A fresh start…and an invitation
Rooting my passion
About a year ago now, I had this very strange feeling. I felt bored. More than that, I felt uninspired. Here I was–a Vice-president of a large healthcare software company, a beautiful home, and a great team of smart people working for me. Had I know I would achieve these things before turning 35 when I was a young pup, I would have been thrilled. And yet…. I was ready to quit on just about everything. My job, my career, my house.
What happened? Simple. I had lost my passion for what I was doing. Worse yet, maybe I had never even had it.
Passion is a squirrely thing. I can get excited about many things. I am a natural extrovert, I have lots of energy, and I love to share my enthusiasm far and wide. More than anything, though, I was excited to hear about new ideas.
Indeed my passion for ideas was reflected early on in my career decisions. For example, following a brief stint as a programmer at Microsoft (I have cheezy Windows development shirts to prove it!), I attended Michigan Law School to study intellectual property law.
Following law school, I went on to join a Silicon Valley law firm and helped a number of startups go IPO turn into multi-billion dollar public companies. Money was flowing and the streets were gold. We were changing the world, right?
Sort of. I saw many brilliant ideas but brilliant ideas weren’t getting funded. Instead, many of the new ideas felt more like marketing tricks–people were using buzzwords and powerpoints and talking about how quickly they could go IPO. They were not even validating the ideas.
The ideas took a back seat to getting to a payout. The sooner payout the better.
So, I decided it was time for a change and I moved to Colorado ultimately landing with a healthcare software company as corporate counsel. I was negotiating major ($100 million+) software and outsourcing deals but my desire for ideas demanded a change. So, I accepted responsibility for building an IP program from scratch.
Building the program, policies, incentives and metrics for the program was a great experience but I realized we needed more ideas to build our innovation portfolio. So we developed a grassroots innovation program and built stronger financial incentives and an inventor award program.
We had 60 ideas submitted in the first 3 months and many were valid and actionable. My promotion to Vice-President was a direct result of these efforts. Finally, with a budget, team and title in hand, I was going to promote ideas that would change the face of healthcare.
That is until I realized that the same pressures that I had seen in the Silicon Valley were doubly true within corporate America. Everything was about getting to a short-term payoff and hitting quarterly revenue targets. There was no room for disruptive and life-changing innovation–or many of the other ideas that we had encouraged employees to submit. My grassroots innovation program was suddenly just another lifeless slide on the corporate deck.
Back to one year ago, I am sitting at my desk looking out the window. It is dark outside and most everyone has gone home. It is then that I turned to a simple little paper weight sitting on my desk: “What would you do if you knew that you could not fail?”
WOW. Not what job I would have, not what I would own, not what would I make–what would I DO. The wheels of change began to turn. Within 3 months I had left my job, moved out of my home, and launched my company-I was on the path to embracing my passion. No more would I get by. I would help others make world changing ideas happen. I had found my passion.
Actionable ideas lead to change
Trivial Pursuits was born out of this desire and is all about focusing on the right ideas and doing what I can to see those ideas realized as a collaborator, a connector, an inventor, a lawyer and a social media promoter.
So why Trivial? My favorite ideas are often seemingly trivial ones–but it is often the small ideas that lead to the greatest change. And it is in the garden of those ideas–those grassroots, life-changing, world-influencing yet seemingly trivial ideas–the my passion has taken root.
I am still new on this path but armed with my passion for ideas and enthusiasm for change, I have no doubt about the exciting future of seeing great ideas realized. Hellen Keller once said: Life is an adventure or it is nothing. I choose adventure.
This blog will serve as a way to share those great new ideas, startup tips, social media insights, intellectual property perspectives, major life insights and other topics that I come across as a new entrepreneur launching a new business and a new life.
Are you ready to join the adventure?
Kendall –
How delightful to learn of the similarities in our journeys! I left behind my “charm bracelet of success” as I call it (the corner office, big salary & perks, you get the picture!) because corporate America pays so much attention to what I call “head”-focused items (numbers, bottomline, short-term profit, reports, pleasing Wall Street) and so little attention to heart-focused work like employee development, sustainability, coaching, real core values). I’m off to help people grow wings and embrace possibilities!
With a smile,
Jane
Kendall — Really enjoyed this post and learning more about your journey. Worthy goals and right on target with where we need to put our focus as individuals and as a society. I admire your “actionability.” Looking forward to more.
Haley
a.k.a. @duxdlux / @eyejunkie
Congrats Kendall on leaving that world behind! The entrepreneurial world is a crazy different one, but in 11 years and I have no regrets! ALWAYS remember the quote about not failing – it can be tough some days.
I hope my radio show will help you find inspiration and this site is a great resource:
http://smallbizlink.monster.com/
I believe you have what it takes!
Ann Evanston
The Warrior is Within You
FABULOUS! Congratulations on having the courage to take the leap to follow your passion. I look forward to following your journey.
The web – and especially Twitter – can be lovely when one of my friends passes on a nugget like this. Thank you very much for sharing. This touches my heart and strengthens my hopes that we still might come out of this present age with a transformed humanity and a civilization worth that label. Good to hear a brother. Thank you again.
Kendall ~ You’ve got my undivided attention. I am in … up to my ears! Turns out I grew tired of “nothing” long ago and did what I could, under the circumstance, to turn the mundane into adventure. But life, as we know, is a journey. If we knew all of the answers before we started, what would be the fun of living?
I have to believe we are right where we are supposed to be. From where I stand today, much of my life (all of my adult life) has been devoted to serving others. Twenty-three of those years were wrapped in a blue (or camouflaged) uniform of the United States Air Force. Soon after joining the Air Force, I celebrated a pivotal moment that would forever change my focus even if it could not change my predicament. Instead of becoming one of America’s presidents, I would serve America’s children! By extension, I would serve the children around the globe!
I didn’t know how, precisely. And I didn’t know when. But I did know I would.
That was May, 1986. No kidding. It would be another twenty-two years before I found myself perched on the precipice of my very own “new beginning.” For most of those years, I thought the way I would serve America’s children would be the very same way I had served my country, albeit as America’s Secretary of Education. Only recently did I arrive at the conclusion such a role was not, as @AmySBryant might say, “playing BIG” enough, nor did it give me the flexibility I needed to bring together two great passions: children AND leadership. Then one day I heard a short story that brought great focus into my recent life. It is a father-son story that goes something like this:
“A beautiful Northwest summer weekend found the Parker men sliding down glaciers, jumping streams, and waking up marmots on a 3-day backpacking trip. They lingered on the mountain; heading down the trail for home was now a destination trek. They skipped and ran with 40-pound packs most of the way down. Not missing a stride after rounding a stretch of dense forest opening to a fork in the trail, the son turned his shoulder and shouted, ‘Which way do we go, Dad?’ Dad simply raised his arm and pointed the way for him.”
Such is the desire of all children and young people; they are calling on us to affirm their gifts, who they are, what they do well—to show them the way! Herein, we find the pure essence of leadership—putting others in front of and above ourselves. Gandhi said, “I must be going now, for there go my people and I am their leader.”
My time had come, like yours Kendall, to step away from the mundane and step squarely into an adventure of a lifetime—an adventure that is sure to change the face of our world. In so doing, I am certain to find myself on some distant day saying to all those who shall hear my greetings, even if for altogether different reasons and with altogether different outcomes, “I must be going now, for there go my people.” Not because I am their leader, but because they are now leaders—leaders who have brought a servant’s heart back to our world and with it, pure brotherly love.
Like your simple little paper weight, Kendall, a simple little father-son story turned on a light that would subdue the darkness around me and show me the way, much like that dad showed his son the way. I think Leonardo da Vinci was on to something when he said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” If I may add, simplicity is also liberating, freeing us to embrace our own passion(s) with small ideas that lead to the greatest change.
Thank you, Kendall, for sharing with us your garden, and inviting us to join you on an adventure of a lifetime. It’s an awesome post!
Jack: what an amazing story to share. Tomorrow morning I want to make sure people read this blog not just because of what I wrote–but because of what you and others have shared. What a touching story. Bravo. I am so glad we connected on twitter. Namaste.
It’s a wonderful world…
What I sense Kendall, reading your post and comments, is the irresistible urge to play big in our world and create a future of meaningful humanity, with Enthusiasm , Creativity and also Kindness.
I’m thrilled because I relate absolutely to your “Declaration of Independence” and to the beautiful cascading reactions of your readers.
It’s a small world we’re living in, and an immense one at the same time.
I was blossoming when I read the name of people who commented
Jane, Ann, Susan,Jack are already my friends and I feel I belong to the same community.
You’re quoting Amy “to play Big” and she’s also into that circle!
I signed my own declaration of Independence first when I was 28 years old.
That’s when I decided to break up from a destructive and abusive relationship.
It took me the courage to face family and social establishment disapproval , it costed me to leave behind a gorgeous house in the heart of Aix-en-Provence and a very wealthy husband.
At this time, I had to move 9 months to US Connecticut, do a 6 months Leadership Program in Rebirthing and Loving Relationship, in order to pick myself up again and eventually come back, take my children and start a fresh.
That was the Best decision I ever made.
The second time for me was professionally.
I had been working as a loyal and dedicated Professor, Mentor, Keynote speaker and Trainer for a big French Business School.
The pay was rewarding, the connections prestigious, the travels all over Europe and the intellectual stimulation was brilliant.
What was lacking? I had to fit in the Organizational Behavior Theories, or the French sociological concepts. Had to repress my creativity, my emotions, my sensitivity.
Every time I would come up with new ideas, new ways to teach and train, participants, MBA students or executive leaders would love it and ask for more, but it had to bemasked under the respectability of Established Corporate Values.
I learned that it was not ok to learn and have fun. That it was not ok to show your emotions.Laughters or tears were just not allowed, neither cartoons, silly jokes, poems or showing craziness. (I have plenty to show, as Kendall knows!)
Very soon the Armani Executive Business Costume didn’t fit anymore.
I resigned two years ago and created my own consulting agency “Geronimo Leadership
Coaching “.
The name says it all : as Ann would express it I found my own inner warrior.
My aim is to coach Gen Y women , using my generosity, creativity and passion, to reconnect with their enthusiasm and achieve their goals, with a life long plan.
My dream would be to cooperate with women from different cultures, generations to provide on line support and encouragement!
I am making it happen.
With love and warmth to you Kendall and to all of your readers!
I want to be part of your Discovery Voyage!
Kendall,
The patterns of our passions and purpose comes in all forms of landscapes that shape us. If not found we journey through life,without purpose and filled with boredom.
But NOT YOU— You on the other hand have traveled your journey and you have found that special path that has been illuminated just for you and you are following it.
I admire you so much. I look forward to reading more about your adventure.
Keep us posted. Courageous Man.
Lolly Daskal
Kendall, thank you for sharing your experience. As I read your blog post and the comments from people I follow and admire, I am struck by the amazing community we have created on twitter, and the similarity of so many of our journeys.
I revel in seeing people listen to their hearts, follow their passions, and support each other in achieving their soul’s calling.
I rejoice each time I hear of or see someone who has the courage to step into their truth and say, “This is why I am here…this is what I am to do…this is what makes me come alive.”
I feel honored to share the journey with each of you.
[...] to visit Kendall’s new blog, Let the adventure begin! Kendall’s first post, “A fresh start … and an invitation,” attracted my undivided attention in part with a reminder from Helen Keller: “Life is [...]