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

In a world often fixated on relentless work and external achievements, Arianna Huffington challenges conventional notions of success, urging readers to reconsider their priorities. Huffington aims to ameliorate the separation of oneself from their soul—what she calls a “guiding truth” (27)—through her exploration of well-being. The book emphasizes the importance of achieving a balanced and fulfilling life by nurturing different dimensions of well-being.

Thrive explores the relationship between well-being and productivity. Huffington argues that healthy individuals are more likely to contribute to stronger workplaces and a better world using findings from scientific research showing a correlation between healthful practices and increased productivity. She notes that “the long-term health of a company’s bottom line and the health of its employees are, in fact, very much aligned” (35). Huffington also emphasizes the importance of balance in maintaining well-being; true success, according to Huffington, involves striking a harmonious balance between work, personal life, and self-care, emphasizing the role of balance as a cornerstone of well-being and, by extension, success.

Throughout Thrive, Huffington explores the paradoxical nature of technology in the pursuit of well-being and her other pillars. While technology can be a source of stress, it also offers solutions for achieving balance and well-being.