In our world, we have this huge focus on vicarious living - politicians, movie stars, athletes, coaches, all these people. What our research has shown very clearly is that people who are really happier and have more meaningful lives are people that focus on living their own lives.
Interpretation
True happiness comes from living authentically rather than through the experiences of others.
This quote by Marshall Goldsmith emphasizes the importance of living one's own life fully, rather than seeking fulfillment through the accomplishments or lifestyles of others. It suggests that genuine happiness and meaning in life are found when individuals focus on their personal journeys and self-fulfillment, rather than being influenced by the successes or failures of others, particularly public figures.
In practice
During a personal development seminar, to inspire attendees to focus on their own goals.
Active questions are the alternative to passive questions. There is a huge difference between, 'Do you have clear goals?' and 'Did you do your best to set clear goals for yourself?' The former is trying to determine the employee's state of mind; the latter challenges the employee to describe or defend a course of action.
Treat every piece of advice as a gift or a compliment and simply say, “Thank you.
The only thing I don't think people don't understand about good leaders is that they're both good and lucky. A lot of it is timing.
Life is short. Do whatever you can to help people - not for status, but because the 95-year-old you will be proud if you did help people and disappointed if you didn't.
If we become aware of what's happening before we act, behaviour becomes a function of choice rather than a result of an impulse or trigger. You begin to control your world more as opposed to the outside world controlling you.
A leader who is self-aware enough to know that he or she is not adept at everything is one who has taken the first step toward being a great leader.
Talking much is a sign of vanity, for the one who is lavish with words is cheap in deeds.
A person who is wise does nothing against their will, nothing with sighing or under coercion.
I think it's my job to risk looking foolish. One of the things I've learned from the actors I've worked with is you don't get something for nothing. If you don't risk looking foolish, you'll never do anything special.
There is something suspect about our inability to enjoy anything.
Medicine heals diseases of the body, wisdom frees the soul from passions.
Age to me means nothing. I can't get old; I'm working. I was old when I was twenty-one and out of work. As long as you're working, you stay young. When I'm in front of an audience, all that love and vitality sweeps over me and I forget my age.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.