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Love in Action: The Earned Life

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Love in Action: The Earned Life

Love in Action,

5 min read
4 take-aways
Audio & text

What's inside?

Do you have life regrets despite your professional achievements? If so, find fulfillment by pursuing a higher purpose.

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Editorial Rating

9

Qualities

  • Applicable
  • Eye Opening
  • Visionary

Recommendation

Many people work hard their whole lives to achieve one goal after the other – only to realize that, despite all of their professional achievements, they feel unfulfilled and have regrets. In this episode of the Love in Action podcast, host Marcel Schwantes and New York Times best-selling author Marshall Goldsmith argue that the future of work isn’t just about maximizing shareholder value or accumulating achievements. For a fulfilling – or “earned” – life, they say, devote yourself to a higher purpose as well.

Summary

To live an “earned life,” align your ambitions and everyday actions with a higher purpose.

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, many people found themselves in an existential crisis – feeling unfulfilled and full of regrets about what they have done with their lives. Often, people get trapped in life’s daily grind: They wake up, go to work, do their jobs, return home – and start over again the next day. They may not even know why they do what they do, having no sense of direction.

While dreamers and fantasists may have big ideas about what they want to achieve, they often lose themselves in those wild aspirations, not taking any concrete action to pursue their goals.

Others do set themselves specific goals – but they prioritize chasing results, while losing track of what makes life enjoyable in the first place.

Don’t grow overly attached to the results of your work. You don’t have a lot of control over them, and results often provide limited personal fulfillment. You risk ending up in a vicious cycle in which you seek ever more, bigger and better results.

To live a more meaningful and fulfilling life – an earned life – find a higher purpose...

About the Podcast

Marshall Goldsmith is a US executive leadership coach and author. He is the co-author of Work Is Love Made Visible: A Collection of Essays About the Power of Finding Your Purpose from the World’s Greatest Thought Leaders. Marcel Schwantes is a leadership coach who helps organizations develop a high-performing work culture. He hosts the Love in Action podcast.

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