Starts October 30 — December 11. Learn more at: www.onpurposeleading.com or click the logo below:
Raise the Trajectory of Your Life in Six Power-Packed Weeks
Career & Work
What Are Core Values?
Purpose and values are strongly related. Purpose precedes values. Purpose is by definition good. Values without purpose being inherently good can be easily abused. Values, you'll discover, will often be in conflict.
How does one resolve a values conflict? Your purpose provides the swing vote or trump card if needed.
For example, most people would say that a value such as "Family first" makes a lot of sense. Now consider that if that family is the mob and you as a family member happen to cross the family. Another value kicks in—you cross the family, you die. Murder, even an "honor killing" is still murder.
The values came in conflict! A purpose statement that is by definition "good"—a rather biblical concept from Genesis or "of God"—has a higher probability of engaging our deeper spirit or consciousness that murder is absolutely wrong regardless of the circumstances.
I'm sharing with you this brief Simple Truths movie about core values. It offers a solid "core" reasoning for investing in knowing your values and better knowing yourself.
Are you ready to clarify and write your purpose and values plus vision and mission? Enroll today in The On-Purpose Leader Experience. The next six-week cycle begins October 23. Watch a free one-hour preview and enroll at this same site—discount prices currently show in the shopping cart, too, so you can save $50 or $70 on your enrollment for one or two persons.
What is the Upside to a Down Economy?
Financial challenges rip at a misplaced sense of security. These can be very challenging and humbling times. My business has been hurting this year because I allowed myself to be in a position where a client could stiff me for a large sum of money. The ripple effects touch every aspect of my life and business.
Because we're working as a team and as a family, good is coming out of the hardship. How about you? Please share your comments or story of the upside of a down economy. Your thoughts may inspire, comfort, or encourage someone in a similar situation to see things in a more positive and productive light. Hope need never be lost.
What Kind Of Business Owner Are You?
Business owners are anyone with a job to do.
In The On-Purpose Business Person I write about the Think Inc! mindset and the importance of taking on responsibility. Blame is the easily spread dung of cowards. They avoid consequences, but will revel in results.
To assume responsibility for leading one’s life and work is a heroic effort. To put oneself on the line along with the ensuing consequences (good or bad) takes guts. If you’ll simply get started with assuming responsibilities, you’ll be amazed at how it feeds your confidence and fuels your growth. Rarely will you blow it. Always will you learn from it. The more you attempt, improve, and succeed, then the more opportunity and increasing responsibility will come your way.
Hopefully, you have an executive coach or mentor who helps you sort and think through your responses and lessons when you miss. Also, the person can give you perspective when you hit the mark and help you raise the bar of the possible next.
One of the most important roles of a business owner is to set and create a culture or an environment. How well are you doing with those around you? We can be slack about it or intentional. We can encourage the taking of responsibility or we can crush it. The same holds true at home. It reflects an approach to life, marriage, rearing children, or volunteering for a committee at a not-for-profit.
As a result of this On-Purpose Business Minute, please challenge yourself to truly reflect on this important aspect of leading by taking responsibility for yourself, your actions, and your choices.
Just what kind of business owner are you?
The present problems you face may be the face you present.
The CEO of a company in Houston, TX engaged me to do an On-Purpose program at her headquarters. Fifteen executives gathered around the conference room table.
The COO was a woman named Barb. Early in the program she caught my eye. She had this look! My interpretation of “the look” was a mix of anger and confusion. What had I done to deserve this wrath? It was disturbing my concentration.
As a presenter I tend to home in on certain people as barometers of the group to see if I’m connecting. Barb had grabbed my attention. Could I win her over in the early minutes of a program that was scheduled to go all morning?
After 30 minutes of “the look” from her… I couldn’t take it any longer. I gingerly confronted Barb. I asked, “Have I said something that offended you?”
“No, I’m loving this on-purpose stuff!”
“Oh!” I was perplexed. “The way you were looking at me I thought you were upset with me.”
She laughed and her beauty truly showed. “This” and she pointed to her face while giving me the look “is my thinking face.”
A gasp erupted in the room from 14 other people and me. In that moment, we had all gleaned the same insight. The only problem was Barb had been working there for three years with these people. They all thought she was upset with them, too, but for years.
Barb now explains to people she meets that she has a “thinking face.” You can only imagine what a difference this has made in Barb’s life.
The present problems you face may be the face you present. Do you or someone you know have a “thinking face” that may be keeping you from being on-purpose?
What Is The State of Your America Dream?
As President Obama prepares to address the nation tonight, let me ask you one simple question, "What is the state of your American Dream?" Use your webcam to post your response to YouTube or Facebook and then add your link below so others can see what you have to say.
The only rules:
1. Keep it non-political. Hey, let's hear your story.
2. Be civil.
3. At the start of the video, please give your name and location.
Here's my webcam video.
Christian Women in Business: ONPURPOSE@WORK: Join me live on air Oct. 19!
Christian women in business face unique challenges. Whether you're an entrepreneur, president, or CEO or simply dreaming of a small business start-up we'll explore the many opportunities and pitfalls of business ownership. (Men are welcome too!)
Jory Fisher has graciously invited me to be her guest on her radio show October 19 (Scroll below to call in and listen). We'll address how you can be ONPURPOSE@WORK. I'll be awarding a scholarship to ONPURPOSE@WORK to a deserving entrepreneur so you'll want to tune in to listen so you can learn how to earn by being yourself, prospering, and making a difference.
Be On-Purpose!
Kevin
Details about Heart & Soul for Women of Faith
Heart & Soul for Women of Faith airs live Wednesdays at 12 noon Eastern / 9 am Pacific. To listen live online, click on Heart & Soul at BlogTalkRadio.com. To listen by telephone, please call 1.347.326.9296. If you wish to participate in the discussions either by phone or in the chatroom, you must register your name and email address first with BlogTalkRadio by clicking on “register” on the home page of the site.
All shows are archived on my BlogTalk Radio host web page for 24/7 access and for iTunes and MP3 downloads. They are also available on my website: www.womenfindpurpose.com
“A ‘Balanced’ Life” a Poem on Life by Kevin W. McCarthy
A "Balanced" Life
A balanced life is what I sought,
Only to have a life that was not.
My battle for balance was constantly fought,
Yet, time and again I found myself caught.
I planned, I managed, I strove to obtain.
With burnout, frustration, and a worn out brain.
Time I did “manage” with feelings distraught,
Where the harder I tried, the less I got.
A balanced life captured my thought.
Advice and coaching I often sought.
So coaches and counselors I did retain
To inspire, encourage, and help me retrain.
I listened and learned and did as I ought,
Yet my sense of my self continued to rot.
Day after day I did not obtain,
A life in balance – I could not sustain.
Daily my Father saw my deep pain,
Finally, he asked of my earnest campaign.
I told of the experts and advice I had bought.
He listened long. Then, I asked what he thought.
“A balanced life you will not obtain.
It’s an illusion sure to drive you insane.”
About the balanced life I so anxiously sought.
In essence he said, “All is for naught.”
Could my experts’ advice be words all in vain!
Dad’s contrary words were too simple and plain.
Defensive and righteous, I took a pot shot,
“If not balance, what else have you got?”
He answered, “A balanced life is what you’ve sought.
Instead, try this one simple thought:
Live your life integrated. It will go as it ought.”
A different perspective my Father had brought.
Intrigued and delighted his words fell as rain,
To my parched soul truly going insane.
How do I integrate? How do I maintain?
Were questions resounding deep in my brain.
“In the beginning, when you were begotten
A purpose was given, you’ve long since forgotten.
Search your heart and all its terrain.
Your purpose lies dormant, yet steadfast and fain.
“Ignoring your purpose causes work with strain.
Why worry about balance if it isn’t germane!
Align to your purpose, live as you ought.
Listen, my love, to the words that I’ve taught.”
His words were startling, and hard to contain
For Balance, my idol, he had just slain.
No more was my stomach tied tight in a knot.
For a balanced life I no longer sought.
In the heart of my heart I had learned a lot
Of ordering life on Dad’s integrating thought.
Gone were failings and feelings distraught
Where the harder I tried, the less I got.
I’m sparked by my purpose so simple and plain.
Integration, not balance, now keeps me so sane.
The gift of hope in my heart does remain.
For being on-purpose I can surely sustain.
© 2011, Kevin W. McCarthy