The Summit - pick yourself

Speaker:  Seth Godin

Seth is best known for his popular blog and entertaining public speaking. I have heard him speak before on Ted Talks. His talk at the Summit is the one that has been the most challenging to me personally.

Because Seth is a creative type, he talked about art. He defines art as; the risky human act of doing something you haven't done before.

He contrasts this with the concept of mass production. Mass production is made up of interchangeable parts and interchangeable people. That is not art.

He challenged the audience to figure out how to rise to the top and to solve interesting problems. He pointed out that the current mindset is that we only do what we are asked and we wait to get picked. His response: "pick yourself."

He also informed us that it is impossible to do art and always succeed. However, at some point, if you don't give up, you are going to do something worth talking about. Unfortunately, too many of us are looking for reasons NOT to put ourselves on the line.

Then he asked a question that woke me up.

Q: How many people would kill for your platform? What are you going to do about it?


To me, this was the moment of reckoning. I have a pretty big platform. I have seen a lot in my young life and been afforded unbelievable opportunities. In meeting with young(er) people, I know how many would love to have walked in my shoes (at least the highlight reel, likely not the day-to-day). Those experiences give me a platform - what am I going to do about it? To be determined, but stick around. This will come up again.

just Sheri, ready to put myself on the line (again)

The Summit - born unique

Speaker: Honorable Cory A. Booker

"Don't let the world tell you who you are.  Don't let it lull and seduce you in to mediocrity. You were born unique."

He told a fabulous story about when he showed up, as a young Yale Law graduate, on the doorstep of a world-changer living in the projects in Jersey, he promptly informed her that he was there to "help her." She taught him to see the world differently.

World changers don't see the world the way others see it. World changers see hope, love, and the face of God - even in difficult, blighted circumstances. World changers engage in daily acts of kindness to make life better for others. World changers never let the world outside dim the knowledge that God created them for a purpose.

"The world you see outside is a reflection of what's inside you."

He left the audience with a challenge: are you living your life in a way that shares your truth?

I had to answer, "no, not currently." But, I am working on remedying that now that I am unstuck.

just Sheri, adjusting my view

The Summit - ACT!

Speaker: Len Schlesinger

Len has impressive academic credentials. He has had an impressive academic career. He is currently president of Babson College, the top business school for entrepreneurs in America.

Len spoke about our uncertain future and the unacceptability of the present. Then this business guru said the darndest thing - "you can't predicted the future, but you can CREATE it."  His challenge to the audience is to make a brighter future, the kind we dream about.

How? Here is Len's prescription:

1. Take small steps.  Start with what you have on hand - who you are and what you know. Once you take that first step and land on firm ground, then take the next, and the next.

2.  Start with things you care about.

3.  Bring others along.

That's it.  Seems simple enough, right?

According to Len, "Small wins solve BIG problems."

What's holding you back? ACT!

just Sheri, concerned with the next step only

The Summit - unstuck

There is one event on my calendar every year.  One event I schedule my life around. I have made sacrifices over the years to make sure I am in attendance.  This year it required some overtime at the office to get the work done as we are in a busy season.  But, that doesn't matter.

I set this time aside each year to learn, listen, and be inspired.

What is this annual retreat?  The Willow Creek Leadership Summit.

Usually, there is one or two speakers that encourage my heart or have me thinking new, deeper thoughts.  That alone is worth the price of admission.  But, this year was phenomenal! Every speaker left me with something significant to ponder.  It was challenging and engaging.  

Over the next few days I will share lessons from some of the speakers who's words have not left my head (and heart) since the event...over a week ago.

The biggest take-away for me personally, is to "press on."  No speaker addressed this topic specifically, but the event sparked a new fire in me.  I have struggled being back in the US.  My heart was elsewhere.  I felt out of place, uncomfortable, and sad. I loved so much about the old life.  I used to tell people that I was one of the lucky ones, because I was living my dream/calling.  

So, what happens when that is stripped away?  I can tell you from experience that it is not a pretty sight. Tears and wallowing.  Discontent and frustration.  None of which is pleasing to God.

I was challenged to "press on."  Though the past few years have been amazing, there is no reason that the future has to be bleak...unless I get stuck in my pity party.

This idea of pressing on comes from Scripture, Philippians 3:13-14 to be exact.  The apostle Paul says:

No, friends, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race...

I have been trying to hold tightly to the past. I can't move forward and keep doing that. I have to let it go and  press on. I have to stay in the race, until the end. I have not achieved the goal. The best is yet to come.

just Sheri, looking forward

Unplugged

I am spending this week quiet...in reflection. Trying to listen. I will likely return next week. Already I have learned so much that I am anxious to share.

Come back soon!