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 *This book changed how I think * 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 *The book that got me through a hard time … soothing and helpful * Meera Sodha, Good Housekeeping *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. * Sian Clifford, Actor *

Emma Gannon is the Sunday Times bestselling author of nine books, including A Year of Nothing and OLIVE, which was nominated for the Dublin Literary Award. Her second novel, Table for One (2025), was selected as People magazine’s ‘Fiction of the Week.’ Emma also writes one of the UK’s most popular Substack newsletters, The Hyphen, which has thousands of paid subscribers. In addition to her writing, she hosts creativity retreats around the world and served as a judge for the 2025 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction.

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