Book Review: Life Is What You Make It by Peter Buffett

Here is a book that could help any of you who are on a quest to live life on your own terms, believing that there is more to work (and indeed life) than a big paycheque or social status.

In ‘Life is What You Make It‘, Peter Buffett (son of billionaire Warren Buffett) explains his father’s decision not to give his children an inheritance and how important it is for each person to define his or her own path, regardless of their wealth or background.

The book also resonates with anyone who may have felt guided into a life that isn’t right for them. If perhaps parental, academic, or peer-based expectations have influenced some unfulfilling career decisions for you so far, Buffett’s book will encourage you to engage on your own personal path of living a self-directed life.

Written in a personable, easy-to-read style, Buffett shares advice from his own journey of grappling with committing to (and pursuing) his true passion of music. The book also draws on examples of others who have made u-turns in life to follow their bliss, in whichever individualised form it can be.

He shares his own story of searching for, then dealing with, his passion. Whilst having had music part of his life for a long time, it took him a while to realise, and then claim, music as his vocation. If you are a career changer searching and trialling for your new direction, his story will reassure you that it is somewhat of a rite of passage!

Buffett explains how making work the centre of one’s life (even if it is work one loves) is not for everybody. For some, work is a way to financially support the real vocation of living a full and happy life, and we each have the ability to define for ourselves what truly takes priority in life.

Buffett explains how taking risks and trying things out (such as potential careers, projects, or business ideas) are always rich with possibility, even if they might not be the right thing long-term, or turn out to be mistakes.

He also considers the values placed on money and time. As career changers, what do you truly value, looking at life from a larger perspective? Is having time freedom, and/or enjoying how you choose to spend your time a higher value than acquiring money as a long term goal? This is something that needs to be factored into a major career change.

I would recommend this to anyone in the process of reconsidering the direction of their working life, who may be re-evaluating their values, and may want to walk the road less travelled. I found the book a very encouraging call to courageously look for, trust, then live your own unique path.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Peter Buffett is an Emmy Award-winning composer and producer and co-chairman of the NoVo Foundation with his wife Jennifer. Buffett began his career in San Francisco writing music for commercials. He has released albums on the Narada, Epic, and Hollywood labels, as well as ten releases on his own label. His work in film includes the “Firedance” scene in the Oscar-winning film, Dances with Wolves.

 'Life Is What You Make It - Find Your Own Path to Fulfilment' By Peter Buffett is published by Three Rivers Press and is available now from Amazon