If you’re in the coaching business like me, you hear people talking about life purpose all the time. Whether it’s other coaches or clients looking for a more meaningful life, seems like I’m talking about this topic at least once every day. As for me, I’m at a great place with life purpose. I feel like every single thing I’ve done in my career specifically served to lead me to this very moment. Yes, that’s a “whoa that’s big” statement. (For those of you who don’t know, I’m a recovering Telecom Professional, MBA, CPA type turned Executive Coach, Blogger, Writer, Speaker). Actually, I’m so happy with my career that I think my friends are getting a little sick of me and sometimes frightened by my delight. They are looking at me and going. “Ok, Missy. It’s great to be in your fabulous euphoria, but come back down here to Earth with the rest of us and tell us how to get from where we are to our next step”. Fair enough.

This week, I’ve had about six really meaningful conversations with folks about passionate life work versus working for money.  It really is too bad that we even need money.  It’s such a BIG distraction. People want to go in one direction but they end up going in the other because of money.  Or, they go down the path they feel most passionate about and then have to switch gears because they run out of money.  I met a lady this week in that exact position.  She clearly needed Seth Godin’s book, The Dip, which I’ve mentioned here before.  What would we do if we didn’t have to think about money at all?  I often ask my clients to write a press release about themself as if they had won the lottery.  Why? Because I think it’s a freeing exercise that helps facilitate clarity about what we’re really proud of and what we really want.  Equally important is that you can then tailor your life to go in that direction even though you haven’t hit the jackpot.  You may be able to implement some small changes in your everyday life that impact a big change for you.  I’ve been thinking about all this everyday and then I read Seth Godin’s blog this morning.

So, I bet you’re wondering what in the world could rap music have to do with life lessons for executive women?  Keep reading.  I was perusing Tony Robbins’ newsletter when I noticed a link to an appearance on MTV.  I thought, “Tony Robbins is going to take a shot at being a rapper now?  Come on!”.  Anyway, I was just curious enough to watch so I clicked through.  Seems that Hurricane Chris in his 51/50 Ratchet CD has some serious clarity about personal leadership.  The video from Hip Hop Owner’s Manual describes a rap music term, RATCHET. The definition of Ratchet is living your life’s dream and being yourself without regard for what anyone else thinks.  In Rapper speak, “Doing YOU”.  Ratchet comes with a few guiding principles: