Kevin W. McCarthy

The Professor of On-Purpose

Tips, Trends, & Techniques

Who is the happiest person you know?

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"Who is the happiest person you know?"  It was a simple question.   The answer, however, proved to be more challenging than I imagined.

  • What is your definition of happiness?
  • Who is the happiest person you know and why?

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This was today's On-Purpose Minute.  It drew such a large response that I posted it here in hopes that email conversation and wisdom of the viewers would accrue to more than just me. Please share your thoughts on this On-Purpose Minute by adding your comments.  Click on the headline of the posting and it will open up to a comments section.  Go for it!

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

PS: To subscribe to The On-Purpose Minutes (Tuesdays) and On-Purpose Business Minutes (Thursdays), click here for your free subscription.

Syfy: Why?

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SyFy LogoThe SCI FI Channel has changed its branding.  Check it out with this link.

At On-Purpose Business Advisors we inevitably end up in branding because of our core work on business design and strategy.   Branding is one of the first external expressions and places to create alignment with customers.  

I had to laugh when I saw the new name.   SCI FI says it all.  Syfy – what does that say?  There are some names you just don't need to change.  That said, a logo update would certainly be in order, but to change the name at this point to Syfy is just plain stupid.   Perhaps they have some magic hidden up their sleeve with this new name.  I sense someone got paid a great deal of money to develop a new look and name.  Unfortunately, the emperor's new clothes made it through tight-lipped committee after committee for approval.

The new logo makes me think this is a Styrofoam cup business, a paper company, or a pharmaceutical conglomerate with some made up name due to some chemical compounding.  Certainly not an edgy science fiction television channel.  

The good news is the execution on the web site is stunningly well done in terms of navigation, look, graphics, etc.  They've kept the traditional purple (outer space?) for highlights.  There is a lot there and they manage it nicely.  So kudos to the team that took what was probably given to them and took it boldly where few have gone before.

For now, all I can do is sigh, fyi. 

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

Living Longer with Purpose

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You know of my passion about purpose and living on-purpose.  A friend sent me a link to an article: a recent study of seniors and how those with a stronger sense of purpose live longer than those without.  It doesn't matter what the purpose is.

"It can be anything — from wanting to accomplish a goal in life, to
achieving something in a volunteer organization, to as little as reading a
series of books," said study author Dr. Patricia Boyle, a
neuropsychologist at the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center and an assistant
professor of behavioral sciences at Rush University Medical Center in
Chicago.

Read the rest of the article here.

Join me.  Live long on-purpose!

Learning to Lead Starts With Yourself

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Watch this video interview I did with Factor77 to gain insight into on-purpose concepts.  Some of the questions asked and answered are below.

  • Was there something you went through personally that made you write your book?
  • What is your methodology for taking a step back in today’s world and being able to figure out what the heck you're doing?
  • Why do you say a balanced life is a myth?
  • So if you're doing what you love there should be no balance?
  • How do you go out and find the right people to keep you motivated?
  • How do you know when it’s time to stop and look around at what you're doing and take that first step?
  • How do you feel satisfied at the end of the day instead of stressed out?

1 Year Ago Today – Still Taking Shape For Life

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Wow!  What a difference a year makes!  One year ago today I began Day One of the Take Shape For Life program.  At the time I weighed 230 pounds – down from 239 on Jan. 1. 

I lost my first 9 pounds by exercising it off – "the first gear way" is the way I refer to that now.  "High gear" is the TSFL way.  That is to get into a fat burning stage where the fat burns away and the lean muscle mass remains.  

My health coach, Lori Andersen, helped me set a goal to lose 30 pounds.  For me to weigh 200 pounds was frankly unimaginable – I thought it would require an amputation of a leg.  More accurately, I set my 200 pound goal weight goal because I thought less wasn't realistic.  Truth be told, Lori encouraged me to consider 190 pounds as my stretch goal weight.

Was I a skeptic? You bet!  I have a sweet tooth that doesn't stop wanting chocolate, Hot Tamales, caramels, and ice cream.  Couple this with a pizza habit and you've got the makings of an early demise for the pioneer of being On-Purpose! 

I chronicled my return to health on these blog pages, so I encourage you to read the Health & Fitness Category starting on April 4, 2008.  The real question in your mind is, "So, Kevin, what do you weigh today?  Have you kept the weight off?"

This morning I weighed 191!  The weight I lost, I've kept off.  More importantly, I'm living the BESLIM approach and developing the Habits of Health (see special offer below). 

To top it all off, my wife, Judith, caught the vision of TSFL when I spoke at the National Convention in July 2008.  She joined the ranks of TSFL as a health coach and is experiencing the joy of helping clients share my experience.  She is back to her college weight.  Now a few of her clients are becoming health coaches.  Dr. A's vision is to "Get America Healthy."  Judith is a part of that movement.  If you're looking for a health coach or to learn more here's a link to Judith's web site: www.certifiedhealthadvisor.com. 

Take Shape For Life has changed my life… my family's health and life.  This is the power of having a well-designed system that works and simply engaging the genius of others to my benefit.  Thank you TSFL, Medifast, and Dr. A and Lori.  Special thanks go to my dear friend, Janet Cronstedt, who introduced me to Dr. A.

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

DrA TOPP Bundle On-Purpose Health Bundle: Through April 15, we're offering a special package that includes Dr. A's Habits of Health, an amazing book, and The On-Purpose Person ebook.  Normally, both would be $54.95.  Through April 15, we're selling both for $35.95 – a savings of $19!  Click the book image to go to our shopping cart.

I wanted to have a purpose.

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I wanted to have a purpose.   This was the front page headline of the March 18, 2009 Orlando Sentinel.  The article by Kate Santich, a staff writer, portrays how people out of work are making the positive decision to volunteer more and are finding surprising rewards.

Dr. Ivan Misner, the founder of BNI (Business Network International) says, "Givers Gain."  Having invested a couple of hours with me on the telephone on two separate occasions, I can tell you this man lives his motto.

To the people featured in Ms. Santich's front page article – Larry Szrom, Janet Morris, Claudia Mayes, and Yesennia Cruz, I must give a tip of the hat for taking their job loss and turning it into someone else's gain.  Yes, givers gain.  What they are sowing is returning to them in fresh ways.

So thanks Kate Santich for some great reporting, sharing these personal stories, and seeing good in the midst of loss.  Thanks to those featured in the article for providing hope, inspiration, and direction for those frozen due to a job loss and financial stress.  Those featured express a virtue of being an on-purpose person – service.

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

Are You Serving on a Board of Directors?

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Many of us who are business owners get invited to serve on boards.  We're used to running things, not governing via policy through the CEO (for profit) or Executive Director (not for profit).   The role of being a director is deeply misunderstood by most of us who serve on boards. 

Recently, I was quoted in the following article in California Executive.  Perhaps this will shed some light on your board involvements.

Now More Than Ever, Company Boards Must Respect Boundaries

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

What’s My Next Step?

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You’ve read The On-Purpose Person and have realized the benefits of living your life on-purpose.  Now you want to go back through the steps of the man and begin applying this life transforming process to your life.  Here’s exactly what you need!

Check out Discovery: Beginning On-Purpose.  Discovery_3D_eBook
In this guidebook, you will learn to:

  • Capture in writing the desires of your heart
  • Create order and clarity out of confusion
  • Cut through your mental clutter and fog
  • Determine what truly matters the most
  • Set a new and positive direction
  • Gain a greater sense of who you are
  • Figure out what you should do
  • Learn to manage your time so it matches your priorities
  • Begin leading your life on-purpose
  • Tap more deeply into who you are

Along with instructions, you will get a complete set of Want Lists and Tournaments per Life Account plus prompters.  Other forms included are the Main Draw, Reverse Tournaments per Life Account, Ideal On-Purpose® Day, and Give List and Tournament.  This is a great step-by-step guide without necessarily rereading The On-Purpose Person.  All of this for only $7 and it is printable.

Not sure if you need this workbook?  You can check out a FREE Preview.  The Preview gives you a customizable Want List and Tournament Form.  Instructions for how to use the form are included.  And if you like what you see, there are convenient links to purchase the full product.  What have you got to lose?

To get started with your life discovery, Click Here to go to our online bookstore and buy the full version or get the Preview of Discovery: Beginning On-Purpose.