Mission

Unearth Your Genius: A Journey to Finding Your Purpose, Mission, Vision, and Values

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Did anyone ever say to you "OMG, you are a genius!" or "How do you do that so easily?"

I'm sure the answer is yes, although we tend to brush off comments like that because they make us feel uncomfortable. Well, buckle up - because we are going to enter the uncomfortable zone of uncovering your GENIUS!

Today, we're setting sail on an exciting voyage that leads us to the treasure trove of our truest selves. We're embarking on a quest to find our inner genius.

Yes, you heard it right. You, me, everyone, we each possess a unique genius. To get geeky: It's an incredible amalgamation of our purpose, mission, vision, and values that form our personal genius when combined.

Many of us often find ourselves stuck in the monotony of life. Day in and day out, we sometimes feel lost, devoid of purpose or meaning. Yet, amidst this mundanity, there exists a spark within us, a whisper of greatness, waiting to be acknowledged, nurtured, and amplified. That whisper is your genius calling out to you. PS - learn to listen to it!

Now, the concept of a 'genius' might seem daunting. You may think, "Einstein was a genius, Picasso was a genius, but me?" Yes, absolutely, YOU! Genius doesn't only equate to mathematical equations or masterful artistry. It's much more personal and profound than that.

It’s about finding your unique way of seeing and bringing the world to life.

Firstly, let's clarify the meaning of 'genius.' It's that inherent capacity within you that allows you to create, influence, and contribute to the world in a way that only you can. Your genius is a blend of your talents, passions, values, and strengths. It is what gives you purpose, provides a mission, defines your vision, and aligns with your values.

Your genius isn't something to find in the external world; it's something to be discovered within. The journey to your genius is essentially the process of self-discovery and self-awareness.

So, how do we embark on this quest? Well, it starts with purpose.

Your Purpose is the magnetic North Star guiding you. It's the 'why' that drives us, the passion that fuels our heart, and the sense of fulfillment that quenches our soul. Purpose gives us direction; it aligns our actions and decisions.

Next comes the mission. Your mission is the 'what.' It’s the tangible manifestation of your purpose. If purpose is the destination, then the mission is the road map to getting there. Your mission statement could be as simple as "inspiring others through art" or as broad as "making the world a better place."

Your vision, on the other hand, is the 'how.' It is the strategy, the game plan that turns your mission into a reality. It's your unique approach to achieving your mission and fulfilling your purpose. Your vision is the creative part of your genius that navigates the course of your journey.

Lastly, your values are the ethical compass of your quest. They are the principles that guide your actions, the non-negotiables of your character. These fundamental beliefs lay the foundation of your integrity and authenticity.

Your genius is the harmonious symphony of your purpose, mission, vision, and values. It's the heart of your authenticity, the essence of your individuality, and the pinnacle of your potential.

Unleashing your genius isn't a one-time event; it's an ongoing journey of personal evolution. It requires courage, perseverance, and self-acceptance. It calls for an unyielding belief in your potential and a relentless pursuit of self-improvement.

Remember, your genius is uniquely yours. It's as distinctive as your fingerprint, as personal as your reflection. It can't be replicated, replaced, or rivaled. Therein lies its power and its beauty.

When you master it, the magic happens.  It's attraction marketing at it's finest - people will be drawn to you, and repelled by you allowing the right people into your life.

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Do you have what it takes to be your own boss?

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Are you sick and tired of working for someone else? Putting in long hard hours just to benefit the owner of the company and shareholders? Working the 9 to 5 grind week after week with no end in sight? Yup, we’ve been in your shoes. We know how it feels. Depending on the culture of the place you work at, you feel like just another cog in the wheel. So, are your finally ready to be your own boss and start your own company? GREAT!

The first thing you need to know about being your own boss is that it isn’t all rainbows, glitter, and unicorns. It is liberating and exciting, but it has its pros and cons just like anything else. Before you ride off into the sunset to start your own company, make sure you know what you’re in for.

Setting Your Own Schedule. I think this is one of the biggest draws to being your own boss. You have the freedom to create your own schedule. However, you may find that like so many other business owners, you are working longer hours than you anticipated. You still have the flexibility to determine when your day starts and ends, when you take vacations, and handle all your personal obligations.

Creative Freedom. You determine what your products and services will look liked, when they will be available, and how you want to deliver them. If something isn’t working, you have the power to revise those offerings to ones that customers may respond better to or terminate them if they no longer interest you in providing them anymore.

Creating Your Own Core Values. You get to set the tone for how your company is see. What’s most important. You can align it with your own personal values and infuse it into every aspect of the company.

Money. You don\’t draw a regular paycheck, not like you would if you were an employee of someone else. You get paid with what is left after expenses, taxes, etc. And you are solely responsible for generating your income. If your business idea flops or you don’t follow the right steps to create a successful business, you could lose your entire initial investment. BUT you also aren’t limited to what you can earn. If you work hard and set yourself up for success, it\’s possible to generate great wealth when you run your own enterprise.

Tax Benefits. Business owners can take advantage of a range of tax benefits despite paying higher Social Security and Medicare rates. They are allowed to accelerate or delay particular expenditures, hire family members and write off a greater variety of business expenses. These options can dramatically reduce the tax burden.

Health Benefits and Retirement. You’ll have to pay for your own health insurance unless you have a spouse who works at a company who provides them. If you are purchasing them yourself, you’ll find that you are paying higher premiums vs. what you paid as an employee. You’ll also be responsible for contributing to your own retirement account without any employer match.

Being your own boss can be both satisfying and terrifying. If you put in the hard work and dedication, you can achieve success in being your own boss. Just remember that it does come with its advantages and disadvantages – and you have to look at them all. The best way to make sure you start out on the right foot, is to have a mentor or coach, who can help you set yourself up for success and make sure you are ready to take the leap. Being your own boss can be far more rewarding than you can imagine.

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The kind of workplace culture employees want

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One aspect of my job I particularly love is how much I get to interact with our customers. Obviously we talk about their marketing, but the conversations roam in many directions, which for me is part of the charm of working for Red Barn Consulting.

Our clients range from more corporate institutions like banks, insurance companies, and healthcare facilities, but also entrepreneurs and small businesses.

What strikes me is that no matter the business, and whether it’s based in Connecticut, the other side of the country, the need to “get it right” when it comes to workplace culture is crucial to retaining key employees, the ones you really can’t afford to lose.

As a whole, the job market is really tight. Employers are struggling to fill positions and hang on to good employees. Salary, benefits, and growth opportunity are obviously a huge part of the draw, but “culture,” often intangible, plays just as key a role.

When it comes to that je n\’ais se quoi of workplace culture, what are your potential employees looking for?

A seat at the table — Even junior level staffers want to know their contributions are valued. This doesn’t mean the CEO has to carefully consider every idea the greenest guy in the building has, but it does mean providing opportunities for employees at all levels to have their voices heard. Millennials especially do not want to just show up, keep their noses down, and go home. Being able to contribute is a strong motivator for quality employees.

A good mission — Whether your organization sells widgets or helps the homeless, it should have a strong mission that serves as a rallying point for your troops. More than just words, the mission needs to be reflected in your company’s ethos. Feeling good about what the company does and how it does it means quality employees will give 110%, with pleasure.

A comfortable environment — Starched shirts and rigorous enforcement of policy “just because” it is the policy are out. Good employees are looking for a workplace that feels positive and comfortable. When you’re spending 8+ hours a day there, it just makes sense!

A flex policy — Good employees are happy to give it their all, and not just 9 to 5. They are willing and eager to stay late when needed, to handle something off hours, to contribute when helpful to projects far outside their functional area. At the same time, good organizations provide flexibility in return. Need to leave early to catch a daughter’s softball game? Need to work remotely while the plumber fixes a leak? No problem.

A team worth supporting — “I want my employees to work collaboratively, to help each other.” The good news is, your employees want this as well! The key though, is building a team worthy of helping. It’s vital to pay attention to culture and overall “fit” when hiring. One bad apple can indeed spoil the whole bunch. You are building an army of sorts, and you need every member to feel invested in the success of everyone else.

What are some important elements in your workplace culture? I’d love to continue the dialogue.

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