Archive for category: Personal

“Just make more…they will come around. All your problems will be solved with __________.”

Although I hate to admit it, I fell for the big lie.

I went in hook, line, and sinker and was willing to set everything aside in order to achieve what I had been promised was worth it. I sacrificed relationships, my health, and for a season, my family, and even my music.

I am not proud of it. At times I even get angry about it all over again, but what good will that do?

All I know is that I never want to be back there again.

Back then, I kept hearing the voice saying, “Just make more…they will come around. All your problems will be solved with __________.”

In my gut—the depth of my soul—I knew it was too good to be true, but there I was, cranking away for the next title, the next comma, and set of zeros.

Don’t get me wrong. I love nice things…really nice things.

But today, I understand the real price and have learned (am learning) how to make wiser decisions as a result.

Today, I understand that my career choice is important, but so is my health, my relationships, my spirituality, personal development, personal interests, and ultimately my life purpose.

Not in balance, but in harmony.

Right now, for example, my health is at the apex of those important facets of my life. I am willfully choosing to make that the most important in this season.

Finally understanding this concept was a game and life-changing revelation. That discovery took me off my self-imposed, perfectionist, “driven at the cost of everything else” treadmill.

And that shift has made all the difference.

When the crisis’ hit late last year, it was not the end of the world. Nor was it so devastating that we needed to scramble or panic. Both Susie and I simply looked at each other, hugged and held hands for a minute, and then said, “Okay, what do we need to do to get this passed and over with and back to full health?”

There was never anything other than a simple, singular focus.

So, I sat awake this morning at 4:15a, looking out the window at an enormous moon, I offered thanks and praise for the life, partner, and path I have been gifted with.

Life is not perfect—but it sure is so much fuller than ever before. In that, it is all about choices.

What is important, what is necessary, what is right, what is enough, and most importantly, what is just noise?

I pray you think about that.

KB

– – – – – – –

If life is a mess, upside down, or outright chaos, or even just sort of empty and unfulfilling, I pray you find that first foothold of peace to stand on. I would welcome a moment to visit if you think that might be helpful. I have learned a lot over the years. Not sharing that experience seems too wasteful.

Talk soon.

Transitions are always filled with ups, downs, questions, expectations, thrills, and unknowns.

And, I have found that in going through them, the real gold is not in the outcome but rather the journey.

What you learn about yourself during the transition is the real blessing.

Whether you are transitioning jobs/projects or learning to live without a person in your life, or coming out of a life-changing illness, or finding a new career, the growth that occurs on the way is what we need most.

As I was challenged this morning in my quiet time and meditations, if you too are going through a transition season, look for the benefit of the growth. It is not about the uncertainty that you fill your time worrying over. It is about HOW you walk through the changes.

I am excited and expectant about “my next.” I am certain that I will continue coaching small to medium business owners as I currently do. But I know there is something new coming that I have yet to see—and for that I am excited.

Could it be another year-long consulting gig that multiplies a company and changes the lives of the entire team? Maybe.

Could it be a spiritual mentorship for a business owner and family person who wants to “do it the right way?” Maybe (I hope so).

But my encouragement for you today is this:

Whether you see it or not, you are amid a transition in one, if not many, areas of your life. And HOW you step through this process makes all the difference.

I am learning to embrace mine.

I pray you are as well. If you share or pm me about your transition, I will add you to my morning prayer time.

KB

Business.

Life.

Spirituality.

Purpose.

I wrote those words in that order almost 2 years ago for the homepage of my website. At the time, I was looking for a way to distinguish myself in the crowded business coach and consultant world.

Looking back now after this most recent journey, I choose to live those out in the opposite order.

What I have known for years is that success comes out of purpose. Sure, hard work, hustle, and being dedicated to your plan are essential, however, without a clear purpose, the money is still somehow empty.

A friend asked me the other day on a “checking in” call, if I only work with people who are believers—who are people of faith. “No,” I said. I work alongside people from all walks of life. I simply want people to know the framework that I come from for everything.

Do not get me wrong, I am not the guy with an ichthus on my business card and wants to pray with you before we sign the contract. Truth be told, those are the people who have burned me the worst over the years. I have learned and responded accordingly.

Faith and spirituality are essential to who I am, therefore, they are a big part of how I do things.

Then there is life. I am not one of those entrepreneurs who works 15 hours a day, on Saturdays, while at my kid’s soccer game…far from it. I believe our work is to serve our life, not dictate it.

I am quite sure I have left thousands—if not hundreds of thousands of dollars—on the table by living this way, but so be it. What good does it do you if you can buy anything and do anything, but no one is close enough to you to share it with you?

I love building businesses.

I love making sense of things for business owners who just cannot seem to get it all together and make it work and enjoyable.

I love locking arms with those who have train-wrecked their life and want to find the courage to build again.

Am I the universal coach and mentor for everyone? Nope.

But for those who know there is “more” to be had in building a business…

…for those who know there is a higher purpose to what they are doing

…for those who want to live life on purpose and stop being reactive to things…

We should talk. This latest chapter of my life has given such clarity and the ability to cut through the noise.

Here’s to building your life on purpose. You will not regret the move.

Think about that.

What are you called to do?

What is your purpose?

What difference are you committed to making?

I do not believe we exist for the simple purpose of living our lives and making money so we can have things.

As a human being and as a spirit being, I fully believe we have a purpose—a reason to be here.

From a spiritual and faith tradition standpoint, I know that we exist to offer praise to an Almighty God. We are to reflect His goodness in every action and every deed.

But from a personal level, one-to-another, what are you about? Why are you here?

This past year has had its share of bumps, curveballs, and challenges. All of which have given me reason to stop and ponder, “Am I doing what I am called to do?”

Professionally, personally, spiritually – am I just existing and going through the motions or am I living on purpose and with intentionality to make sure this earth is better because I contributed?

The truth is no. For a season, I had allowed myself to be lulled into a state of simply going along. I was not focused and had fallen into the trap of thinking, “as soon as…” or “after XYZ happens, THEN I will…”

No more.

About 3 years ago, I went through a process of assessing key areas of my life, how I wanted to live and be, and what needed to change. It was one of the most powerful seasons I can remember.

The challenge is that I failed to maintain the process. I put it on autopilot and that does not work.

Today, I will live life on purpose. I will live beyond my challenges and will commit to take back my tomorrow.

This world needs you—it needs me—to show up and provide light, hope, compassion, and love. In all the darkness, it is up to us.

There is no cavalry. No one is coming to “fix” things. It is up to us.

Sorry I took a little break there. I am looking forward to seeing the incredible things you are going to accomplish.

Since I posted about this health journey at all, it would be irresponsible of me not to include the parts that are far less inspiring. So here goes—I think there is a lot here too btw.

The past few nights have been pretty hard. Dealing with the discomfort of a body healing, way more retaining fluid than I thought possible, and new senses in feelings in ways that make me ask, “Is this the new normal or just the healing normal?”

“Is this what I am going to feel like from now on?”

That question is a dangerous one and a disingenuous one.

What I am not-so-secretively asking is, “am I in control, and will I ever get back to where I do what I want, how I want and feel the way I want?”

OR “Will I always feel…. sick?”

I began sharing with you that this journey was not about me. It is about what is in this journey for me to learn, to share, to re-invest in someone else in the future.

I began offering praise for the process, the road, and yes even for the discovery.

But how does that all shake out when exhausted, sleepless, and worried if I am going to have to live with this (like this) for the rest of my life?

Honestly? Exactly like normal daily life. (Probably just more dramatic.)

It is super easy to have my usual pity party and say, “SEE!? I could have done this except for that!” or, “If THAT THING had not happened, then I would be here or I would be there!”

That is a lie, straight out of the pit, and it smells like smoke.

It would be quite easy for me to wear the “blessed” card if everything was going the way I wanted it to.

On a higher level of insight and evaluation, it is.

Just over five days ago to the hour, I rolled into the recovery room of a significant post-cancer procedure and have been flying past successful checkpoint after checkpoint.

But there I sat last night, in the middle of the night, not quite able to get nuzzled down into that comfy pre-issue mindless comfort that made me feel like I was in control.

I was no more in control then than I used to be.

The secret is…I am far more aware of my place in this universe than I was before. And therein lies the gold.

Is everything wonderful and I should I be sitting over here praising God and basking the glory of healing? Probably. But I sure do not feel like it right at this moment.

And the answer right at this moment is to respond with thankfulness, gratefulness, gratitude, and even when you may not “feel” like it, praise Him anyway.

The Lord God of Heaven is Righteous to Heal. Righteous to Save, and Worthy of everything and so much more than I can speak.

Do I feel godly in this moment, not on your life?

But I am probably closer to Him in this vulnerability than on any best “normal” day.

Whatever you are going through, no matter if you are a person of faith or not, give thanks. Find a moment of promise.

Be grateful.

Love others.

Give yourself some slack.

I am healing…and for that, I am most thankful.

-KB