How to Create a Whole New Mindset in 10 Simple and Powerful Steps (The Better Thinking Series) Part 8: Callings

By Richard Kent Matthews - Coach | Author | Speaker

(Better Thinking Series)

Answering your call

(Thinking...

You've been doing it all your life. It's served you well or you wouldn't be here, reading this. Yet, when you learn to think in better, more powerful and meaningful ways, you change not only yourself, but the world around you.

You've been thinking in habitual patterns. Change the patterns of thinking and a new world opens for you. When your mindset changes, your life changes.)

* * *

 “We assume ordinary roles. We can make them more than ordinary when we will them to a higher level.”

John P. Schuster

"Your purpose is clear." A Review...

You are here to reproduce, seek truth, have fun, and be of service. Still, your Inner Self seeks something greater. It’s known as The Call. How do you find, or create, a calling unique to you? Here’s how, in a nutshell:

• Believe you have a calling. It’s the only way to know if you do. No one forces a calling upon you. It’s a fundamental choice. You won’t do anything you can’t visualize yourself doing.
• Recognize you have a “portfolio of callings.” You’re not limited to just one. It’s quite possible your entire life has been one calling after another.
• Becoming aware of those who would sabotage your callings, especially yourself, will strengthen your callings. You will have mentors, and tormentors. See them all as gifts.
• Each moment contains possibilities. Bringing them to light is basic. Callings mean lifestyle, not spare-time activity.
• Callings shake up the status quo. Things can’t remain the same. Your comfort zone is at risk! It’s not the good times, the satisfying times, but the moments of fear, boredom, anger, frustration, and inner and outer challenge that will determine your commitment to your calling. Be prepared.

√ Caution: There are callings you would rather not answer. But you have to. Your child suddenly becomes disabled; your town is destroyed by a tornado; 9/11 happens, killing relatives and perhaps breadwinners. Your life is changed forever. Your noblest plans are shattered. You can and will handle it. You have to.

Callings are not wishy washy spiritual ideals or grandiose pipe dreams. Callings are serious propositions. Be ready for whatever comes your way. 

There are no guarantees. As the bible says, God makes the rain to fall on the just and unjust alike; he is no respecter of persons. 

You're up for it, right? Yeah. You are. 

“I used to want to change the world. Now, 
I’m open to letting it change me.”

Po Bronson

(What Should I Do with My Life?)

Comments always welcome!

Click here for Series Introduction to see all series post titles.

How to Create a Whole New Mindset in 10 Simple and Powerful Steps (The Better Thinking Series) Part 7: Purpose

By Richard Kent Matthews - Coach | Author | Speaker

(The Better Thinking Series)

What the heck are you doing here?

(Thinking...

You've been doing it all your life. It's served you well or you wouldn't be here, reading this. Yet, when you learn to think in better, more powerful and meaningful ways, you change not only yourself, but the world around you.


You've been thinking in habitual patterns. Change the patterns of thinking and a new world opens for you. When your mindset changes, your life changes.)

“This is the true joy in Life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a might one…the being a force of Nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.” George Bernard Shaw, “Man and Superman”

If you wonder what your purpose is here on Earth, wonder no more. Your purpose is clear. Nature has endowed you with the desire to reproduce. That's your basic purpose on this planet. Why? Well, like it or not, you're tribal. We all are. In order to perpetuate the tribe, we must reproduce. And we do. Like rabbits.

There are higher levels of purpose as well. 

Once you understand your basic purpose, you can move from a reactive/responsive mindset (reacting/responding to outer circumstances) to a creative mind set. You can become the dominant creative force in your life. You move from your basic purpose to calling to mission. But first, your purpose, beyond reproduction is as follows:

• To seek truth. Seeking truth is a basic survival mechanism. It's also the way to understanding your own higher levels of existence. It comes from many places so be open to it, even if it's unpleasant now and then.
• To enjoy life, to play. Playing is found in most of the higher animals, including humans. It's health-giving and life-affirming. It's necessary and also moves you in the direction of higher existence. Increase your daily laughter.
• To be of service to the world. This is the highest level of purpose. You are serving the world on many different levels, all the time. Your daily life impacts those around you, even if you aren’t aware of it. The most menial tasks support the rest of the community. Again, you are tribal.

The point of this post is to help you develop the purpose-filled mindset, to understand how important your contributions are, even the ones you never think about. As your mindset becomes one of creative purpose, your calling will become clear, your mission will unfold.

“Neither a great intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of a genius. Love, love, love—that is the soul of genius." Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Comments always welcome!

Click here for Series Introduction to see all series post titles.