In this Flashback Friday episode, I sit down with the legendary Marshall Goldsmith to discuss his thought-provoking book The Earned Life. Renowned for his coaching and wisdom, Marshall delves into the philosophy and actionable insights behind his work, helping listeners align their choices, risks, and efforts with a greater purpose.

During our conversation, we explore what it means to live an "earned life" and the challenges of breaking free from achievement-based validation. Marshall shares profound insights on finding satisfaction, limiting decision fatigue, and embracing accountability without judgment.

Key Discussion Points

• The philosophy behind The Earned Life and why it’s essential to align actions with overarching purpose.
• How the concept of "satisfaction" challenges traditional ideas of success and happiness.
• The intersection of willpower, discipline, and limiting choices to combat decision fatigue.
• Why accountability without judgment, as practiced in Marshall’s "Life Plan Review," is transformative.
• The pitfalls of achievement addiction and the importance of enjoying the process, not just the outcomes.
• How the marshmallow experiment illustrates the dangers of delayed gratification when taken to extremes.
• Marshall’s advice for taking actionable steps to start living an earned life today.

This conversation with Marshall is packed with insights that will resonate deeply, whether you're striving for personal growth or seeking clarity on what success means to you. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the cycle of achievement or struggled to find purpose, this episode offers practical and profound guidance. (Originally released May 2022)

Links Worth Exploring

• Connect with Marshall: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Youtube
• Marshall’s Book: The Earned Life: Lose Regret, Choose Fulfillment
• Recommended by Marshall: The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right
• Watch this film: American Underdog
• Related Conversation: Episode 203: The Evolution of Getting Things Done with David Allen
• Related Blog Post: The Power of Bit by Bit Productivity

Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.

Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. You can subscribe on Spotify and also on Apple Podcasts. Not using either of those to get your podcasts? Just click on this link and then paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices