How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton M. Christensen is a book that combines insights from business theory with personal development and offers guidance on living a meaningful and fulfilling life. Here are the key ideas from the book:
Purpose and Happiness
Christensen starts by emphasizing the importance of defining your purpose in life and aligning your actions with that purpose. He suggests that true happiness comes from living a life that reflects your values and beliefs.
Balancing Priorities
The book discusses the challenge of balancing work, family, and personal life. Christensen presents the concept of a "strategy" for life, similar to a business strategy, where you prioritize what's most important to you.
Avoiding the Marginal Costs Fallacy
Christensen warns against making decisions solely based on immediate benefits or convenience. He advises considering the long-term consequences of your choices, both in your career and personal life.
Resource Allocation
Drawing from business strategy principles, Christensen discusses the importance of resource allocation in life. He encourages readers to allocate their time and energy to activities and relationships that matter most.
Cultivating Relationships
The book highlights the significance of nurturing and investing in meaningful relationships with family and close friends. Christensen argues that these relationships are often the true measure of a person's life.
Motivation and Values
Christensen discusses the role of motivation and how aligning your work and life with your core values can lead to greater satisfaction and success.
Integrity and Ethics
The book explores the importance of integrity and ethical behavior in both personal and professional life. Christensen advises readers to uphold their values and principles even when facing difficult decisions.
Innovation and Disruption
Christensen applies the concept of disruptive innovation from the business world to personal development. He suggests that individuals should regularly reassess their life strategies and be willing to disrupt their routines for personal growth.
The Importance of Staying Out of Jail
This section underscores the significance of ethical behavior and the consequences of making unethical choices in both personal and professional contexts.
Living a Legacy
Christensen encourages readers to think about the legacy they want to leave behind and how they want to be remembered by their loved ones and society as a whole.
Finding Happiness Through Helping Others
The book discusses the concept of finding happiness and fulfillment by contributing to the well-being of others and making a positive impact on the world.
Measure Your Life
Christensen concludes the book by asking readers how they will measure their lives and whether they will look back with a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.

"How Will You Measure Your Life?" offers a thoughtful and values-driven approach to personal and professional development. It combines business principles with personal reflections to help readers make decisions that align with their values and lead to a more fulfilling life.