Project Exponential

Tag: empathy

  • What connects us

    Understanding that first and foremost, the life you want to create for yourself, the type of person you want to become, the parts of yourself you’re most excited to develop will attract individuals who will help you get there.

    Realizing that true, authentic connection is expansive. The right relationship discovered at the right time can help you soar, find freedom, create, and see a limitless future.

    Recognizing that relationships are catalysts for growth and independence — for supporting both reckless abandon and providing the foundation to carry the wisdom that comes from experience, failure, frustration, pain.

    Acknowledging that your highest highs and lowest lows are probably different than mine; the value lies in sharing and discovering what these experiences were like for each of us.

    Accepting that at your very worst, you are someone’s pride and joy. Knowing this helps reveal the very best parts of you.

    That through the fog of confusion and longing, we can help each other find shared laughter and bouts of success, punctuated with gratitude and contentment along the way.

    That our mutual appreciation for life — the ups and downs, the hard lessons and the easy ones — may or may not happen at the same time. Your up might be my down, but no matter, when we find ourselves on the same plane, we can share the lessons we learned and the tricks we used to get us through.

    Embracing that this is all really about compassion, about elevating each other and pushing one another to succeed by sharing our struggles and our wins.

    We collaborate because our ideas become greater. Like a brilliant prism, the unique perspectives we each offer leads to undiscovered treasure.

    It’s our gift to find it.

  • The link between success and generosity is no accident

    Observation #1: The most successful people I know are also the most generous.

    • Leaders who give their time and of themselves endear those around them, building trust and respect among teams.
    • “Scarcity mentality” repels and detracts from passion, energy, and fulfillment.
    • Altruism and great financial success are not mutually exclusive.

    Observation #2: Some of the best connections arise from places of abundance and giving.

    • When you are focused on “the other,” conversations are more meaningful, authentic energy is exchanged, better solutions can be brainstormed.
    • Folks can sense greed and selfishness; it is not attractive.

    Observation #3: By giving to others, you can more clearly identify what brings you joy.

    • True growth comes from helping others, encouraging someone’s dreams, furthering their project.
    • Helping may be learned as a practiced skill but can emerge as a core element of your being.
    • Most artists, creators, and makers are givers — they share physically, mentally, and emotionally of themselves. Dedicated to their craft, they put their art into the world expecting little (if anything) in return. The emphasis is on the work, the sharing, and not necessarily the outcome.
    • Meaningful dreams evolve from a special sauce of individual enthusiasm, passion, sweat — and the generosity of others.

  • The power of weakness

    In moments of confusion, doubt, insecurity and despair, we feel least like connecting. It becomes tempting to create distance, sit in the corner, and focus inward when feeling less than. We convince ourselves that failures and struggles are better left unspoken.

    Yet these moments often proceed sparks of brilliance and unstoppable action.

    Too often we rob ourselves of the full spectrum of human connection. An empathic word or kind touch can help us identify the right direction and move closer towards greatness. Genuine communication has the ability to convert despair into hope.

    Challenge yourself to trade feelings of unworthiness for opportunities to authentically connect. Embrace moments of weakness and maximize every facet of the human experience. Hiding seldom heals.

  • We’re all blind.

    We’re all some kind of blind. We can’t help it.

    We were raised seeing the world a certain way, adopting particular values, learning how to interpret our immediate surroundings.

    What’s challenging to you may be quite interesting to the woman sitting across the boardroom, and she knows a great solution. Your client’s problem may be an easy fix in your world; to him, an impossible task.

    Are you willing to accept alternative views? Could you help another see more clearly?

    What’s stopping you from sharing what you know?

  • Everyone has a story.

    You get to decide if you want to listen.

    (And what you can learn.)