Inaugural Post: Clarity, Work, and Your Story

Stoke the fire

This was the first post in the work that became ThinkMoveThrive. I called the blog “Stoke the Fire” because I wanted its ideas to help people keep asking great questions, reflect, and move toward their potential. I enjoy sitting near a crackling fire. As the heat pours out of the fire, the flames begin to die down. Left untouched, the flames eventually turn to embers and the beauty and warmth of the fire dissipate. However, when someone comes and stirs the embers, the fire kicks back up and the flames burst out again. We all need a “stoke” in our lives. Sometimes we need to be stirred, challenged, or pushed. That was the hope in launching this work.

I never set out to start a blog, build a website, or even write a book. The work that became ThinkMoveThrive began with coaching and developing individuals at work, on little league teams, in church small groups, and in so many other areas of life. I found myself spending more of my business hours helping people than working on strategy and process because the latter seemed to take care of itself when people were healthy and engaged. I took some of the principles I was using to help employees at work and wrote them down. Then someone asked if we could turn them into a workshop for their employees. That early work grew into books, a podcast, and the resources I share here.

Radical clarity

I believe that we have lost our way. I think in the 21st century, we have been deafened by the static of our culture, of our gadgets, and the magnitude of choices we make every day. We are growing more isolated, more polarized, and have a hard time listening and being authentic. ThinkMoveThrive seeks to be a small corner of the world where we can relax, think, find encouragement, and create movement.

Our thoughts inform our beliefs and values, our beliefs inform our emotions, our emotions drive our actions, and our actions create our reality. The problem with living in an extremely busy and noisy culture is that few people stop and reflect. They rarely ask important questions that may be painful or insightful. So they just founder. They are tossed about at work, at home, in relationships, and lack peace and joy.

We believe one solution is to help people create radical clarity. It’s the kind of clarity people experience during “ah-ha” moments or revelations. The power of radical clarity is so strong that it drives your choices and behaviors. It’s the clarity that people experience when they quit smoking and never look back; when they leave a bad relationship despite the fear of the unknown; when they sell a business or change careers; when they start a new venture or move to another country.

How can this work help you cultivate radical clarity? I can help you stop and think. Through books, tools, equipping experiences, and free online content, I want to increase your self-awareness and perception of the world. I can partner with you in finding out what makes you tick, what brings you joy, what is holding you back, and what you really want in life. Then I can encourage you to move toward it systematically and with purpose.

Enlightened business

Most of our waking hours each week are spent at work. Business can get a bad wrap, and many people have experienced the negative aspects of a bad boss, being laid off, or ugly coworkers. However, don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. No one achieves anything of significance as an island of one. To maximize our impact, we need to work with others. We need to be part of and/or build a winning team.

I believe businesses are simply platforms that give people opportunities to maximize their contribution to the world. I know the hard-core capitalist will feel uncomfortable with that statement because businesses exist to make money. I agree. I just have higher expectations for business. Thinking the SOLE purpose of business is to make money is like thinking your car’s sole purpose is to crank in the morning. You need your car to take you safely to work, to your child’s soccer game, or a date. Like your car, business can be more.

That is why this work not only focuses on the individual but also builds tools to help the systems (i.e.: business) around the individual. You may learn how to change your perspective and grow in accountability. However, if the business environment does not value accountability, it can be an uphill battle.

My aim to help businesses work on their people-systems as much as they work on their operation or information systems. We have a vision of people spending their days performing meaningful work in jobs that capitalize on their strengths. It’s possible. I have been a part of creating these companies in several different industries throughout my career.

Your story

This work is meant to help people craft and live their stories. People can learn to write, or rewrite, the story of where they came from, where they are, and, most importantly, where they are going and how they plan to get there. My aim is to equip you for your journey, enlighten your mind, help you discover truth, and enjoy the process of achieving your potential.

Thanks for reading. I hope you will explore the site, use the resources, and stay connected as I share new tools and ideas.

I look forward to continuing the conversation.