When I started out as a coach, “The Big Leap” was one of those books that fellow coaches kept talking about—foundational reading for personal growth.

But as a former English major and MBA, I was skeptical of what I perceived as a particular brand of self-help book.

I bought the book but:

* It collected dust on my nightstand for months

* I almost couldn’t finish Chapter 1 at first 😆

Yet—stay with me here—I’ve come to genuinely love the ideas in this book.

It’s become required reading and a book I recommended regularly to people who want more for themselves.

Why it’s important

“The Big Leap” is ultimately about living your most successful life, but at its core is the idea of living in your genius.

It isn’t written for entrepreneurs explicitly, but I find this idea of genius to be particularly useful for those on the brink of entrepreneurship as well as current entrepreneurs who are still refining what they’re best at.

The book is both aspirational and practical, offering a simple framework for:

* How we can spend more time doing what we love and what we’re great at

* How to identify the forces that hold us back

* How we can create more success in our lives

Of course, we all seek full ownership over our lives and impact, but for entrepreneurs, it’s a deep and considerable motivation.

My favorite ideas

In this week’s podcast episode, I discuss my favorite concepts from the book:

* The Zone of Genius: The activities that hold the keys to our own success and fulfillment

* The Upper Limit Problem: The emotional ceiling we’ve created for ourselves that keeps us from our Zone of Genius

* The Seduction of Excellence: The activities we’re recognized for but that ultimately drain us and keep us from our genius

Take a listen. Enjoy!

- Elliot

Want to read this book? I’ll send a copy to the first 10 people who leave a comment or send me an email sharing what they thought of the episode!

More resources for you

* “Purpose for Entrepreneurs” Group Course: In late April, I’ll be leading a group course for entrepreneurs who want to clarify and build confidence in their purpose. It’ll be an 8-week virtual course limited to 10 people, and I’ll be running it with an amazing fellow coach. Full details coming soon, but if you might be interested, sign up here for updates or send me a note!

* Individual Coaching: I coach experienced, early, and could-be entrepreneurs who want to step more fully into themselves and their vision. If this is you—or if you know anyone who might benefit—I’d love to hear from you. Take a look at my website and click “Let’s Connect” to set up time together. One-third of my clients are referrals, and I appreciate those who share my name with others. 🙏

* This Newsletter: Earlier this month, I wrote an update called “What This is Becoming”, where I talked about how this newsletter and podcast are evolving. I’ll be focusing more on helping entrepreneurs access their inner courage, and I’m working with a podcast coach to keep refining this over the coming months. Check out past episodes here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oncourage.substack.com

This question—”How do I know if I’m on the right path in life?”—is a common one. I’ve certainly wondered this myself, and I’m sure there are people reading this who are asking themselves this question right now.

The intent behind this question is beautiful. If you’re asking yourself this question, it means you’re wanting to take the reigns of your life and be more purposeful in it. We love that.

But I believe the very phrasing of this question is deeply flawed, and ultimately renders it impossible to answer with clarity.

In this episode, I walk through my critique and offer an alternative question! A question that’s more expansive and ultimately more useful.

Key Episode Takeaways:

* Shift Your Question: Instead of asking if you're on the "right path”, ask yourself what you want in life. This simple change opens up possibilities and allows for a more fulfilling exploration.

* Define Your Wants: Take the opportunity to define what you want in life now. Use tools like the Wheel of Life or the 10-Year Plan to clarify your goals and values.

* Find What Works for You: Exploring your desires can be intimidating but it can also be fun! Find the process that feels exciting to you and engage other people as you wish.

* Measure Your Progress: Regularly assess your progress towards your vision using a simple 1-10 scale. This allows you to adjust and ensure you're moving in a direction that aligns with your desires.

* An Ongoing Process: This isn’t a question you ask once and then move on—or something you only ask in a crisis or when in doubt. It’s a question you should continually ask yourself and build on.

If you got any new insights from this episode—or if it’s helped you clarify next steps you can take—I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment or send me a note!

And if you believe this episode can help someone in your life, I encourage you to share it with them.

- Elliot

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oncourage.substack.com

In this episode, I offer a more purposeful, sustainable, and effective way of selling yourself—regardless of your circumstances.

The trap we often fall into is that we make it our goal to close the deal. That’s where our focus and our measure of success goes.

But the trick is to focus on being of service, and orient yourself around that.

This orientation is something I’ve learned in my own process of running my own business, and a need that emerges regularly in my clients. It’s a simple shift that can allow you to navigate sales more easily and also have a bigger impact.

Key Episode Takeaways:

* Selling Yourself with Purpose: Selling yourself is essential for pursuing your ambitions, whether in job interviews, client pitches, or starting a business. However, it often feels uncomfortable or draining.

* The Trap of Closing the Deal: Focusing solely on closing the deal can be counterproductive. It can lead to missing the client's real needs, feeling personal pressure, and creating a win-lose situation.

* Grounding in Service: The key to effective selling is to focus on being of service rather than closing the deal. This approach is empowering, allowing you to fully control what you can control.

* An Actor’s Approach: Bryan Cranston's advice to actors on this topic applies universally. Instead of trying to get the job, focus on presenting the work you do and walking away powerfully.

* Incorporating Service into Your Sales: Define who you serve and how, focusing on the impact you have. Consider how being of service can change your mindset as well as your actions during sales interactions.

* The Bigger Picture: Selling should be part of a continuous effort to be of service, not just in specific moments. Building your connection to being of service will help you sell more effectively, and help you make a bigger impact.

If you got any new insights here—or if you have next steps you want to take as a result of this—I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment or send me a note!

And if you believe this episode can help someone in your life, I encourage you to share it with them.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oncourage.substack.com

In this episode, we delve into the challenging—and common—terrain of a career crossroads.

Many of us have been there—maybe some of us are at one now.

I’ve certainly been there.

Back in 2022, I had just laid myself off and started a sabbatical. I had no idea what was next for me professionally. That’s when a friend recommended the book, “Designing Your Life”, which offered a structured approach to explore my options.

Having experienced its effectiveness firsthand, I now utilize this process with many of my clients facing similar crossroads. In this episode, I delve into this process and share ideas for you to turn your career crossroads into a moment of powerful transformation.

Key Episode Takeaways:

* Recognizing a Career Crossroads: It’s not a career decision or strategy. It’s when you really don’t know what’s next for you. Whether you’re employed or unemployed, take a moment to assess your feelings about your current situation and where you see yourself heading.

* What’s Beneath: Instead of solely viewing a career crossroads as a professional dilemma, consider it a broader life crossroads—an opportunity for holistic personal growth.

* Why Navigating It Is Hard: Attempting to solve life problems with career tools is ineffective and often leads to feelings of pressure and urgency. These factors hinder our ability to engage in a thoughtful exploration process.

* See the Opportunity: Prior to taking action, it's essential to cultivate self-awareness of your own crossroads. Zoom out to see the bigger picture and embrace the journey as a transformative experience.

* The "Designing Your Life" Methodology: Leveraging the principles outlined in the book "Designing Your Life" provides a structured and flexible approach. It helps you explore various life paths and gain clarity on your next steps.

* The “Odyssey Plan” Worksheet: This concise, 5-step process can be completed in under an hour. It offers a powerful tool to imagine possibilities, address lingering questions, and move yourself forward. I share personal insights on completing the worksheet effectively.

* Tips for Success: To maximize the benefits of this process, allow yourself to dream freely and prioritize learning. Choose a stimulating environment to complete the worksheet, and consider setting a time limit to maintain creativity and focus.

There are many people at a crossroads who need support. If you believe this episode can help them, I encourage you to share it.

- Elliot

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oncourage.substack.com

I’ve loved putting this series together, and it’s been so great to hear from those of you who have connected to it. Your feedback inspires me to want to make the power of purpose even more accessible!

If you’ve been following along (or even if you haven’t), here’s what we’ve covered so far in this series…

Part 1: What is a Purpose?

The myths we tell ourselves about purpose

The way purpose is a Swiss Army knife of a life tool

Part 2: How to Connect to Your Purpose

Four different ways to get closer to your purpose

My favorite approach for drafting a purpose statement

And here’s what we cover in Part 3: How to Live from Your Purpose

Answering the question: “How can I bring my purpose to life?”

In other words, how do we go from words on a page to putting your purpose to use in the world?

To that end, I’ve developed this 4Cs Framework:

Clarify It: understand what your purpose is truly all about

Choose It: find ways to step into your purpose more consistently

Be Confident In It: develop your unique authority over your purpose

Connect It: see your life and the world through the lens of your purpose

I walk through each of these with specific activities and examples, and discuss how each of these elements reinforce one another. As you build these muscles, operating from your purpose eventually becomes second-nature.

I hope you find it useful.

- Elliot

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oncourage.substack.com

This is the second episode in a 3-part series devoted to purpose. Check out the first episode, What is a Purpose?, and the next episode, How to Live from Your Purpose. If you liked this episode, give the heart button above a tap or share it with someone who needs to hear it. 🙏

If you want to get closer to your purpose, common wisdom will tell you to take a journey to find it. "Go out and discover what gives you purpose..." Unfortunately, that's very broad and difficult to act on. I believe purpose is already within you, and so you don't need to go far to get closer to it. You just need a process to connect with it.

In this episode, I walk through five different approaches you can take to get closer to your purpose. I share what I appreciate about each of them and what I believe can be challenging.

I also lift the curtain on what I use in my own coaching practice—the same process that helped me personally connect to my own purpose. Here are the approaches I cover:

* The Question Game❓ provocative but too vague

* Outsourcing It ↗ feels good but isn't purpose

* Exploring Yourself ✍ always helpful but hard to connect the dots

* The Venn Diagram 📋 most popular but most problematic in my opinion

* Letting It Out ⚡ my favorite, which is both an art and science

For those of you who are interested in connecting to your purpose, I hope this series is useful. I believe everyone has a life purpose (whether they’re aware of it or not) and I want to bring people closer to their purpose if that’s what they desire.

As always, I welcome your thoughts.

- Elliot

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oncourage.substack.com

Purpose is a topic that’s near and dear to my heart.

And so this the first episode in a 3-part series devoted to the topic:

* Part 1: Demystifying Purpose

* Part 2: How to Connect to Your Purpose

* Part 3: How to Live from Your Purpose

In this episode, I share my own story of searching for my purpose, I bust some myths we tell ourselves about purpose, and I talk about purpose as a Swiss-army knife of tools—cataloguing several ways a purpose helps you respond to the complexities and challenges of modern, adult life.

For those of you who are interested in connecting to your purpose, I hope this series is useful. I believe everyone has a life purpose (whether they’re aware of it or not) and I want to bring people closer to their purpose if that’s what they desire.

As always, I welcome your thoughts.

- Elliot

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oncourage.substack.com

In this episode, I pick a bone with problem solving.

I argue that we overuse problem solving skills, often holding us back from: connecting fully with other people, having a life filled with contentment and joy, and navigating the complex paradoxes of adult life.

We also play a game of “You might have a problem with problem solving if…” in which I share the telltale signs of excessive reliance on problem solving.

I advocate for turning the volume down on problem solving. And when you turn it down, what other approaches can you turn up?

And I offer 7 alternatives:

* Look for Opportunities: Shift focus from immediate problem-solving to envisioning future possibilities.

* See People as Naturally Creative, Resourceful, and Whole: Embrace a perspective that views individuals as capable of solving their own problems.

* Ask a Simple Question: Introduce the powerful question, "Do you need to be heard, helped, or hugged?" to understand the support someone truly needs.

* Become Aware of How Change Happens: Challenge the notion that problem solving is the only path to positive change; explore the role of transformation.

* Determine if It's Your Problem to Solve: Acknowledge that not every problem is your responsibility; trust others to find solutions when needed.

* Learn to Sit with Discomfort: Emphasize the importance of facing discomfort without immediate resolution, allowing for emotional processing.

* Focus on Being Instead of Doing: Shift the emphasis from finding the perfect solution to understanding who you want to be in a given situation.

As always, I hope you find this useful and I welcome your thoughts.

- Elliot

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oncourage.substack.com

During the holiday, I took the opportunity to delve into extensive research and even conducted a global poll. The verdict? I’ve concluded "curiosity" will be a dominant theme in 2024.

Alright, maybe I didn’t get that scientific about it.

But I've personally recognized the power of curiosity as a habit that brings so much goodness, creativity, and fulfillment into our lives. Curiosity is so natural to us as humans, but often takes a backseat in adulthood.

In this episode, I explore the benefits of curiosity and share practical ways to incorporate it into your life.

Additionally, I provide five actionable steps to cultivate more curiosity:

* Prioritize getting more rest

* Clarify your timelines to allow room for exploration

* Challenge yourself to ask more questions

* Make curiosity a core value in your daily decision-making

* Identify a safe space where curiosity can thrive

Give it a listen, and I invite you to share your thoughts on how we can collectively embrace more curiosity.

Wishing you a fantastic start to the year.

- Elliot

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oncourage.substack.com

In this episode, I talk you through a 5-step approach for considering, imagining, and preparing for a sabbatical, as well as how to be and transform on a sabbatical. I’m also accompanying it with a 2,500-word digital guide, which you can access here.

Consider this guide a starting point for anyone who is curious about taking a sabbatical. Personally, I never thought a sabbatical was for me until I took one. I never thought I needed one and frankly never thought it was possible. (You can read more about my sabbatical here on The Sabbatical Project website).

But in this episode, I cover “What is a sabbatical?” and talk through a 5-step approach. The digital guide covers this and more—it also includes a list of “50 Things to Do & Be on Your Sabbatical” as well as links to additional resources.

Taking a sabbatical was a beautiful turning point in my life and work, and I welcome anyone who would like to talk more.

I hope you find this useful.

- Elliot

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit oncourage.substack.com