Marshall Goldsmith Shows How to Deal with Too Much Choice

In a blog post related to choice, adapted from his new book The Earned Life, the renowned leadership expert and bestselling author Marshall Goldsmith talks about how you can become more productive through narrowing your choices.

Goldsmith writes about Ford Motor Company’s famous Business Plan Review, which had strict rules to follow that encouraged people to accept responsibility: “I’ve come to appreciate the Business Plan Review’s strictures for its psychologically incisive lessons — not so much about our choices, but rather about what follows, that is, how we take responsibility for those choices. This is particularly apt in the context of creating an earned life.” People could behave in a responsible way or they could leave the company. It helped turn the company around.

Many investors have chosen to work with cryptocurrency, but the crypto market is very unsettled now. A few of weeks ago, Bitcoin dropped below the $27,000 level as sell-offs in the cryptocurrency space continue. Most recently, cryptocurrencies fell with stocks after the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported consumer prices for the month of April jumped 8.3%, which was slightly higher than expected by economists polled by Dow Jones. Jittery investors exited risk assets, including crypto.

Investors already have an abundance of choices with cryptocurrency, but many are wondering whether to hold off. Too many choices can lead to not making any choices at all.

On a personal level, people are plagued by too many choices throughout their day, but they can learn to narrow choices and become more productive.

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.