No Flannel in Vegas

Mental Health

I think the book’s tone was really effective in communicating that underlying theme of mental health—I felt like I was reading the business world’s version of Crime and Punishment until halfway through. In fact, I read the first half of the book without thinking much about it, and I felt like I was reading a 50’s self-help business/financial book like Good to Great or Rich Dad, Poor Dad. I was upset to see the feelings I had in common with Tom Rath—the desire to succeed in the business world, the unhappiness we sometimes have at work, desire to keep up with the Joneses., etc. It made me think about what my real priorities are.

Not only my feelings, but my thought patterns are often similar to Tom’s: every time something difficult happens to me, I have similar phrases to Tom (I say, “what’s the worst that can happen?” The answer is never as bad as eternal damnation or the like). I find it interesting that Tom had more difficulty coping with “normal life” than with the war. I half expected Tom to go from mentally unhealthy to mentally unstable. Is it because war has so many absolutes? or is it because the war left so many questions up in the air, while day to day life had more questions he was able to answer?


What is your goal in life: Striving for success at home and at the office

I really believe that to run General Electric, you have to be General Electric. I don’t envy any CEO of a large company, especially now, and I’m glad I don’t really have to climb a corporate ladder. But I don’t believe that in order to own a successful business, you have to be obsessed with it. I have three friends that started a business in their late twenties. They provide a valuable service in a niche market, make very good money, and haven’t worked more than 30 hours a week in the last three years. I agree that the world progresses faster because of extremely dedicated people, but I believe you can be dedicated to more than one thing—I felt like one of the themes of the book was choose between being successful in business and being successful as a husband and father. I don’t think that there always needs to be a choice. I have to drag myself away from the office, but once I’m gone, I don’t think about it any more. My time becomes my own and my family’s. I really don’t feel bad not being a Paul Farmer—I’d much rather be a full time dad than a full time engineer. Part of that may be that I don’t feel capable of solving the world’s problems, but it may be just selfish.


Honesty

I love Tom’s honesty decision. It is so refreshing a change mid-book, I felt like finally I had got to the book I had wanted to read. Also, dealing with his skeletons didn’t pose a challenge for him once he got straightened out. Hopefully we can be as honest. I have a friend at work who is uniquely honest who reminds me of Tom—I value his opinion more than most people I know, because he doesn’t play the game—he gives it to me straight up. It hurts more, but I’d rather have my pride hurt than produce crummy work. When Tom chooses family over career, the author is generous—Tom still has a job and doesn’t need to worry too much about money.

My Choice

What if Tom’s boss had fired him when he said he didn’t want to work in California, Betsy left and took the kids when Tom told her about his past, and he lost the house because he didn't have a nice Judge doing leg work for him? Would he have the same bright outlook, or would he return to skepticism and sarcasm? I felt almost cheated of the answer—I wonder if Wilson was tempted away from a challenging conclusion by hopes of a great Hollywood picture with Gregory Peck. I hope, like Peter said, that “acting with integrity and honesty just has to be its own reward”.