Dec. 23, 2025
Episode 325 - Why I Stopped Chasing the Paycheck and Started Living on Purpose
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In this deeply authentic and transformative episode, Paul opens up about the personal turning point that shifted his journey from income-driven to purpose-driven. He reveals the mindset shift, habits, and leadership principles that helped him reclaim clarity, meaning, and direction.
Listeners will learn:
- The hidden cost of paycheck chasing
- Why purpose produces more sustainable success
- How self-leadership changes your professional and personal life
- Practical steps for transitioning to purpose-driven living
- How to overcome resistance, fear, and uncertainty
This episode is perfect for mid-career professionals, leaders, and anyone who feels stuck in the cycle of working hard but feeling unfulfilled.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wealth-academy-podcast-wealth-is-more-than-just-money/donations
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[SPEAKER_01]: Welcome to Wealth the Academy podcast.
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[SPEAKER_01]: Thanks for tuning in to listen to this dynamic and insightful podcast with host Paul Lawrence Van.
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[SPEAKER_01]: Paul and his guests provide content rich information that will enhance your knowledge.
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[SPEAKER_01]: Enjoy this episode.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And good day, I hope that you are doing great as we've transitioned from autumn to winter.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And I tell you, wherever you happen to be, it might be cold.
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[SPEAKER_00]: But again, welcome to the wealth academy podcast where we remind you that wealth is more than just money.
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[SPEAKER_00]: It's living with purpose, clarity, and impact.
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[SPEAKER_00]: I'm your host Paul Lines van and today's episode, which is episode number 325.
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[SPEAKER_00]: I can't believe it's moving that fast.
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[SPEAKER_00]: is deeply personal.
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[SPEAKER_00]: If a year's, I've chased the paycheck.
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[SPEAKER_00]: Always moving, always grinding, always trying to hit the next income milestone.
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[SPEAKER_00]: But something unexpected may happen, the how the paycheck climb
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[SPEAKER_00]: the emptier I felt inside and some of you may feel the same thing today and that's part of what I'm going to talk about.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So in this episode, I'm sharing the turning point that helped me shift from chasing money to living my mission and once that happened, everything changed.
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[SPEAKER_00]: My peace, my income, my purpose and my leadership.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So let's dive into why I stopped chasing the
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[SPEAKER_00]: and started living on purpose.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And that's the title of this episode today.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And I'm glad that you could be with me.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And again, this series for this month is all about renewal and growth.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And that's definitely something that we all can do given the fact that we're running into the year 2026 here and about a little bit under a month.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So let's get started and the way this format works is that I will pose a question, I will answer it from my own personal perspective and give you an opportunity to really assess it for yourself as well.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So the first interview question that I have for you that I'm
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[SPEAKER_00]: What does it really mean to chase a paycheck and how does it show up in your life before you even notice it now?
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[SPEAKER_00]: This is a really heavy duty question and the way I will explain this, chasing a paycheck for me was, of course, starting since the age of 10, working from my parents and I was not paid but I was picking up so much, if so much business in sight and
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[SPEAKER_00]: Relationships with vendors and for going my after school projects for the greater good for my family.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So I did that for about five years.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so I really was actually receiving an internship, unpaid my view that I really want to know what it was like to make some money and that I could keep you know, other than for the greater good.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so I went on and I had my first job,
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[SPEAKER_00]: work in at the Recreation Department of the Small Town of Henderson, North Carolina, then I went on to college and I worked four years with UPS, United Apostle Service, and then I was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Air Force on that day that I graduated from University Shore University in Raleigh, North Carolina.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So chasing that paycheck, I already knew that once I graduated that I would be an active duty Air Force officer.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And I did that.
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[SPEAKER_00]: In fact, my first four years, I was stationed at the right Patterson Air Force Base and they know how you're not really never had any money consistent money like that.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So I didn't buy a house in this laboratory.
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[SPEAKER_00]: I got an apartment and I bought a new car.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And if I had it to do, again, I would reverse that.
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[SPEAKER_00]: I would purchase a house and just get a use car.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so reality is what it is.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so I was chasing that paycheck.
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[SPEAKER_00]: I was the second lieutenant, I was the first lieutenant.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So, who hard work and diligencey, I was able to do that.
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[SPEAKER_00]: Then, two years later, I was a captain in the United States Air Force.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And I completed that.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So,
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[SPEAKER_00]: the more and more experience I was receiving and training, the more paycheck I was receiving.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And at that time, I really didn't understand.
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[SPEAKER_00]: I really know the value of money.
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[SPEAKER_00]: If you will, my relationship with money was not very good at perhaps yours was the same way.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so it showed up in my life that way, then when I hit, and that was the four-year point, when I hit the eight-year mark, I separated from the United States Air Force because I always wanted to work for a Fortune 500 company.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so I was recruited by several companies, but I ended up,
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[SPEAKER_00]: selecting mobile chemical company and Beaumont, Texas, and Houston where the regional office was located.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so I went from earning money as a captain and in the United States Air Force to then on the staff, professional staff with mobile all, so my earnings went up and then I bought my first house.
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[SPEAKER_00]: and then I started working more and more hours and I was receiving more and more pay increase.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And I did this for two years until the day came where I received a car from the Pentagon from this Colonel.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And he said, well, I see where you're trying to get your reserve.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So that would you consider coming on active duty.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So I, in fact, did that.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So again, I was earning money, oil and gas money, and then I went back to the military industries.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And I did that.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And then a few years later, I was promoted to major and then ultimately to Lutheran and Colonel while retired after 22 years.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So I was chasing that paycheck.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And I was being fulfilled ever not at the level that I thought that I should have at that time.
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[SPEAKER_00]: In other words,
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[SPEAKER_00]: I wanted to ensure that I was doing my passion when I was at mobile or company it was something new, something fresh, a change perspective and new experiences new training and then a new industry and so I was learning all of that.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And then, ultimately, when I went to the Pentagon, that was really the essence of my career because that's the highest etallom one could go, and their career is at the Pentagon.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And then I went once, leveled deeper by applying for the Capital Hill Fellowship Program, and I worked for them of Congress for a year.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So again, I ended up being promoted.
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[SPEAKER_00]: I earned my promotion as a lieutenant colonel while on Capital Hill.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so I went through that ceremony.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So again, I was building up and building up.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And I was still going through that passion.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And again, what I want you to take from this is to be able to identify whether you're stuck in the earn more field less fulfilled loop.
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[SPEAKER_00]: Because I just had this
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[SPEAKER_00]: Spirit inside of me and this drive inside of me.
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[SPEAKER_00]: I want it to be the very best at what I did, not competing with anyone else, like I know you are either.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And if you are competing with someone else, I want you to not do that, but look in the mirror, and that's who you're competing with, you're competing with yourself.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So, after I completed my two-of-duty at Capitol Hill, I came back to the Pentagon for two years and ultimately, I retired.
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[SPEAKER_00]: In the rank with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and the Air Force and then I became an entrepreneur so my drive and my initiative to always want to be of service I was able to do that by becoming an entrepreneur by starting out as a professional speaker
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[SPEAKER_00]: and then as an author and today as a coach, a podcaster right now and as speaker.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so that's what I do today, but I want you to really take a cursory look at yourself and based on a question, what does it really mean to chase a paycheck?
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[SPEAKER_00]: And how does it show up in your life before you even notice it?
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[SPEAKER_00]: So it's again, just with our finish off question one, how do the nurses, I noticed it by the fact that I continue to grow, I continue to develop, I continue to earn my promotions.
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[SPEAKER_00]: I was competitive from my own personal perspective, through self leadership.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And I want you to look at what it is for you.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So that's where we're gonna start.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So the next question is at what moment did you know the pursuit of income alone was cost and you something bigger?
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[SPEAKER_00]: And I repeat this question because I really want you to get the essence of this question at what moment did you know the pursuit of income alone was cost and you something bigger?
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[SPEAKER_00]: So this right here really has to do with looking at different avenues of which I thought because I knew after receiving my bachelor's degree in business I immediately started working on my master's degree.
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[SPEAKER_00]: A couple of weeks after I received my commission and six months, I had to wait to go on active duty as a second lieutenant.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So I had an opportunity to make some increases.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So when I came in, I want to be competitive already from a position and industry perspective.
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[SPEAKER_00]: In other words, I was a leader in tower 22 years, but my functional specialty was financial management budgeting cost estimate, etc.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And I, when I retired, I retired with as a certified financial manager, because I had so many years of experience, I've worked in accounting departments, while in the Air Force, a program called Education Ministry, where I worked in Atlanta for company called National Data Corporation, and then I've worked in multi-billion dollar acquisition programs for the Air Force and much, much more.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So at what moment did I know the pursuit of income was causing me something bigger,
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[SPEAKER_00]: I would have to look at it from the standpoint of again, I had more options as I was going up the the chain of command, if you will, rank wise.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And as a result, the pursuit of income continue to be planned in a lining with exactly what I was doing at that time and what I was going to try to achieve in the long run.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And at this year, as of October to 16th, I've been retired from the Air Force for 23 years, and I've been an entrepreneur for roughly 21 years.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And when I add in what I did when up from 10 years old until 15, so we're basically looking at 26 years of entrepreneur and business experience.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So what was cost to me something bigger, I would have to say that as I was going through the military ranks, I was also looking to keep them on the corporate rank or at our target, what would I do?
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[SPEAKER_00]: for about 18 months, almost two years, after I retired from the Air Force.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And still, in the Pentagon, but working for another organization.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so I happened to know my pursuit of income was also that because I retired, I had retirement pay, and then I was receiving pay because I had so many days of leave that I could use.
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[SPEAKER_00]: But I was also receiving two pay checks at one time.
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[SPEAKER_00]: For about, let's see, July to October of the year that I retired.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So
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[SPEAKER_00]: Again, I recognize it, and it wasn't cost me more, perhaps if I had it to do differently, I probably would have gone into entrepreneurship immediately at our entire, as opposed to becoming a contractor.
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[SPEAKER_00]: But reality is what it is, and that's where I am.
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[SPEAKER_00]: I want you again, think about this, this question.
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[SPEAKER_00]: At what moment did you know, that's to you, not me,
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so get your note pad out and write it down.
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[SPEAKER_00]: Question three, how does living on purpose differ from simply earning money?
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[SPEAKER_00]: I'm moving up professionally.
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[SPEAKER_00]: This particular question is a great question primarily because it really talks to my not only purpose, but also my passion about life, what do I enjoy doing?
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so when you're doing,
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[SPEAKER_00]: If it's the quote goes, if you do what you love, you never work another day in your life.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And for me, that's really how it is that I want to be the type of person that makes a difference and other people's lives, just like I did with the military for 22 years.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And I wanted to make a difference.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And I also, I'm a person of service, some of the leader of
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[SPEAKER_00]: I want to earn more money because I can help more people, however, my purpose is one of then I'll leave a leader's servant and it's been proven out every single day because now I'm on social media, I have a news, I have a couple of newsletters, I have digital training, I speak both in-person on stages as well as virtually and I'll leave a webinar now and I'm about
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so what does Lebanon purpose, how differs from simply earning money, the money will come if you're doing what you love to do.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so a preface this question again to you as before we move on a question for question three again reads,
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[SPEAKER_00]: And that's question is for you.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So question four, reads as follows, what internal beliefs had to shift before you could step into who you were meant to be?
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[SPEAKER_00]: So for me, and I'll read the question again, what internal beliefs had to shift before you could step into who you were meant to be?
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[SPEAKER_00]: Well, for me, and this is such a great question,
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[SPEAKER_00]: self-leadership that's a way to go.
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[SPEAKER_00]: In other words, I know if I can't leave myself, likewise for you, if you can't leave yourself, you can't leave anyone else.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so what that comes into about is a self-awareness, no one who you are, a self accountable being accountable for all of your actions and the decisions that you made.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And then also having that emotional intelligence and having a type of mind that that really puts you into a space that's unique unto you.
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[SPEAKER_00]: Because we're all born with different gifts, talents and abilities, and we have to work towards it.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And over time we're discover, oh, so this is the foundation of who I am.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so that's what I'm preface into you, what internal beliefs had to shift before you could step into who you were meant to be.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And for me, it was putting aside a lot of the shiny objects that are out there with some people off of this training, of this course, and just sticking with one and moving forward with it.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And that's what I'm doing today with the webinar that I'll lead.
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[SPEAKER_00]: I'll lead it every Thursday at 7 p.m. Eastern daylight time that's doing this this season.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And it's how to position yourself for promotion in 30 days through self-leadership.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so I delivered this 90 minute one and a half hour webinar each week and then in January, in addition to that, I'll be launching
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[SPEAKER_00]: different offers to members of my private Facebook group, which is titled, lead yourself to wealth.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And one of the things that I want you to look at is the internal beliefs that you have.
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[SPEAKER_00]: No one who you are and who you are.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So I'm going to move on to question five, what external habits are routines that you change once you decide to live intentionally?
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[SPEAKER_00]: And I'll read that again, what external habits are routines that you change once you decide to live intentionally?
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[SPEAKER_00]: And this really comes down to with the blueprint for my life and what I do now,
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[SPEAKER_00]: And externally, I've put in systems in place that will help me and I have a team that's working with me providing not only the copy, but the Facebook ads that provide outreach to generate leads for me, where in the past I was trying to do all of this on my own.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And then with the Facebook group, I'm also going through the program where I've had coaches and experts and collaborations with other people, which is something I didn't do in the past
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[SPEAKER_00]: granted out, go through a class or training and do it myself and I tell you it can be exhausted and it was.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So what about you?
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[SPEAKER_00]: Because I know today that many people are burnt out with the dynamics that have taken place in their economy and specific industries
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[SPEAKER_00]: different things such as that, for example, the federal government layoffs that took place for the government been shut down.
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[SPEAKER_00]: That impacted a lot of people, even people who are working at impacts them as well, because it's all interrelated and interconnected.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so again, when we look at those external habits, I'm stopped doing things solo.
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[SPEAKER_00]: I've hired coaches.
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[SPEAKER_00]: I have coaches
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[SPEAKER_00]: And that's how things have changed for me, so that's part of that transformation that's taken place over the course of the last 12 to 18 months.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So question five our repeat that again so that you can get this in your notes and you can think about how it impacts you what external habits are routines that you change once you decided to live intentionally and let me just finish it off our cross the finish line with doing it intentionally my intent is to lead a successful business dividing.
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[SPEAKER_00]: products and services to my clients and building on that so I can help more people.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And that's really what it's all about.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And mine is centered through self-leadership and then leadership development training for organizations as well as individuals.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So question six, how do
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[SPEAKER_00]: did alignment with your purpose, impact your finances, relationships, and leaderships.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So what this does and what I want you to take into consideration is that it's something measurable and then they will real world beliefs.
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[SPEAKER_00]: and benefits rather and so when I answer the question for myself and I want you to answer for yourself is how did alignment with the purpose impact your finances?
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[SPEAKER_00]: Well, as I stated earlier that when you're doing the work that you were going to do and doing it purposefully, it's also intentional.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And as a result of that, you're going to have a lot of great results and I'm going through and sitting under the leadership and guidance that's in tremendous coaches right now and I've learned from them and then what I learned I pass it on to other people.
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[SPEAKER_00]: But I pass it on specifically for the specialty art expertise that I have, which is leadership and finances as well.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And when people ask me, well, what about that financial card?
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[SPEAKER_00]: Well, as I mentioned before, I've worked
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[SPEAKER_00]: on programs, and lay on programs, the program management upwards of $3 billion and even more, I've worked special projects for the former president of the United States.
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[SPEAKER_00]: I'm volunteered to work with the former governor of Maryland and so many other people with nonprofit organizations and so much more.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so when I look at this, I look at the relationships I built and then I leadership that goes into it
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[SPEAKER_00]: But unless you put it into action, it's not really going to make a difference.
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[SPEAKER_00]: You have to take the first step in any process, learn what you need to learn, but you need to activate it after that.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And if you don't activate it, then it's for loss.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And I know you just like with me, we don't want to take any losses and just learn
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[SPEAKER_00]: what we learn, for example, I have a marketing funnel that's in place as a part of my webinar, lead generation.
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[SPEAKER_00]: I have Facebook, I'm generating leads from people, friends, and colleagues, and peers, from other Facebook pages, business pages,
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[SPEAKER_00]: and also personal pages linked in Instagram as well as Twitter.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so when we look at alignment, if you purpose, it takes into account many, many things, but it's a matter of just leveling out and making good things happen for yourself.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So again, as I wrap up Question 6, I want to repreface it so that you can understand it and you can
21:22.092 --> 21:24.518
[SPEAKER_00]: look at it for yourself and how to impact you.
21:24.558 --> 21:31.676
[SPEAKER_00]: How did it allow me with your purpose impact your finances relationships and leadership.
21:31.696 --> 21:38.312
[SPEAKER_00]: Okay, so we had questions seven now as we're moving right along and this question.
21:38.545 --> 21:43.940
[SPEAKER_00]: is what challenges that you face when you start living for approval and start living for meaning.
21:44.843 --> 21:53.989
[SPEAKER_00]: And what this does is really kind of normalizes a transition and reduces the fear for you all who are listening and considering your own ship.
21:53.969 --> 22:00.335
[SPEAKER_00]: And so, again, the question is, what challenges did you face when you stopped living for approval and started living for meeting?
22:00.756 --> 22:22.137
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, right off the bat, I will have to say that after 22 years with the United States Air Force as well as with mobile or company, I learned their systems, I learned their processes, their procedures, standard operating procedures, and also their
22:22.977 --> 22:34.534
[SPEAKER_00]: and as a result, I just start decided that when I become an entrepreneur, which was ultimately was going to be a part of my life experience professionally.
22:34.554 --> 22:45.711
[SPEAKER_00]: I knew that I wanted to do things my way, I knew that some people were there same well, you know, you were tired, why aren't you still working?
22:45.691 --> 23:05.837
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, I just see myself as never stop working because I believe that when I stop working, that's when I won't be living a purposeful life because, again, it's all about being of service, it's all about helping to grow people, develop people, to mentor, so on, and so forth.
23:06.197 --> 23:14.668
[SPEAKER_00]: And so again, preface this question to you, what challenges did you face when you stopped living
23:14.648 --> 23:36.083
[SPEAKER_00]: So for me, the meaning is making a difference in the lives of others, through my speaking programs, through my leadership development programs, through my books, and the Arthur of three books, solo books, and three, and four, co-Arthur books, and so I have a fourth solo book that's been written right now.
23:36.063 --> 23:42.312
[SPEAKER_00]: So when it comes down to meaning, I know working with someone else, I could, I would not be able to do that.
23:42.372 --> 23:55.692
[SPEAKER_00]: I would not be able to write the books and also design digital courses and provide them two clients because all of the focus would have been on them, but would be in the entrepreneur.
23:55.672 --> 24:19.038
[SPEAKER_00]: and the founder and president of wealth building Academy LLC, which is a leadership consultancy, then I'm leaving my meeting and my purpose and no matter if I'm criticized or ostracized, it makes no difference because I'm in charge and that makes all the difference and you should see yourself in that same space.
24:19.899 --> 24:23.923
[SPEAKER_00]: All right, the next question in the final question before our
24:23.903 --> 24:27.329
[SPEAKER_00]: for someone listening and who feels stuck.
24:27.830 --> 24:33.700
[SPEAKER_00]: What is the first step they can take today to move from paycheck driven to purpose driven?
24:34.942 --> 24:44.899
[SPEAKER_00]: And so I'm going to provide you with a simple, actionable step to be a momentum as you go forward, whether you're solo, per newer,
24:45.773 --> 24:50.541
[SPEAKER_00]: They speak her coach, a collaborator, whatever you happen to be.
24:50.761 --> 24:53.045
[SPEAKER_00]: So for someone listening, he feels stuck.
24:53.065 --> 24:57.933
[SPEAKER_00]: What's the first step that they can take the day to move from paycheck driven to purpose driven?
24:58.554 --> 25:05.385
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, the first thing that I would say is that if you do what you love to do,
25:05.804 --> 25:13.955
[SPEAKER_00]: and you have expertise that you can share with people right now in this moment, then you don't have to really focus on money.
25:13.995 --> 25:27.632
[SPEAKER_00]: You can focus on just delivering, opening up relationships with people and relationships with what I mean by that is just offering someone a free gift, for example, offering someone a free gift, level up your leadership.
25:28.654 --> 25:33.600
[SPEAKER_00]: And I'll have one out there about managing
25:34.694 --> 25:43.711
[SPEAKER_00]: And then what you want to do is just look at anything that you can deliver in this very moment, that's the most important part.
25:43.791 --> 25:48.700
[SPEAKER_00]: You can deliver something in this very moment that you're really halfway there.
25:49.481 --> 25:52.948
[SPEAKER_00]: And the rest of it is it's just adding more moment to it.
25:53.909 --> 25:58.137
[SPEAKER_00]: And it's so if you're feeling stuck, they're more than enough ideas.
25:58.808 --> 26:05.877
[SPEAKER_00]: out there that other people have done the same thing, but the difference between you and them in the same industry and the same niche.
26:06.297 --> 26:16.290
[SPEAKER_00]: For example, if there's leadership, or if there's relationships, or if there's wealth building, your unique perspective is what makes all the difference just like mine does.
26:16.470 --> 26:18.893
[SPEAKER_00]: And I was on a car yesterday with a new,
26:18.873 --> 26:34.536
[SPEAKER_00]: group that I'm working with with a speaker's bureau and they say we'll call that a lot of people in that that leadership space but you know you're going to have to really be competitive in what you deliver well I've just spoke about that throughout this podcast
26:34.516 --> 26:40.344
[SPEAKER_00]: Most of the other people that he was referencing have not been a military officer for over 22 years.
26:40.765 --> 26:42.868
[SPEAKER_00]: They have not worked at mobile or company.
26:43.208 --> 26:45.571
[SPEAKER_00]: They have not worked at the United Apostles Service.
26:45.592 --> 26:53.022
[SPEAKER_00]: So all of those unique experiences I have, the training that goes with it, and the experience I have with it.
26:53.763 --> 26:54.905
[SPEAKER_00]: No one else can do this.
26:55.806 --> 26:57.368
[SPEAKER_00]: The way that I do it.
26:57.584 --> 27:08.605
[SPEAKER_00]: And that's why I can't offer a webinar about how to position people to be promoted within 30 days through self leadership.
27:09.446 --> 27:15.137
[SPEAKER_00]: So that's what I want to say to people, but first of all, you have to take the first step, you have to decide.
27:15.117 --> 27:27.203
[SPEAKER_00]: that this is what you want to do, that this is what you're passionate about, in terms of whatever niche you happen to be in, and then the follow through, you have to follow through, you have to take action.
27:27.283 --> 27:34.459
[SPEAKER_00]: So the first step you take today to move from being a paycheck driven, which means you're just doing it, you're in it for the money,
27:34.439 --> 27:47.340
[SPEAKER_00]: And there's nothing wrong with that, but if you don't have the goods, which means the expertise, the delivery of it, the communication of it, and then the deliverables, then all is lost.
27:47.620 --> 27:56.795
[SPEAKER_00]: You have to be able to take the initiative, but it all is based on the relationships that you have with individuals and organizations.
27:56.815 --> 28:01.763
[SPEAKER_00]: And so this is going to conclude this particular session.
28:01.743 --> 28:14.071
[SPEAKER_00]: of a wealth-friendly academy in again is episode number 325 and the title of this episode is why I stopped chasing the paycheck and started living on purpose.
28:14.933 --> 28:20.967
[SPEAKER_00]: And so in closing, what I have to say to you is this.
28:21.976 --> 28:24.300
[SPEAKER_00]: Chasing a paycheck will exhaust you.
28:24.640 --> 28:26.063
[SPEAKER_00]: I share that with you earlier.
28:26.544 --> 28:29.569
[SPEAKER_00]: And I was about that, that world, but not anymore.
28:30.130 --> 28:47.258
[SPEAKER_00]: So living your purpose will elevate you when you share from survival mode to significance mode, everything in your life, real lines, your leadership, your confidence, your income and your impact and impact makes all the difference how you can help people to,
28:47.238 --> 28:53.869
[SPEAKER_00]: go through a transformation, something that they always wanted to do and then you're the person they chose to help do it.
28:54.571 --> 29:03.827
[SPEAKER_00]: So you were not created to just work, pay bills, and repeat, you were designed to lead, contribute, and live in life that reflects your highest potential.
29:04.307 --> 29:09.837
[SPEAKER_00]: If this episode resonated with you, remember, your purpose isn't waiting.
29:09.817 --> 29:10.978
[SPEAKER_00]: It's calling.
29:11.499 --> 29:17.607
[SPEAKER_00]: And as I do with each and every episode in this series is I have a call of action.
29:18.068 --> 29:20.711
[SPEAKER_00]: And here it is for all of you who are listening.
29:21.432 --> 29:39.435
[SPEAKER_00]: If you're ready to position yourself for promotion, grow your leadership and build wealth beyond money, join me inside the lead yourself to
29:39.415 --> 29:48.767
[SPEAKER_00]: for slash groups, GRO UPS, for slash lead yourself to wealth, and that will be a great starting point.
29:49.208 --> 29:54.294
[SPEAKER_00]: And at this episode, spoke to you, share it with someone who's stuck in the paycheck chase.
29:54.855 --> 30:01.844
[SPEAKER_00]: Your purpose should be the spirit and be the spark that helps them find their way.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So what I want you to do is contact your family, your friends, your peers, and your colleagues.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And just let them know, let them know that it's very important for them not to chase the money, but align the purpose with the passion and intentional about it.
30:21.601 --> 30:27.073
[SPEAKER_00]: And again, go to Apple Podcasts
30:27.053 --> 30:28.696
[SPEAKER_00]: And let me know what you think about it.
30:28.816 --> 30:33.564
[SPEAKER_00]: I would really appreciate that and recommend it to everyone that you know.
30:33.964 --> 30:35.947
[SPEAKER_00]: Again, my name is Paul Lawrence Van.
30:35.967 --> 30:38.171
[SPEAKER_00]: I host Welph Academy Podcasts.
30:38.191 --> 30:39.613
[SPEAKER_00]: Have a wonderful day.
30:39.974 --> 30:43.780
[SPEAKER_00]: And I'll see you on the next episode of Welph Academy.
30:55.673 --> 30:59.157
[SPEAKER_01]: Thank you for listening to this episode with Paul and his guest.
30:59.558 --> 31:09.289
[SPEAKER_01]: I hope you enjoyed this episode and Paul requests that you rate and review this episode and others on Apple Podcasts and wherever you listen to podcasts.
31:09.309 --> 31:17.479
[SPEAKER_01]: View all wealth Academy podcast episodes at www.wealthacademypodcast.com
00:01.448 --> 00:04.535
[SPEAKER_01]: Welcome to Wealth the Academy podcast.
00:04.555 --> 00:10.388
[SPEAKER_01]: Thanks for tuning in to listen to this dynamic and insightful podcast with host Paul Lawrence Van.
00:10.890 --> 00:15.881
[SPEAKER_01]: Paul and his guests provide content rich information that will enhance your knowledge.
00:16.422 --> 00:17.685
[SPEAKER_01]: Enjoy this episode.
00:21.530 --> 00:28.219
[SPEAKER_00]: And good day, I hope that you are doing great as we've transitioned from autumn to winter.
00:29.040 --> 00:32.725
[SPEAKER_00]: And I tell you, wherever you happen to be, it might be cold.
00:33.146 --> 00:38.713
[SPEAKER_00]: But again, welcome to the wealth academy podcast where we remind you that wealth is more than just money.
00:39.234 --> 00:42.058
[SPEAKER_00]: It's living with purpose, clarity, and impact.
00:42.518 --> 00:47.004
[SPEAKER_00]: I'm your host Paul Lines van and today's episode, which is episode number 325.
00:48.166 --> 00:50.389
[SPEAKER_00]: I can't believe it's moving that fast.
00:50.369 --> 00:51.674
[SPEAKER_00]: is deeply personal.
00:51.774 --> 00:53.661
[SPEAKER_00]: If a year's, I've chased the paycheck.
00:54.142 --> 00:58.678
[SPEAKER_00]: Always moving, always grinding, always trying to hit the next income milestone.
00:59.140 --> 01:02.893
[SPEAKER_00]: But something unexpected may happen, the how the paycheck climb
01:03.093 --> 01:09.565
[SPEAKER_00]: the emptier I felt inside and some of you may feel the same thing today and that's part of what I'm going to talk about.
01:09.925 --> 01:19.082
[SPEAKER_00]: So in this episode, I'm sharing the turning point that helped me shift from chasing money to living my mission and once that happened, everything changed.
01:19.102 --> 01:23.370
[SPEAKER_00]: My peace, my income, my purpose and my leadership.
01:23.810 --> 01:27.497
[SPEAKER_00]: So let's dive into why I stopped chasing the
01:27.477 --> 01:29.320
[SPEAKER_00]: and started living on purpose.
01:29.340 --> 01:31.743
[SPEAKER_00]: And that's the title of this episode today.
01:32.465 --> 01:34.047
[SPEAKER_00]: And I'm glad that you could be with me.
01:34.488 --> 01:41.618
[SPEAKER_00]: And again, this series for this month is all about renewal and growth.
01:42.139 --> 01:53.316
[SPEAKER_00]: And that's definitely something that we all can do given the fact that we're running into the year 2026 here and about a little bit under a month.
01:53.296 --> 02:07.036
[SPEAKER_00]: So let's get started and the way this format works is that I will pose a question, I will answer it from my own personal perspective and give you an opportunity to really assess it for yourself as well.
02:07.437 --> 02:15.068
[SPEAKER_00]: So the first interview question that I have for you that I'm
02:15.048 --> 02:22.219
[SPEAKER_00]: What does it really mean to chase a paycheck and how does it show up in your life before you even notice it now?
02:22.379 --> 02:40.768
[SPEAKER_00]: This is a really heavy duty question and the way I will explain this, chasing a paycheck for me was, of course, starting since the age of 10, working from my parents and I was not paid but I was picking up so much, if so much business in sight and
02:41.052 --> 02:48.659
[SPEAKER_00]: Relationships with vendors and for going my after school projects for the greater good for my family.
02:48.679 --> 02:50.460
[SPEAKER_00]: So I did that for about five years.
02:50.861 --> 03:04.533
[SPEAKER_00]: And so I really was actually receiving an internship, unpaid my view that I really want to know what it was like to make some money and that I could keep you know, other than for the greater good.
03:05.093 --> 03:09.557
[SPEAKER_00]: And so I went on and I had my first job,
03:10.347 --> 03:29.815
[SPEAKER_00]: work in at the Recreation Department of the Small Town of Henderson, North Carolina, then I went on to college and I worked four years with UPS, United Apostle Service, and then I was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Air Force on that day that I graduated from University Shore University in Raleigh, North Carolina.
03:30.175 --> 03:36.945
[SPEAKER_00]: So chasing that paycheck, I already knew that once I graduated that I would be an active duty Air Force officer.
03:36.925 --> 03:38.147
[SPEAKER_00]: And I did that.
03:38.287 --> 03:47.323
[SPEAKER_00]: In fact, my first four years, I was stationed at the right Patterson Air Force Base and they know how you're not really never had any money consistent money like that.
03:47.383 --> 03:49.386
[SPEAKER_00]: So I didn't buy a house in this laboratory.
03:49.747 --> 03:52.251
[SPEAKER_00]: I got an apartment and I bought a new car.
03:52.231 --> 03:55.356
[SPEAKER_00]: And if I had it to do, again, I would reverse that.
03:55.416 --> 03:57.680
[SPEAKER_00]: I would purchase a house and just get a use car.
03:58.822 --> 04:01.066
[SPEAKER_00]: And so reality is what it is.
04:01.266 --> 04:03.069
[SPEAKER_00]: And so I was chasing that paycheck.
04:03.089 --> 04:05.613
[SPEAKER_00]: I was the second lieutenant, I was the first lieutenant.
04:06.054 --> 04:08.979
[SPEAKER_00]: So, who hard work and diligencey, I was able to do that.
04:09.520 --> 04:13.366
[SPEAKER_00]: Then, two years later, I was a captain in the United States Air Force.
04:13.386 --> 04:14.768
[SPEAKER_00]: And I completed that.
04:14.849 --> 04:15.690
[SPEAKER_00]: So,
04:15.670 --> 04:22.544
[SPEAKER_00]: the more and more experience I was receiving and training, the more paycheck I was receiving.
04:23.305 --> 04:25.950
[SPEAKER_00]: And at that time, I really didn't understand.
04:26.071 --> 04:27.874
[SPEAKER_00]: I really know the value of money.
04:28.035 --> 04:33.325
[SPEAKER_00]: If you will, my relationship with money was not very good at perhaps yours was the same way.
04:33.305 --> 04:46.065
[SPEAKER_00]: And so it showed up in my life that way, then when I hit, and that was the four-year point, when I hit the eight-year mark, I separated from the United States Air Force because I always wanted to work for a Fortune 500 company.
04:46.546 --> 04:50.031
[SPEAKER_00]: And so I was recruited by several companies, but I ended up,
04:50.011 --> 04:56.666
[SPEAKER_00]: selecting mobile chemical company and Beaumont, Texas, and Houston where the regional office was located.
04:57.066 --> 05:10.095
[SPEAKER_00]: And so I went from earning money as a captain and in the United States Air Force to then on the staff, professional staff with mobile all, so my earnings went up and then I bought my first house.
05:10.075 --> 05:16.721
[SPEAKER_00]: and then I started working more and more hours and I was receiving more and more pay increase.
05:17.181 --> 05:22.026
[SPEAKER_00]: And I did this for two years until the day came where I received a car from the Pentagon from this Colonel.
05:22.927 --> 05:26.070
[SPEAKER_00]: And he said, well, I see where you're trying to get your reserve.
05:26.090 --> 05:28.452
[SPEAKER_00]: So that would you consider coming on active duty.
05:28.692 --> 05:30.253
[SPEAKER_00]: So I, in fact, did that.
05:30.494 --> 05:37.500
[SPEAKER_00]: So again, I was earning money, oil and gas money, and then I went back to the military industries.
05:37.480 --> 05:39.064
[SPEAKER_00]: And I did that.
05:39.144 --> 05:46.420
[SPEAKER_00]: And then a few years later, I was promoted to major and then ultimately to Lutheran and Colonel while retired after 22 years.
05:46.781 --> 05:48.284
[SPEAKER_00]: So I was chasing that paycheck.
05:48.725 --> 05:53.957
[SPEAKER_00]: And I was being fulfilled ever not at the level that I thought that I should have at that time.
05:53.977 --> 05:54.578
[SPEAKER_00]: In other words,
05:54.980 --> 06:10.457
[SPEAKER_00]: I wanted to ensure that I was doing my passion when I was at mobile or company it was something new, something fresh, a change perspective and new experiences new training and then a new industry and so I was learning all of that.
06:10.437 --> 06:20.654
[SPEAKER_00]: And then, ultimately, when I went to the Pentagon, that was really the essence of my career because that's the highest etallom one could go, and their career is at the Pentagon.
06:21.315 --> 06:29.308
[SPEAKER_00]: And then I went once, leveled deeper by applying for the Capital Hill Fellowship Program, and I worked for them of Congress for a year.
06:29.348 --> 06:32.013
[SPEAKER_00]: So again, I ended up being promoted.
06:32.313 --> 06:35.719
[SPEAKER_00]: I earned my promotion as a lieutenant colonel while on Capital Hill.
06:35.699 --> 06:37.242
[SPEAKER_00]: And so I went through that ceremony.
06:37.262 --> 06:39.426
[SPEAKER_00]: So again, I was building up and building up.
06:39.747 --> 06:41.891
[SPEAKER_00]: And I was still going through that passion.
06:42.532 --> 06:49.426
[SPEAKER_00]: And again, what I want you to take from this is to be able to identify whether you're stuck in the earn more field less fulfilled loop.
06:49.446 --> 06:51.109
[SPEAKER_00]: Because I just had this
06:51.089 --> 06:54.274
[SPEAKER_00]: Spirit inside of me and this drive inside of me.
06:54.454 --> 07:00.444
[SPEAKER_00]: I want it to be the very best at what I did, not competing with anyone else, like I know you are either.
07:00.745 --> 07:07.476
[SPEAKER_00]: And if you are competing with someone else, I want you to not do that, but look in the mirror, and that's who you're competing with, you're competing with yourself.
07:07.996 --> 07:17.552
[SPEAKER_00]: So, after I completed my two-of-duty at Capitol Hill, I came back to the Pentagon for two years and ultimately, I retired.
07:17.532 --> 07:33.837
[SPEAKER_00]: In the rank with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and the Air Force and then I became an entrepreneur so my drive and my initiative to always want to be of service I was able to do that by becoming an entrepreneur by starting out as a professional speaker
07:33.817 --> 07:41.075
[SPEAKER_00]: and then as an author and today as a coach, a podcaster right now and as speaker.
07:41.516 --> 07:51.741
[SPEAKER_00]: And so that's what I do today, but I want you to really take a cursory look at yourself and based on a question, what does it really mean to chase a paycheck?
07:51.907 --> 07:55.116
[SPEAKER_00]: And how does it show up in your life before you even notice it?
07:55.517 --> 08:07.030
[SPEAKER_00]: So it's again, just with our finish off question one, how do the nurses, I noticed it by the fact that I continue to grow, I continue to develop, I continue to earn my promotions.
08:07.010 --> 08:11.294
[SPEAKER_00]: I was competitive from my own personal perspective, through self leadership.
08:11.855 --> 08:14.177
[SPEAKER_00]: And I want you to look at what it is for you.
08:14.657 --> 08:16.599
[SPEAKER_00]: So that's where we're gonna start.
08:16.619 --> 08:23.345
[SPEAKER_00]: So the next question is at what moment did you know the pursuit of income alone was cost and you something bigger?
08:23.966 --> 08:34.536
[SPEAKER_00]: And I repeat this question because I really want you to get the essence of this question at what moment did you know the pursuit of income alone was cost and you something bigger?
08:34.516 --> 08:51.613
[SPEAKER_00]: So this right here really has to do with looking at different avenues of which I thought because I knew after receiving my bachelor's degree in business I immediately started working on my master's degree.
08:51.593 --> 08:58.521
[SPEAKER_00]: A couple of weeks after I received my commission and six months, I had to wait to go on active duty as a second lieutenant.
08:58.541 --> 09:02.085
[SPEAKER_00]: So I had an opportunity to make some increases.
09:02.185 --> 09:09.774
[SPEAKER_00]: So when I came in, I want to be competitive already from a position and industry perspective.
09:09.814 --> 09:19.626
[SPEAKER_00]: In other words, I was a leader in tower 22 years, but my functional specialty was financial management budgeting cost estimate, etc.
09:19.927 --> 09:41.882
[SPEAKER_00]: And I, when I retired, I retired with as a certified financial manager, because I had so many years of experience, I've worked in accounting departments, while in the Air Force, a program called Education Ministry, where I worked in Atlanta for company called National Data Corporation, and then I've worked in multi-billion dollar acquisition programs for the Air Force and much, much more.
09:42.483 --> 09:47.250
[SPEAKER_00]: So at what moment did I know the pursuit of income was causing me something bigger,
09:47.230 --> 09:55.604
[SPEAKER_00]: I would have to look at it from the standpoint of again, I had more options as I was going up the the chain of command, if you will, rank wise.
09:56.346 --> 10:07.585
[SPEAKER_00]: And as a result, the pursuit of income continue to be planned in a lining with exactly what I was doing at that time and what I was going to try to achieve in the long run.
10:08.003 --> 10:18.638
[SPEAKER_00]: And at this year, as of October to 16th, I've been retired from the Air Force for 23 years, and I've been an entrepreneur for roughly 21 years.
10:19.158 --> 10:30.368
[SPEAKER_00]: And when I add in what I did when up from 10 years old until 15, so we're basically looking at 26 years of entrepreneur and business experience.
10:31.029 --> 10:47.123
[SPEAKER_00]: So what was cost to me something bigger, I would have to say that as I was going through the military ranks, I was also looking to keep them on the corporate rank or at our target, what would I do?
10:47.103 --> 10:51.778
[SPEAKER_00]: for about 18 months, almost two years, after I retired from the Air Force.
10:52.480 --> 10:56.353
[SPEAKER_00]: And still, in the Pentagon, but working for another organization.
10:56.806 --> 11:10.673
[SPEAKER_00]: And so I happened to know my pursuit of income was also that because I retired, I had retirement pay, and then I was receiving pay because I had so many days of leave that I could use.
11:10.693 --> 11:13.598
[SPEAKER_00]: But I was also receiving two pay checks at one time.
11:14.099 --> 11:19.209
[SPEAKER_00]: For about, let's see, July to October of the year that I retired.
11:19.329 --> 11:19.810
[SPEAKER_00]: So
11:19.790 --> 11:33.023
[SPEAKER_00]: Again, I recognize it, and it wasn't cost me more, perhaps if I had it to do differently, I probably would have gone into entrepreneurship immediately at our entire, as opposed to becoming a contractor.
11:33.604 --> 11:36.967
[SPEAKER_00]: But reality is what it is, and that's where I am.
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[SPEAKER_00]: I want you again, think about this, this question.
11:40.451 --> 11:48.919
[SPEAKER_00]: At what moment did you know, that's to you, not me,
11:49.456 --> 11:52.299
[SPEAKER_00]: And so get your note pad out and write it down.
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[SPEAKER_00]: Question three, how does living on purpose differ from simply earning money?
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[SPEAKER_00]: I'm moving up professionally.
12:00.749 --> 12:12.442
[SPEAKER_00]: This particular question is a great question primarily because it really talks to my not only purpose, but also my passion about life, what do I enjoy doing?
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so when you're doing,
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[SPEAKER_00]: If it's the quote goes, if you do what you love, you never work another day in your life.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And for me, that's really how it is that I want to be the type of person that makes a difference and other people's lives, just like I did with the military for 22 years.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And I wanted to make a difference.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And I also, I'm a person of service, some of the leader of
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[SPEAKER_00]: I want to earn more money because I can help more people, however, my purpose is one of then I'll leave a leader's servant and it's been proven out every single day because now I'm on social media, I have a news, I have a couple of newsletters, I have digital training, I speak both in-person on stages as well as virtually and I'll leave a webinar now and I'm about
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so what does Lebanon purpose, how differs from simply earning money, the money will come if you're doing what you love to do.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so a preface this question again to you as before we move on a question for question three again reads,
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[SPEAKER_00]: And that's question is for you.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So question four, reads as follows, what internal beliefs had to shift before you could step into who you were meant to be?
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[SPEAKER_00]: So for me, and I'll read the question again, what internal beliefs had to shift before you could step into who you were meant to be?
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[SPEAKER_00]: Well, for me, and this is such a great question,
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[SPEAKER_00]: self-leadership that's a way to go.
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[SPEAKER_00]: In other words, I know if I can't leave myself, likewise for you, if you can't leave yourself, you can't leave anyone else.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so what that comes into about is a self-awareness, no one who you are, a self accountable being accountable for all of your actions and the decisions that you made.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And then also having that emotional intelligence and having a type of mind that that really puts you into a space that's unique unto you.
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[SPEAKER_00]: Because we're all born with different gifts, talents and abilities, and we have to work towards it.
14:44.058 --> 14:49.549
[SPEAKER_00]: And over time we're discover, oh, so this is the foundation of who I am.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so that's what I'm preface into you, what internal beliefs had to shift before you could step into who you were meant to be.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And for me, it was putting aside a lot of the shiny objects that are out there with some people off of this training, of this course, and just sticking with one and moving forward with it.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And that's what I'm doing today with the webinar that I'll lead.
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[SPEAKER_00]: I'll lead it every Thursday at 7 p.m. Eastern daylight time that's doing this this season.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And it's how to position yourself for promotion in 30 days through self-leadership.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so I delivered this 90 minute one and a half hour webinar each week and then in January, in addition to that, I'll be launching
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[SPEAKER_00]: different offers to members of my private Facebook group, which is titled, lead yourself to wealth.
15:47.313 --> 15:53.423
[SPEAKER_00]: And one of the things that I want you to look at is the internal beliefs that you have.
15:54.304 --> 15:56.728
[SPEAKER_00]: No one who you are and who you are.
15:56.708 --> 16:05.558
[SPEAKER_00]: So I'm going to move on to question five, what external habits are routines that you change once you decide to live intentionally?
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[SPEAKER_00]: And I'll read that again, what external habits are routines that you change once you decide to live intentionally?
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[SPEAKER_00]: And this really comes down to with the blueprint for my life and what I do now,
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[SPEAKER_00]: And externally, I've put in systems in place that will help me and I have a team that's working with me providing not only the copy, but the Facebook ads that provide outreach to generate leads for me, where in the past I was trying to do all of this on my own.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And then with the Facebook group, I'm also going through the program where I've had coaches and experts and collaborations with other people, which is something I didn't do in the past
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[SPEAKER_00]: granted out, go through a class or training and do it myself and I tell you it can be exhausted and it was.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So what about you?
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[SPEAKER_00]: Because I know today that many people are burnt out with the dynamics that have taken place in their economy and specific industries
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[SPEAKER_00]: different things such as that, for example, the federal government layoffs that took place for the government been shut down.
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[SPEAKER_00]: That impacted a lot of people, even people who are working at impacts them as well, because it's all interrelated and interconnected.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so again, when we look at those external habits, I'm stopped doing things solo.
17:33.619 --> 17:34.680
[SPEAKER_00]: I've hired coaches.
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[SPEAKER_00]: I have coaches
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[SPEAKER_00]: And that's how things have changed for me, so that's part of that transformation that's taken place over the course of the last 12 to 18 months.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So question five our repeat that again so that you can get this in your notes and you can think about how it impacts you what external habits are routines that you change once you decided to live intentionally and let me just finish it off our cross the finish line with doing it intentionally my intent is to lead a successful business dividing.
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[SPEAKER_00]: products and services to my clients and building on that so I can help more people.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And that's really what it's all about.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And mine is centered through self-leadership and then leadership development training for organizations as well as individuals.
18:32.059 --> 18:34.662
[SPEAKER_00]: So question six, how do
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[SPEAKER_00]: did alignment with your purpose, impact your finances, relationships, and leaderships.
18:40.438 --> 18:49.157
[SPEAKER_00]: So what this does and what I want you to take into consideration is that it's something measurable and then they will real world beliefs.
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[SPEAKER_00]: and benefits rather and so when I answer the question for myself and I want you to answer for yourself is how did alignment with the purpose impact your finances?
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[SPEAKER_00]: Well, as I stated earlier that when you're doing the work that you were going to do and doing it purposefully, it's also intentional.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And as a result of that, you're going to have a lot of great results and I'm going through and sitting under the leadership and guidance that's in tremendous coaches right now and I've learned from them and then what I learned I pass it on to other people.
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[SPEAKER_00]: But I pass it on specifically for the specialty art expertise that I have, which is leadership and finances as well.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And when people ask me, well, what about that financial card?
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[SPEAKER_00]: Well, as I mentioned before, I've worked
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[SPEAKER_00]: on programs, and lay on programs, the program management upwards of $3 billion and even more, I've worked special projects for the former president of the United States.
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[SPEAKER_00]: I'm volunteered to work with the former governor of Maryland and so many other people with nonprofit organizations and so much more.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so when I look at this, I look at the relationships I built and then I leadership that goes into it
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[SPEAKER_00]: But unless you put it into action, it's not really going to make a difference.
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[SPEAKER_00]: You have to take the first step in any process, learn what you need to learn, but you need to activate it after that.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And if you don't activate it, then it's for loss.
20:31.640 --> 20:37.427
[SPEAKER_00]: And I know you just like with me, we don't want to take any losses and just learn
20:37.897 --> 20:44.010
[SPEAKER_00]: what we learn, for example, I have a marketing funnel that's in place as a part of my webinar, lead generation.
20:44.110 --> 20:57.458
[SPEAKER_00]: I have Facebook, I'm generating leads from people, friends, and colleagues, and peers, from other Facebook pages, business pages,
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[SPEAKER_00]: and also personal pages linked in Instagram as well as Twitter.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so when we look at alignment, if you purpose, it takes into account many, many things, but it's a matter of just leveling out and making good things happen for yourself.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So again, as I wrap up Question 6, I want to repreface it so that you can understand it and you can
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[SPEAKER_00]: look at it for yourself and how to impact you.
21:24.558 --> 21:31.676
[SPEAKER_00]: How did it allow me with your purpose impact your finances relationships and leadership.
21:31.696 --> 21:38.312
[SPEAKER_00]: Okay, so we had questions seven now as we're moving right along and this question.
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[SPEAKER_00]: is what challenges that you face when you start living for approval and start living for meaning.
21:44.843 --> 21:53.989
[SPEAKER_00]: And what this does is really kind of normalizes a transition and reduces the fear for you all who are listening and considering your own ship.
21:53.969 --> 22:00.335
[SPEAKER_00]: And so, again, the question is, what challenges did you face when you stopped living for approval and started living for meeting?
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[SPEAKER_00]: Well, right off the bat, I will have to say that after 22 years with the United States Air Force as well as with mobile or company, I learned their systems, I learned their processes, their procedures, standard operating procedures, and also their
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[SPEAKER_00]: and as a result, I just start decided that when I become an entrepreneur, which was ultimately was going to be a part of my life experience professionally.
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[SPEAKER_00]: I knew that I wanted to do things my way, I knew that some people were there same well, you know, you were tired, why aren't you still working?
22:45.691 --> 23:05.837
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, I just see myself as never stop working because I believe that when I stop working, that's when I won't be living a purposeful life because, again, it's all about being of service, it's all about helping to grow people, develop people, to mentor, so on, and so forth.
23:06.197 --> 23:14.668
[SPEAKER_00]: And so again, preface this question to you, what challenges did you face when you stopped living
23:14.648 --> 23:36.083
[SPEAKER_00]: So for me, the meaning is making a difference in the lives of others, through my speaking programs, through my leadership development programs, through my books, and the Arthur of three books, solo books, and three, and four, co-Arthur books, and so I have a fourth solo book that's been written right now.
23:36.063 --> 23:42.312
[SPEAKER_00]: So when it comes down to meaning, I know working with someone else, I could, I would not be able to do that.
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[SPEAKER_00]: I would not be able to write the books and also design digital courses and provide them two clients because all of the focus would have been on them, but would be in the entrepreneur.
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[SPEAKER_00]: and the founder and president of wealth building Academy LLC, which is a leadership consultancy, then I'm leaving my meeting and my purpose and no matter if I'm criticized or ostracized, it makes no difference because I'm in charge and that makes all the difference and you should see yourself in that same space.
24:19.899 --> 24:23.923
[SPEAKER_00]: All right, the next question in the final question before our
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[SPEAKER_00]: for someone listening and who feels stuck.
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[SPEAKER_00]: What is the first step they can take today to move from paycheck driven to purpose driven?
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[SPEAKER_00]: And so I'm going to provide you with a simple, actionable step to be a momentum as you go forward, whether you're solo, per newer,
24:45.773 --> 24:50.541
[SPEAKER_00]: They speak her coach, a collaborator, whatever you happen to be.
24:50.761 --> 24:53.045
[SPEAKER_00]: So for someone listening, he feels stuck.
24:53.065 --> 24:57.933
[SPEAKER_00]: What's the first step that they can take the day to move from paycheck driven to purpose driven?
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[SPEAKER_00]: Well, the first thing that I would say is that if you do what you love to do,
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[SPEAKER_00]: and you have expertise that you can share with people right now in this moment, then you don't have to really focus on money.
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[SPEAKER_00]: You can focus on just delivering, opening up relationships with people and relationships with what I mean by that is just offering someone a free gift, for example, offering someone a free gift, level up your leadership.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And I'll have one out there about managing
25:34.694 --> 25:43.711
[SPEAKER_00]: And then what you want to do is just look at anything that you can deliver in this very moment, that's the most important part.
25:43.791 --> 25:48.700
[SPEAKER_00]: You can deliver something in this very moment that you're really halfway there.
25:49.481 --> 25:52.948
[SPEAKER_00]: And the rest of it is it's just adding more moment to it.
25:53.909 --> 25:58.137
[SPEAKER_00]: And it's so if you're feeling stuck, they're more than enough ideas.
25:58.808 --> 26:05.877
[SPEAKER_00]: out there that other people have done the same thing, but the difference between you and them in the same industry and the same niche.
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[SPEAKER_00]: For example, if there's leadership, or if there's relationships, or if there's wealth building, your unique perspective is what makes all the difference just like mine does.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And I was on a car yesterday with a new,
26:18.873 --> 26:34.536
[SPEAKER_00]: group that I'm working with with a speaker's bureau and they say we'll call that a lot of people in that that leadership space but you know you're going to have to really be competitive in what you deliver well I've just spoke about that throughout this podcast
26:34.516 --> 26:40.344
[SPEAKER_00]: Most of the other people that he was referencing have not been a military officer for over 22 years.
26:40.765 --> 26:42.868
[SPEAKER_00]: They have not worked at mobile or company.
26:43.208 --> 26:45.571
[SPEAKER_00]: They have not worked at the United Apostles Service.
26:45.592 --> 26:53.022
[SPEAKER_00]: So all of those unique experiences I have, the training that goes with it, and the experience I have with it.
26:53.763 --> 26:54.905
[SPEAKER_00]: No one else can do this.
26:55.806 --> 26:57.368
[SPEAKER_00]: The way that I do it.
26:57.584 --> 27:08.605
[SPEAKER_00]: And that's why I can't offer a webinar about how to position people to be promoted within 30 days through self leadership.
27:09.446 --> 27:15.137
[SPEAKER_00]: So that's what I want to say to people, but first of all, you have to take the first step, you have to decide.
27:15.117 --> 27:27.203
[SPEAKER_00]: that this is what you want to do, that this is what you're passionate about, in terms of whatever niche you happen to be in, and then the follow through, you have to follow through, you have to take action.
27:27.283 --> 27:34.459
[SPEAKER_00]: So the first step you take today to move from being a paycheck driven, which means you're just doing it, you're in it for the money,
27:34.439 --> 27:47.340
[SPEAKER_00]: And there's nothing wrong with that, but if you don't have the goods, which means the expertise, the delivery of it, the communication of it, and then the deliverables, then all is lost.
27:47.620 --> 27:56.795
[SPEAKER_00]: You have to be able to take the initiative, but it all is based on the relationships that you have with individuals and organizations.
27:56.815 --> 28:01.763
[SPEAKER_00]: And so this is going to conclude this particular session.
28:01.743 --> 28:14.071
[SPEAKER_00]: of a wealth-friendly academy in again is episode number 325 and the title of this episode is why I stopped chasing the paycheck and started living on purpose.
28:14.933 --> 28:20.967
[SPEAKER_00]: And so in closing, what I have to say to you is this.
28:21.976 --> 28:24.300
[SPEAKER_00]: Chasing a paycheck will exhaust you.
28:24.640 --> 28:26.063
[SPEAKER_00]: I share that with you earlier.
28:26.544 --> 28:29.569
[SPEAKER_00]: And I was about that, that world, but not anymore.
28:30.130 --> 28:47.258
[SPEAKER_00]: So living your purpose will elevate you when you share from survival mode to significance mode, everything in your life, real lines, your leadership, your confidence, your income and your impact and impact makes all the difference how you can help people to,
28:47.238 --> 28:53.869
[SPEAKER_00]: go through a transformation, something that they always wanted to do and then you're the person they chose to help do it.
28:54.571 --> 29:03.827
[SPEAKER_00]: So you were not created to just work, pay bills, and repeat, you were designed to lead, contribute, and live in life that reflects your highest potential.
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[SPEAKER_00]: If this episode resonated with you, remember, your purpose isn't waiting.
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[SPEAKER_00]: It's calling.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And as I do with each and every episode in this series is I have a call of action.
29:18.068 --> 29:20.711
[SPEAKER_00]: And here it is for all of you who are listening.
29:21.432 --> 29:39.435
[SPEAKER_00]: If you're ready to position yourself for promotion, grow your leadership and build wealth beyond money, join me inside the lead yourself to
29:39.415 --> 29:48.767
[SPEAKER_00]: for slash groups, GRO UPS, for slash lead yourself to wealth, and that will be a great starting point.
29:49.208 --> 29:54.294
[SPEAKER_00]: And at this episode, spoke to you, share it with someone who's stuck in the paycheck chase.
29:54.855 --> 30:01.844
[SPEAKER_00]: Your purpose should be the spirit and be the spark that helps them find their way.
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[SPEAKER_00]: So what I want you to do is contact your family, your friends, your peers, and your colleagues.
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[SPEAKER_00]: And just let them know, let them know that it's very important for them not to chase the money, but align the purpose with the passion and intentional about it.
30:21.601 --> 30:27.073
[SPEAKER_00]: And again, go to Apple Podcasts
30:27.053 --> 30:28.696
[SPEAKER_00]: And let me know what you think about it.
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[SPEAKER_00]: I would really appreciate that and recommend it to everyone that you know.
30:33.964 --> 30:35.947
[SPEAKER_00]: Again, my name is Paul Lawrence Van.
30:35.967 --> 30:38.171
[SPEAKER_00]: I host Welph Academy Podcasts.
30:38.191 --> 30:39.613
[SPEAKER_00]: Have a wonderful day.
30:39.974 --> 30:43.780
[SPEAKER_00]: And I'll see you on the next episode of Welph Academy.
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[SPEAKER_01]: Thank you for listening to this episode with Paul and his guest.
30:59.558 --> 31:09.289
[SPEAKER_01]: I hope you enjoyed this episode and Paul requests that you rate and review this episode and others on Apple Podcasts and wherever you listen to podcasts.
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[SPEAKER_01]: View all wealth Academy podcast episodes at www.wealthacademypodcast.com
