Category Archives: Hope

This new Quest requires changes in my life

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On Friday, I mentioned that I’m expecting an offer from a company with whom I’ve interviewed. That’s great news, and I’m very pleased to be in this position. I’ve been thinking about the changes I may want to make in order to be in fighting form for this new Quest.

At the top of the list are health and wellness – proper diet, exercise and more sleep.  Simple things, yet I know they’ll help me slay the dragons I’m going to encounter on my adventures. I’m starting to make improvements in all three of these areas this week.

Next on the list is an assessment of how I can be most effective in my new role. I’m entering a new market, with a new product set and a need to educate myself very quickly. I want to start running from day one. I say effective, as I’m most concerned with leveraging my skills, strengths and abilities for maximum benefit and value to my customers and company. Dan Sullivan, of Strategic Coach talks about developing a “10x mindset”, and I love that concept.

“What kind of thinking & execution would it take to deliver 10x’s results?”

What a great question, and one that I’ll be pondering over the coming weeks and months.

That’s my starting point. I’m sure I’ll be adding to this list over time. Onward.

A life well lived

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Today, I was blessed to attend the Celebration of Life for someone in my extended family.  The man in question died a couple weeks ago after living a good, long life well into his 80’s.

He was a man who definitely answered the Call that was made of him.  Yet, based on what I know about him, I’m not sure he would have seen it that way.  He didn’t overtly answer the Call – he just lived as if he had.

He focused on living and giving, and that defined him in his life.  And, more importantly, it defined him with the people he surrounded himself with each and every day:  his family and friends.

Laurie was a fun and unique character.  He was known for his “groaner” jokes, oblique sense of humour and general sense of living a fun life.

In my mind, he was a master.  He got this living thing.  He fell into it, and he was a Hero – in his own life, but more importantly, he was a Hero to his family and friends.  I heard his grandchildren talk about the great times they spent with him – Poppa to them.  Rides in the wheelbarrow, Mac & Cheese after school, and flinging elastic bands around the house when they least expected it.

He did big things and little things with those he loved.  It all added up to a large, wonderful life.  He will be missed.  And, he has left a legacy that will live long beyond his own years.

A true Hero!

One Quest ends; another begins

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My first major Quest as noted here came to an end today. And it means another has begun!

I found out that one of the firms I’ve been strategically targeting will be sending me an offer early next week. They are a very good firm, extremely successful and have a great mission: to feed the starving, inoculate children and house the homeless to name a few. More on that in another post – it’ll all make sense then.

So, your question to me should be:

Have you answered the Call?

Yes, I have. I’m not sure I could have answered “Yes” to your question, if I had not started this blog and really looked inside and done serious soul-searching.

The reason I can answer “Yes” is that I’ve approached this opportunity in terms of whether or not I feel I can add value – for this company, her customers, her partners and those served by its’ customers.

I’ve spent many a year seeking what I could gain from my work, and not enough about what I could give. No more.

This time I’ve turned the tables – on myself. It’s now about giving value first, helping others be successful and making a difference.

The best part is that I can do all of that while leveraging my creativity, being entrepreneurial and applying vision to the role. I can be part of something bigger than me.

I’m not sure exactly how this new Quest will unfold – early days. But, I can tell you I feel blessed and I’m very grateful to be invited to join this company’s Call.

The challenge of staying present on the Quest

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Today, while walking my dog in a beautiful wooded park, I found my thoughts drifting to doubt and fear. What a shame!

There I was in a quiet, wonderful place, with one of my pals – Scout, our 15-month Yellow Lab. But, I wasn’t there with her. I was off worrying about my future.

I have worked hard to stay present, and shape my thoughts into those that serve me. And, it’s work. Some of the hardest I’ve ever done.

I don’t wish for a quick fix here because that would not serve me either. This work is the work that matters most. It’s what helps us to become who we really are in this life. Heroes! On the Quest that matters, in answer to the Call.

I do feel I’m on the path to my best self – it’s just not a straight line.

Getting ready to get back on Quest

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Today was another off-Quest day. I worked around the house, and took care of things not related to my opportunity search.

So, what did I learn today that is relative to myth in my life?

I learned that I too easily forget the power I have – that we all have – to live an amazing life. To be my own Hero. I so quickly get bogged down in the small stuff of life, and lose sight of my vision – the very thing that drives Hope and Abundance.

Tomorrow, my goal is to stay as fixed as I can be in that vision. To make it a habit.

And, the Quest continues …

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Well, I got back on the horse, so to speak.  Today, I was the master of my thoughts and desires, and I feel that I’ve come back.

What I learned today is that we can’t let one day throw us off our Quest for a full life.  Stuff will happen, but it does not have to define us – short- or long-term.

There’s much to be done, and I’m looking forward to getting to it this coming week.  Tally-Ho!

As the decision grows near, the anxiety ramps up

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I noticed that my anxiety levels are rising.  In the next week or so, I may be making a decision for an opportunity.  And, it will represent the culmination of my first major Quest since deciding to answer the Call:  To be all I can be.

I must say that I’m dismayed to be feeling this high level of anxiety.  I’m talking about the “wake up at 2 am and not be able to sleep for a couple hours” level of anxiety.  The kind of anxiety that drains the important creative energy I thrive on, and which gives me strength, hope and drive.

I feel a bit of a coward on this grand quest.  I’ve spent so much time being positive, facing my fears and moving forward these past couple of months.  But, this week has been difficult for me.  Hopefully, it’s just a phase of growth, and that’s what I’m telling myself rightly or wrongly.

I know what I must do:  trust that I’m “on track” and that this too, shall pass.

That’s my goal for tomorrow.  Get a decent night’s sleep, and then be brave, take positive action, and know that these fears are part of my process.

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.

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 …