Arianna Huffington | Thrive | Talks at Google

Introduction to Arianna Huffington

Rachel Whetstone introduces Arianna Huffington, praising her as an amazing journalist, entrepreneur, and warm person. Rachel shares how reading Arianna's book had a profound impact on her life.

Rachel's admiration for Arianna

• Rachel admires Arianna for being an amazing journalist and entrepreneur.

• She describes Arianna as an incredibly warm person.

• Reading Arianna's book had a positive impact on Rachel's life.

Personal Reflections on Life

Rachel shares how she was feeling stressed and frustrated with work-life balance before reading Arianna's book. The opening chapters of the book made her cry and prompted her to think about her life in a different way.

Impact of reading the book

• At a low point in her life, Rachel felt stressed out about work and struggled with being present at home.

• The introduction and first chapter of the book made Rachel cry but also made her reflect on her life differently.

• She believes that everyone would benefit from hearing about Arianna's journey towards being more present with loved ones.

Importance of Being Present

Rachel emphasizes the importance of being present in one's personal relationships. She highlights how distractions can hinder our ability to be fully engaged with the people we love.

Being present in personal relationships

• Rachel believes it is crucial to be present with loved ones rather than getting distracted by other things in life.

• She acknowledges that managing multiple responsibilities can be challenging but emphasizes the need to prioritize presence.

Opening Conversations on Well-being

Arianna explains that her book aims to open up conversations about personal well-being, intimacy, and vulnerability. She shares her own wake-up call that led her to reevaluate her life.

Purpose of the book

• Arianna's book intends to foster personal, intimate, and vulnerable conversations about building a more sustainable life.

• She wants to address issues such as burnout, sleep deprivation, and exhaustion.

• Arianna shares her personal wake-up call when she collapsed from exhaustion and realized she needed to make changes.

Asking the Big Questions

Arianna started asking herself profound questions about what constitutes a good life and success. She introduces the concept of the "third metric" for success beyond money and power.

Questioning traditional notions of success

• Arianna began asking philosophical questions about what defines a good life.

• She highlights how society often equates success with money and power but believes this is an incomplete perspective.

• Introducing the "third metric," Arianna proposes additional elements necessary for thriving in life.

The Third Metric for Success

Arianna explains that the third metric consists of four elements related to well-being, health, wisdom, wonder, and giving back. These elements form the structure of her book.

The four elements of the third metric

• The first element is well-being and health. Sacrificing health for work achievements is not a sustainable victory.

• Women are particularly at risk due to stress-related health issues.

• Arianna calls for a women's revolution where women aim not only for top positions but also strive to change societal norms that prioritize unhealthy work habits.

Women's Health Risks in Stressful Jobs

Arianna highlights the specific risks women face in stressful jobs. She emphasizes that women cannot afford to sacrifice their health and shares scientific data supporting this claim.

Health risks for women in stressful jobs

• Women in stressful jobs have a 40% greater risk of heart disease and a 60% greater risk of diabetes.

• Arianna presents scientific evidence that women internalize stress differently than men, making it crucial for women to prioritize their well-being.

Redefining Success and Changing the World

Arianna calls for a shift in societal norms by redefining success beyond traditional measures. She encourages women to strive not only for top positions but also to change the world.

Redefining success and changing the world

• Arianna believes that the current workplace culture, designed primarily by men, is not working effectively.

• Men have often treated sleep deprivation as a symbol of virility, which is detrimental to overall well-being.

• She urges women to aim for more than just reaching the top but also aspire to make meaningful changes in society.

Importance of Sleep and Challenging Work Culture

Arianna emphasizes the importance of sleep and challenges the prevailing work culture that glorifies sleep deprivation. She encourages Googlers to experiment with alternative ways of working.

The importance of sleep and challenging work culture

• Scientific evidence supports the significance of sleep and highlights the dangers of sleep deprivation.

• Many tech startup failures can be attributed to founders' sleep deprivation.

• Arianna urges Googlers to demonstrate an alternative way of working that prioritizes well-being over constant work.

The transcript provided does not cover any further sections or timestamps.

The Assumption of Being Plugged In All the Time

The speaker discusses the societal assumption that success and achievement require constant connectivity. However, scientific evidence suggests otherwise.

Challenging the Assumption

• The belief that being constantly plugged in demonstrates commitment and seriousness is a delusion.

• Scientific evidence in recent years contradicts this assumption.

• Reading and understanding the evidence is crucial.

• Taking small, manageable steps to change our behavior is more important.

The Negative Impact of Overtiredness

The speaker shares personal experiences related to sleep deprivation and its negative effects on productivity.

Personal Experience with Sleep Deprivation

• After the birth of her first child, the speaker experienced overtiredness, which worsened her overall experience.

• Overtiredness often leads to poor performance at work.

• The speaker's husband's refusal to have a phone or check emails regularly makes him more productive and efficient.

Taking Small Steps Towards Disconnecting

The speaker emphasizes the importance of taking small steps towards reducing constant connectivity and asks for examples from others.

Acknowledging the Problem

• Recognizing that there is a problem with constant connectivity is the first step towards change.

• Making small changes in daily routines can have a significant impact.

Charging Devices Outside the Bedroom

• One microscopic step taken by the speaker was charging smartphones and other devices outside her bedroom at night.

• Encourages others to try this as well for immediate results.

• Challenge participants to write about their experiences on their own platforms or "The Huffington Post."

Overcoming Objections to Disconnecting

The speaker addresses common objections to disconnecting and suggests alternatives.

Objection 1: Needing a Smartphone as an Alarm

• Vintage alarm clocks can be used instead of relying on smartphones.

• Pottery Barn offers affordable vintage alarm clocks.

Objection 2: Work Emergency Contact

• Cheap, old-fashioned phones without data can be used for emergency contact purposes.

• These phones only ring when there is an urgent matter.

These are the main sections and key points from the transcript.

The Importance of Disconnecting from Technology

Rachel Whetstone discusses the benefits of having a landline and limiting smartphone usage in order to be more present and avoid being overwhelmed by emails.

Disconnecting from Email

• Having a landline allows for contact without being constantly connected to email.

• Not looking at the smartphone before starting the day can prevent feeling overwhelmed by emails and tasks.

• By avoiding checking emails in the morning, it becomes possible to have quality time with family and enjoy activities like breakfast with children.

Love and Happiness in the Workplace

• Love is an important aspect of happiness, even in a work context.

• Finding joy in everyday life is crucial for overall well-being, including at work. Checking in with oneself and course-correcting when lacking joy is essential.

• Making personal connections with colleagues who are often taken for granted or overlooked can bring love into the workplace. This includes interacting with cleaning staff or lunch servers.

Creativity and Giving

• Tapping into creativity, even if it's not directly related to one's job, can enhance happiness at work. Maintaining creative hobbies or finding ways to incorporate them into giving back can be fulfilling. Examples include singing for hospice patients or cooking meals for homeless shelters.

• Giving is wired into our biology, and engaging in acts of giving reduces biological inflammation markers associated with disease while self-gratification increases them. Giving is a shortcut to happiness according to research by Richard Davidson at the University of Wisconsin.

The Role of Technology Companies in San Francisco

Rachel Whetstone mentions a conversation she had in San Francisco regarding the role of technology companies and the ongoing debate surrounding them.

Technology Companies in San Francisco

• There is an ongoing debate about the role of technology companies in San Francisco.

The transcript ends abruptly, and no further information is provided.

The Value of Public Service

In this section, the discussion revolves around the undervaluation of public service and the changing perception of it in society.

Public Service and Politics

• Arianne Huffington reflects on how public service has become undervalued and how people have lost hope in politics.

• There is a need to recapture the spirit of public service where demonizing those with different opinions is avoided.

• The importance of taking responsibility for compassion ourselves, rather than solely relying on government.

Measuring Well-being and Happiness

• Rachel Whetstone highlights that governments often focus on economic measurements rather than happiness.

• The demands on the state increase due to failures in the system, such as preventable illnesses and addiction.

• Religion is shown to contribute to happiness statistically, but many reject religion and spiritualism in secular societies.

Finding Wonder in Life

• Arianne Huffington emphasizes the importance of having a sense of spirituality or wonder about life.

• Exploring the mysteries of life can be fascinating and fulfilling at an individual level.

• Coincidences are seen as miracles that cannot be fully explained but bring joy without needing grand conclusions.

Mysticism, Spirituality, and Wonder

This section delves into personal beliefs regarding mysticism, spirituality, and finding wonder in life.

Mystical Atheism

• Reid Hoffman describes himself as a mystical atheist, suggesting that many atheists still possess a sense of spirituality or wonder about life.

• Arianne Huffington agrees that what matters most is recognizing the amazing and mysterious aspects of life beyond specific creeds.

Inner Space vs. Outer Space

• Arianne Huffington expresses her greater interest in exploring inner space rather than outer space.

• Personal curiosity about coincidences is highlighted as they are seen as anonymous miracles performed by the universe.

The transcript provided does not contain timestamps for all sections.

New Section

This section discusses the importance of embracing one's true identity and taking risks in life.

The Importance of Being True to Yourself

• Ellen DeGeneres' decision to come out as gay was driven by her desire to live authentically and not hide her true self.

• Despite facing challenges after coming out, Ellen thrived and found success by taking the risk to be true to herself.

New Section

Larry Page's curiosity and search for knowledge are highlighted, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning.

Curiosity and Continuous Learning

• Larry Page's curiosity drives him to understand the world and seek ways to improve it through inventions like self-driving cars and efficient bicycles.

• Google's search engine reflects Larry Page's insatiable thirst for knowledge, as he constantly searches for information and experts on various topics.

New Section

A discussion on wisdom, discovery, and maintaining a sense of wonder in life.

Embracing Wonder and Wisdom

• Arianne Huffington expresses her love for pursuing new ideas and working with Meng on "Search Inside Yourself."

• Pursuing what interests us most opens up amazing possibilities in life.

• Our obsession with multitasking hinders our ability to wonder and notice things around us. Creating pauses in our lives allows for regeneration and deeper insights.

New Section

Arianne Huffington shares her approach to managing a busy life while prioritizing sleep.

Prioritizing Sleep and Creating Pauses

• Arianne Huffington prioritizes sleep and says no to activities that may compromise her rest.

• By ensuring she gets enough sleep, Arianne can be fully present and engaged in her work and interactions.

• Incorporating pauses in life, inspired by ancient wisdom, helps rejuvenate and maintain a sense of wonder.

New Section

A conversation about the importance of rest and overcoming constant exhaustion.

Overcoming Exhaustion

• Many people struggle with constant tiredness due to their busy lives.

• Rachel Whetstone shares her own experience of feeling constantly tired.

• Arianne Huffington offers to become Rachel's "third metric sponsor" in prioritizing rest and well-being.

The Importance of Being Present with Family

Arianna Huffington shares her personal experience of being constantly tired and not fully present with her family. She emphasizes the need to be mentally present and engaged with loved ones.

Being physically present but mentally absent

• Arianna recalls how she used to fall asleep instantly when she stopped talking, indicating a severe lack of sleep.

• Despite being physically available for her children, she admits that she often wasn't mentally present with them.

• She realizes the importance of truly being there for her children after her wake-up call.

The impact of distractions on presence

• Rachel Whetstone asks Arianna about strategies for being present with family amidst work responsibilities.

• Arianna acknowledges that phones and other distractions can hinder our ability to be fully engaged with our loved ones.

• Even a brief glance at an email or text message can shift our focus away from the present moment.

Gender Neutrality in Parenting

Rachel Whetstone discusses the challenges faced by working parents in balancing work and family life. They emphasize the need for gender-neutral parenting and share their own experiences.

Balancing work and family

• Rachel asks Arianna about her experience as a working mother and how she managed to be present for her children.

• Arianna explains that while she was physically available for her children, she often struggled to be mentally present.

• Both speakers acknowledge the difficulty of juggling multiple responsibilities as working parents.

Reflecting on Missed Opportunities

Arianna reflects on missed opportunities due to not being fully present with her children. She highlights the difference between physical presence and mental engagement.

Regretting missed moments

• Looking back, Arianna realizes that although she was physically there for her children, she wasn't fully engaged with them mentally.

• She acknowledges that she missed out on truly experiencing and cherishing certain moments with her children.

The Dangers of Distraction

Rachel shares a personal anecdote about being mentally absent while reading to her son. They discuss the negative impact of distractions on being present with loved ones.

Being mentally absent

• Rachel recounts a time when she was reading to her son but was actually preoccupied with thoughts of work.

• She couldn't remember anything from the chapter she had read, highlighting the consequences of not being fully present.

• Both speakers agree that distractions, such as phones, can prevent us from giving our full attention to our loved ones.

Overcoming Challenges in Business as an Immigrant Woman

A member of the audience asks Arianna about the challenges she faced as an immigrant woman in business and how diversity can be used as an advantage.

Challenges faced by immigrants

• Arianna shares that one of the challenges she faced was insecurity about her accent, which affected her confidence.

• She mentions receiving a dialect coach as a gift from her ex-husband, which further highlighted her struggle with her accent.

• Arianna emphasizes that many challenges faced by immigrants are internal and stem from self-doubt.

The Power of Diversity

Arianna discusses the importance of diversity in companies and how it contributes to creativity and culture. She also highlights the need for individuals to overcome their own internal barriers.

Importance of diversity

• While acknowledging the significance of diversity for companies, Arianna emphasizes that much of what holds back immigrants and outsiders is internal.

• She quotes Montaigne's statement that most terrible things never happen, suggesting that many fears are unfounded.

The Third Metric and Socioeconomic Challenges

An audience member asks how Arianna's philosophy of the third metric applies to those who face socioeconomic challenges. They discuss the role of privilege in expanding the concept beyond corporate environments.

Considering socioeconomic challenges

• The audience member raises a question about how Arianna's book, "Thrive," applies to individuals facing socioeconomic difficulties.

• Arianna mentions that her book addresses this topic and emphasizes the importance of expanding the concept of thriving beyond corporate environments.

• They acknowledge that privileged individuals have a responsibility to contribute towards creating opportunities for others.

Timestamps are approximate and may vary slightly depending on the source video.

New Section

In this section, the speaker discusses how every individual has a center of strength, wisdom, joy, and peace within them. They emphasize that it is up to each person to tap into this inner center and how resilience plays a role in responding to challenging situations.

The Inner Center of Strength

• Every individual has a center of strength, wisdom, joy, and peace within them.

• Tapping into this inner center is essential for personal growth and well-being.

• Resilience plays a crucial role in accessing and returning to this inner center.

New Section

This section explores the concept of finding strength even in extreme circumstances. The speaker mentions Viktor Frankl's book about individuals in concentration camps who were able to tap into their inner centers and choose their own attitudes.

Finding Strength in Extreme Circumstances

• Individuals in extreme circumstances, such as concentration camps, can still tap into their inner centers.

• Viktor Frankl's book highlights how people in concentration camps found strength by choosing their own attitudes.

• Choosing one's attitude and way of thinking is the ultimate freedom.

New Section

The speaker shares a study conducted during downsizing at Bell phone company where they observed different responses from employees. Some individuals were destroyed by the experience while others thrived. This section emphasizes that resilience determines how we respond to difficult situations.

Resilience During Downsizing

• A study conducted during downsizing at Bell phone company revealed varied responses from employees.

• Two-thirds of the employees were negatively affected by the downsizing, experiencing issues like alcoholism and depression.

• One-third of the employees thrived after the downsizing, starting their own companies or finding better job opportunities.

• How we respond to challenging situations is a reflection of our resilience and personal development.

New Section

The speaker addresses a question about how their life would have been different if they had the perspective they have now at the age of 18. They emphasize the importance of disentangling success from working excessively and highlight that thriving does not require constant work.

Disentangling Success from Excessive Work

• The speaker acknowledges the significance of the question regarding their life with a different perspective at a younger age.

• Many successful individuals are perceived as workaholics, leading to the assumption that excessive work is necessary for success.

• However, there is no correlation between working around the clock and achieving success.

• Thriving does not require constant work but rather utilizing one's talents and gifts effectively.

• Working smartly, regenerating, and renewing oneself contribute to better performance in work and life.

New Section

The speaker continues discussing the misconception that success is solely dependent on working excessively. They mention Oprah Winfrey as an example and highlight that her success is not solely attributed to her hard work but also her unique talents and abilities.

Success Beyond Excessive Work

• Many successful people are believed to have achieved their status through excessive work.

• The speaker had a conversation with Oprah Winfrey, who shared her experience of working tirelessly.

• However, Oprah's success is not solely due to her hard work but also her natural gifts, talents, and ability to connect with people.

• Each individual has their own unique talents that contribute to their success.

New Section

The speaker emphasizes the importance of working hard while also prioritizing self-renewal. They mention experimenting and collecting data as ways to disentangle excessive work from true success.

Balancing Hard Work and Self-Renewal

• Working hard is important, but it should not be done at the expense of self-renewal.

• The speaker suggests experimenting and collecting data to challenge the belief that excessive work is the only path to success.

• Thriving measures, such as sleep, meditation, yoga, and pauses, are being incorporated into sports before business.

• The example of LeBron James' meditation video going viral highlights the growing recognition of holistic well-being in sports.

New Section

The speaker uses a metaphor from tennis to illustrate how being recharged and feeling good can positively impact performance. They emphasize the need to disentangle success from working excessively through a shift in mindset.

Metaphor of Tennis and Life

• When an individual feels recharged and good, they perform better in tennis as they have more time to react and make decisions.

• This metaphor extends to life, where exhaustion leads to feeling overwhelmed by everything coming at once.

• Disentangling success from excessive work requires a shift in mindset and recognizing that working smartly and renewing oneself enhances performance.

• Sports are ahead of business in incorporating thriving measures like sleep, meditation, yoga, and pauses.

New Section

The speaker discusses the misconception that success is solely dependent on working excessively. They mention an interview with Andy Murray where he talks about performing better when recharged on the tennis court.

Success Beyond Excessive Work (Continued)

• Success is often associated with working around the clock; however, this belief needs to be challenged.

• Andy Murray's interview highlights how feeling recharged on the tennis court improves performance.

• Feeling overwhelmed due to excessive work hinders decision-making and overall effectiveness.

• Disentangling success from excessive work requires changing our perception of what truly contributes to achievement.

New Section

The speaker emphasizes the need to disentangle success from excessive work and highlights the importance of experimenting and collecting data to challenge this belief.

Disentangling Success from Excessive Work

• Many successful individuals are perceived as having achieved their status through excessive work.

• It is crucial to disentangle success from working excessively by challenging this belief.

• Experimenting with different approaches and collecting data can help shift our mindset towards a healthier work-life balance.

• Thriving requires utilizing one's unique talents and gifts, not just working tirelessly.

New Section

The speaker concludes by emphasizing the importance of disentangling success from excessive work. They suggest that thriving requires finding a balance between hard work and self-renewal.

Finding Balance for Thriving

• Disentangling success from excessive work is essential for adopting a healthier approach to life.

• Working hard is important, but it should be balanced with self-renewal and regeneration.

• Thriving involves utilizing one's talents effectively while also prioritizing personal well-being.

• Sports serve as evidence that incorporating thriving measures leads to better performance.

New Section

In this section, Arianna Huffington discusses the problem of lack of pauses and opportunities for renewal in our lives, rather than the intensity itself.

Lack of Pauses and Renewal

• The problem lies in the lack of pauses and opportunities to regenerate ourselves.

• It is not the intensity that is the issue, but rather the constant intrusion of email and information overload.

• Email hygiene is a challenge faced by many individuals dealing with a high volume of information.

• Arianna takes a different approach by openly sharing her email address and encouraging people to reach out to her directly.

• She acknowledges that she has people scanning her emails but personally looks at every email, although not in real-time.

New Section

Arianna explains how she manages her email and emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries with technology.

Managing Email

• Arianna receives a significant amount of email but does not respond immediately.

• The key is to avoid allowing email to constantly intrude into our activities.

• She compares it to constantly interrupting tasks whenever a letter arrives, which doesn't make sense.

• Changing our email protocol is crucial for maintaining balance and focus.

New Section

Arianna shares new email rules implemented at "The Huffington Post" to promote work-life balance.

New Email Rules

• At "The Huffington Post," employees on night or weekend shifts are not expected to answer work emails after hours unless there is an emergency.

• In case of emergencies, alternative communication methods like texting or calling are used instead of relying solely on email.

• The expectation that individuals have to be always available can be overwhelming, leading to burnout and decreased effectiveness.

New Section

Rachel Whetstone suggests that urgent matters should be addressed through phone calls rather than urgent emails.

Urgent Emails and Phone Calls

• Rachel proposes a rule that there is no such thing as an urgent email.

• Instead, if someone needs to reach another person urgently, they should make a phone call.

• Constantly checking for urgent emails can be stressful and prevent relaxation.

New Section

Arianna discusses her transition from focusing on work success to prioritizing happiness and the major philosophical transitions she has made in her life.

Transitioning Philosophies

• Arianna has been successful both politically and economically, but she shifted her focus from working harder for success to striving for happiness.

• She acknowledges that people with different philosophical beliefs can still find common ground and learn from each other.

• Arianna has always been interested in the purpose and meaning of life, which led her to apply ancient wisdom teachings in practical ways.

• The difference now is that she actively applies the wisdom gained from philosophical conversations instead of treating them as intellectual exercises.

New Section

An audience member asks Arianna about incorporating pauses into corporate culture to increase effectiveness and energy levels.

Incorporating Pauses in Corporate Culture

• The audience member took a three-month break from work and experienced the benefits of having a pause.

• She wants to help other companies understand the importance of building pauses into their culture.

• The question seeks Arianna's perspective on how companies can create environments that prioritize breaks, leading to increased effectiveness, visibility, and overall energy levels.

Creating Space for Pauses and Reflection

In this section, the speaker shares stories of successful individuals who have made room in their lives for pauses and reflection. These stories serve as inspiration and reinforce the importance of taking breaks.

Making Room for Pauses

• A woman started going hiking over the weekends to experience the incredible space it created within her.

• She began incorporating this practice on Fridays and even went on a hike during an important conference call.

• During one of her hikes, she encountered a mountain lion, which was a significant moment for her.

Noticing Details

• The same woman also mentioned how she noticed black squirrels for the first time, challenging her previous belief that squirrels were only gray.

• Having a picture of a squirrel in her office served as a reminder to pay attention to details and appreciate diversity.

Reinforcing the Importance of Pauses

• Hearing stories from successful men and women who prioritize pauses and reflection reinforces the significance of these practices.

• Taking sabbaticals or extended breaks can help alleviate fears about pausing work, as it often demonstrates that jobs are still intact upon return.

• Companies are starting to recognize the value of allowing employees to take sabbaticals as it benefits both parties involved.

Embracing Work-Life Balance at Google

An audience member shares their experience at Google, highlighting how they have successfully maintained work-life balance without constantly being connected to work-related tasks.

Challenging Work Culture Norms

• The audience member has been working at Google for nine years but does not engage in around-the-clock work or respond to emails in the evenings.

• They stand as an example that success can be achieved at Google without being constantly connected to work responsibilities.

Creating a Safe Environment for Balance

• It can be challenging to openly discuss work-life balance in a company where everyone is expected to be constantly connected.

• To promote a healthier work culture, it is essential to create a safe environment where individuals can openly talk about the benefits of taking breaks and pursuing personal interests.

• By having more people speak up and share their experiences, we move closer to achieving a critical mass that supports work-life balance.

Recognizing the Shift Towards Work-Life Balance

The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing companies and individuals who prioritize work-life balance. They also mention examples of organizations implementing measures to support employee well-being.

Acknowledging Progress

• The Boston Consulting Group issues a "red zone report" when consultants bill too many hours, considering them at risk of health problems.

• Recognizing such initiatives and discussing them accelerates the shift towards embracing work-life balance globally.

Positive Impact on Health and Productivity

• More people are making different choices in their personal lives or within their companies, leading to positive outcomes.

• Mark Bertolini, CEO of Aetna, experienced significant personal transformation through practices like yoga and meditation after a skiing accident.

• He made these practices available as benefits for his employees and found that they resulted in reduced healthcare costs and improved productivity.

Conclusion

The transcript highlights the importance of creating space for pauses and reflection in our lives. Stories from successful individuals demonstrate that taking breaks does not hinder success but rather enhances well-being. Companies are starting to recognize the value of work-life balance, leading to positive shifts in workplace culture.