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Composer, musician, and philanthropist Peter Buffett, son of billionaire investor Warren Buffett, says that the only real inheritance handed down from his parents was a philosophy: Forge your own path in life. It is a creed that has allowed him to follow his own passions, establish his own identity, and reap his own successes. Today's society, Buffett posits, has begun to replace a work ethic, relishing what you do, with a wealth ethic, honoring the payoff instead of the process. Yet, by focusing more on substance and less on reward, we can open doors of opportunity and strive toward a greater sense of fulfillment. Our journey in life rarely follows a straight line but is often met with false starts, crises, and blunders. How we push through and persevere is where we begin to create the life of our dreams--from discovering our vocations, to living out our bliss, to giving back to others.--From publisher description.
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My review: https://mattstein.com/books/life-is-what-you-make-it
A pleasant read and a timely reminder of how we should not allow ourselves to be constrained by starting points in life. I liked the take on vocations, in particular the idea of it being a ‘field where we yearn to excel, to break out of the pack'. I thought the book was well-balanced and pragmatic in stressing the value of pursuing individual passions while acknowledging the need to find the intersection between those passions and the world of commerce. Overall an inspiring book that leaves you questioning your personal definition of success.