Your 168: Finding Purpose and Satisfaction in a Values-Based Life

by Harry M. Jansen Kraemer Jr.

Overview

What is a values-based life? Put simply, it's expressing your values in the way you want to live. You probably already have an idea of what your life should look like: what you do for a living, the relationships you have, the impact you make on those around you, how faith and spirituality factor into your life, and so on. Like most of us, you probably have difficulty making time for everything—after all, there are only 168 hours in a week.

Maybe you've let your work overshadow your family life because you feel the only way to succeed is to be in constant motion. You might promise yourself to make your health a top priority, but you never seem to have the time to follow through. You're not alone. Most people feel like they're always rushing to get things done. A hectic, unbalanced life can leave anyone feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. Yes, you're busy, but are you making progress? Or, are you moving too fast to notice that your decisions aren't in alignment with your values? The only way to pursue a values-based life is by becoming more self-aware: knowing what your values are and understanding how and where you spend your time. Your 168 shows you that pursuing a values-based life leads to purpose and satisfaction.

Demands, distractions, and challenges will always be there, no matter how dedicated you are to pursuing a values-based life. With the help of this book, you'll be able to identify the specific areas where all of your time, effort, and attention are spent—your life buckets—and reallocate them to reflect your priorities, choices, and unique circumstances. You will first learn about the foundation of a values- based life: self-reflection. The more self-reflective you are, the easier it is to make choices that are rooted in your values, and the more self-aware you'll become. You will then begin to build new habits, plan and reprioritize, and determine how to control the demands on your time so your life aligns with your values. After exploring the essential life buckets and how people devote their time and energy to each, you'll be ready to put the Balancing Action Plan into place and move your values-based journey to its next phase. Balancing your life is a work in progress, and you'll need to commit to continually refining yourself and becoming increasingly self-aware. Your 168 will help you get there.

Put your values first and focus on what matters most

Despite our good intentions, many of us experience a chronic imbalance between the desire to live our values and the distractions and never-ending to-do lists that can get in the way. In Your 168: Finding Purpose and Satisfaction in a Values-Based Life, readers learn how to pursue a values-based life by identifying and committing to their values and priorities. The book is written by bestselling author Harry Kraemer, former Chairman and CEO of Baxter International and currently a professor of management and strategy at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, where he was a Professor of the Year. Kraemer uses personal stories and insights from others to help readers discover the dissonance between what they say is most important and where they actually devote their time. This is an eye-opener for most people, uncovering the obstacles to leading a value-based life.

In Your 168, you will learn how to make changes and build new habits that put your values first by:

●      Using self-reflection to identify what matters most and become more aware of how you spend your time

●      Re-evaluating priorities such as career, family, health, recreation, spirituality, and making a difference

●      Avoiding unpleasant “surprises” and “hitting the brick wall”

●      Experiencing better balance in real time amid shifting priorities—personally and professionally

Fans of Kraemer's previous books on values-based leadership will embrace this new release - Your 168: Finding Purpose and Satisfaction in a Values-Based Life. The book provides actionable advice, filled with tips on how to live a life of meaning and experience a greater sense of purpose. Everyone will feel inspired to make lasting change.

All of Harry’s proceeds from the book sales are donated to the One Acre Fund in Africa.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781119658542
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	05/19/2020
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

HARRY M. JANSEN KRAEMER, JR., is Professor of Management and Strategy at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, where he teaches in the MBA and the Executive MBA programs and was a Professor of the Year. He is an executive partner with Madison Dearborn Partners, one of the largest private equity firms in the United States, and is former Chairman and CEO of Baxter International Inc., a multi-billion-dollar global healthcare company. Kraemer is the bestselling author of From Values to Action and Becoming the Best.

Read an Excerpt

Praise for YOUR 168

“Your 168 will help you keep focused on what really matters in life. I could not recommend a better book to help you have a great life!”
—Marshall Goldsmith, two-time Thinkers 50 #1 Leadership Thinker in the World, the #1 Executive Coach for 10 years, and New York Times #1 bestselling author of Triggers, MOJO, and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There

“Harry Kraemer shows us how to find true personal success based on pursuit of a balanced life. Funny stories add a lot of humor but do not hide the depth of the message. You will laugh while reading this book—and then you will start reorganizing your life.”
—Dr. Francesca Cornelli, Dean, Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management

“Harry Kraemer’s advice about the pursuit of life balance is a great reminder of the importance of acknowledging all that defines us. With greater awareness of Your 168 and where you devote your time, energy, and ambition, anything is possible! This is a must-read book for a successful and satisfying life.”
—Mary Dillon, CEO, Ulta Beauty, Inc.

“Harry Kraemer’s Your 168 is the antidote to any life that feels out of control or lacking in purpose. It offers a treasure chest of insights packed in a plethora of personal examples that will have you nodding, laughing, and learning all at the same time. A retreat in a book—Your 168 will help you to better know your ‘true’ self and live the fuller, more satisfying life that you deserve!”
—Dr. Bob Nelson, multi-million-copy bestselling author of 1,001 Ways to Reward Employees

“In his brilliant new book, Harry Kraemer shows us how to pursue a values-based life with meaning and purpose. Harry’s wisdom shines through every story and offers deep insights about living a life with purpose that makes a difference and leaves a legacy for others.”
—Bill George, Professor, Harvard Business School; former chair and CEO, Medtronic; and bestselling author, True North and Seven Lessons for Leading in a Crisis

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

About the Author xi

Introduction: The Most Important Number 1

Section One Defining Balance 11

1 Becoming Self-Aware 13

2 Why Are You Surprised? 29

3 Hitting the Brick Wall 45

4 Building New Habits 61

5 The Art of Being Planful—And Spontaneous 79

Section Two The Balancing Action Plan 97

6 Life Balance In Real Time 99

7 Strengthening Family, Friends, and Community 115

8 Health: The All-Purpose Bucket 133

9 The Importance of Fun 151

10 Faith and Spirituality: Strength at the Core 165

11 Making A Difference: The Legacy You Leave 183

Epilogue: Your Values-Based Life Journey Continues 195

Notes 197

Index 201