A case of mismatched purpose
Hi everyone, and happy April Fools ‘ Day. No jokes in today’s email. Like Halloween, I’ve never been much of a fan of April Fools. I also don’t have an audio version of the blog this week because I’m on an airplane. – I’m glad you like the feature, and it will return in two weeks.
In my past few letters to you, I’ve mentioned Noli, The Reluctant Great Pyrenees, a few times. In response to no one at all because no one asked, I thought it might be important to share some of her backstory and what makes her “reluctant.” But also what that means for us as we strive for things, goals, and ideas of a different or better life.
Noli, short for Magnolia, came to us as a rescue from South Carolina. Her elderly owner had passed away, and her family lives here in Idaho, eventually leading Noli to our home. I’ll confess I was opposed to adopting her because I don’t think her breed is a good fit for our household, but I lost the debate (how do you break a 1 to 1 tie in a house of two?) Nevertheless, everyone in the pack has adapted and is doing well.
Yet, the moniker “reluctant” remains. I’ll explain. Noli is bred for certain things. She is a livestock guardian dog (LGD), which means she has specific preferences – it is in her nature to sit and watch over things in a field and keep them safe. She protects her pack quite diligently. These genetic preferences make her incredibly loyal and sweet, but it also means she is not very open and welcoming to animals outside the pack. For that reason, dinner guests don’t get to bring their dogs along because this stresses Noli’s security detail.
Noli has a core-shattering bark that will induce a heart attack if you aren’t prepared, which we never are because she goes from napping to ballistic faster than a Porsche accelerates from 0 to 60. These qualities also mean she doesn’t necessarily like to walk in the woods or go for a long run with her mama. Thus, the reluctance: Because it takes her away from her core purpose.
She loves routine, being with her pack, having a job, having her meals and going to bed at the prescribed time, and belly scratches. You can very much tell with her whole being when she is in her natural habitat or not.
And she’s my daily reminder to reflect on what we are meant to do and not. If I watch Noli in angst vs. her happy place, I see how much better she shows up when she’s serving her purpose.
These thoughts occurred to me as I chatted with a close friend and colleague about some pretty big goals we have and how hard it can be at times to find the balance between chasing this goal at the expense of our daily well-being and enjoyment while also acknowledging that it’s good to think big.
And I asked, “What if we loosened our grip on this goal without letting go?”
Where can we find the soft spot where it flows a little easier and doesn’t feel out of sync, like a Great Pyrenees who should be watching over a flock of sheep and not running on a trail in the woods with its human?
Where is that middle ground? And what does it look like?
Striving is good, but there is a story we tell ourselves that we are not good enough. It might serve us well to be kinder to ourselves. You may be meant to watch over your flock and not run for miles! Have you considered that?
I’m not writing this to let you off the hook but to consider what it means to “do you” and how to do you bigger and better. There is a story we tell ourselves with our inside voice that must be addressed before we can give voice to the outside story.
This is an invitation to reimagine your story. And. It’s an invitation to Pause in Provence and do it with us.
Not this September but next September 20th to 27th, 2026, Rebecca Sutherns and I will co-host a small retreat and coaching experience in the South of France for five nights. Just like Noli, we all have our unique purposes and sometimes we need a pause to reflect and realign. This retreat is designed to help you do just that. We have a stunning villa booked, and the details are quickly coming together. Registration will open in mid-May. You must be on our waitlist to be notified. Join now and get the details as they come together! We cannot wait to help you rethink and rewrite your next chapter.
Take care out there.
WHEN YOU’RE READY, HERE ARE SOME WAYS I CAN SUPPORT YOU AND YOUR TEAM.
See a video showcasing my work here and if you need help with one of the items below, let’s schedule a time to talk.
One-to-one – Powerful Presenters mentoring: Want to transform complex ideas into unforgettable messages? We’ll work together to prepare you for your next presentation.
Your Team – Power of Story workshop: I teach leaders of all capabilities how to engage authentically with their teams, community, and stakeholders to create meaningful connections that build trust, increase team engagement, and lead to better fundraising and revenue generation.
Your off-site or next event: Lead With Story keynote: My keynote is often used as a moment of connection to open events and get the creative juices flowing.
Retreat: Pause in Provence: In late September 2026 I’ll be co-hosting a five-night retreat in the south of France with strategic thinker Rebecca Sutherns. Hit pause on your busy life, slow down, and focus on reimagining the next chapter of your story. More details to come, but if you’d like to be the first to learn more about this experience, join the waitlist.
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