“Thrive” by Arianna Huffington was chosen by the Business Book Club last month. A large group of readers gathered this Sunday morning to consider the definition of success that proposed a ‘Third Metric” which challenged the traditional first two we often focus on - money and power.  Huffington posits that we can all Thrive more by engaging well-being, wisdom and wonder in our lives by taking small simple steps to transform the quality of our lives.

The second book in the recently formed NZBWN’s book club attracted a lively discussion on this topic.

Huffington wanted to challenge the traditional view of success when she herself received a ‘wake up call’.  After suffering a serious fall at her office – the result of exhaustion and overwork - she shared a very personal journey re-evaluating her own approach to success.

The Third Metric refers first to considering your own well-being:  through simple steps of breathing deeply, meditating and disconnecting.  By taking the time to disconnect from the electronic world, we create the space for rejuvenation and reconnection to ourselves. She suggests that burnout and stress have appeared as culturally acceptable to achieve success; a flawed assumption in her eyes, which she challenges throughout the book

Huffington then encourages us to engage wisdom by trusting our intuition. By feeling gratitude and being mindful of the challenges of ‘hurry sickness’ and our own ‘obnoxious room mate in our head’ we have the ability to make the changes to live more meaningfully.

Living with a sense of wonder was considered equally important.  Being fully present in life and allowing yourself to recognize coincidences meant a deeper appreciation of our lives.  Coupled with the connection to a cause and giving through volunteering Huffington believes we receive more in return. 

While she accredited her own mother with a life time of teaching her the Third Metric she also provided a significant amount of research and science on sleep, psychology and sports to show the power of meditation and mindfulness in combatting stress.

The group enjoyed discussing the different views of success and the challenges of incorporating well-being, wisdom and wonder in our busy lives. But perhaps that is the point Huffington is making – we just need to consider that there is a Third Metric and making small changes (like giving yourself permission to go to bed a few minutes earlier) can result in a happier and healthier life.

So did we learn, connect and become inspired by Thrive and its powerful message to ‘put your own mask on first’ so that you can live a healthy, productive and meaningful life?  While some were overwhelmed with the volume of suggestions, others pointed out that we can all choose what to take from this book.  It certainly provides a thought provoking look at success and how we strive for it. 

Siem Reap, Cambodia...home to the splendour that is Angkor Wat, the enigmatic Khmer people, and Leah Rodrigues' studio: a local training and production facility designing and manufacturing beautifully crafted women’s coats.

Founded in February 2014, Holi Studios has sought to bridge the gap between the sewing programmes run by Siem Reap-based charities, and the lack of stable employment following their completion, the idea for which came whilst Leah was working for a charity in Siem Reap in 2011. Leah observed that the limited availability of long term work (or even skill-based training), combined with “no questions asked” charity hand-outs, meant that a new generation of Cambodians were appearing to develop a "sense of entitlement", something which she struggled to reconcile with her “hard working” Kiwi upbringing and wanted to set about righting.

Seeking clarity for career change? Ready to change direction in your career?

** We have extended your opportunity to apply until 5pm on Friday 23rd October - Apply now! **

Knowing that many of you are considering career changes and looking for individual support to jump-start your journeys, we have created an outstanding opportunity for you to join a career change mentoring group led by a high calibre mentor.   If you are seeking clarity for career change or you are ready to change direction in your career, then our choice of two groups are an ideal way to get started.  Both groups will begin in November to give you a fast-start for 2016!

New Career Change Mentor Groups: Seeking clarity for career change? Ready to change direction in your career? 

Which group is for you?

• Are you unhappy in your job or looking for a career change but unsure what it will take for you to feel happy and fulfilled in a new job? Our Clarity Around Your Career Change will suit you.
• If you know that you want to change industries but are worried that you might have to go backwards to go forwards, then our Changing Direction in Your Career group will suit you.