Balance: The Business – Life Connection (Book) Review
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While James Cusumano has been undoubtedly successful in both his business and personal lives, he makes sure to point out how very much work has gone into it, how much he has been helped along the way, and how he has been challenged as well (most notably the tragic death of his first wife). Success doesn’t come easy, but with a sound plan – it can be yours.
Successful rock star, scientist, entrepreneur, film producer, and hotelier James A. Cusumano shares his strategies for being successful in business and life in Balance: The Business – Life Connection.
Rather than taking the tone of a textbook, Balance: The Business – Life Connection is a curious mixture of memoir and self-help book that seeks to help readers find their purpose and vocation in life. Author Cusumano has led a decidedly interesting life, much of it very successful in both financial and less measurable aspects. His goal in this book is to lead by example, and so he takes readers through his life and the decisions he has made along the way, in order to hlp others find the same sort of success.
Starting out, Cusumano was one of many in a large household, and learned early that he would have to work for what he had. From his early beginnings as a quite successful rock star, James had a clear plan in mind and worked steadfastly towards his goals. It is this singlemindedness of purpose that helped him resist the temptation to live his life on the stage, and he instead chose a very successful career in science. As Cusumano describes it, he has lead five very different career lives already, (with possibly more to come) and this willingness to embrace new ventures rather than stick with one job for life is imperative to success.
As the author presents his strategies for success, he illustrates each one with anecdotes from his own life, as well as those him. He points to the importance of setting goals, both long and short term, and how important it is to chase what inspires you, not a paycheck. In his experience, success follows fulfillment, not the other way around, and simply choosing the highest paying job is rarely fulfilling. While the strategies outlined in Balance: The Business – Life Connection have a decidedly zen feel to them, they offer a sound plan for finding the vocation you are most suited for and becoming successful at it – no matter what stage of life you are currently in.
While James Cusumano has been undoubtedly successful in both his business and personal lives, he makes sure to point out how very much work has gone into it, how much he has been helped along the way, and how he has been challenged as well (most notably the tragic death of his first wife). Success doesn’t come easy, but with a sound plan – it can be yours.