Tuesday at 2:00pm with Russ

It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)

I don't know about you, but I need to be inspired!

I look for inspiration all around me.

I look to many of you for that inspiration as you lead in so many different settings, cultures, locations and organizations.

During this crazy "season" that we've all been in that has been full of unexpected challenges, regular changes and a blend of fear and discouragement, I found a source of inspiration when a friend recommended it and I began to listen to a podcast on my daily walks.

Today's note might sound like a commercial, but I wanted to share with you the source of some of my inspiration over the past number of months.

Guy Raz has a podcast called "How I Built This" on NPR (National Public Radio) here in the U.S.A. In each episode, he tells a story about some of the worlds "best know companies and the innovators, entrepreneurs and idealists and the movements they built."

I began listening to these stories, and:

  • I was inspired by the vision of these leaders and the way they saw things that no one else saw.

  • I was reminded that leadership is difficult in the wake of mistakes and failure, but that failure isn't always fatal.

  • I was encouraged by the power of friends and family who believe in something bigger and want to make a difference.

  • I realized that I, as a dreamer and an entrepreneur, am not alone. There are so many other people on similar journey's, learning along the way.

My Tuesday At 2:00pm note is really targeted to non-profit leaders around the world and those that want to come alongside non-profit leaders and help them create a bigger impact.

I've been inspired and encouraged as I've listened to these stories and now as I read them. His book, "How I Built This" is now available.

We all need to be inspired.

Leadership is lonely and challenging, and it's even more challenging in the wake of all that is going on in our world.

Today, I just want to share some resources that will encourage you. You can buy or download the book, you can listen to his podcast for free, he has a series of podcasts called "How I Built Resilience" for leaders struggling, you can check out the interview with Tim Ferriss, or you can identify some other sources of inspiration (please be sure to share those with us HERE). The links for these are below.

Whatever is going on in your life, STOP and be inspired!

Remember that you're not alone.

Remember that what you're doing IS making a difference in the lives of people living in some really difficult situations.

Remember that while we can find inspiration and encouragement from those around us, we can receive HOPE from the One who created it all, Jesus Christ.

Here's a short book review clip:

"At the deepest level, How I Built This is about who these successful entrepreneurs were when they were lying on the bathroom floor crying about a failure or crisis - because that's relatable for all of us." Guy Raz

"There is a name for a person who creates something purely out of passion: HOBBYIST. There is a name for a person who creates something out of passion that solves a problem only they have: TINKERER. There is a name for a person who creates something out of passion that also solves a problem they share with lots of other people: ENTREPRENEUR" Guy Raz

"The best way out is always through" Robert Frost

 

Things I'm Reading and Listening To This Week:

Source: www.leadermundial.org