Emma Gannon

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The Success Myth

A highly comforting book which - while not minimizing the pressures that we're all under to achieve - nevertheless gently reminds us that it is what we are, not what we do, that will always ultimately count.

Alain de Botton, founder of The School of Life

The paradox of success is real. The things that the system tells us will make us happy often don't. Perhaps it's time to stop trying to win and start working to contribute instead.

Seth Godin, author of The Song of Significance

Annie Macmanus, author of The Mess We're In

A smart and insightful clarion call to everyone - my book of 2023

Farrah Storr, author of The Discomfort Zone

A brilliant book, and so necessary. We have to get away from the idea that happiness is just over the next hill, and that everything will be better when we've achieved the next big thing. This is a crucial and joyful part of that conversation.

Rebecca Seal, author of Solo: How to Work Alone (and Not Lose Your Mind)

Such a powerful and thought-provoking read

Clover Stroud, author of The Red of My Blood

Emma Gannon is a "success veteran," who has climbed the ladder of achievement, and experienced the vast difference between our cultural definition of "success" and genuine happiness. In this book, speaking from her own experience and the wisdom of many others, she shows us just how misguided our collective ideas of success can be. Then she offers a fresh perspective from which readers can begin to see their own paths to joyful, fulfilling lives. A wise and immensely helpful book for anyone disillusioned by the struggle to "get ahead".

Martha Beck, author of The Way of Integrity

Emma is wise beyond her years and has a way of putting into words beautifully what we're all thinking. The Success Myth is inspiring, candid and intelligent - I encourage everyone to read it.

Elizabeth Uviebinené, author of The Reset: Ideas to Change How We Work and Live

A deeply personal, authentic and relatable read. It made me breathe countless, heavy sighs of relief.

I don't think I have ever needed a book more than I needed this book.

Dr Soph, Sunday Times bestselling author of A Manual for Being Human

You will not be able to put this book down.

I inhaled it in one sitting. It made my shoulders drop three inches by the time I'd read the first chapter. Why? It is a permission slip to escape 'the achievement trap'.

Our obsession with achievement is a trap. This is how to break free

Brought to you by Penguin. 
 
OUR OBSESSION WITH ACHIEVEMENT IS A TRAP. THIS IS HOW TO BREAK FREE. 
 
Emma Gannon had everything she'd longed for: a string of successful books to her name, a thriving portfolio career, speaking engagements around the world... She was also burned out and confused at why she felt unhappy, yet still striving for more. 
 
After taking a deep look at her own journey, and interviewing many other successful people on her podcast Ctrl, Alt, Delete, she has realised that our overly celebrated and traditional version of success is making us lonely, unfulfilled and dispirited. Now she has worked out a way to do things differently. 
 
Exploring the most commonly held myths about what it traditionally means to be successful, from money to happiness to ticking society's ready-made boxes, The Success Myth will give you the belief and tools to walk away from 'having it all'. A manifesto to craft work (and life) on your own terms, it encourages you to be honest about what truly sparks your interests, and helps to uncover your individual path to a truly fulfilling life, whatever that may look like. 
 
©2023 Emma Gannon (P)2023 Penguin Audio

"Highly comforting" Alain de Botton, Founder of The School of Life 
 
"This book changed how I think" Annie Macmanus, author of The Mess We're In 
 
"You will not be able to put this book down" The Independent 
 
 
 
OUR OBSESSION WITH ACHIEVEMENT IS A TRAP. THIS IS HOW TO BREAK FREE. 
 
Emma Gannon was thriving in her portfolio career, enjoying a happy personal life and to anyone looking in, she was undoubtedly a success... She was also burned out and confused at why she felt unhappy, yet was still striving for more. 
 
After taking a deep look at her own journey, and interviewing many other successful people on her podcast Ctrl, Alt, Delete, she realised that our overly celebrated and traditional version of success is making us lonely, unfulfilled and dispirited. Now she has worked out a way to do things differently, and here Emma shares her hard-won lessons, including: 
 
• how to set goals that are ambitious but not overwhelming 
• why the 'tick-box' moments in life often feel anticlimactic 
• and how to break free from comparison and the endless pursuit of more 
 
A manifesto to craft work (and life) on your own terms, The Success Myth will give you the belief and tools to walk away from 'having it all', uncovering your individual path to fulfilment.

The Success Myth

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Emma Gannon

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