If You Have a Finish Line, You're Already Finished
Lessons learned from the International Maxwell Leadership Conference
Listen here.
In March, I had the opportunity to attend my 4th International Maxwell Leadership Conference (IMC) in Dallas. I was first certified as a coach in 2023, and I keep going back because it makes me better. I wanted to share a few lessons that stuck out to me from that special week:
“Be the one to embrace hard” (CEO Mark Cole). Mark kicked off the conference with a series of “be the one” statements. This one hit home. It made me think about how I want to default to the easy button. That somewhere along the way, we can fall into the trap of thinking that the purpose of our lives is to work until we retire and then slide safely into a life of comfort. I’ve had seasons of embracing hard. In fact, I’m pretty hard on myself most days. But I think this is different. We weren’t made for comfort. We were made for a purpose. I believe everyone reading this has a great purpose to live for that will impact others. It’s the idea of embracing hard and pursuing it that is changing my life day by day.
“Failure is not a garment, so stop wearing it like one!” —John Maxwell. John talked a lot about keeping failure and success together because they soften each other. Your highs aren’t as high, and your lows are so low. As humans, we screw things up regularly. The difference between a good miss and a bad miss is how we respond to failure. If we choose to learn from failure, it’s a good miss. If we choose to wallow in it, then it’s a bad miss. As I’m talking to people about an upcoming Authentic Purpose Cohort, some say “yes” while others say “no.” If I take the nos personally, I can’t learn from them.
“If you have a finish line to your life, when you cross it, you’re finished!” — John Maxwell. This message resonated with me. I think most view retirement as a finish line. I don’t personally believe in retirement. I don’t ever want to stop making an impact and do nothing. John emphasized that we’re supposed to die while moving, not waiting. If you’re not happy where you are now, you won’t be happy where you are going. Living with the anticipation that you’re about to help someone else with what you’re doing will change the way you see your life.
Hands down, the best part of IMC is the people. This is my friend Remus from Romania. He’s a former truck driver who started his own successful transportation company. The most impressive thing about him isn’t his financial success, but his desire to serve others. He’s traveled to Papua New Guinea, Argentina, and Panama to teach Maxwell leadership principles to leaders in these countries. More than anything, he’s just a really good guy. I didn’t expect this, but he’s fluent in Spanish and encouraged me to pick it up again. Remus, you wear that hat well, my friend.
I met this gentleman at breakfast one morning. We’re eating scrambled eggs and toast when I asked what brought him to the IMC. I expected him to say that he was a tech leader or something like that. He tells me he’s the Chief of Spinal Neurosurgery at the University of Louisville. Wow! Such a humble guy. I got to share my story of surviving brain surgery and how thankful I am for his profession. He was at the conference because he is in charge of training doctors at his hospital and wants to incorporate John Maxwell’s principles. Oh, and his first name is…wait for it…Maxwell. I got to introduce him to my other doctor friend, Amanda, on the last day.
This is my buddy Michael Humphrey from Tennessee. We share the same coach. He’s a former Marine who worked in tech until he, like me, decided to make a pivot into full-time coaching. We’ve encouraged each other on this journey as we both started around the same time. We need other people to help us see what we could be, not stay where we currently are. He’s that kind of dude. And this tough guy, who can probably bench 400 lbs with one arm, is also a children’s book author. Pick up Maya’s Special Backpack and read it to your kids and grandkids. It’s dedicated to his daughter.
And last but not least, these are my friends Tom and Tonya Telesco. They’ve been with Maxwell Leadership teaching faculty since the organization started. Tom is my coach who has introduced me to so many great people and continues to make my transition to coaching a reality through his constant encouragement. I’m so grateful for him. Yes, coaches need their own coach!
I want to leave you with some encouragement. If you don’t like where your life is headed right now, you can choose a different way. There is more to life than sliding safely into comfort. I’m excited for how the Authentic Purpose Cohort is going to help people identify and live out their unique purpose and the impact they were meant to have on the world. Reply to this email, and I’ll tell you more.
See you next Sunday.
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