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True Calling Project | Finding Purpose and Meaning In Life and Career

John Harrison is a professional psychotherapist and coach. He brings his insight and experience from his former career as a military officer, 9-5 office worker, and his current career as a therapist and coach, in interviews with professionals, psychology experts, and those living their higher potential. Each week you’ll get discussion, stories, and insights on finding your “why”, how to optimize your life and business, and the mental and emotional challenges that can keep you stuck. He and his guests explore the practical and spiritual aspects of engaging in a satisfying career and a meaningful life.
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True Calling Project | Finding Purpose and Meaning In Life and Career
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May 29, 2017

What is it about relationships that we find so rewarding?  What kind of people do we gravitate towards?  Is it their words?  Is it their advice?  When we have a good, solid, friendship or relationship, and connection with someone what are they doing that makes it so?  What can we focus on in our relationships to enhance our connection with others?  Subscribe to the True Calling Project podcast on iTunes and find it here:  www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/category/truecallingproject/

May 29, 2017

Death is a unique process in human experience in that it can only be directly experienced by the participant, and it cannot be recorded. In almost everything else in life, people are ready and willing to offer advice… but, in this one area, they can’t.

Bryan Wright, like many of us, is fascinated by this unknown, yet ubiquitous, experience. He is a student of Thanatology – the study of death, dying, and related processes – and he’s on the show today to discuss the postmodern phenomenon of denying death and the transformative power of the grieving process.

Throughout much of history, death was considered an important part of the continuum of life and a community experience. Everyone and everything died, and the whole tribe was part of it. Western society has largely lost touch with that continuum.

In Western society, we don’t often participate in the natural grief process. We often use the word recovery to describe that experience, but the field of Thanatology is moving away from the language of recovery because it can be oppressive to the bereaved and mourning.

Instead, Thanatologists favor words like adaptation to describe and acknowledge what the grieving process really is: a reality-altering experience that forever changes who and what we are.

“We have so few opportunities to really experience the true depth, intensity, and texture of human life. Death is an opportunity to experience those things, and a calling to explore that same level of curiosity in all of life.”

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Resources:

Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

Production & Development for True Calling Project by Podcast Masters

May 22, 2017

NSFW. Or maybe it's AFW (appropriate for work). This isn't clickbait. Because clickbait is bullshit. This is about smiling through and letting go of a lot of what we get tied up in on a day to day basis. Do we really HAVE to put our energies and efforts into things that we can't control? Do we HAVE to play along with things even though we know they're bullshit? Like in the Emperor's New Clothes, we all know when we SEE bullshit, but we also have a keen sense of FEELING into bullshit. Trust your gut. But for today you can just practice with how good it feels to call a spade a spade by hearing yourself say the words "bullshit" and smile a bit. It'll make your day a little bit better.  Find the True Calling Project podcast on iTunes and also find it here:  www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/category/truecallingproject/

May 22, 2017

Today’s guest, Trevor Oldham, is a 20-year-old college student and co-founder of Become The Lion, one of the top ranked motivational blogs. Trevor has entrepreneurship in his blood, and he’s been running businesses since he was a kid.

When Trevor was 17, he had success importing phone cases from China and selling them. It was a profitable business, but he decided that he needed to do something with more purpose and impact.

At the age of 18, Trevor co-founded Become the Lion so that he could inspire millennials to become the best versions of themselves.

One thing that Trevor learned early on is that, in order to become your best self, you have to ask for help – on top of that, he learned that many people are actually happy to offer help. He reached out to other entrepreneurs already running successful businesses, and he was able to learn a lot from them.

Taking a chance and reaching out to Jon Gordon, author of The Seed, gave Trevor a helpful nudge towards finding his purpose.

No matter where you are in your journey, and no matter what you are on a journey towards, there will always be someone one step ahead in the path who has something to teach you. Sending an email, or even just reading a book, can help you find success faster.

“It’s nice having a revenue stream coming in, but it’s also nice being able to make an impact on people.”

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Resources:

Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

Production & Development for True Calling Project by Podcast Masters

May 22, 2017

Funny how we fail to appreciate our impact on the people around us and our environment both in a positive and negative way.  We judge our impact as negligible when we are really the one's that need to be judging.  All our job is to express and create and leave the judging to others.  People will receive the impact of our actions regardless of what we think about them.  How can we be more intentional in what we do in a positive way?  In a way that is a true expression of who we are?  Taking notice about our negative influence and not turning a cheek on that either.  We're all small pieces in the world but equally important pieces.  What ripple do you want to set out into the world?  Because it matters.  Subscribe to the True Calling Project podcast on iTunes and find it here: www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/category/truecallingproject/

May 20, 2017

Listen up control freaks and self care junkies! This is for you. And for me. I'm done. Tired. Spent. Things are reaching their limit here with my business. But this time, instead of trying to self medicate the stress with "self care", I'm going to listen to it. Instead of trying to strangle control and lessen my anxiety, I'm going to let go. Not only that, I'm going to double down on listening to my stress and double down on letting go of control. We'll see how it goes. What's going on in your life that you're trying to over manage? What's getting in the way of what you want and value and what can you let go of to help you get closer to it? Subscribe to the True Calling Project podcast on iTunes and find it here: www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/category/truecallingproject/

May 17, 2017

Interesting opportunities are coming up lately.  Things that I never would have imagined even 3 or 4 years ago.  What if our limited mindset really is the problem? We try to seek certainty before we act thinking there should be this clear linear pattern from which to base our decisions from.  We think we know something until something new shows up in our lives. What's right in front of us right now that's trying to get our attention? Are we looking to only act on things that we are certain will "pay off" or are we willing to see what's "behind door number 2"?  What opportunities are possible to us if we allow ourselves to just...take..that step...that's right in front of us.  And then see where it takes us.

Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

 

May 15, 2017

Frances Harvey is a Professional Certified Coach targeted directly towards therapists and mental health clinicians, providing support, advice and all manner of help so they can reach their goal of running a successful practice and business.

In this episode, we talk a lot about the idea of letting go. We all know that trust is important in so many aspects of our everyday lives, so how do we put this to use in our businesses? And what are the benefits?

It may be a daunting task to ‘let go’ and open yourself up to trust, being vulnerable, but many times, that’s when we are fully able to allow the new to come into our lives and businesses.

“Make a list of everything on your plate. When you go to do that task, ask yourself “Should I be doing this? I know it needs to be done, but should ‘I’ be the one doing it?””

Frances believes that therapists are simply called to do what they do, and that being able to successfully run a business around that calling is essential. In spite of this, many therapists lack the knowledge, skill or time to maximize their success. This is where Frances comes in, offering solutions to these blind spots.

France’s first questions when starting a consultation are:

 

  • Who is the therapist as a person. Not as an entrepreneur or a therapist- who are they personally?
  • What the therapist feels their greatest asset to the business is and how they are taking care of themselves.
  • What steps can we take to maximize that care and get back to the original ‘calling’ that Frances feels all therapists have.

It is because of this style of interaction that Frances can dive deep into not just the processes, but the mind of the therapist, and whilst she does utilize practical techniques, such as delegation of tasks, returning the therapist to their True Calling is of paramount importance.

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Resources:

Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

Production & Development for True Calling Project by Podcast Masters

May 13, 2017

When should I push through and suck it up?  This comes up a lot for me. When do I push through and when is it ok to let go and relax? When is it time to step it up and when is it ok to take a break? If we only push ourselves all the time we'll burn out. If we only chill out and take it easy, we'll never move forward or grow. And there can be alot of guilt and angst about not pushing it hard all the time.  Knowing why we're doing what we're doing and implementing a plan and cycle in our actions and goal setting can help. Limiting and making boundaries to "go all out" as well as a time to step back and recuperate. Planning and executing both. Room for engaging as well as releasing. 

Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

May 11, 2017

Feeling especially reflective when I recorded this on Monday. Thinking about the things that I've tried and failed at over the course of my life, but especially in the last 5 years. Anything and everything that was not tied into a clear heartfelt purpose that could answer a "why" for me, didn't pan out. I was left feeling empty and not so fulfilled. The "jokes on me" kind of feeling. Not that it wasn't an important lesson, it was and continues to be. Chasing a "thing", the "idea of something", or the allure of something to make me more than what I already possess, is an illusion. Getting clearer on my overall "why" and I encourage others to do that questioning for themselves. Funny, because it seems like a good time to do so as structures and concepts fall apart all around us. Cutting through the BS. Not looking for something outside of you to make or break you. It's all about you. You are enough. 

Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

May 8, 2017

Sharon Martin, LCSW, is dedicated to helping busy adults and teens in Silicon Valley manage stress in order to promote peace, balance, and happiness in their lives.

In today’s episode, we discuss how self-esteem and negative self-talk affect this balance and happiness, and how people who work with children can foster a positive sense of self-worth in the next generation.

We all tell ourselves a story about ourselves, which is impacted by the messages we hear every day, and this self-talk influences our sense of self.  

Because the messages other people tell us influence our story, we often end up defining ourselves based on other people and a sense of relative achievement… but that is a quick path to negativity.

Our sense of self has to be driven by what feels right, not what the outside world says is the right thing.

Of course, this isn’t always easy – life is distracting, and the people in your life might contribute to this negative self-talk. On top of that, negative self-talk often tells us that we’re alone and isolated, so help seems that much farther away.

There are some small mindset and lifestyle shifts that can help you build a positive belief system that makes life work for you.

  • Recognize that everything you believe isn’t true… and some of your beliefs, messages, and values originally came from other people.
  • Explore who you are, outside of what other people say.
  • You don’t have to do specific things to prove your worth, and you shouldn’t have to prove your worth to receive love.
  • Understand that failure isn’t the opposite of success – it’s part of the learning process. Don’t be afraid to take a risk in the future because of what happened in the past.
  • If your environment has a negative effect, surround yourself with different people.
  • Practice self-compassion in the face of negativity. There’s nothing inherently wrong with you because someone doesn’t like you or disapproves (and there’s nothing inherently wrong with them, either).
  • Accept that you can’t control everything and, therefore, can’t be the cause of every problem.

“There’s something very human about wanting to fit in, wanting to connect, and wanting approval from certain people… but that can’t be the driving force. There has to be something internal that feels right.”

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Resources:

 

Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

Production & Development for True Calling Project by Podcast Masters

May 5, 2017

As a introvert myself, I'm going to call out all the other introverts that use introversion as an excuse to hide. While there is nothing wrong with being an introvert, it can provide a slippery excuse to maintain a quiet voice, a muted personality, or even a depressed and miserable state of being. Introverts gather their energies from being reflective and having times of solitude or being around similar people. Here are some reasons that introverts use the "introvert excuse" when minimizing their message or presence. 1. Being afraid of being seen as cocky or arrogant. 2. Feeling as though they don't have "sufficient knowledge" about what they wish to express. 3. Introverts tend to be analytical in nature and therefore can be acutely critical of themselves and their beliefs. However, many introverts are not actually introverted in nature when talking about, expressing, or creating the things they most believe in and affiliate with. It's ok to be an introvert but don't let the excuse of being an introvert allow you to continue to suppress your message, gift, or creative nature. The world needs it. And honestly, that's bigger than your fear. Someone needs to hear what you have to say. Even if you don't believe it.

Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

 

May 4, 2017

Of all of the insights and practical advice that I have heard in the past few years, the one that has made all of the difference is that "if we want to make lasting and significant change in our lives, we have to sometimes do things we don't want to do."  If we only listen to our feelings, our whims, our mood, our problems...we'll never be able to maintain consistency.  We have to rise above our cravings and impulses and force ourselves to show up on the days, and in the places, we don't want to.  When we do this, and transcend our old habits, we can open up space for new things to come in and the rest will take care of itself.  Just show up! Don't wait until you feel like doing it.

Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

May 2, 2017

Why are we in such a rush to get somewhere we currently aren't?  When we are constantly bombarded with messages that glamorize the final product we tend to skip over our own process and the necessary steps in our process.  We are all addicted.  Addictions are not just about substances in our mind but also are concepts, false ideas, and unrealistic expectations that take us away from the important place that we currently are.  Embracing the process, honoring it, and listening and learning to what it is teaching us in the moment.  

Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

May 1, 2017

Do you ever feel lost or burnt out due to the stress of running a business, or life in general?

Jo Muirhead has been there – and now she helps others search for awareness so that they can more easily build a life around their true calling.

Jo is an author, speaker, private practice mentor, and rehabilitation consultant. As the director and principal consultant of Purple Co, the Purpose for People Company, she helps people return to work and reconnect to a sense of purpose following injury, illness, or trauma.

Jo has a lot of success, and she’s finally built a business that doesn’t cause her to burn out… but only after years of trial and error. During that time, her business suffered as her health declined.

Eventually Jo learned that she doesn’t need to run her business based off of anyone else’s template. If we learn more about our values and how we operate, then we can build structures, systems, and schedules that contribute to our own self-care (instead of necessitating care), while still allowing us to grow successful businesses.

“You are enough. You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone or anything. You’re actually enough – and you’re more than enough – and you’re okay just the way you are. You don’t know it all, but you have the capacity to learn… so go learn.”

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Resources:

Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

Production & Development for True Calling Project by Podcast Masters

Apr 27, 2017

When looking at taking risk we consider the chances of failure.  Obviously, some risks are not worth taking.  But what about when we are not taking risk because we are afraid of failing at being accepted, or being praised, or being told we're doing ok? Many people do not take risks because they are afraid to find out that they may not be "good enough" at what they love to do.  But here's the thing.  We can never truly "fail" when we are expressing and creating on the level of what we love and believe is important.  Sure there are methods that are better than others, but in finding out what works better, and what doesn't work at all, we are merely gathering information to take the next step or turn in our process.  We are failing forward.  Taking the small "failures" and using that information and experience to step further into our creative and expressive selves.  In this light, there is no failure.  Just doing.  Learning, evolving.  Failing is a part of moving forward.  And it's unavoidable. 

Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

 

Apr 26, 2017

We all have them. So why are we surprised when things keep getting in our way? What if problems never stopped?  What if we just graduated to better problems? Problems can be a teacher.  They can show us context and what we prefer.  They can show us discernment.  We spend a lot of energy and time attempting to escape from what we assume are issues.  What if the real problem is our perception of them?

Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/ 

Apr 24, 2017

Tiffany McLain is a licensed therapist and the mind behind Hey Tiffany. It’s a site that helps therapists launch their private practices, with a focus on first-time entrepreneurs and first-generation college graduates.

Tiffany wants to help people who are trying to do something that their families have not done before; people who want their own income stream, a flexible job, a good lifestyle, and to give back.

A lot of people struggle with money, and not just acquiring it. Many people, particular those of us who are called to help others, have a fear around money… and that’s not a healthy relationship. You can’t start any venture, or help people, if you don’t have the right resources.

“Fear is the number one obstacle that comes up around money.”

Therapists shouldn’t feel guilty about, or afraid of, charging fees. It’s not a zero-sum game where you do better and, as a result, everyone else does worse.

In fact, making more money means that you can reach more people, do more good, and have a greater impact.

The other part of developing a healthy money mindset is understanding that it’s okay to spend money. You have to invest in yourself and your practice if you want to grow and reach more people.

“It’s okay to be afraid. Most of us are afraid! If you can find someone who is doing the thing you want to do and invest in them, you’re going to be just fine.”

Tiffany was kind enough to create a special resource just for you in the True Calling Project audience. You can find this free resource at www.heytiffany.com/truecalling.

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Resources:

 

Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

 

Production & Development for True Calling Project by Podcast Masters

Apr 21, 2017

When we ask for something are we really sure that we want what we are asking for? Why do we find disappointment when we get things we are asking for? Why do we have tendencies to self sabotage and keep us from experiencing abundance? Many times we seem to have a subconscious tendency to block ourselves from what we want because we don't actually believe that we deserve all the good things we want. Do you tend to dismiss compliments and have a hard time taking them?  Do you suffer from not being able to have the "right" partner to come into your life?  Lack of money? Good job hard to find? Honestly ask yourself if you are really ready to receive the things you are asking for and are ready to do the work and make the sacrifices needed to get them.

Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

Apr 20, 2017

When we think of ego, or being egotistical, we tend to think about someone who is self aggrandizing or is being self promoting, or self absorbed.  But what about the other side of ego problems?  Minimizing your own value and worth.  Playing the victim, being a martyr, and drawing empowerment from devaluing yourself or being overly negative about your situation.  Allowing your identity to be someone who "can't do it" or "isn't capable" or "can't be self dependent".  We are all equal in terms of being worthy of receiving and giving love.  And when we are on the downside of ego self we are in a position to withhold from the world and others.  That's just as harmful in the long run as someone who is outspoken and rude.  Maybe even more so.

Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

Apr 19, 2017

Someone asked me recently what I expected to come out of the podcast and videos I am doing.  I thought I had explored my "why" but I hadn't really thought about what exactly I expected from the production of the podcast and video themselves.  Strangely, or maybe it isn't, I actually just like making the podcast episodes.  I really have no expectations at all.  What if we did more of that?  Acting and creating without analyzing and worrying?  What if I did it more?  What if you did it more?  What if we all have something of value to share no matter what medium we use to express it?  What if by sharing our unique gifts and words we could actually change the world?  What if?

Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

Apr 17, 2017

Josh Garrett is a personal trainer and entrepreneur. He runs Cincy 360 Fitness, which won Best Personal Training Studio in City Beat's "Best Of Cincinnati" 2017 contest. Fitness programs include nutritional guidance, strength training, innovative cardio exercise, and recovery techniques, AKA The 360 Approach.

Josh defines fitness as being able to take on whatever life throws at you. It’s all relative to who you are, what lifestyle you have, and what you want out of your life. The same can be said for personal development. Throughout this episode, you’ll notice there are a number of similarities between physical fitness and personal development.

Josh started training because he wanted to help people lose weight – but he fell in love with the layered facets of training; he fell in love with empowering people, and the people themselves.

Josh didn’t start his career as a great trainer. Like strength training itself, Josh was only able to improve as a strength coach by pushing his own boundaries. Real change starts to happen after we find our boundaries, challenge ourselves, and overcome them.

Change doesn’t happen all at once – it’s progressive – and the world doesn’t change when you reach a new threshold. You change, then you look forward towards a new threshold. This is true in fitness, and this is true in personal development.

Because self-improvement is a marathon, not a sprint, you need to give yourself time to recharge. You can’t push your body past a new boundary every day, and you can’t perform at your best if you aren’t living a balanced life.

No one ever achieves personal or physical mastery, but you can have fun with the process! You have to have fun, or you’ll be miserable at every step… and no one’s true calling is to be truly unhappy.

“Stop chasing other people’s goals and start determining what your goals actually are – and what you’re willing to sacrifice to get to them.”

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Resources:

Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

Production & Development for True Calling Project by Podcast Masters

Apr 17, 2017

Why are we in such a big hurry to get somewhere?  Why do we tend to look into the future to be somewhere we're not?  Or go somewhere we aren't?  What if in our process we are exactly where we need to be?  What if things are the way they are supposed to be until we fully learn what we need to from them?  If my process is 12 steps and I'm on step 3 but want to get to step 5 or 6, how can I learn from steps 3 and 4?  Letting go of judgment and perception of our current experience to better allow us to embrace what the present moment is showing us.

Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

Apr 14, 2017

When we see people who we view as "successful" we want what they have. Instinctively, we want to know what they did to get there.  What tactics did they use, what tools did they adopt, what strategies did they employ. We're looking in the wrong place.  While these are important aspects of success, these are not the reasons for success.  We don't see the process that person went through to get where they are. The mindset, the behaviors, the actions, the setbacks, and the process as a whole.  The mindset and the process is the glue that holds it all together.  It contains and helps the process take shape.  This cannot be bought or taught.  It must be experienced for each individual person.  Focus on the glue.  Focus on your process and allow yourself to be in it and learn from it.

Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

Apr 13, 2017

Death by overthinking.  Paralysis by analysis.  Why is it that we tend to think we can get all the answers to our questions, and find certainty, before we take a chance, make a move, or dive into a project?  When we stop trying to see our process all the way through and predict all the contingencies, we are more able to see the clear, logical, next step right in front of us.  By taking that first step we'll see something, and get information, that we didn't see previously. Then we'll make another choice based on that viewpoint and move to the 3rd step.  And so on.  Less deliberation and more action!  Get to it!

Interested in learning more about how I can help you through coaching?  Find out more at www.johnharrisoncounseling.com/individual-coaching/

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