The Blog

 

Insight and Inspiration for Living Your Legacy

How to Change Your Mind personal development storytelling Jul 01, 2019

"Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything." - George Bernard Shaw

You're a lousy listener. So am I. It's a human thing. We're just not programmed to tune in and understand someone else's perspective or experience.

You and I are telling ourselves stories; stories about who we...

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When? personal development Jun 28, 2019

When is the "right" time to step into possibility, develop excellence, and start making a difference in an endeavor you're building?

Most often we decide it's "later." We convince ourselves that we need to learn more, think about it, get our ducks in a row, or wait for the "right" moment.

...

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Just Because You Can, Doesn't Mean You Should. personal development Jun 24, 2019

We live in a time of abundance. Everything you want to have can be delivered to your device or door instantly. Anything you want to share can be delivered the moment you think it or make it.

And yet...

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

But when should you or shouldn't you?

In The...

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Being Creative on Purpose - It Makes All the Difference personal development Jun 21, 2019

I was about to turn 50. I was a husband, father, teacher, and musician. In each of those endeavors, I was doing well enough by anyone's standards.

And yet...

I knew I could do more. I believed I could do better. I was ready to do both more and better in all my endeavors.

But how?

I began by...

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Embracing Dissonance personal development Jun 17, 2019

The history of music, Western music at least, is the story of growing more and more comfortable with dissonance. Over time, our ability to embrace, appreciate, and dance with this tension has increased.

Listen to a Gregorian chant and then tune in to composition by Ornette Coleman and you'll get...

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Stuck or Trouble Starting Your Endeavor? Go Small! personal development Jun 10, 2019

For those that endeavor, the conventional wisdom is "go big or go home." Following this advice is precisely why so few enterprises ever get started or off the ground. Instead of "swinging for the fences" and then quitting when you "strike out," why not strategically "settle" for "base hits?" Why...

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What I've Been Reading - Summer 2019 book recommendations personal development Jun 08, 2019

This article contains affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase, Creative On Purpose receives a commission. Thank you!

"Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.” – Jim Rohn

Books are my go-to source for inspiration and information...

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Endeavor Better - A Quickstart Guide personal development Jun 03, 2019

At the heart of any endeavor is the idea that you enhance your life most through work that enhances the lives of others. Some know what their next project is and who it's for. Others are seeking both an enterprise and an audience for it.

Whichever group you align with, there's always room to...

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Ready? Aim. Let Go! personal development stoicism May 27, 2019

"One’s ultimate aim is to do all in one’s power to shoot straight, and the same applies with our ultimate goal." - Cicero

What is the goal of the archer who steps onto the field, notches her arrow, draws it back, and takes aim at the target?

Most assume that the goal of the archer...

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Commencement personal development May 20, 2019

It's commencement season. One period of life ends, another begins. How are you helping the "graduates" in your life to step into possibility and potential?

Most of us work for a living and we spend a chunk of our lives doing that work. Yet most of us don't much get advice or...

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Perennial personal development May 13, 2019

It’s spring in Southwestern Virginia. Time to make some important decisions about what flowers to plant in the beds around our small home, annuals or perennials?

Here’s the thing. Annuals bloom only once, but they’re brighter, showier, cheaper, and require less care than...

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What's on Your 'Stop-Doing' List? personal development May 06, 2019

I find a to-do list  a seductive way to hide from the real work I need to do. What about you?

Too often my to-do list is full of non-essential tasks  like "organize my top desk drawer." Just as often, my to-do list is made up of outright distractions or tasks that get done automatically...

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