Tag Archives: Quest

On new ground

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I’m in a new place right now. Not physically, but emotionally and spiritually.

Today, I realized that all of my energy these past few months has been focused on finding a new opportunity. That Quest required specific actions and energy. Now that I’ve found my next opportunity, I need to direct my energy, my drive and my actions into success in the new role – this new Quest.

One could say it does not matter, and maybe for some it truly doesn’t. However, as I sit here writing this post, I’ve come to the conclusion that it matters to me. I know it’s true for me because I’ve felt out-of-sorts all day, and could not put my finger on it until now. I’ll try to explain; don’t know that I can – it’s a feeling …

I think it has to do with the comedown related to ending the Quest to find a new opportunity. That Quest was my total focus for the past two months. Now that I have a new opportunity, all of the expectations, hopes and dreams that fuelled my actions have been fulfilled to one degree or another. When I achieved my goal, and slayed that dragon, I was left with a void in my life, and a pretty big one, based on how I felt today.

Now, I need to set out on this new Quest, and create a new set of expectations, hopes and dreams for this role. That’s the piece I was missing today. I need to define this new Quest, and determine where the value is for me in it.

As I’ve written previously, it’s not about the money any longer (although I do need to make that, too). I need to know I’m adding value and becoming something bigger than I am today. I need to create a new vision for myself in this role, and a big one. (I’ve learned that I’m not motivated by small goals. I need ’em big, and hairy!)

Even as I write these words, I can feel a surge of energy in my body. And, a heightened awareness of the task ahead. This does connect to my answering The Call a few months ago.

Now, I need to connect the dots, so that the vision I create makes sense and provides a path.

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.

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!

A day away from the deep activity of the Quest

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Today was a relatively quiet day on the Quest.

I had some low-key follow-up and a few small tasks, but that’s it.

I’m in a holding pattern right now, as I’m waiting for people to get back to me with next steps.

My usual stance is to be focused on key activity related to each opportunity. But, a current lack of formal next steps has removed that necessity for now.

I know that high activity is coming again, and I’m OK to coast for a day, or two.

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!

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.

It’s getting interesting, this Quest

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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.

An important meeting tomorrow and another Quest

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Tomorrow, I have an important meeting – a 3rd interview with a firm I approached about working together.  The first two meetings were conducted over the phone, but this one will be face-to-face.  I’m looking forward to it.

Every interview is a vetting process whereby both parties evaluate the other for fit and probability of success.  My previous two meetings gave me a good feeling about those two criteria.  Tomorrow, I’ll get to ask about what it’s like to work for and with this company, and why I should give my time to them.  After all, for many of us, we sell our time – our life – to the companies for whom we work.  They will have an equal opportunity to make the same judgement call about me.

I’m viewing this as a small Quest.  No dragons to slay.  This is really about making sure I don’t create a dragon today that I’ll have to deal with in the future.