Thrive

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

By: Arianna Huffington

Narrated by: Agapi Stassinopoulos

Length: 9 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

Arianna Huffington's personal wakeup call came in the form of a broken cheekbone and a nasty gash over her eye - the result of a fall brought on by exhaustion and lack of sleep. The co-founder and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post, one of the fastest growing media companies in the world, celebrated as one of the world's most influential women, gracing the covers of magazines, she was, by any traditional measure, extraordinarily successful. Yet as she found herself going from brain MRI to CAT scan to echocardiogram, to find out if there was any underlying medical problem beyond exhaustion, she found herself wondering, is this really what success feels like?

In Thrive, she has written a passionate call to arms, looking to redefine what it means to be successful in today's world. In a commencement address she gave at Smith College in the spring of 2013, Arianna likened our drive for money and power to two legs of a three-legged stool. It may hold us up temporarily, but sooner or later we're going to topple over. We need a third leg - a Third Metric for defining success. In this deeply personal book, Arianna talks candidly about her own challenges with managing time and prioritizing the demands of a career and two daughters - of juggling business deadlines and family crises, a harried dance that led to her collapse - and to her "aha moment". Drawing on the latest groundbreaking research and scientific findings in the fields of psychology, sports, sleep, and physiology that show the profound and transformative effects of meditation, mindfulness, unplugging, and giving, Arianna shows us the way to a revolution in our culture, our thinking, our workplaces, and our lives.

©2014 Arianna Huffington (P)2014 Random House Audio

Thought Provoking and Inspiring

First, in response to those who listed the narrator as being selected as the narrator for the sake of a Greek accent and whose accent being so heavy she could not be understood... I really have no idea what they’re talking about. AGali is Arianna’s sister, so it was not a random choice. Also I understood her perfectly. Yes she does have an accent but not so much that she is not understandable.

The book was wonderfully insightful and thought provoking. We live in an age that is so technologically connected and yet we find ourselves more isolated than ever. Isolated in stress and anxieties of our lives with ever increasing demands and paces. I, for one, am very aware of needed disconnect times and time needed to reset and rejuvenate, or recuperate. I am anxious to put Arianna’s ideas into play in my own life!

helpful step back, to rethink priorities

What I loved about this book is that it was Ms. Huffington's own story. However, there was more than the scent of a sales pitch for the business she is building based on the Third Metric.

Lots to think about

This book gave me an awful lot to think about. It was backed up by the latest scientific research, and had lots of useful tips and tricks to make small but meaningful changes in your life.

It also happened to be a beautiful tribute to Ms. Huffington's mother.

Finally - unlike many of those who gave this a lower rating, I found the reader's Greek accent to be both lovely and perfectly easy to understand. It also made me feel more of a connection with the author herself, whom I have heard speak.

Not a pleasant narrator

Sounded like an old lady or someone’s first language isn’t English, who couldn’t annunciate very well. Make sure you try the sample before buying.

Excellent Book!

Narrator is great. Content is amazing. It really helps put important aspects of life in perspective. I will definitely listen (and read, as I also have this on my Kindle) again.

Every person should read this or listen to this!

This book was beautiful in so many ways. I am so grateful for the lessons that have been taught in her stories and plan to implement this in my daily life.

Spot on!

Overall, this book is a great reference to many principle to help you thrive! I have to admit, I had a hard time getting into this book at the beginning... about a third way through I started to connect with the message. I enjoyed the many Greek references in history. I thoroughly enjoyed the section on Wonder. If I had not read so many other “self help” books that mention many of the same “connect with your self, mind, and spirit to bring balance to your life” teachings, I probably would have enjoyed this more as an original piece.

That said, I don’t think alive ever read any one book packed with so many teachings and personal references. Huffington shared very personal emotions that portrayed her in a positive light and helped me connect with her on a very human level. If that makes sense. I impressed with her journey and her ability to persevere and achieve the amazing success she has reached in her life. Truly an amazing woman!

A. H. makes it difficult to THRIVE!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend they read it in hard copy

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Her conclusions are solid, the need for balance, etc. is critical to our society and nice to see a major employer espousing this viewpoint.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

her voice/accent was distracting. It was difficult when I was processing her accent to follow the narrative. Her voice is interesting in interviews, but when listening hour to hour it was too much to try to listen to. I gave up.

What insight do you think you’ll apply from Thrive?

I already knew much of what she was saying, was looking at her book as a comparison to my own work.

Enlightening

I wasn't sure what to expect, but I got so much more than I could ever imagine. A lifetime of wisdom and clarity. Now I need to start to thrive!

A Truly Outstanding Book

If you could sum up Thrive in three words, what would they be?

Mindfulness, Priorities, Spirit

What did you like best about this story?

The narrator was wonderful and the entire story just awoke a deeper part of me to really pay attention to my life. Arianna Huffington is a true inspiration.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scenes with Ms. Huffington's mother. When Arianna speaks of her mother's priorities of enjoying every moment of shopping of speaking to and looking directly at other people and making a real human connection it is such simple but wise advice. We all long for human connection and that has very much been lost in this digital age.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both. It was both very moving and very though provoking and absolutely affected me, making me thing more deeply about my daily activities and how I am spending the precious moments of my life.

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone living in this digital age. We are all striving for success which, for me lead to burnout and health issues. I wish someone had imparted this wisdom to me prior to me going down the rabbit hole. I am so grateful to Ms. Huffington for imparting her wisdom and, having this wisdom come from such a successful and respected businesswoman gives it even more credence
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