Life Is What You Make It: Find Your Own Path to Fulfillment Paperback – May 3, 2011

I've just retired and picked up this book to read on the beach in the Caribbean. My husband and I both read it and highly recommend it. Although we loved it, we feel it is an excellent resource for those just out of college or starting their first job, or a high school graduation gift. At a time when it seems like accountability may be at a 'somewhat' low, it puts into perspective that it is up to each of it as the title suggests to plot our life story...whether you start out with a lot of $$ or are trying to break out of a tough situation. Life Is What You Make It walks you through Peter Buffet's personal journey (yes, you may think he had it incredibly easy with Warren as his dad) but the choices he made along the way truly created the life he wanted. We have given it to recent high school and college grads and a young man beginning his first job. The key is getting people to READ these days! Anyway, if you have a nagging desire to switch jobs or careers, are looking to create a different life for yourself, or are retired and what to continue envisioning the rest of your life- the " what's next" , check this book out. You won't be disappointed!

This book is a philosophical treatise about good parenting, more than anything else. I'm not sure if Peter Buffet even has kids -- he doesn't mention any in the book -- but he writes a lot about his own upbringing and his own parents' values. Peter Buffet's father is multi-billionaire Warren Buffet. What struck me most about the Buffet family's values is that, although rich, they do not treat their money in a cavalier fashion. Peter was given $90,000 when he turned 19, to spend any way he wanted. This was his entire inheritance. He used this money to "buy time," as he puts it, and the majority of the book is spent reflecting on decisions he made to "make his life" (hence the subtitle).Peter explains his value system: the importance of education, family trust, work ethic vs. wealth ethic. He slams rich snobs who were born into their wealth but who believe they deserve it over random happenstance. Peter believes that we must try -- even if our efforts are puny -- to level the playing field.Toward the middle of the book Buffet talks about the relative value of money vs. time. "...the path I did take was one I'd chosen for myself. Again, I was privileged to be able to buy the time needed to explore the particular approach to a career. But the point I'd like to make is this: There are many young people who are similarly privileged -- either in terms of money or of emotional support or some unique opportunity or talent -- yet who don't take advantage of the luxury of time, but barrel straight ahead into work lives that may or may not be fulfilling. Why do people do this?" Buffet then goes on to examine this question, in one of the best sections of the book.Other things discussed in the book include the following: always work to do your best -- helps you grow both spiritually and professionally; the danger of wishes, and not being prepared to work or move beyond them; the dangers of raising kids among wealth -- do we think about what could be lost while acquiring wealth? The last part of the book talks about "giving back." This section is more than just about old rich people donating to charity. Buffet talks about the spiritual, social, and psychological benefits of philanthropy.An excellent and thought provoking book.

I can't tell if I just read a guide to life or a very interesting autobiography. Whichever, it was inspirational. Peter's views are refreshingly balanced, and that is something difficult to find in a polarized society of people whose philosophy is fed to them by their cause, party, or need for peer acceptance. The balance of this book comes from it's study of success and fulfillment. It says success can be fulfilling, and fulfillment is successful. What it doesn't do, is say "quit griping and get to work" nor "forget money, and follow that weird drummer". Balance!It makes you think about your life choices in a different light. In all of us, that is going to bring both regret and self-satisfaction, since every life is a mix of both. But the punch line is, evaluate and understand how you got where you are, and then get going in the direction you really want, rather than the direction you thought you should (unless they are already in tune). At my age, I also came away with a sense of "It's not too late to succeed" in my definition of what success is. That's highly motivating.

I normally give a wide berth to the books with such lofty titles, but the famous surname of the author caught my attention. I was intrigued, and Peter Buffett did not disappoint.This is a book that comes from the heart, replete with personal anecdotes and keen insights from every-day life. The style is not pedantic; in fact it’s compassionate. It does not provide any fool proof ways to the wisdom, but gives you enough occasions when you may want to pause and ponder. If at all, it urges you to find your own zen, however troublesome it may be.The title of the book sums it up well – there is so much in life to look forward to (and live), yet most of us choose to define it with a narrow perspective, in dollar terms or parental/ society expectations. Read it, mark it, and you may feel to go back to it from time to time, to realign your compass.