Skip to main content

A Career Becomes a Mission

or

Rants, Chance and Grants

"What are we going to do about it?" I complained.

I'm not sure which time I'm referring to here, but I've said that - a lot. Even though I always felt I was doing something, I was never quite sure what it was. I was busy. I did a lot of stuff. Consistently inconsistent, my dad calls it and until recently, I agreed fully.

"Well, what are 'ya gonna do?" my mother's family would chime in when my mom voiced a concern. Though they had seen and been through much, their lackadaisical attitude always put go getters like my mother and myself a little on edge. "Something", I'd reply internally anytime I heard such statements, but also knew my rants were somewhat the same.

If you've known me long, you'll know reading, writing and study come as often as sleep, work and visiting. I'm infinitely curious and topics of interest vary widely. With a focus on learning and communicating, stimulated by the world around me, I often notice reactions to energy or information from those with whom I interact. Though I see value in interactions, they still aren't actions and we seem to be living in a time filled with need for action. I grew up with parents who taught by example how to act on ones beliefs and it resulted in working in nursing homes, for great companies or people and volunteering randomly all the time. I've loved it - even though their has been significant turbulence - I have felt blessed with great family, friends, opportunities and talents. Until recently, it was a career, a lifestyle and a daily decision on how to live.

Now, my work and life have become a mission.

Clean technology was introduced to me via an incredible individual involved in energy efficiency, the environment and other pursuits. Through him, I came to know the individuals and organization that comprise The Clean Tech Open, where I've learned even more about evolutionary innovations in a wide array of fields. Shortly after, Josh Anderson introduced me to Jerrick and Doug, two individuals working on their own areas of clean tech but specifically interested in a product line called Ergofit, powered by Micro-Mix.

Let me digress for a minute. Do you ever have those moments where you feel like Emmit in the Lego Movie? Where all the pieces you've known leap out and show you what's next? As I go through the clean tech arena, as I meet people in this industry and as I find projects I can help to move forward in some meaningful way, I feel similar. From my first introduction to my most recent, there are elements that are what I can only describe as divine. Random 'accidents' or 'mistakes', happenchance meetings and re-kindling of long lost or forgotten relationships. They have all contributed to my knowing that I am in the right place, at the right time to put myself full on into the work I was meant for and that can help generations to come. I'm grateful for the opportunities that have been given and am putting in the time to learn, inquire and apply for new information , putting my abilities and resources to work.

Having clarity on my mission is helping me to make decisions I didn't always know how to make before. Not always was it clear who to pursue as a client, what to do with my weekends, how to interact or what to do next. I've had many opportunities to create business, brands and company goals, but this past week, I developed my first, true mission statement. The website, the associated projects, grants and other components are coming now that it is clear:
 "We utilize pro-motion marketing and the arts with integrated business development to save lives and promote global health."

Yes. It's lofty.

This week comes the review and submission for a program with the IVCC for the cure of malaria. Sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation, this is an opportunity to take existing work we are doing at my company and bring it to a whole new level.


We are currently working with Dixie State U and the Mosquito Abatement Districts here in Utah and have resources both in the US and Internationally to help move forward. Additionally, I have another new opportunity in clean technology this coming week because I've stayed persistent for two years on one company I met over a police standoff outside my office. It is a much slower market than I'm used to, but it's worth it.

A professional life of purpose, meaning and devotion.
It's beautiful.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Clearing out your spaces

For the last part of 2011, I suggest on my Facebook page and will duplicate the suggestion here, that you clean out your spaces. From offices to people, from thoughts to visualizations, it's time to clean up anything that stands between you and your goals for the future. 2012 is going to be monumental-where do you want to be? Head into that office space, tackle the filing cabinet and get an orderly system together so that you can be successful and calm while you complete tasls and meet goals. You will feel better and more focused if you know where your working items are and your space will be supportive of you meeting your goals and making it through obstacles. Put up an old fashioned calendar to keep you reminded of important dates and meeting times before they get there. Think of what you will need to succeed and contact anyone you could use for advice and mentoring. Your thoughts will create your reality and if there are any blank spaces or questions, use your social media or ...

I love Memorial Day (and leave the BBQ's alone)

I love memorial day. I didn't used to think of it much and I BBQ all the time, so I'm not too impressed with all those cartoons running around. I love memorial day because I get to officially remember people, many of whom I think about consistently but It wasn't always this way. Remembering can be hard and (in my opinion) paying tribute to those memories are an individual choice. I was living away from my family, in Arizona and married to an individual that didn't prefer me having any connections to people outside of him. My grandmothers both passed away in this time and I was unaware. My grandmother in Florida was an adorable little woman when I got to know her as a young kid. From my mom's stories, I know it wasn't always that way. Grandma Gron had to be tough to live through my grandpa and I promise you, tough is an understatement. She raised three children and my mother is of the best I have the pleasure of knowing or to know or know of. I remember and c...

Marketing Workshops Coming Right Up!

I've been asked quite a few times in the past year to do training sessions for companies, Chamber of Commerce and expo events and now, we have a home to do them consistently. The first session will be on November 16th and will focus on custom apps for your business and online optimization. These two mission critical topics will be discussed and you'll get some great materials to take with you as well as free and discounted resources. There's never been a time in my life where I haven't enjoyed public speaking. From getting lost at Johanna's Kitchen as a kid to speaking at the United Mosquito Abatement Association's annual event last year, there are not a lot of topics that scare me. It's pretty exciting to now have a home where I can teach whenever I want and I'd love your support for our first sessions. There will be an hour of training, a half hour of Q&A and you'll leave with step-by-step guides I've created to make your life easier and ...