7 Benefits of Living Your WHY in Community Rather than Isolation

Are you an army of one? A lone ranger? Have you come to accept the cultural myth that you should be independent and self-sufficient? It's possible that you heard the slogan about being an army of one and thought that meant a lone individual rather than a community of individuals united as one. Just as no one is an island, no one person is an army.Have you discovered that you cannot accomplish anything of significance in isolation? Perhaps you’ve tried; I know I have.I remember growing up watching The Lone Ranger, and when I think about it now, even the Lone Ranger wasn’t a solo act. Remember Tonto? He was the faithful sidekick to the Lone Ranger. And how far would the Lone Ranger have gotten without his horse, Silver? They were a team! They were better together. So are you. And so am I.  Even a monk who has taken a vow of silence still lives as part of a monastic community. I explored that in an earlier post that you can get here if you missed it.

How are we better together?

What is it that we find in community that doesn’t exist in isolation? It’s a question I’ve pondered for a long time now — both philosophically and existentially.Here’s my list of seven benefits I treasure about communities:

1. The opportunity to connect deeply (and sometimes quickly) with like-minded people.
2. Inspiration. For all kinds of things - to create, to innovate, to experiment, and to persevere.
3. The encouragement that is mutual and reciprocal. Sooner or later, we all experience difficulties. In community, there are times when you are the encourager and other times when you need encouragement.
4. A sounding board that listens and responds. People who are invested in your life and committed to your success who will listen, ask hard questions, and provide wise counsel.
5. A safe place to share your dreams, process your failures and be appreciated for who you are and what you have to contribute.
6. Collaboration — since we are better together than we are alone, communities are great places to find collaborators and do things together that have greater impact than you could ever accomplish alone.
7. Cheerleaders who genuinely want to see you succeed and celebrate your accomplishment or your progress. As well as the opportunity to cheer for others.

King Solomon, highly regarded for his wisdom, understood that we are better together than we are alone. He penned his own list of benefits:

It’s better to have a partner than go it alone.Share the work, share the wealth.And if one falls down, the other helps,But if there’s no one to help, tough!Two in a bed warm each other.Alone, you shiver all night.By yourself you’re unprotected.With a friend, you can face the worst.Can you round up a third?A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped. (The Message, Ecclesiastes 4.9-12)

I see at least five benefits in Solomon’s list.  Have you ever struggled to pick yourself up?When I’ve fallen in the yucky pity pit and succumbed to “woe is me” thinking, that’s when I need to “phone a friend” or have someone throw me a lifeline. How about brainstorming when you’re the only brain in the conversation? Does that get the best ideas on the table? I don’t think so. Who balances your seesaw? It takes two to seesaw (and tango.) You and me — we are wired for community, for relationship, and interrelationship. I polled members of Living Your WHY — an online community that supports one another on the journey to fully expressing their life purposes — for their answers to this question:

“How does being part of a community help you find and fulfill your WHY?”

Here’s what they had to say:Philip:

“Synergy is awesome. Iron truly sharpens iron! I’m better at being my WHY because of support from my community.”

Lisa & Kris:

“Being part of a community helps me get different perspectives.”

Sean:

“Relationships inspire purpose and activity!”

Tom shared a great list:

1) "We need to know and be known."2) "We get to experience “qualified” or “relevant” love (not shallow or superficial)."3) "I can serve and be served at a higher, meaningful level."4) "I can also be challenged and held accountable in more “qualified” and “relevant” ways."

Susan:

“I am reminded to take action when I see others — in a community, I choose to be in — taking action.”

Alison:

“Community shapes everything we do and we all have the power to shape our communities. I don’t think anything we created would have been created without first building a strong sense of community.”

WOW! What a great list. Did we miss something? What are the benefits of being in community that you most enjoy? Please add in the comments below. [clickToTweet tweet="You cannot accomplish anything of significance in isolation, significance always involves others." quote="You cannot accomplish anything of significance in isolation, significance always involves others."]When you find the right others, they will bring out the best in you and you do the same for them. You will be better together. If you are looking for a community to support you in Living Your WHY, please join us.Want to receive updates about new blog posts and Living Your WHY? [convertkit form=4898348]***Living Your WHY commits to protecting your privacy. We will not share your information with anyone.***

What Monks Know About the Secret to Success and Why You Need to Know it Too

What if there was a secret shared by monks that held the key to you living a life of maximum meaning and fulfillment? Would you want in on their secret?Of course, you would! Who wouldn't? Now, I know that some of you may be a wee bit skeptical. However, if you ever visit a monastery, you will observe, and hopefully experience, peace, and tranquility that is missing from most modern lifestyles. Is there something they know that we don’t know?“Whoa, where are you going with this post, Kevin?”You might be thinking that I’ve lost my marbles. Especially if I am about to suggest that celibacy is the key for you to find meaning in life.I am not advocating celibacy, so I hope you’ll continue reading and relax now that we’ve taken that off of the table.But you may still have some reservations about “The Monk Secret” that I am advocating. You may be worried that I want to pry that smartphone out of your hands. Again, you can relax.

Deny Thy Self?

Perhaps you are addicted to being buzzed and connected to the online world 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year. But if you are always on your phone, you probably already have the monk posture. You know, your head bowed and hands together in front of you. Only for you, it’s not for prayer or meditation, but to look at the screen of your smartphone and two-thumbed typing or texting.If that is the case, you probably could benefit from a cellphone Sabbath or sabbatical. A cellphone Sabbath is breaking free from the constant connection one day each week, where a sabbatical entails ‘going dark’ (offline) for an extended period.Disconnecting from your smartphone may not help you find more meaning and fulfillment in life. At least, it will create space for you to “be still and know” rather than always being plugged in and turned on.But, that’s not the monk secret I have in mind.Nor is it asceticism, although most of us could benefit from some self-denial. The message of Madison Avenue is that you can have it all, and you deserve it all, so any talk of abstinence or moderation of life’s pleasures seems like nonsense in today’s world.There is certainly something to be said for simplifying your life. If that is interesting to you in any way, I highly recommend reading, Essentialism, by Greg McKeown.We could continue exploring facets of monastic life in search of the secret. Is it the simplicity of the wardrobe and diet? Is it the regimen of a strict daily schedule? Is it daily prayers and meditation?

All is Revealed

I do not want to diminish the value of any item or practice mentioned thus far. I believe all of the above-listed practices have value and contribute to a life of meaning and fulfillment. However, there’s something else that is even more fundamental to maximizing meaning and fulfillment in life.It is so central to the monastic life, yet it is also easy to overlook. The secret known by monks is that even their quest for personal piety and purity is not an entirely individual effort. It is a community effort! That’s right. Monks realize that even the quest to renounce worldly pursuits is better together, so they join together as part of a monastic community to support their pursuit. I guess you could say, it takes a village to raise a monk.[clickToTweet tweet="Even monks who take a vow of silence live in a monastic community. #dontgoitalone" quote="Even monks who take a vow of silence live in a monastic community. #dontgoitalone"]Monks need one another to thrive in their devotion.In one regard, monks might be considered the most isolated people on the planet. They have surrendered connection to the outside world, simplified their lifestyle, even pledged celibacy, and some also pledge silence, but they still need one another.I am again reminded of the words of John Donne,

No man is an island.

From one perspective, monks could be the most island-like among us, but not even they are islands, they are interconnected.And so are we.[clickToTweet tweet="Monks can’t do it alone. Neither can you." quote="Monks can’t do it alone. Neither can you."]You, the monks and I all need a community where we belong and where we support and encourage one another. Where we bring out the best in each other.That is the Monk’s Secret that we need to grasp. If you want to maximize meaning and fulfillment in life, you must belong to a vibrant community. You will never get there by yourself.As Bill Withers’ put it so simply, yet eloquently,

We all need somebody to lean on.

Who Do You Lean On?

If you are intentional about maximizing meaning and purpose in life, I invite you to join a community of like-minded people on that same journey. It’s Living Your WHY; you can learn more here.In my next post, we’ll explore who are the people you need to have in your community and how they help you Live Your WHY. [convertkit form=4898505]

Why I Finally Quit Being a Waiter and Why You Should Quit Too

I am going to let you in on a secret. For years, I was a waiter. You can always find a group of waiters who, like you, were right on the verge of a big break or finally being discovered. However, instead of putting yourself out there and pushing through, returned to waiting, because, like me, waiting was comfortable and familiar.   Where was I waiting? Usually wherever I was at the time. Oh, did you think I was waiting tables at a restaurant somewhere? That’s not the waiting I am writing about now. I was waiting on someone or some event to tell me, “It’s your time to step up and start living.”I wasn’t waiting tables. I was waiting on life.

Waiting on Life

What was I waiting for?

• The perfect timing.
• The perfect conditions.
• The elimination of ALL risks.
• A sign. Or at least an engraved invitation.
• Permission.
• Assurances.

Does any of this ring a bell with you? Do you have a dream within you that wants to come out? I know you do. We all do. That’s how we are wired.Maybe like me you’ve been waiting. Waiting for some of the same things I was waiting on. Waiting on something to happen before launching out to pursue the dream. I remember looking at others and thinking:

“Why do they get all of the breaks?”

“Why is that happening for them and not me?”

“Why can’t I be more like them?”

“Why did they get that promotion instead of me?”

“How did that opportunity ‘just land in their lap’?”

After some period of waiting, I’d think, “My time has come” and muster the motivation to get out there and try something new. But when it didn’t generate the response I wanted, or work out the way I had planned, I’d go back to waiting. After all, I was really good at waiting.

You Will NEVER Be Ready Enough

I now realize that much of my waiting was tied to the Readiness Myth. The belief that what you need most is to focus on getting ready. Then, once you are fully ready, then, and only then, the perfect timing will automatically appear — the conditions for launching whatever it is in your heart to launch will be rightThe moon and stars align, and all of the conditions will finally be perfect. You know, the time when the market, the economy, consumer demand, consumer confidence, and yes, even the weather are perfect. Like a poised lion, you pounce and strike while the iron is hot and instantly become an overnight success.I don’t want to be Danny Downer and rain on your parade, but there is one slight, minor, itsy-bitsy problem with plans like that — whether they are yours or mine. [clickToTweet tweet="The perfect time NEVER comes. You will never be fully ready, but you are already prepared. " quote="The perfect time NEVER comes. You will never be fully ready, but you are already prepared. "]Nor can you eliminate all risks. That doesn’t mean you don’t need to assess the risks and determine how to mitigate and manage the risks. That’s wisdom! Just realize that, regardless of the extent of your planning, you will never eliminate ALL of the risks. Every significant undertaking always involves risks. If it didn’t, it wouldn’t be significant.

What If You Already Have the Sign?

Or maybe like me, you grew up with the expectation that you needed a sign before launching out into something bold and audacious. If not a sign, at least an engraved invitation. Some sort of outward manifestation or confirmation that you are on the right track or at least  heading in the right direction. It’s as though we forget that the very desire to make the world a better place is planted in us by the Divine and not something we dreamed up on our own. However, due to insecurity or uncertainty, we doubt what we sense in ourselves and long for someone to give us assurance. And we find great comfort in divine direction. So you wait. Hoping for some supernatural sign that provides assurance that what you are doing is what you should be doing.What if you already had a sign and just didn’t recognize it as such. What if the sign is joy or delight? I love the wisdom of this insight from Frederich Buechner:

The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deepest hunger meet.

You would do well to pay attention to what gladdens your heart and satisfies your soul. The great distance runner, Eric Liddell, whose trials and triumph from the 1924 Olympic Games was portrayed in the movie, Chariots of Fire, had a unique perspective:

I believe that God made me for a purpose. But He also made me fast, and when I run, I feel His pleasure.

What are you doing when you sense the smile of God in your life? Learn to recognize that joy, pleasure, and delight as signs — internal indications that you are on the right path. These are green lights to keep going.

Last Week, I Quit Waiting Again

Perhaps you are waiting for permission. Permission to take risks, permission to leave your comfort zone and try something new, permission to explore and experiment, permission to fail, and perhaps more importantly, permission to succeed. Guess what? Here’s your permission slip. A few years ago, I finally decided to quit waiting. I finally realized the perfect time will never come. Nor will the perfect conditions. I can’t eliminate all of the risks. Readiness is not only a myth; it’s often our excuse. Let me illustrate my most recent experience when I quit waiting. About 90 days ago, a friend encouraged me to “give Facebook Live a try.” Did I take his advice and jump right in and try it? Of course not, that’s not what waiters do. Instead, I began researching, studying, and worst of all, comparing. I made a long list of all the things I needed to do before I deemed myself ready.

Affinity for Action

Then last week I had an epiphany. Seth Godin played a part in this one. I stumbled across this line in What To Do When It’s Your Turn,

There is a fundamental difference between being ready and being prepared. You are more prepared than you realize. You probably aren’t ready, and you can’t be ready, not if you’re doing something of significance.

Once again, I decided it was time to quit waiting and spring into action. My tribe craves authenticity, not hype or perfectly polished performances.[clickToTweet tweet="People crave #authenticity. An overly polished performance seems plastic, not authentic." quote="People crave authenticity. An overly polished performance seems plastic, not authentic."]I whipped out my smartphone, jotted down three points to share, made a makeshift stand for my phone and went live. You can view it here.Was it perfect? Of course not. Did it hurt? Not one bit!But it’s done. It is part of developing the confidence to take action and action is the antidote to waiting.

Do Something NOW

Instead of dreaming and waiting, start dreaming and doing. Adopt an affinity for action. Do something that moves you forward. Today. Now. After all, now is the only moment you really have. If you don’t take action right now, you are only continuing to wait.Are you longing for a community that supports and encourages you to act on your dream? Living Your WHY is a place to share your heart and take the next step that you’ve been waiting to take. Join us here and start Living Your WHY today.  

I Wish That I Could Be Like the Cool Kids

Do you ever catch yourself singing along? It’s easy, simple words and a catchy tune,“I wish that I could be like the cool kids‘Cause all the cool kids, they seem to fit in”If you are not familiar with the song, you can watch it here.[video width="640" height="360" mp4="http://kevindmonroe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Echosmith-Cool-Kids-Official-Music-Video-copy.mp4"][/video]Besides being a catchy tune, and the debut hit of the group Echosmith, the song is also a succinct social commentary of the yearning of millions.Millions of children whether they are in elementary, middle, or high school want to be one of the cool kids.But it doesn’t stop there. Millions of young adults continue their quest for cool. Unfortunately, the quest for cool extends way into adulthood for millions. It doesn’t end just because you turned 30 either. Nor at the following decades of 40, 50, 60, or even 70.This song captures the angst of millions, possibly even billions, worldwide. It’s the quest to fit in, to belong, to be cool. Granted, what it means to be cool varies from one culture to another, but the quest for cool is universal.[clickToTweet tweet="The quest for cool might undermine your quest 2B authentic to find + fulfill your life purpose. " quote="More pointedly, the quest for cool might undermine your quest to be authentic, to find and fulfill your purpose. To live your WHY. "]

Why Let the Cool Kids Set the Standards?

Here’s what I’ve seen. Wherever you go, there’s always a group of “cool kids” who see themselves and want you to see them as the standard bearers of what it means to belong. Really, who died and made them king or queen?Think about it. What are the standards by which you measure your success? Your happiness? Significance? Progress towards meaning, purpose, and fulfillment in life?Who said those standards of cool had to be yours?To paraphrase the line from Fight Club,

Have you ever bought something you didn’t need with money you didn’t have to impress somebody you didn’t like?

That’s insane!People do it every single day. In case you didn’t know, that’s the modus operandi of Madison Avenue. Buy this, wear this, drive this, live here, eat or vacation here and you’ll be cool. And you’ll have the social media posts to prove it.I’m amazed at how many people tell me they are working a job they don’t like (hate is the word I often hear) to fuel a lifestyle they didn’t honestly choose or don’t enjoy, so they can impress people whose opinions don’t matter.That’s no way to live!

Out of Step Doesn’t Mean Out of Sync

Have you ever stopped to wonder, what if being out of step with the cool kids doesn’t mean you are out of sync? What if it might mean the exact opposite?Being out of step might mean that you are getting in sync with your authentic self. Imagine defining your standard of success or significance and ‘being cool with it’; getting comfortable in your skin.Isn’t that what you want? To live the life that you want to live, to do the work you are called to do, to live where you choose to live and not be boxed in or out by the Joneses?That’s certainly my desire.For over a decade, I’ve worn primarily one of three brands of shoes: Ecco, Born, or Clark’s. Why?Is it because they are the most stylish shoes on the market? Probably not. In my opinion, these brands are the most comfortable shoes I’ve found. And I’ve tried all kinds. When our kids were teenagers, I got my fair share of grief; at times my shoes were a joke in our family.Here’s the point, I don’t buy shoes to impress you; I buy shoes for comfort. In my world, comfort is king! King is cool! Ergo, my shoes are cool.Why not extend that attitude to other areas of life besides something as fleeting as fashion trends?In the grand scheme of life, fads like fashion trends are trivial. Character is cool.[clickToTweet tweet="Is it wise to outsource your legacy to people whose opinion you don’t truly value?  " quote="Is it wise to outsource your legacy to people whose opinion you don’t truly value? I don’t think so. "]Take a close look at the lives of the people who serve as the judge and jury of your coolness. Do you want what they have?I hope so. If not, you need to make some changes. Recognize the truth is these wise words from Jim Rohn,

You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.

Be Your Own Kind of Cool

Lest you think this is solely a 21st Century phenomenon, recall the words of Henry David Thoreau:

If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.

[clickToTweet tweet="What's the song you hear that resonates with your heart? With your soul?" quote="What's the song you hear that resonates with you in your heart? With your soul?"]That’s the sound of your authentic self. That’s the song you want to ♥ and put on replay. As you listen, move in rhythm with its beat and live in harmony with its message.Do that and; you’ll discover that you instead of wishing to be a cool kid,  you’ll be your own kind of cool. The authentic you that only you can be.[clickToTweet tweet="It’s okay to be out of sync with the cool kids as long as you are in sync with your true self." quote="It’s okay to be out of sync with the cool kids and the culture of cool as long as you are in sync with your true self."]If you feel you need a permission slip, this is it! You don’t have to be a cool kid, just be your authentic self that’s the coolest person you can be.I know where you can find an authentic community to welcome you and support you in the quest of keep in step with the music you hear and pursuing your purpose. We call it Living Your WHY. If that appeals to you, please come and see for yourself.

Is A Gold Medal Really What We Think It Is?

As I write this and reflect on communities, the Games of the XXXI Olympiad, better known as Rio 2016, are underway. Some of the events, like baseball, basketball, and indoor volleyball, consist of large teams. Other sports like beach volleyball and synchronized diving are two-person teams. A preponderance of events are solo events where one athlete is crowned champion.In these events, it is easy to miss something significant. In the individual competitions, a single athlete takes the podium to receive the medal and is recognized as being the best in their sport. In an era and culture where we celebrate, even idolize individual achievement, it’s always a team effort.  The Olympian may receive all of the attention and accolades, but their victory was a shared accomplishment.[clickToTweet tweet="Rarely is a solo achievement a solo quest." quote="Rarely is a solo achievement a solo quest."]So it is with Living Your WHY. Granted it is your WHY, and you are intimately involved in the living of it, but good luck going it alone. You won’t get far. Nor is it likely that you will reach your destination in isolation. You need others and we need you. In good conscience, I can’t make this all about YOU and write why YOU need community. That might give you the wrong idea that you need it and I don’t. No, we all need a place where we belong. A place where people know us by name and accept us for who we are, not what we have or what we’ve accomplished. Many of the writings about finding purpose in life are focused solely on the individual to the exclusion of a community connection. You could take the position that the essential elements needed for Living Your WHY are clarity, courage, and confidence. The three points of the triangle and the first 3Cs of Living Your WHY.Truth be told, I probably operated that way for years. I doubt I would have said it publicly, but it was the hidden message I had received from the Superhero and Lone Ranger syndromes. Then, I realized there’s a fourth C that is vital to Living Your WHY in a holistic and sustainable way. That’s community. Granted, Living Your WHY may put you in the spotlight as the face of an organization or even a movement. Don’t ever succumb to the delusion that it’s all about you or that you can do it alone. You can’t. I can’t. None of us can. As John Donne penned decades ago,

No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent.

We need a place to belong and to be part of something bigger than ourselves. I now visualize this as a circle surrounding the triangle of Clarity, Courage, and Confidence. Placing those in a community environment and surrounding the individual actions in a corporate context.[clickToTweet tweet="The reality is it takes a community to Live Your WHY." quote="The reality is it takes a community to Live Your WHY."]

What Happens in Community that can’t Happen in Isolation?

Let’s be honest, our understanding of community has been watered down and cheapened. Where you live might be labeled a community, but if you don’t know the names of the people who live next to you, and never interact with them, you live in a neighborhood, not a community. Neighborhoods are areas that surround a particular place. Communities are places of interaction and involvement. Likewise, many “online communities” also fail the test of what it means to be a community. Just because you all use the same software or hardware falls a bit short of true community. Genuine communities foster connection, conversation, camaraderie, and contribution. With a key distinction being that is mutual, a giving and a receiving. The connection, conversation, camaraderie, and contribution are shared. When it comes to Living Your WHY you want (and need) to connect with others who share your values, support your dream, and help you think through opportunities and decisions. Others who invest in your journey and likewise you invest in theirs. Others who are farther along the journey and can help you as you ponder your path and navigate the tricky parts.Community does not eliminate competition but reframes it so that it is healthy or cooperative competition or coopetition as some have labeled it. Communities recognize that a rising tide lifts all boats and work together for the greater good. And it’s not just a greater good.

The Beautiful Good

The Greeks had a vibrant vocabulary that was rich in many ways and often had more than one way to express a concept.  One Greek word used for community was  κοινωνία. Koinonia means communion, joint participation, a gift jointly contributed, a collection, or even a collective. To me, κοινωνία communicates authentic community. Authentic community goes deeper than simply coming together because of common interests, whatever they may be. Koinonia embraced a strong commitment to "kalos k'agathos" meaning "good and good." In this understanding of community, there is an inner goodness that connects us with others who are like-minded. Together, we jointly participate to create and share something greater than any one of us could do on our own. That’s true collaboration. That’s community!I don’t know about you, but that’s something I want. To be part of a mutually sharing and supporting community that unites together to create jointly something more beautiful and beneficial than we could ever create alone. And through that, to create greater impact than any of us could in isolation.

Where’s Your Community?

Have you found the community where you belong? A place where people support you on your quest for Clarity, Courage, and Confidence as you Live Your WHY. A place where you can make your contribution to help others on their journey. I certainly hope so. And I would love to learn about your community. To discover how it works and what it does to nurture and support its members.

Want to Join Ours?

I want to support and encourage you in Living Your WHY. Perhaps all you need is to join the Living Your WHY Community. That’s easy, just visit the group and ask to be added. Maybe you want to enroll in the next 30-Days to Living Your WHY group coaching program or explore engaging in a 1:1 coaching relationship. Take your next step now -- whatever it is. Find a place where you can get the Clarity you need, muster the Courage to take the next step, and help you increase your Confidence, and most of all, a vibrant Community where you are a vital member.The world needs you Living Your WHY.If you want to learn more about the 30-Day program, please share your name and email. We'll send you more information.[convertkit form=4898505]Opening graphic created by feedough and licensed through DepositPhotos.com.

I Have a Confidence Problem

I hear this every week. "I'm struggling to find my purpose in life. I want to believe I have a unique contribution to offer the world, but I have a confidence problem."

Here's the truth. No one else has exactly what you have to share or can share it exactly as you do. 

Pause. Reflect on that for a moment.

Your life journey, whatever it is, creates credibility and clout for you to connect with your “tribe” like no one else connects with them. Some people call it fulfilling your destiny, finding your life’s purpose. I call it Living Your WHY. If you are reading this, you are awakened, or awakening to Living Your WHY

Currently, we are exploring the 4Cs of Living Your WHY. So far we discussed Clarity and Courage as essential elements to Living Your WHY.

You need clarity about both direction and destination in your life. Otherwise, you just sit like a parked car with your engine idling as you wonder what to do next. It’s hard to stop a moving train, but it’s also hard to steer a parked car. Movement leads to momentum! No movement = no momentum.

Clarity about your WHY is absolutely essential, but not necessarily sufficient. You may know where you want to go and have a good sense of what it takes to get there. But unless, and until, that clarity results in action, nothing of significance occurs.

Courage provides the impetus for action. Never underestimate the impact of action. Remember Newton’s First Law, “an object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion, stays in motion…” Seth Godin put it another way,

The cost of being wrong is less than the cost of doing nothing.

It takes courage to step up and speak out about your WHY. Remember, courage is not the absence of fear, but it’s the belief that your WHY is bigger and more important to you than your fear. Courage helps you conquer fear. 

Clarity defines your course, courage helps you act, but what is it that keeps you going? I believe it’s confidence. Confidence that your WHY is relevant and makes a meaningful contribution to the world.

What happens when you step up and speak out?

Well, let’s assume things go well and there’s a positive response to your message. It doesn’t matter whether you were sharing it with one person, a hundred, or a thousand, when the sharing goes well, it bolsters your confidence.

It also helps silence those voices in your head that told you people will think you’re crazy. Well, they didn’t think you were crazy. Instead, they thought you were bold, ambitious, and daring. Call it a good kind of crazy, the kind that believes you can change the world! And instead of ridiculing you, they asked, “What can I do to help” or “How can I get involved”?

That builds your confidence; the feeling or belief that your WHY matters, that you can actually live your WHY, and make the world a better place by advancing the vision that is in your heart and mind.

[clickToTweet tweet="Clarity set the course, courage gets you started, and confidence keeps you going." quote="Clarity set the course, courage gets you started, and confidence keeps you going."]

Four Benefits of Confidence

Confidence Attracts

It’s true. People are drawn to confident people. You see this in all kinds of settings. Whether it’s at a cocktail party or in the Shark Tank, confidence creates a magnetic force that pulls people into your orbit.

You are the spokesperson for your WHY. When you are confident about your WHY, you attract people, which creates a readiness and an eagerness to connect with you and get on board with your WHY. Confidence is the sweet spot. Too little confidence comes across as timidity and uncertainty. An overabundance of confidence is is usually perceived as arrogance.

[clickToTweet tweet="Confidence attracts! Both timidity and arrogance repel. Broadcast confidence for your cause." quote="Confidence attracts! Both timidity and arrogance repel. Broadcast confidence for your cause."]

Confidence Connects

Not only are people attracted to you when you emanate confidence, they more readily connect with your cause - your WHY. Your confidence transfers and inspires confidence in others. As a result, they want in. They want to know how they, too, can get involved and what they can do to advance the cause. Confidence provides them the comfort to invest their support and resources to help your WHY grow in reach and impact.

Confidence Begets Confidence

Have you noticed this? The first time you have an opportunity to do something new, you probably have butterflies in your stomach. Doubt and uncertainties have made a playground out of your mind.  You are not quite sure about the best way to approach sharing your WHY.

You muster the courage to connect with someone or some group and share your WHY. As you do, you surprise yourself by the level of courage you found and how you are sharing with confidence — it comes from your purpose, passion, and preparation for this moment — and it sparks confidence in your audience. Their receptivity, excitement, and enthusiasm bolster your confidence.

Now, the next time you step out to share, you discover that you are operating with increased confidence. And that confidence attracts more people, connects them with your WHY, and generates (begets) yet even more confidence.

Confidence Propels

Suddenly, you discover all of this is working together to and creating momentum for Living Your WHY. Your WHY is becoming an unstoppable force just like that train we mentioned. You are now making significant strides forward and fondly remember the days you struggled to take a baby step. Best of all, your confidence is inspiring others to live their WHY.

[clickToTweet tweet=" Confidence is energy in action that produces more energy for action." quote=" Confidence is energy in action that produces more energy for action."]

I hear some of you thinking, well that’s great, but where do I start? Remember, the 4Cs to Living Your WHY.

Clarity

• Connect with your passion and purpose
• Clarify your WHY

Courage

• Muster courage to share it with others
• Craft a message so you can share your WHY with others

Confidence

• Talk to people (those in your inner circle - first degree connections)
• Collect their feedback
• Refine your message
• Talk to more people (other first degree connections or expand to second degree)
• Collect more feedback
• Refine your message
• Cast a broader net (Ask the people who resonate with your WHY,  who they know that might also resonate with you and your WHY and ask them to connect you - think third, fourth, and fifth degree connections)
• Talk to them
• Reflect on what connects and inspires
• Watch your confidence in your WHY grow

Wash, rinse, repeat. Daily!

All of this is easier when it’s done in community with others. That’s the fourth of the 4Cs and the topic of my next post. Enter your name and email below to receive the post as soon as it is live.

Where are you when it comes to confidence about your WHY? Are you operating in the sweet spot or teetering towards timidity or arrogance?

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Photo Credit: Biletskiy Evgeniy via Adobe Stock

Finding the Courage to Live Your WHY

Do you desire a life of purpose and meaning, a fulfilled life, not just a full life? I thought so, me too.A full life is a jam-packed life, where your days, evenings, nights, and weekends are all stuffed full. The problem is, in spite of all of the activity, you feel depleted. Empty of time, energy, peace, joy, and true contentment.Who wants that? Not me.Contrast that to a fulfilled life that provides you with a deep sense of satisfaction. That gratification comes from making a positive contribution and impact on the world around you, not because you are busy grabbing all you can to indulge an endless list of wants, whims, and wishes.Let’s assume you have invested the time and found clarity about your WHY. You have discovered, or are discovering your life purpose. (I explored avenues to clarity in this post.) If you have, great! Clarity is the starting point, but it’s certainly not all you need for Living Your WHY.[clickToTweet tweet="You can have all the clarity in the world, but if you are cowardly, you will never see any impact." quote="You can have all the clarity in the world, but if you are cowardly, you will never make any impact."]

No Action = No Impact!

Now that you have clarity regarding your direction and possibly your destination, you need the courage to follow it. Clarity is essential, but it is no guarantee that you will ever leave your comfort zone to venture into the unknown that lies between your present and your future.Clarity may result in paralysis.

For the over-thinkers, the paralysis is the result of the endless analysis. It’s our desire to consider all of the options, list and weigh the pros and cons, and then narrow those options and create a list of criteria by which to assess the best next step. The result? No action and no impact.

If you are a perfectionist, the paralysis may be the result of believing that there is only one right next step to take, and you must make it flawlessly, or you have ruined any chance of getting to the finish line. The result? No action, no impact.

For the planners, the paralysis comes when you confuse planning with action. As long as you stay in your bubble and write your plan, then perfect the plan only to rewrite it because you realized you used faulty assumptions. Guess what happens? Nothing! Again, no action and no impact.

Then they are the visionaries, especially those who gain a glimpse of something so gigantic and global in scale, scope, and impact that they are instantly overwhelmed and begin questioning their capacity to steward that vision to fulfillment. The bigger the vision, the louder the doubts. And guess what happens to them too? You got it: No action = no impact!

Regardless of the source of your paralysis, how do you get past it? Well, it takes courage.[clickToTweet tweet="You need courage to follow your dream, to step out and see it come to life. " quote="You need courage! Courage to follow your dream and step out to see it come to life. "]What is courage? We know courage when we see it in others, but struggle to find it for ourselves. The word courage comes from Old French corage meaning heart or innermost feelings.I see courage as first a heartset that directs a mindset. You know what a mindset is; it’s the beliefs you hold about yourself and your most basic qualities. But what is a heartset?A heartset is the beliefs you hold about your aspirations and dreams — what you believe to be possible and available in your life.Your mindset is anchored to something. It could be anchored to the voice of doubt, criticism, and limiting beliefs that only lock you in and prevent your growth. Or, you can align and anchor your mindset to your heartset so that they are synchronized like a sculling team and advancing you towards your destination.Are we agreed that you need courage? Awesome! Now, where do you get it?

Mustering Courage

To believe that courage is the absence of fear is to misunderstand courage. It would be foolish to wait for all of your fears to subside before venturing out. Learn from courageous leaders like Nelson Mandela who spoke out against the politics and prejudice of apartheid.

I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.

Courage rises as you realize there is something greater, something more important than the fear that grips you. Set your eyes on the prize so that the gravitational pull of your goal is stronger than the fear that seeks to hold you in its grip.Courage often comes from within, but it can be inspired or imparted from others. Some people have an abundance of courage. Their courage is contagious. Being around them bolsters your courage. These people are encouragers. They literally “pour courage into others.” Find your encouragers and spend ample time in their presence.

Taking A Courageous Next Step

All bold action involves risk. Even if you see clearly the next step to take, you cannot eliminate all of the risks. There are, and always will be unknowns and uncertainties. Sooner or later, you will have to exercise the courage to accomplish anything of value. The greater the impact, the more courage required.Courage realizes that Living Your WHY is worth the risks, whatever those risks may be. I recall vividly the day I realized the greatest risk I would take was to take no risk at all. I began taking risks. At first, they were small, calculated risks. The rewards proved worthy of the risks and allowed me to take even greater risks. That builds confidence, and confidence is the third of our 4Cs. [clickToTweet tweet="Courage is the boldness to move in the direction of your WHY in spite of the unknown + uncertain." quote="Courage is the boldness to move in the direction of your WHY in spite of the unknown and uncertain."]Courage is not the absence of fear or the denial of risks; it is the fortitude and fearlessness to move forward in spite of them. Identify the next action step you can take that will move you in the direction of your WHY.And if you muster enough courage, post your next step in the comments section below.Shoutouts:Photo credit: Haywire Media, secured through depositphotos.com.

Four Ways to Find Clarity About Your Life Purpose

Most people want to live a life rich in meaning and purpose. Instead, they live a life of quiet desperation. And as, Henry David Thoreau noted, “go to their graves with their song still in them.” They spend more time frustrated than fulfilled. If you’re reading this, you are one of those people awakened, or awakening, to your WHY.What do you need to be among those who finds their song and shares it with the world? Perhaps the most vivid and popular example of this is recent was Susan Boyle on Britain’s Got Talent.  Even if you’ve seen this clip before, it’s worth watching again.[video width="640" height="356" mp4="http://kevindmonroe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Susan-Boyle-Britains-Got-Talent-2009-Episode-1-Saturday-11th-April-_-HD-High-Quality.mp4"][/video]Like Susan, you have a treasure hidden within you. Your quest is to find your treasure and share it with the world. When you do, your song, book, poem, painting — whatever your medium of expression is — will inspire and impact others, maybe even millions.Join me on a journey as I guide you through four elements that are essential to your living a life that fulfills you and inspires others. I call it Living Your WHY. If you want a deeper explanation, read the mini-manifesto. Clarity is Not a CommodityEverybody wants clarity, few, however, are willing to pay the price to get it. The primary reason for that is that clarity takes time, and most people want it now. And would probably pay a premium for it, if we could bottle it, microwave it, or make it available through the drive through or instant download. If you have a way to do that, let’s talk.

Think about all of the areas in life where you want, or wanted, clarity.

What college should you attend?

What should you pick as your major?

Should you follow the career path of your mother or father?

Should you accept this job, or promotion, offer?

Is s/he the one?

Should we buy this house?

Which school is best for the kids?

So until your favorite coffee shop is serving clarity by the cupful either over the counter or at the drive-through, here are my top recommendations for finding clarity.Finding ClarityClarity through action. Too many people want to see the complete path laid out to their desired destination and then decide whether or not to take the first step. It doesn’t work like that. At least not for most. You may be one of those rare people for whom that has happened. If so, please contact me, I’ve got to hear your story and how that happened for you.Most of the people I know had some sense of direction — more of a compass than a map and set out in the general direction that they thought was right. The path illuminated step by step. Of course, there are times you have more light and see farther down the road.[clickToTweet tweet="It’s a journey of faith — whether you’re a person of faith or not, this journey requires faith. " quote="It’s a journey of faith — whether you’re a person of faith or not, this journey requires faith. "]Clarity through conversation. I cannot count the times in my life that I found clarity through conversation. For me, it’s not usually the chit-chat kind of discussion, but rather the deep heart-to-heart conversations with close friends, coaches, or confidants. Often those closest to you can easily see things in or about you that are hidden from your sight.Clarity through reflection. Please don’t get boxed in on the best way for you to reflect on what works for someone else. Find the practices that work best for you. My friend Jean-Marc hikes the same mountain every day and finds immense clarity along the way. Others walk, run, swim, bike to clear their minds and through that cleansing find clarity.Others meditate, do yoga or another mindfulness practice that creates a sacred space for reflection to occur. Then there are those who draw, paint or sculpt to remove the clutter and get in touch with their true self.Millions journal and find great clarity through writing. Recently, Michael Hudson called to share the significant breakthroughs over a difficult business issue that came through a time of intense journaling. It helped him find clarity. Once he had clarity, the next steps were obvious.Clarity through community. Sooner or later, you will encounter a situation where you need additional help to navigate your way. That’s where a Clarity Council may help. To my knowledge, this practice originated with the Quakers back in the 1600’s. Clarity Council is my label for what the Quakers called a Clearness Committee.The Clarity Council is a group of people who gather around the person seeking clarity and create a supportive environment for inquiry. They serve by asking questions that help the person find clarity. No disguising advice as a question is allowed as is offering advice or counsel. The purpose is to be a sounding board and a haven for the inquirer to find their answer.Clarity Alone Doesn’t Cut It[clickToTweet tweet="Clarity is priceless, but clarity alone is not enough." quote="Clarity is priceless, but clarity alone is not enough."]Once you know what to do, you must follow through to act, and that takes courage which is our next stop on this journey.

• In your experience, what practices are most helpful for you finding clarity?
• Is there an issue on which you need clarity now?
• Which path will you take to find clarity?

Living Your WHY is a great community that exists to support people like you on the Road to WHY. Learn more here.If you are looking for a coaching relationship to help you Live Your WHY, contact me. Stay tuned for my next post when we consider the role courage plays on your Road to WHY.Shoutouts: Opening graphic courtesy of LightSource and obtained through depositphotos.com.Parker Palmer, A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life provided my first introduction to the Clearness Committee.

Please Don't Fall for This Scam

If you’re anything like me, you are probably skeptical anytime you see that subject line in an email. You might think, “Yeah, right. What kind of phishing expedition is this and who wants to scam me now?” I know I do.The dollar amount of this scam is astronomical. It’s much larger than Enron, Bernie Madoff, and Lehman Brothers combined. In case you are wondering why I listed those, according to Forbes, they are the top three frauds in recent US history.Yet this scam makes those look like lunch money.This scam is more pervasive than the Nigerian scam, the stranded traveler scam, the lottery winning uncle scam, or any other to spam your inbox.Even worse, you may have been coopted as an accomplice in this scam.What scam am I referencing?Well, it goes by many names. Perhaps you heard it expressed in one of these ways:

“You will never amount to anything.” “You will never succeed at that, don't bother trying.” “Don’t get your hopes up; you will only be disappointed.”“Good luck making a living doing that.”"You're too young to do that.""You're too old to do that."“It’s too late now to give that a try.”“You will never be able to support your family doing that.”

[clickToTweet tweet="The greatest scam of all: “You cannot do what you were born to do, so settle for something else.”" quote="The greatest scam of all time is some variation of, “You cannot do what you were born to do, so settle for something else.”"]

The something else is always something less.

This scam has robbed the world of untolled innovation, creativity, and wealth. Who knows the full economic impact of what might have been?All because of the artificial barriers of a false and faulty belief system.If this is you, then you know you have lost something in life. Maybe it’s a sense of adventure or accomplishment. Perhaps it is joy and fulfillment. It could be any number of things. I don’t want to presume what you feel you have lost. I want to remind you that it’s not late.Are you tired of allowing fear and doubt to stop you from doing what you were made to do?Take some step to silence your fears today. Don’t wait until tomorrow. Do something now! I mean right now.[clickToTweet tweet="The size of the step isn’t nearly as important as the direction of it. Move. Forward. Now!" quote="The size of the step isn’t nearly as important as the direction of it. Move. Forward. Now!"]Shoutouts:Here is where you can read the entire Forbes article.Graphic courtesy of TTStudio. Acquired through depositphotos.comA conversation earlier today with Reverend Nancy Yancey of Rainbow Village inspired this post.

Living Your WHY - a Mini Manifesto on Purpose

The Treasure

Somewhere deep inside you lies a treasure. Maybe it’s buried deep within you or perhaps it's hiding in plain view. Hiding from you, that is. Your treasure may be visible to others, yet remain completely oblivious to you.It is also possible that you unwrapped your treasure before, maybe even shared it with others. Then, misfortune struck. Rather than encouraging you, people around you laughed, scorned, or ridiculed you. Instead of finding joy, you felt shame and embarrassment.How about this common scenario? You launched out in some venture based on sharing your treasure with the world; unfortunately, things did not turn out as you planned. You failed! Or at least that’s what you allowed yourself to believe.That’s what you heard and the version of the story you believed. It could have been the voice of your critics. After all, there is nothing they love more than to remind you of that something you dreamed possible that didn’t pan out as planned. [It excuses them from not leaving comfort zone.]But what if everyone else has forgotten that “event” and moved on except you?You are the one who simply cannot get beyond the disappointment or humiliation of such an “enormous failure.” Your inner critic won’t let it go. So you buried your treasure. You decided it is easier, and safer, for you to live with the disappointment of never ‘making it’ than risk being disappointed again (Brene Brown).How I hope this next scenario doesn't apply to you, but chances are good, that it could. See, you might be one of the millions who grew up in  a toxic environment, so venomous and filled with animosity and hostility, fueled by who knows what, that you were repeatedly told, “You are no good. You’re worthless and a waste of resources”. It pains me to type those words, but I know some of you have heard them…and still hear them now.If that’s you, I understand, or at least I want to empathize with how painful your journey has been. After years of belittling, you cannot imagine that you could have anything of value to share, especially, not anything that someone else could treasure.I have to believe that deep inside, you genuinely want this to be true — as much or more than anything else you want. You want to feel that you matter and you, yes, even you, have a treasure to share. More importantly, you are a treasure.It is also possible that this is the first time you hear that you have a treasure. Until now, you believed you were an accident and are here by accident. That, life is random. Here are some of the most common variations of the meme:

The Hedonist version “eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die”. 

The Materialist version, “s/he who dies with the most toys wins.” 

The Cynic’s version, “Life’s a bitch, and then you die.” 

Finally, the Skeptics, “It didn’t work for me, it can’t work for you.”

Their bottom line message sounds like Pete Hogwallop (played by John Turturro) in from O Brother, Where Art Thou.[video width="640" height="360" mp4="http://kevindmonroe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/do-not-seek-the-treasure.mp4"][/video]These memes may be funny in the movies, on a bumper sticker, or some media share, but it’s a pathetic way to live your life. All of these conceal the truth about your treasure.

YOU Have a Treasure

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find your treasure and then share it with the world. Or at least your world.Throughout the ages, philosophers, poets, composers, and theologians have used different labels to describe your treasure. I call it Living Your WHY.Living Your WHY (LYW) is all about you finding your treasure — your life purpose as well as the gifts, talents, and abilities entrusted to you, but meant for you to share with others.LYW is a journey. It is the journey. It’s the quest. It is both a lifelong journey as well as being the journey of your lifetime. You will never be fully alive and fulfilled until you are when you are Living Your WHY.Let’s explore each of the three words in this phrase, Living Your WHY.

Living

Living conveys this as an active, not a passive quest. Living is not something you did only in the past or a someday thing you will do in the future.[clickToTweet tweet="Living always has a NOW element to it. It is always present tense. " quote="Living always has a NOW element to it. It is always present tense. "]While it is true that LYW includes both historical and future elements, but only as part of one connected continuum that you experience in the now.Living your why is relevant to every age and stage of life. As long as you have a pulse, you have a purpose.The living of your why is always unfolding — it’s active, not static. It morphs, evolves, unfolds. Or, perhaps it’s your understanding and expression of your why that evolves as you continue your journey.[clickToTweet tweet="Living is an adventure. Your adventure. And you only have one shot at it. So make it count. " quote="It’s an adventure. Your adventure. And you only have one shot at it. So make it count. "]

Your

All of this is immensely personal. After all, it’s your why. Your why is unique to you. Everything about your journey shapes and influences you and what’s important to you — how you see the world and your place in it and relationship to it.You are unique, and no one else is exactly like you — even if you have an identical twin. Likewise, your why is unique. It encompasses the highs and lows of your life’s journey. It is influenced by your environment, but it is neither determined nor defined by your environment.There is no one else whose treasure is exactly like yours. Your contribution is unique, and we need it.Living Your WHY is not about you becoming someone else, Living Your WHY is about you becoming the best version of you there possibly is. The world needs you and your WHY.

WHY

Why is the essence, the center, the core. Some people think of it as purpose or meaning. It is enduring. It’s your raison d'être — your reason for being.Why is the universal quest that spans the globe and time. Last century, Viktor Frankl called it Man's Search for Meaning and saw such power in the search that it helped thousands endure unbelievable pain and suffering during the Holocaust.Centuries earlier, Irenaeus and Thomas Aquinas called it the Imago Dei, the image of God. These theologians saw it as God’s imprint on all of humanity that creates a deep longing in everyone of us that seeks expression. And centuries before Irenaeus and Aquinas, Solomon called it “eternity set in the heart of man.”You have a WHY. You will find your greatest joy and fulfillment in life when you are Living Your WHY. Whatever your WHY is!

Living Your WHY

If Living Your WHY is the quest, how do you pursue it?Now, that’s a great question.Granted, there may be wrong ways to go about it, but there is not just one single right way. I hope you find that more encouraging than frustrating.Look for the clues around you. Some of the best clues often come from conversations with those closest to you. Ask them what they see you doing better than most. What is it that people seek you out to ask you about?Here are some powerfully profound questions to help you on your quest:

What are you doing when you experience joy and delight in life?

What did you love doing most as a child?

What is it that you are doing when you lose track of time?

What energizes you? 

What excites you? 

What angers you?

If you knew that you were going to die one year from today, what would you do today, so people will remember you as someone who lived life fully?

It’s helpful to answer these questions; it’s even more enlightening to talk through them with someone. Hopefully, you have someone with whom you can have this conversation. If not, contact me, and we’ll explore options for us having that discussion.Please join the Living Your WHY journey, a virtual community connecting through Facebook. Here’s where you go to can learn more about the group and request membership.Living Your WHY is a community and at the same time, it's more than a community. It's a movement. Join it. Live it. Love it. 

Discovering Purpose Without a Map

Do you remember what it was like to navigate your way somewhere new in the days before GPS? For digital natives, a roadmap or an atlas is an archaic relic of the past. Something that may soon only be found in the Smithsonian.I grew up using maps and atlases. For me, being kinetically-challenged, refolding the map was usually an exercise in futility. I remember how excited I was to get my hands finally on a spiral bound Rand-McNally Atlas. For me, that ranks up there with sliced bread and the Gutenberg Press. Perhaps, equating it with the Gutenberg Press is a stretch, but sliced bread for sure.

Old School Navigation

But what happens when your travels lead you to go somewhere for which you have no map? Imagine yourself in the 1800s traveling The Oregon Trail with Lewis and Clark. You’ve seen it on the map, right? You can trace the route they took from Missouri to Oregon. But remember, that map did not exist when they left Missouri, they plowed the way.Or maybe you prefer the open sea and envision being with Balboa on that first voyage to the Pacific 300+ years before Lewis and Clark? He made it with neither a map nor GPS.Consider the adventure, when instead of having a carefully mapped turn-by-turn route or a smart-phone providing step-by-step instructions, “Turn right in 400 feet”, all you have is a general sense of direction and a compass? Then, what would you do?That’s what I’ve been doing for the past 60 days — operating with a compass and not a map. It’s been exhilarating, although I do miss the voice prompts arriving via a British accent.

A 60-Day Journey Without a Map

Let me explain. I invite you to come along with me on this short journey.If you’ve been reading my blog, you know part of this story. Otherwise, this is news to you.In mid-May while sitting at the beach and staring into the Gulf of Mexico, I had an idea just appear. Poof! Pop! It was one of those out-of-nowhere, epiphany moments. I have my personal beliefs that help explain its source, but I won’t go into that now.The idea? Go on a blogging blitz. I was in the final 3-days of my 66-Day writing challenge of a Time Blocking Mastery Program and wondering what to do next to continue my new writing habit.I’ve blogged for years now. Originally pontificating my beliefs about non-profit boards and organizational sustainability. Yeah, I know, you can’t wait to read those. Then for a couple of years on Servant Leadership.But this was going to be different. I committed to exploring a variety of topics and post three times a week for six weeks.Two days into the six weeks, a friend, Chris Cannon said, “Hey Kevin, you ought to start a Facebook Group.”“Why would I do that? I don’t even like Facebook. I’m a LinkedIn and Twitter guy.”The very next day, Michael Hudson, my accountability and thinking partner, said, “You know Kevin, you should start a Facebook Group to go along with this blogging blitz.”My initial response was something like, “Not you too! My friend Chris, whom you don’t know, told me the same thing yesterday.” [Now, I can be slow, after all, I grew up in the South, but I’m not that slow.] “Hmm, let me think about it.”A day or two later, there I was sitting in front of my computer figuring out how to create a Facebook Group. Fortunately, they had told me I had to come up with a name. There was plenty they didn’t say that I was trying to figure out as I set up this group.But who would join?I am sure I could have Googled and found someone offering a course on “How To Achieve Worldwide Domination with Facebook Groups in 90-Days.” With my track record, I would have bought it. Started studying, created a mission statement, developed a one-page strategic plan accompanied by a one-page (or more) marketing plan. At that route, I’d probably still be about 90 days away from the launch date.Instead, I was operating with my new mindset and mantra — “Affinity for Action”. Being intimately familiar with how hard it is to steer a parked car, I have committed to over-acting rather than over-thinking. Inspired by Nike, I was “just doing it.”I’ve been “just doing it” for two months now. Doing what, you might ask?

Living Your WHY

Growing an online community of amazing people from around the world who are all intent on pursuing their purpose in life. We call it, Living Your WHY.No road map, no strategic plan, no marketing plan. Just an idea, a whole lot of passion, and an amazing network of people. I now realize that Living Your WHY is a culmination of all of my work up to this point.As a consultant, speaker, and coach, I have met thousands of amazing people from all parts of the world. What makes each of them amazing is their passion for living their why. I realized this while pondering that question, but who will join?I started by going through my address book and thinking about people I had met through my days in Corporate America, government consulting, the nonprofit world, faith communities, social enterprise, and Servant Leadership. The ONE common characteristic shared by them all, regardless of sector, nationality, or faith was they are living their why. They are passionately pursuing purpose.Looking back, here’s the path I’ve traveled.I had an idea while sitting on a beach in Florida. I took action on that one idea, and it led to other ideas — getting by with a little help from my friends. That idea resonated with others. So, they joined. Some of them invited incredible they know who are living their why.[clickToTweet tweet="Want to know the number one reason people join anything? Wait for it...”somebody asked”. " quote="Want to know the number one reason people join anything? Wait for it, ”somebody asked”. "]I asked. People joined. Some out of genuine interest, others out of kindness, a few out of curiosity, and perhaps a few out of obligation (they just can’t say no to a friend.)Along the way, several dear friends have asked, “So what’s your plan?” I love the variety of  responses I received when I said, “I don’t have one.” As a professional consultant, I am embarrassed about that or have been.That is, until yesterday morning. As I sat on our porch journaling, here are the words that flowed,  “I would feel better with a map or a plan. Right now all I have is a compass.” (those are the exact words copied from my journal).[clickToTweet tweet="If pioneering new territory without a map, use your compass. Keep heading in the right direction." quote="When pioneering new territory and you don’t have a map, use your compass. Keep heading in the right direction."]As I typed those words, suddenly I was grateful that at least I have a compass. While I don’t know the turn-by-turn and cannot give you a strategic plan or even a sketch on a cocktail napkin, I know the direction we’re heading.We are creating a community where we encourage everyone to get busy Living Your WHY. And we would be honored for you to join the adventure. Learn more here.And the next time you find yourself navigating new territory for which you don’t have a map, use the tool available to Balboa, Lewis, and Clark; rely on your compass.

Your Purpose Checkup

Purpose. Meaning. Fulfillment. Joy. STOP. Please read those four words again, a bit more slowly this time. Purpose, meaning, fulfillment, and joy. What is your immediate, emotional response to those words?Do you smile or do you smirk?Are you energized and excited by the idea of endless possibilities? Or are you cynical and skeptical at the plausibility that your life could have any of those?Do those four words create a greater sense of anticipation and awe? Or do they stir regret and remorse?What do those words ignite in you? Do you feel a surge of curiosity, courage, commitment, and action? Or is it more like apathy, anxiety, anger, and confusion?Are your eyes widening in anticipation or are they rolling in disbelief?Whatever your response is, it is your response. So own it! It indicates where you currently are on this journey.

Remember, it's Your Journey

And it is a journey. It's your journey. It's our journey to the degree we share it. We are ALL on it -- whether you are aware of it or not -- now, that’s another issue.Don’t give up on the journey. Just recognize that whether you are in the valley of despair or atop the mountain of celebration, you are on the journey.These words are not written to judge you, but to awaken you and encourage you to assess your current situation.If you really knew me, you would know that I am familiar with all of the responses listed above. All of them, and several more that didn’t make this list.I’ve known plenty of frustration in my journey. The kind that, left unchecked and exposed to the right stimuli, erupts into anger, even rage. It doesn’t compare to the outrage that has filled the screens on our devices from various news sources all around the world. But I understand the frustration that fuels much of that outrage.Hopeless, aimless, frustrated, depressed, and despairing. Those words aptly describe our life without purpose. But it doesn’t have to be that way.And just in case you’re wondering, “You talkin’ to me? Surely not. Not if you knew about my situation, my screw-ups, or my circumstances.”Yes! I’m talking (or writing) to you. Especially you. You see, I’ve been there. I’ve sat where you are sitting or stood where you are standing.I’ve thought I had blown it. Missed my opportunities and cashed in my chips. Thought it was over or might as well be over.[clickToTweet tweet="But then I discovered, as long as you have a pulse, you have a purpose." quote="But then I discovered, as long as you have a pulse, you have a purpose."]Your mistakes do not disqualify you from your life’s purpose. Instead, they prepare you for it. They create credibility to connect with certain people like no one else can. And best of all, your journey has filled you with compassion and empathy for those who have traveled the same or similar paths as you.As Frederick Douglass said,

If there is no struggle, there is no progress.

That’s why they call them growing pains.Finding purpose involves struggle. It’s often through your difficulties and struggles that you discover or rediscover your purpose." I call it Living Your WHY.

Living Your WHY is Progressive

For me, the words purpose, meaning, fulfillment, and joy represent a pathway that is both progressive and iterative. Finding the purpose for your life provides meaning, which leads to fulfillment, and produces joy. And deep down inside, don't we all long for purpose, meaning, fulfillment, and joy? I know I do. I think you do too.[clickToTweet tweet="Starting where you are with what you have may not be much, but it's all you can do. So do it. Now!   " quote="Starting where you are with what you have may not seem like much, but it's all you can do. So do it. Now!"]There is so much more to share about Living Your WHY, I can't wait to continue the journey with you.

What Do You Do Now?

Do something for sure. Here are some options:

• Consider your response to this post and the four words. Explore your responses by journaling or talking with a friend.
• Find a vibrant community of people passionately pursuing purpose to inspire and encourage you on your journey. Dive into the Living Your WHY Facebook Group.
• Join me for the Living Your WHY - It's Better Together Webinar on Wednesday, August 3, 2016, at 1:00 pm EDT. You can register here. 
• Schedule a Quick Connect call with me and we'll jump on a call and talk about what’s on your mind.

How To Get and Stay Unstuck - 4 Steps

Not again! I don’t want to get derailed. Not now! And just when I started gaining some positive momentum. Things were going so well, or so I thought and now here I am stuck again!Rather than moving forward, my wheels are spinning. It seemed that I was finally making progress, but…now, one wheel is back in the rut, and I feel like I’m slipping….sliding….oh no, I am being sucked back into the pit. Once again I am stuck.How I hate being stuck. Feeling ashamed. Lost, desperate, and confused.  Like I will never get my act together. And feeling needy. Oh, how I hate feeling needy.[clickToTweet tweet="Ever wonder > What can I do to get out of this rut before it becomes my grave?" quote="'What can I do to get out of this rut before it becomes my grave?'"]Ever been there? Yeah, me too.Let’s face it. We all get stuck once in a while. But not all stuck is the same. Sometimes we just need to know the direction in which to go and we get can unstuck on our own. Other times we are so far in the rut that we require assistance getting out the rut.Not all stuck is alike. It’s important to distinguish the difference as it helps in developing your approach to getting unstuck.Here are seven of the common ways people get stuck.

1. Stuck in a rut. Of course, there is more than one rut that people fall into. But often a common characteristic of ruts is there are located in your comfort zone. You keep doing what’s comfortable and expect a different result. (Einstein had something to say about that.)
2. Stuck between a rock and a hard place. You have a decision to make and you don’t like either option. Sooner or later you’ll have to choose one or you’ll find yourself stuck in the rut of indecision.
3. Stuck in the middle. There are many middles where people get stuck. Sometimes the middle is a half-way point on a longer journey where you’ve gone far enough that going back isn’t a good option, but you don’t yet see the destination.
4. Stuck in the mud. In my experience, this usually happens when I was trying to take a short-cut and left the prescribed path to find a better way. This kind of stuck almost always requires help from someone else to get out.
5. Stuck on an island. Very few people find themselves stuck on a literal island. However, millions of people are stuck on islands of isolation because they have alienated themselves from others.
6. Stuck in quicksand. As a kid who watched too many Westerns, getting stuck in quicksand was one of my greatest childhood fears. I’ve never seen a pit of quicksand, but I have seen pits of despair and depression. If you’re in a pit, you probably will need help getting out.
7. Stuck in traffic. If you live in a major metropolitan area and are trying to go to the same place as everybody at the same time, sooner or later, you will hit traffic.

4 Easy Doable Steps to Take When You Are Stuck

How do you get unstuck? Well, I don’t mean to sound like a consultant and says, “It depends.” But, it depends on what kind of stuck you are and where you are stuck.The marketing side of me wanted to call these easy steps. The compassionate side of me would not let me.[clickToTweet tweet="Ever been so 'steeped in stuck' that nothing seemed easy. Not easy, but doable! " quote="Trust me; there are times I’ve been so 'steeped in stuck' that nothing seemed easy. This isn't easy but it is doable! "]

The 3 N Framework

“Where are you now?” is a great question to ask. It's even better when you can answer it. Admitting you are stuck is the first step to getting unstuck.“What’s got you stuck?” or even “What kind of stuck are you?” is also helpful.“What is your next step forward?” Put another way, “What is the next right action you need to take?” Don't insist on seeing the whole path before taking action. Take the next step.

[clickToTweet tweet="It's hard to steer a parked car. Get moving and course correct as you go." quote="It's hard to steer a parked car. Get moving and course correct as you go."]

“Is there something new you should adopt or implement?” Be open to doing, or at least exploring, new ideas, options, and alternatives.I have found now, next, and new to be incredibly helpful at getting unstuck.Of course, there are times when it is absolutely essential to ask,“Who can help?” especially in those situations where you are seriously stuck and need someone to help you get unstuck. If you need help, use your phone a friend lifeline and call someone.Regarding getting stuck in traffic...well, that is just part of life for many. When you get stuck in traffic, you have to develop coping mechanisms to maintain your sanity and avoid road rage - meditate, practice deep breathing, listen to calming music. And when you've had enough, do what me and millions of others have done, take the entrepreneurial leap. Traffic was one of the big motivators for me back in 2001.

Staying Unstuck

Once you are unstuck, you want to stay that way. Here are my best tips for staying unstuck:

• Develop a daily routine that anchors you in the right mindset. It is almost impossible to overstate the importance of establishing a daily routine to help you manage your mindset.
• Be part of a community where care, connection, and accountability are mutual and free-flowing. There are all kinds of communities where you can belong. Some are naturally occurring communities through a church, work, or other points of commonality. Other communities are created by intent and design — like civic clubs, professional associations, networking or mastermind groups. I have found membership masterminds highly helpful. Contact me if you want to explore joining the Higher Purpose Mastermind I formed, I would love to discuss it with you.

Even when you are taking preventive measures to avoid getting stuck, you may still occasionally get stuck. When those instances arise, call on a friend, so you don’t waste time or energy staying stuck.Photo credit belongs to fouroaks and was obtained through depositphoto.com.

WHY Conversations: The Empty Nest Edition

The 411: What you are about to read is a fictional account of a conversation on what many call the EmptyNest. This could easily be an actual conversation as this post is inspired by a real-life conversation. Since I was writing from the balcony of a cabin in the mountains of western North Carolina, I pictured this WHY Conversation happening in just such a place. I chose a retreat setting as those are some of my favorite events. I hope you enjoy as you listen in.

Confronting the EmptyNest

“Hey, Kevin, do you have a few minutes? I’d like to chat about some of the things you said during the morning session.”“Of course, BJ, what’s on your mind?”“That whole bit about reconnecting with my passions and charting a new path for this next season of my life. Instead of thinking of this as the finish line, imagine the possibilities if we viewed it as the starting line for our next race. All of that got the wheels turning in my head and created great energy and excitement again.”“Oh, so that is what’s on your mind. If you don’t mind, please tell me a bit more of the path that led you here.” [to this retreat]“Well, my youngest daughter graduated high school this year and is heading out of state for college in the Fall. Lately, it has really been hitting home and hitting hard that I am soon-to-be an empty nester.  Honestly, I am not where I thought I would be at this stage in life and the thought of an empty nest is pretty frightening. After all, for the last 23 years being a Mom has been my primary focus.”“I hear you BJ, the empty nest arrives sooner than most of us anticipated. You may have heard the expression, ‘The days are long, but the years are short.’* I think the empty nest is one of those milestone moments when that reality hits hard. It was such a run and gun to get the kids to school, to sports, to camp, to sleepovers, and then to the next year of school. Then, bam, you’re visiting colleges, ordering graduation invitations, and wondering how time passed so quickly.”“You’re not kidding, Kevin. Especially as a single mom. It seemed there was never any time to stop. In so many ways, life has been a blur since Kindergarten. It’s like we were on autopilot on the autobahn. That line you shared about the empty nest not having to be the empty next hit me right here.” [BJ dramatically and slowly brought her arm from her side with her index finger extended and slowly landed smack dab in the middle of her forehead and added the “kaboom” sound effect.][clickToTweet tweet="Your #EmptyNest need not be your empty next. Fill it with #meaning, #purpose, + #service" quote="Your empty nest need not be your empty next. You can fill it with meaning, purpose, and service"].“In case you were thinking it’s just you, please know you are not alone. It’s like we boarded a high-speed express train the moment when we left the hospital with a newborn in tow. We certainly got here fast, but not quite sure what to do now that we’re here.”“Thanks for the reminder. Fortunately, I know I’m not alone. I’ve got some friends who’ve been on similar journeys and recently we’ve been talking about those same questions you raised this morning. While, we’re not yet certain of the answers, it’s comforting to be processing these questions and sharing this season of life with people I’ve known since college.”“Absolutely! While it’s never easy to navigate life’s transitions, it is certainly easier when you are surrounded by people who know you, love you and want only the best for you. Do you mind me asking, what is your answer is to that question I posed in the morning session?”“Which one? I wrote down a question with each of the five points you covered.”“I didn't know I had questions attached to each of them. (We both chuckle.) You know I believe that a good question is better than a great answer. I meant the one about a passion that you might have put on simmer while you were raising your family?”“Oh, that one. I think I turned that burner off as a single mom. What was that quotation you shared about our childhood memories?”

“What one loves in childhood stays in the heart forever.”

"It’s from Mary Jo Putney and provides quite a window, doesn’t it? Was the question about what you loved in childhood easier for you to answer than the passion question?”“Maybe. For me, I see a strong connection between my childhood delights, dreams, and destiny.”“Hey BJ, love that alliteration. I may have to borrow that delights, dreams, and destiny line. Who knows, I may work it into the next session. Have you pondered that connection before?”“Not really. It was something I jotted down after one of our table discussions. But that is the assignment you gave us for the afternoon isn’t it? Can I give you my answer at dinner? I think I’ll take a short hike up the mountain and find a place to ponder that and have an answer for you at dinner.”“Sounds like a plan. I can’t wait to hear what you come up with; these mountains are a great place for getting clarity.”“Believe me, I know. I am so glad I came.”“Yeah, me too, BJ. I’ll see you at dinner. Enjoy your hike.”

Filling the Empty Next

BJ mentioned five points we discussed in the morning session. Here they are in case you were wondering.

1. Reframe the situation. You’re not done; you are destined. Now is the time to step into your destiny.
2. Reconnect with YOUR passions
3. Rediscover your dreams
4. Redirect your attention and energy
5. Re-fire your future

I’ll cover those in a future WHY Conversation post.Which one(s) do you need to focus on now, so your empty nest is not your empty next? Leave a comment below.We are planning a webinar to explore the Empty Nest ≠ Empty Next. Sign up to be notified of details.[convertkit form=4887230]

Shoutouts

"The days are long, but the years are short," comes from Sandra Stanley via her husband, Andy.The "empty next" concept was a typo from a journal entry on May 16, 2016, that caught my attention.This conversation was inspired by a real-life conversation. Thanks, BJ, you know you are.The photo credit belongs to shippee and was procured from DepositPhotos.com

Finding Life Purpose Through a WHY Conversation

Have you ever wondered what might have been relative to your life purpose -- if only? You gotta be careful with those two words. “If only…” can either be a springboard to action or the slippery slope down to a deep, dark, and desperate hole where you begin to wallow in pity and regret.

 What You're About to Read...

This is a unique post. At least for me, it is. I did not want to write TO you about this topic; I wanted to talk WITH you. I want to share the things I hope I would say if we were engaged in an “If only” conversation. Immediately, I was inspired to write this post as if someone transcribed our conversation. That is what follows.Let me set the stage.You are free to imagine us seated wherever it is you like to go for rich and robust conversation. If I were with my friend Tony Kim, it would be a late afternoon on the patio at Parker’s Lighthouse on Queensway Bay in Long Beach, California where The Queen Mary is docked. We stumbled on Parker's over 10 years ago and go there whenever possible.But like I said, you paint the picture that works best for you. Maybe we are tucked away in the corner of that quaint coffee shop down the street. Or on a bench in the park, sitting under a gazebo, atop a mountain, or by the sea. All of those are great — take your pick.Since I’m the one writing, we are sitting on our screened-in porch with a gentle breeze blowing through the trees, birds singing, and insects chirping.It’s where I am sitting right now as I write this. And those are the sounds I hear at this exact moment. Oops, nature was just interrupted by the air conditioner kicking on. It’s summer in the South, and I am so grateful for AC on a hot day. But I digress.

Listening In

“Oh, there you are. Thanks for stopping by.”We pour a cup of coffee, share some casual chit-chat, and then settle into the wicker chairs and begin to get closer to the real topics that are weighing heavy on your heart and mind.I begin, “So, what’s on your mind?”You respond by saying, “Well, Kevin, life just hasn’t turn out the way I expected.”“Oh? What did you expect?”That takes you off guard for a moment. There is silence. I let the silence hang in the air. You squirm in the chair. You look down; you look out the windows. You stare at the trees for a few moments.I sense the discomfort. I want to step in and say something to break the tension. But I don’t. I remember what I learned from Fierce Conversations.

Let silence do the heavy lifting.

As uncomfortable as it is, I bite my tongue and listen.You seem stirred. I sense you holding back some emotions. Then, finally, you break the silence.“Wow, it’s been a long time since I have given that any thought.”“Given what any thought?”, I ask.“What, and how, I expected life to be.” Again, you are struggling, perhaps even stifling some strong emotions.“Please say more,” I implore. I lean in a little as I can tell you are about to say something profound. And personal.“I guess you would call it the dream I had. It’s what you said about how I expected life to be. I once had a dream and my life was going to be very different than it turned out.”“Yeah, mine too. Radically different. I have sat where you’re sitting now and probably processed some of those same thoughts and emotions you are processing now.”“Really? And here I thought it was just me. Or at least that’s what I’ve been telling myself lately. It looks like everyone else has it all figured out, and their life is going according to the plan. Or much closer to the plan than mine.”“Hmm.” [Just you? I want to ask, Did someone slip something into your coffee? Surely you know better than that. But I exercise restraint.]Because I remember having that exact thought when I sat where you’re sitting. So instead, I follow-up with, “Tell me more about that, if you will.”You go deeper into the personal details. Confidentiality prevents me from sharing more about that here. After you’ve unloaded a lot of what’s on your mind, you look at me — you’ve been looking down for a long time now, not comfortable with any eye contact. But now you ask, “So, is it too late for me? Have I missed out on living my why?”“Absolutely not! Do you have a pulse?”“Say what? I’m sitting here aren’t I? We’re talking to one another. Of course, I have a pulse!”“Well, if you have a pulse, then you’ve got a purpose. If you’re done, your dead. Since you’re still alive, there’s time, and there’s still hope.”“Great!” You say with a mixture of relief and confusion. “But what do I do now?”“Yes! You’ve got it!”At this moment, your brow is furrowed, and you are deeply puzzled. “Got it, got what?”“NOW, you must do something now. Now is the only time you have.”[clickToTweet tweet="Now is the perfect time to take the next step towards your #WHY; it’s the only time." quote="Now is the perfect time to take the next step towards living your WHY; it’s the only time."]“Oh, I see, I need to take action now while all of this is fresh and I’m energized and motivated. So, back to my question, What do I do, now?”“Ah, that depends. Back to those dreams, you said you had years ago, what part of that feels most like you now?”Again, due to time and confidentiality, we’ll omit those details. Suffice it to say; you reconnected with the dream from earlier in life — or at least parts of it.“Let’s discuss one more thing before you have to leave today. Who is there to help you with the next steps?”You look a bit puzzled, “Who is here to help me? You mean I don’t have to do it all myself?”“BINGO, actually you can’t do it all by yourself. Living your WHY is best done in community with others. Who are your others?”You quickly rattle off a few names. They flowed so fast that you were surprised to imagine so many people willing to help you.“Now, what’s the next step you are going to take and when will you take it?”You list your action plan. “I am calling Tom as soon as I leave here and see how soon he can grab lunch. Tomorrow morning, I am carving out some time to journal. You know I used to journal, but it’s been too long. I’ll write about my dreams and desires. And then we’ll arrange a date night this weekend, and I’ll share this conversation with Susan.”“How can I help?”“Oh, you’ve provided plenty of help already. I know my next steps for now. Can I call you if/when I get stuck.”“Of course, you can.”

Was That You I Was Talking With?

I hope you enjoyed our conversation. Let me share the key points in case you missed them.[clickToTweet tweet="The takeaways: It’s not too late. You can’t go it alone! You must start now." quote="1) It's not too late. 2) You can't go it alone. 3) You must start now."]Let’s bring this back to you. After all, this is about you and your WHY.What next step can you take right now towards living your WHY?It can be as simple as:

• Writing down your dream.
• Phoning a friend.
• Scheduling an appointment.
• Finding a group of like-minded people to encourage you on your journey.
• If you've not yet downloaded your free copy of The 5 Questions You Must Answer To Align Yourself With Your Higher Purpose, it will help you find the clarity you need.

Here’s a very simple next step that you can do right now and will only take a few minutes. I dare you to scroll down and leave a comment describing the next step you commit to taking. That “puts it out there” and demonstrates courage, commitment, and invites accountability — three things we all need to continue our progress.Looking for an online community of like-minded people? Join the Living Your WHY Facebook Group and engage with someone there.

Shoutouts

A tweet from @DebraMJacobs "Reminder that with a pulse, we have a purpose" has swirled in my mind for about a week now.Fierce Conversations is an excellent book and course developed by Susan Scott. Learn more here.If you are familiar with The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier you might recognize his influence here. If not, it's a recommended read.The photo credit belongs to mast3r and was procured from DepositPhotos.com

Awakening to WHY

What do you remember most about your awakening to why? That time when you realized that you were not the center of the universe, and you discovered your life is full of possibility, meaning, and purpose. You realized you have gifts, talents, and abilities and you made yourself available to share those with others and in service of some cause.Was your awakening an epiphany? One of those magical moments where it seemed as though lights were flashing, trumpets blaring, and suddenly you had a Eureka moment?Perhaps yours was more of a gradual enlightening; like climbing a mountain and then you arrived at a vista where you could see for miles and miles. You saw the path that led to the vista just as clearly as you saw the way forward. The splendor and majesty from your vantage point were breathtaking and awe-inspiring.Who knows? Your awakening might have contained elements of both. Or might have happened in an entirely different way.[clickToTweet tweet="#Awakenings are not one size fits all; they are one size fits one, you!" quote="Awakenings are not one size fits all; they are one size fits one, you!"]Or maybe you’re sitting there with your face scrunched wondering, “What is this ‘awakening to why’? How does it happen? Sounds kind of Gucci, can I schedule one for Friday at 3:00?”Maybe you can schedule your awakening for Friday at 3:00, but I’ve never seen awakenings arrive exactly on schedule. But that is not to say yours can’t or won’t.But it is entirely possible that your awakening still lies in your future. It would be awesome if you reading this blog post somehow contributed to your awakening?While awakenings may happen at any moment and are not geographically bound. Yes, there are some special places where people gather when they are in a seeker mode, but awakenings are not restricted to conference centers, retreats, college campuses, or sanctuaries.Awakenings are just as likely to occur in a coffee shop, at a restaurant, in a park, at the beach, in the mountains, or even in your car. As I said, they are not geographically bound. However, it is very common for some human agent to be involved. I call them Awakeners.Awakeners are people whose gifts, talents, and abilities are used to awaken other people to the fact that they, too, have gifts, talents, and abilities along with destiny and purpose.The Awakeners arouse people to the reality that your greatest joy in life will be found when you are using your unique skills in service of others and not just live for yourself.Here’s how one Awakener from a past generation, Frederick Buchner put it,

Vocation is the place where our deep gladness meets the world's deep need.

You may be related to the Awakener(s) in your life — maybe it was your mother, father, aunt, uncle, grandparent, sibling, or cousin. Or maybe they served you in some leadership capacity like a coach, teacher, preacher, or counselor. It’s equally possible your Awakener briefly crossed your path in an airport, on a plane, at a conference, camp, or retreat. Maybe you sat in an audience of hundreds or thousands of people. Or maybe it was an intimate one-on-one conversation. It’s also possible that you were reading a book or watching them on some screen.Whoever it was and wherever it was, the Awakener communicated something that stirred deep within you. It connected and resonated deep within and awakened you to your life of purpose and meaning. They got you started on the journey.Remember this, living your WHY is a journey. It’s always a journey, a lifelong one at that.[clickToTweet tweet="If you’ve got a pulse, you’ve got a #purpose. Keep pursuing it." quote="If you’ve got a pulse, you’ve got a purpose. Keep pursuing it."]What next? Well, that depends on where you are on your Journey to WHY.1) Maybe as you read this post, you identified the Awakener(s) in your life. Perhaps you realize that you’ve never expressed your gratitude or lost touch. If you are rocking your why perhaps this provides an excellent opportunity to reach out and connect, or reconnect with your Awakener(s). You could send them a note for the role they played in your Awakening or provide an update on recent developments on your Road to WHY.2) If reading this has awakened you to the reality that weeds are crowding out your why perhaps it is time to revisit and reconnect with your why — maybe this is a wake-up call to reawaken yours.3) If you have yet to discover your why then look around. Who are the Awakeners in your life? Invite one to breakfast, lunch, or coffee and ask them to help you with the discovery process.4) If you want to connect with like-minded people for connection, conversation, and community on your way to why, join the LYW Facebook group or drop-in on one of The WHY Conversations on Blab. You can listen live or watch the recording.

4 Steps to Creating Your Extraordinary Life

No one sets out to live an ordinary life. Not you, not me. Deep inside each of us is a desire to make our mark in the world; to live an extraordinary life.Somewhere along the way something happened and you ended up settling for ordinary. Possibly because you felt that extraordinary was out of reach or not for you. I love this insight from Brené Brown, “People would rather live disappointed than be disappointed.” People lower their expectations and silence their dreams, all in hopes of managing disappointment.That’s no way to live.It doesn’t have to be that way. An extraordinary life is within your reach. Some may doubt that it’s possible, but extraordinary is still available. If you have life and breath, there is still hope and time for you to live an extraordinary life.Before sharing how you can live an extraordinary life, there are two myths that need busting.

Busting Extraordinary Myths

Myth 1

Extraordinaries are born that way. They are the “endowed ones’, the naturals. You know them as “those people” with special gifts, talents, or abilities. Included in this group are actors, athletes, and artists as well as singers, swimmers, and superstars. They arrived on Earth with an extra something that others just don’t have. They were destined for fame and fortune.This myth leads people to believe, unless you arrived as an extraordinary, you are predestined to be ordinary.Here’s the truth: Everyone has at least one special gift, talent, or ability. Everyone! You may see it (your gift, talent, or ability) as ordinary because you are so close to it, and it comes so effortlessly, that you don’t see it as extraordinary. But it is! Your challenge is to identify your gift, talent, or ability and begin to embrace and improve them.

Myth 2

Extraordinaries are lucky and had overnight success. These are the people who just happened to be at the right place at the right time and boom! the world instantly recognized them as extraordinary and conveyed celebrity status upon them. They didn’t have to work for it; they just showed up, and it happened.Really?Myth buster: Most “overnight successes” did not happen overnight. They did thousands of ordinary "things" (whatever their thing is), usually in obscurity and way below the radar screen. Then, all of those ordinary things reached a tipping point, and suddenly, everyone knew their name.It’s like the 10,000-hour rule from Anders Ericcson that Malcolm Gladwell popularized in Outliers. The idea is that mastery comes after 10,000 hours invested toiling away often in anonymity. You work off the grid for years and steadily progress to the point you become an overnight success.Now that we’ve addressed those myths, how does one go from being ordinary to becoming extraordinary?I am so glad you asked![clickToTweet tweet="Becoming extraordinary requires extra effort, but it is fully within your reach." quote="Becoming extraordinary requires extra effort, but it is fully within your reach."]It’s the idea of gradually, then suddenly. Like compound interest, it builds slowly at first and then reaches a point of critical mass, becoming both notable and noteworthy.Becoming extraordinary requires doing more than the absolute minimum. It’s attention to detail, concentrating on the little things that others overlook. It’s the personal touch. It’s follow-up. It's a lot of small ordinary things done with extraordinary care and love that create a magical moment.Then, as you string together a series of magical moments, you reach the tipping point. When that happens, your ordinary life ceases to be ordinary and is “suddenly” extraordinary.If becoming extraordinary is so easy, why are so few people willing to pay the price? That's a great question. It led Roger Staubach to this conclusion.

There are no traffic jams along the extra mile.

4 Steps to Transform the Ordinary

Here are four things that, when consistently practiced, will transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. They are Intention, Awareness, Connection, and Action.Intention[clickToTweet tweet="#Intention is the seedbed for all #extraordinary achievement. " quote="Intention is the seedbed for all extraordinary achievement. "]Your journey to extraordinary begins with an intention. Decide that you will not settle for ordinary as long as extraordinary is possible. Identify the mindset you need to create the masterpiece life you want to live. Develop a daily routine that grounds you in your desire and creates the fertile ground for the extraordinary to occur.Paulo Coelho described the result of intention in The Alchemist.

And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.

AwarenessOnce you have set your intention, open your eyes to the opportunities around you. You will be amazed just how many opportunities await you. They were there all along, but you missed seeing them because you had not made yourself available to them.[clickToTweet tweet="#Opportunities are amazing: #intention attracts them, action multiplies them." quote="Opportunities are amazing: intention attracts them, action multiplies them."]ConnectionConnecting with people is the single best way I know to transform ordinary transactions into extraordinary encounters. Every single day we have multiple opportunities to connect with people: both in-person and on-line. Open your eyes to the possibilities for connection; when they arise, invest richly in the relationship. With increased intention and awareness, connections occur naturally, perhaps even supernaturally.[clickToTweet tweet="Connection begets conversation which begets relationships. Relationships fuel growth. " quote="Connection leads to conversation, conversations build relationships, and relationships fuel growth. "]ActionIntention, Awareness, and Connection all set the stage for action. You started out with an intention to make a difference for someone; through awareness, you discovered an opportunity. You seized the opportunity to connect. Through the connection you found a way to make a difference — it could be something as small as a kind word. It might be facilitating an introduction or investing in some pay-it-forward action.[clickToTweet tweet="Intentions are great, especially when coupled with an affinity for action." quote="Intentions are great, especially when coupled with an affinity for action."]

The Ball is in Your Court

If you have not declared your intention to live an extraordinary life, then that’s your starting point.

You are surrounded by opportunities to be extraordinary, AND you have everything you need.

Get started. If you do not have a morning routine that sets you on the path for extraordinary days. Start now!Determine now how you will start your day tomorrow to set you on the path to be extraordinary.Once you have set the intention, cultivate habits to increase your awareness of those around you. Put your phone away. Be aware of the people on your path and avail yourself of opportunities.When opportunities arise, connect. Speak a kind word to the barista, cashier, flight attendant, whoever crosses your path for more than a nanosecond. Be genuine and authentic, not plastic or dramatic. If they are wearing a name tag, call them by name. It’s a way to jump start the connection and conversation.And remember to take action. What kind of action is best? Whatever is most relevant at the moment. What do you see when you look at their face and eyes? Are they having a bad day? Looking stressed out? Offer a word of encouragement. Extend a sincere compliment for a job well done. Perform a small act of kindness clothed in compassion. Treat everyone you encounter with dignity and respect.If you follow these simple steps, you will end your ordinary days. Ordinary interactions will become extraordinary encounters that will grow like compound interest. Gradually, then suddenly you too will become one of the Extraordinaries.

Supporting Your Extraordinary Journey

• Connect with a great group of peers in the Living Your WHY Facebook Group.
• Join The WHY Conversations on Blab Wednesdays at 3:00 EDT.
• Jump on a Quick Connect Call with me. We'll talk about whatever is on your mind.

The Problem of Ordinary

Your life is ordinary. And you loathe the fact that it is.Becoming ordinary was never on your wish list. It neither filled your dreams nor fueled your imagination. If you’re anything like me, being ordinary might have even been your worst nightmare.Ordinary was the one thing you longed most to escape. You grew up in an ordinary family, lived in an ordinary town (not even big enough to be considered a city), and you attended an ordinary school. As a matter of fact, everything about your life seemed ordinary.You want people to notice you. To stand out, to make your mark in the world. You can’t do that if you are ordinary and blend in everywhere you go.Who would notice? After all, the very definition of ordinary is “with no special or distinctive features; normal, and commonplace.”Who notices ordinary? Nobody.Now as you think about it, ordinary defines your life. So much of your life is dull and ordinary. Mundane and meaningless! At least, that’s how you see it.Especially when you compare your ordinary life to other’s extraordinary lives — at least the lives you think they live by what you see on social media. By comparison, your life feels like a documentary filmed in black and white and stuck playing in s-l-o-w motion while everyone else’s lives are star-studded, action-packed, high-definition highlight reels.I’ve got news for you, and you might not like it. You can’t escape the ordinary. Ordinary is everywhere, and every life includes a certain amount of mundane moments.I remember the day that it dawned on me that even Jesus had many ‘mundane moments’ in his extraordinary life. Please don’t get me wrong, his life was certainly miraculous. But it was not nonstop miracles.We have a detailed account of his birth, a very short snippet when he was 12 years old, and a lot of details of his three years of public ministry beginning at about age 30. But what about those other years, the ones between birth and the Temple visit at age 12 and how about those 18 years from when he was 12 to when he was 30.We know he was a carpenter; did you ever stop to think that even he went through the tedious process of making furniture or building a barn? I am sure his work included plenty of mundane tasks of cutting, sawing, and sanding. I believe he had a mindset that transformed the mundane and infused it with meaning and purpose.[clickToTweet tweet="You cannot escape the #ordinary, but you can #transform it." quote="You cannot escape the ordinary, but you can transform it."]The mundane can become meaningful, even magical, especially, when you have the right mindset and outlook.It’s not so much what we do that determines whether or not a task is menial or mundane, but how much of ourselves we bring to the task and invest in it that is transformative.Perhaps you’ve heard the story of the three stonecutters in medieval times. Each had the same tasks, tools, and resources; they shared the same job description and worked on the same project. But their perceptions of their work were radically different as illustrated through their encounters with a visitor.The visitor was in awe at the massive project under construction. He could not tell what was being built but by the size of the worksite and the number of workers on the project he knew it was something big.He approached the first stonecutter, interrupted him and asked, “What are you doing?”A wee bit annoyed, he replied, “What does it look like I am doing? I am cutting stones for I am a stonecutter.”The visitor apologized for interrupting his work and continued walking around the site, still marveling at the edifice under construction.A few yards away, he encountered another mason and asked him the same question, “What are you doing?”The second worker was also perplexed by the visitor’s question. “Well, I am the best stonecutter in these parts, and I am meticulously working to build a wall.”“Thank you, I am sorry for my interruption. It is indeed a beautiful wall you are building.”The visitor walked on a few more yards where he approached the third mason. There was something different about this stonecutter. He was engrossed in his work, had a twinkle in his eye, and a spring to his step.The visitor decided to ask his question one more time. “Good sir, I hate to interrupt you, but may I ask what are you doing?”The stonecutter paused from his work, wiped the sweat from his brow, locked eyes with the visitor and said proudly, “Sir, I am building a great cathedral.”It was true that each worker had the same tasks, tools, and resources. But each of them perceived their work differently. Which stonecutter do you think found more joy from their labor?The third stonecutter knew the same secrets that Mother Teresa shared. She realized that “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” It’s not the size of the task that matters; it’s the amount of love you invest in it.[clickToTweet tweet="When you, “Do ordinary things with extraordinary love”, they cease being ordinary things." quote="When you, “Do ordinary things with extraordinary love”, they cease being ordinary things."]It’s not what you do that determines whether or not the task is ordinary. Rather, it’s the love and care, with which you do the mundane things of life, that transforms them into extraordinary.Your life is ordinary, not because it is full of mundane tasks; it is because you see those tasks as mundane. Find a way to infuse even the most mundane tasks with extraordinary love, care, and excellence. You will find both the work and the worker transformed as a result.

Oh the People You Will Meet on Your Way to WHY

Take the next step on your Road to WHY. Click here and download a resource sheet to help you identify the 7 People You Meet on the Road to WHY.You are on a quest. A journey. Yes, I’m talking to you.Your quest began the day you were born. Technically, it started much earlier; let’s save that topic for a later philosophy discussion. I find those are better in person, by the beach or the fireplace with your favorite beverage in hand.If you are reading this post, you are on that journey. You may be completely unaware of the journey or thought you were just wandering aimlessly. Nope! It’s a journey. Most of us were somewhat clueless. After all, that’s the message many of us heard.The journey continues as long as you have life and breath. For most people I know, their journey is more like a maze than a straight-line. I find comfort in knowing that the steeper the slope, the harder the climb, the better the view from the finishing line.If you’ve had lots of zigs and zags along the way, keep at it. Something great is just ahead of you.Let me introduce you to seven people you will meet on your way to WHY. It’s not like there are only seven people on your road to why, but seven types of people or seven roles that people will play along the way. The order in which you meet them may vary. And some will play a significant role, others a supporting role and a few will make only cameo appearances. They are all important, even necessary.Oh yeah, it’s important to know that they won’t be wearing name tags either to identify them and their roles. Some are flashing billboard obvious; others are hardly noticeable.If your journey is anything like mine, you may only recognize the role someone played in retrospect. It’s also entirely possible that the people you meet are completely unaware of the role they play(ed) in your journey.[clickToTweet tweet="There’s no casting call, and people are not provided a script for their roles on your road to #why." quote="There’s no casting call, and people are not provided a script for their roles on your road to why."]Often, it’s far more organic than scripted. At least that’s how I’ve seen it play out.Here are the seven people: Awakener, Doubter, Encourager, Hero, Mentor, Critic, and Ally.Now let me briefly describe each of them. See how many you can identify in your life.The AwakenerI don’t know when it happened for you, but one of the first people you meet on your Way to WHY is the Awakener. The Awakener plays a critical role in your life and journey. It is the person who first rouses you to the reality that there are meaning and purpose to life, your life.The Awakener may, or may not use the language of why, meaning, and purpose. It’s not like there is a magic phrase or incantation from the Awakening Handbook required for your awakening to occur.But absent this awakening, you keep shuffling along in a stupor. Going through the motions, stuck in a rut. You might even have bought the lie that life is all about you and that you are (or were) the center of the universe. Then, you meet the Awakener.The Awakener shakes you from your slumber and helps you “see the light” and get on your way to WHY.A personal relationship with your Awakener is nice, but it’s not necessary. Many people had a “chance encounter” (yeah right) with their Awakener. Trust me, while it may have been a one-time encounter, it was an encounter with destiny, not chance.Nor does it matter whether you met your Awakener at a convention center, chapel, or coffee shop. All that matters is that you met. And, as a result of your meeting, you are aware that life, your life, has meaning and that you matter.Most of us share a common experience immediately following our awakening. We are so excited over our epiphany that we can’t wait to tell somebody. Unless you are extraordinarily wise, you may make a poor choice in whom you tell. Join the club.Rather than confiding in someone who has also met their Awakener, you tell the first person you see or a good friend with whom you usually commiserate about how much life, or work, sucks.Instead of seeing their eyes open, their bodies lean in, and they say, “Tell me more.” You see them lean back in their chair, fold their arms, and furrow their brow. Then you hear something like this, “Are you okay?” “I know you’re stressed, have you been drinking?”You just encountered the Doubter. Or should I say, your first Doubter? I don’t want to dampen your enthusiasm; I just need to prepare you. You will meet many Doubters along the way; they seem to multiply like rabbits.But there’s one Doubter that follows you everywhere you go. Everywhere. As a matter of fact, this one lives with you. Sorry, correction, that Doubter lives in you.The most detrimental and determined Doubter I encounter is the one embedded in my head. The one who stares me down in the mirror and screams, “Who do you think you are?” “What makes you so special?”Fortunately, there’s someone you meet that you desperately need.You need as many of these in your corner as you can find. Put them on speed dial or add them to favorites list. Read their messages first. On some days, read only their messages, ignore the others.It’s the Encourager.  These are the people who see you as capable and competent. They build your confidence. They give you courage; actually, they deposit courage into you.The Encourager fills you with hope and reminds you that you are valuable. They may not always use perfect English, but their message is always spot on. Like this scene from The Help that shows the power of the Encourager, “You is kind, you is smart, you is important.”[video width="1280" height="720" mp4="http://kevindmonroe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/You-Is-Smart-You-Is-Kind-You-Is-Important.mp4"][/video]There’s another important person you meet on the Road to Why. Hopefully, you meet many of these people too. Once you are on the Road to Why, you may realize you met them much earlier in your journey. They inspired you; they embodied what you want to emulate. It’s the Hero.You may know them intimately, and it’s equally possible that you’ve never met. They could be well known or unknown; their fame is irrelevant.It’s their example that counts. Your hero could be someone on the world stage, the person who built the stage, or the person who sweeps the stage after the show is over. Each is equally remarkable and may exude qualities you deem admirable.[clickToTweet tweet="Anyone can be a Hero, and everybody is somebody’s Hero. " quote="Anyone can be a Hero, and everybody is somebody’s Hero. "]We all need Heroes. In some cases, your Hero may pull double duty and play another vital role in your journey and also serve as a Mentor.A hero may remain distant; mentors get close. You may never meet your hero. They could have lived generations before you, but they inspire you and model greatness. Mentors, on the other hand, often are up-close and personal.Yes, it is possible to have Mentors from another time and place. I have several virtual mentors. They are a great complement to in-person mentoring, but will never fully supplement in-person mentoring.[clickToTweet tweet="#Heroes inspire you, #Mentors invest in you." quote="Heroes inspire you, Mentors invest in you."]I had mentors in my life long before I knew the word or concept. I have never participated in a formal mentoring program. No advisor ever reviewed my application and matched me with a mentor. My mentoring relationships have happened organically, and a few even had divine origins.Some were formal. A few I sought out, others just happened. They all had something in common. Every mentor invested in me. I am deeply grateful to them for their mentorship.Thank God for Heroes, Mentors, and Encouragers. You will need them and their example to help you with the next people you encounter on the journey. The Critic.Here’s the truth. On your Road to WHY, you will encounter Critics.There seems to be a correlation between the size of your WHY and the number of Critics you will attract. Their goal is to thwart your progress on the Road to WHY. Do not give in to them. The only way to avoid them Critics is to say nothing, write nothing, do nothing, and be nothing.That’s a high price to pay to silence the critics. Too high in my opinion.Instead, heed the wise words of Theodore Roosevelt.

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. 

The final group of people on the Road to WHY will be the ones who come alongside you or you beside them.  It’s the Ally. That person, or persons, with whom you find a kindred spirit and common cause. They have your back, and you have theirs.Allies come in all shapes and sizes. Some you connect with for a season, others stick with you for the journey. Some allies are in the background providing support and resources. Others share the stage with you. Bill Withers may have best summarized the role of the Ally, “We all need somebody to lean on.”There you have it, the seven people you will meet on your Road to Why. Where are you on your journey? How many of these people can you identify? Which ones are most active and involved now. Which ones are most needed today?It’s a conversation I want to continue. Here are five ways that come to mind:

• If you’re on the Road to WHY, consider this my personal invitation to join the Living Your WHY Facebook Group. It’s a hub for Awakeners, Encouragers, Heroes, Mentors, and Allies — Critics and Doubters need not apply.
• Engage in conversation by leaving a comment below.
• Download your free Road to WHY worksheet to identify the people on your Road to WHY.

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The Common Characteristic of Greatness: An Epiphany

Just this week I had an epiphany! Lights went off, bells rang. Perhaps, you’re thinking, “That must've hurt.” A not-so-subtle reference to the great line from the movie, Hook. For those scratching your heads, “Say what?”, take a look.[video width="320" height="240" mp4="http://kevindmonroe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Hook-Ive-Just-Had-An-Apostrophe.mp4"][/video]But was my epiphany a flash of insight or has it been years in the making? Ah, that made me wonder,[clickToTweet tweet="Are epiphanies sudden flashes of insight or gradual awakenings of enlightenment? " quote="Are epiphanies sudden flashes of insight or gradual awakenings of enlightenment? "]Epiphanies can be either, and often are a combination of both.

Remember the story of Archimedes?

According to the story, Archimedes had been perplexed by a problem for some period.  King Hiero II was questioning the integrity of a local goldsmith he had commissioned to make his crown. He thought the craftsman had crafted a ruse to keep some of the gold for himself and substituted some inferior elements in the making of the king’s crown. Archimedes had been consulted to solve the problem.An exact solution had eluded him. He pondered this situation for days with no breakthrough.One day, as he stepped into his bathtub, he noticed the water responded to the weight of his body submerging into the tub. Instantly, he realized there was a flash of insight that would solve this problem. He was so moved by his discovery, that he literally, flashed through the streets of Syracuse shouting “Eureka, Eureka!” which means, “I found it!”Yes, there was a moment in which Archimedes had an amazing flash of insight, his eureka moment. However, one must wonder what role all of his pondering the king’s dilemma for days on end had in the timing of this epiphany. Absent that pondering, he might not have ever noticed the water rising in his tub or connected the dots that led to his theory of displacement.Here’s a cartoon summary of the story in case you're interested or want to share.

My Eureka Moment

Back to my epiphany. Through the years, I have been fortunate to work in or with the private, public, and social sectors. Despite my preconceived notions or stereotypes to the contrary, I discovered passionate people of purpose in every sector.[clickToTweet tweet=" No single #sector has a monopoly on virtue or vice. Saints and sinners are equally present in all. " quote=" No single sector has a monopoly on virtue or vice. Saints and sinners are equally present in all. "]There are paper pushers, people pleasers, and passionate pioneers in every sector.What is it that those passionate people all have in common? I’ve pondered that for years — consciously and subconsciously.Now, I’d love to tell you that I commissioned a leading research firm that conducted dozens of focus groups, market studies on seven continents, and thousands of qualitative one-on-one interviews with high achievers from all walks of life. Then, they combed through all of that data and found the one secret shared by all of those high achievers.And after all of that exhaustive research, I am now poised to share what they found. I could tell you that.But it wouldn’t be true. I have not (yet) commissioned that study or research. No, this is much more like Archimedes and his flash of insight. For years, I’ve wondered what it is that most of the extraordinary people I have met all have in common.And now, I think I know.Are you ready? Drumroll, please.The common characteristic shared by all of the extraordinary people I know: they are Living their WHY. That’s it!They are on the journey to discover the reason why they are here (on earth) and to somehow integrate that awareness into what they do.Many of the extraordinary people I know have found a way to express their why through their daily work. For others, it's through volunteerism or community involvement they demonstrate theirs. Still others, find their most authentic expression involves their faith and faith community.With every waking day, the people of purpose I’m blessed to know, recognize that as long as they have life and breath, there is a why for their existence.Our common quest of discovering and living your why is what unites us — regardless of where you live, work, or worship.Your mission, should you accept it, is to discover your why. Knowing is not enough. Once you discover it, you then find ways to live your why.How did my epiphany occur? Gradually, then suddenly.The 'gradually' part was meeting great people from all sectors over the past 20+ years. The 'suddenly' part happened recently. I am on a six-week blogging and connection blitz. Two friends encouraged me to start a Facebook Group. I did. We labeled it Living Your WHY.And it was only after launching the Living Your WHY group that I realized all of the amazing people I know can find a place of belonging there. Perhaps my epiphany began by my asking the question, “Who should I invite to join?”As I scrolled through my contacts, I remembered people who struck me as extraordinary across all sectors, countries, and cultures belong in this group. Living Your WHY connects and unites us.

Living Your WHY

If what you’ve read appeals to you,

• Please join us on the Living Your WHY Facebook group
• Jump in on The WHY Conversations #Blab currently, Wednesdays at 3:00 EDT.
• Schedule a quick connect call with me. We will discuss whatever is on your mind.
• Subscribed to stay informed on Living Your WHY.

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