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Your Life on PurposeHard Choices on PurposeThe other day I talked with someone who read my article about living inspired (and therefore “in spirit”). Like what often happens, we talked BIG PICTURE. Like a 'I only have so much time on this earth and what I do with my time matters' kind of conversation. When I asked him a question that Dr. Wayne Dyer often asked (“What’s your intention?”), he spoke about his desire to build a legacy. He doesn’t care about whether or not someone will remember his name, but wants more than anything for people to benefit from his life’s work...2016-12-2909 minYour Life on PurposeYou Are What You ReadOn today’s episode, I’d like to talk about quality over quantity when it comes to the information you hear throughout your day. With literally millions of books published each year (traditionally, not even counting self-published), along with all the many articles that circulate around our social media channels, just how do we know we’re actually reading high-quality information and not just product-placed marketing mediocrity? Or worse, how do we know that we’re not just feeding our own confirmation bias and growing ignorant in our own little bubble? If you’re like me, you lo...2016-10-0510 minYour Life on Purpose3 Questions to Find Your PurposeDr. Dyer was a bit obsessed with the work of Abraham Maslow, the founding psychologist who introduced the theory of self-actualization to the world. It’s the concept where a person needs to fulfill certain biological needs before one can work on developing into higher consciousness and evolve into the greatest version of oneself (and then sharing that genius to better the world). Before someone can start thinking about “What’s my purpose?”, for instance, they need to have a steady supply of food, shelter, water, and feel safe. As I was listening to Dyer’s memoir...2016-10-0408 minYour Life on PurposeBreaking Through Personal Limitations“The agony of breaking through personal limitations is the agony of spiritual growth. Art, literature, myth and cult, philosophy, and ascetic disciplines are instruments to help the individual past the limiting horizons into spheres of ever-expanding realization.” - Joseph Campbell It’s entirely normal for us to run into some sort of wall in our lives, whether that’s in the work that we do or in our personal lives. Remember though that feeling like you’re in a rut is actually a good thing. Why? Because you’re aware of the rut in which you are in. And that...2016-10-0210 minYour Life on PurposeAffirmation from WithinOn this episode, let’s dig into affirmation and how we can find affirmation from within. Because really, The affirmation you need comes from within, not from what someone else tells you. — Even before writing legend Stephen King sobered up, he would keep the door shut tight to his writing studio. When he felt his writing was ready, he’d open the door only to his wife whom he donned his supreme editor. King has what he calls “closed-door writing” and “open-door writing”. Closed-door writing is the crap, the stuff that he doesn’t want...2016-10-0110 minYour Life on PurposeBalancing DesireI recently shared that a dream of mine came true. I became a monk….for a weekend. I joined a small group at a monastery in the mountains of New York and, nestled amongst the rolling snow-covered peaks, we shared mindful strategies to balance the desires in daily modern living. See, we’re living in one of the most beautiful times in history. It’s a time where since you can learn anything with the click of a button, you can truly be anything you want to be. It’s a time of beautiful abundance, where, a...2016-09-3008 minYour Life on Purpose1 SIMPLE QUESTIONOn this episode, I’d like to talk about your purpose. Because really...your purpose is simple. It’s to create something that you — and only you — can create. So, the next time you wonder if you’re doing the right thing, just ask yourself this one simple question: What am I creating? Because you came into this world through creation, in the answer to that question lies your divine-inspired purpose. Your unique life. Your unique beauty. Your unique story. There’s something only you can create...2016-09-3006 minYour Life on PurposeFinding Zen Through PositivityOn this episode, The other day my friend asked me to help her find zen and calm in her life. It was before 7am, I hadn’t had my coffee, and I just come back from rushing around running errands. I was anything but calm. “Who am I to offer such advice?” I quietly thought to myself. She went on to say that she has a lot going on, is mourning the loss of her parents, and could really use the advice. Wanting to help, I told her I’d be happy to offer some advice. Ju...2016-09-2711 minYour Life on PurposeThe Lore of FOMOOn this episode, I’d like to talk about my greatest fear. I’m talking about FOMO. Also known as Fear of Missing Out. And FOMO, unfortunately, I find myself chasing it over and over and over again. Perhaps you can relate? The thing is: Sometimes not giving into FOMO allows you to focus on the things that matter most. It allows you to not be afraid that you’re missing out on a great time with friends or something like that. —- I’ve been hearing a lot of people around me...2016-09-2707 minYour Life on PurposeKindness Breeds KindnessOn this episode, I’d like to introduce you to Leon and how one simple act of kindness can spawn a slew of others. ——————— When Leon decided to kill himself, he was literally at the end of his rope. But before he slipped away from us, he had one last thought: What if I did something so crazy, so ‘out there’, and gave this life one more chance? With nothing to lose, Leon filled up his motorcycle’s gas tank and set off from his L.A. flat east to New York. The clothes on h...2016-09-2606 minYour Life on PurposeCreating Your Own EthosMy coffee's cold and I have Yoda, Joseph Campbell, and a blissful meditation to blame. Instead of writing first thing in the morning like I usually do on the weekend, I read Pathways to Bliss from Campbell, played fetch with Yoda then stayed in meditation beyond the 20-minute timer. But alas, I really excited to share this episode today. On today’s episode, let’s dig into establishing credibility and defining our own ethos. There are 3 Ways to Create Your Own Ethos which I’d like to share with you. By the way, I tend to flip flop t...2016-09-2408 minYour Life on PurposeLessons from The Lotus FlowerHave you ever learned something that apparently the rest of the world knew, but you didn’t? For me, that came in the form of a lotus flower yesterday. I’ve seen the flower all over. It’s about as ubiquitous as the zen Enso symbol in the business of mindfulness. I just never knew its story. So when a new yoga instructor spoke about the lotus flower during class and an old friend shows up to a dinner party with a new lotus flower tattoo, I took this coincidence as an opportunity to learn more about the fl...2016-09-2307 minYour Life on PurposeAvoiding Mid-Life CrisisOn this episode, I’d like to talk about keeping that New Year Resolution Feeling Alive. Every new year, millions of people around the world celebrate this new beginning. Millions share new resolutions and goals knowing that they have 365 new chances to live out their greatest self. During the new year every year, our culture shifts the idea of a normal conversation. Instead of being asking, “What do you do?” at networking events or dinner, for instance, we’re asked about our resolutions and the conversation focuses on the meaningful changes we all want to have in o...2016-09-2206 minYour Life on PurposeWhat Story Do You Tell Yourself?On this episode, I’m going to share with you two simple ways to find the story that drives your decision making. Most likely unconscious, we all have an internal narrative that either pushes us to grow or holds us back from reaching our unlimited potential. But before we talk about our internal narrative, let’s talk about how stories drive our lives. ———- King Arthur, Twilight And Our Parents All Have This in Common We are a culture obsessed with myths, legends, and story tales. Just pick up any children’s book today...2016-09-2109 minYour Life on PurposeLiving Inspired "In Spirit"I’ve just made a French press (a Costa Rican slow-dry of sorts for all of you coffee lovers) and am listening to the dance of a morning drizzle outside my office window. What a beautiful morning. I’m thinking a lot about inspiration. Join me for one simple thought this morning. On this episode, I’d like to talk about what it means to live inspired. "Let inspiration be your guide. When you're inspired, you're literally walking ‘in spirit’." —- Ask yourself this simple question... Are you inspired...2016-09-2006 minYour Life on PurposeFive Accountability Strings to Pull You UPI just poured a piping hot cup of holy basil tea and am about to make some serious superfood pancakes as I wait for the sun to peak over Mt. Beacon (coffee will come later ;) Before all that, I’d like to share with you some thoughts on building up an accountability system that keeps the creative engine churning. And churning. And churning. Because let’s face it: The truth is real extraordinary work requires a team. Yes, you are strong on your own. But you are much stronger when you surround yourself with people who...2016-09-1911 minYour Life on PurposeThe Growing EdgeJust ask my wife, I’m the worst person to watch a movie with. Why? Because I ask question after question after question. Why did the director choose to cut that scene short? What makes what he just said ironic? What are we being taught to believe here? I confess. I’m a serial deconstructor (holds hands out to be cuffed). But this is what I’m trained to do after all. I’m trained to deconstruct stories. I’m trained to see what stories teach us. And I’m trained to show you...2016-09-1808 minYour Life on PurposeBranching Beyond Playing It SafeOn this episode, I’d like to talk about playing it safe. As a teacher, I hear this all the time: -- I’m going to go to college to get the four year degree -- I’m going to get my dream job -- I will be happy But, I have to admit, while college was so important for my own personal growth, I’m not really sure if a four-year degree is worth it for everybody. Well, at least it’s not worth it anymore to take the safe r...2016-09-1711 minYour Life on PurposeCoincidencesOn this episode, I’d like to share a bit of what we can learn from coincidences. After you get home from your run, get to work, or just have a minute to send a message, send me a message with a story of how a coincidence shaped your life. If you have one that is. Because coincidences...well, they are a seriously interesting dot that happens in life. My mother and Paulo Coelho would agree: there are no such thing as coincidences. In fact, Coelho, author of The Alchemist, goes further to say that “coin...2016-09-1607 minYour Life on PurposeFollowing SOULToday I’m drinking something unusual which I thought you’d like to know about. It’s a type of mushroom called Chaga. Have you heard of it? Some people at the coffee shop down the street were raving about it, so I decided to give it a try. . Yes, it tastes mushroomy. Yes, it’s totally legal. No, it’s not psychedelic. Why am I drinking it? Because I’m intrigued by the many health benefits it supposedly offers. I’ll keep you posted on whether or not I grow the ability to shoot fireballs out of my hands, r...2016-09-1610 minYour Life on PurposeThe Zen in Ice CubesOn today’s episode, I’d like to share with you one lesson I learned while living like a monk. I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned it before on this show, but this last winter I spent a few days at Zen Mountain Monastery in the Catskill mountains living like a monk. During that stay, time slowed down to a caterpillar crawl and days felt like years. In a good way. Why? Because with the monk life, every second seems to be accounted for and everything seems to focus on the present, working to pull in the t...2016-09-1405 minYour Life on PurposeYour Holy GrailAs a kid, I was obsessed with Monty Python’s The Holy Grail. So much so that the obsession grew from clanking together coconuts as a teenager with my buddy Alan to studying Arthurian legend in my college studies. Even my professor thought I was a bit ridiculous. “You’re that kid in high school who would clank coconuts together, right?” she once asked. And she was right. On a random cycling trip to Barcelona, I discovered that one of our routes outside Barcelona took us through the mountains where the grail is now thought to be buried. D...2016-09-1408 minYour Life on PurposeThe Art of TruthfulnessI write this episode as the rain pelts the airport tarmac outside as I sit here ready to board my plane home from a weekend trip in Charlotte. Before I do that, I’d like to share a few thoughts on being authentic in our speech and living the art of truthfulness. Grab your cup of coffee and join me. And oh yeah….quick note… be careful with flying with a hand coffee grinder. You should have seen the look on the TSA employee’s face when, after checking my bag, she pulls out the grinder...2016-09-1306 minYour Life on Purpose1 Sign You're Creating Work That MattersOn this episode, I’d like to thank the squirrels outside my window for reminding me of a little old gent who built a shanty and pissed off the government back in the 1800s. Yes, I’m talking about Henry David Thoreau who spent his days sitting in his little cabin in the woods on Walden Pond. And yes, that guy seriously loved squirrels. I precisely remember reading his book Walden ( which is a fantastic read by the way that you should check out) and for two whole pages the dude talks about squirrels scampering across the snow...2016-09-1106 minYour Life on PurposeThe Day I Died On FacebookYou’re listening to Your Life on Purpose: the podcast that helps you feel less like a cog in a machine by connecting the dots between life, your passions, and what the world needs, all in under ten minutes. Music I’m your host Mark Guay and welcome my friends to season 2 of Your Life on Purpose. On this episode, I’d like to share with you a story that happened in my life when I went to college. It wasn’t a major event back then, yet now I realize that this small dot in my life...2016-09-1109 minYour Life on PurposeKeeping The Optimism in Life's Greatest DanceOn this episode, I’d like to talk about life’s greatest dance and how you can join this tango. Because I see this all the time…. High School degree? Check. Bachelor’s degree? Check. Enrolled in Master’s degree program? If I can’t get a job first, check. Enter the dance and keeping optimism alive. For many, leaving college can be a bit of a downer. It’s easy to lose the optimism that’s the aura of a college campus. Why? For many people -- regardless of...2016-09-1006 minYour Life on PurposeWrite to Answer "Who Am I?"I talk a lot about the power of writing on this show and a lot of you have asked me to dive a bit deeper into how to write, specifically, how we can use writing as a tool to discover the self. Because as Joseph Campbell reminds us: It is by going down into the abyss that we recover the treasures of life. Where you stumble, there lies your treasure. So, that’s what today’s episode is all about. Fifty or so of us sat around the room, ready to begi...2016-09-0909 minYour Life on PurposePracticing Direct CompassionI'm about to venture out to Breakneck mountain to meet with an old friend whom I haven't seen in ten years. I'll be off in the woods for the day, but promise to come back tonight to read your emails. Before I walk into the wild, I want to share with you what I learned from my recent trip back home. I learned the art of direct compassion. ---------------------------- I sat across from my father, stared into his eyes for an entire minute and said three words he hadn't heard a lot while...2016-09-0806 minYour Life on PurposeYou Are Not AloneToday, I’d like to talk about love. No, not the kind of love you’re thinking about. I’m talking about platonic love for the self and others and I learned it while on a yoga and meditation retreat at Blue Spirit in Costa Rica. I just came in from practicing headstand and have poured my second cup of java. Thanks for joining me today. The howler monkeys screamed outside and the humid air hugged my skin like a warm blanket. I sat down and faced a woman who I barely knew and placed my han...2016-09-0707 minYour Life on PurposeEgo-less Existence, My Placenta, Star Constellations: My First Float in a Sensory Deprivation ChamberToday, I’d like to share with you a story that I haven’t shared with many people. It involves my Placenta, Star Constellations and Ego-less Existence. It’s what I learned while floating in a sensory deprivation chamber for 90 minutes. Here we go: I closed the door behind me and looked down at my new home: a one-foot deep tub of salt water meant to float my body and deprive me of my senses for the next 90 minutes. I laid down in the dense salty tub, ready to float into bliss, as the lights dimmed...2016-09-0610 minYour Life on Purpose5 Tips to Find ClarityYoda the cat keeps jumping on my lap with his mouse toy as we play fetch and I keep reminding him that it’s Your Life on Purpose work time. But he doesn’t seem to understand, so if you hear a mouse squeaking toy, that’s him saying hello. I just poured a delicious cup of coffee and am thinking of my students who -- about to enter their last year of school- are struggling to find clarity in their life’s direction. Today’s episode is all about finding clarity. Because, let’s face...2016-09-0510 minYour Life on PurposeThe Most Spiritual Path in One BreathI have to be honest. Many times I find myself so caught up in the future that I forget all that I already have with me. Yesterday was one of those days where I drifted from a mindset of gratitude: — As the beautiful Hudson Valley sun shone on my face, I couldn’t help but think about the beaches of Kauai once again. — I did my first press into handstand last night, but I barely acknowledged this physical feat. Instead, I immediately thought about how one day I’ll be able to do what tha...2016-09-0405 minYour Life on PurposeThe Art of Dancing in the RainI’d like to share a quick story about climbing fish and transformation. Not too long ago, my good friend Phil tried something in New York that no one has done before. He created a website that would connect people based on the books that have inspired them with the only requirement to meet for a conversation. The idea came out of Einstein’s quote: “If you ask a fish to climb a tree, he’ll spend his whole life believing that he’s an idiot.” I took part in the experiment and every week, I rode the t...2016-09-0303 minYour Life on PurposeUnconscious Images Guide You on Your PathI just returned from a New York City and wanted to share with you a quick story. It involves a Jungian analysis workshop that I took part in and a sailboat. —————- I must confess: I’m a recovering daydreamer. All my life, I’ve struggled to focus in on the present because my mind so quickly would drift to Neverland. In school, at work, in yoga class, in flight — these are just a few of the many times my mind has wandered. Living in the present — to “be here now” — is the core of living mindfully...2016-09-0209 minYour Life on PurposeFinding Balance Without Popping a RibSo, many of you know that I recently received my 200 hour yoga teacher certification over a 6 month intensive training regiment. And I’d like to share with you something I learned through my experience of spending months twisting and lengthening my body so that I looked more like Gumby. This story is about finding balance, literally and figuratively in our lives. It’s so easy to go the extremes of lethargy or overdoing it. The middle path is always a lot freakin harder (well, for me at least) I laid on my back in a spin...2016-09-0106 minYour Life on PurposeAre You Creating Art?The air smells of suntan lotion and barbecue sauce and after spending the majority of the past day walking through an outdoor sculpture park these words from Michelangelo continue to swirl in my mind. He once wrote when asked about his sculpting: “The marble not yet carved can hold the form of every thought the greatest artist has.” “The marble not yet carved can hold the form of every thought the greatest artist has.” Let’s dissect Michelangelo’s words and talk a bit about creating art. I mean, what does creating art mean anyway...2016-08-3106 minYour Life on Purpose3 Ways to Find Focus Amid Distraction3 Ways to Find Focus Amid Distraction It’s a holiday weekend in my local village as I sit here and record this podcast. In just a few hours fireworks, BBQs, and picnics will have dot the streets like stars in a country sky. It’s quite a beautiful display of community pride and family love, yet as much as I tried to plan ahead, I still find myself with some work I need to finish before diving into the festivities. Does this ever happen to you? Perhaps if you work from home like I do...2016-08-3005 minYour Life on PurposeWhat is School For? Think on These ThingsAs the school bells begin ringing for the start of another school year, let’s pause for a moment and think about something that we often don’t reflect on. Just what is school for? Is it to get a job? To evolve our brain? To connect with other intellectuals? Or what? We’ve built a culture that sends its children to school for, at minimum, 20 percent of their life expectancy and we value education on a beautiful visceral level. We’re willing to spend more on a college tuition than a home m...2016-08-2909 minYour Life on PurposeWhat Blake Teaches Us About Living On PurposeWhat Blake Teaches Us About Living On Purpose It’s a beautiful day here in New York and as I sip an overly sweetened espresso with chaga mushroom (yes, I know, I’m knew to chaga too for its health properties so we’ll see if I get really goofy at the end of this podcast). I’ve been reading through my old poetry books and I’d like to share with you some thoughts and reflections on William Blake’s work. When I was in college, Blake’s work taught me a lot about what...2016-08-2807 minYour Life on PurposeWake Up in 60 SecondsWake Up in 60 Seconds It’s amazing how the mind works, right? One moment we can be angry and pissed off; in another, happy and gregarious. One moment we can sick; In another, healthy. Take, for instance, the last time I acted on stage. I had just come down with a delicious case of the flu and couldn’t hold down my lunch for the life of me. My roommates stayed far away from me lest they too come down with this stomach bug. How, for the life of me, would I pl...2016-08-2706 minYour Life on PurposeWhen Apple and Stanford Didn't Hire MeSince it’s the beginning of a new season, I think it’s only right that this episode dives into a very deep and personal story of mine: one that I haven’t shared public before. One that took me four years to be able to tell anyone besides my wife. I’m talking about one of the biggest upsets in my life. I’m drinking a hot cup of coffee on this fall-like day in New York and if coffee is your thing, grab your cup and join me. All right, here we go. The story I...2016-08-2610 minYour Life on PurposeAdd Spark to Your LifeI took a bit of a sabbatical from the podcasting world to focus on other ventures and am so excited to be back here with you. I just poured a cup of coffee and if coffee is your thing, grab your cup and join me. It’s summer time and just before recording this session, I listened to the New York morning orchestra: traffic hummed in the distance while birds and crickets sang in harmony. Simple everyday things that add spark into my life. To my right, however, I see yet an...2016-08-2406 minYour Life on PurposeSeason One Finale All right change makers. I have little bit to share some news with you. When I first launched this podcast in May of 2015, I had no idea it would garner such attention and pull together some of the most passionate and happy people I’ve have ever met.In June when I started getting emails from people thanking me for starting this podcast, I knew I had to pick it up and turn it into a daily podcast.And I did just that. I didn’t know if I could do it, but trusted in myse...2015-09-1008 minYour Life on Purpose50: The Story You Tell Yourself This past weekend at Omega Institute, I had the privilege to listen to the words and sing with some of the happiest people I have ever met in my life.And I learned something that I’d like to share with you to start this episode. It’s simple and it’s only one question.When you strip away everything — all the fat — all the things that don’t matter — what is the narrative that you’re telling yourself? What is the story you’re telling yourself?I found myself at breakfast and joined in on a pas...2015-09-0906 minYour Life on Purpose49: Keep it On the PositiveLast night, I took part in a kirtan ecstatic chant led by the Grammy-award nominee Krishna Das then camped under the stars. For those who don’t know what kirtan is, my beginner understanding is that it’s a call and response type of singing that aligns vocal sounds to our chakras.
I don’t really know the ins and outs, but what I do know is that it makes me feel really good and keeps me on the positive. And that my friends is a good thing, right?
Krishna Das and Radhanath Swami talked a bit about t...2015-09-0710 minYour Life on Purpose48: Weekly Wrap UpAs I get my tent and sleeping ready for a kirtan festival I’m attending this weekend, I’d like to break down a few of the concepts I explored this week.
Here’s the weekly wrap up. If you just tuned in for the first time, make sure to check on the past four episodes to see the longer version of these concepts.
Or there are some people who don’t have 10 minutes in their day, so they only tune in on Fridays. That’s cool with me. So, for those crunched for time, here’s four purpose-filled boosts to live more i...2015-09-0410 minYour Life on Purpose47: Unplugging and 5 Reasons Why You Should Do It 5 Reasons to Unplug
The crimson Costa Rican sun dipped beneath cerulean blue Pacific as I peered out from the yoga studio atop Blue Spirit mindfulness center in Nosara, Costa Rica.
Perched high on a cliff, I flexed by quadricep and stood firm in Warrior Two in this yoga studio that looks like a bird’s next nestled atop a jungle canopy.
Howler monkeys screamed through the air and birds of paradise soared at my eye level -- majestic and graceful in their freedom.
Time seemed to stand still and it felt like an...2015-09-0310 minYour Life on Purpose46: 5 Unconventional Ways to Find Your Purpose
5 Unconventional Ways to Find Your Purpose
Joseph Campbell reminds us that if we follow our own bliss, doors will open that will lead us down our path on purpose. He said, “When you follow your bliss... doors will open where you would not have thought there would be doors; and where there wouldn't be a door for anyone else.”
But you can’t find your purpose. It’s not out there. Your purpose has been with you all along. It’s deep inside you.
To help you unlock the potential inside of you, here are five unconventional ways to find your purpose...2015-09-0210 minYour Life on Purpose45: Trust in DiscoverySometimes there are moments in our lives that force us to redefine ourselves. A concrete wall can -- at times -- pop up just as we are joyfully walking down our heroic journeys.
And man....can this be frustrating or what?
Today I’m thinking about Redefining You and would like to share three tips to help you define yourself.
Today’s mantra: “Trust in discovery. Be open to where your feet will land next."
Whenever a concrete wall pops up in our lives, look carefully at the wall. If you look clo...2015-09-0111 minYour Life on Purpose44: Surfing and MindfulnessToday I’d like to talk about surfing and what it can teach us about living our lives on purpose.
I had not surfed in ten years and eagerly looked forward to getting up at 4:30 in the morning to surf dawn patrol in Costa Rica.
Little did I know that I’d see all the lessons I’ve been learning in meditation unfold before me in the white foam of heavy surf.
As I float out there in the Pacific Ocean and watched the Costa Rican sunrise, I started to think about what we can learn from surfing and how it could infl...2015-08-3107 minYour Life on Purpose43- Weekly Wrap UpOkay — a lot of awesomeness this week. But I’ll tell you, it’s really hard coming back juggling work and responsibilities after spending an entire week at a mindfulness center focusing on building long-term mindfulness practices.
I don’t like vacations because I don’t have a life I want to vacate from. I have a life I want to enhance, so throughout the year I invest in myself to learn about something new, whether that’s a new skill or a deep practice.
Spending a week focusing on mindfulness helps me practice mindfulness in my daily life. That doesn’t mean it’s...2015-08-2706 minYour Life on Purpose42: Finding GeniusI just came back in from kayaking on the Hudson River and would like to share with you a few of my thoughts while out there. Like I often do, I thought about Einstein. He once said,
“If you ask a fish to climb a tree, he’ll spend his whole life believing he’s an idiot.”
Einstein is spot on, but unless someone reads this quote or hears it from someone else, he more than likely will never know he’s a genius.
We’re all geniuses in some way, but not everyone finds it.
To find it...2015-08-2706 minYour Life on Purpose41: Your Unfair AdvantageWe all have an unfair advantage — it’s your unique genius. It’s that thing that you have that no one else has.
It’s a combination of what you have done in your life and what has happened to you in your life.
It’s a blended smoothie of nature and nurture. What you were born with when you came into this world mixed with how the environment you grew up in and the environment you now live in influences you.
Michael Phelps was born with paddles for feet and orangutang arms. He then put in a hardcore amount of effort to master...2015-08-2608 minYour Life on Purpose40: Three Mindful Writing Tips to Spark CreativitySometimes writers find themselves like I was this morning: staring at a blank screen listening to dubstep hoping magically that words will fill the screen.
(And that's when my cat Yoda walked across the keyboard and words did actually fill the screen. They just didn't make any sense.)
Here are three writing prompts to help you find your creative juice or kick you out of writer's block thanks to some good old friends like Jack Kerouac. You can also use these writing techniques to identify your passion and purpose because all of these writing strategies are meta-cognitive...2015-08-2511 minYour Life on Purpose39: "Wasting Time"
Today I’d like to focus on time. When we live knowing that our future is uncertain, it allows us to experience the present of the now.
You see, I’ve learned that I need to develop a better relationship with time.
I’ve spent the past week at Blue Spirit -- a meditation and yogic lifestyle center nuzzled in the jungle of Costa Rica. It was only 6 days, but felt much much longer. And the reason for that is because we spent precious minutes focusing on the present, not dwelling on the future.
With the help of a group of mindful yogis ...2015-08-2407 minYour Life on Purpose38: Weekly Wrap UpIt’s been an incredible week at Blue Spirit Meditation Center in Costa Rica and learned so much. Of course, I’ll be sharing everything I learned with you in the next coming weeks.
One thing I will share with you now, however, is the value of unplugging.
You see, this week I unplugged for the first time in a long time. I haven’t checked social media, email, and other than writing up a storm and sharing this daily podcast with you, I’ve been relatively unplugged.
I’ve learned I need to continue to do this at least once a year if no...2015-08-2106 minYour Life on Purpose37: You 2.0: Your Greatest SelfOver the past two weeks, from ep. 23 - 36, I’ve shown you how The Hero’s Journey is a great metaphor for the journey one takes when they live their life on purpose. If you’re brand new to the podcast, make sure you listen through from ep. 23 to see the entire journey. If you’ve just been listening for fun, but now would really like to experience The Hero’s Journey, go back through those episodes, but make sure to reach out to me and let me know what you’re working on. I’d seriousl...2015-08-2010 minYour Life on Purpose36: Accountability SystemsThe Final stage of The Hero’s Journey is often called The Elixir of Truth. It’s when you return home to The Ordinary World and share your newfound wisdom with others.
It’s also an interesting time where you need to be in control and set up accountability systems for yourself to stay true on your own path.’ For instance, this week I’m at the Blue Spirit Mindfulness Center in Costa Rica and it’s easy to stay true to my path here. Here, I wake up in an eco-friendly environment, organic food and coffee already prep...2015-08-1907 minYour Life on Purpose35: Don’t Panic: The Art of Staying StillThis week I’m at the Blue Spirit Mindfulness Center in Costa Rica and excited to share what I learn here with you.
Today, I’d like to dive into The Final Path of The Hero’s Journey. After you’ve chosen to live your life on purpose and follow your own path, you learn a newfound set of wisdom. And now, as you return back to The Ordinary World, it’s time you begin to practice what you’ve learned.
For me, my meditation practice has helped teach me the art of staying still. Grace under pressure. So that’s what I’m working...2015-08-1809 minYour Life on Purpose34: Real Lasting ChangeSo often, we like to move on to the next thing after accomplishing a goal.Like, okay, my goal was to bench press 300 lbs — all right did it, now let’s set 350 lbs for bench press.
I’ve seen macho guys in the gym do this all the time.
Instead, though, what if before moving to your next goal, you stop and reflected on what’s worked and what didn’t work?
That way, you can become more efficient and also, as you get better at something, the more advanced your goal the more technical and specific your actions need to be.
To win a m...2015-08-1708 minYour Life on Purpose33: Weekly Wrap UpIt’s been an absolutely incredible week and I hope you too are feeling good about what you accomplished so far this week.
Take a moment and think about your wins. What is one thing you did this week that moved you down your path on purpose?
For me, my weekly goal was to get published on another top platform besides The Huffington Post. I’m honored to help contribute to The Huffington Post, but I wanted to expand my reach and do more as a writer.
Today I just heard back from both elephant journal and Collective Evolution and they will...2015-08-1406 minYour Life on Purpose32: The Temptation to QuitAfter you’ve started your own project and create something, I’ve mentioned how you leave The Ordinary World. You hear your call to purpose and act on it. First of all, that’s awesome because most people never do this their whole life and go to the grave with their best ideas still inside them. Just by listening to this podcast, you’re asking yourself the questions that many people are too afraid to ask themselves. So, that deserves some recognition. But, something unique happens after you reach a turning point and experience a level...2015-08-1310 minYour Life on Purpose31: Work...The Turning PointThis level of The Hero’s Journey is called “The Turning Point”. We’ve all been here before. This is the moment when you actualize something new in your life. For example, if you’ve ever picked up a new sport and struggled at it for a while, then after practice you starting getting pretty good. Then, one day -- all your hard work pays off and you’re no longer mediocre. You’re actually pretty good at it. That’s The Turning Point. It’s the moment when you become solidified in your new role. In other wor...2015-08-1212 minYour Life on Purpose30: Asking for Help (and a Note to Other Men)The bottom line of today’s message is this: Real heroes are humble and check their ego at the door. They ask for help.
By the way, I realize that many of you are at a point in your life where it’s embarrassing to ask for advice. You may be a CEO of a company, or just too old you think to ask for mentorship. That’s your ego talking to you.
That’s the thing you need to check at the door.
When I’m 80, I hope I’m still wise enough to take mentorship from a teenager when it’s needed.
H...2015-08-1111 minYour Life on Purpose29: What is Your Mantra?So, today, I’d like to do something a bit different. I’d like to offer you a tip that I learned (and I’ve alluded to before) that helps squash the resistance.
It’s called, developing your mantra. Here we go….
What is Your Mantra?
I stared bleary-eyed at the mile marker 10 as Lake Seneca glistened in the periphery. My legs felt like bricks and sweat stung my eyes like battery acid. Energy depleted. Exhausted. Spent. I whispered my race mantra, “This is Water....ebb and flow,” over and over as my legs continued to somehow pump up...2015-08-1007 minYour Life on Purpose28: Weekly Wrap UpHere’s what happened this week on Your Life on Purpose:
1. The Hero Inside All of Us
We embarked on The Hero’s Journey and are taking a close look at how it mirrors our live when we choose to live on purpose.
We all have a genius. We all have a hero inside all of us. It’s our mission to activate it and live it fully. That, my friends, would be sucking out the marrow of life, knowing that when I came to die that I had truly lived and not just merely existed.
And, yes, that was an allusion t...2015-08-0710 minYour Life on Purpose27: Refuse Your Calling?Level 3 is where the resistance really starts to kick and we find a number of reasons to talk ourselves out of walking our own path.
Why?
I think Paulo Coelho, the author of The Alchemist, said it best:
“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” - Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
If you’re listening to this podcast, my guess that you’ve heard a call to live more intentionally. More in tune with your purpose. Or you may just want some sort of change.
But, even when you know this, it doesn’t mean that it...2015-08-0713 minYour Life on Purpose26: The Call to PurposeIf you’re new to this podcast, head over to yourlop.com to catch up and learn more.
Yesterday we talked about leaving the ordinary world. That’s the world where people are not walking their own paths, but instead are following the paths that outside forces say you should follow.
if you’re hearing a call to live more aligned with your purpose, then you’re hearing The Call to Purpose. It’s where you seek an adventure to learn more about yourself and do more in your life.
A hero feels a call to adventure when they need to leave the ordinary...2015-08-0609 minYour Life on Purpose25: Leaving the Ordinary WorldYesterday I mentioned this week’s focus, The Hero’s Journey. I’ve been re-reading Joseph Campbell’s work (good thing I saved all of my books from college) and today I’d like to further explain the journey a hero takes to live their life on purpose.
Because when you live your life on purpose, you activate your inner hero.
And I realized that The Hero’s Journey is exactly what a person who chooses to live their life on purpose goes through.
If you don’t know the work of the late philosopher and mythologist Joseph Campbell, you absolutely need to...2015-08-0509 minYour Life on Purpose24: A New VisionI’d like to expand a bit on the first stage of The Hero’s Journey when you realize that you no longer want to live in the Ordinary World and hear a call for adventure.
This is when you live your life on purpose and choose to walk your own path instead of following someone else’s footsteps.
It could be when you decide to leave the job that weights you down or stifles your creativity.
It could be when you decide to let go and stop resisting change so that you can embrace it.
Or it could be something com...2015-08-0410 minYour Life on Purpose23: The Hero Inside All of Us
Last week, I closed the week talking about what it means to be a hero and it seems that that topic struck a chord with a lot of people.
So, I’d like to expand on that a bit today and dive deeper into the hero inside all of us.
I’ve also just come home from a six-hour drive home and listened the entire time to archived radio interviews with Joseph Campbell. So, the topic of “the Hero’s Journey” is alive and well in me right now.
Since I started off my entrepreneurial journey, I’ve been fortunate to get to meet a...2015-08-0308 minYour Life on Purpose22: Weekly Wrap UpIt’s a beautiful day ladies and gents. And it’s been an incredible week here at Your Life on Purpose. When I first launched this podcast, it wasn’t only meant to be the audio book to the free guide I wrote called Your Life on Purpose.
You all convinced me to keep this podcast going and I’m seriously grateful for that. Over 1000 people are tuning in each day and the listenership keeps growing.
Quick note: It’s really important to me that I share stories and tips that help empower your life and help y...2015-07-3109 minYour Life on Purpose21: You Don't Need Permission
If you’re new to this daily podcast, head on over to YOURlop.com to get your copy of Your Life on Purpose, 10 actionable tips to live a life with impact which goes with this podcast and if you’d like, you’ll also be able to join our weekly newsletter.
Okay, here’s the thing. You don’t need permission. I see so many people, young entrepreneurs, students — just real incredible people that want to do amazing things in this world and they are waiting for permission.
You don’t need any permission to live the life you want to live and do the wo...2015-07-3006 minYour Life on Purpose20: Past Lives, Purpose and Living AuthenticallyThis past weekend Saturday, something interesting happened. I had a clear calendar. I didn’t have any business meetings or calls scheduled. No meet-ups planned or mastermind sessions.
So, I did my morning routine of coffee, meditation, yoga, then hopped in the car and started driving. I ended up again at Omega Institute -- the mindfulness center in Upstate New York. And I’d like to share with what a bit of what I learned there. (FYI -- my goal is to bring you thoughts and reflections on connecting the dots and living purposefully. So fully...2015-07-2812 minYour Life on Purpose19: Self-Limiting BeliefsLast episode, I've talked about ways we can identify and crush our barriers and I mentioned self-limiting beliefs. And Sometimes, we just need to get out of our own way as Jay Stolar taught us. Today, I’d like to dive deep into self-limiting beliefs. Why?
Because I’m having them right now and something tells me you might too.
Sometimes whenever I have self-limiting beliefs, I like to think back to my childhood.
I mean, heck, everything in the books says I should be a failure.
I’m adopted.
Was raised in a poor family with parents who didn’t go college.
And...2015-07-2812 minYour Life on Purpose18: Get Out of Your Own WayToday I’d like to focus on mindset and how so often times we need to get out of our own way.
We’re living in a world today that gives you the potential to do real meaningful changemaking work if you allow yourself to do so.
I see a world where we have the tools to create transformative and meaningful work that can build a better tomorrow, regardless of how much wealth you grew up with or what school you graduated from.
And I’m not just some guy who is saying that.
I’ve seen it. I’m a part of it. ...2015-07-2708 minYour Life on Purpose17: Weekly Wrap UpI woke up in the middle of the night last night and thought about something. What if I do a weekly wrap up of all the things talked about this week?
What if I share what I learned this week? Because I’m here with you. I'm just a regular guy trying to make a positive difference in the world.
A lot of the information that that I’ve been sharing on this podcast is deep. They’re simple thoughts, tips, and tricks I’ve learned from interviewing a lot of the world’s greatest change agen...2015-07-2407 minYour Life on Purpose16: Crush Your Barriers CreativelyAristotle once said, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
It’s a quote I think of often as I go through my life, taking a look at what I repeatedly do and wondering how can I take what I do on a regular basis and level it up, make it better, so that I can level up my life, my impact, and break through barriers.
So, today’s focus is on growing a limitless mindset by identifying your barriers.
Before getting into anything yet, just think about that for a minute. How do YOU...2015-07-2309 minYour Life on Purpose15: Redefining YouHead over to YourLOP.com, where you’ll also be able to get the free life plan template that goes with this podcast.
Today, I’d like to talk about redefining you.
I’ve never met someone who didn’t work hard at building their identity. That structure that makes you YOU. The webbing of your purpose.
In fact, I’ve spent my whole life building it. I’ve invested a lot of college tuition and coaching lessons along with devouring self-help books like candy. When the bookstore Borders lined every Main Street and before S...2015-07-2210 minYour Life on Purpose14: FocusBefore even getting into today’s episode, I’d like to celebrate that so far we’ve had a total of 15,000 listeners tune in to Your Life on Purpose.
That’s amazing!
I also wanted to let everyone know that I am creating a habit-hacking course that helps you live your life on purpose, do what you love, and make a difference.
I’m still talking with designers and such, so it’s in real beta form, but I invite you all to sign up for my weekly newsletter where I’ll keep you in the loop on when it goes live.
Sign up at...2015-07-2011 minYour Life on Purpose13: Overcoming ResistanceI’m super excited to be back here today and if you’re new to the podcast, make sure you check out the first couple episodes so that you see where I’m coming from. Each episode builds on the other.
Also, make sure to download the life plan and subscribe to my newsletter by heading over to thetravelingcup.com/yourlifeonpurposeguide
Okay, so, on the last episode, I talked about being real and vulnerable and owning your story.
That my friends can be easier said than done. Enter the resistance.
Oh resistance, that scoundrel of a plague that stops creators from creating...2015-07-1710 minYour Life on Purpose12: Own Your Story: Be Real and VulnerableWe just passed 12 and a half thousand downloads.
And this blows my mind because for about 4 weeks, there were no new episodes. I originally created the first 10 episodes to go with the life plan template I wrote which you can still download at the link for this podcast or at thetravelingcup.com/yourlifeonpurposeguide.
As I continue to go Your Life on Purpose here, I’m going to focus chunks of episodes by a certain theme. I think of it as seasons, like a tv show has seasons. And the theme this season right now is mindset. But, honestly, for those who know me...2015-07-1510 minYour Life on Purpose11: The Yet MindsetThanks so much for tuning in to Your Life on Purpose. I’m your host, Mark Guay and I’m super excited to be back back here with you.
If you’re new to this podcast, make sure to download the free life plan I wrote called Your Life on Purpose which has 10 simple steps to live a life with impact. These steps were pulled from my over 100 interviews with the greatest change makers and leaders of our time. The first 10 episodes of this podcast are the audio component to the life plan template.
All right — so something interesting happened over the past...2015-07-1209 minYour Life on Purpose10: Habit Hacking and Your Morning Ritual
If the first thing you do in the morning helps you grow as a person, then you’ll make better more focused decisions throughout the day.
I suggest at least 30 minutes for your morning ritual, but many go with an hour. Why? Because an hour is a sizable enough chunk where dedicated practice could lead to tremendously awesome results. Heck — I’ve even seen Ironman triathletes train on 60 minutes a day during the week and then put in longer runs and bike rides over the week.
When I first started building a morning ritual, I would spend the first hour of the day cyc...2015-06-2412 minYour Life on Purpose09: The Bucket List RedefinedSet a timer for 30 minutes and create a list of 25 things (or more :) you want to do in your life. Step outside the definition of work and things you want to do solely in your career. You are not creating a resume here. You’re building an epic eulogy. These should feed your mind, soul, and body.
It’s that simple.
Here’s how I like to redefine the bucket list though. It’s not just a list for you to live your amazing life, but rather it’s an agent to bond and strengthen your connection to love ones.
Share...2015-06-2307 minYour Life on Purpose08: Building an Epic EulogyIn this envisioning technique, I ask you to write down how you want to be remembered. Doing this helps you be clear in your direction along with building an epic eulogy.
This is meant to be written in a free-writing style similar to what Jack Kerouac and The Beats used to do. Meaning, instead of worrying about if you’re saying the right word or have proper spelling, just write quickly and separate your thoughts by just a dash. This allows your heart to bypass your brain and flow through your fingers when you type or write. 10 minutes is often enoug...2015-06-1709 minYour Life on Purpose07: Purpose Over Profit
Three Questions to Ask to Find Purpose
To help aim the ladder in the right direction, there are three questions to ask oneself:
What are your passions?
What pays well?
What are you really talented at? a.k.a. What’s your unique genius?
(Me — I’m a connector, motivator, optimistic big idea people person. I also know what I’m not good at: analyzing data, following authority)
Most entrepreneurs know very clearly what they are good and not good at. They delegate the task that they are not good at to those who can do a stellar job. I’ve done...2015-06-1611 minYour Life on Purpose06: Visualization to Manifest Your Goals (The Visual Launchpad)Okay, I’m about to get a little more Sunday-morning infomercial here for a second.
And at first, I was pretty skeptical of this myself. But, after doing it, I’m now a believer in the power of visualization.
I’m not really sure what to call this I’m going to talk to you about creating. Some call it a Photo-Board, others have called it a dream board, a manifestation visualization, and a slideshow of your life.
I’m going to call it — Your Visual Launch Pad.
So, today, I want to talk to you about building your Launchpad. It’s the visuals that...2015-06-0408 minYour Life on Purpose05: Building Your Mastermind Group
On this episode, I talk about standing out and building your mastermind group.
The Goal? Create a mastermind group of 3-5 people.
First, in the e-guide "Your Life on Purpose," I ask you to write out who is in your mastermind.
So, here’s a quick refresher. You need to have a mastermind because these are going to be the people that work as your sounding board, your therapist, along with exponentially growing your exposure by utilizing each other’s network and community of fans.
These people should be as focused and determ...2015-06-0310 minYour Life on Purpose04: Mentors and Why You Need Them
On this episode, I’m going to talk about mentors and why you need them.
I’m talking about in-person and virtual mentors here. And yes, it’s going to require you to be super vulnerable and ask for help, but I’m hoping you’ll see my point pretty quickly.
But, first a story that starts in the dorm room...
Before graduating from college, Ashley Stahl had a team of mentors to help coach and guide her career. She dreamed big and wanted nothing less than to land her dream job straight out of college. That millennial dream came true when she...2015-06-0112 minYour Life on Purpose03: Goal Setting and Building a Quest
On this episode, I want to dive into goal setting…for real. For the mind, soul, and body.
Everyone under the sun talks about goal setting. Like a New Year’s Resolution, these goals barely make it through a few weeks of trial and error.
Why? Well, there’s a few reasons.
1. Accountability.
2. Lack of simplicity.
3. No balance.
Before we dive into these three, just a heads up that we’re talking about SMARTER goals here.
You’ve probably heard the acronym before, but just a refresher. SMARTER goals are specific, measurable, action-based, realistic, time-based. Then, evaluate and re-do.
*Enjoy this podcast...2015-06-0107 minYour Life on Purpose02: Defining Your WhyOn this episode, I want to dive into the definition behind your why.
In other words, why are you doing what you are doing.
Sounds super easy, but it’s definitely not.
Finding your why is about digging deep within yourself and reflecting into the marrow of your purpose.
Your why is bigger than yourself. It’s about how the uniqueness inside of you fits perfectly with what the world needs.
Kind of like a Chicken Fajita.
A chicken fajita is one of the many beautiful foods, like gumbo and Jambalaya, that came from two worlds meeting together.
Without this blending, the chic...2015-06-0108 minYour Life on Purpose01: Writing Your LegacyOn this episode, I’m going to dive into how to build your life on purpose by carving out the next 90 days.
The first step down this road requires a bit of envisioning. You don’t need to close your eyes or anything though you are welcome to.
it’s time to envision the beginning of your legacy.
But, what I’d like you to do is imagine what your Wikipedia page would look like if some random person were to Google your name in 90 days.
Imagine what you’d really like this Wikipedia page to say about you. What would it include...2015-06-0106 minYour Life on Purpose00: Why I Launched Your Life on Purpose Podcast (and Code Word Info)The future of work is changing and you're ready to be at the forefront of this change. If you're ready to build your life on purpose and have greater impact in your work, then this is the place for you. After interviewing Seth Godin, Natalie Sisson, Pat Flynn, Scott Harrison, and others, I've put together a plan to make sure your next steps elevate your life to a whole new level.
This is Your Life on Purpose. 2015-06-0106 min