The winding down of the year is often a time for reflection. So it seems like the right moment to gather four books chock full of life lessons from John Doerr’s list. These books offer opportunities to reimagine what’s important, what’s inspiring, and what’s meaningful. Take a look…
The Road to Character
By David Brooks
In his fourth book, Brooks examines the differences between “resume values” (the skills the world rewards you for) and “eulogy values” (the traits likely mentioned at your funeral). Brooks leads an interesting discussion on philosophy, politics and spirituality that’s ideal for anyone wanting a deeper, more meaningful connection to themselves and the larger world. Bill Gates devoted a newsletter to the book and not only called it a stimulating read but said, “It got me thinking about my own motivations and limitations in new ways.”
The Startup of You: Adapt, Take Risks, Grow Your Network, and Transform Your Career
By Reid Hoffman and Ben Casnocha
In 2022, Hoffman and Casnocha revised their 2012 New York Times best-seller, in part because the usual “career escalator” they saw starting to slow down back then had begun breaking down. “Massive large-scale changes have occurred [since 2012],” they wrote in the new edition, “from where we work, to how we communicate, to shifts in culture, to political upheavals, to global pandemics.” The co-authors are not wrong—and their advice on how to ascend amid such uncertain times is to adapt an entrepreneurial mindset, whether you’re in a big corporation, small startup, a scrappy non-profit, or a mid-size company. Readers will find useful insights on building a “portfolio career” for the times we live in now.
Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder
By Arianna Huffington
In 2024, Gallup published data showing “nearly half of all Americans, 49%, report frequently experiencing stress, up 16 points over the past two decades.” It’s the highest the company has ever seen. Which means that the message in Huffington’s 2104 book is still relevant. Thrive details the author’s shift away from a hard-charging executive to an evangelist for a “third metric” focusing on well-being, wisdom, wonder and generosity. The reason? Two years after starting the Huffington Post, Huffington was named to the Time 100, jet-setting to conferences, and pushing hard to grow her company. Then one day, she fainted, broke her cheekbone and woke up with blood on her face. The accident led her to make significant lifestyle changes based on research on the health benefits—both physical and psychological—of adequate sleep, exercise, meditation, and more. “It’s not ‘What do I want to do?’,” she writes. “It’s ‘What kind of life do I want?’”