Goal-Free Living: How to Have the Life You Want Now!

This amazing book shares the personal discovery of consultant Stephen Shapiro, who achieved professional success only to find that personal satisfaction remained elusive. He wanted to escape the treadmill of goal-chasing and find a way to make his life truly rewarding. So over 90 days, he drove 12,000 miles and interviewed 150 extraordinary people from all walks of life to learn how they lived fulfilling, happy lives. Along the way, he discovered the eight secrets to living life free from the constant pressure of goals:

• Use a compass, not a map—have a sense of direction, and then let yourself wander and try new things on the way to fulfilling your aspirations
• Trust that you are never lost—every seemingly wrong turn is an opportunity to learn and experience new things
• Remember that opportunity knocks often, but sometimes softly—while blindly pursuing our goals, we often miss unexpected and wonderful possibilities
• Want what you have—measure your life by your own yardstick and appreciate who you are, what you do, and what you have . . . now
• Seek out adventure—treat your life like the one-time-only journey it is and revel in new and different experiences
• Become a people magnet—constantly seek, build, and nurture relationships with new people so that you always have the support and camaraderie of others
• Embrace your limits—transform your inadequacies and boundaries into unique qualities you can use to your advantage
• Remain detached—focus on the present, act with a commitment to the future, and avoid worrying about how things will turn out

Goal-Free Living offers practical guidance on putting these valuable lessons to work in your own life every day. Take them to heart and you'll be free of the tyranny of goals—and experience a life truly worth living.

Setting goals may be fine. But letting your goals take control of your life can be devastating. Goal-Free Living shows you how to explore paths in your life you never knew existed and discover a more exciting, successful, and rewarding life—today!

"If you have only one goal this year, let it be this: Read Goal-Free Living!"

—Daniel H. Pink author, A Whole New Mind and Free Agent Nation

"Stephen Shapiro's approach will help readers achieve the best kind of happenstance: taking a stance to make things happen."

—Heath Row Contributing Editor and Community Director, Fast Company magazine

"I have a sense that reading this book may turn out to be one of the most important things I've done in a long time."

—Doug Busch Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Digital Health Group, Intel Corporation

"This is an engaging, creative approach to discovering inner wisdom and personal fulfillment."

—Michael J. Gelb author, How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci and Discover Your Genius

"Reading Goal-Free Living is like jettisoning a hundred-pound pack. Suddenly, you're racing much faster and enjoying the breeze."

—Alan Weiss, PhD author, Million Dollar Consulting

This book shares the personal discovery of author Stephen Shapiro, who followed his goals until he was extremely successful--and entirely miserable. Based on his interviews with hundreds of individuals from a multitude of backgrounds--a powerful business executive, a Hollywood television producer, a sports psychology consultant--this book shows exhausted professionals and goalaholics everywhere how to stop being slaves to their goals and create a life they love based on experiential living.

Shapiro distills the art of goal-free living down to nine basic secrets that can free anyone from the tyranny of their goals. He explains why being goal-oriented isn't the best way to get ahead at work, how goals can de-motivate people, how goal obsession affects every aspect of life, and how goals can stifle creativity and adaptability. Packed with true stories of ordinary people and their extraordinary lives, Goal-Free Living shows everyone how to be successful on their own terms without missing out on the one thing we only get one shot at--life.

Confessions of a Goalaholic.

Getting Started in Goal-Free Living.

Introduction: Setting the Stage for Goal-Free Living.

The Eight Secrets of Goal-Free Living.

Secret #1:  Use a Compass, Not a Map.

Secret #2: Trust That You Are Never Lost.

Secret #3: Remember That Opportunity Knocks Often, but Sometimes Softly.

Secret #4: Want What You Have.

Secret #5: Seek Out Adventure.

Secret #6: Become a People Magnet.

Secret #7: Embrace Your Limits.

Secret #8: Remain Detached.

Using the Eight Secrets.

Setting Your Compass.

Epilogue: One Person’s Transformation from Goalaholic to Goal-Free.

Appendixes.

Appendix A:  Frequently Asked Questions.

Appendix B:  Take the “Are You a Goalaholic?” Quiz.

Appendix C:  Score the“Are You a Goalaholic?” Quiz

Appendix D:  The “Are You A Goalaholic?” Survey Results.

Index.

About the Author.