Confessions of a Construction Lawyer (feat. Bob Goff)
Bob Goff is a construction lawyer turned author whose most recent book, Undistracted, is currently at #8 on the New York Times bestseller list. The insights Bob shares in his books aren’t necessarily what you’d expect from a lawyer. As you’ll hear in today’s episode, Bob focuses on how to live a life that is centered on others and on making the world a better place.
Bob shares that he sees his former construction-law work as similar to the work done by “that death-star guy.” His legal career went something like this:
He commuted by air from San Diego to Seattle every workday for almost 30 years.
During that time, he estimates that he won his construction-firm clients somewhere around half a billion dollars.
One day he walked into the law firm that had his name on the wall, simply handed over the key to one of his partners, and walked away from his law work. He had decided that it was time to do something other than hand wealth around from one wealthy person to another.
And here’s a rundown of what Bob had done since leaving law:
Sold millions of books
Fought Uganda’s first case against a witch doctor who had engaged in child sacrifice
Started a nonprofit organization called Love Does
Raised funds for schools in in Somalia, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Iraq, Uganda, The Dominican Republic, and a few other countries
Bob shares with us about how a child sacrifice case in Uganda drew him to return briefly to his legal work. After successfully trying this case, Bob became the legal guardian of the child (who amazingly survived the incident) and then took him to Cedar Sinai hospital for surgery. This trip ended up with a visit to the White House and an amazing recovery that you’ll want to hear.
After hearing some of Bob’s stories, we ask him to share some advice with our audience. He suggests that people seek personal change by improving the lives of others: “Start moving the needle in other people’s lives and see what happens in yours.”
Here are some of Bob’s guiding principles and practices:
He tries to quit something every Thursday.
He asks himself how his life is working for the people around him. He suggests that people ask themselves what they want to be remembered for.
He puts his personal phone number in the back of his books.
Bob shares some insights for construction leaders seeking balance between work and life (insights that could certainly be helpful for anyone.):
“Be a good picker.” Be thoughtful about the arguments you pick. If there’s a more humble way to get it done, do that. Get inside your head and ask why you have to win.
“Have something that matters more.” Find something bigger than your job.
“Know what you’re aiming for.” It can’t just be happiness. It needs to be something concrete. For Bob, it was being home (San Diego) from work (Seattle) for supper with his family.
“Work toward something that will outlast you.”
Bob’s megaphone message: “Be humble. Humble voices carry further.”
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