Book Review: Goal-Free Living

Posted on October 10, 2008 by LJ Earnest
Categories: Book,Review

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Book Information

Title: Goal-Free Living: How to Have the Life You Want NOW!
Author: Stephen M. Shapiro
Rating (of 10): 8
ISBN: 0471772801

Book Summary

In Goal-Free Living: How to Have the Life You Want NOW!, Stephen Shapiro walks us through the secrets of goal-free living: 8 points to keep us moving forward in an unrestricted way. For those of us who have problems with traditional goal-setting, this is an alternate approach that can be very freeing.

Review

Too many people are bound up in goals, causing them to lose sight of what is really important, Shapiro points out. The eight secrets are not about not moving forward, but moving forward in a way that allows you to grow and expand without restriction.

I was put onto this book by a class I took this summer about setting a theme rather than a goal for a year. By setting a theme, I can include more things into my focus rather than single-mindedly pursuing things that may have little meaning to me.

I found many nuggets of wisdom in this book. In section 3 (Remember that Opportunity Knocks Often, but Sometimes Softly), I was reminded that there are many hidden opportunities, and that they are better noticed if I am in tune and present with what is going on. Especially in these days of deciding what to do next, I need to pay attention to what is around me as I look for a new path.

The book was very well laid out. Each section had great sub-headings, supporting stories gleaned from people all over the country and world. At the end of the chapter are summaries of each point.

I enjoyed this book, because in a lot of ways, traditional goals oppress me. I either can’t figure out exactly what I want to do, or get bored/sidetracked halfway to a goal, and it languishes on the “should-do” list, a victim of my non-interest.

I believe the approach laid out in Goal-Free Living is going to work better with my style. I think that if traditional goals feel more like lead weights than inspiring scenes, this may work better for you as well.

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