My Journey, Continued...

Most of you know that just over a year ago I gave up my comfortable life in San Diego, put all my belongings in storage, and hit the road to explore and be free. So many of you have been reaching out to ask me how it’s going, and here it is.

The start of the trip took me from San Diego to Texas to Little Rock to Belize to Guatemala to Los Angeles to Frankfurt to Berlin to Denmark to Croatia to Montenegro to Albania then back to the USA for a little while. And this was all before July.

When I got back to California and was thinking about what to do with all my things in the storage facility, I realized that I don’t need any of them. I was living fine with what I had. Then, I sold all my things in storage.

That’s right. All of them. Furniture, souvenirs, books, kitchen appliances, clothes, collector’s items, the whole bit.

I own a total of three suitcases that hold mostly clothes, plus two boxes of files and mementos at a relative’s house. If I wasn’t as tall, or didn’t have to prepare for both warm and cold weather, this could be down to two. (Believe it or not, athletic shoes or boots size 15 US / 49 Euro seem to take up half of a suitcase by themselves…)

I’m not going to lie, getting rid of all that was difficult. Even now sometimes I wonder what I’ve done. Though when I really reflect on it, it’s amazing. I am so free. When I am shopping, I see something and I say to myself that would be nice to have. Then I stop and think but do I really need it? Almost always the answer is no, and it stays in the store. And my life is absolutely no different by not having that new pair of shoes, jeans, or shirt. (And no, no one ever says anything about me wearing the same three outfits over and over again)

The travelling was amazing, but as a 46-year-old who doesn’t go to bars or clubs, and was mostly travelling alone, it got to be lonely. Even though I was reconnecting with old friends all over the world, and making new ones along the way, I missed the longer-term connections. I wanted to meet a group of trusted friends and develop deeper relationships. That’s why I decided to live in Zagreb, Croatia for a few months starting in August.

There’s a few reasons that I picked Zagreb; my ancestors (great-grandparents) are from there, I had some speaking engagements around that part of Europe, it’s inexpensive yet had good infrastructure, and I enjoy developing countries.

I spent the fall and start of winter there, and now I’m back in the USA. It was a fantastic experience. I learned so much; about me, about them, about people in general. They are making a pivot from being in communism and part of Yugoslavia, to breaking away and becoming their own country in a new free market system. And they were in a war, and had to fight to separate from Yugoslavia. It’s hard for me as an American to understand how big a change that is. This last year, I met people as old as me who fought in a war defending their own land. And now we’re doing business together.

My short time there was very fruitful. I did a four-city Leadership Master Class tour with Russell Dalgleish - Rijeka and Zagreb in Croatia, Ljubliana in Slovenia, and Belgrade in Serbia. I spoke at a variety of events, including Startup Istanbul in front of 4,000 people in VW Arena, and keynoted the EBAN European Business Angels Network conference. I also taught my first ever course on Soul-Centered Leadership.

People ask me what new lessons I am learning on this trip as a whole. Honestly, I’m not sure if it’s anything new; I just think that I am learning the ones I knew to a deeper level.

I am learning to love more. To be open. To be accepting. To listen. And when I do that, I am most often met with the same goodness back.

I’m remembering to trust myself; that I have everything available, internally, to face whatever challenges me externally.

I am seeing that people are so inherently good. That if they are upset, that it’s a defense mechanism. That they are that way because they are trying to protect themselves; they just don’t know a better way right now. And to meet that with compassion.

I am recognizing the beauty everywhere in the world. Sometimes it looks differently than I am used to; but it’s always there.

I’m also moving more into my true voice and calling. While on this trip, I’ve been writing my new book, Soul-Centered Leadership. It’s the cumulation of the leadership lessons I’ve learned through the software businesses that I’ve started, acquired, grown, and sold, the Masters’ Degree in Spiritual Psychology that I’ve earned, and teaching (and learning from) leaders all over the world.

In there are the specific tools that transformed me from someone who was driven by ego, greed, and fear, to my present self, who is led by giving to others, creating joy and connection, and embracing compassion; for myself and everyone.

It’s the same system that led one of my companies to be voted Best Place to Work in San Diego, a place on the Inc. 500 | 5000 Fastest Growing Companies, and Social Entrepreneur of the Year in San Diego for 2013.

It’s for the business owner or senior executive who is already successful, but is looking for that elusive inner fulfillment and peace. Often you want to create something great for your employees and your legacy. Soul-Centered Leadership gives you that framework.

If you are in middle management and are searching for the tools to get you to senior management, yet want to do it the “right” way for you, your team, and your organization, it shows the way forward.

And if you are just starting on your leadership journey, this will walk you down the path of unlocking your inner, natural leader, so you have strong skills to build on as you grow.

Many of you reading this update get this to some degree already – that’s why we’re connected. And just like I learned how to move deeper into my conscious practices, that’s what Soul-Centered Leadership can do for you.

If you truly want to change your life, reading a book, watching a YouTube video, or going to a weekend course isn’t going to do much. Change comes though practice and repetition over an extended period of time. When you get the book, you also get access to a membership site that holds exercises and instructional audio / video, and you also are invited to join our community of other Soul-Centered Leaders.

In the SCL Community, you will have access to practices that you can work on in your life, along with support and accountability…you know, the things you need to make sure you keep up with your practice.

The practices can only take a minute or two each day; though over a week, month, year, that adds up quickly, and that’s where lasting change occurs.

The word-wide retail release of the book is next week, but this Thursday, January 5th I'm going to have a pre-release flash sale that has special pricing and bonuses. Get yours then, and if you can, do me a big favor by giving it a quick review and sharing the sale with your friends (I need some quick momentum!)

Just keep your eyes open here or go to www.Soul-Centered-Leadership.com to get on the alert list.

As always, I appreciate you being part of my process and journey. And I’m glad, proud, and honored that in some way I’m part of yours.