From a Human Doing to a Human Being by Robert Choi

Exposed, vulnerable, and wise—From a Human Doing to a Human Being is the guiding hand we could all use.

When our identity, self-worth, and values become tied to our productivity, do we truly know ourselves? From a Human Doing to a Human Being by Robert Choi isa necessary guide on how to liberate ourselves from the constant pressure to achieve and hustle.

Robert Choi, a senior HR executive with experience ranging from the CIA to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, draws on his lifelong experiences to sever the ties to never-ending efficiency. Due to childhood trauma, Choi developed a fear of stillness, and this led to a life focused on commodifying passion and relentlessly chasing accolades.

Through therapy and self-reflection, he discovered the healing benefits found in little moments of peace: drinking coffee, going for walks, and basking in the laughter of friends. Getting to that realization can take a lot of work, however, which is where this booksteps in. As suggested by the title, it helps you go from human doing—in a perpetual state of movement for the sake of output—to a human being, able to enjoy all facets of life.

This book is just so relevant. Not only is the core message immediately understandable for most workers, but Choi’s story of growing up the child of immigrants will help so many readers feel seen. He includes not only personal anecdotes but a wealth of historical and philosophical context that enhances understanding of the current human condition and work. His discussion of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and Arlie Hochschild’s concept of emotional labor work well too.

From a Human Doing to a Human Being offers practical steps and reminds readers of the importance of stillness and cultivating self-worth through that stillness. One particularly memorable anecdote comes when Choi struggles to name his favorite color during a session with his therapist. He realized that as a child, he had been taught not to express preferences or stand out in order to avoid upsetting his family. Adult readers might recall similar scars from their own childhood and how it impacts them now.

Knowing this, Choi introduced a “simple weekly practice of doing one behavior that helped me feel safe” and aimed to be 3% better at it. For example, he would work on lessening inner criticism for a week in 3% increments, so the behavior becomes a doable habit. This is easy to adopt—I’m even doing it myself!—and I can see a future of counteracting self-deprecating patterns.

I would gladly recommend From a Human Doing to a Human Being to anyone in the workforce right now. This text is like a calm, cooling reminder that there’s so much we can do to improve our sense of identity little by little, even when everything feels chaotic and fast-paced. Reading this book is like giving yourself a moment of stillness. Take it. You’ll feel the difference right away.