San Francisco Bay Area Executive Coaching

Mindful Questions to Discover Your Purpose

Are you a leader whose intention is to discover your purpose and have a more fulfilling life and career? For over thirty years, I have been working with people to discover their purpose and passion to create work that is fulfilling and profitable. I have practiced mindfulness meditation for many years and enjoy work serving others that is filled with joy and financial well-being.

Mindful leaders know that self-knowledge is the key to their personal and professional growth. It takes self-awareness, energy and an entrepreneurial spirit to discover your true passion, identity and the work that you are meant to be doing. I have coached hundreds of people to create happier and more productive work lives. You can choose to work with an executive coach to help facilitate your career reinvention or practice self-coaching. 

I recently attended a workshop with the gifted teacher Byron Katie at the Spirit Rock Mediation Center in Marin County, California. If you’re having difficulty identifying and questioning the thoughts which interfere with you having high self-esteem and pursuing your dreams you can experience the happiness of undoing those thoughts through The Work at www.thework.com. You can remove these obstacles to your happiness, and allow your mind to return to its true, awakened, peaceful, creative nature.

Are you ready to take action? Everything you need in order to begin getting to know yourself, be fully expressed and establish your brand is outlined in this article. Let’s get started!

 “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves."
 —Victor Frankl

3 Powerful Questions

I believe that when you are in a state of intention "purpose will find you”. The core of career success lies in the answers to these three questions.

1. Who am I and what are my core values?
2. What is most meaningful in my life?
3. What am I trying to do with my life?

35 Purpose Questions

We live in a culture of endless distraction. Discovering your true purpose in life and at work involves creating the intention to be with yourself in a state of quiet self-reflection.

Find a place free of any distractions. Sit quietly and ask yourself the three powerful questions. Be open to any inklings or answers you receive. In addition, you may also choose to reflect on the following questions or any others you self-generate which reveal the truth about yourself to you.

1. What makes my life most fulfilling?
2. How can I living my most important values?
3. How can I spend most of my time pursuing my unique interests?
4. How can I use my talents to the fullest extent?
5. How can I make a significant contribution to the world?
6. How can I seek out opportunities to share my gifts with others?
7. How can I design my future?
8.  How can I attract my ideal clients?
9.  What are my life's dreams?
10. What is my life's legacy?
11. How can I live my life with purpose and vision?
12. How can I realize my dreams?
13. How can I I focus on my strengths?
14. What needs to end?
15. What do I need to stop doing?
16. How can I listen more to myself than others?
17. Who am I?
18. What is my true identity?
19. What is my authentic voice?
20. When am I most powerful?
21. What are my core beliefs and what needs to change?
22. What business will fulfill my passion?
23. What are my true values?
24. How do others seem me?
25. What scares me the most?
26. What have I learned from failure?
27. How is my self-esteem and confidence?
28. What makes me happy?
29. What secrets are no longer useful?
30. How can I best make a contribution?
31. Why am I here?
32. How can I be of service?
33. What inspires me?
34. What matters most?
35. How can I live in the present moment?

20 Self-Discovery Practices

In addition to the practice of sitting quietly and asking yourself questions to discover your purpose; I often recommend a number of activities tailored to the unique needs of clients including the following. Choose one or two practices to start that resonate with you. Later, you can then work on other practices that inspire you.

1. Establish a daily meditative practice asking oneself the core questions and any others that emerge from your   unconscious.
2. Write in a journal reflecting on your personal life experiences.
3. Read vociferously on a number of topics including works from philosophy, religion, psychology, history, historical biographies etc.
4. Immerse yourself in nature being mindful to insights received.
5. Engage in thoughtful conversations with friends, family, and loved ones.
6. Initiate a personal 360-degree feedback process with work colleagues, friends, family, and maybe even critics.
7. Engage in spiritual practices.
8. Create a plan to travel and learn from other people and cultures.
9. Participate in formal "purpose" exercises such as those in Stephen Covey's "The Seven Habits of Effective People".
10. Read Victor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning", Nancy Anderson’s “Work with Passion” and Po Bronson's "What Should I Do with My Life".
11. Close the door to what others may have told you about your purpose and embrace the state of possibility.
12. Stay in a state of gratitude and wonderment.
13. Fall in love.
14. Forgive fully.
15. Collaborate with others.
16. Observe your thoughts and feelings without judgment.
17. Breathe fully into every moment.
18. Act with kindness and compassion.
19. Accept yourself.
20. Stay conscious that life is precious and fleeting.

**************************************************************************************************                                

“Change comes as an enemy only to those who have lost the art of accepting it as a friend“. -- Tagore 

Viktor Frankl’s book Man’s Search for Meaning has inspired my life and work with clients. I saw Dr. Frankl speak a number of years ago shortly before he died. I was so moved by his compassion, kindness and grace in transcending so much suffering. You might be inspired to shift some of your beliefs about self and others by reading some of the following quotes.

HAPPINESS QUOTES

Quotes from the great book: Man's Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl "Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms-to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." "We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms -- to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." "A human being is not one thing among others; things determine each other, but man is ultimately self-determining. What he becomes - within the limits of endowment and environment- he has made out of himself. In the concentration camps, for example, in this living laboratory and on this testing ground, we watched and witnessed some of our comrades behave like swine while others behaved like saints. Man has both potentialities within himself; which one is actualized depends on decisions but not on conditions." "Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom." "Even though conditions such as lack of sleep, insufficient food and various mental stresses may suggest that the inmates were bound to react in certain ways, in the final analysis it becomes clear that the sort of person the prisoner became was the result of an inner decision, and not the result of camp influences alone." "The one thing you can't take away from me is the way I choose to respond to what you do to me. The last of one's freedoms is to choose one's attitude in any given circumstance." "When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves." "Forces beyond your control can take away everything you possess except one thing, your freedom to choose how you will respond to the situation."  Are you working in a professional services firm or other organization where executive coaches provide leadership development to grow emotionally intelligent leaders? Does your organization provide executive coaching for leaders who need to reinvent themselves? Enlightened leaders tap into their emotional intelligence and social intelligence skills to create a more fulfilling future. One of the most powerful questions you can ask yourself is “Do I have the confidence to reinvent myself and grow?” Emotionally intelligent and socially intelligent organizations provide executive coaching as part of their transformational peak performance leadership development program. Working with a seasoned executive coach and leadership consultant trained in emotional intelligence and incorporating assessments such as the Bar-On EQ-I, CPI 260 and Denison Culture Survey can help you get from where you are now to where you want to be. You can become a leader who models emotional intelligence and social intelligence, and who inspires people to become fully engaged with the vision, mission and strategy of your company or law firm. “Your work is to discover your work, and then, with all your heart, to give yourself to it”. – Buddha Are you working in a professional services firm or other organization where executive coaches provide leadership development to help leaders practice mindfulness meditation and reinvent themselves? Does your organization provide executive coaching for leaders who need to learn how to have self- coaching conversations? Enlightened leaders tap into their emotional intelligence and social intelligence skills to create a more fulfilling future. One of the most powerful questions you can ask yourself is “How can mindfulness meditation help me create the intention to pursue meaningful work that is aligned with my purpose?” Emotionally intelligent and socially intelligent organizations provide executive coaching to help leaders develop more effective teams. Working with a seasoned executive coach and leadership consultant trained in emotional intelligence and incorporating assessments such as the Bar-On EQ-I, CPI 260 and Denison Culture Survey can help leaders build high performance organizations. You can become a leader who models emotional intelligence and social intelligence, and who inspires people to become fully engaged with the vision, mission and strategy of your company or law firm. Working Resources is a San Francisco Bay Area Executive Coaching Firm Helping Innovative Companies and Law Firms Assess, Select, Coach, Engage  and Retain Emotionally Intelligent Leaders; Executive Coaching; Leadership Development; Performance-Based Interviewing; Competency Modeling; Succession Management; Culture Change; Career Coaching and Leadership Retreats ...About Dr. Maynard Brusman Dr. Maynard Brusman Consulting Psychologist and Executive Coach Trusted Advisor to Senior Leadership Teams Dr. Maynard Brusman is a consulting psychologist and executive coach. He is the president of Working Resources, a leadership consulting and executive coaching firm. We specialize in helping San Francisco Bay Area companies select and develop emotionally intelligent leaders.  Maynard is a highly sought-after speaker and workshop leader. He facilitates leadership retreats in Northern California and Costa Rica. The Society for Advancement of Consulting (SAC) awarded Dr. Maynard Brusman "Board Approved" designations in the specialties of Executive Coaching and Leadership Development. “Maynard Brusman is one of the foremost coaches in the United States. He utilizes a wide variety of assessments in his work with senior executives and upper level managers, and is adept at helping his clients both develop higher levels of emotional intelligence and achieve breakthrough business results. As a senior leader in the executive coaching field, Dr. Brusman brings an exceptional level of wisdom, energy, and creativity to his work.” — Jeffrey E. Auerbach, Ph.D., President, College of Executive Coaching For more information, please go to http://www.workingresources.com, write to [email protected], or call 415-546-1252. Subscribe to Working Resources Newsletter: http://www.workingresources.com Visit Maynard's Blog: http://www.workingresourcesblog.com  Connect with me on these Social Media sites. http://twitter.com/drbrusman http://www.facebook.com/maynardbrusman http://www.linkedin.com/in/maynardbrusman http://www.youtube.com/user/maynardbrusman                                                                     © 2013 Dr. Maynard Brusman, Working Resources

 

How Inspired Leadership Creates Dream Jobs

Enlightened Business

I was so uplifted by attending an online Enlightened Business Summit moderated by Chip Conley Founder & Executive Chairman, Joie de Vivre Hospitality - California's largest boutique hotel group. I’ve been sharing a great deal of what I learned with all of my coaching clients and workshop attendees.

Chip is the author of PEAK: How Great Companies Get Their Mojo from Maslow. Conley inspired TED attendees this year with his revolutionary approach to sustainable business.

Forty top business leaders and thought leaders offered their wise advice for creating enlightened and successful businesses. They inspired participants to make our life, business, and our world better through innovative ideas from the frontiers of conscious capitalism.

What is the secret to creating sustainable businesses that marry passion, purpose and profits? Create dream jobs by clearly communicating what you believe and why.

Creating Dream Jobs

Studies have shown that more than 80 percent of U.S. employees don’t believe they’re working in their dream jobs. What if leaders could change this? What if they began to inspire their people with why they do what they do, instead of the what and the how of company policies and procedures? What if 80 percent of your workforce actually thought they had landed their dream jobs?

People who love going to work are more creative and productive. They go home feeling satisfied and have happier families. They treat their colleagues and customers better. Inspired people are the glue that holds strong companies together, while also increasing bottom lines.

Inspired employees care because you care. You may know why you fought long and hard to ascend to a leadership position, but you cannot inspire others until they buy into the “why” and become self-motivated.

You know you’ve succeeded when employees’ beliefs resonate with your own, when they demonstrate their loyalty and when they’re willing to turn down better offers or other options.

Are you working in a professional services firm or other organization where executive coaches provide leadership development for leaders who create dream jobs? Does your organization provide executive coaching to help leaders develop a more sustainable business? Enlightened leaders use their emotional intelligence and social intelligence skills to create dream jobs where people love to work.

One of the most powerful questions you can ask yourself is “Am I an inspiring leader who creates dream jobs?” Emotionally intelligent and socially intelligent organizations provide executive coaching for collaborative leaders who are curious about creating sustainable businesses.

Working with a seasoned executive coach and leadership consultant trained in emotional intelligence and incorporating assessments such as the Bar-On EQ-I, CPI 260 and Denison Culture Survey can help you create a happy and prosperous business where everyone is fully engaged. You can become a leader who models emotional intelligence and social intelligence, and who inspires people to become fully engaged with the vision, mission and strategy of your company or law firm.

About Dr. Maynard Brusman

Dr. Maynard Brusman is a consulting psychologist and executive coach. He is the president of Working Resources, a leadership consulting and executive coaching firm. We specialize in helping San Francisco Bay Area companies and law firms assess, select, coach, and retain emotionally intelligent leaders.  Maynard is a highly sought-after speaker and workshop leader. He facilitates leadership retreats in Northern California and Costa Rica. The Society for Advancement of Consulting (SAC) awarded Dr. Maynard Brusman "Board Approved" designations in the specialties of Executive Coaching and Leadership Development.

For more information, please go to http://www.workingresources.com, write to [email protected], or call 415-546-1252.
Subscribe to Working Resources Newsletter: http://www.workingresources.com
Visit Maynard's Blog: http://www.workingresourcesblog.com 
Connect with me on these Social Media sites.
http://twitter.com/drbrusman
http://www.facebook.com/maynardbrusman
http://www.linkedin.com/in/maynardbrusman
http://www.youtube.com/user/maynardbrusman

Leading by Design – The Pursuit of Perfection

Leading by Design

I recently attended an inspiring online Enlightened Business Summit hosted by Chip Conley Founder & Executive Chairman, Joie de Vivre Hospitality - California's largest boutique hotel group.

Chip is the author of PEAK: How Great Companies Get Their Mojo from Maslow. Conley inspired TED attendees this year with his revolutionary approach to sustainable business.

Forty top business leaders and authors thought leaders offered their best advice for creating enlightened and successful businesses. They inspired participants to make our life, business, and our world better through the best ideas from the frontiers of conscious capitalism.

What is the secret to creating successful businesses that marry passion, purpose and profits? Unleash peoples passions by clearly communicating what you believe and why.

The Why of Apple

Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak teamed up in their 20s to challenge a computer industry designed for large corporations. Wozniak saw the personal computer as a way to provide tools to the “little guy”—to give everyone the ability to perform the same functions with similar resources.

Steve Jobs had originally sold surplus electronic parts, but he was much more than a salesman. Jobs wanted to make his mark on the world, and he envisioned building a company as the best way to start a revolution.

In Apple’s first year, with only one product, Wozniak and Jobs brought in a million dollars in revenues. Year 2 produced $10 million in sales; year 4, $100 million. Within six years, Apple Computer was a billion-dollar company with more than 3,000 employees. The computer revolution was, indeed, established.

Jobs and Wozniak were not alone in their technological quest, nor were they the smartest or most experienced of the bunch. They actually had no leadership development training or executive coaches.

What made Apple remarkable was not its fast growth, nor its unique ideas about personal computers.

Apple has repeated a pattern of success over and over again. Unlike any of its competitors, the company has challenged conventional thinking within numerous industries: computers, small electronics, music, mobile phones and broader entertainment categories.

Think about this:
1. Revolutionary products in several fields
2. Founders without any special powers or mystical influence over others
3. No corner on hiring the most brilliant people

With only a 6 percent market share in the United States and about 3 percent worldwide, Apple is not a leading manufacturer of home computers. But the company nonetheless leads the computer industry in innovation and technological advancements, while becoming a force to be reckoned with in other industries, as well.

Apple’s success lies in its leaders’ ability to inspire and be true to their core values: challenge the status quo and empower people.

Pursuit of Perfection

Apple inspires because it starts with why, according to Sinek. Company leaders communicate the reasons Apple exists, as well as their heartfelt motivation for creating new products that give customers new levels of freedom and power.

Apple has access to the same talent pool shared by every other computer company. Its leaders hire those who can eloquently verbalize their desire to be great. Those selected to join the company can achieve this goal because their leaders communicate passion and their “why.”

Are you working in a professional services firm or other organization where executive coaches provide leadership development to grow leaders who inspire others? Does your organization provide executive coaching to help leaders develop a more sustainable business? Enlightened leaders use their emotional intelligence and social intelligence skills to create purpose-driven workplace cultures.

One of the most powerful questions you can ask yourself is “Do I inspire people to be true to their core values?” Emotionally intelligent and socially intelligent organizations provide executive coaching for collaborative leaders who are curious about creating enlightened businesses.

Working with a seasoned executive coach and leadership consultant trained in emotional intelligence and incorporating assessments such as the Bar-On EQ-I, CPI 260 and Denison Culture Survey can help you create a happy and prosperous business enterprise where everyone is fully engaged. You can become a leader who models emotional intelligence and social intelligence, and who inspires people to become fully engaged with the vision, mission and strategy of your company or law firm.

About Dr. Maynard Brusman

Dr. Maynard Brusman is a consulting psychologist and executive coach. He is the president of Working Resources, a leadership consulting and executive coaching firm. We specialize in helping San Francisco Bay Area companies and law firms assess, select, coach, and retain emotionally intelligent leaders.  Maynard is a highly sought-after speaker and workshop leader. He facilitates leadership retreats in Northern California and Costa Rica. The Society for Advancement of Consulting (SAC) awarded Dr. Maynard Brusman "Board Approved" designations in the specialties of Executive Coaching and Leadership Development.

For more information, please go to http://www.workingresources.com, write to [email protected], or call 415-546-1252.
Subscribe to Working Resources Newsletter: http://www.workingresources.com
Visit Maynard's Blog: http://www.workingresourcesblog.com 
Connect with me on these Social Media sites.
http://twitter.com/drbrusman
http://www.facebook.com/maynardbrusman
http://www.linkedin.com/in/maynardbrusman
http://www.youtube.com/user/maynardbrusman

Ten Tips to Be Happy at Work

Happiness at Work

Most people live hectic and stress-filled lives. Finding a balance between work and life and having a career with purpose and meaning is a challenge.

In the increasingly demanding world we all face; many people desire to achieve professional success, a fulfilling life, and true happiness. However, achieving both their personal and professional goals sometimes proves to be elusive. Many people report being unhappy with the choices they have made and desire a different future.

Most of us are so busy trying to juggle so many balls that we fail to focus on what matters most. We live in the past or future and don’t savor the present moments that bring us joy and fulfillment.

You have made a major investment in your career. You've earned the right to both career success and a happy personal life. To be happy, requires knowledge about how to achieve happiness (wisdom and hard work) and taking small action steps.

The following are proven tips that can help you achieve your goal to be a happy.

1.  Maintain a balance between your professional and personal life.

2.  Express gratitude to others.

3.  Create positive and collaborative interpersonal relationships.

4.  Enthusiasm and happiness are highly correlated.

5.  Focus on strengths and ask for multi-rater 360 -degree feedback.

6.  Seek rewards other than money.

7.  There is no relationship between money and happiness.

8.  Develop and maintain a supportive network of close relationships.

9.  Create a personal purpose/mission statement aligned with your values.
.
10. Care about character in your professional relationships.

In order to change habits and become happy requires experimenting with new behaviors. Choose one or two of the following to practice each week.

1. Count your blessings every day.
2. Take an inventory of your life and express gratitude for all the good in it.
3. Engage in five intentional acts of kindness each week.
4. Use your top strengths in new ways.
5. Focus on when you are at your best and which strengths you used.

Happiness is clearly an option. It takes closing the door to whatever is not working in your life, and opening the door to a life where you can realize your fullest potential.

A coach might ask you the following question. How would you respond? What makes you happy? When were you happiest? How did you become happy?

Are you working in a professional services firm or other organization where executive coaches provide leadership development for positive leaders? Does your organization provide executive coaching to help leaders create a culture where people are happy? Leaders at all levels need to improve their emotional intelligence and social intelligence skills.

One of the most powerful questions you can ask yourself is “How can I become more happy at work?” Emotionally intelligent and socially intelligent organizations provide executive coaching for leaders to create happy companies.

Working with a seasoned executive coach and leadership consultant trained in emotional intelligence and incorporating assessments such as the Bar-On EQ-I, CPI 260 and Denison Culture Survey can help you become more happy at work. You can become a leader who models emotional intelligence and social intelligence, and who inspires people to become fully engaged with the vision, mission and strategy of your company or law firm.

About Dr. Maynard Brusman

Dr. Maynard Brusman is a consulting psychologist and executive coach. He is the president of Working Resources, a leadership consulting and executive coaching firm. We specialize in helping San Francisco Bay Area companies and law firms assess, select, coach, and retain emotionally intelligent leaders.  Maynard is a highly sought-after speaker and workshop leader. He facilitates leadership retreats in Northern California and Costa Rica. The Society for Advancement of Consulting (SAC) awarded Dr. Maynard Brusman "Board Approved" designations in the specialties of Executive Coaching and Leadership Development.

For more information, please go to http://www.workingresources.com, write to [email protected], or call 415-546-1252.
Subscribe to Working Resources Newsletter: http://www.workingresources.com
Visit Maynard's Blog: http://www.workingresourcesblog.com 
Connect with me on these Social Media sites.
http://twitter.com/drbrusman
http://www.facebook.com/maynardbrusman
http://www.linkedin.com/in/maynardbrusman
http://www.youtube.com/user/maynardbrusman

Executive Coaching Secrets to Creativity - Meaning is the Key to Engaging Creativity

Are you working in an organization that values creativity and innovation? Are the leaders in your organization open to everyone discovering meaning in their work?

One of the most powerful questions one can ask oneself in the present moment is “What is my core identity and how can I align who I am with being fully engaged in meaningful work?” You need to know who you are to successfully achieve desired results.

Do you know your core identity? How effective are you at encouraging creativity? Are you passionate about the work you do fueled by meaning, purpose, and a creative spirit?

Meaning Is the Key to Engaging Creativity

Whenever someone has a burst of creativity, it is because they’ve spent time thinking over some problem or situation that has meaning for them. They have become immersed and totally engaged. If we want people to be innovative, we must discover what is important to them, and we must engage them in meaningful issues.

Michael Ray is a Stanford professor who has led some of Silicon Valley’s most creative entrepreneurs through his class “Personal Creativity in Business” for the past 21 years. Underlying his teaching on creativity is a search for two fundamental questions:

1.  Who is my self?
2.  What is my work?

Ray says you can’t know what or how you want to create until you know who you are and what you hope to do with your life. He believes that creativity exists within everyone. When people can’t tap into their creativity it’s because of an internal “voice of judgment” which is often heavily influenced by society, employers and parents.

Working with a seasoned executive coach trained in emotional intelligence and incorporating leadership assessments such as the Bar-On EQ-i and CPI 260 can help you become a more innovative and creative leader. You can become a leader who models emotional intelligence and creativity, and who inspires people to become happily engaged with the strategy and vision of the company.

Four Paths for Finding True Meaning at Work: Engaging your Authentic Self

People want to find meaning and purpose in their work and life. Some go back to school or take a trip to Europe or Costa Rica hoping to discover who they are. Trips are a great adventure. But the saying "wherever you go there you are"  is a simple truth. It's what I call the "cosmic wild chase". The essence of who you are is already there in the stillness of the present moment. Eckhart Tolle wisely speaks of this in his life-changing book "A New Earth...Awakening to Your Life's Purpose". 

I was working with a lawyer career transition client in my coaching practice yesterday. He is unhappy as a litigator and wants to find more fulfilling work. I asked him about his motivation to go to law school. The answer wasn't surprising. He didn't know what else to do.  He is looking for part time work as a lawyer to pay the bills. Concurrently, we are working on helping him more fully understand his self and passions.

Are you looking for more meaning and passion in your work?

Awakening Meaning at Work: Three Powerful Questions to Ask Yourself

Are you in the habit of of taking time each day to reflect on what matters most?  We are usually so focused on getting through that ever-growing "To Do" list that we live in the future and not the present moment.

Many of the leaders in my executive coaching programs complain of not finding meaning in their work. We work on helping them to ponder on self-reflective questions.

What questions do you ask of yourself?

Finding True Meaning at Work: Essential Human Needs

As a leader, do you know your values at work? Are the values of the organization clear to the employees?
Do company leaders ask people what matters to them?

As the executive coach of a company CEO, we are working on him gaining further clarity.  He is gaining a fuller understanding of his values and purpose and how this helps create the company culture. We are both reading Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth...Awakening to Your Life's Purpose which focuses on being in the now and not driven by the ego. Oprah Winfrey even has a ten week webcast on the book with over 700,000 people world-wide attending!

Are you living in the moment and fully engaged in meaningful work?

    

How to Work on Purpose: Life at Work Is Like a Marriage

A lot of good people are unhappy at work. One of the main reasons is that who they are as a person
and the work culture are not a good fit.

I am frequently hired by companies to help hiring managers with their selection process. Just like good marriage their needs to be the right fit.

The more knowledge I have about the company culture the better we can predict a candidate's suitability. The goal is for both employees and the organization to share a common purpose.

Is your workplace configured to ensure that employees have meaningful work aligned with the organization's mission and values?

Meaning and the Bottom Line: Rekindling Enthusiasm and Commitment

We are a work obsessed society. We live in what I call a culture of distraction that is mostly work focused. In my travels to other countries, I have observed that people in many other countries are more focused on working to live a happy life.

A number of years ago, I gave a stress management workshop entitled How to Overcome Insomnia...The Workshop Guaranteed to Put You to Sleep! in Paris, France. After the workshop, I went out to get some dinner. I was amazed to see all of the people after work conversing at the cafes. People weren't running off to spend more time at the office. Couples having dinner in the restaurants would talk for hours.

Maybe this was the real French Paradox! Perhaps it wasn't just the red wine helping people to stay healthy and happy.

Do you live to work or work to live?