding enough time to read a book about slowing down, but you won’t regret it.
[Tweet “If you want to be more productive by doing less, read Thrive. Or don’t. #TGBookClub “]
About the author: Arianna Huffington is the founder and editor in chief of The Huffington Post. Published in 2014, Thrive examines society’s standards of success and shows how we don’t just have to exist, but that we can actually Thrive. The follow up, The Sleep Revolution, focuses on how we are in a sleep deprivation and how this affects our jobs, relationships and happiness.
To find out more about our book club, click here. To view previous selections, visit this page.