Thrive Book Summary - Thrive Book explained in key points
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Thrive summary

Arianna Huffington

The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom and Wonder

4.5 (132 ratings)
16 mins

Brief summary

Thrive by Arianna Huffington is a self-help book that encourages people to redefine success and well-being. Huffington argues that by prioritizing our health, relationships, and inner fulfillment, we can achieve more meaningful and sustainable success.

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    Thrive
    Summary of 7 key ideas

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    To live a life of real fulfillment, think beyond the usual metrics of money and power.

    We all want good, happy lives for ourselves and our loved ones. But what does happiness actually look like? And what does it have to do with success?

    Traditionally, success is defined in terms of money and power, but for most of us, being rich and powerful isn’t enough to make us happy. So to live a life of real fulfillment, we need to redefine success.

    The author learned this lesson soon after she co-founded The Huffington Post in 2005. At first, she viewed success solely through the prisms of money and power. Consequently, she put everything she had into her new company and worked like a maniac — often 18 hours per day.

    She was exhausted, but she persisted. But then one day in 2007, the author fainted in her office and shattered her cheekbone. After meeting with several doctors and undergoing a battery of tests, the results were conclusive: Huffington’s unforgiving work schedule had driven her body to a breaking point, leading to her collapse.

    The incident was a wakeup call. Huffington realized that focusing solely on money and power had prompted self-destructive behavior. By thinking of success only in terms of those two metrics, she had sacrificed her personal health and happiness.

    To outsiders, it looked as though Huffington had achieved success because she had money and power in spades. But to her, it was clear that she wasn’t thriving. So she had to rethink her life and create her own definition of success.

    To that end, she realized that thriving, living a life of real fulfillment, was the third crucial metric for achieving real success.

    Thriving means creating space in your life to take care of your own well-being, tap into life’s wisdom, feel wonder and engage in giving.

    So as you can see, money and power alone don’t lead to real fulfillment. But what are we actually missing when we see life only in those terms? Keep reading to find out!

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    What is Thrive about?

    Thrive argues that it’s time for society to stop thinking of success only in terms of money and power, and redefine it altogether. If we want to truly thrive in our professional and personal lives, we have to create room for well-being, wisdom, wonder and giving as well.

    Thrive Review

    Thrive (2014) delves into the exploration of achieving true success beyond monetary accomplishments. Here's why this book is worth a read:

    • Through the lens of personal experiences and scientific research, it provides a thought-provoking guide to finding fulfillment, well-being, and balance in our lives.
    • With its practical tips and strategies, it empowers readers to prioritize self-care, resilience, and mindfulness, enabling them to thrive on multiple levels.
    • The book challenges societal expectations and offers a refreshing perspective on what it means to succeed, making it a compelling and thought-provoking read.

    Best quote from Thrive

    Over time our societys notion of success has been reduced to money and power.

    —Arianna Huffington
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    Who should read Thrive?

    • Anyone who feels stressed at work
    • Anyone who wants to improve his or her well-being
    • Anyone who wants to have a healthier work-life balance

    About the Author

    Arianna Huffington is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post.

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    Thrive FAQs 

    What is the main message of Thrive?

    The main message of Thrive is prioritizing well-being and finding balance in our modern lives.

    How long does it take to read Thrive?

    The estimated reading time for Thrive is several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Thrive a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Thrive is a worthwhile read as it emphasizes the importance of self-care and provides practical tips for a more fulfilling life.

    Who is the author of Thrive?

    The author of Thrive is Arianna Huffington.

    What to read after Thrive?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Thrive, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • 10% Happier by Dan Harris
    • Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Workplace by Gill Hasson
    • Unplug by Suze Yalof Schwartz
    • Body Kindness by Rebecca Scritchfield
    • Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics by Dan Harris
    • Make Your Bed by William H. McRaven
    • Deep Work by Cal Newport
    • Me, Myself and Us by Brian R. Little
    • My Morning Routine by Benjamin Spall and Michael Xander
    • Live It! by Jairek Robbins