In a new blog post about the power or burden of obligations, adapted from his book, The Earned Life, the renowned leadership coach and bestselling author Marshall Goldsmith explores the role of obligation in both holding us back and propelling us forward.
Goldsmith writes, “Obligation forces us to prioritize our responsibilities. It is a gray area, with few norms to guide us beyond the Golden Rule and doing the right thing. In my experience, there are no rules for dealing with obligations–each situation is different.”Obligation can come in many forms. Sometimes it holds you back. Sometimes it causes you to act. Marshall Goldsmith shows how obligation can work on our actions to move forward or stay stuck.
Consider that about 15% of the regular Ukrainian army is female, about 30,000, with many additional numbers coming from abroad, feeling obligated to help fight. For many people, obligation is a motivation for action. For others, it’s a reason not to act. The difference is to determine which one of those applies to you.
In The Earned Life Goldsmith uncovers the source of today’s existential crises, including regrets that stem from choices that irrevocably alter our lives, reroute destinies, and haunt our memories. These are particularly timely themes today.
With Goldsmith’s book as a guide, readers can close the gap between what they plan to achieve and what they actually get done—even in a world full of inescapable unfairness and curveballs—and live an earned life that is fulfilling in the long run.
You can read Marshall Goldsmith’s blog here.
About MARSHALL GOLDSMITH
Marshall Goldsmith has been recognized for years as the world’s leading executive coach and the New York Times bestselling author of many books, including What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, Mojo, and Triggers. He received his Ph.D. from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. In his coaching practice, Goldsmith has advised more than 200 major CEOs and their management teams. He and his wife live in Nashville, Tennessee.
About THE EARNED LIFE
In THE EARNED LIFE (Currency Books), Marshall Goldsmith 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. With this book as their guide, readers can close the gap between what they plan to achieve and what they actually get done—even in a world full of inescapable unfairness and curveballs—and live an earned life too fulfilling to dwell on the “what ifs.”
If you’d like more information on Marshall Goldsmith, The Earned Life, and his work, please get in touch with Lyda Goldsmith.
