A Hero's Journey

I really enjoyed listening to Jeff Sandefer's speech "A Hero's Journey" and that is what I will focus on in this post. As he started he talked about his concerns and struggles at the college age not knowing if he could truly be successful. These are thought's I have had as well, it is interesting growing up and thinking that these adults who work every day. In your mind (or at least my mind) I felt every adult knew exactly what they were doing and that the professional world was just perfect. Now that I am entering that world I am realizing it was not that simple. It is somewhat scary but also somewhat encouraging. This is my journey now, and Jeff gives some simple but powerful pieces of advice that I need to focus on.

1. Live every moment of your life like it matters, because it does.

A week or two ago I went to lunch with a senior level manager. The manager I report to in turn reports to this man. We talked about my path and what I want to accomplish. He gave me some advice that I relate to this advice given by Jeff. He told me that if I have a goal to be at a certain level in a certain position in five years, then I need to start working at that level today. Sometimes it is easy at work, home, or even school to simply go with the flow. I can go to work, do my job, and leave and be successful. I will have earned my paycheck, but I won't be preparing myself for the future.

2. Live as if you have an important mission, because you do.

I feel that every one of us has an important calling in life, the biggest question for me is, what is that mission? I have been given personal instruction and advice indicating that I can do much in this life to help many people through my professional efforts. Nothing indicated what it is I am supposed to do... I have thought about this for the past eight years and still don't know what I am supposed to do. However I have seen the Lord's hand in my journey. I have said it multiple times but I would not be where I am if I followed my own path, and I love where I am at.

3. What matters most isn't the prize at the end, but how the hero is changed in the process.

To me, this is a result of following the first two pieces of advice given. I think of myself on my mission and also the many missionaries I was able to work with. The Spencer Peacock who flew home to LAX was not the same Spencer Peacock who arrived at the MTC two years prior.

Lastly I really liked the perspective given when Jeff said these are the three questions anyone over 60 will ask to see how influential they have been in this life.

Have I contributed something meaningful?

Am I/Was I a good person?

Who did I love and who loved me? 

It is very easy to get so involved in the many things going on in life that we forget to step back and remember what matters most. Jeff provided some excellent insight and needed advice to help all of us focus on what is most important and also what will help us achieve the most.