Roger: Hey everyone, welcome back! Today we're tackling a big one, something I think we all ponder at some point: "What's my purpose, anyway?" Just a little something to chew on, right? Patricia: Yeah, because, you know, nothing says “easy listening” like diving headfirst into existentialism. But seriously, folks, stay with us. This isn't just some airy-fairy philosophical ramble. Roger: Nope, not at all! We're actually digging into Jeff Goins' The Art of Work. The core idea is that finding your calling isn't this sudden, blinding flash of insight. It's more of a…well, a messy, circuitous route, full of twists, turns, and, yes, even some spectacular face-plants along the way. Patricia: Which is strangely reassuring, isn't it? Especially if your life plan looks less like a straight line and more like a toddler's drawing. Roger: Precisely! So, today, we're unpacking three key concepts from the book. First off, this idea that a calling is a journey, not a destination. You don't just arrive; you create the path as you go. Patricia: Secondly, we’ll explore why Goins emphasizes mentors and communities. He sees them as like… GPS for this journey. They help guide you when you're totally lost or, let's be real, stubbornly ignoring the "recalculating" prompt. Roger: And third, we're going to talk about failure. Not as the end of everything, but as a plot twist, a challenge that you learn to deal with and grow from. Patricia: Alright, buckle up, everybody! Let's get into why finding your purpose is less like solving a Rubik's Cube and more like herding cats... slightly less chaotic, we hope!

Roger: So, Patricia, about figuring things out as we go, let's dive into Goins' core idea here: a calling isn’t some grand, magical event. It's dynamic, right? It's constantly evolving. How does he explain that shift in perspective? Patricia: Yeah, because we often think of a calling as this sudden, life-altering moment. Roger: Exactly, and Goins makes it really clear that this "bolt of lightning" myth isn't just misleading—it's actually paralyzing. He presents the calling as something fluid, a journey that unfolds through trial and error, through reflection. He points out how clarity doesn’t just magically appear; it's pieced together from life experiences, both good and bad. It’s like this quote from Frederick Buechner that Goins highlights: “Listen to your life.” Patricia: Right, “listen to your life.” It’s a poetic way of saying, "Hey, pay attention to what’s actually happening around you!" But how do you actually start doing that without just spiraling into overthinking and self-doubt? Roger: That's where Goins gets really practical, you know? He suggests tools, like creating a timeline of your life – plotting pivotal moments, the good and the bad. This kind of exercise really helps you identify recurring patterns or themes. Maybe you realize you’re drawn to leadership or creative expression, even in just small ways. Those patterns, they start telling you something about yourself. Patricia: So basically, it’s detective work, but the clues are all in your own story. Someone who keeps volunteering to organize events, even on their lunch break… their calling isn't just organizing events. It might point toward a talent for bringing people together in a meaningful way, right? Roger: Exactly! But it’s not solely about what you uncover. Goins talks about the value of seeking outside perspectives—asking your closest friends or family what they see in you that you might miss. These observations can be so eye-opening because we tend to downplay our own strengths. Patricia: Wow, I like that. Because, let’s be real, sometimes your friends do know you better than you know yourself. You might be surprised by what they say. "Oh, I never realized I was good at public speaking because I was too busy worrying about my hands shaking." Roger: Yes! That external feedback helps you stop undervaluing or overlooking important pieces of your identity. It also ties into Goins’s point that a calling is less about sudden epiphanies, and more about gradual realizations—putting these pieces together over time. Patricia: So far, it sounds like awareness—through personal reflection and external insight—plays a huge role. But what about action? Goins makes a big deal about acting your way into clarity, right? Roger: Yes, he does. This is where he flips the script on the common misconception. People think, “I need to figure it all out before I start.” But he argues the opposite: you figure it out by starting, by taking small, deliberate steps even when you’re unsure. Patricia: That makes sense. It’s like trying to learn to swim by reading about swimming. At some point, you need to jump in—even if you're flailing around at first. Roger: Exactly. He shares his own story about calling himself a writer long before he actually felt ready. It started with small actions—writing daily, sharing his work—which gradually gave him the confidence and clarity to really embrace that identity. Patricia: For Goins, admitting he wanted to be a writer wasn’t just about the act of writing—it was about pushing past the fear of judgment or failure. He realized the risk of not trying was actually scarier than the possibility of messing up. Roger: And that's such a pivotal shift, you know? Because if you wait for a risk-free, perfect moment, you might never take the leap. Action breeds clarity. It shows you what works, what doesn’t, and where your path might be leading. Patricia: That’s a great point, but it makes me wonder… What about when action leads you toward failure? How do you keep going when the leap doesn’t land quite the way you’d hoped? Roger: Goins actually addresses this head-on. He reframes failure as a necessary part of the process. It’s not the roadblock we think it is; it’s a pivot point, steering you closer to where you’re meant to be. He shares the story of Jody Maberry who started in finance, realized it wasn't fulfilling, and pivoted to becoming a park ranger, which aligned her love for nature with her desire to impact her community. Patricia: So failure isn’t the end; it’s the universe saying, “Nope, this isn’t quite right, but you’re getting warmer.” Like a twisted game of Patriciao Polo. Roger: Exactly! And when you embrace that mindset, the fear of failure loses its power. Each misstep becomes an opportunity to redirect and refine your purpose. Patricia: And somewhere in there, external support comes back into play, right? Goins talks about how mentors, community, even feedback… they're crucial. Roger: Totally. External support acts as both a compass and a safety net. Whether it’s a mentor who’s walked a similar path, or a community that holds you accountable, these connections reinforce the idea that we’re not meant to navigate this journey alone. Patricia: It sounds like a full circle—mapping your story, taking action, maybe falling, pivoting, and then leaning on others to help guide you. It kind of makes the idea of a calling feel less like some nebulous dream and more like a set of choices you keep making. Roger: Exactly. “That’s” what Goins wants us to understand. A calling is a mosaic you build over time. Each experience, each choice, adds something to it—even the broken pieces. Patricia: Well, let’s just hope our mosaic ends up looking like a masterpiece and not Picasso’s Guernica.

Roger: So, all of this naturally brings us to mentorship and community, right? Discovering your calling can feel like you're lost in a maze, and having the right people around you, well, it makes all the difference. Patricia: Exactly. Navigating a calling? It’s like trying to find your way around Ikea without a map—utter chaos! Seriously, good company is key. Roger: Goins emphasizes in The Art of Work that finding your purpose is personal, but rarely a solo thing. Mentors and communities bridge that gap from uncertainty to clarity by offering guidance and perspective. Plus, it really calls on our own internal resilience to really benefit from these relationships. Patricia: Yeah, it's like life's one giant study group. But instead of splitting up chapters, you're divvying up wisdom. So, how do you even start making those connections? Telling someone to "find a mentor" is about as useful as telling them to "find their keys" – you're not wrong, but it's really not helpful. Roger: That’s such a good point. People tend to overthink mentorship. It doesn't need to be a formal arrangement with some guru. Mentors often appear organically. Goins suggests identifying someone whose values align with yours—maybe a manager, a colleague, somebody connected to your field. Genuine curiosity can often spark deeper conversations, right? Patricia: Okay, but what does that actually look like? Some people probably hear "build connections" and picture those nightmare networking events in windowless conference rooms under buzzing fluorescent lights. Roger: It definitely doesn't have to be that. Think of it as being authentically yourself where you are. Jody Noland's story shows how mentorship can grow from your everyday roles. She was overseeing performance reviews in corporate leadership. Seemed routine at the time, but those experiences shaped her later ministry in letter-writing. Patricia: So, her mentors weren’t dropping in with capes. They were helping her understand the bigger meaning in her corporate days, right? Subtle nudges toward that “something greater.” I like that! Roger: Exactly. When she transitioned to her ministry, those earlier corporate connections and later mentors helped her see her own unique ability to empower others. Goins calls it “God wastes nothing”—all those skills and lessons add up. Patricia: That's pretty cool. But what if you land in a situation where you don't have those networks to fall back on... like when you move halfway across the world? I’m thinking about Kristy Carlson’s story of moving to Burundi. Roger: Yes, the Carlsons! Their move to Burundi is a great story about building community from scratch. Huge challenges, adapting to a new culture and language. But they found their purpose right there, through those relationships. Connecting with the local community not only helped them grow but fueled their mission to drive socio-economic change through coffee farming. Patricia: And it wasn't just about the work, but about who they connected with. Their son Myles learned the local language quicker than they did. He became their cultural bridge. Roger: Yes! That's such a powerful image, Myles became a translator. More importantly, he showed them how curiosity builds connections. Through him, the Carlsons discovered a purpose that wasn't just for the community but with it. These relationships showed them opportunities they wouldn't have found alone. Patricia: That really flips the script on the “lone genius” trope! We all think our calling is some solitary quest that we have to figure out on our own, but these stories show that it's really a collaborative journey. Roger: Exactly. Mentorship and community don’t always look how you expect. Mentorship is sometimes formal, but often, it’s a conversation that shifts your perspective or witnessing someone living a life you admire. Patricia: So, are we supposed to be hunting down these "accidental mentors," or just be open to spotting them when they show up? Roger: A bit of both, I think. You should be intentional—put yourself in environments ripe with mentorship, like professional groups. But also be open to those informal moments of guidance. It could be a comment from a co-worker or a conversation with a stranger. Patricia: Which leads me to one of my favorite ideas from the book: community doesn't have to be a massive crowd. A small group of really supportive people is just as valuable. You don't need a cheer squad. Someone just needs to hand you that metaphorical Gatorade when you're running out of gas. Roger: That's so true! Alignment matters more than numbers. A single powerful mentor or a supportive friend who understands your struggles is better than a hundred superficial connections. Patricia: Got it. Mentorship and community aren’t optional; they’re essential. They don’t just help you find your calling, they amplify it! Stretch it, and sometimes lead you back when you’ve lost your way. Roger: That's it. Through mentorship, we glimpse the paths others have taken. Through community, we find the strength to take our own steps. Both make our callings clearer, stronger, and more connected to the world around us.

Roger: Right, so with that foundation, we can start to look at how failure and resilience play such a big part in finding your calling. Patricia: Yeah, failure's one of those topics nobody “wants” to talk about. But Goins really turns that around, doesn't he? Roger: Absolutely. He doesn't see failure as the end, but really as a necessary part of figuring out what you're meant to do. It's not about being inadequate – it's really the raw material that resilience is made from. And resilience is what turns failure into progress, right? Patricia: So, failure's not the villain we think it is. It's more like a, um, a really tough teacher. Gives you failing grades to force you to actually learn and pass next time. Roger: Exactly! Failure makes you stop, rethink, and adapt. Goins calls it a "faithful mentor," which is so true. It shows you things you might otherwise miss. He talks about finding clarity in those moments of disappointment. They get rid of what doesn't work and show you what’s really important. Patricia: Right, but I bet people are thinking, "That sounds great in theory, but what about when failure “hurts”? When you can't see any good in it?" How do we make that jump from feeling awful to growing? Roger: That's the tricky part. Goins says it's about reframing things. First, separate who you are from what happened. Failing at one thing doesn't mean you're a failure. Then, think about what went wrong, what you learned, and what you'd change. He suggests journaling as a way to turn failure into a learning experience. Patricia: So, don't bury your failures, dissect them. Like taking apart a broken watch to see how it works. Roger: Exactly. And perspective is key. That’s why mentors and communities are so important. They put your failure into context. They show you it’s part of being human, not some personal flaw. They remind you that setbacks don't define you, but how you handle them does. Patricia: We can talk about resilience all day, but Goins has some great stories that really make it real. Like Matt McWilliams' story - it's like a blueprint for bouncing back from failure. Roger: Definitely. Matt's experience is a perfect example. He was on track to be a pro golfer, and then tendonitis completely changed his plans. That must have been devastating – your whole identity wrapped up in one thing, and then gone. Patricia: Right, that could have been the end. But instead, he got into marketing, right? Roger: Yeah, and it came from a need. After the injury, he worked at a golf course where he learned about business and marketing. He didn't dream of doing that, but it became a new option because his first dream didn't work out. Over time, he got better, even with some failures, and eventually started his own consulting business. Now, he says those setbacks made him better. Without the tendonitis, who knows if he'd ever have become an entrepreneur? Patricia: Isn't it wild how his identity just flipped? From "golfer" to "entrepreneur." All because failure pushed him that way. Roger: That's the potential of failure – it forces you to be innovative, to rethink who you are. And it’s not just Matt. Andrew Mason, the founder of Groupon, had a similar experience. Patricia: Right. Didn't he start with something completely different? Roger: Exactly. Mason started The Point, which was supposed to gather people together for social causes. It was a good idea, but the economy wasn't great, and it didn't work out. That could’ve been it for him as an entrepreneur. But instead of giving up, Mason changed gears. He used the platform for group buying, which became Groupon. Patricia: So his failure led to something new. It's funny, he started with social activism and ended up with discounts. Quite the change. Roger: It does show something important: your initial goals don't have to define what you ultimately do. Failure helps you cut out what doesn't work and improve what does. Mason may not have succeeded with The Point, but by changing direction, he created something just as significant in a different way. Patricia: I notice that, in both stories, resilience wasn't just about pushing harder – it was about adapting. Less "bounce back," more "bounce forward." Roger: That’s a great way to put it. Goins says failure isn't just a setback. It redirects you, often to paths that are a better fit for who you really are. You're getting rid of what doesn't fit to make space for what does. Patricia: But it probably takes time to see failure that way, right? In the moment, it probably feels like the end of the world. How do you speed up that process? Roger: It starts with reframing and using tools like reflecting or even telling your story differently – showing how it led to growth. And also accepting that failure isn’t just likely – it's unavoidable. Once you really believe that, setbacks don’t hurt as much. You see them as part of something bigger. Patricia: And that bigger picture is your calling, right? It all connects – failure shows you what’s important, resilience gets you through, and together they shape what you leave behind. Roger: Exactly. Goins says that success polishes your story, but failure lays the foundation. It gives your calling depth and makes it real. And it helps you live and work in a way that aligns with what you believe in. Patricia: Wow, so failure's like the unsung hero of finding your calling. Who would have thought?

Roger: Alright, I guess that's a wrap. Today, we dug into Jeff Goins's The Art of Work, and really explored this whole idea of finding your calling. It's definitely not just one of those lightbulb moments, right? It’s more like a journey, always changing as you act, think, and yeah, even when you mess up. Patricia: And we talked about how important mentors and communities are. They're not just there to cheer you on. They're like your GPS, rerouting you when you're lost. And sometimes, they point out talents you didn’t even realize you had. So true! Roger: Absolutely. And we can’t forget about failure. It’s not the end of the road, but a turn. It's through those times of redirecting and bouncing back that new doors open, and suddenly, you're closer to where you're meant to be. Patricia: Okay, so the real takeaway here is that no one just hands you your calling, right? It's something you build, piece by piece. Whether it's a big brave move or a tiny little step, it's about putting together the story of your life, learning from everything, connecting with people, and making those pivots when you need to. Roger: Exactly! So, as you finish listening today, ask yourself: What's one little thing you can do now to get a clearer sense of direction? Or who do you know—a mentor, a friend—who might see things in you that you can't see yourself? Patricia: And hey, don’t stress about having it all figured out, okay? Finding your calling isn’t about being perfect; it’s about showing up, giving it a shot, and growing a little each time, one imperfect, meaningful step at a time.