The Purpose Mastermind: Helping Leaders Get Unstuck and Live with Meaning in Work, Marriage, and Parenting

Mark sits down for a conversation with Carter Anderson. Carter discussed his desire to live a proactive life in spite of the fact that life is unpredictable. Carter believes the predictable life does not exist. Those who try to make their life predictable will find it to be empty. 

If you would like to sign up for Carter's email simply click the link below. 

https://subscribepage.io/5O2Yxu

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Mark and Adena sit down to discuss how to examine your life, or marriage by doing a S.W.O.T. analysis. 

1. Strengths

2. Weaknesses

3. Opportunities

4. Threats

If you are interested in partnering with us, you can donate here: https://markdelaney.com/donate/

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Mark and Adena made this short episode to give parents a hands on idea to teach to their kids. The pine cone demonstrates a fascinating principle about life. 

People who are open can both give and gift and receive the gift of others. But people who are closed will block of the opportunities they could have with people. 

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Does Christmas bring you opportunities, or obligations? Or both?

What gift should I bring? What dish should I make? What outfit should I wear? How do I set the timer for the Christmas lights?

The holiday season can put a lot of pressure on us. This pressure keeps us from fully experiencing joy and meaning. This year, what if you turn down the pressure and turn up the purpose? This can happen if you approach the season intentionally. Here are a few simple ways to do that:

1. Choose a plan that fits your budget

There are countless meaningful ways to celebrate Christmas. Look at your budget and let your heart dream within it.

We often think more money will fix everything, but imagination creates far more than money can buy. Last Friday my wife and I picked up friends and helped someone decorate their home. The only cost was time, but the meaning and fun was very high.

2. Choose experiences

December is filled with opportunities: light displays, concerts, gatherings, car rides with Christmas tunes.

Instead of asking, "What can I buy?" ask, "What can we do together?"

Most years, I make ornaments on a lathe in my garage and invite friends to join me. It's simple, fun, and relational.

3. Choose small things

Big gifts look amazing in commercials, but most people don't need them, and many can't afford them.

Instead of one big gift, scatter small acts of kindness throughout the month. Deliver a special coffee. Drop off baked goods. Invite someone to watch a game.

A friend of ours runs a cookie business. Every year we volunteer a couple hours to help box orders. It's small, but fun and meaningful.

4. Choose confidence and communicate

When you set an intentional plan, communicate it. You might relieve others of pressure they've been carrying silently.

At Thanksgiving, I shared our plan: "If you need anything during December, a cup of coffee, cocoa, anything, just send a text." Sharing this opened up conversation and set a tone for the entire family.

5. Choose to lead

If you have kids, they need to be taught how to celebrate Christmas.

Instead of feeling pressured to spoil them, show them what it means to give. Let them experience the joy of serving others. These are the memories that shape them for life.

This season, choose purpose over pressure.

You don't have to keep up with culture's pace.

You get to choose what matters, and then live it.

If you would like to donate to help with the inmates in prison, or with the students in school, here is the link: https://markdelaney.com/donate/

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Dr. Daniel Tataje is the Leader of Mercy Dental Group, an Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Company and multi-award-winning "Best Place to Work" organization. He helps leaders and families globally through his humanity-focused leadership approach centered on the 7 Marks of Leadership: Integrity, Respect, Positivity, Empathy, Team Work, Service, and Humility.

Daniel's journey began as an immigrant dentist from Peru, facing licensing challenges and financial struggles while working as a dental assistant. The pivotal transformation occurred during rapid business expansion when he realized he couldn't be present among all his staff anymore, prompting him to develop the 7 Marks of Leadership—a framework inspired by Jesus Christ's leadership example that he discovered during a week-long retreat.

Here is a link to his website: https://www.danieltataje.com/

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Rick Sponhaltz was 70 years old and weighed 388 pounds. Fast forward to today and he weighs 198 pounds. On this episode Mark asks Rick to share his story. You will hear about the great resilience and strong spirit that he as about life. 

You will hear Rick mention Alan Thomas of "Rethink Dieting." This is the same man who greatly impacted Mark about 7 years ago. Alan's website is below:

https://transformmyfuture.com/

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On this episode Mark had a conversation with Chris Grainger from The Lion Within Us. Chris is a man on a mission. He developed an organization that supports the leadership development among Christian men. 

Chris Grainger is an example of how a common man can take on a big mission. His organization provides several ways for men to engage fully in their life. 

To learn more about The Lion Within Us, go here: https://thelionwithin.us/

To purchase his book: https://www.amazon.com/Unleashing-Lion-Within-Reflections-Leadership-ebook/dp/B0FR2GL7GL/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2SD83U25AK3HG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0ecKCU1owBp0enrRL3jThjHatmkszk565FtJx5OEBNkjZuBhmhb_lWaoXP3pmaJGhN6GoO3iA29CjmyOPKOdc45jZ8OkRQMXqPJScPUP4IAHfk4ka5YqozcPh7ZFYS3ZFe78M5BD0Ho2_dYmEc_uYfx2mj_gYPm17OtPOC56ukcXyvE0mvszTe8IdM9fJbcp5s3HyIX3NoY-xBQPWvha-iMcCXLgZJ8zyKW1jCaiD3g.9_MpMzC1uNhkZTa0HtUP0tE-v51qCxnj2CN2rdNlpxU&dib_tag=se&keywords=chris+grainger&qid=1763330100&sprefix=chris+grainger%2Caps%2C561&sr=8-1

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Dan Oller recently published a book called "Forged." Mark sat down with him to discuss why he wrote this book. 

They also discussed the struggle of prioritizing life and how to determine what things are just distractions. Dan is on a quest to build a fruitful life. Below are four questions that he recommends people use for evaluating. 

1. What is the fruit of this activity? 
2. What is the consequence of this activity?
3. Are my kids or spouse going to have a negative consequence of what I am doing?
4. Am I involved in anything that is hindering my walk with God? 

Dan is also one of the men who contributed to the book "In the Game." 

Here is a link to Dan's book: https://www.amazon.com/Forged-Becoming-Man-God-Designed/dp/B0FJQNP5SS

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People were created by God to do life together in highly meaningful ways. But since the beginning, mankind has been more afraid of what happens between us than we are excited about what can happen between us. 

Mark shares about his experience in Junior High and High School where he felt disconnected from people, and meaning, and identity. 

We can create meaningful lives by doing simple things consistently. 

1. small meaningful things
2. small fun things
3. small invitations to connect together

Small things we do with others will lead to bigger things we can do with others. 

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Nate Stotler just released a book about his story. It's called "Success Through the Eyes of an Addict." In this episode you will hear his thoughts on the root cause of addiction and the pathway to finding freedom. 

Here is a link to his book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FXTDFYWM

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