You Can Change Your Life's Path Without Costing You Your Livelihood

Another friend has been contemplating changing his path, too. He works in Academia - Administration mainly with some classroom teaching on occassion. He's a big, immediately likeable guy that exudes charisma that just makes him a pleasure to be around. His passion is clearly educating others. He gets a real kick out of others embracing their learning opportunities, before doing what they thought was impossible: Graduate from college! There is nothing more gratifying than helping others achieve their dream and live better lives. However, this idyllic job opportunity isn't meeting other core needs of his life. Now, his current job is a good job. He is appreciated for his work. He has growth potential. Ok, what is the problem here? It's a heart condition. The work-life and fulfillment levels have dropped dramatically. What's missing?:

• More time with his wife
• More time wiith his newborn baby (angelic little creature...and we all said, "Awww".
• Having more control over his work and the tasks he pours his life energy into
• Engaging more of the people and things that make his heart sing

He wants a life that gives more meaning and purpose than a paycheck and less fulfillment in his personal life. He's tired of less time doing what is best in his heart and mind. What he's looking for isn't just a job, but a pursuit that fits with his financial value, life's values, and what he values in his life. There are three things he's after and they are all non-negotiatable (for him and for you). Sometimes, we can get by without fulfillment in our work, but it's only getting by and you lose a piece of yourself in the process every day. My friend mentioned how each day was one day further away from where he wanted to be. This is common among all of us. The realization that we should be somewhere else or doing something else that is more valuable, important, clearer, Godly, etc. This nags at us all. Wondering about those three things: Key emotions, tasks, and a clear idea of what it all should look like when you do arrive at Fulfillmentville!

Part way through our chat, he states, "I hope you are writing another book." I told him, I am! There is more to life than being a dutiful breadwinner, which is where he and many others have gotten stuck in life. You can be a dutiful breadwinner doing what fills you up and everyone wins, not just your job, your family, or your bill collectors. You get to win, too. You! I shared with my friend that he's looking for a 1 - 2 degree shift from his current path: first in his mind/heart and then with his feet. I do not advocate leaving your job immediately without a parachute or plan - if you doctors tells you to do so that's another story. Here's how it works:

1. Complete your "Filter of Life's Must Haves and Dos" - available in my workshops coming up in May 2012
2. Research and evaluate those life pursuits (social, spiritual, career, relationship) that are valued and important
3. Immerse yourself in activities and relationships that bring you closer to the thing you love
4. Evaluate your financial needs and potential for any new career pursuit fitting your filter's requirements
5. Continually refresh your mind around steps 1 - 4, while actively seeking and affirming your new direction.

I leveled with my friend. I've left many good jobs. I've continually, by God's grace and his plan for helping me share this message, have landed in increasing better situations...closer to my dream of financial independence and work-life balance (what we all want and deserve). It's time you took the plunge by learning how you can make your 1-2 degree shifts toward that amazing life supported by the thing you were born to do. Drop me an email at learnit2012@gmail.com.

Be Well - John

Peace Is An Immovable Rock (Embedded in Your Purpose)

Hey Friend,

I was pondering a tweet and this gem emerged from my thoughts: "Peace is an immovable rock. You cannot embrace it in motion. You cannot pull it along with you. You can only be present with it." This thought is rife with richness that came from a place beyond my mind's borders. When I think about the peace entering my life, much of it comes from tapping into my gifting and shifting my life's path to accommodate it. I have met and chatted with many people who are well intention about their life, and end up living in the shadow of their Greatness.

Tonight, I chatted with a friend with a great home life and a less than stellar job situation. He's a fabulous technology talent, who has been a dutiful bread winner. Well, no matter how noble our intentions, we cannot live in the shadow of Mt. Greatness without growing cold. We cannot summit on Mt. Greatness without an arduous climb through the thinner atmosphere of self-doubt, uncertainty, and desertion by those ill-equipped for your ascent toward greatness. Whether we stand by and watch ourselves die beneath the veneer of "Doing the Right Thing" versus striking out on the often times misunderstood path of your true calling, there will be a price to pay. And, only one of these prices will give you a rebate, while the other will cost you your life!

The Rebate comes from striking out toward the summit of Mt. Greatness (small steps to really big ones) will bring you closer to the divine and the divine existance you seek, on a journey of your choosing. The Veneer existance is a perceived safety net. While the bulk of your stuff is held in place, your soul slips through tiny holes in your safety net. It saves your stuff, but not you. It supports the facade of a life well lived or not, but not you. Aren't you worth more than your stuff, unsupportive relationships, and anything thing else that robs you of the light in your eyes.

Perhaps, it is time you ventured out of the shadow of your Mt. Greatness and it's perceived safety net, and explore the life you've been missing. You deserve it. Here's what you can do for the next seven days to find the peace hidden in your purpose:

• Reflect on what fills your heart with laughter
• Volunteer your time doing the thing you love most
• Find, read, and write about the life you desire in your heart - you have a free pass to not worry about how, when, where, or with whom (those are merely byproducts anyway)
• Love Someone, Hate No One
• Forgive yourself

And, journal your thoughts after 7 days. On day 8, consider your Mt. Greatness and climb it responsibly!

God Bless,