Podcast Summary
Present moment happiness: According to Marshall Goldsmith's interpretation of Buddhism, true happiness comes from finding peace in the present moment and accepting the impermanence of life, rather than seeking it through achievements or material possessions.
The importance of living in the present and finding peace with what you have, as taught by Marshall Goldsmith's interpretation of Buddhism. Goldsmith, a world-renowned business coach and bestselling author, emphasizes that happiness cannot be found through achievements or material possessions. Instead, it's essential to accept the impermanence of life and find contentment in the present moment. Goldsmith's favorite sayings, "Life is good," "Be happy now," and "Let it go," reflect this philosophy. His experiences, from growing up in a low-income area to hitchhiking and discovering Buddhism, have shaped his perspective on living an "Earned Life," unbound by regret and focused on a higher purpose.
Happiness and Achievement: Happiness doesn't depend on external factors like wealth or success, but rather on being content with what you have and letting go of past regrets. Find balance between instant gratification and long-term fulfillment.
Happiness and achievement are independent variables. According to Safi Bahcall, happiness doesn't depend on external factors like wealth or success. Instead, it's about being content with what you have and letting go of past regrets. Bahcall, a successful entrepreneur and author, changed his coaching approach to help his wealthy clients find fulfillment and peace in their lives, rather than just focusing on achieving more. He wrote "The Earned Life" during the COVID-19 pandemic, drawing insights from conversations with successful people about their lives. The book emphasizes the importance of alignment between aspiration, achievement, and daily actions to live an "earned life." It's a reminder to not become overly focused on achievement and to find peace in the present moment. The marshmallow experiment mentioned in the conversation illustrates the importance of delayed gratification and finding balance between instant gratification and long-term fulfillment.
Finding Balance: Focus on present and future self, let go of past regrets, find a community, utilize resources, and take advantage of discounts for a more fulfilling life
It's important to find balance in life and not always focus on achieving more, but rather be content with what you have. Constantly defining yourself by what you are not can lead to feelings of phoniness and dissatisfaction. Instead, try to let go of past regrets and focus on the present and future versions of yourself. Additionally, finding a community of like-minded individuals can help increase productivity and provide valuable connections. Utilizing resources like co-working spaces and hiring platforms can also streamline processes and save time and money. Lastly, taking advantage of cashback offers and discounts can help make big purchases more affordable.
Every breath paradigm: Embrace change and view life as a series of infinite opportunities to start over, letting go of past successes and failures, through daily reflection practices.
Life is impermanent and we are constantly changing. This concept, known as the "every breath paradigm," encourages us to view life as a series of infinite changes and opportunities to start over. This perspective can help us let go of past mistakes and failures, as well as past successes that no longer define us. To make this mindset a habit, consider implementing daily reflection practices, such as asking oneself if they did their best each day in areas that matter most to them. By focusing on the present and embracing change, we can find happiness and meaning in every moment.
Seeking help and working with a coach: Successful people understand that asking for assistance and working with a coach is a sign of strength, not weakness. Earning something through hard work and effort gives us a sense of worth and pride, while receiving a handout leaves us feeling unaccomplished. Balance and alignment between choices, risks, and efforts with our overall purpose in life is crucial to avoid deep regret.
Even the most successful people in the world, including leaders and CEOs, need help and admit the importance of seeking it. They understand that asking for assistance and working with a coach is a sign of strength, not weakness. Furthermore, the second exercise of writing a letter to the future highlights the power of earning something through hard work and effort, rather than being handed it. The speaker emphasizes that earning something gives us a sense of worth and pride, while receiving a handout leaves us feeling unaccomplished. Lastly, the speaker discusses the concept of regret and fulfillment being opposite sides of the spectrum. Even highly successful individuals can experience deep regret if they prioritize certain areas of their lives over others. Ultimately, it's essential to strive for balance and alignment between our choices, risks, and efforts with our overall purpose in life.
Regret management: Reflect on regrets, learn from them, take calculated risks, and make informed decisions to avoid existential regrets. Utilize platforms like Shopify and LinkedIn to turn ideas into businesses and reach potential customers.
Understanding and managing regret is a crucial aspect of personal growth. Regret can stem from various sources, ranging from small everyday decisions to significant life choices. It's essential to reflect on these feelings and learn from them instead of dwelling on them. Furthermore, taking calculated risks and learning from failures is an integral part of life. The book discussed in the podcast emphasizes the importance of identifying personal aspirations and making informed decisions to avoid existential regrets. Lastly, platforms like Shopify and LinkedIn can be valuable tools in turning ideas into businesses and reaching potential customers.
Authentic Living: Identify what living authentically means for you and take the first step towards living it, despite challenges from inertia, obligations, and vicarious living
Living an earned life means living your own life authentically, not someone else's version. This can be challenging as we often feel the pressure to conform or live up to others' expectations. Inertia and obligations are common reasons why people don't live their own lives. Inertia refers to the tendency to repeat behaviors that have been followed by positive reinforcement, making it hard to change. Obligations can stem from feelings of duty or the fear of disappointing others. Vicarious living, or living through others, is another obstacle to living an authentic life. With the prevalence of social media and entertainment, it's easy to get lost in someone else's story and forget to focus on our own. Ultimately, living an earned life means taking risks, being true to yourself, and not wasting time trying to live up to others' expectations. Start by identifying what real life means to you and take the first step towards living it today. Kajabi.com/profiting offers a free 30-day trial to help you get started on your entrepreneurial journey.
Authenticity and Simplifying Choices: Acting authentically and focusing on what truly matters while limiting choices can lead to a more meaningful and profitable life by avoiding distractions and making the most of each moment.
Being true to yourself and committing to earning happiness and purpose every day are essential elements of a meaningful and profitable life. By acting authentically and focusing on what truly matters, one can avoid getting lost in the distractions of daily life and make the most of fleeting moments of happiness. Additionally, limiting choices and simplifying decisions can make life easier and more efficient, allowing more energy to be devoted to what truly matters. Ultimately, the secret to profiting in life is not about accumulating wealth or status, but rather about living in the present and finding joy and fulfillment in each moment.
Present impact: Focusing on making a difference in the present can be a fulfilling and worthwhile pursuit as we age, rather than solely focusing on personal aspirations for growth.
Key takeaway from this conversation with Dr. Marshall Goldberg is the importance of making a significant impact in the present, rather than focusing solely on personal aspirations for growth. As we age, our ability to effect change in the world around us increases, and the goal of improving even one person's life can be a fulfilling and worthwhile pursuit. Dr. Goldberg emphasized that this is the driving force behind his podcast, and the simple yet powerful goal of making a difference in someone's life is a powerful reminder for us all. Ultimately, it's not about what we can't change, but rather about focusing on the potential positive impact we can have on others.