The answer

We often become perplexed and sometimes annoyed by leaders who answer questions with a question. This Socratic method of teaching is quite genius because traditional education teaches us otherwise. We’re taught that there is often a definitive answer out there and/or path to take in order to acquire something. We were never really challenged to search within ourselves to illuminate our own truths, to search for our own answers.

This morning…I cried during my meditation.

The first time that happened was during the summer time, and when it happened, I immediately checked in with my life-coach for an answer on what that could be about. He simply said, “trust your gut…sounds like you’ve stumbled across some truth!”

“Truth!”…with an exclamation point…as if this was something to be excited about. I’m cryin’ over here and you’re excited? I later realized, he was excited because tears meant truth and truth meant a breakthrough was just around the corner.

The great part about these kinds of lessons is that once you’ve been through it before, recognizing what’s happening when it happens again, makes the process a lot easier. At this point, you know where to check in with yourself. You can look back at your values and assess where you were  out of integrity, or you can repeatedly ask yourself why to what’s causing that uneasiness or internal conflict. Repeated questioning gets us closer and closer to the root cause…our truth.

We must start with why.

It’s easier to reveal your own answer when you know where to start.

But what remains difficult, is that once we’ve  identified that truth, we must make a decision.

To act or not to act. Because either way our action or inaction will say something and even with that…there are no guarantees.

Why I went dark

A 30 day yotherescampbell.com sabbatical…what gives?

You’re probably thinking…I thought you were all about “honoring your commitments” and finishing out that video challenge. Where’s the honor in that?

Here’s the deal.

I went dark because I needed to retreat to a quiet place so that I could really focus. I needed to turn off everything and search within to determine how I would approach not just the last 30 days of my life but the remainder going forward.

The video challenge taught me two very important things about myself. I really do enjoy creating videos; however, I have no desire to edit them. And while I am a disciplined person, I wasn’t feeling fired up to create a video every single day for 30 days.

For me, this year has been all about living my calling (using my signature strengths on a daily basis) while being guided by my personal values.

What are my core values?

  1. God
  2. Authenticity
  3. Integrity
  4. Love
  5. Inspiration

By saying, you know what?…this video challenge really isn’t working out for me right now, at this point in my life, was actually a form of me staying in integrity and being true to myself. Talk about authenticity. Truth is…I needed to focus on my passion project by continuing to work my calling and my career.

I spent the last 30 days intensely focused on doing the work and while I am tired, I am fulfilled. While I am confident, I am calculated. While I am bound…I am free.

It feels good to be back.

Do What You Say You’re Going to Do

Seth Godin calls it “shipping.” Couples call it “commitment.” Friends call it “trust.” Either way…when you do what you say you’re going to do life just feels better.

Is this something I need to work on? Absolutely!

In the past I didn’t really focus on keeping up with my commitments because while I was overextended, believe it or not, I still had the bandwidth to do what I needed to do, and do it very well.  These days, I’ve been working a ton on my passion project…you know, the work that makes me come alive. The work that I can get lost in for hours, and I’m not even getting paid to do. My calling. While this is great…the time I use on my passion project spills over into the time I have allocated for other things; and as a result,  I’ve found myself slipping.

So…to counteract this, I’ve had to whip out the “P” word. PROMISE. I have a handful of people over the last 60 days in all areas of my life that I told I would do something and I haven’t gotten to it yet. Surprisingly, they are not mad. They know what I’ve been doing in my spare time and are so understanding. However, I know that long-term success comes from doing what I say I’m going to do. Shipping the project, keeping that commitment, and honoring the trust that I have worked hard to earn over the years. So if it takes using the “P” word to course correct…I’m game. All the while realizing that in the grand scheme of things this is not a game. My word is my bond and at the end of the day…those words say a lot about my personal integrity. I want to remain whole and it will start and end with honoring my commitments. It really is that simple.

Are you doing what you’re saying your going to do?