Moving with a purpose

Moving with a purpose

discipline, leadership, purpose, self-awareness
Here's a review I wrote for Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win. Extreme Ownership is a good look in the mirror to live and lead at the highest level. It contains war stories with leadership lessons and I have newfound respect for U.S. Navy SEALs. It checks off on what I count as a good book: vivid imagery, some humor, raises goosebumps, brings tears, and practical for livelihood. On the final analysis, it’s not written by a Hemingway but it does come from the heat of experience. It works because it’s real. The book harps the tune "it's all about the mission”. You got to know why you're in it to begin with, believe in it fully, and continually execute on it. That’s what a leader does.…
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Lavender trust

gratitude, self-awareness, self-trust, storytelling
Lulu just lost her job and with it a messy break up. It’s like a sinking ship in her gut and exploding rocks in her chest. She faces a new chapter in her life. She feels terrible uncertainty and self-doubt. She decides to go on an adventure and winds up in a forest. It’s dark and she finds a hut by the river. She steps in and an own is sitting there with books and a lit candle scented like Lavender Trust. The owl welcomes her in as though expecting her. Lulu tells him of her lousy state and the owl says, “Get super clear about yourself and how you want to grow. It’s not that you have to overcome uncertainty, but to examine the negative beliefs you’ve attach to it. Trust your…
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Podcast: Waking up to what is with Eric Kaufmann

leadership, self-awareness
Seeing Potential Podcast aims to form dialogue with creatives and entrepreneurs at the crossroads of change, exploring the concepts of mindfulness, creativity, and leadership. In this episode I sat down with Eric Kaufmann to discuss what it means to be awake and the skills to develop as a leader. Eric Kaufmann is the president and founder of Sagatica, where he guides leaders to make better decisions and achieve better results. His book The Four Virtues of a Leader, shares practical ideas and tools that deepen a leader’s ability to be efficient, effective and deliberate; a leader whom people are drawn to follow. The crucible of Eric’s journey contains 16 years of leadership consulting, management at Fortune 100 firms, degrees in business and psychology a quarter century of Zen practice, living in Israel…
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Celebrating what is

gratitude, self-awareness
It has been said that the test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas at the same time, and still be able to function. For example, one would recognize the absence of hope and still be grateful to be alive. Rather than insist on what should be, one surrenders to a living relationship with what is. There is no glorified “me” to enforce so emotions move freely, and we get to bear witness to nature’s unfolding. Throughout the day, there are chores one must accept and celebrations we get to relish. A life that overflows with vitality tends to net more celebrations, and gratitude is the groovy tune as language tangos with emotion. For example, consider how our attention is colored by “I get to,”…
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Crushing Uncertainty: Using Mindfulness to Inspire Creativity and Leadership

mindfulness, poetry, psychology, self-awareness
“Knowing others is intelligence; Knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; Mastering yourself is true power.” - Lao Tzu, Chinese Philosopher 12 The human mind is a sea of thoughts, emotions, and sensations. In one’s quest for meaning and wisdom, uncertainty is bound to arise. While rational thinking shields the unknown and races for quick answers, a poetic mindset befriends the present in its vastness. When the world gets complex and unclear, the mind can get stressed and overwhelmed. Yet when approached with acceptance and curiosity, complexity becomes a resource as the body’s aliveness guides the way to mindfully channel our emotions. This poetic way of mindfulness enables insight to deepen the connection with ourselves and others. Unveiling aliveness Each moment offers an opportunity to experience a symphony…
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