The Art of Work by Jeff Goins Summary
Overview of The Art of Work
Discover your calling with Jeff Goins' transformative guide to meaningful work. Endorsed by Seth Godin, this book reframes failure as opportunity and introduces "accidental apprenticeships" - a concept that's revolutionized how thousands approach career fulfillment. What's stopping you from living your portfolio life?
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Key takeaways
The Calling That Finds You: When Life's Plan Derails
Have you ever felt that nagging sense that you were meant for something more? That beneath the daily grind lies a deeper purpose? In "The Art of Work," Jeff Goins explores this universal quest through stories of ordinary people who found extraordinary purpose. The most powerful revelation? A calling isn't something you simply choose - it's something that chooses you. This insight has resonated with millions, including Tim Ferriss, who praised the book's "actionable insight about finding your calling." Perhaps what makes this exploration so compelling is that it challenges our conventional understanding of purpose. "A calling is not some carefully crafted plan," Goins writes. "It's what's left when the plan goes horribly wrong." Eric and Garrett Miller's story exemplifies how purpose emerges from life's darkest moments. When five-year-old Garrett was diagnosed with a brain tumor that left him blind, mute, and paralyzed after surgery, his father had an epiphany: none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. "We needed to be living life all of the time," Eric realized. This wasn't philosophical musing - it became their family's guiding principle. When Garrett met blind tandem cyclist Matt King, something sparked in the boy. Despite his limitations, he was determined to ride again. Six months later, after enduring a year of treatments, six-year-old Garrett completed his first triathlon with his father - exactly one year after his debilitating surgery. Fourteen years later, Garrett has competed in over a dozen triathlons, climbed Machu Picchu, and earned Eagle Scout rank. When asked if he ever wondered what life would've been like without the tumor, Garrett simply replied, "I've never really thought about it." At some point, you believed you were born for something significant. Then life happened - parents, professors, and practicality talked you out of your dreams. The Millers' story answers a question many fear: What happens when the life you end up living doesn't look like the one you planned?
Listening for Life's Whispers: The Mentors Among Us
The Practice That Transforms: Building Bridges to Your Purpose
Failing Forward to Success: Your Portfolio Life
Your Life as a Masterpiece: Finding Meaning in the Journey
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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