Be Useful
An inspiring guide to becoming useful, realizing potential and making an impact.
Summary of 7 Key Points
Key Points
- Understanding your role in society
- Self-discovery and potential realization
- Importance of being useful
- Living purposefully through utility
- Breaking down barriers to usefulness
- Creating a positive impact
- Embracing change and continuous learning
key point 1 of 7
Understanding your role in society
Being useful in society means understanding and fulfilling your role with responsibility and sincerity. It is not about just meeting the bare minimum requirements of your societal obligations but striving to take on tasks that add value to the community and help it progress forward. This involves not only recognizing your potential and capabilities but also taking steps to develop them so that they can be put to use for the betterment of society…Read&Listen More
key point 2 of 7
Self-discovery and potential realization
The book discusses self-discovery as a journey to understanding one’s abilities, potentials, and passions. This journey involves introspective processes such as self-reflection, self-awareness, and personal assessments. It underscores the fact that self-discovery is not a one-size-fits-all process, but a journey that is unique to each individual based on their experiences and personal history. Through self-discovery, one can identify their strengths and weaknesses, passions and dislikes, and essentially, what makes them unique. Furthermore, it encourages readers to embrace this journey, as it is a crucial step towards personal growth and self-fulfillment. ..Read&Listen More
key point 3 of 7
Importance of being useful
The importance of being useful is a central theme of the book, which emphasizes the significant role played by usefulness in our lives. It argues that being useful does not just mean accomplishing tasks or providing services, but also about contributing value to others and society as a whole. It suggests that being useful gives our lives a purpose and direction. We become more satisfied with our existence when we know that our efforts are not wasted but have some purpose, regardless of how small or how big that may be. This sense of purpose offers us a reason to keep going in life, even in the face of adversity. It also prevents us from feeling empty or insignificant because we are aware that our actions and efforts matter…Read&Listen More
key point 4 of 7
Living purposefully through utility
Living purposefully through utility, as the book propagates, is about finding a meaningful existence by being useful to others. It’s the idea of aligning your personal goals, skills, and passions in such a manner that they serve a purpose beyond just self-gratification. It’s about discovering the joy of contributing to the community, society or world at large. This ideology does not negate the importance of personal fulfillment or happiness but emphasizes that it can be achieved through service to others. ..Read&Listen More
key point 5 of 7
Breaking down barriers to usefulness
Usefulness, as described in ‘Breaking down barriers to usefulness’, is more than simply providing a service or product that solves a problem. It is about creating something that not only meets a need but also adds value to the user’s life. If something is useful, it makes a task easier, saves time, or increases productivity. A useful tool or service is one that users will come back to again and again because it makes their lives better in some way. ..Read&Listen More
key point 6 of 7
Creating a positive impact
Creating a positive impact is about encouraging transformation, not just in the people we interact with, but also in the broader social, economic, and ecological systems we participate in. It’s about becoming aware of the consequences of our actions and choices, and striving to make those that contribute constructively to the world around us. This requires us to be thoughtful and intentional about the ways in which we engage with others and engage with the world. It’s not about simply doing good deeds or practicing kindness, although these can be part of it. It’s about actually making a tangible, lasting difference…Read&Listen More
key point 7 of 7
Embracing change and continuous learning
Embracing change is portrayed as a necessary and positive force for personal and professional growth. It is depicted not as something to be feared or resisted, but as an opportunity to evolve and adapt. Change is presented as an inherent part of life and a key element of progress and innovation. Whether it be a change in one’s personal circumstances, workplace, or social environments, one is encouraged to accept and adapt to these changes with an open and positive attitude. The perspective emphasizes the significance of having a growth mindset and the ability to adapt to new situations, technologies, information, and practices…Read&Listen More