Blinkist: Serving curious minds.

What’s important to you? Not to society or your parents or whoever else you think you should impress. But to you. It’s important to figure this out because, if you don’t, your ego will lead you astray. You may begin chasing goals or pursuing positions that, beyond the status they convey, mean little to you – and that’s a recipe for disaster. Consider the story of former US president Ulysses S. Grant. Grant fought alongside William Tecumseh Sherman in the American Civil War – and he fought well, reaching the rank of general. In fact, in terms of military success, he and Sherman stood shoulder to shoulder. They were two of the most famous people in the United States, honored by all as heroes. Here’s where the differences begin. After the war, Grant ran for president, and he won. But while Grant may have been popular in the army, he didn’t have much experience in the political sphere. No matter. He wanted to win his country’s highest political office. He thought he was the man for the job

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• Jordan Marshall