A Productive Conversation

Paul Millerd Talks About Good Work and the Pathless Path


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In this Flashback Friday episode, I reconnect with Paul Millerd to discuss his new book, Good Work: Reclaiming Your Inner Ambition. Paul reflects on life changes, including becoming a parent and launching this book. Our chat touches on how personal growth, creativity, and work-life integration evolved for him since our original conversation.

Paul shares the challenges of writing and parenting simultaneously, detailing how he resisted conventional book launch strategies to focus on sustainable progress. His insights offer a refreshing take on doing meaningful work at your own pace—a theme I deeply connect with.

Key Discussion Points

  • Writing Good Work and navigating parenthood simultaneously
  • Choosing long-term sustainable work over fast-paced launches
  • The concept of non-competitive creativity and protecting time blocks
  • How parenting reshaped Paul's connection to his work
  • His shift toward fewer but meaningful three-hour writing blocks
  • The impact of not following traditional publishing playbooks
  • Finding fulfillment in creating without burning out

  • Paul’s story shows that good work isn’t about rushing to the finish line—it’s about sustainable creativity and doing what feels right. This conversation is a reminder to honour our personal journeys and resist the temptation to conform to external pressures. If you're interested in building a fulfilling career and balancing it with life’s other priorities, you’ll find plenty of value in this episode. (Originally recorded February 2023)

    Links Worth Exploring

    • Connect with Paul: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn
    • Buy Paul's latest book: Good Work: Reclaiming Your Inner Ambition
    • Buy Paul’s first book: The Pathless Path
    • Related Conversation: Episode 334: Endless Curiosity with Derek Sivers
    • Related Blog Post: How To Find Your Way Forward (And Finish)

    • Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.

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      Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later.

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