Have Fun Being Yourself

Kevin talks one-on-one with listeners in this week’s show. It has been 2.5 months since his last solo episode and he has a few thoughts he wants to share with the community.

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His two most recent speaking engagements were the most fun for Kevin because, as he says, “It was the most me I've ever allowed myself to be.” He describes himself as a blue jeans guy, and it was the first time he allowed himself to wear jeans on stage, instead of a suit and tie. His keynote address was about the Superhero syndrome, which was discussed in episode 83 as well as in his Linkedin blog post titled Soft Skills Suck. Soft skills, he says, are really a misnomer because, in today's world of business and life, it takes people skills to succeed. That's the really hard stuff. 

The audience responded well to his presentation and it made him realize that people are tired of being talked at. They want to have conversations. Showing up as his authentic self and having real conversations with his audience really made the experience special. Kevin challenges listeners: What do you want to do that is authentically you despite the expectations others have placed on you?

Overthinking and Underacting

Kevin talks about how the Gratitude Challenge began and where it has reached in such a short time. He is grateful that he took action on the idea instead of overthinking, over-preparing, and underacting as he would usually do. He urges listeners to take action on their ideas: make a minimally viable product, get it out there and see how people respond to it. 

We’re All On the Verge

We all have times when we think: “By now I should…” These thoughts often lead nowhere good.  When Kevin has these thoughts, as he recently did, he calls out in prayer and he reaches out to someone in person. This practice staves off what could have been a series of dark days. What came out of his conversation was that, in one way or another, we’re all on the verge of becoming what we’re capable of. He reflects about he would much rather have the words He was on the verge written on his tombstone than the words He quit. 

The Liminal State

The liminal state is the state between what was and what will be. We are not who we were, yet we've not fully become who we are in the process of becoming. We often express this as: “I will be _____ when _____.” Kevin says that if we believe that we will only be successful when something happens, that day will never come. The moment we reach that milestone we move the bar higher.  We should say instead: “I am ______ now, because _______.”  Even though you may not have or be all that you want at this moment, there are still many things that are beautiful in your life. 

Resources

Join the Gratitude Challenge  

Kevin@higherpurposepodcast.com

Phone: 678-744-5111