Course Correcting as I Move Into My Vision

by Katherine Burks on August 17, 2010

Sometimes it is fairly easy to start mapping out a plan for getting from point A to point B when it comes to achieving a goal.

But stretching into a big vision – one that we don’t know exactly how it’s going to come together – can call for a very different approach. I’m learning from experience that it’s best to not get particularly attached to planning how I think things should unfold.

In fact, it seems that the bigger the vision, the better it is to stay open to all kinds of possibilities when it comes to creativity, people, and resources that may show up to help guide us, especially when the original plan has us headed in the wrong direction.

My most recent lesson that underscores this is my brainchild – the start of a community that I named “Empower Youth.” My intention was certainly in alignment with my bigger vision. That is, my vision for growing a global community to support the Millennial generation (currently around 8 – 28 years old) in being catalysts and collaborators for personal and global transformation.

Recently a fabulous 22-year old joined my team as a volunteer, and it was humbling and funny for me to discover in a conversation with her, a gap in my understanding of the difference between “youth” and “young adults.” Here it is: I actually believed that youth encompassed people from the pre-teens to under-30 year olds.

I now know that many 14 and 15 year olds are beginning to refer to themselves as young adults, and for sure no one over 17 wants be be referred to as a youth. As a baby boomer that hasn’t raised any children, I plead my case for being clueless and see this as an opportunity to have a good laugh at myself!

Meanwhile, we’ve decided that Empower Youth doesn’t cover the entire age group that we want to serve, so we’re letting it go. Instead, we’ll be creating a format that will allow the identity to be chosen and shaped by youth and young adults (instead of me – a baby boomer that has plenty to learn).

And my lessons learned, while course correcting to stay on the path to a bigger vision:

  • move into total collaboration with others that share my passion for empowering youth and young adults, and
  • recognize that the highest and best good for realizing a big vision unfolds and finds traction by moving forward with collaboration, community and creativity!

Photo Credit: mhobl

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Assisting Youth with Making a Difference

by Katherine Burks on March 27, 2010

Having clarity about what you want – a vision – is always a good start.

And then the time comes to move into action, and that time has arrived for my current project: Empower Youth. I’m creating a website – hopefully launching in May – that will feature and promote young people in their teens and 20’s that are passionately making a difference in the world.

My goal is to initially assist eight individuals or groups that have diverse projects – i.e. health, education, environment, eliminating poverty/hunger.  Each will have a page that showcases their project, their profile/bio, their envisioned outcome, and a “donate” button that links back to the nonprofit that they are partnering with.

If you know any young people in the Greater Seattle area that might benefit from this opportunity, please share this little invitation video with them and encourage them to contact me. There is no cost to them, and I’ll be working to increase awareness of their projects – and attract donations, too!

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Apolo Ohno: His Father’s Belief in Him Changed His Life

February 21, 2010

The thing I appreciate most about Olympic athletes – especially Apolo Ohno (Olympic Short Track Speed Skater) – is the example they set for living full-out – no excuses.
Apolo responded to the question: What is the #1 thing you’d like to do before you die? His answer: “I’m doing a lot of them. I don’t [...]

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Ugandan Visionaries: Matsiko Children’s Choir

February 7, 2010

The Matsiko Children’s Choir gave the final performance of their U.S. tour Friday night here in Seattle. I was delighted to be in the audience. They are an inspiring group of young children – full of energy, big smiles, wonderful music and dancing.
They are also orphans or at-risk in their homeland of Uganda. The message [...]

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Visionaries: Nelson Mandela

January 27, 2010

I understand that Invictus, a recently released film depicting the 1995 World Cup soccer tournament – which I thoroughly enjoyed – may be a story told with a bit of creative license. It portrays Nelson Mandela as having used the Springbok soccer team and the tournament as a vehicle for uniting South Africa while he [...]

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Yeah for Epiphanies!

January 13, 2010

How do these flashes of insight – of profound personal truth – make their way into our awareness?
Perhaps it’s just a choice of making them welcome – of being open and allowing ourselves to recognize them.
I could get addicted to them.
It would be a wonderful, healthy addiction.
For over two years I’ve been following an organic [...]

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Being Flexible with Your Vision

January 6, 2010

A teen client whose career vision had completely shifted over the course of 6 weeks, recently reminded me of the value of remaining flexible with your vision.
Granted, a teenager thinking about college and adulthood is exploring options and trying on all kinds of possibilities. My client may change his mind many more times before he [...]

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New Year – New Theme

December 30, 2009

There’s such a huge payoff for clearing clutter and getting current with everything. Clarity follows!
With clarity it is so much easier to connect with your vision – perhaps update it – and set your intentions for the new year. And if you are inclined, you can also set a few goals for activating and stepping into [...]

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The Power of a Mother’s Belief & Commitment

December 23, 2009

Yesterday Jon Morrow, Associate Editor at Copyblogger, shared the inspiring story of his mother’s belief in his ability to live and thrive in spite of a doctor’s diagnosis of a neuromuscular disorder at the age of one. And on top of that, a heart-wrenching prognosis of him not living beyond the age of two. He’s [...]

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Creativity and What’s Possible

December 16, 2009

Several student vision boards are hanging in my home office. Many of the components of these children’s visions re-ignite my excitement for the unknown and for what’s possible every time I look at them.
One young man’s vision includes the affirmations “I am a scientist and I am making a flying car” and “I am inventing [...]

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