Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder by Arianna Huffington

The world of professional success has traditionally been judged by two metrics: money and power. But, in Arianna Huffington's book, Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder, she argues the third metric is necessary to achieve true success.

The third metric of success, according to Huffington, is that of well-being, wisdom, and wonder. This metric places a focus on personal well-being, mental, emotional and spiritual health, deepest intuitions, and an appreciation of mystery and wonder. This, Huffington says, allows one to pursue a life filled with joy, creativity, and productivity as opposed to one of exhaustion, anxiety, and stress.

Huffington also emphasizes the damage caused by living in a world that focuses solely on money and power. She points out the importance of addressing our current “culture of burnout,” in which people are exhausted and overworked to the point where their lives are filled with stress and unhappiness. This can result in long-term negative side effects for our physical and mental well-being, including depression and chronic illness. By incorporating well-being, wisdom, and wonder into our lives, we can prioritize our own happiness and become resilient against any potential issues.

By placing a focus on well-being, wisdom and wonder, it is essential that we first begin with self-care. Huffington explains that this isn’t something that can simply be put off until later. She encourages us to take time to unplug and practice mindfulness, find the right kind of technology that works with our lifestyle, get plenty of sleep and rest, nurture connections, and find ways to fuel your passion. We need to recognize that our productivity and creativity are directly linked to our overall sense of well-being, and it is essential that we invest in ourselves to reap the rewards that come from living a healthy, fulfilled life.

In the next step of her book, Huffington outlines how to bring wisdom, the second component of her third metric, into our lives. She explains that wisdom comes from being present, listening to our intuition and allowing ourselves to take risks. In addition, to find wisdom, we mustn’t be afraid to ask for help, admit when we are wrong, and be open to learning and growing. We must also appreciate the unknown, celebrate our successes and failures, and learn to forgive ourselves.

Finally, Huffington emphasizes the importance of wonder and the power of moments of awe. She encourages readers to appreciate the small wonders of life, the everyday miracles that happen around us all the time, including beautiful sunsets, the joy of music, and the triumphant feeling of accomplishment. These moments are essential for our wellbeing and can serve to remind us of the beauty of life.

In her book Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder, Arianna Huffington challenges us to redefine success, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing our well-being, listening to our intuition, taking risks, seeking help when needed, and appreciating the moments of awe in our lives. By following this third metric, we can create lives filled with fulfillment, joy, and peace.