Week 22.10 The Earned Life
I met Marshall 7 years ago at a dinner with Clark Callahan, then executive director of executive education at Tuck School at Dartmouth College. Marshall and I immediately hit it off, which Clark said was unusual and I have since found out is typical for Marshall who hits it off with everyone. That dinner began a journey that led to Marshall and I starting the 100 Coaches Community, a group of over 350 of the top leaders, leadership experts, and executive coaches. More recently we created the 100 Coaches Agency, curating the pairing of the world's greatest coaches and experts with the world's best leaders. It has been a nourishing, elevating, and fulfilling journey and it has just begun.
One of the privileges of supporting the community has been being witness to the way Marshall, together with his collaborator Mark Reiter, develops new thinking. There are few people who have one great book (no small feat) and fewer still who have two. Marshall is a serial great book writer. And his new book, An Earned Life, will be no exception. It is amazing that with all of the change and disruption that has occurred since Marshall began the book, his insights and guidance are even truer today than when he began before the pandemic. I think that is because, in all of his work, Marshall is describing universal truths and making them accessible and actionable without judgment or attachment. He offers prescriptions for life and leadership that after we read we feel like we have known forever, and just needed them to be brought to our attention.
In his latest book, The Earned Life, Marshall 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. He observes that “we are living an earned life when the choices, risks, and effort we make in each moment align with an overarching purpose in our lives, regardless of the eventual outcome.” He describes the key to living a life unbound by regret is committing to a habit of earning and, crucially, connecting that habit to something greater than the isolated achievements of careerism. I have often heard Marshall talk about the Great Western Disease of “I’ll be happy when…” that leads to cycles of regret. In The Earned Life he offers practical advice to shed the obstacles that prevent us from creating our own fulfilling lives.
I have been part of a living laboratory, working with Marshall as he developed the ideas in the book, testing them out for myself. The ideas are a game-changing way to close the gap between what I planned to achieve and what I actually get done. The insights in The Earned Life have become daily habits and together with my Daily Questions (Triggers) have made my life more fulfilling. These are not unattainable skills or esoteric life lessons. Marshall presents the basic building blocks to living an earned life which is the antidote to a life filled with "what ifs." My only regret is that the book will not be out until May 3, but you can pre-order now.
And don't just take my word for it, here are some other folks who are recommending The Earned Life:
“My life changed for the better when I started working with Marshall. As you read The Earned Life, try to hear Marshall’s voice. Know you can face the challenges ahead and start anew. I hear this soundtrack every day as I go out, with humility and passion, to earn my life once again.” —Dr. Jim Yong Kim, 12th President of the World Bank
“Marshall is a brilliant mentor who truly helps you be happier and wiser. He is a force multiplier for good. I can’t wait for readers to exponentially make a positive difference in the world because of what they will learn in The Earned Life.” —Sanyin Siang, founding executive director, Thinker50’s World’s Top 50 Management Thinker / Leads Duke University Coach K Leadership Ethics Center
“The essence of Marshall’s coaching is in his dedication to his purpose, which is to help his clients, find happiness and fulfillment—and to be better for themselves and the people they lead. And now, he’s broadening the scope beyond his clients to everyone who reads this book. What a gift—to help us become the people that we want to be and to live a fulfilled life with no regrets. Thank you, Marshall—The Earned Life rocks!” —Alan Mulally, served as CEO of Ford, United States CEO of the Year
“Through his wonderful coaching, Marshall has helped me become a better leader and a happier person. Perhaps the most profound impact he has had on me is helping me learn to embrace feedback to make positive change. In The Earned Life, the world’s most admired coach shares some of his most valuable insights into creating a fulfilling life.” —Hubert Joly, former CEO of Best Buy, Harvard Business Review’s Best-Performing CEOs of the World
“Marshall has transformed the lives of thousands of people for the better, mine included! He is a humanist—a wonderfully funny person who is very serious about helping people. A humble monk, he brings opposing qualities together to create deep and timeless value.” —Ayse Birsel, world top 15 ranked designer and author
“I have had the distinct pleasure to know and work with Marshall Goldsmith for more than 10 years, and during this time, I have yet to find someone who is more focused, practical or dedicated to their work…. Marshall has the unique ability to speak with me for five minutes and provide thought-provoking insights on how to lead and grow while also keeping me centered on what is important. During the COVID-19 pandemic, as Pfizer continues to play a critical role in helping protect and save lives, I have leaned on Marshall even more. He is a wonderful author, educator, coach, and friend.” —Albert Bourla, CEO, Pfizer
“Marshall’s ability to illuminate the humanity in each of us is truly extraordinary. He gets to the core of any matter, personal or professional, and fosters an affirming and productive environment. The vulnerability of members in our community leaves us motivated and inspired.” —Sarah Hirshland, CEO, USA Olympic and Paralympic Committee
“More than anyone I know, Marshall makes the impossible possible. Without Marshall, I wouldn’t be where I am today. He has helped make my life both more enriching and more fun. I hope that The Earned Life will help you in the same way Marshall has helped me!” —Martin Lindstrom, world #1 authority on branding and bestselling author of Buyology
“Over the years, Marshall has become one of the greatest leadership thinkers in the world and yet he has continued to be one of the finest, most caring human beings I know. He lives to the fullest. The Earned Life will help you do the same.” —Ken Blanchard, bestselling author whose books have sold over 23 million copies
“As a coach and advisor, Marshall has a knack for suggesting just the right tweak and the right time. The Earned Life is a wonderful book.” —Rita McGrath, Columbia Business School, World’s #1 Strategic Thinker
“Marshall has given me the gift of helping me change possibility into reality. Read this book. I hope that it can do the same for you.” —Whitney Johnson, CEO, Disruption Advisors, World Top 10 Business Thinker
“The Earned Life is the friendly hand that can help you live the life you truly want—or bat you on the side of your head when you turn your back on yourself.” —Dr. Carol Kauffman, Founder, Institute of Coaching, McLean, Affiliate of Harvard Medical School
“Goldsmith has done it again. Reading The Earned Life contains insights and tools that make you feel like Marshall is personally coaching you.” —David Ulrich, University of Michigan Ross School of Business, World’s #1 HR Thinker
As Marshall would say: "Life is Good"
With love and gratitude
Scott