Let’s name him, Jim. Over my lifetime, I have met with 100’s of Jims. Like the 1950’s original TV cop-detective show, Dragnet, Jim’s name has been changed to protect his innocence! So to make this Letters On Integrity message meaningful to you, mentally replace your name with his and allow me tell you about a common experience of competent, successful, productive individuals as they manage their life of influence, personally and professionally in the rigorous pursuit of happiness.

Here is Jim’s scenario: He made a big decision a couple of years ago. He moved forward with it. Time has now passed. Jim sees the results of the big decision. Some results show up as favorable. But one result has never shown up favorably…his own happiness with the decision. It bothers him deeply. He is unsettled. He finds himself living with a turbulent mind that constantly steals his energies with self conversations of criticism and judgment.

Can Jim’s story change? Yes, of course. His story is not uncommon. But, change does not come to a restless mind that cannot see there is always a price to be paid for change. For you, me and any individual who encounters the Jim event, happiness remains elusively hidden until one finds the courage to look differently into the restlessness of an unhappy mind. That is the price to be paid for encountering new, hidden treasure. Jim’s unhappiness cannot be resolved using his restless mind as a guide. No, his hidden nugget of priceless wisdom requires refocusing the restless mind with a values clarifying treasure, namely… Inside all confusion there is clarity.

Here’s an analogy to unpack the paradox of confusion vs. clarity. A hiker takes his backpack up the trail to the summit. It’s an arduous climb. Unexpected circumstances require adjustments along the way demanding great effort. Near exhaustion, the hiker puts his eye on a place of rest 100 yards further up the trail. He arrives physically and emotionally spent, not knowing if this will be the spot where he must turn back, denying him the last leg to the summit. As he arrives, unexpectedly, the vista opens, he sees a clear view of the summit; Instantly, exhaustion is transformed to anticipation…the summit beckons him. It is no longer his effort that moves him forward; he is being moved forward. What was grueling effort to climb toward the summit is transformed into effortless action. The summit now lives in his mind, while his body effortlessly carries him toward it. He is in awe.

 Mission Integrity Action

 This week I unpack confusion as I open my mind to clarity’s clear voice.

 Appreciating you on the ethical edge!

Russell Williams, Founder/President

Passkeys Foundation/Ethical Edge

www.ethicaledge.org

Networking. Daily, in the ongoing challenges of a sputtering local, national and global economy, networking is alive and well. What does this relationship ritual offer professionals? Networking 101 gets us in the room for introductions; present our 30-Second-Here’s-What-I-Do; exchange business cards; notice and get noticed; leverage, while searching for an unexpected Wow moment prompting follow up where opportunity has been uncovered. Yes, networking is the rich buffet of individual enterprise organically feeding the work of companies, corporations, careers, connections and collaboration.

 What’s beyond Networking 101? Are there richer entrees to savor? If you know Jeff Black, founder of Difference Makers OC, you have encountered networking’s higher purpose. Jeff brings persistent, passionate and conscious clarity to networking’s Big C opportunity…caring for others as we exercise our influence for good. With his collaborating team, Jeff is on a mission to shape networking events that bring great people together for conversations, connections and caring about individual and community needs.

 Higher purpose networking moves the needle of personal motivation beyond the baseline measurement defining our use of time… namely, what do I want to get out of this experience? This viewpoint is understandable, but limiting. How so? No doubt you have encountered a networking moment when It’s All About Me reality is denied, i.e. transformed…as your words, your eyes, your one-pointed attentive listening, your encouragement become valued food for someone…who re-energizes because you offer your influence for good to the circumstances of another.

 A case in point. It’s been a year that I have been part of a networking group that meets monthly. Our ongoing agenda pursues blueprinting our personal and professional goals. But, candidly, this agenda is not the meeting; the dialogue of caring is. Consistently, our conversations reveal the collective story of our challenges as we experience the caring clarity of the group’s mutual consciousness. The reality of Getting is transformed into the higher purpose richness of Giving. What’s the outcome? Our conversations uncover our mutual journey to use our talents and skills to be difference makers in the worlds of our influence.

 Mission Integrity Action

 This week, I transform my networking encounters to feed and fuel my influence with another. I find personal meaning as I experience higher purpose networking moving me from getting to giving.

 Appreciating you on the ethical edge!

Russell Williams, Founder/President

Passkeys Foundation/Ethical Edge

www.ethicaledge.org