What Fires You Up? – The Better Newsletter #83

What a joy it was to be interviewed on John Lee Dumas’ pioneering podcast Entrepreneurs on Fire. (listen here)

John and I talked about how having something specific on our calendars gives us IKIGAI, a Japanese word for “purpose, a reason to get up in the morning.”

He mentioned his is a trip to Italy with his young son this Sept. For me, it’s swimming the Jim McDonnel Race in Lake Audubon on May 25.

Months ago, I asked, “What would light me up and give me something to look forward to?”

Well, I used to live on – and swim in – Lake Audubon in Reston, VA. It always felt good and right every time I was in the water and Mr. Blue Heron did fly-bys.

Plus, swimming is a great way to get in shape instead of being sedentary… And having a tangible event to train for holds me accountable for doing my laps so I’ll be able to go the distance. 🙂

And, the excitement of being part of a fun community event (they always start with a local student singing the Star Spangled Banner), lining up with others in the starting gate, and completing a goal I’d set out to do, is a visceral win that makes me happy just thinking about it.

ACTION

  1. How about you? What is something that gives you momentum? Something you can look forward to in the last half of 2025? THAT’S your IKIGAI.

  2. Stop talking about it… And start doing it! Get out your phone and schedule it. Book the flight. Register for the event. Call the friend. Do the thing.

  3. If you want help to make the rest of 2025 a win, take 27 mins to listen to the podcastIn it, I share my 4-Box Quiz + 6-Step A.G.E.N.C.Y. framework for turning intentions into actions and potential regrets into rewarding results.

P.S. Want help to clarify your 2025 IKIGAI? Join me for CLARITY Weekend in Reston, VA this May 22–24.

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