Good Work: Reclaiming Your Inner Ambition

by Paul Millerd

What if work isn't just something you do, but a portal to a life where you can feel fully alive?

In Good Work, Paul Millerd invites us to question everything we thought we knew about work. Paul traces his winding path through candid personal stories: from chasing elusive "good jobs," to desperately seeking escape from worldly responsibilities, to an unexpected discovery that changed everything. Sitting at a table halfway around the world, a profound question emerged: What if work doesn't have to suck? What if it can be the center of a life well-lived?

This isn't a book about climbing the corporate ladder or "crushing it" as a creator or entrepreneur. It's an exploration of what happens when you dare to question everything you've been told about work and its role in our life. Millerd shares his journey of opening himself up to questions like:

What truly constitutes "good work" beyond a job?
How might embracing uncertainty lead to fulfillment?
What lies beyond "losing your edge"? Is there a new source of motivation?
Can you prioritize family without sacrificing opportunity?
What is the most ambitious life path? Is it external or internal?

What began as an escape attempt became a mission to redefine work. Good Work challenges conventional wisdom, offering not a step-by-step guide, but a companion for those brave enough to question the status quo and seek a more ambitious life path.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Productivity, Business, Psychology, Entrepreneurship, Lifestyle

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 16, 2024

About the author

Paul Millerd is an independent writer, freelancer, coach, and digital creator. He has written online for many years and has built a growing audience of curious humans from around the world. He spent several years working in strategy consulting before deciding to walk away and embrace a pathless path. He is fascinated about how our relationship to work is shifting and how more people can live lives where they can thrive

Reviews

[Sanjana · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this in 1 day - i wish more people who have followed an untraditional path wrote about their experiences. i appreciated the transparency paul had around the mental struggles/insecurities he overcame and how initially other people questioning him and his path affected him but he was able to work past it. one of my key takeaways was it takes time to recover from your creativity being bottled up and letting it flow and it's prompted me to create time to start making things so i can start my recovery

[Pablo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read complete today in 4 sessions. Thanks, Paul for making this so short but packed with insight! It's not a "follow your passion" book and I liked the general call to embrace what feels like discomfort in all shapes to pursue a better way of spending life. It feels like a handbook even, to help navigate the turbulent transition of values that may be required, and also like companionship. Will share it with friends and family.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul’s first book, The Pathless Path, was the final nudge I needed to finally leave my tech job. This book came at just the right moment as I’m embarking on a new career path in bodywork. Paul has given me the framework to understand when I’m just creating another job / prison for myself and when I’m actually doing the “good work” of my inner ambition. Must read for those struggling with their professional identity.

[Nico Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5
I love it! It’s not just another book that tells you to follow your passion, it goes beyond that. It was also the first book I preordered!

This book is for anyone who wants to find meaningful work. This book is about designing a life where you feel connected to what you do.

[Piia Appo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raamat, kus on mitmeid häid mõtteid ja tarkuseteri. Julgustav kuulamine, mis aitab töö ja karjääriga seotu hoopis huvitavamasse (ja ägedamasse) perspektiivi panna.

[Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read, did its job of feeding my brain

[Matt Milner · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the book and most of the content provided within, in my opinion this book ended up being more of an autobiography than a self-help book. It detailed Millerd's personal journey and philosophy rather than providing a concrete plan of action. Whenever I got this book, I was expecting to have a completely different outlook on work by the time I finished it, but it did not prove to provide that.

Millerd has a great and captivating writing style and had an interesting personal journey. He provides examples of his own journey and details the lessons he learned. But, I think for the average reader and especially one who desires to rekindle their spark for work, this book is not a good fit. It more challenges you to stop droning on in your corporate lifestyle and find something else that you won't hate yourself for later. It doesn't attempt to provide you with a different mindset on your current situation nor does it take into account that not everyone can find a job doing anything they desire. For example- Millerd describes how, for him, finding his good work came in writing a book. For the average worker, this is neither relevant nor approachable because most jobs have set schedules, yet it encourages you to plan to try to make that "work-when-you-want-to" mindset an option. I was expecting to come out of this book having a different philosophy and mindset about approaching my day-to-day rather than to be encouraged to attempt a completely different lifestyle.

The good stuff within the book is clear though- find something that you like to do and do it. While that is great advice, it is just not something that everyone can do. The plan delivered within the book is to brainstorm and make adjustments in your lifestyle to accommodate what you want to do with your life so that you can find your "good work"- work that makes time fly by and you can pour your soul into it.

On the whole this is a good book, but I do NOT recommend it for anyone who is looking to change their mindset on how they view working, or to those looking for specific tips or psychological encouragement with their work situation. I also personally feel that it should be renamed to "Good Work: How I Reclaimed MY Inner Ambition" since the entire book is basically the author's autobiography and personal journey that won't help the average reader in their own personal journey.

[Julia Rana · Rating 5 out of 5]

“If fear is always a companion, it is futile to push it away. If uncertainty can never be solved, you have more freedom in terms of how you choose to spend your time, and which risks you take. If insecurity is always present, wholeheartedly committing to the work that matters to you becomes much more sensible. And if doubt creeps in, you can welcome it: “oh, it’s you, the doubt monster? Nice to see you again!“ this shift, in perspective, emboldened me. If the journey of good work means I might feel somewhat inadequate, so what? As the poet, Robert Frost wrote, “the best way out is through.“

We internalise the message of what has been called the achievement society where the primary goal of a life is to constantly improve, not to become “entrepreneurs of ourselves.“ But constantly trying to be “better“ capricious towards goals that are not ours, robbing us of our connection to ourselves. This pressure makes it easy to overlook feelings of discontent.

We tell ourselves that we should be grateful for our circumstances, especially once we’ve landed that “good“ job. We dismiss stress, relationship challenges, long hours, or lack of personal time as trivial, costs, necessary, trade-offs we must make. Our focus shifts to the material outcomes that job provides: the dream home, nice cars, and luxury vacations. This creates an illusion. We start identify more with our possessions than ourselves, convinced that we can “have it all“ no matter how we structure our work lives. Yeah, deep down, we know this is a lie.

This is a crucial point: by worrying, first, and foremost about figuring out what people will pay for, too many people in the past towards good work, short-circuit, their own interests, curiosity and energy. Instead of searching for skill market fit, you should start with personal interest to fit what are the activities you absolutely must do? What do you truly care about? As the popular saying goes, “the reward for good work is more work,“ so you better like doing it! “

[Kaska · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read "Good Work" right after Millerd's previous book, "The Pathless Path". Mostly autobiographical piece, with some stories from other people, such as Paul's wife, to illustrate his view of what "good work" is and what does it take to find it. Millerd presents himself as unapologetically true to his path. Open about uncertainty. Brutally honest about financial tradeoffs.

Key reflections on good work:
1. Follow your interests
2. Slow down to move forward (take a break from work)
3. Appreciate the non-monetary benefits of good work (joy, sense of fulfilment, joy)
4. Question thr default path and work scripts
5. Embrace the long, slow, fun way
6. Bring your insecurities along with you (embrace rather than avoid emotions)
7. Find a positive edge
8. Don't mistake a good job to good work (work is more than employment and its rewards are beyond money)
9. Solve the puzzle if good work (it requires patience to figure out how and where you work, good enough work funds your jouney without draining your energy)
10. Don't "should" yourself (into doing the work that drains you, see your work as it is)
11. Look for unconventional tradeoffs (know your values and don't be pulled into someone else's, leaving money on the table ia not losing)
12. Have faith in good work (it's individual's own jouney, don't quit it)
13. Reclaim your inner ambition (embrace your mission and who your really want to be in the world)

[Madi Taskett · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who recently left corporate to pursue writing full time, this book was essential. It's like having a companion on my own journey who knows exactly what I'm going through and is a few years ahead, shining a light on my way through it. I feel like I'm going to be okay now.

I loved that he included his wife, Angie's, journey to find her path which resonated heavily with me, since I also tried a bunch of different 'freelancing' paths, some of which were successful, that I ended up abandoning because they didn't energize me. I felt like I was a flake, and a failure, and like I was 'too picky', and knowing that Angie went through all of that before finding writing helps me feel okay with going through a bunch of different vocations before I too found writing.

This book was very vulnerable (without oversharing) and I'm really impressed, it seems like every single doubt and insecurity I've had along my book writing journey is here in this book. I feel so much less alone, and maybe like I'm 'normal' which is such a gift on such an uncertain path.

I ended 'Good Work' feeling brave and hopeful and inspired. I loved 'The Pathless Path' but I enjoyed 'Good Work' even more! I'm sure I'll reference this book in the coming months and years on my new path, and I am utterly thankful that Paul wrote such a vulnerable and honest look at choosing one's own journey.

[Billy Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

5+ stars for showing up at the exact moment I need it in my life for the life stage I'm in currently (been on a career break for 18 months now) and the direction I want to move in (finding my own Good Work -- sustainable work that I enjoy and that energizes me, work that I would pay to do).

How much you like this book will, I think, be determined by how open you are to the idea that Good Work exists and is worth pursuing. Even if, and especially if, the material payoff is unknown. If you feel like you're unsatisfied with work, like you can't imagine working your current job for 5 more years let alone 20, then this book is for you.

Format-wise, the book is very autobiographical in a way that felt very unique and grounded, which I was surprised by and really appreciated. It was like "You kind of have to figure out what Good Work means for yourself. But for reference here's were my thoughts and feelings and what I went through to get to my current iteration" in the best way.

[Casey Schorr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m officially a Paul fan after reading both of his books. He’s somehow captured exactly what I’ve been feeling since selling my tech startup a few years ago. This book is packed with insights—I’ve highlighted so much that it’d be plagiarism to list them all here.

What stood out most was Paul’s brilliant take on "listening to yourself." I've been working on this, but honestly, I wasn’t sure if I was just being selfish or indulgent by following what intrigued me and paying attention to how I felt without trying to fix anything. Paul’s book reassured me that this is not only normal, but crucial for finding your own path to meaningful work.

I’d love to interview Paul once my “good work” project takes off. Keep it up, Paul, and if you’re ever in Denver, let me know!

[Kai · Rating 4 out of 5]

An ambitious take on work

I have a good job: I don’t hate it, but I also don’t love it. Paul Millerd has opened my eyes once again to the possibilities there are. Life is meant to be lived and our work expresses our life in a weird way.

I really enjoyed two things: the classification of good, good enough and bad work; and the redefinition of ambition.

There is one thing that bugged me though, I was expecting a sort of comprehensible guide on how to achieve this. I now realize this isn’t possible. Millerd gives out principles to achieve this. I just wish this was written more from a tad less privileged look on life. Give out examples of people who have found this joy, not just abstract examples.

[Adithya Iyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Pathless Path (the previous book by the author) was really good. This book less so. I felt like I was reading the pathless path all over again, with little new that I discovered. All the anecdotes are the author's himself, with little justification for sprinkles of great prose you see in the book. There is advice, with little to back it up but anecdotes. The book aims to help us refrain from finding meaning in work, but rather find meaningful work altogether, which is a great idea, but rather poorly executed. It reads like a confused mixture of chapters, with little or very abstract connection between the chapters. Unless Paul decides to change up what he's writing about, I will probably give his next book a skip.

[Shabddotin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Millerd’s Good Work: Reclaiming Your Inner Ambition is more than just a career guide—it’s an invitation to rethink the role of work in our lives. By reclaiming ambition in a way that aligns with personal values, readers can start to envision a career that is both meaningful and fulfilling. For those looking to step off the beaten path and rediscover their purpose, this book offers an inspiring roadmap. I really enjoyed reading this book! It should definitely be on more websites like shabd.in so that more people can read it.

[Baani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book. Paul has taken this a step further after Pathless Path. He gets more vulnerable and honest, and shares what have been fears I, as someone also going through uncertainty on the pathless path, is experiencing everyday. This book appeared in front of me when I really needed it. I am grateful to Paul for leading the way for so many. Must read for anyone who is looking to take a break from the idea of conventional work and break away from it all to find what fires their internal ambition.

[Dmytro · Rating 4 out of 5]

You don’t need ayahuasca.

You need a few good books. Some writing. And spend time in solitude, maybe by traveling or hiking.

Paul Millerd got out of the “matrix” without drugs by figuring out everything himself.

If he did it, we all can do it.

Good work was the second book I read by him. And to be frank, I read them not for advice, but to observe and learn his mindset.

If you feel you are stuck and don’t do fulfilling good work, maybe that book is for you.

[Jakub Dubec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing for self-help

I struggle all the time with what I am supposed to do, getting lost in who am I by all the grind. Sometimes, I feel the urge to stop and contemplate. This book was my partner for past 3 days and Paul definitely helped me to stop and think about what I love and how to get there.

[Richard Roman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Paul Millerd's "Pathless Path" exploration questions traditional career narratives and offers an alternative perspective on meaningful work. I found his emphasis on personal fulfillment compelling. The book's anecdotal style and lack of structured guidance may leave some readers wanting more concrete strategies. It’s thought-provoking; it feels more like a manifesto than a manual.

[Agela Murugan]

It was at this point where I realised that I’m not the target audience for this book. The author talks about how he took an unconventional career and life path when all he was taught was to follow the more “successful paths” in life. I think this could be an inspirational book for anyone who’s trying to make a career change where they’re deep diving into the unknown.

[Anisley Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic Guide for a Career Switch

This book is an awesome guide not only practical but also emotional on how to handle a career change. It reflects how one feels when taking the decision to leave a future of certainty for one completely unexplored. It is a must read if you are considering a switch, specially if that switch is to go into an entrepreneurial endeavor.

[fool · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paul's work has changed my life. I'm enjoying thinking about what matters to me and how I can find a way to do that kind of thing most often. Seems simple, but I've never heard it put this way before.

[Jonas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a fan of the Pathless Path, but not a fan of this one. Most of it felt more like a biography and a lot of rehashing.
I do like the main message that it's a choice of what kind of work you want to do and that some of those involve taking a risk, and possibly a lot of reward.

[Leif Latiff · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a good book, if (a big "if"), you’re into that storytelling vibe. Lots of soul-searching and mental state struggles—pretty raw and personal. If that’s your thing, you’ll probably enjoy it. If not, well… you might end up skimming a bunch (like I did) to get to the end. Still, not bad overall.

[Linart · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a great companion to my journey of self-discovery and taking on unfamiliar paths. I also find it worth rereading over time. Because my perspective would change, my experience reading the book would, too.

[K · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could’ve been a lot shorter. Millerd is an ex consultant (McKinsey, BCG) and now lives in a lower cost of living area and spends most of his time writing about his change of life path and career from prestigious consultant to writing for a living.

[Rowdy Bijl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing book. It’s very clear the author has had plenty of time to reflect on his life choices, and why he decided to quit being a consultant. There are so many quotes from this book which I’d love to share, but I suggest you read the book yourself.

[Yury Popov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Прекрасная история превращения консультанта из Маккинзи в человека (писателя). Лично, подробно, с сомнениями и проблемами, решениями и моделями, все как я люблю. Во время чтения смог увидеть свой жизненный путь цельным и почувствовал родство с тем, кого никогда не видел.

[Emiliano Rojas Eng · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author’s other book “the pathless path” is better, it moved me to action. I didn’t feel this one as much, but maybe it’s just me

[Courtney Sanford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t get much out of this one after reading his other book, but would still recommend to folks exploring major career and/or lifestyle changes