If something, however, seems to be missing it might be time to pause,
hit the reset button, and ask why you do what you do?

When my father-in-law, in the late 1980s, approached the end of a long career as an engineer, his company provided a series of workshops that addressed the “how” of retirement. Beyond finances, these meetings focused on having something to do moving forward after leaving the workforce.  To what does one commit his/her life force after punching the time card for the last time?

Perhaps you have seen or know people who struggle in retirement. They cannot wait to be done with work so that they can do “what they want when they want.”  Ask them what they have planned, and you might get a recitation of projects: clean the garage, travel, paint the deck, go fishing, play with the grandkids, exercise more, go to the beach, or have coffee with friends.  All worthy activities but something might be missing.  These are projects that, for the most part, will either have an end date soon and/or not connect to a larger goal or drive.

Of and by themselves they (probably) lack a purpose.  Purpose creates a larger meaning, drive, reason, or life direction.  For instance, I might say I want to have more coffee dates with my friends. By itself (probably) a worthy and enjoyable project. Now, if I go further and say I want to have coffee to strike up conversations that will lead to a more collaborative community, there is a larger purpose behind the project.

For the past four years I have recorded and aired one podcast episode each month.  Each individual episode is a project. Taken as a whole, my purpose for the podcasts is to allow guests the opportunity to find, further develop, and/or share their voices for personal growth and resilience.

One more example.  When we engage in a community service activity–like cleanup a park or the waterfront–we participate in a project.  Collectively, all of our community services projects may have the purpose of helping to connect neighbors with one another and the resources around them.

Projects can and will end. Then what? We could go to the next project, and the next, and the next.  If something, however, seems to be missing it might be time to pause, hit the reset button, and ask why you do what you do? Is there a greater purpose that might lead to a more satisfying and balanced life? A life well-lived.

Video Recommendation for the Week

Author and business coach Richard Lieder shares three insights about a life well-lived.

My book,
Community as a Safe Place to Land,
has been released! At this point, you can purchase it on Amazon. More purchasing options coming. More information at www.stevepiscitelli.com.

Make it an inspiring and grateful week and H.T.R.B. as needed.

You can still order my book Stories about Teaching, Learning, and Resilience: No Need to be an Island (2017). Another university recently (February 2019) adopted it for training and coaching purposes. Contact me if you and your team are interested in doing the same.

The paperback price on Amazon is now $12.00 and the Kindle version stands at $3.99. Consider it for a faculty orientation or a mentoring program. The accompanying videos would serve to stimulate community-building conversations at the beginning of a meeting.

My podcasts can be found at The Growth and Resilience Network® (http://stevepiscitelli.com/media-broadcast/podcast).

You will find more about what I do at www.stevepiscitelli.com.

©2019. Steve Piscitelli
The Growth and Resilience Network®