Find Your Project

I’m guilty.?

I won’t deny it.

In the last few weeks, I’ve caught myself saying to others they need to “find their purpose”.?

Then, thanks to my friend Chip Conley , founder of Modern Elder Academy , I was gifted the opportunity to hear Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat. Prey. Love) share her wisdom in an intimate Zoom conversation.

Elizabeth expressed her feelings about America’s current conundrum regarding purpose. That many folks are suffering from, “purpose anxiety” taught from a young age to lock in on a purpose so we can each go out into the yonder and make our dent on society. That for some, this red thread of making their mark doesn’t just turn into a life long affair but continues in our minds long after we’re gone (See:?legacy land).

Just last week I shared a clip of the posthumous Dr. J Wallace Nichols talking about our need to shift “mindset" to "mind state” because, from J’s perspective, being set to a fixed point might not be the healthiest of choices.?

Swirl both these thoughts together into my mental cocktail and it had me re-evaluating the idea of nudging everyone to commit to their purpose.?

The world, for many, is heavy right now. ?

Gilbert called it, “The Pressure Cooker of Expectations”.?

The idea of creating more anxiety is never my intent.?

I’ll also admit that I am very lucky to have my own love story (purpose) with courage.?

I’m passionate about helping people reach for more because I believe many of us have so much more we want to offer!?

But it doesn’t mean that we should lose sleep over not knowing exactly the thing that lights us up. If you are feeling like,?“If I don’t leave my mark on the world, I have failed.” (another?Liz Gilbert-ism)?please find a way to give yourself grace and space right now.

It’s ok not to know.?

If you do feel an urge to ignite a fire within, instead of finding your purpose, first, find your project.

A project is a little experiment that may take you out of your comfort zone that feels good to fulfill.?

• Seeing if I could create "The Courageous Podcast" was me finding my project.?
• Creating modules that could help others get over their fears (now a Coaching Program) first started as a project.?
• Writing this "Weekly Dose of Courage" continues forward as a project.?

None of these are death sentences.?

No one is forcing me to carry on.

These are just experiments.?

Add them up over time…

Yes, it fuels my purpose.

Deep down, I do hope you find your purpose.?

I’ve also learned a healthy way to start is to first find your next project.?

Take action on it. Audit what you learn.?

Then decide where to go from there.

THE COURAGEOUS PODCAST

Good leaders truly listen. Stephen Shedletzky , or “Shed” to his friends, helps leaders make it safe and worth it for people to speak up. A sought-after speaker, coach, and advisor, Shed has led hundreds of keynote presentations, workshops, and leadership development programs around the world. In his conversation with Ryan, Shed speaks on some of his early inspirations that set a foundation for his current career inspiring bravery in others, including the courageous tale of his Holocaust surviving Grandfather. Shed explains how to take steps towards embracing a speak-up culture, reminding leaders to both encourage people to speak up, and reward them when they do. The two also discuss how it becomes harder to get the truth from employees the higher up the leadership rank you get, and discuss why leadership cannot be claimed, it must be earned.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Missed the last 5 Podcasts?

? Kid President w/ Brad Montague

? Serial Entrepreneurship w/ Eric Ryan

? Four Thousand Mondays w/ Jodi Wellman

? Big Brothers Big Sisters of America w/ Artis Stevens

? The Future of AI w/ Cheryl K Goodman

Thanks for stopping by for your Weekly Dose of Courage! Don’t forget to hit subscribe above or below to be notified when the next issue comes out.

Ryan Berman is the founder of Courageous; a think-feel-do change consultancy based in Southern California. With 25 years in creative business, Ryan believes your “future is safe with change”. Ryan is a speaker, practitioner, and authority on the subject who has been featured in Entrepreneur, Fast Company, Inc, and Forbes. Ryan has spoken on the topic all over the country including at Google, Procter & Gamble, Kellogg’s, Kraft Heinz, Logitech, Discover Card, and charity: water. Ryan also hosts The Courageous Podcast where he talks with leaders from around the globe to uncover what it means to be courageous in today's world. His book, Return On Courage, shares why companies need to unlock courage while providing practical tips on how organizations can operationalize courage today.?Learn more at couragebrands.com