Pursuit ofPassionate

PurposeSuccess Strategies for a

Rewarding Personal andBusiness Life

Theresa M. Szczurek, PhD

John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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More Praise for Pursuit of Passionate Purpose

“A great process for living a life of passion while achieving your heart’sdesire. Full of real-life examples that will inspire you to look deep at yourlife, your business and your dreams, then move forward with clarity andpurpose.”

—Larry WingetAuthor of Shut Up, Stop Whining and Get a Life!

“In the many years I have known Theresa Szczurek, she proved to be theepitome of passionate purpose herself, with unf lagging energy and gen-erosity to the many people she affects. Her book is another expression ofpassionate purpose written with style. It will help all it touches. It’s a greatbusiness book.”

—Margaret HanssonInventor of the baby carrier, founder of Gerry Baby Products Company, and Chair, Purecycle Corporation and ERTH Technologies, Inc.

“As usual, Dr. Szczurek has written an excellent book with lots of practi-cal guidance for those who are searching for their own passionate pursuitin their career. The structured program, detailed in the book, will be agreat help to those who are intent on f inding the career that will get rid ofthe ‘Do I have to go to work today?’ syndrome.”

—Don VanlandinghamRetired Chairman and CEO, Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.

“Buy this book and discover that even with all of life’s uncertainties andsurprises, there is a process that can lead you to success. Discover the powerof ideas like the Allowing Strategy and how they can lead you to followyour natural path to fulf illment in your work and your life.”

—Joe CallowayAuthor of Becoming a Category of One

“By sharing true stories of wisdom from 80 people, Theresa Szczurek in-spires us all to create the life we want to live, on purpose, with passion. Herexciting book teaches the premise, path, and outcome to actualize this suc-cess, both personally and professionally.”

—LeAnn ThiemanCoauthor of Chicken Soup for the Nurse ’s Soul, ChickenSoup for the Christ ian Woman’s Soul, and Chicken Soupfor the Caregiver ’s Soul

“In the process of living life, certain questions start to percolate: What ismy purpose? What do I care about? What should I do about it? In businessas in life, the answers come from personal discovery. Theresa Szczurek’sbook offers extremely practical advice, and stories from her research pro-vide companionship along the way.”

—Cynthia KneenManagement consultant, author of the award-winningbook, Awake Mind, Open Heart, and Shambhala WarriorTraining

“When achievers make decisions to change their direction, they frequentlyare alone in their process. Theresa provides excellent insights into how suc-cessful people pass through their circle of change to revitalize themselvesand discover their next passionate pursuit.”

—Carolyn M. Romero, CPATreasurer, Business & Professional Women/USA

“A simply marvelous book! Theresa Szczurek has synthesized many con-cepts into a coherent and practical process. Pursuit of Passionate Purposewill change your life.”

—Gregory J. P. GodekAuthor of 1001 Ways to Be Romantic

“Pursuit of Passionate Purpose distills the compelling experiences of realpeople into a practical framework for creating passion and meaning in yourwork—and in your life. It speaks to the passion and power that come fromaligning your head and your heart with a purpose that f its your unique giftsand values. Without oversimplifying the complexities, it describes the stepsrequired to f ind a passionate purpose that will work for you. It also pro-vides useful strategies for overcoming the barriers that keep people fromfollowing their passion. This book rings with the practical wisdom thatTheresa Szczurek has derived from her research and consulting. She suc-ceeds at balancing intellectual with emotional wisdom, and spiritualitywith worldly practicality. This book will be valuable to people who aref ine-tuning their careers and will be invaluable to people who are consid-ering major changes.”

—Kenneth W. ThomasAuthor of Intrinsic Motivation at Work and coauthor of the Thomas-Kilmann Conf lict Mode Instrument

“Pursuit of Passionate Purpose is a sure recipe for business success. Step bystep we learn about energizing our passion, moving forward on our deter-mined path and making our career count. Szczurek tells individual’s sto-ries of pursuing passion and cleverly juxtaposes her own tale into play togive the reader lively examples of the passionate journey. Here is a treasurefor corporate, government, and nonprof it leaders.”

—Marilyn E. BlairEditor, ODPractit ioner Journal, Organization DevelopmentNetwork

“In pursuing life’s purpose, everyone deserves a little guidance. In her book,Theresa Szczurek offers a complete road map to anyone committed to apassionate pursuit of life’s journey.”

—André PettigrewAssistant Superintendent, Denver Public Schools

“Finally, here is the book that people of all ages need. Pursuit of Passion-ate Purpose provides a practical approach on how to live a meaningful life.It helps you determine why you are here and how to pursue it.”

—Eric Chester, CSP, CPAEAuthor of Employing Generation Why

“Through her own life and interviews with many others, Theresa Szczurekhelps us appreciate the power of polarities and shows us how to tap thispower to benef it both ourselves and the organizations and communities inwhich we live and work.”

—Barry Johnson, PhDAuthor of Polarity Management™ Identifying and Manag-ing Unsolvable Problems

“Pursuit of Passionate Purpose brings focus and meaning to one’s life, bothpersonal and professional. It applies to a broad audience and wide varietyof business areas and provides a good framework for those pursuing entre-preneurial or new business creative endeavors.”

—Alexander E. BrackenExecutive Director, Bard Center for Entrepreneurship Development, University of Colorado at Denver

“The core of any successful and confident person is passion—passion forwork, passion for life, and passion for self. Theresa Szczurek has created arealistic and terrif ic formula to ignite or rekindle this critical factor for ev-eryone who wants to create their ‘work’ versus having a ‘job.’ This bookis a Keeper!”

—Dr. Judith BrilesAuthor of The Conf idence Factor

Pursuit ofPassionate

Purpose

Pursuit ofPassionate

PurposeSuccess Strategies for a

Rewarding Personal andBusiness Life

Theresa M. Szczurek, PhD

John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Copyright © 2005 by Theresa M. Szczurek. All rights reserved.

Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.Published simultaneously in Canada.

Theresa M. Szczurek encourages readers to send her feedback. E-mail her attms@TMSworld.com and visit www.TMSworld.com or www.pursuitofpassionatepurpose.com

Trademarks and registered trademarks belong to their respective owners.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted inany form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, orotherwise, except as permitted under Section 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States CopyrightAct, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authorization throughpayment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, Inc.,222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, (978) 750-8400, fax (978) 646-8600, or on theweb at www.copyright.com. Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed tothe Permissions Department, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030,(201) 748-6011, fax (201) 748-6008.

Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: While the publisher and author have used their bestefforts in preparing this book, they make no representations or warranties with respect to theaccuracy or completeness of the contents of this book and specif ically disclaim any impliedwarranties of merchantability or f itness for a particular purpose. No warranty may be createdor extended by sales representatives or written sales materials. The advice and strategiescontained herein may not be suitable for your situation. The publisher is not engaged inrendering professional services, and you should consult a professional where appropriate.Neither the publisher nor author shall be liable for any loss of prof it or any other commercialdamages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:

Szczurek, Theresa M., 1955–Pursuit of passionate purpose : success strategies for a rewarding

personal and business life / Theresa M. Szczurek.p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.ISBN 0-471-70324-9 (cloth)

1. Success in business. 2. Success—Psychological aspects. 3.Self-actualization (Psychology) I. Title.HF5386.S97 2005650.1—dc22

2004016893

Printed in the United States of America.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

www.wiley.com

To all people everywhere who,by pursuing passionate purpose,

are on the path toward the real rewards of life.You are the spirit of life.

And, especially, to those who have supported me in my pursuits.

vii

Contents

People Whose Stories Are Prominently Shared ix

Acknowledgments xi

P A R T O N E Introduction: Get on Your Path 1

1 Pursuit Brings Real Rewards 32 Prof iles of People on Their Path 17

P A R T T W O Follow the Proven Process 39

3 Know and Nurture the Person 414 Find Passionate Purpose 685 Pursue Purpose 906 Assess Progress 111

P A R T T H R E E Apply Success Strategies 137

7 Polarity Strategy 1398 Attraction Strategy 1559 Persistence Strategy 178

1 0 Allowing Strategy 1941 1 Connections Strategy 2061 2 Pack Strategy 217

viii CONTENTS

P A R T F O U R Closing: Practical Prescription 235

1 3 Put Passionate Purpose to Work 237

Epilogue 251

APPENDIX A The “Pursuit of Passionate Purpose” Formula at a Glance 253

APPENDIX B Tested Meditation Techniques 255Notes 261

About the Author 273

Index 275

ix

People WhoseStories AreProminentlyShared

Karen Bernardi, realtor

Fred Ramirez Briggs, foundation director

Tom Chappell, personal care products entrepreneur

Jim Collins, author of Good to Great and coauthor of Built to Last

Richard Connolly, blacksmith

Ann Cooper, realtor

Leslie Durgin, social services administrator

Katie Ewig, administrative assistant

Morris Frank and Buddy, helpers of the blind

Carol Grever, author of My Husband Is Gay

Johnny Halberstadt, running champion, footwear inventor, and retailbusiness owner

Margaret Hansson, inventor and entrepreneur

Josephine Heath, stateswoman and nonprof it executive

Wendy James, secret service agent

Lauren Ward Larson, national blood donation advocate

x PEOPLE WHOSE STORIES ARE PROMINENTLY SHARED

André Pettigrew, public administrator

Mark Plaatjes, running champion, physical therapist, and retailbusiness owner

Joseph Rush, physicist

Jonathan Sawyer, engineer and entrepreneur

Ellie Sciarra, tap dancer

Howard “Binx” Selby III, community leader

Linda Shoemaker, attorney and societal change agent

Lynda Simmons, real estate developer, architect, and community builder

Kevin Streicher, advertising salesperson

Nathan Thompson, data storage entrepreneur

Oakleigh Thorne II, environmental educator

Liz Valles, controller and musician

Don Vanlandingham, retired corporate executive

Shinzen Young, mindfulness meditation teacher

Margot Zaher, life coach

xi

Acknowledgments

If I have seen further, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants.Sir Isaac Newton1

This research project and book, in being both a pursuit of passionate pur-pose and the means for relationships along the way, has provided deepmeaning to my life. The intention is to help others in f inding a practicalformula for a fulf illing life, and in the process I have personally received realrewards. You and time will determine the book’s usefulness and whetherit represents further insights. This pursuit has gripped me, and many otherpeople, for over f ive years. In the process, I have stood on the “shouldersof many giants” and have benef ited from connections with many peopleand spiritual forces along the way. Heartfelt thanks go to each and everybeing in this web of life who contributed to this journey.

I am grateful to all my teachers—my parents and relatives, the nuns atSt. Mary School, and my other educators over the years especially WayneBoss, Larry Cornwall, Natalie Goldberg, John Hess, Paul Humke, BarryJohnson, Shinzen Young, and these educators’ lineage of teachers.

Thanks to members of the Radish team including the employees, in-vestors, customers, partners, and consultants who supported the entrepre-neurial pursuit of passionate purpose. Thanks for the dedication, hard work,creativity, good times, and the challenges that, now looking back, weregifts in themselves and the impetus for starting this endeavor. Thanks alsoto my previous employers and my coworkers there. Special thanks to my as-sociates and clients of Technology and Management Solutions.

Participants in this research project generously shared their wisdom.Everyone has a story and every tale is worthwhile. Those stories, encom-passing the deepest sorrows and greatest joys of the world, show how to cre-ate a life worth living. Only a fraction of these accounts can be shared in this

xii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

book. For their willingness to offer insights to help others, I thank: CarlosAguirre, Ben Alexandra, Martha Arnett, Karen Ashworth, Karen Bernardi,Gigi Boratgis, Marlena Boratgis, Lisako Bridgewater, Fred Ramirez Briggs,Tom Chappell, Jim Collins, Richard Connolly, Ann Cooper, VirginiaCorsi, Eleanor Crow, James E. Davis, Glen Deiner, Leslie Durgin, AlanEhrlich, Katie Ewig, Jacqueline Frischknecht, Emerson W. Fullmer, Gor-don Gamm, Jean Gore, Carol Grever, Theresa Grills, Leslie Gura, Ida Ha-lasz, Johnny Halberstadt, Margaret Hansson, Paul W. Harris, DavidHawkins, Frances Hawkins, Josephine Heath, David Hofmockel, WendyJames (Desmond), Bridget Jeffrey, Eileen Joseph, Cynthia Kemper, LaurenWard Larson, Anny Lee, Mariella Mathia, Adrian Miller, Ron Moitzf ield,Diane Moshman, Alyson Mulvany, Deborah Myers, Harry Nachman,Stephanie Nestlerode, Larry O’Hara, A. R. “Pete” Palmer, Mark Palmer,Kathey Pear, André Pettigrew, Mark Plaatjes, Phyllis Postlewait, BrooksPreston, Sean Redmond, Joseph Rush, Jonathan Sawyer, Ellie Sciarra,Howard “Binx” Selby III, Marsha Semmel, Diana Sherry, Linda Shoemaker,Scott Shor, Lynda Simmons, Sara E. Smith, Scott Snider, Eli Spanier, KevinStreicher, Jeanne Teleia, Caroline Thompson, George Thompson, NathanThompson, Oakleigh Thorne, William Tieman, Deben Tobias, Liz Valles,Robin Van Norman, Don Vanlandingham, Mark Walker, Lola Wilcox,Shinzen Young, Margot Zaher, and a number of people who chose to re-main anonymous.

Critical book reviewers, research methodology inquisitors, and/or datacollection instrument and inventory pretesters provided insightful perspec-tives and probing questions that made the study and book stronger. I am in-debted to Jim Collins, Reg Gupton, Paul Harris, Sina Simantob, MikeWinseck, Shinzen Young, and the Associated Consultants Internationalwriters group members Marilyn Blair, Leilani Henry, Cynthia Kneen,Mary Miura, Gene Morton, Lola Wilcox, Chuck Wilcox, and Al Persons.

My thanks go to dedicated research and administrative assistants: TraceyBloser, Lisako Bridgewater, Jo Moeller, Meridee Silbaugh, Lindsey MaySmith, Sara E. Smith, and especially to Wendy James Desmond.

Thanks, also, to those who helped with the audio/visual communica-tions including graphics artist, Mikell Yamada; web site designers JeffMcEwan and Ben Alexandra; Channel 54 Community Access TV of Boul-der, especially Pat Halsey, for video production training and equipment usedto interview participants; Ken Fong, my friend and workshop video editor;as well as Mark Camacho at 81 Media International for promotional video

Acknowledgments xiii

production. I also send thanks to Stephanie Nestlerode and Tara Hu for aninspiring calligraphy of “balancing head and heart.”

I am grateful to my clients, employers, sponsors, and workshop/presentation attendees for providing an audience as well as applications,feedback, suggestions, and questions.

A large team of people provided various kinds of professional supportand encouragement along the way. I send thanks to publicist Meryl Mossand staff; members of ACI—Lee Hogan, Gaynelle Winograd, and the writ-ers group; Cynthia Kneen for her methodology for writing a book; col-leagues and mentors at the Colorado Independent Publisher’s Association,Maui Writer’s Conference, and National Speakers Association especiallyDorie McCubbrey, Kay Baker, Judith Briles, Don Cooper, and Sam Horn;Emissaries of Divine Light, Sunrise Credit Union, Diana de Winton, andBill Becker who provided me space for a writing retreat; naming focusgroup participants Carol Grever, Linda Jacobson, Francois Pellissier,Jennifer Pollman, Wolf Reitz, Lynn Sherretz, Scott Snider, and RobertTaylor; Linda Fong and Binx Selby who inspired my writing practice; andcolleagues who were sounding boards and provided insights: Cheryl Bell,Alexander Bracken, Rick Brearton, Anthony Brittain, Richard Felstein,Jim Ferenc, Catharine Harris, Lois Hart, Akira Hasegawa, Jeremy Hunter,Christina Kauffman, Carl Lawrence, Bill Mooney, Harvey Moshman, Audrey Nelson, Denis Nock, Sean Redmond, Marcia Schirmer, KathySimon, Susan Skjei, Linda Tharp, Kenneth Thomas, Alan Weiss, CarolAnn Wilson; and a wide range of friends and colleagues too numerous tolist who have provided ideas, comments, contacts, or encouragement.

I express my gratitude to all of those who lovingly volunteered to carefor my daughter Annie when I was consumed with this project includingRosa Chapiro, Betty Forster, Dick Forster, Denise McCorvie, the otherGirl Scout troop leaders, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Religious Ed-ucation program leaders, many other friends, and especially Ann Drumm.

To my personal support network, I send loving thanks to my women’sgroup members Martha Arnett, Robin Carrington, Julia Hoilien, DianneLadd, Doris Schneider, and Lynn Sawyer; and special friends Laura Ferenc,Janice Stachyra, Anita Targan, and Annette Taylor.

I would like to make special note and deeply thank my trusted agentand strategic advisor John Willig of Literary Services, Inc. and the profes-sional team at John Wiley & Sons, especially my talented editor Matt Holtand Tamara Hummel, Michelle Patterson, and Deborah Schindlar.

xiv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Three people provided tremendous support over years to this pursuit ofpassionate purpose. I am deeply indebted for having them involved in somany parts of the project and for being the wind under my wings: NancyBalch, who also provided me a haven so I could write “in monk mode” forover seven months; Dr. Jackie Frischknecht, who offered invaluable sug-gestions on word and book structure, and Dr. Ida Halasz, my coach sincethe early days of this project who relentlessly asked diff icult questions, pro-vided astute research advice, and unwavering encouragement.

Special thanks to my daughter Annie for her love, patience, and en-thusiasm and for helping me maintain balance between my head and heart.Finally, I am deeply grateful to my spouse and partner in business and life,Richard A. Davis, who, in addition to running his own business and beinga fabulous father, has helped the entire journey in every possible way.

1

PA R T ON E

INTRODUCTION:GET ON YOUR PATH

Premise: You can live a more rewarding life and produce re-markable results.

Path: Use the “Pursuit of Passionate Purpose” formula.

Outcome: Knowledge of how to turn a good life into a greatlife and reap real rewards.

3

PursuitBrings RealRewards

Premise: There is a formula, a model, for success.

Path: Discover why and how to implement the formula.

Outcome: Knowledge of how to effectively use this book.

The summit at 19,340 feet was in sight now. After another hour of persis-tent climbing, I breathlessly whispered, “Yes! Here is the summit of Kili-manjaro, the highest point in Africa.” Indeed, the Pursuit of PassionatePurpose formula helped me succeed on that f ive-day, arduous trek just asit had in other parts of my life. With my business card from Radish Com-munications Systems to represent the young venture I had cofounded andpainstakingly nurtured, the moment was captured in a photo—my baby,Radish, and me on top of the world!

Fierce winds blew on Kili. Similarly, but unknown to me, the windsof change were furiously blowing in my professional life at home.

It had started nearly four decades earlier. I grew up in a large, blue-collar, Polish family in the suburbs of Chicago, with a solid education atSt. Mary of Czestochowa Catholic School. As my personal foundation ofcore values took form, my determination also gained strength. My mottobecame: “If it is to be, it is up to me.”

Twenty years after that beginning, I was living my dream—or so Ithought—climbing the career ladder in a Fortune 100 company. But Ididn’t realize the price I would have to pay for my position as one of thehighest ranked women in my division. The lack of a personal life and 60-hour workweeks were taking their toll. Behind my back, colleagues re-sented my promotions. My boss instructed me to act without integrity:

1

4 INTRODUCTION: GET ON YOUR PATH

“Kill Larry or Larry is going to kill you.” Then the company sent that boss,instead of me, to announce the new product I had worked on for threeyears. My head, the rational thinker, had dominated decisions to this point.Now my heart, the creative feeler, cried out, “What you really want is bal-ance in life—deep connection with people and meaningful work in an en-vironment where people can contribute and be rewarded to the fullest.Make changes. Follow your heart, in harmony with your head. Pursue pas-sionate purpose.”

I was like many people today who hear the wake-up call and are search-ing for meaning. Hungry for practical solutions, these people are asking,“What is the formula for getting what I want in work and in life?How can I live a rewarding life?”

Similarly, the employers of these workers seek to improve productiv-ity and generate superior results.

TURN THE WORST OF TIMES INTO THE BEST OF TIMES

Especially in the worst of times, as Dickens1 would say, when terrorism,war, economic downturn, drought, layoffs, bankruptcies, ethical tests, orother challenges surface, you need to ignite your passion.

On top of Mount Kilimanjaro at 19,340 feet, with my Radish business card, Ibegan to feel the winds of change.

Pursuit Brings Real Rewards 5

Just as exercise strengthens your muscles, adversity strengthens whoyou are and stimulates stronger f low of spirit. And that is why the worst oftimes—when adversity strikes—can become the best of times.

Your challenge, and the challenge of all organizations, is to keep thathuman life force f lowing. But how?

The pursuit of meaningful intention ignites passion. The primary pur-pose of this book is to help you live a great life with the rewards you desire.

RESEARCH OVERVIEW

This project began because people kept asking me how I had accomplishedcertain remarkable things. Combining these inquiries with an unshakablecalling to help others, I examined what had delivered results and broughtreal rewards in both my business and personal life. I also wanted to knowif others had produced positive outcomes using similar methods. This ledto the key question: What distinguishes those who f ind and fulf ill a pas-sionate purpose from those who don’t?

After reviewing others’ work and not f inding the answer, I designedand undertook a rigorous, multiyear, research study to answer the question.The project goal was to distill a systematic and practical approach that oth-ers could use to get all they want in life. To ensure substantive conclusions,I collected data from a representative sample of adult Americans using one-on-one interviews and written surveys. The participants represented bothgenders from various occupations, ethnic and age groups, and geographiclocations, with a range of personal and professional purposes. As I incor-porated the wisdom of more than 80 research participants—those who hadfound and pursued passionate purpose and those who had not—successstrategies and a step-by-step process emerged.

I derived conclusions from extensive analysis of all the data. Not everyparticipant stated every point summarized here, and a few provided inputscounter to these conclusions. The f indings of this study, however, are con-sistent with the majority of the data. All personal stories and quotes in thisbook, unless otherwise noted, are from my research participants.

The pursuit of passionate purpose, as wellas its attainment, and relationships along the

way bring the real rewards in life.

6 INTRODUCTION: GET ON YOUR PATH

ABOUT PASSIONATE PURPOSE

Passionate purpose is an intention or goal pursued with passion—intenseenthusiasm, zeal, fervor, and interest.2 As a purpose connected to the Pur-suer’s values and gifts, it is signif icant. The more meaningful the purpose,the more intense is the passion and the more noteworthy is the impact.

What It Is

There is a human need for purpose. In Man’s Search for Meaning,3 Vik-tor Frankl reports, “Man actually needs the striving and struggling for somegoal worthy of him.” Joseph Campbell in The Hero with a ThousandFaces4 writes that nearly all cultures carry a common myth about the hero’sjourney. The hero leaves home in service of a worthwhile purpose, en-counters obstacles and hindrances, eventually succeeds, and returns hometo be of further service. Kenneth Thomas5 explains, “We seem to need tosee ourselves as going somewhere—as being on a journey in pursuit of a sig-nif icant purpose.”

Passionate purposes and pursuit toward them are as varied as snowflakes—some are grandiose and others are quite modest. Some are professional; oth-ers are personal. Only you can choose a meaningful purpose. Although theexamples in this book focus more on business-oriented endeavors, the con-cepts apply to all areas of life.

The word purpose in this book encompasses a range of aspirations, froma grand reason for living to narrow objectives. Purpose is used inter-changeably with the terms aim, target, goal, and intention. You can makean impact and reap real rewards whether you align your passion with a corepurpose, broad intention, or smaller goals. Some people recognize an en-during purpose that is the overall “why” of life, and others do not. Still,most people agree that having purpose is important and that purpose bringsmeaning to life.6

Almost everyone needs and wants a reason to get out of bed in themorning.7 Some people, called Passionate Pursuers, f ind and commit to aworthwhile purpose, keep the f ire burning during the pursuit, and continueuntil they produce results. Seekers may strive for a long time to discoverit. Still others, In-between’ers, are taking a break.

Passionate purpose optimally engages your whole self, or spir it, in thepursuit. Spirit, your source for intuition and insights, is built from three en-ergy centers of the self:

Pursuit Brings Real Rewards 7

1. Head (intellect, mind, or cognition) stems from mental effort, logicalthinking, talking, and imagination.

2. Heart (passion) emanates from desire, emotions, and feelings.3. Hands ( body) can spring from physical exertion, body sensations,

touch, taking action, and doing.

Why It Is Important

A passionate purpose is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and oth-ers. You experience joy and build self-confidence in your ability to makea meaningful difference while living a rewarding life.

There is one quality which one must possess to win, and that is def-initeness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burn-ing desire to possess it.

NAPOLEON HILL, Think and Grow Rich8

Having a clear purpose about which you are passionate is essential forgetting what you want in work and life. With the pursuit of purpose comesfulf illment, and from that experience comes meaning and a feeling of suc-cess. Not only the individual benef its—businesses, families, churches, andorganizations gain positive results when people align personal passion withorganizational purpose.

In reading Good to Great,9 I asked myself, “How do you turn a goodlife into a great life?” Jim Collins writes, “It is impossible to have a greatlife unless it is a meaningful life. And it is very diff icult to have a meaningfullife without meaningful work.” Then I realized this study, which had ab-sorbed me for over f ive years, really was exploring that critical question. Thepursuit of passionate purpose is the quest to make a meaningful differenceas your life’s work. This book shows you how to transform a good life intoa great life.

How do you measure success in the pursuit of passionate purpose? Youhave to def ine it by what you believe is meaningful. Likewise, you def inegreatness individually—but at the broadest level, it means a life that deliv-ers what you want and f ind meaningful. These are your real rewards.

How Pursuing Passionate Purpose Feels

It feels great. Pursuit of passionate purpose is the quest of a meaningful goalthat you care about deeply. It is the course of action or path you take on the

8 INTRODUCTION: GET ON YOUR PATH

journey to a desired destination. In the optimal pursuit, you reap what Ken-neth Thomas10 calls intrinsic rewards of meaningfulness, choice, compe-tence, and progress that create more motivation for the pursuit. These arealso real rewards from the pursuit. You may also experience what MihalyCzikszentmihalyi11 calls f low—a state of focused concentration where youbecome so involved in the activity that nothing else seems to matter. Thereis a sense of delight and deep satisfaction.

THE SUCCESS FORMULA

In interviewing people from all walks of life, I asked, “What brings mean-ing to your life?” There were many responses, but the majority essen-tially said:

• Love (deep, caring relationships with the interconnected web of lifeincluding people, animals, nature, and spirit)

• Meaningful work (a worthwhile way to contribute, grow, and makea difference)

My research aff irms what others have said through the ages: The pursuit ofpassionate purpose and relationships along the way bring meaning to life.

A “two-four-six rule” is the basis for successfully pursuing passionatepurpose and reaping real rewards. The two-step formula is:

1. Follow the proven four-stage process.2. Apply six success strategies.

Consider this metaphor. Think of the pursuit of passionate purpose asa journey to a desired destination:

• The process is the step-by-step path you take to get from point A topoint B. Your whole self—head, heart, and hands—becomes a uni-f ied vehicle to get you where you want to go. Your hands ( body)serve as the engine. Your heart (passion) is the fuel. Your head (in-tellect, mind, or cognition) is the navigator guiding you along.

• The strategies are the principles of operation and lubrication thatkeep the vehicle working eff iciently and moving forward on thejourney. They can also act as catalysts to convert your vehicle froma bicycle into a sports car or rocket ship. Bring the proper people and

Pursuit Brings Real Rewards 9

the rest of the interconnected web of life along as your travel com-panions and support crew who provide encouragement, stimulation,and all kinds of help.

Follow the Proven Process

First, discover what you value and your unique gifts—what you are pas-sionate about. Next, f ind a worthwhile purpose that aligns with your pas-sion. The purpose gives focus and passion fuels your pursuit. In pursuingthe purpose, you may need to change, grow, and accept as your journey un-folds. Eventually, you assess progress. If you have achieved your goal ordone everything possible to reach it, you continue the cycle of your life byreaff irming what you value and determining what is next. If not, you con-tinue the pursuit, perhaps with some adjustments.

This iterative, ongoing process, shown in Figure 1.1, has four stages ofdevelopment:

1. Know and Nurture the Person (exploring who I am and what I value).2. Find Passionate Purpose (determining what I want and do not want).

Figure 1.1 Four phases in the Pursuit of Passionate Purpose.

2.Find Passionate Purpose

(What do I want?)

4.Assess Progress

(How is it going? What’s next?)

3.Pursue Purpose

(How do I get it?)

1.Know and Nurture the Person(Who am I? What do I value?)

10 INTRODUCTION: GET ON YOUR PATH

3. Pursue Purpose (establishing how I get it).4. Assess Progress (evaluating how things are going and what is next).

The circular graphic is intentional in representing the process. Thehoop12 or mandala,13 which means “magic, sacred circle” in Sanskrit, canbe found in all cultures and periods of time as a symbol of wholeness. Asone of the essential shapes of creation, it corresponds to the cycle of life.

In following this process, you are on the hero’s journey,14 universallyfound in myths and reality. You initially build a core foundation at home(know the person), then go off to engage in a worthwhile cause (f ind andpursue passionate purpose), overcome obstacles, eventually succeed, andthen come back home to be of service to the greater community (assessprogress and begin the cycle again).

Although movement is typically clockwise, movement between stagescan be multidirectional. It is possible to jump on the pursuit at any stageand even move between stages while skipping one. You may start helpinga worthy cause (pursuing someone else’s purpose) without determining thatit is your own aim or that you are passionate about it. Later, it becomesyour own purpose, and as an unexpected consequence you get to knowyourself better. The late David Hawkins, professor emeritus of philosophy,said, “We need to explore the relationship between means and ends. Pur-poses grow out of situations. One may f ind the pursuit f irst and then thisbrings the purpose.”

My Path

My story illustrates this four-stage process. Although I did not realize it atthe time, I started the Assess Progress stage as challenge after challengearose in the corporate setting. Finally, when my boss made the product an-nouncement without me, I decided to make changes. I took an educationalleave of absence to explore through an eye-opening adventure trip to theSouth Pacif ic who I was and what was important to me. I embarked on theKnow and Nurture the Person stage. Seeing children, families, and wildlifein Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, I realized that I had been neglectingan important part of myself—my need for deep connections to people,being close to nature, and having a family. But how could I balance myheart and head? During the Find Passionate Purpose stage, I found what ap-peared to be the answer. I quit the company and moved to Colorado to beclose to the outdoors, good friends, and a possible spouse. In addition, Istarted my consulting f irm and enrolled in a PhD program. Immersed in