It’s getting interesting, this Quest

Progress on a couple fronts today. I now have a second meeting planned with the company I met yesterday. And, next week I have a day of meetings planned with the other folks, at their head office.

This Quest, I think, will be resolved in the next two or three weeks, if we can jointly keep the momentum going.

So, what’s the experience been like these past few days?

Well, some anxiety due to my commitment to ensure I perform this Quest as a Hero. It’s about being brave, and making this decision based on what’s right, true and authentic for me.

I’ve committed myself to finding a great opportunity to be my best, versus just getting a job or chasing money. I’ve played that game far too often in the past, and it is not a very rewarding way to live life.

A big decision is looming

Today, I had a first meeting with a company here in Toronto.  They are an excellent firm, and have a great mission, which is to help entrepreneurs find freedom in their businesses.

I was very impressed with the company, and how it operates.  By no means is it a guarantee that I’ll be working with this company, but I’m intrigued to the point of wanting to learn more.

What’s interesting is that the Quest this opportunity represents is a major challenge, and would require some big goal-setting, and thinking on my part, and excellent execution, too.  The rewards would be there, too, if I pulled it off.

The interesting part for me is that I am not feeling daunted by this challenge.  No, in fact, I find it liberating and wonderful to have the possibility of a big goal to work towards.  It gets my creativity going, and I’m enjoying this rush.

The decision I refer to relates to the fact I am pursuing two opportunities at this time.  Both are excellent, and represent fine opportunity for me.

The trick will be to apply intuition to making the decision, as well as seek out the hard facts for each opportunity.

The darkness nipped at my heels today

I spent a good part of the day preparing for a 1st interview with a firm here in Toronto.  The interview is tomorrow, and it is with a company I’ve been following for a few years, and respect very much.

As I went through my steps to prepare for the meeting, I could feel the fear and doubt trying to throw me off track – to tell me it would not work out, and that I was not good enough.  What’s interesting is that I knew it was happening, and that it was also not true.

What helped me to realize that there could be an opportunity for me in this firm was the realization that I am unique and have value to bring to this firm.

The doubt and fear never totally went away; I feel them working at me now.  But, I can focus on my Quest and my outcomes for this meeting.  That’s where I find the hope.

Another step closer and some insight

Today, I had a face-to-face interview with a manager, and the person I would report to at the company in question, should we decide we want to work together.  It was a useful meeting, as I was able to gain an appreciation for the expectations of the role, and also how it roughly fits into the corporate strategy for growth.  And, I also gained some insight into a unique ability I can claim as my own.

There’s one thing I often think about when pursuing a project, a goal or a Quest.  For those who have been following for a while, you know that I see this search as a quest, as part of the myth of my life.  It’s an opportunity to be all I can be – it’s an intention that I have for my life going forward, as I’ve never had before.

So, what’s the insight?  It’s my innate desire to deliver an “elegant solution” to the challenge at hand.  Sometimes the elegant solution is very subtle, but it defines me as a different person when I’m in these situations.  Not better, just different.  Good different.

My next step with this company is a series of interviews at their head office.

Once I knew these meetings were happening, I immediately started to apply my creativity to determine how I could leave them with a lasting impression.  I want to do more than just go down, and recite what I learned from reading their last annual report.

As I go through this creative process, and the wheels start turning, I find that time stands still, and that I operate in a stream of hope, faith and abundance.  There is no fear, there is no doubt.  This is the “real” me.

I have come to realize that one of my goals going forward is to find opportunities to place myself in this state of flow as often as I can.  It’s where I do my best work, and effortlessly create amazing results in my life.  Pretty cool!

It’s about making the right decision, not the easy one

Today, I had another insight about my Quest for my next opportunity, and how it relates to the Call.

It’s a decision about what’s right, not what’s easy – or known.

The Call takes us into unfamiliar territory. It forces us to embrace change. It mandates that we stare down our fears and still move forward. And, it does this without any guarantee of success.

What it promises in return is that we get to live our best, authentic selves. We live life on our terms.

It offers freedom and all the effects and responsibilities that comes with it.

That’s all it offers, and that’s enough.

It’s a spiritual quest

Today, while on a long walk with my dog, I realized that my quest to find the perfect opportunity is really a spiritual quest.  For me, now, it is anyway.

I have a deep and burning desire to bring meaning to my next venture.  I can feel the truth of that need in every fibre of my being.  It is not to be shunned or overlooked.  Not any more!

This feeling I’m describing is something that I just know has to be true for me on this next venture.  No substitutions, no excuses, no accepting less than I can be.

I know that when I see it, I’ll know it to be my right choice – the way to bring me to the Call.

That’s really what happened on the walk today.  I received a complete image of that right choice, with positive feelings that told me the choice would be whole and right.

I’m getting closer to this truth.

Fear, Doubt, Intuition and Hope: Partners in the Call

I know I come back to these themes on a regular basis.  I have to, as for to me, I am forced to embrace these aspects of the Call day in, day out. Today is a perfect example of what I mean.

As you know, I’m very selectively pursuing strategic opportunities in my professional – and let’s face it – my personal life. They’re all connected.  You don’t make decisions for one, without it also being a decision for the other.

I’m getting close to the end of the evaluation / due-diligence phase with one opportunity.  I can feel the fear and doubt ramp up in volume within me.  So loud in fact, that they are masking the subtle intuitive nudges, and the hope I carry for a wonderful, bright future.

I guess I’ve come to realize that the bravest hero still confronts fear and doubt.  It’s what they do with them that matters.  Today, I felt the fear and doubt in a big way:  “Will I make the right choice, when it’s time to do so?”  That’s the usual question I confront.

That’s where I put my faith in my ability to take a deep breath, and make the right decision.  It all starts and ends with me.

I now embrace all aspects of this journey to the Call – fear, doubt, intuition and hope.

Welcome, as I know you’re telling me a change is about to happen.  And, that’s good.

Another small step forward

Today, I moved forward a bit more on my opportunity search.  I did an informational interview with a client of the firm with whom I’m meeting next week.

Although this may sound mundane, it is important for me. I’m moving in the right direction, and gaining momentum. That counts, and it matters. That’s where the hope comes from for me.

Small steps on an epic quest are also the stuff of life.

And, another door opened

Yesterday, I mentioned that I was going to decline to further pursue an opportunity because I knew it was not right for me.  You’ll recall I felt the very real fear that I was giving up on this opportunity too soon, even though my intuition was telling me to let it go.

I realize now that fear came from a lack mentality towards life.  And, it was.  It’s something I’ve struggled with most of my life.

An hour after I wrote yesterday’s post, and mentally turned down the opportunity, a wonderful thing happened.  Another door opened – only one hour later.

Next week, I’m meeting with an organization that I feel – based on what I know today – could be the right opportunity for me.  What’s also interesting is that I’m also engaged in evaluating a second opportunity, for which I had two great meetings today.  There are an abundance of paths and doors just waiting to open, once we announce our intention to move in one direction – or not.

It’s not always easy for me, but the more I do it, the more I’m beginning to trust these leaps of faith, these Quests to find my place in this life.  Another grateful man, on a great day!

We have to know when to say “No”

I had my business meeting today, and it was a fruitful meeting. I learned about the opportunity from someone who’s got feet on the street.

The opportunity is a very good one. There’s no doubt about it. However, the role would require me to be someone I’m not. And, I question whether I’d really enjoy the work day in, and day out.

So, I’m at a bit of a crossroads, once again. Am I strong enough to follow my intuition, and trust that by saying “No” to this opportunity, that’ll I’ll be able to say “Yes” to one that will follow?

In the past, the answer would probably have been that I took the opportunity because it was there. I don’t feel comfortable making those decisions any longer.

But, there’s the fear that something else will not come along, too.

When I go to my still, quiet place inside, my sense is that I should walk away. Leave it for someone who’s better suited to the role.

OK, done. I’m saying “No”, and with gratitude for the chance to evaluate this opportunity.

And, the Quest continues.