Tag Archive for the shift

Have You “Herd?”- Animals Can Teach Us Leadership

Linda Kohanov picture on leadershipOur guest (Linda Kohanov) adapts horse-inspired insights into powerful tools for developing collaborative leadership and managing change.

Over thousands of years, Kohanov writes, “master herders” of nomadic herding cultures developed a multi-faceted, socially intelligent form of leadership combining the five roles of Dominant, Leader, Sentinel, Nurturer / Companion, and Predator.

 

Linda Kohanov is the author of  The Five Roles of a Master Herder: A Revolutionary Model for Socially Intelligent Leadership. 

Some talking points from the show:

  • Features of socially intelligent leadership
  • A definition of “master herder”
  • Master herder roles in the working world
  • Human and animal interaction
  • Animals and their work in entertaining humans

Listen to the interview by clicking on below:


 

logo for leadership

 
 …and you can read more about leadership styles here:

 

   ARTICLE:

Why You Might Be Failing At Leadership

By  

   Expert Author Cillin David Hearns          I remember getting my very first leadership opportunity. I was thrilled because this is what I’d been working towards for many years and boy oh boy did I suck!

I thought I understood all I needed to know because, after all, I’d read all the books and gave an awesome interview so why was I floundering so badly?

I couldn’t understand why my team wasn’t jumping on board and hanging onto my every word. It was at this point that I was firmly pressed up against reality and I quickly realized that I didn’t have the skills that I thought I had.

My boss, who seemed quite successful in building a team, told me that the team had to want to follow me and that no title was going to give me that. That’s where his advice ended, not because he was short on giving advice, but because he didn’t understand what made him a good leader and he, through no fault of his own, lacked the skills to grow leaders under him.

It was like being thrown into a pool to learn to swim but no one was there to teach me. Looking back it was largely this experience that led me on the journey to discover what makes great leaders. I was no longer satisfied with the theory alone, I wanted to the tools to grow a team and to be able to lead them to be high performers.

As you’ve often heard me say in the past, the first step is awareness of yourself and, in this instance, awareness of your default leadership style. We all have a default and with every style there are positives and negatives in how they are used and there are also specific times when each style should be ‘consciously’ drawn upon.

More on this later but for now, let’s look at the different core leadership styles.

Debate is common about which leadership style is most effective. The answer, of course,… it all depends. ~ Thomas Kohntopp

Visionary Leadership Style

The Visionary Leader moves people towards a shared dream/vision. This style is particularly effective when a business is adrift-it comes naturally to transformational leaders, those who seek to radically change an organization.

Of all the leadership styles, this style appears to be the most strongly positive. Examples of Visionary Leaders include Martin Luther King, John F. Kennedy, and Barrack Obama.

The key personality traits of these leaders are empathy, self-confidence, and honesty/integrity and they act as a change agent and are big on transparency.

A note of caution: This style can fail when the leader is working with a team of experts or peers who are more experienced than he/she and may be viewed as someone with a grand vision or someone who is misaligned with the existing agenda. It can cause cynicism which can lead to poor performance.

The leader can come across as overbearing and can undermine the spirit of the team.

Coaching Leadership Style

The Coaching Leader connects what a person wants with the organization’s goals. This is a highly positive leadership style. The focus is less so on the “bottom-line” but tends to promote loyalty and a strong culture which, in an indirect way, leads to “bottom-line” results.

The personality traits of this style of leader are emotional self-awareness, empathy, rapport building, and listening. When done well, coaching improves the team member’s capabilities, self-confidence, autonomy, and performance.

This style is the most lacking in leaders. Having a deep conversation with a team member goes beyond the immediate short-term concerns and instead explores a person’s life, including dreams, life goals, and career hopes… this takes time and effort.

A note of caution: When executed poorly the coaching approach can look more like micromanaging or excessive control of the team member. This can impact on the team member’s self-confidence and be detrimental to performance.

Affiliative Leadership Style

The Affiliative Leader creates harmony by connecting people to each other. This leadership style has a positive impact on the environment.

It heightens team harmony, increases morale, improves communication and repairs broken trust in an organization. This leadership style tends to value people and their feelings-putting less emphasis on accomplishing tasks and goals, and more on team member’s emotional needs.

They strive to keep people happy, to create harmony and to build team resonance. But, it should not be used alone.

When coupled with the Visionary Leadership Style it can be a highly potent combination. This style is best used to heal rifts in a team, motivate during stressful times, or strengthen connections.

A note of caution: When using this style alone poor performance can go uncorrected and lead to a culture of mediocrity.

Democratic Leadership Style

The Democratic Leader values people’s input and gets commitment through participation. It has a positive impact on the environment and keeps morale high by spending time one-on-one and in meetings listening to the concerns of team members.

The democratic approach works best when the leader is uncertain about what direction to take and needs ideas from able employees. Even if there is a strong vision, this style works well to surface ideas about how to implement that vision or to generate fresh ideas for executing it.

Please Note: In order for this to be effective, team members have to be well-informed and competent. This approach should not be used in times of crisis and when urgent events demand on-the-spot decisions.

A note of caution: Over-reliance on this style can be exasperating leading to endless meetings to gain consensus, delayed decision making, confusion and lack of direction leading to delays and escalating conflicts.

The next couple of leadership styles, although they have their place, need to be used sparingly and because of the incorrect use of these, they are deemed highly negative… I’m speaking from experience here!

Pace-Setting Leadership Style

The Pace Setting Leader meets challenging and exciting goals. Because this style is frequently poorly executed, it has a highly negative impact on the environment.

When used excessively or in the wrong setting, team members can feel pushed too hard, morale drops and the result is discord. This style works well with a team of highly competent, motivated individuals who need little direction and it makes sense during the entrepreneurial/growth phase of a company.

It can also be effective for short deadlines but continued high pressure can lead to increased anxiety and a drop in performance.

This approach is synonymous with the leader needing to dive into the detail, reluctant to delegate and taking over from others who are not performing (rather trusting they could improve with guidance). The continued high pressure can constrict innovative thinking.

The underlying foundational characteristics of this style include the drive to achieve, a high initiative to seize opportunities, striving to increase their own performance and those of their team.

Leaders who default to this style are motivated, not by external rewards, but by a strong need to meet their own high standards of excellence. Use with caution!

Commanding Leadership Style

The Commanding Leadership Style soothes fears by giving clear direction in an emergency. This is the least effective style in most situations.

This style contaminates the team’s mood and impacts performance, feedback tends to focus on what people did wrong. It is useful, however, in a crisis, to kick-start a turnaround, or with problem employees (when all else fails).

The Commanding Leadership Style undermines the ability to give people the sense that their job fits into a grand, shared mission. This leads to people feeling less committed (even alienated) from their jobs and thinking, “Why does any of this matter?”

It comes from the old military command and control hierarchies used in the twentieth century… interestingly enough, this style is now even cross-pollinated with other styles in the modern military. Again, use with caution!

As you can see, each style has it’s uses and can be effective when applied at the right times. Each style also has its drawbacks and it’s useful to be aware of these too.

Earlier I mentioned that ‘each style should be consciously drawn on’ and by this, I mean that in order to be an effective leader you have to rely more on a range of leadership styles and apply them intelligently rather than just having your default style.

If I was to ask a project manager why they included a section on Risk Management in their project management plan I expect them to be able to tell me. In the same manner, if I was to ask you why you choose to behave one way under certain conditions and another under other conditions I would expect you to be able to articulate the leadership style you are consciously applying and why.

Don’t leave your leadership development to chance. Consciously take control of it and become the best leader you can be!

I wish I knew about the importance of flexing my leadership style back then, it would’ve made a world of a difference.

Knowing what you know now: What’s your default leadership style? What are the challenges you face with your team and what style would be most appropriate in this situation?

Knowing what you know now: You don’t have to have a title to lead. How can you apply these styles in what you do? What styles do you recognize in your peers and leaders in your organization and what impact do they have on their teams?

If you’d like to know more about how you can embed this powerful principle into your life, or if you’d like to learn a little more about what coaching can offer you, please contact us at any time for a free consultation:

e: results@setantaconsulting.com

m: +64 (0) 21 592 445

Skype: SetantaCoach

http://www.setantaconsulting.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Cillin_David_Hearns/1376757

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9099238

 

 

JohnK 3-7-2018

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5 Fitness Tips For Busy Professionals

 
 
Your work can be bad for your health. You might sit at a desk for eight hours. Or look at a computer screen all day. Or spend your day on your feet, running around an emergency room treating patients.
 
Your risks include repetitive strain injury, stiff joints, eye strain, and back pain. One of the biggest risks is weight gain, especially for busy professionals.
 
Even being on your feet during the workday poses problems. You might turn to sugary foods to keep going, adding to the risk of weight gain.
 
man doing fitness
 
There is good news, though. Here are five fitness tips for the busy professionals among us.
 
1. Sleep Well
It’s one of the best things you can do for your health. Sleep improves your focus and performance.
 
And, it means you’ll more likely make the right dietary decisions.
 
Choosing the right foods gives you fuel to do your workout. It improves your mood. And it can even boost your sex life.
 
2. Plan Well
If you want to maintain your fitness you’ll want to plan ahead. One of the biggest downfalls of any lifestyle is the inability to maintain it.
 
So, if you know you’re prone to grabbing junk at lunch, make sure you prepare your lunch the night before. Do the same with your breakfast and dinner.
 
If you often forget to grab your gym bag, leave it at the door or somewhere you will see it for when you need it. The magic number when it comes to moderate exercise is 150 minutes – it is easier to achieve than you think.
 
3. Switch Up Your Commute
Provided you live fairly close to your workplace – you can leave the car at home and hop on a bike or just walk. Not only will it save you money, it also helps protect the environment.
 
Look at you, thinking of others and improving your health!
 
4. Lunch Break Movement
If possible, consider going for a walk on your lunch break – the fresh air will do you good.
 
You can walk to a park to eat lunch. Or walk to a healthy eatery where you know there’s time for you to dine well and get your steps in.
 
It will also provide you with an energy boost, you’ll find your afternoon at work goes in quicker, too.
 
5. Travel Well
If travel is a regular part of your business, then you know how difficult it can be to exercise and to eat well. The first thing you can do is start keeping a food diary. This way you can track what you’re eating while traveling, as it’s easy to lose track.
 
When it comes to exercise, check ahead to see if your hotel has a gym. If it doesn’t, you can track a path to walk or jog and see if there is a gym in the vicinity.
 
Even in a hectic atmosphere, there are plenty of ways you can find time for fitness. You can skip the elevator and always choose the stairs.
 
To save time, try to find a gym that’s on your way home from work – you can slip in a few nights a week for a quick workout.
 
You may be surprised at how many calories you burn doing the housework.
 
Start your day with a short yoga session. Eat a healthy breakfast.
 
Tackle the day with the energy and vigor it deserves.
 
JohnK 2-26-2018
 
 
stick figure of man on fitnessOverheard:   “The difference between someone who is in shape, and someone who is not in shape, is the individual who is in shape works out even when they do not want to.”
                ~ Unknown
 
 
 
 
 

Horse Sense For a Complex World: Linda Kohanov on CHI FOR YOURSELF

On the next CHI FOR YOURSELF, we’ll hear about a new approach to the changing role of leadership.

Linda Kohanov leadershipLinda Kohanov adapts horse-inspired insights into powerful tools for developing collaborative leadership and managing change.

Linda Kohanov is the author of The Five Roles of a Master Herder: A Revolutionary Model for Socially Intelligent Leadership.

Join us on Thursday, February 22nd, at 1 pm Pacific, 4 PM Eastern time at chiforyourself.com

 

 

JohnK 2-19-2018

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Mass Shootings, Boys, and Feeling The Feelings

It’s been a tough week in the U.S. with another school shooting capturing the country’s  attention. CHI FOR YOURSELF usually doesn’t discuss these types of events. Certainly not from a political perspective or one that whips the populace into a frenzy. 

 

Boy shows feelingsBut it’s worth noting that these shootings tend to have one thing in common. They’re committed by males. Young males. The nation asks “why?”

 

 

 

 

Today we look back to a 2013 CHI FOR YOURSELF episode with guest Cynthia Gill. She told us about ways in which boys are educated, conditioned, and often left with feelings of hopelessness.

 

Picture of Cynthia Gill
 

Cynthia Gill is the author of Jump-Starting Boys: Help Your Reluctant Learner Find Success in School and Life.  Hear the show by clicking on below–
 

 


 
Show logo shows feelings

 

(Article)

Down But Not Out: Feel the Feelings and Keep Going

 

The other day I was reminded of the waves of emotions that can roll through our lives unannounced. These can range from down days to the darker depression-like moods.

I dealt with those heavy feelings earlier in my life. I referred to those as “situational” since there were some troubling issues that had to be faced.

When I ran a search on the definition of emotions I found: A natural instinctive state of mind deriving from one’s circumstances, mood, or relationships with others.

Definition 2 read: Any of the particular feelings that characterize such a state of mind, such as joy, anger, love, hate, horror, etc. The key word in the first example is ‘natural’.

Your first reaction might be to turn your feelings away. You might push the feelings down, put them on hold until later, or use distractions to get your mind off of things.

You can deny them or indulge in them (often called wallowing). And there’s a cliche to match every situation- ‘I don’t have time to think about that now’, ‘It’s always something’, or ‘I’ll take care of it later.’

But what you’re feeling is neither positive nor negative. It’s all part of being human.

If your choice is not to experience intense feelings they could become embedded in your physical body. When they set up shop deep inside you they can have an effect on the way you look at the world.

The worst case scenario is that they can be so troubling as to cause illness. This is a good time to monitor your thinking, too.

One of the greatest figures in the Human Development field is Louise Hay. She put it this way, “The thoughts we choose to think are the tools we use to paint the canvas of our lives.”

You can bring out the feelings, front and center, to experience them in a safe and enriching way. When I feel the need to do this I pretty much drop whatever was planned for the day, if possible, and get to the feeling place.

You may have a more demanding schedule, so how about a date- with yourself? Pick a safe, secure, and comfortable place along with a time when you can be alone.

Start by remembering the circumstances that touched off the emotions you’ve been putting off. When you’ve stirred up the emotions let yourself FEEL them. Don’t block them.

Cry if you feel like it. Let any thoughts that come up come through.

And be gentle with yourself. This is not a good place to judge what’s happening.

Recognizing your emotions instead of pushing them away helps you to stay emotionally healthy and goes a long way toward truly conscious living.

 

JohnK 2-16-2018

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Image for overheard for feelingsOverheard: Thoughts are the shadows of our feelings – always darker, emptier and simpler.”

                       ~ Friedrich Nietzsche 

 

 

 

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Do You Know What’s Sucking Up Your Time?

                                                                                                                   clock showing time
We live in hectic times and our most precious commodity is and always
will be time.
 
You can’t grow more of it and when it’s gone you can’t get it back.
 
How often do you tell yourself that you can’t do what you want to do because you don’t have the time?
We all do it.

 

We see time as scarce. We want to spend more quality time with our family and friends. We want to volunteer. But we say there isn’t enough time.
 
The cold hard truth is that there is plenty of time. It’s a matter of prioritizing what you spend it on and cutting out some of the things that suck up your time.

 

This is true for most everyone. And while circumstances may be different for all, the solution is the same for everyone.

 

Find out where you spend your time and then make educated decisions on what’s important and what isn’t. One of the best tools for figuring out exactly where you’re spending your time is a time journal.
 
You can use a simple notebook. Or a scrap of paper. The Evernote doc on your phone or a computer spreadsheet.

 

Next start writing done what you’re doing every 15 minutes from the time you get up to the time you go to sleep. Keep this up for about a week and see what you come up with. Reviewing your time log can be an eye opening experience.
 
You may discover that you spent a lot more time on the computer doing busy work, or surfing the web than you realize. Or you had no idea that you spent an average of four hours a night watching TV or 2 hours per day commuting to and from work.

 

journal of spent time
 
In other words, you’ll start to recognize patterns of behavior and where you tend to spend your time.

 

Granted, there are many areas where we have little control. We have to show up for work or school. We make time for personal hygiene and restful sleep.

 

But we’re still left with a good number of hours we can fill in any way we like.

 

Keeping a time log for a day or two helps in making educated and conscious choices about how to spend that time. That, in turn, allows you to live with purpose, no matter what your goals and aspirations are.
 
Sometimes, you want to sleep in, spend the day reading or playing video games, or even daydreaming and that’s o.k. It’s a great way to unwind, distress, and recharge. On other days, you may choose to do so something more active or social.

 

The point is that awareness of how and where you’re spending your time gives you more control. And you’ll be more intentional in how you spend that time.

 

 
JohnK 6-9-2017

 

 
 
Image for overheard and timeOverheard: “Life is a one time offer. Use it well.”

                        ~ Anonymous

 
 
 
 

Small Things You Can Start Doing Right Now To Make A Difference

The last post in this series looked at purposeful living without the overwhelm. Today I want to share a list of various things you can do to be on purpose and make a difference.

Browse through the list below and use it as inspiration for things you can do. Try what seems interesting or fun or use it as a starting point to come up with your own ideas.

Come up with a couple of small things and commit to doing them this week. It’s time to start living with purpose now.

man thinking with purposeAt Home and At Work
Let’s start with a couple of meaningful and purposeful things you can do around your house and office:
 
 
 
 
 
• Organize your desk.
• Learn a new language or skill.
• Pick up a new hobby.
• Reconnect with old friends.
• Write Thank You notes.
• Plan a romantic dinner.
• Plant a garden.
• Cook from scratch.
• Create a household budget.
• Take a continued education class.
• Go back to college.

In Your Local Community
Another great place to look at when it comes to living with purpose is your local community. Where can you join in? And what can you do to help out? Here are a few ideas to get you thinking:

 

 

• Help out an elderly neighbor.
• Trade babysitting services with a friend.
• Attend and help out at a local church.
• Support local charities.
• Run a charity race.
• Help out at your child’s school.
• Volunteer at a local animal shelter or soup kitchen.
• Donate to a local food pantry.

Picture of Earth with purposeIn The World
There’s a lot you can do to make a difference in the world at large.Some of it will mean travel. And that means a bit more planning (not to mention money).

But the internet and global connection mean there’s also quite a bit you can do from home. Here are a couple of ideas for you:

• Join and support charitable organizations.
• Learn about different cultures and languages.
• Support mission trips from your local community.
• Go on a mission trip.
• Travel and explore different cultures.
• Provide financial support to your favorite causes.
• Become active on social media to raise awareness.

I hope these points inspire you to come up with your own list to help you live with purpose right away. Find one or two of them and start implementing them right away.

Then keep coming back to your list for inspiration and to add to it as we go through the rest of this 30- day series

 

JohnK 6-8-2017

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.

Your Purpose Doesn’t Have To Be Huge To Make A Difference

 

ghost images with purpose

Thinking about finding our calling or our life’s purpose can stir up huge visions. It’s easy to get caught up in these visions.

The ghosts of Gandhi or Mother Teresa can be intimidating. You can become discouraged to the point where you never take the first step.

 

And no wonder. That type of “goal” is overwhelming and seems unattainable. 

 

 

The good news is that you don’t have to dedicate your entire life to your calling. It doesn’t have to be this all-consuming thing.

You can make a difference on a small scale. You’ll help the people around you and you’ll gain the benefits of a purpose driven life.

This is something to keep in mind as you discover and fine-tune your purpose.
Here are a few simple examples of things you can do with purpose. They’ll make a real difference in the lives of those they touch.

None of these are very expensive. But they will have a noticeable impact, especially over time. Having a huge calling is nice. But for now, keep your attention on living your life with purpose and intention.

Spending Quality Time With Your Spouse And Kids
Our lives are hectic and busy. Often we don’t spend any quality time with our loved ones.
Instead, we race from commitment to commitment, cramming in a few meals and a bit of parenting here and there. At the end of the day, we collapse on the couch for a big helping of mindless television watching. 

Become more intentional and purposeful in how you spend time with your family. Set aside pockets of time each day to give them your full attention. Plan some fun outings and activities. Make this an opportunity to reconnect with the people who are most important to you.

family spending time with purpose
Creating And Sharing Care Packages For The Homeless
Get some large Ziploc bags. You can start by heading to the dollar store.  Pack a bag with a few personal hygiene products. Include some non-perishable food and a pair of socks or a hat.

 Keep them in your car and hand them out to homeless people you come across.

Adopt A Soldier
Make the day of a soldier overseas with a monthly letter and small care package. Google “adopt a soldier” to learn more and to find a soldier or unit you can connect with.

Decluttering Your Home And Downsizing Your Possessions
Let’s bring it back home for this last example. Living with purpose is all about living with intention.

If you’ve intended to de-clutter your home then work that into your plan. Donate what you no longer need. You’ll see how free you feel when you’re no longer weighed down by all this extra “stuff”.

Notice that you don’t have to go out into the community to live with purpose. Your first order of business is to address your personal life and your home.

Start there and then branch out toward the world at large.

 

JohnK 6-7-2017

chiforyourself.com home page

 

Clipart image of overheard man with purposeOverheard:  “All that counts in life is intention.”

                            ~ Andrea Bocelli

 

 

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How To Find Your Calling

 

Finding and following your calling is a big part of living with purpose.This can be a large and intimidating task. Especially if you pressure yourself to come up with a quick and perfect answer.

Yes, the goal is worth pursuing. But you’ve also got to realize that it may take time to find your calling.

The process will develop over time. That’s something you can’t force. In fact, a much better plan of action is to take it one step and one day at a time until your calling becomes clear.

kid thinking about his callingStart With What’s Important To You
A great place to start is to think about what’s important to you. It doesn’t have to be huge or all-consuming.

Start with something small. Find a cause you feel drawn to and do what you can to support it.

Learn about your cause by volunteering. Then share what you’re learning with others. Make financial donations to the organization if you like.

This could include knitting baby hats for preemies at your local hospital. Or spending time with an elderly neighbor.

It might mean saving up for a mission trip next summer. The most important thing is to start and do something.

Listen To The Faint Inner Voice
Another great strategy is to listen to your intuition. Pay attention to that small voice that tells you what you need to do.

Learning to listen to this voice can be a bit of a challenge in today’s busy and noisy world. Spend some time contemplating your values. Educate yourself about causes that catch your attention.

Meditation or prayer can help you hear the voice that is your heart. Start taking action on what you’re hearing and what you know you should be doing.

Walk The Path Toward Your Calling One Step At A Timewalking toward a calling
Don’t let this process overwhelm you. It might be tempting to tackle a huge project and set out to change the world all at once.

While that’s a great ambition, it’s also something that can seem quite daunting and burn you out. Instead, take it one step at a time.

 

Choose your direction and get in the habit of doing something every week, or even daily. Do the things that align with your calling and help you reach your goals.

Pick something that’s easy to do and fit into your already busy life. No matter how small, every little act and effort helps you to make a difference and to serve with purpose.

JohnK 6-5-2017

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Why What You Do For A Living Matters

 

We start this fifth day of our series on finding your purpose with a question. What do you do for a living?

working with purpose

That’s a pretty big question, isn’t it? Our job, our career, and how we earn money to finance our life is a big part of how we define ourselves.

It’s often one of the first pieces of information we share after our name when we meet someone else. It’s a big part of our identity and of our feeling of self-worth.

We also spend a lot of time “on the job”. Our 40 hour work week includes commuting. And breaking for lunch. And unwinding from the long day. And of course, work itself.

With this much time devoted to our job, doesn’t it make sense to do something we enjoy and that brings us happiness?

man questioning purpose

This is why what you do for a living matters. You’re spending a lot of time training for your job, on your job, and thinking about your job.

It’s safe to say that not everyone will end up working in a job that fulfills their purpose in life. But it’s something to keep in mind when preparing to go into the workforce or to switch jobs. Sometimes, a change can be a very good thing.

On the flip side, we need to have a job that pays the bills so we can support our families. If you’re a single mom, you may consider your purpose to be to spend as much time as possible raising your kids.  

Stay at home mom may be your dream job. But with no second parent to support your little family, that may not be possible.

This is when it’s time to look outside the box. You can find a way to work from home or bring your kids to work with you.

You can work a couple of weekend shifts while someone watches the kids. This could leave you time to be there for them the rest of the week.

There are ways to make your job work around your purpose, no matter what it may be.
Keep in mind that things don’t have to be perfect. In fact, they seldom are.

at work with purpose

Perfection is not the goal. Leading a happy and fulfilled life is.

Think about your current job. Does it work for you? What works well, and what doesn’t? What small changes or tweaks can you make to improve what you’ve got?

In other words, think about how you can change how you make a living to align with your purpose in life. Then plan to put those changes to work.

 

JohnK 6-5-2017

chiforyourself.com home page

 

Image for overheard and puposeOverheard: We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.                                    

                  ~ Winston Churchill

 

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The Connection Between Purpose and Happiness

road sign with purposeWhen we start to make a difference and live a purpose driven life, something amazing happens. We become happier and more fulfilled. I’m sure you’ve experienced this.

It doesn’t have to be anything big like going on a year-long mission trip or setting out to rid the world of cancer. Even small gestures that make a difference can have a big impact on how you feel.

We like to help out and make a difference. It doesn’t matter how small the act is. Helping a fellow student pick up a stack of dropped books. Running an errand for an elderly neighbor. Loaning a friend a book that’s changed your life. Reminding a fellow grocery shopper of a left-behind bag. All feel good, don’t they?

We’ve been social creatures who rely on each other for millennia. In that time we’ve evolved with mental and physical rewards for helping out and making a difference. In other words, it feels good to live with purpose. It makes us happy.

It’s one of the biggest reasons why living with purpose is such an important goal. At the end of the day, we all want to be happy, or at the very least happier than we are right now.

satellite dish with purposeMedia messages would have us believe that more material goods are the keys to happiness. They insist we need bigger and more expensive houses and cars. And more clothes, shoes, furniture, electronics, workout gear and the like.

If only we can buy and accumulate enough “stuff”, we’ll feel better. But it’s quite the opposite. The more things you have the more you worry about their maintenance. That takes away valuable time that you could be spending on something else.

The key to happiness isn’t to own more. It’s to live a purpose driven life and to make a difference in the world.

It’s part of the reason minimalism is becoming so popular. Uncluttering your life calms you. You feel more in control. And you have the time and mental energy to move toward your purpose.

A purpose driven life is one lived within our core values. It caters to our need to cooperate and work together. It strengthens our confidence and makes us feel needed and valuable. We find that we become happier.

couple talking on purposeThe moral of the story is stop buying stuff you don’t need. And, stop chasing that high-paying job that makes you miserable for 60 hours a week. The better choice is to start living your life with purpose.

 

 

 

JohnK 6-4-2017

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