Vision

Transforming Desire into a Hammer

I’m reading a great book, Finding Your Zone, by Michael Lardon. Dr. Lardon’s work focuses mostly on athletes, however the wisdom he shares is as relevant in the office and at home.

Eric Heiden winning the 1,500 meters in speedskating at the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid, N.Y. (Photo: Associated Press via the New York Times)

One concept that is particularly interesting to me is the energy we create as we transform our desire into will. But it has a dark side.

Many of us work endlessly trying to achieve our goals and satiate our desires. However, all too often our optimism and hope decay into feelings of confusion and disappointment.

The upside of is when it becomes our will.

[Desire] is an essential energy that exists in the pursuit of realizing one’s own life dream. However, only when this energy of desire is strengthen and transformed into the energy of will can your goal–whatever it is–be achieved fully and at the highest level.

So what is the different between desire and will?

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Posted on January 27, 2012 in Action, Leadership, Vision

A Powerful Mission Statement

“This is your life. Do what you love, and do it often” is how Holstee’s mission statement starts. These words fill me with passion and inspiration. How many mission statements do that?

Most mission statements describe, but never inspire. They use words like “be the best at…” or “being a leader in the…” They explain the what, not the why. Holstee’s mission is different. It answers the question of “why?” powerfully.

The Holstee mission statement

The Holstee Manifesto

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Posted on January 26, 2012 in Leadership, Vision

Without desire there is no hope

We can only hope for what we desire.
- C.S. Lewis

With no desire, there is nothing to hope for.

Our deep desires don’t always create hope, but there isn’t anything that I hope for that I don’t desire.

What are your deepest desires? And what hope do you have for them?

Posted on January 25, 2012 in Beliefs, Leadership, Vision

Take the hero’s journey to extraordinary

Why do we love superheroes–Ironman, Spiderman, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and more? Why are movies about heroes some of the highest grossing of all time?

For many, the hero represent our greatest hope for ourselves. They introduce us to a mythic journey every hero takes from ordinary to extraordinary.

Joseph Campbell was expert in mythology who wrote extensively about the path heroes from every time and culture take. He called it the hero’s journey. [Read more...]

Posted on July 29, 2011 in Beliefs, Leadership, Vision

Whats Masquerading as Whys

What is the difference between WHATs and WHYs in a mission statement. Many of us, myself included, fall into the trap of creating WHYs by simply rephrasing WHATs. For example, ‘putting the customer first’ is more of a WHAT even though it may sound like a WHY.

To better understand what your WHY should be and avoiding getting stuck in a WHAT rut, ask yourself:

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Posted on July 28, 2011 in Vision

Start with why, not what

Emotion is a far greater motivator of action than rational thought!

Great leaders and great companies inspire action by starting with why, not what (see the Holstee Manifesto). Rather than say what they want you to do, or what product they want you to buy, they start with why–their purpose or core belief. They understand that emotions are connected with purpose.

If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea.
— Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Apple doesn’t inspire action by talking about the great, feature-rich computers they make, they do so by helping us understand that they want to help people think differently.

Simon Sinek, author of Start with Why, recently gave a talk at TEDxPugetSound that captures why great people and great companies start with ‘why’ when motivating others.