When I wrote Transfluence, it was clear from the start that purpose would take center stage. In fact, during the writing process, I kept reflecting on a book that had a tremendous impact on me, called Halftime: Moving from Success to Significance.
Author Bob Buford makes the insightful point that your midlife doesn’t have to be a crisis. The second half of your life can be better than the first.
Truer words could not have been written for me; I found myself taking on bigger challenges in the latter half of my career and sharing hard-won lessons through my book; articles; and podcast series, Off the Rak.
If Bob Buford was alive today, he would have celebrated October 8, when a documentary called The Hidden Power of Purpose was released about the benefits of finding purpose in life. The documentary follows four Americans over the age of fifty who have overcome tremendous life challenges to purpose their passion for service.
The nation’s leading behavioral scientists conclude that having purpose is directly linked to living longer, happier, and healthier lives. Neurosurgeon Sanjay Gupta says in the film that when you’re living a life of purpose, “you are signaling to your body to make sure that your immune system is functioning [at] its best.”
I was fortunate to have attended one of Bob’s Halftime Institute sessions and share some conversations with him before he passed away. The heart of Bob’s message—no matter what we’ve accomplished, there’s always more for us to do—invigorated me. I knew that I wanted to continue to be influential in the lives of others.
Someone who shares my passion for purpose in life is Steve White, president and special counsel to the CEO of Comcast Cable. Steve has also written a book, called Uncompromising: How an Unwavering Commitment to Your Why Leads to an Impactful Life and Lasting Legacy.
Steve and I will be sharing our one-on-one conversation during my Off the Rak series about what having a purpose has meant to us on our personal journeys. Join us on October 19 when we unpack his personal story of being raised by a fiercely independent single mother in the projects of Indianapolis and ultimately leading thirty thousand employees and overseeing nearly $18 billion in annual revenue for Comcast Cable.
In the meantime, I hope you get a chance to watch The Hidden Power of Purpose documentary and discover why Bob Buford was ahead of his time and the potential he saw in all of us if we attach our lives to purpose. In early November, the documentary will be available for purchase or rental on Apple TV, Google Play, and Amazon.
