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Challenge Accepted: Breaking Boundaries in Coaching and Leadership

Brandon Mergard

 

Embark on an extraordinary journey of personal and professional growth in the latest episode of the podcast series. Join us as we delve into the inspiring story of Brandon Mergard, a trailblazing leader in the coaching industry. From humble beginnings in customer support to assuming the role of CEO, Brandon shares his remarkable path and the transformative power of stakeholder-centered coaching.

In this captivating conversation, Brandon unveils the evolution of coaching, highlighting the pivotal role it plays in leadership development. Discover how he revolutionized the traditional coaching model by integrating innovative strategies and implementing a culture of continuous improvement. With a keen focus on building a community of coaches, Brandon envisions a future where collaboration, research, and data-driven insights revolutionize the coaching landscape.

Gain invaluable insights as Brandon explains how Stakeholder-Centered Coaching drives impactful results. Explore the profound connection between effective leadership and the perception of others, challenging the conventional norms of coaching. Uncover the fascinating research and methodology behind Stakeholder Center Coaching and how it transforms leaders, their organizations, and their stakeholders.

Whether you’re a coach, a leader, or someone seeking personal growth, this episode is a must-listen. Brandon’s expertise and passion shine through as he shares practical advice, personal anecdotes, and a compelling vision for the future of coaching. Prepare to be inspired, empowered, and motivated to unlock your full potential and make a lasting impact in your personal and professional life.

Don’t miss this captivating episode filled with actionable insights, thought-provoking discussions, and a deep dive into the world of coaching. Tune in now to discover the keys to unleashing your potential and embark on a transformational journey of self-discovery and growth.

 

Connect with Brandon Mergard!

Twitter : https://twitter.com/BrandonMergard

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonjamesmergard/

Watch the episode here

[00:01:41] Brandon’s WHY

[00:03:53] Living in the Pacific Northwest.

[00:08:00] Thinking Outside the Box.

[00:11:44] High school guitar obsession.

[00:17:19] Life as a session musician.

[00:19:05] Falling backwards into opportunities.

[00:24:32] Stakeholder centered coaching.

[00:26:06] Leadership perception changes.

[00:30:10] Job hunting struggles.

[00:33:21] Leadership improving family interactions.

[00:39:19] Building a culture of failure.

[00:41:03] Stakeholder-centered coaching.

[00:44:21] Generalists vs Specialists.

[00:47:58] Community coaching.

[00:51:38] Follow-up and Leadership Efficacy.

[00:56:04] Improvements of using WHY.os.

[00:58:21] Knowing your “WHY”.

Listen to the podcast here

Challenge Accepted: Breaking Boundaries in Coaching and Leadership

In the fast-paced world of professional coaching, standing out from the crowd requires a unique blend of skills, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous improvement. In a recent episode of the Beyond Your Why podcast, we had the opportunity to delve into the journey of Brandon Mergard, a coaching industry leader who has transformed the way coaching is perceived and implemented. This blog post uncovers the key takeaways from the episode, revealing valuable insights that can empower individuals to unlock their full potential and drive success in both their personal and professional lives.

Embrace Growth Mindset: Journey towards Continuous Growth

Brandon’s story exemplifies the power of embracing a growth mindset. By constantly seeking new challenges and expanding his skill set, he elevated his career from coaching support to leading an entire certification business. This highlights the importance of ongoing learning and development to achieve personal and professional growth.

Streamlining Processes for Enhanced Efficiency

Within the coaching industry, identifying areas for improvement is crucial. Brandon’s focus on streamlining procedures and codifying processes not only improved internal efficiency but also led to the development of a systemized approach with guaranteed and measurable results. This commitment to efficiency can significantly enhance the client experience.

Stakeholder-Centered Coaching: Driving Real Results

One of the significant contributions Brandon made was introducing stakeholder-centered coaching. This approach involves involving stakeholders in the coaching process, ensuring the leaders’ growth is aligned with the perceptions of those around them. This collaborative approach leads to tangible and impactful results.

Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Experimentation
Brandon advocates for fostering a culture that embraces failure as an opportunity for growth. By encouraging experimentation and learning from mistakes, organizations and individuals can drive innovation, continuous improvement, and resilience in the face of challenges.

Authentic Leadership: Defying Expectations

Despite initial perceptions, leaders should feel empowered to lead authentically, embracing their unique qualities and approaches. Brandon’s journey highlights the importance of defying expectations and finding a leadership style that aligns with one’s true self.

Building a Community of Coaches

Collaboration and community-building are essential in the coaching industry. Brandon emphasizes the power of creating a network of coaches, fostering knowledge sharing, and mutual support. This sense of community not only benefits individual coaches but also elevates the coaching profession as a whole.
Research-Driven Approaches: Enhancing Effectiveness
Investing in research and evidence-based practices is paramount to deliver impactful coaching results. Brandon emphasizes the need for ongoing research to understand desired coaching outcomes and the active ingredients that drive success. This commitment to evidence-based coaching ensures clients receive the most effective and tailored support.

The Holistic Approach to Leadership

Leadership effectiveness extends beyond individual traits and behaviors. Brandon’s insights shed light on the importance of stakeholder perception and how it influences leadership effectiveness. A holistic approach that considers the entire ecosystem of leadership is crucial for long-term success.
Applying Personal Insights to All Aspects of Life
Discovering one’s “why” and gaining self-awareness doesn’t only benefit professional endeavors but also enriches personal relationships and overall well-being. Brandon’s personal experience highlights how understanding oneself can lead to a more fulfilling and purpose-driven life.

Brandon Mergard’s journey in the coaching industry offers a wealth of insights for aspiring coaches, leaders, and individuals looking to unlock their potential. By embracing growth, fostering a culture of learning, and focusing on stakeholder-centered approaches, one can achieve remarkable results. As the coaching industry continues to evolve, it is essential to prioritize research, authenticity, and collaboration to drive positive change and make a lasting impact. By applying these lessons to both personal and professional aspects of life, individuals can unlock their full potential and embark on a transformative journey of growth and success.

Discover your WHY.os now for 50% off! Click here to purchase today or visit whyinstitute.com/why-os-discovery/ to learn more!

If you love the show, please don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review and rating on whatever platform you are using. Thank you so much for being here. I will see you in the next episode.

About Brandon Mergard

Brandon James Mergard is an internationally acclaimed business executive and leadership coach. Currently serving as the CEO to Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching®, Mergard has spent the past decade taking bold steps to drive business performance.

Since its founding in 1987, Stakeholder Centered Coaching (SCC) has focused primarily on the US market. In the early 2010’s Mergard was brought into the then-nascent firm to establish a sustainable international business arm in 18 months. Within five years of rapid success, he grew the team of FTE’s six-fold while increasing revenue per person by 3 digits, new customers per annum from 45 to 700, and tripled his vertical’s profit margins. During the same time, his training curriculum earned the company multiple international awards for training excellence and thought leadership. He subsequently installed new teams on 5 continents to accommodate an expanding customer base in 110+ countries.

Spending so much of his career working in the field has taught him that coaching is an indispensable partnership specifically for high performers who want to fortify their competitive edge, regardless of their domain. To enact such a change, Mergard uses the Stakeholder Centered Coaching® methodology. The coaching approach leverages key stakeholders in making meaningful, sustainable changes in leadership behavior while quantifying the results. The powerful process was designed by his business partners Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, the world’s #1 leadership coach, Dr. Frank Wagner, and Christopher Coffey. The profound impact of the process is now so widespread that it has won nearly every industry award and is used by executives at 1 in 3 Fortune500 organizations. Mergard’s business acumen and domain expertise is exceeded only by his range of ambitions. He spent his early career studying guitar performance in Southern California and working as a professional musician, touring North America and Asia to perform for audiences exceeding 50k. He would later move to East Asia for a decade to study language, culture, and cooking at a half dozen universities while leading SCC’s APAC & EMEA business units. While establishing himself as the firm’s youngest executive he gained recognition as an academic researcher graduating summa cum laude with his MBA from the prestigious, triple-accredited Aston University in the UK where he would later go on to earn his Doctorate of Business Administration. For extracurriculars, Mergard is a former mixed martial artist and bodybuilder who now enjoys participating in international triathlons as well as kettlebell and steel mace competitions. The breadth of his pursuits and experiences give Mergard a uniquely competitive perspective on global business and leadership.

Beyond driving exceptional business performance, Mergard’s unique contribution to the 5,000-person team is to establish an active community for coaches to connect, collaborate, and co-create. He does this through routine member gatherings to offer a shared vision of the future and plan community initiatives which are executed under the appointed local leadership. These initiatives include upskilling the coaches through targeted skills-training, co-creating business systems for coaches, and publishing public research reports to enhance leadership intelligence without barriers to access.

Brandon James Mergard was recently recognized in the Top 200 Power List of “Biggest Voices in Leadership” by LeadersHum 2022 and is a published author with Worldwide Coaching Magazine.

“Coaching is much more than simply improving one’s work performance. It’s about intentionally designing a better human being by shaping behavior. That’s where the magic happens. Yes, teams become more cohesive and we’ll see increases in organizational performance, but we’ll also see happier, healthier individuals who have more engaged families, better relationships,
and who become more influential community leaders. It’s about making the world a better place for us all.”

 

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Contribute Podcast WHY

The Persuasion Paradox: How to Get People to Say Yes Before You Ask

Watch the episode here

00:00:09 Persuasion is about pre-suasion.
00:08:35 Use an effective opener for persuasion.
00:17:02 Small changes can have big impacts.
00:26:00 Small bigs make a difference.
00:34:08 Use ethical persuasion techniques effectively.
00:42:24 Think well of others.

Listen to the podcast here

Dr. Robert Cialdini, a renowned expert in the field of influence and persuasion, is the guest in this episode. With extensive research and expertise, Dr. Cialdini has authored books and developed principles that provide valuable insights into understanding human behavior and how to ethically influence others.
Three major things you will learn by listening to this episode:
  • Differentiating influence from persuasion: Understand the psychological aspects of influence and how to create a favorable state of mind in your audience before delivering your message.
  • The power of small actions and cues: Discover how something as simple as a smile or the shape of a smile can significantly impact people’s decisions and preferences.
  • The importance of ethical application: Learn how to apply the principles of influence in an ethical manner to build long-term trust and loyalty.
To gain valuable knowledge from Dr. Cialdini and delve into the art of influence, listen to this episode now!

Connect with Dr. Robert Cialdini!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robert.cialdini
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobertCialdini
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamrobertcialdini/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertcialdini/

Unleashing the Power of Ethical Influence: Insights from Dr. Robert Cialdini

Discover the art of ethical influence and the fascinating world of human behavior in this captivating podcast episode featuring Dr. Robert Cialdini. As a distinguished expert in influence and persuasion, Dr. Cialdini shares his extensive knowledge, providing invaluable insights to help you master the art of persuasion. Whether you’re a business professional, marketer, or simply looking to enhance your communication skills, this episode is a game-changer.

Unveiling the Guest

Dr. Robert Cialdini, the renowned authority on influence, brings his unrivaled expertise to the forefront of this episode. With a plethora of groundbreaking research and best-selling books to his name, Dr. Cialdini is a trusted source for understanding the psychological factors that shape decision-making. His contributions have made a significant impact on professionals across diverse industries.

Unleashing the Secrets to Ethical Influence

Explore the essential elements that differentiate influence from persuasion, and how they play a vital role in achieving successful outcomes. Dr. Cialdini delves deep into the psychology behind effective messaging, teaching you how to prepare your audience to be more receptive to your requests. Gain a thorough understanding of the principles that underpin persuasive communication, enabling you to ethically influence others.

Harnessing the Power of Subtle Cues

Discover the surprising impact of small actions and non-verbal cues on decision-making processes. Dr. Cialdini shares intriguing studies that highlight the significance of a smile and its shape in shaping preferences and choices. Uncover the potential of leveraging these subtle cues to create lasting impressions and drive desired outcomes.

Ethical Application for Long-Term Success

Ethics and integrity form the foundation of ethical influence. Dr. Cialdini emphasizes the importance of maintaining trust and authenticity when applying persuasive techniques. By aligning ethical practices with the principles of influence, you can build long-term relationships, foster loyalty, and achieve sustainable success in your personal and professional endeavors.

Why You Should Tune In

Don’t miss this exceptional opportunity to gain invaluable insights from Dr. Cialdini, a true authority in the realm of influence. Unlock the secrets to mastering ethical persuasion, establish stronger connections, and drive favorable outcomes. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a passionate learner, this episode will equip you with actionable strategies to make a lasting impact.

Don’t wait any longer! Immerse yourself in the realm of ethical influence by listening to this transformative episode now.

About Dr. Robert Cialdini

Robert-Cialdini-BYWP-square

Robert Cialdini, a thought leader in the fields of influence and persuasion, has spent his career publishing scientific research on what causes people to say “Yes” to requests. The results of his research, his ensuing articles, and his New York Times bestselling books have led to his election to the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Science.

His 7 Principles of Persuasion have become a cornerstone for any organization serious about increasing its influence
significantly, while doing so ethically.

As a keynote speaker, Dr. Cialdini is renowned for his ability
to translate the science of influence through valuable and
indelible stories that lend themselves to long-term business
applications.

His books, including his New York Times Bestselling Influence and Pre-Suasion, have sold more than seven-million copies in 44 languages. As a result, he is frequently regarded as
“The Godfather of Influence”.

Categories
Contribute Podcast WHY

The Art of Influence: Small Things That Make a Big Difference with Godfather of Influence, Dr. Robert Cialdini

Watch the episode here

[00:00:13] The Seven Principles of Influence.
[00:06:01] Next in line effect.
[00:08:50] Power of Persuasion.
[00:13:13] Communication strategies for groups.
[00:21:17] The power of “because”.
[00:26:33] The definition of influence.
[00:28:39] Rule for reciprocity.
[00:33:55] Give something to clients first.
[00:39:29] Principles of Persuasion.
[00:43:28] Influence and Consistency.
[00:49:18] Social Proof and Usability.

Listen to the podcast here

 

Dr. Robert Cialdini is a renowned expert on influence and persuasion. With his extensive research and expertise, he has become a leading authority in understanding the psychology behind human behavior and decision-making. His work has helped businesses and individuals unlock the power of persuasion to achieve greater success.

Tune in and learn from the master himself!

  1. The seven universal principles of influence: Discover the key principles that significantly increase the likelihood of getting a positive response in any persuasive message, such as reciprocation, liking, authority, social proof, scarcity, commitment consistency, and unity.
  2. The power of giving first: Learn how providing value, benefits, and positive attitude to others can create a sense of reciprocity and increase the chances of them saying yes to your requests.
  3. Strategies for effective persuasion: Gain insights into practical techniques like finding genuine similarities, giving compliments, leveraging authority and social proof, highlighting scarcity, and promoting commitment and consistency to enhance your persuasive messaging.

Listen to this episode to delve deeper into the fascinating world of influence and persuasion, and learn how to apply these principles to improve your copywriting, SEO, and marketing strategies. Gain valuable insights from Dr. Robert Cialdini, an expert in the field, and unlock the potential to achieve better results in your business endeavors.

Connect with Dr. Robert Cialdini!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robert.cialdini
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RobertCialdini
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamrobertcialdini/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertcialdini/

Unleashing the Power of Persuasion: Insights from Dr. Robert Cialdini

In the world of influence and persuasion, few names carry as much weight as Dr. Robert Cialdini. As a renowned expert in the field, Dr. Cialdini has dedicated his career to unraveling the secrets behind human behavior and decision-making. In a recent episode of the Beyond Your WHY Podcast, hosted by Dr. Gary Sanchez, Dr. Cialdini shared valuable insights into the art of persuasion and the seven universal principles of influence. Join us as we delve into the highlights of this episode, exploring the importance of Dr. Cialdini’s work and discovering how you can leverage his expertise to enhance your copywriting and SEO strategies.

Understanding the Seven Universal Principles of Influence

Dr. Cialdini’s extensive research has identified seven universal principles of influence: reciprocation, liking, authority, social proof, scarcity, commitment consistency, and unity. By grasping these principles and integrating them into your messaging, you can significantly increase the likelihood of eliciting a positive response from your target audience.

The Power of Reciprocity: Giving First

One of the major takeaways from the episode is the importance of giving value, benefits, and positive attitude before making a request. Dr. Cialdini emphasizes that by going above and beyond for your audience or customers, you create a sense of reciprocity, leading them to feel obligated to reciprocate your actions.

Strategies for Effective Persuasion

Dr. Cialdini provides actionable strategies for effective persuasion. He highlights the significance of finding genuine similarities and offering genuine compliments to build rapport with your audience. Leveraging authority and social proof can help reduce uncertainty, as people tend to follow the recommendations of experts and the actions of their peers. Additionally, highlighting scarcity and promoting commitment consistency can further enhance the persuasive impact of your message.

The Importance of Dr. Robert Cialdini’s Work

Dr. Cialdini’s research and expertise in influence and persuasion have revolutionized our understanding of human behavior. His work has not only influenced the field of psychology but has also made a significant impact on marketing, sales, and business strategies worldwide. Through his groundbreaking book “Influence,” Dr. Cialdini has become a trusted authority, guiding businesses and individuals toward more effective communication and persuasion techniques.

The Beyond Your WHY Podcast episode featuring Dr. Robert Cialdini offers invaluable insights into the power of persuasion. By implementing the seven universal principles of influence and incorporating the strategies shared by Dr. Cialdini, you can enhance your ability to engage and persuade your target audience effectively. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn from one of the foremost authorities on influence and persuasion. Unlock the secrets of persuasion, elevate your copywriting and SEO efforts, and start achieving remarkable results in your communications. Tune in to the episode today and unleash the power of persuasion in your endeavors.

About Dr. Robert Cialdini

Robert-Cialdini-BYWP-square

Robert Cialdini, a thought leader in the fields of influence and persuasion, has spent his career publishing scientific research on what causes people to say “Yes” to requests. The results of his research, his ensuing articles, and his New York Times bestselling books have led to his election to the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Science.

His 7 Principles of Persuasion have become a cornerstone for any organization serious about increasing its influence
significantly, while doing so ethically.

As a keynote speaker, Dr. Cialdini is renowned for his ability
to translate the science of influence through valuable and
indelible stories that lend themselves to long-term business
applications.

His books, including his New York Times Bestselling Influence and Pre-Suasion, have sold more than seven-million copies in 44 languages. As a result, he is frequently regarded as
“The Godfather of Influence”.

Categories
Personal WHY.os WHY WHY.os

5 Tips to Start Living Your WHY.os

We all have a WHY – an inner voice that drives us and motivates us to make decisions and pursue our dreams. In today’s world, understanding your WHY is critical for personal and professional growth. If you’re reading this my guess is you already knew that. 😉

via GIPHY

So let’s get into it.

Step 1: Take the WHY.os Discovery & Talk About Your Results

The best way to get to know your WHY.os is to, you guessed it, take the WHY.os Discovery! 10 minutes of your time and you’ll have your results and can start diving into what your specific WHY.os means and how to live into it.
Before you really start overthinking and making this more complicated than it is, just ask yourself, “How do I feel about these results?” If you’re not sure, the easiest way to really know is to talk to your friends and family about your results. Do they think it sounds like you?
Tip: Before you tell them your results, ask them what they think your WHY.os is and compare it to the results you got.
So you’ve taken the discovery and talked about your results with people in your life, now what? It’s important to remember that living into your WHY.os may not happen instantly. We don’t expect you to have it all figured out right away, but now that you know what your WHY.os is, it’s time to connect the dots.

Step 2: Reflect on Your Childhood and Early Influences

We all know that your childhood experiences have a profound impact on who you become as an adult. When examining your WHY.os, it can be helpful to reflect on these influences to better understand your results.
Ask yourself questions like, “What values did my parents emphasize when I was growing up? What do I remember most about my childhood and what did I learn from that? How have my early influences shaped who I am today? Are there times from my childhood that I saw my WHY play out, my HOW shine bright, or my WHAT take center stage?”
Answering these questions will not only help you gain insight into yourself but also give you more confidence in how to live into your WHY.os. As Coach Danica Trebel put it, “Discovering your WHY.os is like remembering who you were before the world told you who you weren’t.”

via GIPHY

Step 3: Identify Your Natural Strengths and Talents

Another great way to understand your WHY.os is to look at your natural strengths and talents. What have you always been naturally good at? What excites you? When do you find yourself in the flow and what activities bring out the best in you?
Take some time to really explore your natural strengths and talents, as this is often an indication of what drives us. If something feels right deep down inside, then chances are that’s where your WHY lies. For example, if you feel a strong sense of ownership and passion when it comes to problem-solving, then you may have the WHY of Make Sense.
Take the time to explore yourself and find out what makes you tick.

Step 4: Analyze Your Life Experiences

Our experiences shape us in countless ways and reflecting on these can help you understand your WHY.os.
Think back to a time when you faced something challenging. What was it? How did you react during the challenging time? What choices did you make that could be reflective of your WHY.os?
For example: A friend of mine, let’s call her Sarah, has the WHY.os of Contribute, Simplify, Right Way. A challenge she is facing is being drained and burnt out by her job. She enjoys the overall work but she works long, grueling hours and always feels there is more to be done. She gets pulled into work on her days off and even when she’s at the dinner table. She is amazing at her job because she has found ways to not only save the company by cutting costs but has found a way to do three jobs at once. Needless to say, the company finds her invaluable but she feels extreme burnout!
Examining Sarah’s WHY.os, can you see where the challenge is coming from?
Being a Contribute, Simplify, Right Way she is always driven to do more, contribute more, make a bigger impact. She has a gift for simplifying the work needed to be done and always finds the right way to do it. But with that, comes more and more work until she can’t work anymore. It’s no wonder she is feeling burnt out!
By reflecting on her WHY.os, Sarah can now see that she is letting her Contribute bog her down. She is always going to want to jump in and help but needs to learn how to say no, delegate tasks, or hire a team member to help take on the workload. This would allow her to focus on her, and only her, work even though she has the talent to take it all on. This makes for a much more manageable work experience.

Step 5: Make An Action Plan

Make a plan, and start small. Take the exercises above and break them down.
Once you’ve worked through those exercises, it’s time to let your WHY.os start working for you and with you. You now know the things that give you energy because those things are in line with your WHY.os and always have been, do you see?

BONUS STEPS:

via GIPHY

STEP 6: Find Your Community

Remember when I said that thing about “You’ll know it when you can say it.” Well now is your chance.

The best way to get to know your WHY.os, ask the questions you want, and explore the WHY in depth is to follow us on social and interact with our large network. Joining a group of like-minded individuals will allow you to talk about it more and connect even deeper. We have a large community all across the world and we are all here to help you on your journey.

Plus, it’s always good to have people cheering you on in life!

STEP 7: Take Advantage of Our Resources

  • Sign up for the Personal WHY.os Online Course where you can dive even deeper into the WHY.os, learn how we came up with the Discovery, brain biology and more.
  • Join our mailing list to receive monthly tips and resources for exploring the intricacies of your WHY, plus a fun “WHYology” report for living more intentionally with your WHY.os!
  • Make sure you are subscribed to this blog where we will be writing about life tips, marketing with your WHY, business tips, and more.

By taking the time to explore your WHY.os and making it a part of your everyday life, you can begin to create an intentional life that aligns with what matters most to you. You will have clarity on why certain things give you energy and why others do not, and what you need to do in order to make your life the very best it can be.

Now go forth and start living your WHY.os!

 

Ready for more? Check out our Personal WHY.os Online Course, sign up for our mailing list, join the conversation on social, or just start exploring today! There is no wrong way to do this – the only thing that matters is that you have the courage to start living intentionally. Good luck! 💪🏼 🌈 🎉 🤩

 

The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step – let’s get started on yours today! 🚀✨

 

Happy Exploring! 😊☀
Categories
Contribute Personal WHY.os WHY

Finding My Compass

A Lost Puppy

I discovered my WHY back in 2015 – a sophomore in college with little respect to what I was doing in my life. I felt like everyone had it figured out, they found the secret sauce and those sons of bees were keeping it from me. While everyone else walked through life with confidence and purpose I just sort of walked – hoping life would figure its self out. I was going to my classes, getting decent grades, and doing everything I was supposed to be doing but for someone who had her whole life ahead of her, I was lost.

I had no real idea what I wanted to do and was just living life day-to-day, hoping that I would magically find the path I was meant to be on. Well,  a turning point came when my best friends and I went to dinner with Dr. Sanchez (p.s. my best friend is his daughter so no this was not an uncommon occurrence). Little did I know, this dinner would change the trajectory of my life.

 

When A Better Way Finds You

I won’t go into too much  detail but let’s just say I was given my WHY and may or may not have cried while salads were being served. It was an emotional, deeply psychological grilling, or at least thats what it felt like.  By the end of it, I found out that my WHY is to Contribute, to have an impact in the lives of others. To make a difference.

It all started to make sense why I felt so lost. I wasn’t doing anything to make a real impact. I was always there for my friends and trust me I gave my share of unsolicited advice whether they wanted it or not, but my current reality was me only serving myself, for the most part. I didn’t know that I needed to be involved in causes – places where I could make a difference and have an impact. And that realization lead me to my path. It brought clarity and certainty that I would never be happy with what I was doing and that changes needed to be made. These changes didn’t feel so scary because I finally had a north star to follow – my WHY.

Now What gif

Now What?

So why am I telling you this and why should you care? Well, you don’t necessarily have to give a dang about my life or my story but I am sure you’ve been in a place where you felt lost and unsure of your path just like me. If you’re reading this, you’ve likely discovered your WHY too and hopefully you had the ‘ah-ha moment’ like me but if you haven’t yet than I hope my ‘WHY in Life’ blog can help you put your WHY in focus. As a Contribute, you already know that what gives me energy is helping others and that’s what I’m here to do.

Welcome to the WHY in Life blog, a new publication for those seeking more clarity on how to live their WHY to the fullest. I will be posting advice, monthly challenges, and diving deep into what it means to have each WHY so you can learn how to live your WHY to the absolute fullest. I will be available for any questions you have, you can think of me as your “WHY Yoda,” although I won’t pretend I’m a master but I will do everything I can to help.

Buckle up and join me on this ride – it’s gonna be a bumpy one but we’ll come out victorious on the other side.