All right, so I obviously didn’t spend a lot of time writing that title. But, there are some things I’d like to share with you and I figured the best way to do that is to just tell you about them.
Lift Off Retreat
First, my good friend and business partner Charlie Gilkey and Pamela Slim are doing their second Lift Off Retreat. If you’ve been wanting to connect with other people in person to get some support with your business, this might be exactly what you’re looking for. They have packed this trip full of super-charged coaching and support from people that really get what you’re doing.
Last time, the retreat was held in Arizona. The one in a few days will be up in Portland, Oregon. If you think you could use some one-on-one help and a jump-start to your business, this retreat will do that for you. Last I checked there are only 7 spots left, so you might want to submit your application while there’s still time.
Small ways to make a big difference
My friend Raam Dev has released a free document called “Small Ways to Make a Big Difference.” It features 40 bloggers and influencers that answer the question “What small things can I do to make a difference in the world?” Yes, it features yours truly.
But I’m not just sharing it here to promote myself. I think there’s an important message behind this that we often overlook. Sometimes we don’t need to do big, epic things to change the world. Sometimes just being encouraging, being mindful, or practicing kindness is enough.
It’s the same with our own lives, too. Sometimes what can make a big difference is something really small, like meditating for 10 minutes in the morning, drinking a smoothie every day, or doing something that you’re afraid to do.
If you’re interested in learning some small things you can do to make a big difference, here’s where you can download the free ebook.
Discover your purpose, and sustain yourself and others with it
A lot of people struggle with this elusive idea of purpose. It seems so big and scary. And we avoid trying to figure it out because we’re afraid we’ll screw it up, or that we’ll confine ourselves by having a narrowly defined purpose.
The truth is, purpose doesn’t have to be either of those things. You really can’t mess up your purpose (you can always change it, right?), and purpose should be something empowering and expanding. Not something that restricts you. If it is making you feel confined, it’s probably not the right purpose anyway.
So, how do you find your purpose? And how can you support yourself while following it?
My friend Aaron and I will be talking about that next Tuesday on a special webinar dedicated to this subject. There is no-cost to join in, and if you can’t make it to the live version, we’ll be sending out a recording.
If you think you could use some help with this, you can learn more about it here.
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So, that’s what’s going on with me. What’s new in your world?
Hey Jonathan,
Regarding purpose: I think what you said about purpose not being something that restricts us is very important. However, I think it can be tough to identify when our purpose is being restrictive and when we’re simply being challenged.
As I’ve recently (within the past few months) discovered my own purpose — and continue to discover it; our purpose should always be evolving — I find myself coming up against challenges that are uncomfortable. I need to remind myself that life isn’t supposed to be easy and comfortable. We’re supposed to love what we’re doing and why we’re doing it, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be challenged.
Thank you for writing about the ebook and for your awesome contribution to the project!
Jonathan, great information. Purpose is a powerful tool. It’s probably one of the best self-help tools out there. I’ve discovered a couple of my life’s purposes through daily activities with clients. These clients make up my day, they decide what I’ll do from 9-5. It’s kind of fun, and simply put it’s easy. The latest news on my front is a Big Goal Hunt from my friend Mike Roberts, let’s just say the month of August should be fun.
I can’t help it. Every time I hear or read the word “purpose,” I think of Steve Martin’s character Navin Johnson in The Jerk. He’s on a classic, epic quest—often misguided—but totally on fire when he finds that Special Purpose. Enthusiasm, however guided or misdirected, pays.
Appreciate the link to the free ebook. Keen to read the thoughts of some very popular and successful bloggers. But you’re right, it’s things done at a smaller level that can tend to mean more or make a difference.
I agree sometimes people get too obsessed with finding their purpose, and this can become restrictive. I believe my purpose is just “to be” and be the comfortable and happy with what that is.
I continue to grow and learn, and my life has taken many different roads, but every road has been a lesson. The people I have met along the way have come into my life either so I can learn something from them, or so they may learn something from me.
Each minute of each day is my purpose. This is how I live my life, and I am loving it :)
Jonathan,
I’m curious to hear what you have to say on the webinar. The concept of purpose carries a great responsibility with it. Some wear it as a badge of honor, others as a dreaded millstone. Thanks for your great site!
LS
Purpose was the driving force beneath the wings of the Wright brothers, Silvester Stallone and Emilia Air Heart. These people didn’t just land on Plymouth rock, They sculptured the Sh*t out of this large amount of earthly possibility. The shaped and cut and carved themselves a destiny.
One that we can all learn from and follow.
SO when it comes to purpose, don’t just listen to what the writer say. Or the bloggers. DO as Jonathan Mead Says “Do stuff” And just keep doing it. Because when you act on purpose you live life purposefully.
This is a really powerful concept. This is a great book and I think that it’s amazing that so many people can get together and create something that will help other people.
It’s great that this book can help people a little bit to move themselves forward to do things that they wouldn’t normally be motivated to do.
-Joshua Black
The Underdog Millionaire
I can give a second thumbs up to Raam Dev’s book. It is a great little collaboration number from many excellent bloggers.
Hi Jonathon,
Provoking post. I’m too late to your Webinar re: purpose. Anywhere I can find/get the transcript for this? I believer in purpose and it’s huge influence of an individual’s life. It’s a great self-help tool.