What if we stopped asking ourselves, “what’s my dream job?”What if we stopped judging ourselves by what degree we have or don’t have?What if the life we’re making now didn’t need to look like the our parents think we should have? What if work was about doing something that mattered to us? Do you know what it means to do work that matters?If you don’t, then consider the below questions. Who are the people I am meant to help?What’s the problem they need solved? Is the solution something I’m passionate about? Will my work make a difference?Honestly, there are so many more questions… so many. I wish more of us would ask ourselves these questions. Why?Because when we know what matters to us, we know how and where to invest our time. What matters to you?Photo credit: Jen Theodore

When you do work, do you do it with intention?Are you thinking about the long term impact of what you’re doing?Is what you’re doing aligned with who you believe yourself to be?Do you have an idea of an impact you hope to be achieved?  The work we do in the service of others ought to be done with intention.  We should believe that we’re about to do will make an impact that matters to the people who care.I’m writing this because I’m working on some small projects. And, as I sit in meeting after meeting, I find myself reflecting - “Is what I am doing now, this thing, is this what I am supposed to do for the people I am for?”

Today I helped connect a few subscribers, perhaps you, to a few ideas that might help them become profitable. I didn’t charge them for the help. But, “then David, why bother?“Because the culture I’m creating is the one where people help people without having to get something for it. Because to serve others is a privilege.Because it feels good to see your friends win. Because right now, we all could use some help. I’m not saying this to boast. I’m saying this because I don’t often share the things I do well, and this, today, was something I did well. And, you know what? I’m proud. Help others.

Today is Memorial Day in the United States. On this day, United States citizens remember, celebrate, and mourn those fell while serving their countries. This post is not about war or the United States.In fact, I am using this day to remember you. You, the Artisan Doer, who serves their tribe.You, the servant leader, who sees themselves not as the “boss” but as the #1 Supporter. You, the human, who’s looking for other ways to serve the humans around them.You, the one who struggles in the morning to find hope amidst the chaos.You, the one who won’t stop believing in themselves.You, the one who’‘s cultivating new ways of doing things. You, the one who never stops fighting for the meaningful work they’re trying to do.You, the one who believes anything worth believing in is worth fighting for.We are all called to serve one another. This is a day for you, too.P.S. I chose the image for this headline because musicians are servants. We serve the music we play. We serve the audience we engage. We serve our band mates. Lastly, we serve our art. To all of you out artisan musicians out there who read this blog - I see you, I know it’s tough, I love you, and I’m with you.

Viktor Frankl, the author of “Man’s Search for Meaning,” writes: “If there is a meaning in life at all, then there must be a meaning in suffer. Suffering is an ineradictable part of life, even as fate and death. Without suffering and death human life cannot be complete.” Yesterday I posted about a tough day. But more, I posted about how graduation offered a new perspective. The truth enabled me to see the “something better.” A few people reached out to me and asked, “are you okay?” I am. I am because I’m being truthful about life. Because that truth became meaningful to me. Because the meaning it gave me allows me to “do” life better. Because doing life better is coming alive. The most important lesson I’ve learned this week is to be authentic, even if it doesn’t “look” good, because I am living life as it is for me. And, that’s beautiful. P.S. to the ones who reached out - thank you for extending care. Yesterday’s entry is more about a way of thinking we can use to transcend the tough days.

Yesterday, hundreds of people graduated from the Medical College of Wisconsin. Many have jobs to go onto, and many do not. But, it’s sure that many are taking with them a great deal of experience, hope, stress, knowledge, and debt.  

Graduation is “closure.” It’s the end of years learning, stressing, fighting, and believing in something much bigger than yourself. It’s the realization that the battle is over, you’re going somewhere else. It’s touching dry land after being isolated on a cruise ship for 80+ days. It’s the acceptance that the loved who died is, indeed, gone.  

I had more ideas about life, growth, perseverance, grit, and leadership than I knew what to do with after I left Carnival. These ideas came from the books I had been reading, my own observations from leading people, and experiences I had in big corporations. I always wanted to share these ideas with my team, and often I didn’t. Why?  Because the way I thought wasn’t like everybody else.  It was different.  “You’re too different. Why don’t you be like the rest of us?“Well, I’m not like the rest of everybody else - and I’m okay with that! I’m me. I have a culture of “different” that I’ve curated for myself, and it works.  How does this tie into blogging? Because, through blogging, I create and change the culture.  I curate and clarify my own thinking and behaviors.I offer insights to readers who are also looking to curate and clarify their own thinking.I spread a message of artisan doing - perfecting the craft of being productive.  I do this all every day.  What I’ve learned from blogging is the power of never giving up on an idea. To stick with it. Even if nobody cares. At least I did something worth something with the time I had.  You have time right now. Possibly lots of it. What behaviors and mindsets will you cultivate and curate for yourself?

This past weekend, many of my friends lost their jobs in the cruise industry. An industry they might have spent the better half of 2 decades in. They’re also trying to figure out what’s next.  How will they be able to break into a new industry?What if no one understands their previous work?What if they can’t pay their bills?  What if…There are others like them with similar struggles. Admittedly, I’ve been in that place before, too.  The place where it might seem impossible to adopt a mindset of growth amidst the loss. Where I might take more time to grieve than what’s needed. Where the feelings of optimism might seem in short supply.  To those people, I offer a simple yet provocative thought.  “You have more abundance now than your mind allows you to see.“I can say that because I’ve been there myself. Here’s what you have that you didn’t have before:Time - you have time to explore, reflect, and enjoy.Time - you can slow down a bit, let life get ahead of you, and be present.Time - you can engage in self-care, rest, and do the things you should be doing for yourself all the time.And there’s one last thing I’ll say, “you have permission.“Right now, you have permission to use time and do something with it. You don’t need that permission from me - you’ve had it all along.  So now,   What will you do?  Where will you go?Who will you serve?

“The future starts today, not tomorrow.” - Pope John Paul IIRight now:You have the opportunity to make a change.You can learn a new skill.You can explore your passions.You can make life the way you want it to be.There are people like you, Artisan Doers - people who are perfecting the craft of coming alive, are using this method. Here’s how it works:Accept that your concept of “normal” is based on the past. The past has passed, now it’s time for new.Accept that only you can create the life you want to live.  Accept that the life you want to live in is your “new normal.“Create healthy expectations for yourself and for others.Go out, and do something - come alive.If you have doubts about the method or think it couldn’t possibly apply to your situation, think again.No gift is free of risk, and risks aren’t safe.  There’s a risk in trying this method out - only you can determine how well it works.  On the contrary, if you apply yourself, you can gift yourself and others with something special: You.

Culture as defined by me:“A curated set of agreed-upon beliefs and actions.“I can have my own culture. I have made an agreement with myself to believe what I believe, read what I read, and act the way I act.    You can do the same.You can curate or carefully select what information you choose to believe.  You can curate how you choose to behave around others.You can curate what you’ll tell yourself when others upset you.You can curate what you’ll say when you finally choose to speak.As a leader, you can do the same for your tribe.The tribe of Artisan Doers values self-reflection, being endlessly curious, and trying new things so that we can be better for ourselves, and our communities.  Culture starts with the self and then expands out.  If you’re like me, and you value what this blog represents, you’ll probably subscribe and share it with others like you.If you’re not, you won’t. And, that’s how culture ought to work.It starts with you and works out.  You curate the sources that inspire you.You curate how you take your news.You curate the actions you’ll take towards others.You curate the people in your life.You curate how you show the people in your life you care.Culture starts with you.