What is an Earned Life.
I recently listened to a thought-provoking episode of the Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques podcast featuring Matt Abrahams and Marshall Goldsmith. Their discussion on mindfulness, happiness, and achievement left a lasting impression on me—especially Marshall’s challenge to the Western mindset of “I will be happy when.” While much of the podcast was around bringing Mindfulness to Your Communication, I was particularly intrigued by the context of what Goldsmith calls the Earned Life.
Goldsmith says we are living an earned life when we are “Living a life where the choices, risks, and efforts you make align with an overarching purpose, regardless of the outcome.”
One standout moment was when Marshall Goldsmith said:
“We’re 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. […] The great Western disease is, ‘I will be happy when.’ […] Be happy to be happy and achieve to achieve. Never believe any amount of achievement will make you happy.”
This idea—that happiness and achievement are independent variables—feels especially relevant in a world that constantly equates success with fulfillment.
You can listen to the full podcast episode here: “Bring Mindfulness to Your Communication”.
This podcast discusses Marshall Goldsmith’s book, The Earned Life: Lose Regret, Choose Fulfillment, which explores how to live a life grounded in purpose, free of regret, and focused on continuous growth. The book offers a practical framework for aligning our actions with our values, encouraging us to move beyond external definitions of success toward personal and meaningful fulfillment.
Goldsmith emphasizes the importance of intentional living — making conscious choices that reflect who we are and who we aspire to be. It’s not about chasing a fixed outcome, but about consistently earning a life that feels rewarding and authentic. Each chapter challenges us to reflect on whether we are truly pursuing our purpose or simply following familiar, unexamined paths.
The Core Principles of an Earned Life
Goldsmith’s concept of the earned life rests on a few key principles:
- Alignment with Purpose
True fulfillment comes when your daily actions reflect your values and long-term aspirations. An earned life means knowing what matters to you and living accordingly. - Continuous Earning
Fulfillment isn’t a finish line you cross once. It’s a process of consistently making choices that contribute to a meaningful life. - Avoiding Regret
By making decisions aligned with your purpose, you minimize regret. The goal is to look back with satisfaction, knowing you stayed true to yourself. - Living in the Present
While honoring past achievements and working toward future goals, an earned life emphasizes being fully present in the now. - Letting Go of Outcomes
Focus on the integrity of your efforts rather than obsessing over results. Meaning is found in the process, not just the outcomes. - Authenticity and Integrity
Staying genuine and acting with integrity, rather than conforming to what others define as success, is the foundation of an earned life.
These principles challenge us to rethink what success means and to actively earn a life that feels fulfilling and regret-free.
Here are a few lessons that resonated deeply with me:
1. Purpose over Outcomes: Goldsmith emphasizes that living an “earned life” means focusing on aligning your actions with your purpose, regardless of the results. It’s about who you’re becoming, not just what you’re achieving.
2. Regret Minimization: The book challenges us to make conscious choices now to avoid looking back with regret later. Goldsmith encourages embracing risks and taking action that aligns with your values today.
3. Ambition vs. Aspiration: A critical distinction in the book is between ambition (external achievements) and aspiration (who we want to become). Goldsmith argues that true fulfillment comes from balancing both, with a clear focus on personal growth.
4. The “Hungry Ghost” Metaphor: This Buddhist concept reminds us of the endless cycle of desire—always wanting more but never feeling satisfied. Breaking this cycle means cultivating gratitude and finding joy in the present.
Goldsmith’s reflections have inspired me to rethink how I approach success and fulfillment. His insights remind me that living purposefully means more than chasing accolades—it’s about showing up authentically in every moment and aligning daily actions with a greater “why.”
If you’re ready to explore these ideas further, I highly recommend both the podcast episode and The Earned Life.
What are your thoughts? How do you approach living a life aligned with purpose? Let’s discuss!
