I received a gratitude journal from a friend. At the time, I thought it was the coolest gift. But I was early in my gratitude practice and I got to the point where I was recording the same things that I was grateful for, over and over again.

So I quit. No more entries.

A few years ago, I created something–a set of five statements–I say to myself every morning when I wake up; a personal mantra if you will. I’m not sure what compelled me to do this, but as I journaled early one morning, I started writing words and phrases that would trigger positive thoughts, reminding me to approach each day in a meaningful, authentic, productive way.

“People don’t think like you.”

I heard this from 3 different people, recently.

The insight causes me to pause and at the same time, inspires me. 

On one hand, I have moments of feeling like people don’t “get me”  or “it.”

On the other hand, unconventional thinking is required to stand out, create change, and to be bold enough to drive a movement, as a force for good. 

Are you more successful than you ever thought you’d be? Are your bank accounts and trophy cases full?

Are people whispering behind your back about how nice it must be to be you?

If this is true for you, congratulations! Despite what some people might want to believe, not much is given in this world. So, if you’ve ‘arrived’, there’s more than a good chance that it’s because of the effort and commitment you put into a pursuit that mattered to you and to a lot of other people (i.e. customers, colleagues, investors, etc.). In other words, you’ve earned it!

It didn’t start out as a movement. 

Honestly, I started the Elevating Humanity Through Leadership Event as a stretch for myself. To have a new experience in life. To challenge my growth by stepping into something bigger. 

I knew I wanted the event to be purposeful and transformative - inspired from the work I do with my clients.