Day 20 of PURPOSE – An important question to Ponder

One of my favorite all-time books on the subject of purpose and happiness, is Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's "Flow." My greatest take-away is that happiness, like success, cannot be pursued. This simple, yet profound message has impacted my life more than any other experience. "Happiness is not something that happens. It is not the result of good fortune or random chance. It is not something that money can buy or power command. It does not depend on outside events, but, rather on how we interpret them. Happiness is a condition that must be prepared for, cultivated, and defended privately by each person. People who learn to control inner experience will be able to determine the quality of their lives."

So as we prepare for Ted's call this morning on the Secret, behind The Secret, I take you into the weekend with an important question to ponder - If happiness and success cannot be pursued, why do the great majority of us aim at it? Enjoy your weekend. Watch the Final Four. And Cheer for the Hoyas to win it all. Good thinking!

Day 19 of PURPOSE – Seek Challenges

Being from the Washington DC area, this is an exciting time of year for me watching the Georgetown Hoyas reach the final four. It's been 11 years since the Hoyas challenged for a national championship; yet the talk this week has focused on one player, one pass and one game dated back to 1982. In the closing seconds of that national championship game, freshman Michael Jordan hit a jump shot with 12 seconds to play to put North Carolina ahead 63-32. Georgetown ran all the way to the end of the court, and held the ball, hoping to take a last-second shot to end the game. However, guard Fred Brown was being guarded too tightly to take a shot, and he mistakenly passed the ball to James Worthy to end the game.

Imagine being, 19 year-old, Fred Brown with your picture on the cover of every newspaper in the country. Every imaginable theory emerged- Was he trying to fix the game, was it his eye-sight, or was it simply a mistake. Looking back, Fred openly discusses that split second as the turning point in his life. Here was a young perfectionist who learned through that split second, that life will never be perfect; in fact it's downright daunting on occasion. Yet, only when you persist and prevail do you realize that adversity is the greatest teacher of all. Might we pursue a great purpose that challenges each ounce of our energy?

Day 18 of PURPOSE – Why not?

I was at Starbucks this morning, in between meetings, and observed a fascinating encounter. Setting across from me was a middle aged Korean man with his mentor preparing, for what appears to be a job interview. Although, the Korean gentleman spoke very broken English, his smile and enthusiasm spoke volumes. As his mentor prepared him for what's to come, he looked at him and said "I can be whatever I want, why not?" I couldn't help but walk up to him and wish him well.

As we chatted for a moment, he mentioned to me that he wanted to build the next Startbucks. His goal was to work for a coffee house, learn the tricks of the trade and ultimately put his name on the door. Not only was I inspired by his passion, I was reminded of my favorite quote by George Bernard Shaw - "Some men see things as they are and say, "Why?" I dream of things that never were and say, "Why not?" Each one of us needs something to believe in, something to make our life meaningful. obviously, that Korean gentleman believes the world needs another Starbucks - Why Not?

Day 17 of PURPOSE – Answer two questions

Hope that you guys had an awesome start of the week and found a little time to reflect on how you might start 'unpacking your bag.' Today, Richard Lieder challenges us to ask ourselves two critical questions and answer them honestly: What do you want? And how will you know when you get it? These aren't decisions you can just think your way through. They involve emotion more than great ideas.

"People really do have their own solutions. The problem is, either they don't know how to discover them, or they avoid discovering them. But if you want to come up with good decisions for your work and your life, simply ask those two questions-because it all comes down to very simple things."

Day 16 of PURPOSE –Be a smart team player

My ex-boss would always start his meetings with "This meeting will take X minutes. If you feel the meeting won't add value to you or vice versa or if you have something more important to attend to, please feel free to leave anytime, but please be engaged whilst you are here". Over time, as colleagues realized that he sincerely meant it, the meetings became shorter and effective, with active participation by attendees.

Talent is valuable yet individual brilliance rarely leads to success. It's possible to be part of a group yet retain your individuality.

Don't just be another face in the crowd, be a smart team player.

Posted by Sangeet Kothari

Day 15 of PURPOSE – Life is a spiral

One of my favorite thought leaders on the subject of Purpose and Passion is, Richard Leider. In January 1998, Fast Company spoke with Richard about his "laws" for living with purpose. In that article, he described a visual exercise that I've never forgotten; give it a shot. "Draw a little spiral, something like a tornado going upwards. That spiral represents the different phases you encounter in your life. There are times in life when you're on a plateau, where things are well balanced. Then along comes a triggering event that knocks you into limbo.

When that trigger occurs, you have to put all your energy into handling the situation, whether it's an emergency at work, the death of a close friend, or your own health crisis. .... ....That puts you into the third part of the spiral: a period of uncertainty. Something is ending, something else is about to begin-but you're between the ending and the beginning. To get out of limbo, you have to look at everything you've been carrying with you. You have to unpack your bag and then repack it, so you can go on to the next phase of your life." Pretty deep stuff. Share your thoughts and we'll continue exploring Richard's insights. Start unpacking.

Day 14 of PURPOSE – Escaping the past

I read a real cool story today, retold by Keith Yamashita and Sandra Spataro, that got me thinking about our 40 days of purpose- In June 1962, Alcatraz prisoners Frank Morris and brothers John and Clarence Anglin made a break for it. Although serious doubts exist about the success of the escape, the jailbreak remains the only "unresolved" case in the history of The Rock. The escape plan involved handmade drills, guard uniforms, and imitation human heads to deter nighttime guards. The men took to the water using raincoats as crude life vests and a makeshift raft. The police investigation turned up all the tools of the escape, but no sign of these three men.
You might be thinking how this might relate to purpose –

1.} Desperate times may require desperate measures, don't wait for a crisis.
2.} Be methodical. Be sequential. Every gain is a step in the right direction.
3.} Stay out of jail, creating purpose is about finding what's true and magnifying it, not making up a whole new story.

Day 13 of PURPOSE – Better than who?

I had a very stimulating conversation, with a potential iEvolution member, today in which we discussed her critical objectives for the reminder of the year. As I was listening, it was clear to me that her focus was on outperforming her competition. As I probed a bit, I learned that she felt inferior to some of the leading advisors in the community because of their creativity and experience. Having spend 21 years in corporate America, I realize that our competitors certainly play a role in our business. But, do we react too quickly?

I once heard investment great, Nick Murray say that, "You're compete only with yourself." That has always hit home with me. One of the more damaging fallacies that each of us can fall in to is comparing ourselves with others, when we should be compared, only to ourselves. How far we've come and how far we have left to go. We should draw inspiration from those we admire; perhaps our greatest competitors are our greatest teachers.

Day 12 of PURPOSE – Our Family

Ok this time the iThought is coming from Ranganathittu bird’s sanctuary, India. On this weekend break I had the opportunity to watch some amazing scenes from wild life that made me think about purpose of being human. I captured this Painted Stork in my camera not because it was giving me a pose but because it was protecting the babies inside nest.

I knew I have something to learn here. The lesson was not whether I would do the same for my kids but have I done enough for my parents who might have done the same as this bird in the picture. What is the purpose of being an offspring?

Posted by Meetu Singhal

Day 11 of PURPOSE – Profiles in Courage

I had the opportunity, this weekend, to work with my son, Adam, on his profiles in courage book report featuring, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. As we chronicled the life of of America's civil rights leader, we learned about a man living each day in pursuit of his dream. His purpose, of course, was to bring freedom and equal rights to an entire race. Here was a perfect example of one person who single handedly changed the world. He fought to help the poor. He was jailed 13 times because he refused to back down. To this day, King remains a controversial symbol of the African American civil rights struggle, yet his dream lives on.
In 1964, Dr King became the youngest man to be awarded the Nobel Peach Prize for his work as a peacemaker, promoting nonviolence and equal treatment for all. Today, only a few of us live with such conviction. Perhaps, if we did, our work and our dreams would be worth die for!

Day10 of PURPOSE – Our Destiny

On the first day of the annual TED conference last week in Monterey, Designer, Philippe Starck made a profound statement that really got me thinking. He remarked that "'God' is the answer we give when we don't know the answer. When our vision isn't big enough." He referenced the fact where we came from as human beings; we couldn't have imagined where we are now and where we might be in the future. I am a firm believer that 'God' has left the world incomplete for us to getting working. Philippe's comments made me realize that our paths are filled with as much challenge as opportunity; as much good as bad. In the end, life is a test; one of resolve, courage and most importantly gratitude. Is your vision really yours?

Day 9 of PURPOSE – We are all Teachers

One of the greatest insights that I gained from our call yesterday and certainly from our most recent iE live retreat, is that we're all teachers. We may be good teachers or bad ones, but in the end we are all teachers of something. Everyday, our actions and behaviors speak volumes for who we are and what we stand for. This afternoon, as I was stopped at a light, a homeless person approached me; he stopped at my window, stared at my, and didn't say a word for about 15 seconds. As I handed him money and a cold bottle of water; he instantly smiled, whispered "God won't forget you", and slowly walked away.
For that brief moment, I had this enormous sense of appreciation that I had lived out my purpose for the day. I live for the opportunity where I can help someone; teaching to me involves more than unpacking stories or sharing insights; we teach when we help one another love our families, make wise decisions, stay out of debt and pass on the gifts that we have so fortunate to receive. Who did you teach today?

Day 8 of PURPOSE – Choose to be a cheerleader at work

At workplaces these days, we see a lot of edgy people who are worried about their prospect and business opportunities. According to David Granirer, we often try to control our reaction to the work situation in which we find ourselves. The big question for both individuals and organizations is: how do you keep up spirits, continue to work efficiently, and sustain health and wisdom in a crazy-making situation?

Michael Kerr – the workplace energizer – is "Creating inspiring, healthy and more productive workplaces by putting humour to work!"

David Granirer tells you more, how do you help employees, who have little or no control over external events, survive a crazy-making situation? Organizations need to encourage employees to take control over the one aspect of the situation they do control - how they choose to respond to it.

So what stops you using your sense of humor at work?

Day 7 of PURPOSE – Heroism

Sam Walton took pride in helping his employees build self-esteem. Aristotle made Excellence a way of life. And Tom Watson lived to challenge the status quo. Lastly, the drive for Heroism resulted in Bill Gates' plan to put his operating system onto every computer.

Heroism is not the "winning" or the specific goals themselves that tap into broader human aspirations, but the ambition, daring or heroism evident in those goals. Henry Ford was by far the most famous industrial hero of his day. At first sight, his ambition to "democratize the automobile" and his introduction of the $5 day for his workers might indicate a strongly altruistic Purpose, a desire to bring happiness to customers and workers alike. But this is an illusion. The specific social and economic goals that he pursued at different times were less important to him than his ambition to use the Ford Motor Company as his "machine." He certainly exercised his will to improve the world.

Each of us aspires for greatness. Although I crave the capacity to lead, my greatest satisfaction comes when I can help others become hero. How about you?

Day 6 of PURPOSE – Altruism

Aristotle taught us that Excellence is a habit; a way of life. Tom Watson of IBM, challenged us to THINK afresh. Today, Nikos examines a benevolent ethic that lies behind a good proportion of small businesses - Altruism.

Altruism is a major focus behind major political movements, charities and a whole range of businesses that exist primarily to serve their customers. Altruism may take the form of personal service beyond formal obligation - as Nordstrom does. Delivering products at affordable prices - as Sam Walton's Wal-Mart; or using technology and ideas to improve the lives of people - as Hewlett-Packard does. In these examples, altruism is directed at the customer, but it does not have to be. For Anita Roddick of the Body Shop, and other leaders of so called new age businesses, altruism and customer benefit are distinct. In her case, the altruism is directed at animals, and to some extent her staff. Service businesses often "care" about their staffs, which in turn care for customers-an approach summed up by Federal Express as "People-Service-Profit."

Service is about Emotion; you can't fake it. The desire to care for other's well-being as well as our own-indeed we maximize our own happiness only by taking into account the happiness of others. Would you trade your selfish pleasures for the moral instinct to care for others?

Day 5 of PURPOSE – Excellence!

So are you inspired by drive to Discover! Yesterday, we discussed that a purpose rooted in Discovery involves a love for the new. Tom Watson of IBM was a perfect exponent of this idea. "THINK" was the slogan that he plastered around the company urging his salesmen to think of each situation afresh. He rejected convention, and always preferred the new. Today we discuss Nikos' second of his four moral ideas - Excellence.

Excellence at its essence implies high standards, like those of an artist, defined by the craft itself rather than by the customers; it involves a never-ending struggle to achieve ever higher standards, such as those at Toyota or Apple. Excellent businesses prefer to turn away customers rather than compromise their quality standards. This type of purpose is rooted in the belief that excellent performance is our role in life represents the supreme good. Not that the pursuit of excellence and profit maximization need conflict: Warren Buffet is one of the best examples in modern business of having achieved both.

This is a tricky one! We’re obsessed with excellence and at the same time, we're driven by innovation. As we invent we almost have to reinvent to get something right. Does that mean we settle for less than the standard of excellence? Tough one.

Day 4 of PURPOSE – What most of us want from our work?

Purpose-not money, not status-is what most of us want from our work. As I think about my reason for being, I am often led to Jim Collins' powerful questions - What is a meaningful life without meaningful work? Don't be fooled, most of us want recognition, big titles and compensation. Still, we struggle to answer the question "why do I do what I do?"

Make no mistake about it, this is perhaps the most challenging question that each of us will ever face. One of the most helpful tools that I've found to get me closer to that elusive 'Why' is Nikos Mourkogiannis' book-Purpose: The starting point for great companies- In it, Nikos presents four moral ideas that appeal to our deepest instincts and that can also inspire a business for long-term success in today's world. These have been articulated by philosophers working in different traditions over centuries: They have stood the test of time. They are Discovery, Excellence, Altruism and Heroism. We'll explore one each day for the next four days.

"Discovery put men on the moon, America on the map and the dot coms in business." It involves innovation, creativity and a love of the new. Entrepreneurs are inspired by intellectual curiosity; they believe they are reinventing their industries, economics and indeed themselves. They see no constraints. They create themselves in every choice they make. This type of purpose and morality is rooted in the intuition that life is a kind of adventure. When we live authentically, we are constantly seeking out and creating the new. As I think about the Purpose behind iEvolution, It's clear that innovation, curiosity, and a love for the new define our calling each day. We approach each situation with the mindset of thinking and acting afresh. Does that make Discover our 'Why?' - OR Yours? Stay tuned…

Day 3 of PURPOSE – What drives your life?

Everyone's life is driven by something. For some of us, it's money? others, it's fame? still others, perhaps it's fear that gets us up each morning. When I reflect on this question, I can't help but think of the great leaders whose examples have paved the way for all of us.

In an article published in Fortune in July, 2003, Jim Collins recognized the 10 greatest CEO's. Leading the way was David Packard. In 1949, 37-year-old Packard attended a meeting of business leaders. Fidgeting while they discussed how to squeeze more profit from their companies, he was finally unable to contain himself. "A company has a greater responsibility than making money for its stockholders," he asserted. "We have a responsibility to our employees to recognize their dignity as human beings," Packard said, extolling his belief that those who help create wealth have a moral right to share in that wealth. He was the first to share equity and profits with his employees and despite donating to Stanford University an amount comparable to the value of Jane and Leland Stanford's original endowment; he never allowed his name to appear on any of its buildings while he was alive.

The spirit of David Packard lives on, far beyond the walls of the company he build. Empowering others to surpass his accomplishments was his driving ambition each and every day. How about you?

Day 2 of PURPOSE – Be Someone!

Best selling author, and leadership consultant, Nikos Mourkogiannis believes that tragedy is the best way to learn the importance of purpose. In his book-Purpose: the starting point for great companies-he introduces purpose with a story: "Other children had fairy tales at bedtime. I had the nightmare story of my family. The story of the day the Communist came to our farm in Greece. They wanted my father, but my father was long gone; he'd left to fight the Communists. So the Communists made do with the women. There were 54 women in our village that day. The Communists demanded that they denounce my father. They refused-all of them. So the Communists shot them all. Two women survived, only because there were so many bodies that the wounded could hide under the pile."

Adversity is certainly the greatest teacher, and I've often wondered why bad things have to happen in order for us to understand what truly matters. Why can't we learn from the experiences of others? I am inspired by the courage and vision of people like Nikos, "I wanted to be somebody who changed the world for the better. To do that, I have to stand for something worth living for, and, if necessary, dying for." I, too, wake up each morning hoping that I can contribute something positive to help someone get ahead. Do you stand for something worth dying for?

Day 1 of PURPOSE - It's not about You!

"The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness. It's far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God." Rick Warren, America's most influential spiritual leader, empowers us to look outside ourselves to discover our reason for being.

Why do we exist? As I ponder this question, I am often puzzled at its difficulty. As a child, I had visions of a world where everything was possible. Where everyone got along and helped one another. And, perhaps, most important of all, where we all celebrated the gift of life, together. I learned early on, that life wasn't quite that simple, and business was an even bigger challenge. As I entered the business world, I was told that the business was difficult and at times, even ruthless. I had to learn 'To Swim with the Sharks', if I was going to survive. Does it have to be that way? what happened to my perfect world?

Welcome to iEvolution's 40 Days of Purpose conversation

Welcome to iEvolution's 40 Days of Purpose conversation. We're a global community of aspiring entrepreneurs in the financial services and mortgage industries who come together to learn, grow and leverage the power of ideas to create a better future for us all.

In the book- "Repacking Your Bags"- Richard Leider reported that research shows that people's number one deadly fear is the fear of "having lived a meaningless life." Knowing your purpose can help you overcome this fear and live an inspired life; as such, this is perhaps the most critical activity in which each of us should engage. Drawing on the works of great philosophers, influential thought leaders and the entire iEvolution community, we're excited to announce iE's 40 Days of Purpose conversation. This ongoing community conversation will gather online to collaborate, share stories and ask the tough questions that will challenge all us to discover who we are and perhaps get us closer to learning what we're living for. Join us as we share wisdom from the world's most admired people including Henry Ford, Thomas Watson Sr., Sam Walton, Jack Welch, Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Richard Branson, Nikos Mourkogiannis, Richard Leider, and perhaps most important, Rick Warren.