Monthly Archives: October 2013

It’s important to know what you want from life

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Today, I learned – not learned really – but was able to affirm something we’re all told about life: You’ve got to know what you expect from it.

Too often in my past, I made decisions without referencing them against my deepest desires. That can make for an unfulfilled existence, and also have us quest in the wrong direction.

Today, I was presented with an opportunity and had to admit at the end of the meeting that we’re probably a poor fit. My goals for the role, it seemed to me, were somewhat at odds with their goals.

I was able to quickly ascertain this, as I have a map, and when I layered this opportunity on it, I saw that we’re heading in different directions. Damn!

My expectations going into the meeting were that we were aligned. I can’t say that any longer.

As much as there’s disappointment, there’s also gratitude. In order for a door to open, another may need to close.

A bit of nostalgia today

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As I mentally prepared myself for the week ahead, I found myself thinking back to prior times, and past decisions I’ve made in my life.

There was no real regret, nor doubt, but a bit of thought around what I might have done differently.

I would have been braver, and acted more the Hero.  Two little words, but they have power to make all the difference in our lives.

So, as I continue on this search for a great opportunity I’ll keep that in mind:  Be brave, take a risk.

A different Quest today

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I spent the day on another Quest today. This quest was in keeping with my day yesterday: a break from my search for a great opportunity. A lot of time and energy has been put into this quest, and to be honest, it was good to extend the break from it!

We did a one-day cottage close today. It encompassed a mad dash by car and boat, then many tasks to close the cottage and boathouse. It was a bit wild, as I spent a good part of the day outdoors.

We had growing winds, lots of rain and cool temperatures in a pretty isolated place, the eastern shore of Georgian Bay.

In a way, I felt like I was in a medieval myth – battling the elements and working against time. We had to finish before darkness set in, as we had a 30-minute boat ride in rough water.

It was a more primitive version of quest than I’ve been on in a while. And, due to the elements, it was also pretty raw. When we finally finished the day, we were cold, wet and tired. And, happy that we’d accomplished our goal, and shut down the cottage.

A take-away for me today was the satisfaction that comes from being able to start and finish this quest in one day. My main Quest is so big, and so important, and so long that progress is steady, but slow.

Today was about getting things done and crossing them off the list. That felt great!

The day after and still moving along

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Today was a rest day on the Quest. I came home late on Thursday night, and had an early start today.

I decided to use my time processing my day yesterday. Getting a feel for my various meetings, the questions I was asked, and my thoughts about the opportunity.

What I learned today is that every Quest also requires a down day once and a while. A slow day.

It’s a day to rest and reflect on perspective, and my place in it all.

And, opportunity expands. Or was it me?

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Today, I was fortunate to meet – to interview and be interviewed by – six leaders at an industry-leading company with a great mission.

Everyone I met was a smart, savvy, engaged professional. They all saw golden opportunity for me at the company.

This Quest has been very important to me. In it, I’ve evaluated every opportunity as a chance to further my efforts to answer the Call. The Call to be all that I can be, to take risks and make a difference in my life, and hopefully the world.

My concern going into these meetings was that I’d be a cog in a wheel at this company. Not a great way to answer the Call!

However, after 11 – yes 11 – meetings, I now see an opportunity to add value. I can’t quantify where that will happen yet. I don’t know the industry, company or customers well enough. But, I perceive an environment in which I can bring my best to the table, and make a difference.

No offers on the table yet, and I’ve got some thinking to do to compare this opportunity to the other one I have in play.

But, by going in and asking lots of good questions, I see a possible home here for me. You can’t imagine how that feels – amazing really.

An end to a wonderful, blessed day. Once again, I am a very grateful man.

‘Twas still the night before

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Today, I’m travelling to my meetings at HQ for the opportunity interviews, or business meetings, as I prefer to call them. All part of this grand Quest, and my desire to live the Call.

I had a lot of idle time today – waiting at Customs, waiting for flights, and sitting on the plane.

I spent a fair bit of time observing the mental chatter that went through my mind.

There were periods of joy and expectation, as well as the usual fear and doubt.

I find it interesting that I now seem to have developed the ability to “see” these thoughts play out in my mind.

And, I can more or less bring them in and face them, consider them, and determine if they serve me.

Banishing those that do not serve is still a work in progress. But, I’m at least grateful that I tend to detect them before they run on too long.

A bit every day …

‘Twas the night before …

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Well, tonight I’ve been getting ready for a major trip to visit the headquarters of a company I’ve been interviewing with these past few weeks.

On Thursday, I’ll be in five consecutive 1-hour interviews for what I think is a great position with the company.

Today, as I was getting ready, I could feel the fear and doubt rise up, and try to take over my day.  I was able to re-focus on the goal:  a series of great two-way conversations with people who can help me validate the opportunity and it’s fit to my Quest.

I have a sense of the potential for this role, and I think I could fit right into it.  It would be a return to a large company culture; a place where I’ve been very successful in the past.  And, I do believe the opportunity is sound, too.  I could make my mark here.

Tomorrow I travel, and then do my final prep for the meetings on Thursday.  More tomorrow night …

With truth comes wisdom … but not always as fast as we might have hoped, nor wanted at the time

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Today was a difficult day for me, but perhaps not as you would expect, based on what I’ve been writing about lately:  my Quest for a great, new opportunity, and the answer to the Call.

No, today’s truth comes from home, and it has nothing to do with my Quest, nor with the Call.  You see, I’ve been selfish again, and today it was brought to my attention that I’ve been selfish for many years.  And, not for a good reason.

To be sure, being selfish has its place in our lives – when we’re on a deep, meaningful Quest, and one that’s attached to our Call.  Then, we need to protect our time, and our life for the opportunity to be all we can be.

I’ve been selfish at home, and it has been because I’ve been focused on the wrong goal.  I was so focused on chasing my professional life, that I allowed my time at home – i.e. my life – to dwindle away in wasted effort.  Not all wasted, but enough to make a difference at home.

A hard lesson to learn, and one that did not come easily, in spite of the wise messenger who delivered it to me.  But, it was learned, and now I need to make the changes that come with today’s enlightenment.

One of the opportunities I’m chasing provides the support, knowledge, tools and courage to change thereby allowing entrepreneurs to reclaim their lives and their freedom from their businesses.  Their businesses serve them, and not the other way around.

This is the kind of learning they get from the program delivered by this company.  This is the kind of learning I got from home today.  Wisdom can come from many directions, places and people.

Once again, not a large, bold change in my life, nor my direction.  But, a personal and deep learning that I can do a better job at home, while I continue to embark on my noble Quest, and answer the Call.

Tonight I give thanks

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Last night, I wrote about the potential for challenge in my life related to having to make a decision before I’m ready.

Tonight, I was at my sister’s for Thanksgiving dinner. It was a fine affair, and I feel blessed that I was able to enjoy the time with my family. I discussed my conundrum, and was heartened by the support I was given to stay the course on this Quest.

Without fail, each and every person I spoke to cautioned me to follow my heart, to listen to the still, small voice and to trust that I’ll make the right decision.

Answering the Call and doing life Quests is by and large a solo affair, and is not without a fair share of doubt and loneliness.

Ultimately, we decide on our own! It has to be that way. The reasons we decide one way or another may involve other people or circumstances. But, the decision is always ours to make.

However, it was gratifying to have the support of my family, and the knowledge that they trust me to make the right decision!

This Quest is a bit less lonely tonight. And, I’ve realized that I, too, can provide support and lift up someone answering their own Call.

A conundrum

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I think I’m about to be faced with a conundrum on this Quest for a great, new opportunity.

This week, I’ll be in final interviews with one of two firms I’m evaluating. However, I’ve only started the process with the second firm. I may be faced with an offer from one before I’ve had a chance to fully evaluate the other. Both are great companies and they both offer great opportunity.

Believe me, I’m not complaining about this situation. However, I was really hoping to be able to fully evaluate both, before being asked to make a choice for either.

I’d like to think that this is where my intuition has a role to play in selecting the right opportunity.

My strategy will be to go to that still, quiet place and to seek answers there. This decision is about more than a job or money. It’s about fully answering the Call, and being an active participant in that flow.

There’s risk in following the Call, but I have to believe that’s what makes the reward all the sweeter.