Alexa, What Are Some Keys to Success?

I wanted a woman who could get me out of a third-world prison. -- Jeff Bezos

Over at TechCrunch are tips on success gleaned from an interview of Jeff Bezos by his younger brother, Mark. It's a short, enjoyable, and down-to-earth read, as the above quote might indicate. And don't be fooled by the gross, yet humorous story about his grandfather's thumb: The interview has several thought-provoking points, like the following:

Image via Wikipedia.

On how to establish work-life balance: "I like the phrase 'work-life harmony'", Jeff says. "Balance implies there's a strict trade-off." If he feels like he's adding value and is a productive member of a team at work, "it makes me better at home. If I'm happy at home, it makes me a better employee, a better boss." Don't be someone who drains energy out of their co-workers or family. He believes it's not just about how you allocate hours in the day, but whether you have enough energy to participate with enthusiasm. [bold in original]

Yes. It is definitely a mistake to regard one's home and work life as things that detract from one another rather than things that can complement each other. That mistake can both detract from one's enjoyment of each and blind one to the possibility of each benefiting the other, or of finding ways to integrate the two. Other highlights include advice on making big decisions, his approach to "multi-tasking", and the genuine, benevolent tone of the interview.  For some good thoughts on how to achieve success and a chance to meet the man behind Amazon, head over there.

-- CAV