Welcome back to Lit in a Nutshell, the podcast where we unpack powerful books and ideas in a way that fits right into your busy life.

In today’s episode, we’re diving into Why Greatness Cannot Be Planned by Kenneth O. Stanley and Joel Lehman. This book challenges one of our deepest assumptions: that having a clear goal is always the best path to success. Instead, the authors argue that true innovation, creativity, and even greatness often emerge when we let go of rigid objectives and allow discovery to guide us.

We’ll explore how this idea reshapes the way we think about careers, technology, personal growth, and even everyday choices. If you’ve ever felt stuck chasing goals that don’t inspire you—or wondered why breakthroughs often come from unexpected places—this book offers a fresh perspective.

Let’s break it down, in a nutshell.