Kevin W. McCarthy

The Professor of On-Purpose

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Wander Woman, by Marcia Reynolds

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41vuiFxLoeL._SL160_ This interview with Marcia Reynolds about her new book Wander Woman, hit me with a mix of appreciation and sadness.  Please watch the interview, read the rest of my comments, and then add your thoughts to the conversation.  What's your take on the interview? 

Marcia's observation of high performing women and her discussion of their challenges, frustrations, and ambitions parallel some my experiences with female executives.  My deep appreciation for her comments is the manner in which she has truly drilled deep to get to the subtle nuances of the Wandering Woman condition.  She paints an accurate picture as best I can tell for this stage of personal leadership development.

In particular, Marcia's concept of Wander Women wanting a knight instead of a king for a marriage partner intrigued me.  I have to wonder, women who are reading this, do you agree?

My sadness with the interview (the book may provide further insights) was that Marcia is scratching the surface on vital women's issues such as identity, life balance, relationships, purpose, meaning, work, community, leadership, etc… yet there's an absence of inherent hope and joy in Marcia's underlying demeanor.  Again, just one man's intuition here that something is missing.  Is it the absence of a strong spiritual component that I sense?  Is it a woman wandering in an unsettled way and striving to make rational peace with it rather than getting the matter resolved in her heart?

The Old Testament story of Moses and the Jews wandering in the desert for 40 years comes to mind as I begin to grasp this concept.  Let's hope that Marcia Reynolds will one day be able to write a sequel, The Promised Land Lady.

Wander women, I must ask you, is being a wandering woman what you want?  Is this concept simply an unresolved justification for stopping short of really knowing who you are, why you are here, where you are going, and what's important along the way?  Can high performing women be settled souls instead of wandering women?

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

Here is a related On-Purpose Minute that you might find helpful:  How Do You Manage Disappointment?

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Night Blooming Cereus

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Do you want to see something amazing?   Watch this video of the night blooming cereus that grows on a tree in our front yard.  

You know the old adage, “Never judge a book by its cover”?   Well, here is proof positive that there’s often more to appearances.  Sometimes, it just takes being around someone long enough to really see their beauty emerge. 



 

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Drive By Daniel Pink

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I've been a fan of Daniel Pink's since I first read A Whole New Mind.  I've been reading through his latest book, Drive when this YouTube video came across my computer screen.  

In the late 1980s when I pioneered the On-Purpose approach I felt the truth of what was wrong with the current thinking in personal and corporate leadership.  At the time, I knew the concepts were ahead of their time.  In The On-Purpose Business I predict the Age of Purpose and Meaning following the Knowledge Age. 

Patiently, I've waited, watched, and worked.  So here I am 20 plus years later.  Along the way Jim Collins' books, Built to Last and Good to Great, validated the principles of On-Purpose with extensive research far beyond my resources and experience. 

Now comes Daniel Pink to share the importance of purpose in organizations.  I love it!  Society is catching up but still not quite there.  As important as purpose is, it isn't as important as being On-Purpose.   On-Purpose is the moment-to-moment alignments of living out the defined purpose.

With this caveat, I just love this video featuring Daniel Pink.  The more we get the word out about purpose and being on-purpose, the sooner the world gets to a healthier and more whole place.  

Please share your comments on this video or any other thoughts.

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The Red Ball Review Rule For Baseball Instant Replays

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The Red Ball Review

In light of the "perfect game" pitched by Armando Galarraga (see the video of the bad call below), is it time for Major League baseball to invest in the instant replay to review close plays?  

I say, "Yes, but on a limited basis."  Balls and strikes should ever be subject to review.  Just about everything else in the game can reasonably be reviewed to get the call right.   Jeff Leadbetter's article, How Major League Baseball Could Implement Instant Replay… Right Now, reflects most of my point of view.  I differ with him on a few matters: balks and catcher interference need to be reviewable.  Five minutes for review is way too long.  Baseball doesn't run with a clock, but let's give the umpires no more than 120 seconds to rule. Jeff Leadbetter's system of limiting the manager to the number of reviews per game makes sense.  Let's allow for the addition of one additional, non-cumulative Red Ball Replay for extra innings. 

Red Ball ReviewHere's my idea that is uniquely baseball.  Instead of a reg flag like football, I propose the use of an offical red baseball ball being tossed onto the diamond to call for a review of a play.   The manager would toss the red ball in the general area between home plate and the pitcher's mound before the pitcher starts his motion for the next pitch.

The Red Ball Review would add a measure of excitement
and anticipation to the game.   One of the side benefits of the Red Ball Review instant replay option is that it might just speed up the game because it discourages much of the managers' posturing with umpires on disputed calls.  Now they have to think before they burst onto the field in protest because they actually have an option other than being two inches from the umps face yelling and spitting.  This option remains, but it gives the Manager a true means to resolve the egregious errors by the umpire crew.

If the Red Ball Review rule were in effect, then Mr. Galarraga would be
in the record books as one who threw a perfect game.  Finally, I don't advocate that Armando Galarraga be awarded a perfect game.  I do advocate baseball learn from it and add the Red Ball Review. 

On-Purpose Persons of the Week Award

Yes, the record books will never reflect his "perfect game," but what we all witnessed from this historic baseball event was the behavior of two perfect gentlemen.  Character endures, accomplishments diminish over time.   Mr. Galarraga and Mr. Joyce (the umpire) will, in fact, long and best be remembered more for being models of behavior in this instance outside the lines than perhaps more anything that takes places within the foul lines.  That's why I'm making both of them my On-Purpose Persons of the Week!

Tell me what you think of the Red Ball Review rule:

Please use the comments section below.  If you reaLInk to Major League Baseball web sitelly like the idea, please share this post with friends and fans using the Share button above.  Best of all, write to Major League Baseball and ask for the Red Ball Review rule.

Mr. Bud Selig, Commissioner,

Major League Baseball, 245 Park Ave., 31st Fl., New York, NY 10167
Phone: 212-931-7800, Fax: 212-949-8636, Toll Free: 866-800-1275

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The On-Purpose Leader Experience

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Do you want to be a better leader of your life?

For the longest time you've promised yourself you would work the
process in The On-Purpose Person, right?  But you haven't!  Today
you can make good to yourself on your promise.

Join me for The On-Purpose Leader Experience, a six-week immersion in being on-purpose that will transform your life for good.  Here's
your
chance to do right by yourself.  You will:
OP_leader_logos_blue

  • Clarify and organize your life around what matters most
  • Write your statements of purpose, vision, missions, and values
  • Gather, mix, and mingle with other On-Purpose Persons
  • Gain membership to a 24/7 private web group supporting your journey
  • Ask questions of Kevin on conference calls and in forums and
    discussion groups
  • Have a workbook with everything you need to work the On-Purpose Process and track your progress.

Enroll
today in the full six-week experience for just $127.  Enroll with a friend and
your investment is $1.80 each per day!  Look for the Companion Special (2
persons for only $150).

Be On-Purpose!
Kevin

PS:  Did you catch The On-Purpose Leader Experience
webcast?  Invest an hour and improve your life and your business.  CLICK
HERE to watch the first webcast.

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The On-Purpose Leader Experience: Session 1 Replay

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OPLeaderimage "What am I going to do when I grow up?" 

It is funny
when we say it, yet the price of not really knowing who we are as
grown-ups is needlessly expensive to every aspect of our lives.

I
get it!  You're stretched to the max and burdened under more
commitments than you have time.  Life is wrapped so tight, that you're
not sure where to begin with making your life make sense.

Now, you
can test drive The On-Purpose Leader Experience which is based on
The On-Purpose Person.  Listen and watch the replay of the introductory webcast by CLICKING HERE.   You will be taken to
the replay page.   Be sure to click on "SLIDES" in the upper left hand
corner so you can watch and listen.

The program includes five
remaining webcasts, replays, and web site support.  Enrollment for
this series ends: Tuesday, June 1, midnight. 

Experience what it means to be on-purpose and to be in a community of on-purpose persons in creation.

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

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What Might You Miss?

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For the longest time you've promised yourself you would work the
process in The On-Purpose Person, right?  But you haven't!  Today you make good to yourself on your promise.

Join me for The On-Purpose Leader, a six-week
experience in being on-purpose that can transform your life.  Here's your
chance to do right by yourself.  You will:

  • Clarify and organize your life around what matters most
  • Write your statements of purpose, vision, missions, and values
  • Gather, mix, and mingle with other On-Purpose Persons
  • Gain membership to a 24/7 private web group supporting your journey
  • Ask questions of Kevin on conference calls and in forums and
    discussion groups
  • Have a workbook with everything you need to work the process

Register
Here For Session One.  It is free and no credit card is
required for registration.   You will need to be registered in order to
get passwords emailed to you for both the live session and the replay. 

Enroll today in the full six-week experience and take advantage of the early bird savings (use code: EARLYBIRD28).  Enroll with a friend and your investment is $1.80 each per day!  Click on Enroll
today,  scroll down, and look for the Companion Special (2 persons for only $150). 

Register
Here For Session One.  It is free and no credit card is
required for registration.  You will need to be registered in order to
get passwords to both the live session and the replay.

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Who Will Awaken Your Worth? Janet Cronstedt Will!

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Janet Cronstedt: An On-Purpose Person Profile

Janet Cronstedt is a dear friend and business associate. When she turned 50 she came to an On-Purpose Person workshop and wrote her purpose statement of “To the Glory of God, I exist to serve by Awakening Worth.” (Read her story here.) Since then, Janet has made more and better choices in her missions to be aligned with her purpose, moving toward her vision, and living true to her values. She’s the first to tell you it was a breakthrough moment in her life and being on-purpose is a high standard.

Thanks to Janet, I was booked as the keynote speaker for Take Shape Life Convention in July of 2008. I had the breakthrough of becoming a client and losing 50 pounds and having kept most of it off since. As a result of attending the convention with me, my wife, Judith, became a health coach with Take Shape For Life and is now helping many others get to a healthy weight and create the healthy habits to keep the weight off, often get off obesity medications, and be rewarded psychologically and financially. Janet provided our family with a breakthrough.

Janet is an amazing speaker from the platform because she leads with her heart. Invest 19 minutes and watch this two-part video from Janet’s speech at the TSFL Convention from 2009. You’ll find it inspiring, hard-hitting, and, most of all, one that awakens worth. Thanks Janet for being you!

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

Part 2