Directional Living

A Transformational Guide to Fulfillment in Work and Life

By: Megan Hellerer

Narrated by: Megan Hellerer

A guide for creating a life of maximum fulfillment and purpose, by the career coach whose approach has helped hundreds re-orient their careers and lives

The traditional approach to career is failing us. Determine what you want to do with your life, it says, and methodically make your way toward that destination. We’re taught that once we get there, no matter how fraught and fatiguing the path is, we’ll find fulfillment. This is the 5-year plan, it’s setting the “right” goals, it’s one of the first questions we ask kids: what do you want to be when you grow up?

The problem is this advice simply doesn’t work. It’s outdated and based on a world that doesn’t exist anymore, if it ever did. And, it’s created a generation of Underfulfilled Overacheivers, who have leaned in, climbed the ladder of success, did everything they were supposed to do, and yet feel burned out and unfulfilled.

In the last decade, career coach Megan Hellerer, herself a recovering Underfulfilled Overachiever, has worked with hundreds of these women, from CEOs and bestselling authors to award-winning scientists and activists, helping them get unstuck and discover meaningful, purpose-driven work. Directional Living comes from Megan’s innovative paradigm, one based on the premise that a fulfilling, purpose-filled career and life is built by following your inner sense of direction, not pursuing a fixed destination. Through this revolutionary new blueprint, we learn to find the work we are uniquely well-suited to do in the world, move from misery to meaning, and transform our careers on the way to transforming our lives. Directional Living is both a philosophy and a practical guide to creating not just a great life, but your great life—one full of genuine purpose, meaning, ease and authenticity.

*This audiobook includes a PDF of additional resources from the book.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Megan Hellerer (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“The big decisions in life don’t come with a map. Think of this book as a compass to help you navigate toward success without sacrificing happiness. Drawing on her extensive experience as a coach, Megan Hellerer offers an unusually relatable and practical guide to the pursuit of excellence, meaning, and joy.”—Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Hidden Potential and Think Again, and host of the podcast Re:Thinking

“Extrinsic motivation screams so much louder than intrinsic motivation. Capitalism is so good at rewarding what we can measure, terrible at rewarding what we value. As a result we often work really hard to build careers that we don't really want. Directional Living will help you avoid that fate!”—Kim Scott, Author of Radical Respect and Radical Candor

"I wish I had been given this book when I was 18 years old. If you’re burned out or wondering “Is this all that there is?” Megan Hellerer’s book is brimming with practical and actionable guidance to take you from feeling without a compass to finding direction."—Dr. Samantha Boardman, Author of Everyday Vitality

Life changing

Megan Hellerer’s framework for aligning your life to your true desires is somehow rigorous and expansive at the same time. This book feels like your smartest, most caring friend taking you by the hand and guiding you toward your next big chapter.