In a blog post related to the costs of living a fulfilling life, adapted from his new book The Earned Life, the renowned leadership expert and bestselling author Marshall Goldsmith talks about how an earned life doesn’t come for free — it’s the result of sometimes difficult choices. But in the end, it’s worth it.
“Earning your life is not free. You pay in terms of time, commitment, focus, and more. But when you're fulfilled, will you look at the price of your efforts?”
Goldsmith writes: “Earning your life is not free. You pay in terms of time, commitment, focus, and more. But when you are fulfilled, will you be looking at the price of your efforts? We are willing to pay the price when there’s a high probability that our efforts will achieve success, far less eager when the probability is low. We want certainty that our effort and sacrifice will not be in vain. We are terrorized by the prospect of putting everything we have into achieving a goal and ending up with nothing to show for it. Total commitment shouldn’t be a futile gesture, we think. It’s not fair. So we avoid paying that price. No commitment, no futility.”
In a war-torn country there is hope. Ukraine’s National Opera recently reopened in Kyiv. Even as Russia’s military makes advances in the country’s east, Ukraine citizens are defiantly being seen as returning to life as normal. Kyiv was surrounded by Russian soldiers until early April, when they retreated. Restaurants and stores have slowly reopened in recent weeks, and theater is coming back too. People are striving to live their lives as they see fit.
In The Earned Life Goldsmith uncovers the source of today’s existential crises, including regrets that stem from choices that irrevocably alter our lives, reroute destinies, and haunt our memories. These are particularly timely themes today.
With Goldsmith’s book as a guide, readers can close the gap between what they plan to achieve and what they actually get done—even in a world full of inescapable unfairness and curveballs—and live an earned life that is fulfilling in the long run.
You can read Marshall Goldsmith’s blog here.
About MARSHALL GOLDSMITH
Marshall Goldsmith has been recognized for years as the world’s leading executive coach and the New York Times bestselling author of many books, including What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, Mojo, and Triggers. He received his Ph.D. from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. In his coaching practice, Goldsmith has advised more than 200 major CEOs and their management teams. He and his wife live in Nashville, Tennessee.
About THE EARNED LIFE
In THE EARNED LIFE (Currency Books), Marshall Goldsmith uncovers the source of today’s existential crisis: regret, the kind stemming from choices that irrevocably alter our lives, reroutes destinies, and haunts our memories—particularly timely themes as the pandemic and Great Resignation inspire people to seek meaning in their lives, get unstuck and make changes. With this book as their guide, readers can close the gap between what they plan to achieve and what they actually get done—even in a world full of inescapable unfairness and curveballs—and live an earned life too fulfilling to dwell on the “what ifs.”
If you’d like more information on Marshall Goldsmith, The Earned Life, and his work, please get in touch with Lyda Goldsmith.
