We all deal with moments of truth when we face crucial decisions that could change the course of our lives forever. Do you remember the movie "The Matrix" and the red or blue pills? In the movie, our soon-to-be hero, Neo, is put to the ultimate test when Morpheus shows Neo two pills, a blue and a red one, and gives him a choice:

Blue pill: Forget everything and go back to the status quo.
Red pill: Learn the truth and step into your destiny.

We are no different than Neo in that we are all on a journey towards significance whether or not we consciously realize it. However, all of us aren't as courageous as Neo, are we? Neo took the red pill and left the status quo behind. What would you do?
 
Some people are afraid to search for meaning in their lives because they will have to do something with their discovery. After all, something happens inside us when we finally uncover the purpose for our lives...what we were born to do.
 
Suddenly, we realize we need to redeem the time ahead of us. Envisioning our purpose or "promised land" puts us in an interesting position because we find ourselves between the "here" and the "there". We know where we are and yet we see how things could be. Tension builds and we face our moment of truth.
 
Our moment of truth in leadership and in life exists at the boundary between current reality and our "promised land". It is here where we see new possibilities and where we must ask ourselves:

• What will I do with what I now see?
• What will I do with what could be?
• What keeps me from entering in to the promised land?

Today, you are Neo. You can choose the blue "pill" of the status quo or the red "pill" of possibility. The choice is yours. What will you do?
 
 

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My mom always used to say to me "Janna, you can't save the world" because I was always helping someone with something-homework, "counseling", sports, etc. I still haven't changed and she's still saying that to me.

While I know I can't technically "save" the world, I still haven't given up trying to make an impact on it for good, one person at a time.  Ponder with me today the meaning of this poem in your own life.  Leaders know the power of one. What ONE thing can you do TODAY to make a difference?

The Power of One -Author Unknown

One song can spark a moment
One flower can wake the dream
One tree can start a forest
One bird can herald spring

One smile begins a friendship
One handclasp lifts a soul
One star can guide a ship at sea
One word can frame the goal

One vote can change a nation
One sunbeam lights a room
One candle wipes out darkness
One laugh will conquer doom

One step must start each journey
One word must start each prayer
One hope will raise our spirits
One touch can show you care

One voice can speak with wisdom
One heart can know what's true
One life can make the difference
You see, it's up to you!

Time is the one thing we have that once its gone, we can't get back.  In today's Thoughtful Thursday post, consider how your life might be diffferent if you made the best use of your time. Here's the quote:

Those who make the worst use of their time are the first to complain of its shortness. - Jean de La Brusre, 17th Century French Essayist

 

 

Purpose is essential in life and leadership. When we do what we are created to do, everyone benefits and we live and lead more passionately.

Today's Thoughtful Thursday quote comes from my passion of helping people discover what they were born to do and to incorporate that "purpose" or "calling" into their lives. Ponder this one with me:

How different our lives are when we really know what is deeply important to us, and keeping that picture in mind, we manage ourselves each day to be and to know what really matters most. - Stephen Covey

• What is deeply important to you?
• If you were to be given a life achievement award, what would be said about you?
• How are you managing yourself to do the things you are most passionate about?

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Care to share or suggest a quote for next time? Email me or leave a comment below. Happy pondering!

A good purpose statement pulls you towards it and resonates with your soul. It might even give you goose bumps as you ponder what might happen should you live it out. The thought of failing it might also invoke a sense of sadness.

In my last post I discussed discovering your purpose and how doing so is important to your life and leadership abilities. Have you written your life purpose or mission statement yet? If you have written or even considered your life purpose statement, it is time to put it to the test. Here are some questions to help you determine how well it fits you:

• Do you feel a connection to it?
• Do you desire to fulfill it?
• Are you fulfilled when you act according to it?
• Do your interests naturally gravitate toward fulfilling it?

My personal mission/purpose statement is to equip and empower others to achieve their full potential. In a way, it is something I have always done. When I think about how it could possibly be fulfilled, I do get goose bumps and get scared sometimes because I have big dreams! One of my favorite things to work on with my clients is in the discovery of life purpose. What is your dream?

Remember, your purpose statement is personal and you don't have to share it with anyone. However, if you know your purpose and intentionally live your life to fulfill it, others will take notice. You will have more energy with the clarity it provides. Hang on for the ride and enjoy the journey!

How has knowing your purpose changed your life? Please share by clicking the comment link below!

Authentic leadership starts by connecting with the essence of who we are and by answering the question "What am I here for?". Otherwise known as our "purpose", this is our ultimate destination. I personally have found this experience very rewarding and motivating.

Finding your destination or "purpose" is more difficult to discern than picking a vacation spot, and is also infinitely more important. Without a clear overall direction for our lives we might never achieve our full potentional. Without tuning into our unique purpose, our lives will also be less fulfilling.

One of the ways we can discover our purpose is to examine our past experiences. Try the following exercise and see what it reveals to you:

1. List 10-15 examples of times in your life when you knew that you were doing what you were created to do. What experiences in your life come to mind as your most memorable? What experiences give you goosebumps when you talk or think about them?
2. Write briefly about each of these examples. Where where you? What was so satisfying about it to you?
3. Underline key words and phrases from #2.
4. Draft a 2-3 sentence statement using underlined words from #3 describing your purpose. This is your purpose statement.

Once you've completed this exercise, let your purpose statement sit for awhile. Come back for my next post where I'll discuss how you can test it to see how it really fits you!

If you already have a personal purpose or mission statement, how has having it benefited you? Hit the comment link below and share your experiences.

What is purpose anyway? The search for purpose has become very popular these days.  But why is is so powerful when we find it?

Purpose is defined as:

1. Something one intends to get or do; intention; aim.
2. Resolution; determination.

3. The object for which something exists or is done; end in view.

In the big picture of our lives, purpose can take the form of a "life purpose" or "calling"-that thing which we were born to do.  In the short term, living with purpose is simply making the most of our day to day choices in an effort to either be more productive or to live out our "purpose", keeping the end in mind. 

Either way you look at it, living with a sense of purpose provides an element of motivation to our lives. Purpose can be what makes us jump out of bed in the morning!

The power of purpose is that it facilitates change.

Purpose propels us forward and transforms an ordinary life into an exceptional life. In short, purpose drives progress.  What is your purpose?

Welcome to the Purposeful Leadership blog!  Life's journey is a long one and we can't do it alone.  That's why I am excited to begin yet another phase of my journey in pursuit of my lifelong passion to encourage and equip others to achieve their full potential. 

I have a passion for leaders of all types because I know being responsible for others is a tough job and  is often lonely and thankless.  When we are at our best, however, leadership can be a lot of fun, especially if we have someone we trust with whom to share the journey. 

My intent for this blog is to provide resources for your leadership journey as well as to allow you to share your own expertise and opinions in conversation while encouraging you to apply what you are learning to everyday life.  We will be discussing all that it entails to become an exceptional authentic leader.

Are you ready?