Adam Braun is a New York Times bestselling author and the Founder of Pencils of Promise, an award-winning organization that has broken ground on more than 300 schools for children in poverty around the world. He is also the Director of the Global Education Platform, an initiative conceived by the UN Special Envoy for Global Education to identify and accelerate breakthroughs in learning innovation.

He has been featured as a speaker at The White House, the United Nations and the Clinton Global Initiative. He has also been named to Business Insider’s 40 Under 40, Wired Magazine‘s 50 People Who Are Changing the World, and was selected as one of the World Economic Forum’s first ten “Global Shapers.”

Favorite Success Quote “Live not in dreams, but in contemplation of reality which is perhaps the future. “~Rilke Key Points

1. Passion is Over-rated Purpose is Enduring 

Many of the modern self help “gurus” and speakers talk constantly about finding and pursuing your passions. The simple fact is, passion fades away.

The excitement dies, you get bored, you move on. Purpose however, purpose is enduring.

If you can find your purpose, that one thing that you were put on this earth to do, and pursue it with your whole heart, you will be successful no matter what. 

2. You Cannot Fake Authenticity 

Most people have a built in B.S. detector. They can tell when someone is disingenuous or inauthentic.

If you really want to make a difference in the world, if you really want to have an impact and live a life of purpose and joy, you have to drop the mask and be authentic.

Open up, be vulnerable, share the real you, unabashedly and unashamed of who you are or what people might think.

Many people may dislike you, some may even hate you, but if you try and please everyone, you will end up impacting no one.

3. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

One of the quickest ways to find your purpose, to get on track to live the life of your dreams is to break out of your comfort zone.

Do stuff that scares you, take that class you’ve been putting off, join that men’s group, leave everything and go backpacking across Europe.

Almost no one ever dies wishing that they had spent more time playing it safe. You only get one shot at this life. Put your neck on the line and get uncomfortable!