Discovering Purpose Without a Map

Do you remember what it was like to navigate your way somewhere new in the days before GPS? For digital natives, a roadmap or an atlas is an archaic relic of the past. Something that may soon only be found in the Smithsonian.I grew up using maps and atlases. For me, being kinetically-challenged, refolding the map was usually an exercise in futility. I remember how excited I was to get my hands finally on a spiral bound Rand-McNally Atlas. For me, that ranks up there with sliced bread and the Gutenberg Press. Perhaps, equating it with the Gutenberg Press is a stretch, but sliced bread for sure.

Old School Navigation

But what happens when your travels lead you to go somewhere for which you have no map? Imagine yourself in the 1800s traveling The Oregon Trail with Lewis and Clark. You’ve seen it on the map, right? You can trace the route they took from Missouri to Oregon. But remember, that map did not exist when they left Missouri, they plowed the way.Or maybe you prefer the open sea and envision being with Balboa on that first voyage to the Pacific 300+ years before Lewis and Clark? He made it with neither a map nor GPS.Consider the adventure, when instead of having a carefully mapped turn-by-turn route or a smart-phone providing step-by-step instructions, “Turn right in 400 feet”, all you have is a general sense of direction and a compass? Then, what would you do?That’s what I’ve been doing for the past 60 days — operating with a compass and not a map. It’s been exhilarating, although I do miss the voice prompts arriving via a British accent.

A 60-Day Journey Without a Map

Let me explain. I invite you to come along with me on this short journey.If you’ve been reading my blog, you know part of this story. Otherwise, this is news to you.In mid-May while sitting at the beach and staring into the Gulf of Mexico, I had an idea just appear. Poof! Pop! It was one of those out-of-nowhere, epiphany moments. I have my personal beliefs that help explain its source, but I won’t go into that now.The idea? Go on a blogging blitz. I was in the final 3-days of my 66-Day writing challenge of a Time Blocking Mastery Program and wondering what to do next to continue my new writing habit.I’ve blogged for years now. Originally pontificating my beliefs about non-profit boards and organizational sustainability. Yeah, I know, you can’t wait to read those. Then for a couple of years on Servant Leadership.But this was going to be different. I committed to exploring a variety of topics and post three times a week for six weeks.Two days into the six weeks, a friend, Chris Cannon said, “Hey Kevin, you ought to start a Facebook Group.”“Why would I do that? I don’t even like Facebook. I’m a LinkedIn and Twitter guy.”The very next day, Michael Hudson, my accountability and thinking partner, said, “You know Kevin, you should start a Facebook Group to go along with this blogging blitz.”My initial response was something like, “Not you too! My friend Chris, whom you don’t know, told me the same thing yesterday.” [Now, I can be slow, after all, I grew up in the South, but I’m not that slow.] “Hmm, let me think about it.”A day or two later, there I was sitting in front of my computer figuring out how to create a Facebook Group. Fortunately, they had told me I had to come up with a name. There was plenty they didn’t say that I was trying to figure out as I set up this group.But who would join?I am sure I could have Googled and found someone offering a course on “How To Achieve Worldwide Domination with Facebook Groups in 90-Days.” With my track record, I would have bought it. Started studying, created a mission statement, developed a one-page strategic plan accompanied by a one-page (or more) marketing plan. At that route, I’d probably still be about 90 days away from the launch date.Instead, I was operating with my new mindset and mantra — “Affinity for Action”. Being intimately familiar with how hard it is to steer a parked car, I have committed to over-acting rather than over-thinking. Inspired by Nike, I was “just doing it.”I’ve been “just doing it” for two months now. Doing what, you might ask?

Living Your WHY

Growing an online community of amazing people from around the world who are all intent on pursuing their purpose in life. We call it, Living Your WHY.No road map, no strategic plan, no marketing plan. Just an idea, a whole lot of passion, and an amazing network of people. I now realize that Living Your WHY is a culmination of all of my work up to this point.As a consultant, speaker, and coach, I have met thousands of amazing people from all parts of the world. What makes each of them amazing is their passion for living their why. I realized this while pondering that question, but who will join?I started by going through my address book and thinking about people I had met through my days in Corporate America, government consulting, the nonprofit world, faith communities, social enterprise, and Servant Leadership. The ONE common characteristic shared by them all, regardless of sector, nationality, or faith was they are living their why. They are passionately pursuing purpose.Looking back, here’s the path I’ve traveled.I had an idea while sitting on a beach in Florida. I took action on that one idea, and it led to other ideas — getting by with a little help from my friends. That idea resonated with others. So, they joined. Some of them invited incredible they know who are living their why.[clickToTweet tweet="Want to know the number one reason people join anything? Wait for it...”somebody asked”. " quote="Want to know the number one reason people join anything? Wait for it, ”somebody asked”. "]I asked. People joined. Some out of genuine interest, others out of kindness, a few out of curiosity, and perhaps a few out of obligation (they just can’t say no to a friend.)Along the way, several dear friends have asked, “So what’s your plan?” I love the variety of  responses I received when I said, “I don’t have one.” As a professional consultant, I am embarrassed about that or have been.That is, until yesterday morning. As I sat on our porch journaling, here are the words that flowed,  “I would feel better with a map or a plan. Right now all I have is a compass.” (those are the exact words copied from my journal).[clickToTweet tweet="If pioneering new territory without a map, use your compass. Keep heading in the right direction." quote="When pioneering new territory and you don’t have a map, use your compass. Keep heading in the right direction."]As I typed those words, suddenly I was grateful that at least I have a compass. While I don’t know the turn-by-turn and cannot give you a strategic plan or even a sketch on a cocktail napkin, I know the direction we’re heading.We are creating a community where we encourage everyone to get busy Living Your WHY. And we would be honored for you to join the adventure. Learn more here.And the next time you find yourself navigating new territory for which you don’t have a map, use the tool available to Balboa, Lewis, and Clark; rely on your compass.