Marshall Goldsmith Shows How to Find Adjacency in Life

In a blog post related to exploring where your talents are best used, adapted from his new book The Earned Life, the renowned leadership coach and bestselling author Marshall Goldsmith explores the importance of finding adjacency in life.

Goldsmith writes: “When we are frustrated with our life or career and we yearn for something more gratifying, it may be emotionally soothing to imagine a life that’s 180 degrees removed from our current predicament. But the odds of success favor the people who do not stray too far from their expertise, experience, and relationships. That doesn’t mean we’re restricted to small and incremental changes in our lives. The change can be huge. But it requires adjacency—some connection, however indirect, to our track record of accomplishment.”

Adjacency for much of the world these days can mean danger. Especially for those countries that are geographically adjacent to Russia following its unprecedented invasion of Ukraine.

The most immediate threat is to Moldova, which is not part of NATO and has come under Russian threat. Now Finland and Sweden are looking closely at joining an alliance that seems as unified as ever. In fact, by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Putin has not weakened NATO, but made it much stronger.

Adjacency can be a good thing though, especially on a personal level.

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.