Kevin W. McCarthy

It's (Not) About Me

Recently I was shopping at the local Publix grocery store.  Standing at the checkout line was a trim woman in her thirties wearing a hot pink T-shirt with the message, “IT’S ABOUT ME” in three-inch capital letters trimmed by pink sequins.  I believe she’s right.  Pastor Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life, begins Day 1 with the statement. “It’s not about you.”  I believe he’s right.

How do I find my purpose in life?

This is one of those questions that comes up hauntingly too often. Fortunately, you've come to the right place.  I've written a book called The On-Purpose Puzzle that goes into depth on the topic.  It sells for just $10 at our bookstore.

Please, allow me give you the short answer about finding meaning and purpose in your life so you can get started.

Grab a sheet of paper and a pen.
Answer the question, why do I exist?
Write everything you can think.  Do a brain dump.
Once you've completed this, distill your pages into one page.
Then, distill your one page into a paragraph.
Reduce the paragraph to a sentence.
Reduce the sentence to two words.
    The first word is an action verb or gerund (ends with an "ing" like liberating, awakening, or igniting).
    The second word is an object.
Give these words a generic beginning of, "I exist to serve by..." 
Now you have written your purpose statement.
 

Eckhart Tolle's book, A New Earth

Oprah Winfrey's recent foray with Eckhart Tolle, the author the book, A New Earth, Awakening to Your Life's Purpose has certainly engaged a huge segment of the population.  Tapping into people's hunger for spiritual depth is one thing.  Delivering on the promise is another.

Here are some of the Great Question of Life that are often asked:

• What is the purpose of life?
• How do I find my purpose in life?
• What is the meaning of life?
• Is life meaningful?

What Does It Mean to Be On-Purpose?

The On-Purpose^® Approach is best understood by reading my books The On-Purpose Person and The On-Purpose Business.  They provide a fundamental understanding of this movement of hearts into meaningful action.  Nothing else in the marketplace provides such a broad, yet integrated lifestyle.

On-Purpose^® is a holistic and integrated lifestyle advocating the fullness of life.
On-Purpose^® is a method with everyday tools to build a life, a career, or a business.
On-Purpose^® is a point of view that life and work are by design and meaningful.
On-Purpose^® is a light turned on to shine into the darkness of the heart of one’s heart.
On-Purpose^® is a way to answer The Great Questions of Life.
On-Purpose^® is to live with intention and personal accountability within a larger fellowship.
On-Purpose^® is to know one’s purpose and to align one’s life with that purpose.
On-Purpose^® is living a called life, instead of a driven life.
On-Purpose^® is spiritual in that it answers the deepest longings for significance and belonging.
On-Purpose^® is hopeful, positive, and relevant to contemporary challenges.
On-Purpose^® is shalom from the Jewish concept of peace that comes from being one with God.
On-Purpose^® is to clearly know one’s identity in Christ and to joyfully live in this manner.
On-Purpose^® is to seek God first and to center one’s life on The Great Commandment.
On-Purpose^® is seeking to meet us where we are and to live as Jesus did in his day.
On-Purpose^® is the alignment of your heart, head, and hands within your highest values.
On-Purpose^® is practical because it can be lived long term and moment to moment.
On-Purpose^® is giving from strength even in times of weakness.
On-Purpose^® is the difference in people who make a difference™.

Related articles

• Do You Really Know Who You Are? (kevinwmccarthy.com)

30 pound weight loss - 7 Weeks!

Unbelievable!  I am somewhat stunned.  After years of attempting to eat right, exercise, and drink more water... and failing to lose much beyond the initial five or ten pounds, I am actually down 30 pounds since April 4th.  That's seven short weeks ago. 

Here is my weigh in photo taken just about 6;45 am this morning.  You may recall my blog post on April 4th with my scale reading 230!  My goal weight remains 40 pounds of weight loss or to reach 190 pounds.  Nevertheless, to break the 200 mark is a major milestone for me.  I can't remember the last time I weighed under 200.  Certainly, when I was playing lots of competitive tennis at age 35 - some 18 years ago - I was in much better shape.  Playing in the Men's 35 Nationals Clay Courts I hurt my knee and laid off for 13 years until a modest three-year return to courts.  I haven't play for nearly two years now.  I would have to guess my weight has been above 200 since 1990.  I just can't believe I let it slide like this for so long.

The picture that's the header of my blog shows me in late October, 2007.  I probably weighed 235 at the time of the photo shoot.  Now, in addition to new clothes, I'll soon need new photos taken for my web site and speaker kit.  This is what one calls a good problem. 

Profit-Making On-Purpose®

I will be the keynote speaker at the Chamber's event.  This event is open to the public. 

When: Friday, June 6, 2008, 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM
What: Seminole County (FL) Chamber of Commerce Small Business Breakfast
Topic: Profit-Making On-Purpose®

Purpose Is an Amazing Word

Purpose is an amazing word that has captivated my life and work since the mid-1980s.  This idea of simply on-purpose, however, is not meant to amaze you with a word, its concepts, and meaning.  Instead, this is your invitation to an adventure filled with discovery toward revelation of your unique identity and significant fit on the planet.  Life is to be experienced.  And a life with a profound knowledge of purpose is life predictably experienced more resolutely, meaningfully, and joyfully.

Purpose is also one of the most misunderstood and frequently used words.  As a result, we’re left with counterfeit versions of purpose.  Authentic purpose is like nothing you’ve ever experienced.  A picture postcard of the Grand Canyon is a mere snapshot of its beauty, depth, and grandeur.  But, you haven’t experienced the Grand Canyon until you’ve stood at the Canyon edge in utter wonder and also stood deep within it and looked heavenward.  Purpose is likewise to be experienced with an inspiring gasp of joy and varied perspective.  It is big!  Resist settling for the postcard and believing you’re living in the real thing.

Simply On-Purpose Introduction

Think of these posts as a series of picture postcards.  Each is your personal invitation into the adventurous revelation of who you are, how you were created, and why you have your being – a step into new life territory.  Purpose is more than a word; it’s an amazing gift.  Take, open, embrace, and share your gift.  Before too long, it won’t be about you anymore and you’ll know whom it really is about.  I won’t be presumptuous about your purpose or how to live.  Drawing your own conclusions is the true joy of the transformation ahead. 

Meeting Brian Biro - America's Breakthrough Coach

Asheville, NC - May 16, 2008

One of the great joys of being a best selling author and professional speaker is the other best selling authors and speakers one gets to meet.  Friday, I once again had this joy with a man who all about having a Joyful Spirit - the title of one of his books.

Brian Biro is America's Breakthrough Coach - a true On-Purpose Person.  A guy with a joyful heart and a sharing spirit.  Allow me to put a blatant plug in for Brian to any readers looking for a speaker.  Brian truly is a coach, motivational speaker, and, most importantly, the genuine article.  Here's a guy who gets people on their feet in a greater belief in their true selves and possibilities. 

Brian Biro's first book, Beyond Success, provides an in depth look and understanding into "The 15 Secrets of Effective Leadership and Life" through the eyes of former UCLA basketball coach, John Wooden.  Coach Wooden is unarguably the greatest college basketball coach of all time, yet the titles were incidental to his goal of developing boys into men.  While coaching swimming at UCLA, Brian and Coach Wooden formed a friendship so this book is truly a personal account rather than the distance of a journalist.  Read it and learn.

 

Service In Business: On-Purpose®

Here is a link to a teleconference done with Lowell Lane, Editor of the Kingdom Business  Journal.  You can listen for free.  It takes us a little bit to find a groove, but hang in there as the interview takes off.

Kingdom Builders / Joseph Project Podcast

May 13, 2008 • 90 minutes with Q & A