Arthur Brooks: When Success Isn’t Success

Arthur Brooks: When Success Isn’t Success

Arthur Brooks was a professional musician and spent his twenties touring all over the world. Until one day, he stopped being able to hit the notes. He had to reinvent himself entirely, and wonder… what does happiness look like after I lose the career I had worked so hard for?

Now, Arthur writes about high achievers and how they might find meaning and purpose as they experience decline in their bodies or minds or in careers through his bestselling book, Strength to Strength.

In this episode, Kate and Arthur discuss:

  • What he calls “The Strivers Curse” and why high achievers may not feel as satisfied by life as they age
  • What is more important than success and amassing wealth (spoiler alert: it has to do with love)
  • Why happiness is something we should take seriously (but why it is not as simple as ‘CHOOSE HAPPINESS’)


Not everyone in this community is #winning at life. For those of us who have been forced off the productivity train, fallen down the success ladder, and now find ourselves wondering if we could be more than the sum of our jobs, this conversation is for you.

***

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