What do you think?
Rate this book
The EOS Life: How to Live Your Ideal Entrepreneurial Life
Do what you love—with people you love. Make a huge difference. Get compensated accordingly. And still have time for other passions.
The EOS Life will help you to discover, clarify, and customize the life you want to one where you do what you love every day, with the people you love doing it with—while at the same time making a huge difference and impact, getting compensated very well for doing it, and still having plenty of time to pursue other passions, hobbies, and interests that energize you.
From Gino Wickman, creator of the Traction Library, TheEOS Life will give you practical, real-world, time-tested tools and insights to maximize your productivity, vitality, happiness, and work-life balance.
This book is a must-read for all entrepreneurs and their leadership team members interested in living their ideal life.
The EOS Life will help you to discover, clarify, and customize the life you want to one where you do what you love every day, with the people you love doing it with—while at the same time making a huge difference and impact, getting compensated very well for doing it, and still having plenty of time to pursue other passions, hobbies, and interests that energize you.
From Gino Wickman, creator of the Traction Library, TheEOS Life will give you practical, real-world, time-tested tools and insights to maximize your productivity, vitality, happiness, and work-life balance.
This book is a must-read for all entrepreneurs and their leadership team members interested in living their ideal life.
160 pages, Hardcover
Published September 21, 2021
195 people are currently reading
743 people want to read
About the author
Gino Wickman
28 books285 followersAn entrepreneur since the age of 21, Gino has always had an obsession for learning what makes businesses and entrepreneurs thrive.
At 25, Gino took over the family business, which was deeply in debt and in need of help. After turning the company around and running it for seven years, he and his partners successfully sold the company.
Gino then set out to help entrepreneurs and leaders get what they want from their businesses.
At 25, Gino took over the family business, which was deeply in debt and in need of help. After turning the company around and running it for seven years, he and his partners successfully sold the company.
Gino then set out to help entrepreneurs and leaders get what they want from their businesses.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 22, 2022
First, let me start by saying that I have read Traction and Get a Grip several times. Generally speaking, I like Gino Wickman's work and make it required reading for my team.
However, this book is nowhere even close to those in terms of value. I honestly thought I was reading a completely different author.
This book outlines how Gino Wickman thinks you can live your ideal life as an entrepreneur. It's based on these five ideas.
1. Do what you love
2. With people you love
3. While making a huge difference
4. And being compensated appropriately
5. With time for passions
Each one of these five topics is a chapter in the book. Gino quickly outlines the concept, usually accompanied by a superfluous story, and then gives you a tool to help you do that (which is often recycled from one of his other books).
Here's the good: It's short, and based on sound concepts that almost every successful entrepreneur I know can get behind.
Now the not-so-good...
Most of the value in this book is the author quoting other giants of success and elaborating on what he thinks they mean.
Simply put, the vast majority of this book is either common sense to most entrepreneurs (at least the ones I know) or previously covered in his other books. For such a short book, it has a lot of redundancies that make you feel like the author is struggling to get the word count the publisher is demanding.
If you have already read Gino's other books, there is nothing in this for you. If you haven't, you should read those and skip this one entirely.
I just can't recommend any entrepreneur take time away from their business, family, or mental capacity to read this. It's almost entirely void of real value.
In my opinion, the entire book should be shortened to 50 pages and made available as a free ebook. Gino has a brilliant business mind, but this felt like an attempt to make a quick buck off book sales and I expect better.
However, this book is nowhere even close to those in terms of value. I honestly thought I was reading a completely different author.
This book outlines how Gino Wickman thinks you can live your ideal life as an entrepreneur. It's based on these five ideas.
1. Do what you love
2. With people you love
3. While making a huge difference
4. And being compensated appropriately
5. With time for passions
Each one of these five topics is a chapter in the book. Gino quickly outlines the concept, usually accompanied by a superfluous story, and then gives you a tool to help you do that (which is often recycled from one of his other books).
Here's the good: It's short, and based on sound concepts that almost every successful entrepreneur I know can get behind.
Now the not-so-good...
Most of the value in this book is the author quoting other giants of success and elaborating on what he thinks they mean.
Simply put, the vast majority of this book is either common sense to most entrepreneurs (at least the ones I know) or previously covered in his other books. For such a short book, it has a lot of redundancies that make you feel like the author is struggling to get the word count the publisher is demanding.
If you have already read Gino's other books, there is nothing in this for you. If you haven't, you should read those and skip this one entirely.
I just can't recommend any entrepreneur take time away from their business, family, or mental capacity to read this. It's almost entirely void of real value.
In my opinion, the entire book should be shortened to 50 pages and made available as a free ebook. Gino has a brilliant business mind, but this felt like an attempt to make a quick buck off book sales and I expect better.
August 26, 2024
Was good, but rather felt traction had way more depth. This felt a bit more of a review of applying some of the principles. I would recommend Traction first then this as a practical application or review
November 17, 2024
Good information, but most of it repackaged from previous books.
December 12, 2021
I'm a big fan of Gino's books
May 30, 2023
#1 result of EOS is improved quality of life. Doing what you love, with people you love, making a huge difference, compensated appropriately, and with time for other passions. You have something you’re amazing at - you have to figure out what it is, then spend all your time working on it. What work do you like to do? Rate yourself 1-10 how close are you to doing this. Delegate and elevate - list everything you do at work, four box (everything you don’t like to do and aren’t good at, everything you don’t like to do and you are good at, like to do and good at, love to do and great at doing). You’re doing a lot you don’t need to be doing. Delegate bottom quadrants and assign yourself to the top. Determine if anything is useless and stop doing them. Delegate one thing per quarter to stay in the sweet spot and do only the things you love. Don’t feel bad about offloading tasks you don’t like, someone else might love it. Don’t be steered by bad emotions. Accountability chart - determine right structure, crystallize roles and responsibilities. How close are you to doing what you love 100% of the time? What would 100% look like? Why aren’t you there yet? What would it take to get there? Write something you’ll do in a week to get you closer. You move in the direction of the circle you associate with. Who do you love to work with? Rate on 1-10 how many people you love to work with. People analyzer - know company core values, always hire/fire/reward with your values in mind, assign a check plus, check, check minus, or minus to everyone accordingly to their adherence of values. Cut the ones who consistently are low, you’ll always have attrition, choose who works with you not for you. You don’t have to be stuck with someone you don’t like. Expand this discipline to your clients and only work with those who align with your values. Apply to personal core values (see cards). Spending time with people you love is living. How close are you to be surrounded by people you love 100%? What would spending time with only those you love being with 100% of the time look like? Why aren’t you there yet? What can you do to get there? Who do you love being with and don’t? Reduce time with those you don’t like if you can’t cut them out completely. How do you make a difference? Rate yourself 1-10 how well you follow that. What kind of an impact do you want to make? How will you put a dent in the universe? Create more leaders. You are not a leader until you are a leader who can produce another leader. How close are you to spending 100% on the impact you want? What would 100% look like? Why aren’t you there yet? What needs to be done to achieve it? How do you want to make a huge difference in the world? Do something within seven days toward that goal. It takes 15 years to make a new leader who can train someone to be a leader. How close are you to being appropriately compensated? Rate yourself 1-10. Delegate and elevate - every time you free yourself up to do what you love, your income goes up. If you’re not making enough, add more value to the work you provide. You can have everything you want in life if you help someone else get what they want. Never do tasks that cause you to drain energy and money. How close are you to earning 100% of what you earn? What would 100% look like? Why aren’t you there yet? What could you do to add more value? What responsibilities can you delegate to provide more value? Do something in the next week toward that goal. What are your passions outside of work? How close are you to spending 100% of your life on the things you enjoy? Rate yourself 1-10. Determine your optimal amount of hours/per week work period. Delegate excess. Determine your personal passions. Take a one month sabbatical if you can to remove yourself from your work and ensure you still like what you’re doing when you get back. How close are you in personal life spending 100% of time on stuff you love? What would 100% look like? Why haven’t you done this? What would it take? What is your work capacity? What is your passion? What can you do to achieve this? Do something in a week to achieve this. Start this whole process overall by setting a 10 year goal. Check in periodically. Do a little work on every work stream every quarter to achieve these goals. Do a checkup and ask - what will I do next quarter to achieve these goals? Ten disciplines for managing and maximizing your energy: you’re already driven, motivated, and eating/exercising right. 1) 10 year thinking - shift mindset to decade increments. Write the exact date 10 years on, your age then, take yourself there mentally - what’s the most important thing you’ll want to accomplish by that date? Think about everything you have going on right now. Does everything align with your goal? Every 10 years you’ll have 2 great years, 6 good years, and 2 years that are terrible and will nearly put you out of business. Don’t be surprised by the downturns, prepare accordingly. Have 6 months of operating expenses in your accounts. 2) Take time off to rejuvenate and recharge your batteries. Make a days off commitment (104 = just weekends). 3) Be yourself/know yourself. Know strengths, weaknesses, and personality. Get therapy. 4) Be still. Pause and meditate. 5) Know your 100%. 6) Say “no” often. 7) Don’t do work that distracts you from your grow/profits. Delegate the burdens you don’t need to take on. 8) Prepare every night. Hit the ground running when you wake up. Lay out your next day, time block all tasks and activities in chronological order. You’ll be more creative since your subconscious will work on it while sleeping. 9) Put everything in place. Capture everything that comes up in the day in one place. 10) Be humble. You get what you give. We become what we think about.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2021
The book is smaller than I expected and the content is not that depth. It's more like an overview of all EOS library books and enforces you to think about those principles. But overall, it's a good read and highly recommend entrepreneurs and EOS believers.
September 26, 2021
This is a good book, and I'd recommend it, especially if you're not familiar with Gino's work... But if you've read all the Traction/EOS books already, there isn't much new stuff here.
October 23, 2021
I met Gino Wickman just about 13 years ago when I became a member of the EOS Worldwide Implementer Community. At that point Gino had shared his vision for the Entrepreneurial Operating System in his first book: “Traction: Get A Grip On Your Business”. Gino has been teaching we EOS Implementers all along how to live our most fulfilling and balanced lives. For this we will be forever grateful.
Now in this, his latest book, “The EOS LIfe - How to Live your Ideal Entrepreneurial LIfe”, Gino shares the five principals of living an ideal life - which we in the community refer to as our EOS lives. For entrepreneurs - the target audience of the book - this book is solid gold. In addition to the 5 EOS Life principles, Gino also shares the 10 Disciplines he has been living for the past 20 years which are applicable to any human being who wants a more rewarding and enjoyable life for themselves.
I strongly recommend that you get, read and reread this book. And for those of us who know Gino personally, there is a bonus hidden at the end of the Audible edition. It is an interview of Gino by his good friend and EOS client of many, many years, Rob Dube, the founder of Image One. If you have read Gino’s other books, you will likely recognize Rob’s name. This is a deeply personal interview based on Rob investing the time and energy to interview Gino’s father, mother, wife and children in addition to several of his mentors, friends and clients.
#edcinpacomments 10/10
Now in this, his latest book, “The EOS LIfe - How to Live your Ideal Entrepreneurial LIfe”, Gino shares the five principals of living an ideal life - which we in the community refer to as our EOS lives. For entrepreneurs - the target audience of the book - this book is solid gold. In addition to the 5 EOS Life principles, Gino also shares the 10 Disciplines he has been living for the past 20 years which are applicable to any human being who wants a more rewarding and enjoyable life for themselves.
I strongly recommend that you get, read and reread this book. And for those of us who know Gino personally, there is a bonus hidden at the end of the Audible edition. It is an interview of Gino by his good friend and EOS client of many, many years, Rob Dube, the founder of Image One. If you have read Gino’s other books, you will likely recognize Rob’s name. This is a deeply personal interview based on Rob investing the time and energy to interview Gino’s father, mother, wife and children in addition to several of his mentors, friends and clients.
#edcinpacomments 10/10
January 24, 2022
(This review is for the audiobook.)
This is a tough book to do on audio. It asks the reader to process in the workbook or notepad at strategic times that would greatly increase the effectiveness of working through this. I may return the Audible book and get the Kindle version so I can go through it again and do homework at those points.
However, otherwise, this is a great distillation of the goals of EOS, applied to your personal life. It is short and asks a lot out of the reader. If you are looking for a way to process through how to move in the direction of your goals, or even to start setting goals, this is a good place to start.
The essay at the end also has some great nuggets.
The audiobook is split up into about 2 hours for the main section, another 1.5 hours for the 10 disciplines, and another hour or more of an interview with the author.
This is a tough book to do on audio. It asks the reader to process in the workbook or notepad at strategic times that would greatly increase the effectiveness of working through this. I may return the Audible book and get the Kindle version so I can go through it again and do homework at those points.
However, otherwise, this is a great distillation of the goals of EOS, applied to your personal life. It is short and asks a lot out of the reader. If you are looking for a way to process through how to move in the direction of your goals, or even to start setting goals, this is a good place to start.
The essay at the end also has some great nuggets.
The audiobook is split up into about 2 hours for the main section, another 1.5 hours for the 10 disciplines, and another hour or more of an interview with the author.
May 5, 2025
Lacks depth and substance. Wickman applies practices from his EOS system to an individual’s life. His advice is based on anecdotes and personal experience rather than research. I read it for a work book club, and as an individual contributor, I was not the primary audience. With advice like “Delegate one task per quarter,” “Take a 30-day sabbatical every year,” and “Don’t do $25 an hour work,” it’s meant for entrepreneurs and company leaders. Still, I don’t think it has the necessary depth & the solutions are a bit too simple.
I also find his section on “Being Compensated Appropriately” deeply problematic. He argues, “If you do something you are deeply passionate about, which provides tremendous value and helps enough people, you will earn as much as you want.” This just isn’t true for most of society. Think about teachers, nurses, care workers, and so on.
I also find his section on “Being Compensated Appropriately” deeply problematic. He argues, “If you do something you are deeply passionate about, which provides tremendous value and helps enough people, you will earn as much as you want.” This just isn’t true for most of society. Think about teachers, nurses, care workers, and so on.
October 7, 2023
You know, when an author uses a quote that sounds really good, and can really add some interest to what they're writing, but doesn't do the research cuz he had no idea who the person was that they supposedly quoted, I really lose a lot of respect for the author.
The court was for where talents and needs of the world crossed, laser calling, location, purpose." Theoretically said by Aristotle.
He said no such thing.
I mean, close, but no, he didn't say that.
Still. I'm focusing not on the book but maybe the laziness of the author.
I have no doubt the author knows what he is doing. He sounds like a great cheerleader for high end business people.
But what if the lowly grunts? The average?
Guess they can't afford the consulting fees.
The court was for where talents and needs of the world crossed, laser calling, location, purpose." Theoretically said by Aristotle.
He said no such thing.
I mean, close, but no, he didn't say that.
Still. I'm focusing not on the book but maybe the laziness of the author.
I have no doubt the author knows what he is doing. He sounds like a great cheerleader for high end business people.
But what if the lowly grunts? The average?
Guess they can't afford the consulting fees.
April 18, 2022
I love the Traction library and this is a nice addition, though not essential reading. The content is covered more in depth and with more compelling points in some of the other books. Still, I liked reading this even if it was purely a refresher on some of the key tools. The 10 disciplines at the end are a nice quick summary of some important habits, though none of them are groundbreaking and I suspect many people are already doing quite a few of these (meditate, plan the next day, think long term).
October 7, 2024
A glorified commercial for EOS that mostly appeals to those who have already been successful in some way. Wickman advises readers to decide how much they want to work and how many days to take off like that's a decision most people are even able to comprehend. He says in the book he gets 7 weeks off per year and he loves it. I would too!!!!
Aside from personal bias, it didn't contain much that the other Traction books haven't. Not really worth purchasing separately.
Aside from personal bias, it didn't contain much that the other Traction books haven't. Not really worth purchasing separately.
Read
June 14, 2025Good quick intro to the five principles. If you haven’t read him before this is a good primer. If you have it will probably feel like a review, or just not valuable. For me the journaling prompts were useful and it’s a good jumping off point, and I look forward to reading Traction to learn the whole system.
The audio book has a bunch of bonus material at the end, both some principles and a long interview with the author.
The audio book has a bunch of bonus material at the end, both some principles and a long interview with the author.
December 24, 2022
I liked this book a lot.
Some reviews have said that if you've read Traction (by the same author), you can skip this one.
I disagree.
Yes, read Traction first. But then check out this book as a satisfying little complement.
The more I read of the author Gino Wickman, the more I appreciate his outlook on the mash-up of business + life.
Some reviews have said that if you've read Traction (by the same author), you can skip this one.
I disagree.
Yes, read Traction first. But then check out this book as a satisfying little complement.
The more I read of the author Gino Wickman, the more I appreciate his outlook on the mash-up of business + life.
February 11, 2023
Recommended for entrepreneurs who are unfamiliar with EOS and looking for some motivation to make a change in their business.
It's a good book but as I've already read the entire rest of the EOS series, the concepts were repetitive and I found myself skimming through sections just to get on to the next thing.
It's a good book but as I've already read the entire rest of the EOS series, the concepts were repetitive and I found myself skimming through sections just to get on to the next thing.
October 22, 2024
I have been a systems guy for many years. I believe if you create your systems you can accomplish anything and eventually teach others. Gino has done this in the framework of an entrepreneur’s life but I believe everyone can use this in their life and make things better. Give it a read. I would be surprised if you didn’t walk away with a few ideas that will help your life be better.
October 24, 2023
If it wasn’t for the success of EOS in business, nobody would read this. This book is really milking it by adding general life advice and aligning it with the learnings of Traction. Read it if you’re looking for a handful of journaling prompts.
December 12, 2025
Great read
Top takeaways
DELEGATE AND ELEVATE
LOVE DOING AND GREAT AT IT
LOVE DOING AND GOOD AT IT
HATE DOING AND GOOD AT IT
HATE DOING AND NOT GOOD AT IT
5 POINTS
DOING WHAT YOU LOVE
WITH PEOPLE YOU LOVE
GETTING PAID WHAT YOU LOVE
CHASING PASSIONS YOU LOVE
MAKING IMPACT YOU LOVE
Top takeaways
DELEGATE AND ELEVATE
LOVE DOING AND GREAT AT IT
LOVE DOING AND GOOD AT IT
HATE DOING AND GOOD AT IT
HATE DOING AND NOT GOOD AT IT
5 POINTS
DOING WHAT YOU LOVE
WITH PEOPLE YOU LOVE
GETTING PAID WHAT YOU LOVE
CHASING PASSIONS YOU LOVE
MAKING IMPACT YOU LOVE
March 29, 2022
Solid stuff
January 2, 2023
Book in a sentence: a short take on applying to EOS to your personal life, but still using the same work tools.
Key lesson learned: the 10 disciplines to living life.
Key lesson learned: the 10 disciplines to living life.
May 18, 2023
Great book. I also loved the audio and Gino Wickman's transparency. Thank you.
May 29, 2023
Quick and easy read but should know I’ve been using EOS model for my business for over ten years. This is a great complement to Traction.
November 16, 2023
Incredible. Wish this book was written 30 years ago
November 30, 2023
Had to read this for work. It was good
April 1, 2024
Gino clearly shares how to optimize your life as an entrepreneur.
April 14, 2024
Its ok
Esta bueno el libro. Pero no dice mucho más de lo mismo que se habla en Traccion. . . .
Esta bueno el libro. Pero no dice mucho más de lo mismo que se habla en Traccion. . . .
August 7, 2024
I thought it was a good book. My main takeaway was to focus on tasks you’re good at and enjoy, and delegate those you don't, as others might excel at them.
October 1, 2024
I imagine his other books are deeper and offer more value. This is a fine introduction to the EOS system but doesn't offer much original insight.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews