Quantity:

More Buying Choices

34 used & new from �1.88

Have one to sell? Sell yours here

Share your own customer images

Search inside this book

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

by Stephen M. Shapiro (Author) "Through your experiences, your skills, and your values, find your passions ..." (more)

5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

RRP:	�16.99
Price:	�11.04 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
You Save:	�5.95 (35%)
	o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o

In stock.
Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk. Gift-wrap available.

Only 3 left in stock--order soon (more on the way).

Want guaranteed delivery by Thursday, February 11? Choose Express delivery at checkout. See Details

22 new from �8.37 12 used from �1.88

Frequently Bought Together

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Dawn Breslin's Power Book: A 7-Step Life Makeover

by Dawn Breslin

5.0 out of 5 stars (1) �6.29

Coaching for Performance: GROWing Human Potential and Purpose - the Principles and Practice of Coaching and Leadership (4th Edition) (People Skills for Professionals)

by John Whitmore

4.2 out of 5 stars (6) �8.95

Grow Your Own Carrot: Motivate Yourself to Success

by Bob Griffiths

�7.99

The Coaching Manual: The Definitive Guide to the Process, Principles and Skills of Personal Coaching

by Julie Starr

4.7 out of 5 stars (19) �8.47

Supercoach: 10 Secrets to Transform Anyone's Life

by Michael Neill

5.0 out of 5 stars (23) �5.48

› Explore similar items

Product details

Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons (11 Jan 2006)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0471772801
ISBN-13: 978-0471772804
Product Dimensions: 21.8 x 14.2 x 2.8 cm

Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 483,621 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

See Complete Table of Contents

Customers Viewing This Page May Be Interested in These Sponsored Links

(What is this?)

Free to you opens new browser window

www.Ask.com - Find the Best Results for Free to you. Ask us!

Product Description

Praise for Goal Free 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

From the Inside Flap

We are taught from a young age that in order to achieve great success we must set and achieve our goals. However, in doing so, we become focused on where we are going rather than enjoying where we are right now. We sacrifice today in the hope that a better future will emerge, only to discover that achievement rarely leads to true joy. Goal–Free Living presents an alternative philosophy—that we can have an extraordinary life now, all without goals and detailed plans. By living for each moment, it′s possible to have a successful life and follow your passions at the same time.

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.

See all Product Description

Inside This Book (Learn More)

First Sentence
Through your experiences, your skills, and your values, find your passions. Read the first page

Explore More
Concordance

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

(What's this?)

Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.

self-help goals life freedom(1)

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	88% buy the item featured on this page: Goal-Free Living: How to Have the Life You Want Now! 5.0 out of 5 stars (2) �11.04
	9% buy Goal Mapping: How to Turn Your Dreams into Realities 5.0 out of 5 stars (7) �6.49
	2% buy The Coaching Manual: The Definitive Guide to the Process, Principles and Skills of Personal Coaching 4.7 out of 5 stars (19) �8.47
	1% buy Goals! How to Get Everything You Want - Faster Than You Ever Thought Possible 4.6 out of 5 stars (10) �7.63

Explore similar items

Customer Reviews

2 Reviews

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

5.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Discover Who You Are and Be True to Yourself!, 12 Oct 2006

By	Professor Donald Mitchell "Jesus Makes Me a P... (Boston) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)

Many people live their lives to please others -- their parents, their spouses, their employers or their friends. Others find themselves caught up in cookbook advice that will lead to being wealthy . . . such as live where the costs are low (but there are drawbacks to living in the middle of the Sahara Desert). Still others pick goals and never get around to rechecking their choices.

Creativity expert Stephen Shapiro challenges these people to get in touch with themselves and pursue a life that pleases them every day . . . not just on days when major goals are accomplished or praise is won from others. It's a noble and worthwhile message.

Although Mr. Shapiro was not a teenager in the 1960s, he could have been. Many of the book's themes will resonate powerfully with those who love New Age approaches learned in those distant days. In addition, his viewpoint is one that those in the Judeo-Christian tradition will find comfortable.

His concept is boiled down from 150 interviews with those leading pleasing lives into the following principles:

Use a compass, not a map (this allows you to be flexible in making progress towards uncovering and enjoying your passions)

Trust that you are never lost (look around to see what's good about where you are and keep moving ahead rather than sticking with the past)

Remember that opportunity knocks often, but sometimes softly (listen to that wee, quiet voice within -- Christians will like this advice!)

Want what you have (appreciate everything: it's all good for you)

Seek out adventure (be open to that road less traveled and go for the zest every day!)

Become a people magnet (alone you can do little, together almost anything is possible)

Embrace your limits (look for what's good about what you cannot do and back off from doing too much)

Remain detached (be like the meditator who sees herself from outside herself)

Curiously, although the book's title is Goal-Free Living, the Goalaholic quiz in the back suggests that you can be too goal-less for your own good. That's called being Directionless.

The phraseology differentiates between goals (which are usually bad because they often don't reflect what you really want) and aspirations (which are good because they inspire you and feed your passion).

Phraseology aside, if you have goals that fit your aspirations, you probably can use all kinds of goals.

I wondered how I would rank on the quiz. I turned out to be Goal-Free which surprised me because I use goals quite a lot. Apparently, my goals must be in tune with my aspirations. Whew!

This book isn't for everyone. But if you often question how you ended up with a life that you don't really care for, this book will be a superb guide to leading you back to what's important for you.

If you liked Mr. Shapiro's book, 24/7 Innovation, you'll find this book is quote compatible with that work (and better written): This of this book as 24/7 Living Innovation.

Enjoy your life!

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you?

Report this | Permalink

Comment Comment

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life-transforming!, 17 July 2009

By	Ms. N. Goggin (England, UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book was recommended to me at a time that I felt like my life had collapsed around me. It hadn't, of course. It was just that my goal of growing old with my partner and our not-yet-conceived children was shattered.

As someone who judged their success in life by achievement of goals, a goal being rendered impossible called for a radical rethink.

This book started by reassuring me that I am not alone: apparently 41% of Americans say that achieving their goals has not made them happier. Reading the prologue helped me totally connect with Shapiro, as he explains how not only has he too lost a relationship, but it also took him several go's to finally become goal-free.

Let's set the record straight - Shapiro does not advocate becoming completely goal-free. That would go against the wisdom of previous management research by people such as Latham and Locke, who proved that people are more motivated when they are working towards goals. Instead, he is advocating that we set our intentions for our life (set our compass) and use goals as useful tools during our quest.

Separating our lives from our goals enables us to be less attached to them. As Shapiro says, we "use a compass, not a map". It enables us to live in the moment, without worrying what happens in the future. As we are never in total control of the future (as I painfully found out), we will live a much happier life if we just live by our guiding principles and accept life as it happens. In other words, we have serendipity.

Most of the rest of the book desribes the benefits of living goal-free.
For example, it lets us make decisions without worrying about the outcome (fellow ladies: this means that we really can choose which outfit to wear or what to eat without deliberating; how liberating is that?) It allows us to take advantage of opportunities that come our way. It even means that our mistakes are to be welcomed as a source of power.

I guess it's because giving a formula for goal-free living is an anathema that one isn't given. Because this might be uncomfortable for people, Shapiro explains some guiding principles for overcoming some of the barriers to goal-free living, such as detachment, and how to set and live with aspirations, rather than goals.

Shapiro uses another motivational story at the end of the book to remind us that we are not unique, and it really is possible to become goal-free.

This book really has changed my life. It probably comes as no surprise to you that I whole-heartedly recommend this book. It would be of benefit to anyone who has become jaded with life, or someone who just wants to enjoy more of life, by living in the moment.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviews

Was this review helpful to you?

Report this | Permalink

Comment Comment

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 2 customer reviews...

.jsOffDisplayBlock { display: block; } .jsOffDisplayInline { display: inline; } .jsOffVisibility { visibility: visible; } .jsOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jsOnDisplayNoneBlock { display: block; } .jsOnDisplayNoneInline { display: inline; } .jsOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jsOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; } .jqOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jqOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jqOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; } .jqOnDisplayNoneBlock { display: block; } .jqOnDisplayNoneInline { display: inline; }