Higher Purpose Podcast 106: Starting Over on Purpose
Kevin Monroe talks with Maryann Kerr, a consultant, and longtime listener and the Unofficial Sponsor of the Gratitude Challenge. They discuss gratitude, the cost of toxicity in the workplace, and how to have a purpose-powered reboot.
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Gratitude
Steve is grateful for Maryann and asks her to share why he dubbed her the Unofficial Sponsor of the Gratitude Challenge. Maryann explains that it was of the little thing she did by tagging Steve Foran in a post that Kevin had written on LinkedIn. Both men connected from that post which led to their collaboration. Kevin commented that a lot of the things we do are simple, but can be so significant. Actions do not have to be big to have significance.
What is Wrong With Me?
Maryann posted on LinkedIn about how she had been fired 3 times in the last 9 years. She says that she asked herself, why does this keep happening to me? What is wrong with me? The post generated lots of feedback, with many people telling her thanks because they could relate to what she wrote. She realized she wasn't showing the same kindness and compassion to herself that she showed to a complete stranger.
Shed the Guilt
Kevin says that fear holds a lot of us back from starting over, mainly because of our responsibilities. The purpose of this podcast, Kevin says, is to help people feel free to start over, and to help them shed the guilt of doing so. Maryann adds that the most important questions to ask yourself are Who am I, What am I meant to do, and What might I have to give up to live my purpose?
Starting Over With Purpose
Maryann’s purpose is bigger than herself: there are too many unhappy people in the workplace and her ‘empathy gene’ compels her to do something about it. She comments that if you want to lead your life, nothing is more important than knowing yourself really well. Come at life from a position of strength, knowing what you're good at and what other people whom you admire, say they like about you. Build on your strengths just like elite athletes do. They focus most of their efforts on honing their strengths.
Toxicity at Work Causes Illness
Kevin states that the stress and anxiety at work is the leading cause of chronic disease in North America. Maryann quotes the statistics of toxicity in the workplace and the impact it has on people’s lives. She concludes that if governments are trying to create more productive countries and companies, they could do so by investing in creating kinder, more collaborative, productive workplaces.
How to Have a Purpose-Powered Reboot
Maryann outlines the three steps to take to give yourself a purpose-powered reboot, and shares some stories about how they can work for you.
There may be things we have to give up, but what we are getting in exchange for those tradeoffs is of far more value than what we are giving up. Energy that is directed from purpose is transformative. If you want to have a purpose-powered reboot Maryann advises you to be brave, be kind to yourself, and embrace the support of the people you love and trust the most. Most of all be grateful: if you can step back and look at all the things you're grateful for, it will remind you that you are living in an abundant place and that the world is full of hope and possibility and that we're all here to help one another.
Resources
The Power of Gratitude by Steve Foran
It’s The Manager by Jim Clifton