#purpose interview legacy leadership health wealth career

[alexrascanu]

How to Reach Your Potential: An Interview with Drew Dudley

Drew Dudley is one of the 100 leaders who is taking part in the “How to Reach Your Potential” interview series.

About Drew

Drew Dudley is the founder of Day One Leadership, which helps organizations around the world increase their leadership capacity. Prior to founding Day One, he served as Director of one of Canada’s largest leadership development programs at the University of Toronto. Drew has spoken to over 250,000 people on 5 continents, been featured on The Huffington Post, Radio America, Forbes.com, and TED.com. His TED talk has been voted “one of the 15 most inspirational TED talks of all time” and has been named by Time, Inc., and Business Insider Magazines as one of their “ten speeches that will make you a better leader”. Connect with Drew on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, and visit his website DrewDudley.com.

Alex: What is your life’s purpose?

Drew: My life’s purpose is to share ideas that change people.

Alex: What are the three things you’re most passionate about?

Drew: The opportunity to have one hour of an audience’s time

The writing of Aaron Sorkin

Long drives that avoid all major highways

Alex: How do you stay healthy? What’s your main health-related goal?

Drew: I imagine that today is the first day of my life, and starting today, on Day One, I get to build myself into the person I want to be physically, socially, intellectually, and emotionally. I identify the key things I’d have to do on that first day to start becoming that person, and then I ensure I do those key things every day. They are non-negotiable – I have to make time for them.

In order to do that I adopt a philosophy that is tremendously at odds with the glorified “hustle culture” of today: I believe that if I work more than 40 hours per week I have failed myself. In order to make time for the things that make me healthy in the most important aspects of my life, work cannot take up more than 40 hours. That requires the perspective that in working more than that I’m disrespecting myself, and the discipline to stick to that.

Alex: How do you build wealth? What’s your main financial goal?

Drew: I don’t have a primary financial goal. Money and titles make terrible life goals because you’re not in charge of either one of them. How hard you work, and how well you work, will always play a role in how much money you make. But as long as you work for someone else (and most of us will spend most of our lives working for someone else), how much money you make is someone else’s decision. If you get promoted or more opportunities, it’s because someone else is in a position to deliver that to you. If we tie our life goals to someone else’s whims, it’s tremendously disempowering.

True personal leadership and success comes from recognizing that wealth, respect, and influence should not be goals in-and-of themselves. Rather, they are the natural by-products that come to people who find a way to add tremendous value in every single interpersonal interaction of which they are a part. I have no goal – financial or otherwise- except to do just that. That means the primary goal in my life is in no way dependent on anyone but me.

Wealth is not a goal, it’s a by-product. Since I adopted that philosophy my wealth, prestige, and happiness have increased exponentially.

Alex: How do you balance work and family life?

Drew: The woman I loved recently passed away suddenly, so currently I am single without children, so I don’t have a traditional “family life” to balance with work. The key balance I aim to strike right now is between activities that provide me with energy vs. those that take it from me. What’s interesting is that certain activities can be in either category at different times. Sometimes speaking, writing and travelling is tremendously energizing for me – I feel profoundly alive and healthy when I’m doing it. Other times it starts to wear me down and make me feel drained. The very same thing is true about spending time with friends, or working out, or spending time alone. The key is to be attuned to which category any given activity is in at any given time, and how it may be changing. Then you adjust the ratio of the various activities. “Balance” isn’t about how much time you spend working vs. not-working, it’s about how much time you spend in energy-gaining vs. energy-draining activities.

Alex: Sorry to hear about her passing... How do you enjoy spending time with family and friends?

Drew: I’m often on the road, so there are three key ways I aim to connect with my friends in a meaningful way: baseball games, walking/hiking, and road trips. Each one allows for a dedicated amount of time together where we’re doing something that entertains, strengthens, or educates us. When you share experiences like that with people, it connects you together more strongly.

Alex: What has been the most fulfilling role you’ve ever had, or the most fulfilling project you’ve been involved with so far?

Drew: The most important role any of us will play is as CEO of our own lives. A CEO is responsible for the day-to-day activities of an organization, and their primary responsibility is to ensure the organization’s health and growth. Most major organizations have a Board of Directors whose job it is to provide guidance and support to the CEO (our families, friends and mentors), but it’s our job as CEO of our own lives to make the decisions that keep ourselves happy and healthy.

Being CEO of my own life has been a profoundly difficult and rewarding experience for me. I’ve experienced some profound failures: I didn’t acknowledge my mental illness and seek help, I refused to accept that I was powerless over alcohol, and I consistently made decisions that led me to put on weight and remain tremendously unhealthy. It was during these failures that the Board of Directors I had chosen helped me recognize my mistakes and empower me to adjust course. Ultimately I was the one who determined and implemented the changes I was going to make, but it was my support system who made that possible.

Being CEO of my own life has been a powerful experience, and it is one that no one can avoid. I’ve come to realize that one of the most important steps you can take is to carefully select the Board of Directors with whom you surround yourself.

Alex: What’s one career planning lesson that has made a significant difference in your life?

Drew: I believe the key to achieving anything in life—health, business success, athletic accomplishments—is a particular philosophy: This Is Day One.

It emerged from my experience dealing with alcohol addiction: in recovery, you learn that if you don’t want to have a drink for the rest of your life, you have to choose not to have a drink today. That’s the single, foundational decision that has to be made on Day One. Then you have to treat each and every day of your recovery like it’s the first day. If you screw up, that’s okay, everyone screws up on Day One. If you’ve been sober for 20 years? Doesn’t matter – you have to treat today as if it’s Day One so you never get complacent.

I’ve had a lot of Day One’s in my life: Day One without alcohol, Day One running my own company, Day One publicly acknowledging I battle with mental illness, Day One of losing over 100 pounds. The key to success in each of them is to identify the key foundational decisions that have to occur on the first day of the journey, and making sure you live them each day. What you’ll be capable of on the 100th version of Day One will be significantly more impressive than on your 1st version, but each day must be treated like it’s the first. It allows you to forgive yourself and start over after a screwup and keeps you from becoming complacent and forgetting the foundational behaviours that got you there when you achieve some success.

“This Is Day One” reminds me not to worry about five-year goals, but instead focus on creating five-year momentum. There’s a lot of uncertainty in life and business, but unfortunately all too often, when we don’t know what the future holds, we tread water. We’re afraid to move forward for fear that it’s going to be in the wrong direction. However, it’s better to be decisive than certain in life. My work focuses on helping people figure out what they want to stand for as people each day, and making sure they engage in the foundational behaviours that help them live up to that, each day. In doing so, you are always moving forward, even if you aren’t certain where you’re going to end up.

Alex: What would you like your legacy to be?

Drew: When my name is spoken out loud in a room in which I’m not standing, I’d like the people who hear it to smile.

Alex: Thank you for taking part in this interview! Your candor and insights are much appreciated!

We encourage you to share your thoughts and feedback in the comments section below. Alternatively, feel free to send us an email using the contact us form on the Rascanu.com website.

[stagepaul2-blog]

In Memoriam: Raymond G. Perelman

Raymond G. Perelman, 1917–2019

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is saddened by the loss of Raymond G. Perelman, 101, who served as a trustee for more than forty years, as chair of the board of trustees, and as chair emeritus.

A child of Lithuanian immigrants, his life was deeply rooted in Philadelphia. While he became known at first as a businessman, his reputation in philanthropy also grew with his success.

“Together with his late wife, Ruth, Ray Perelman was an exceptional philanthropist who understood deeply the importance of giving back to the community in the most meaningful and decisive way,” said Timothy Rub, the museum’s George D. Widener Director and Chief Executive Officer. “The institutions for which the couple made a major difference are many, and among them the museum held a special place. Ray was a trustee for more than forty years, and he served as chair of the board from 1997 until 2001. His leadership was nowhere more critical than in his dedication to stewardship. Not only were the Perelmans generous lenders of their art collection, but their $15 million gift to the museum was both timely and transformative. It enabled the museum in 2000 to acquire the beautiful Reliance Standard Life Insurance building, which now bears their names. This represented the first expansion of the museum’s footprint since 1928 and set the museum on a path to undertake its Facilities Master Plan.”

“It was the right gift at the right time, and Ray was so enthusiastic about it,” added Gail Harrity, the museum’s president and chief operating officer. “He loved the fact that in the 1920s the Perelman Building had been designed by some of the same architects who built the main museum building across the street. Ray certainly knew the importance of good timing—and of course Ruth had something to do with that. He always seized the day as a businessman, as board chair, and in countless initiatives over the course of a lifetime that was as remarkable as it was long.”

Ray graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and his first venture into business was his family’s company, American Paper Products. He expanded the company by opening a plant in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he met his wife, Ruth (who passed away in 2011). After serving as a flight officer in the Air Force during World War II, Ray started to develop his business niche by buying properties, buildings, and companies in Philadelphia.

In 1960 Ray bought Belmont Iron Works, the largest steel fabricator in the Northeast, and acquired many additional companies that were consolidated under the Belmont Holdings Corporation name. After a fruitless house hunt in the 1970s, he built 1820 Rittenhouse Square, where he and Ruth occupied the penthouse with views of the museum. He also owned and operated Dicalite/Dicaperl Minerals Inc.

While Ray became a businessman of international renown, he was not well-off as a child. Still, he was taught to put a coin or two in the pushka (charity box) for the Israel hospital, and passed on the value to his sons, Ronald and Jeffrey, who followed his footsteps in business.

With the Perelman name now gracing the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, the Perelman Jewish Day School, the Kimmel Center’s Perelman Theater, and many other organizations, the whole city has experienced the impact of the Perelmans. Ruth and Ray were both involved with numerous civic organizations, including the United Way, the National Museum of American Jewish History, and the Albert Einstein Health Center, and as trustees of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman Education Foundation, Inc.

In 2003 Ray was recognized by the Arts & Business Council of Greater Philadelphia as that year’s recipient of the Arts & Business Council Award, and in 2011 he received the University of Pennsylvania Medal for Distinguished Achievement.

Ruth and Ray initially became involved with the museum in 1969 as founding members of the museum’s Friends group, now known as the Associates. Ray was a major contributor to the museum’s Landmark Renewal Fund, a campaign that concluded in 1993. Over the years, with their fondness for modern art, the Perelmans lent works by Aristide Maillol, Pablo Picasso, and Georges Braque to the museum.

With their $15 million gift to support the museum’s purchase of the Reliance Standard Life Insurance Building on Pennsylvania Avenue, the Art Deco building was transformed under the guidance of architect Richard Gluckman, opening to the public in 2007. Dedicated exhibition spaces for photography, costume and textiles, and modern and contemporary design, as well as the Library and Archives and the Wachovia Education Resource Center, have presented additional offerings for visitors. The Perelman Building was also equipped with new conservation labs, climate-controlled storage, and offices providing invaluable day-to-day support.

On the tenth anniversary of the opening of the Perelman Building in 2017—the year Ray celebrated his one-hundredth birthday—the citywide project Philadelphia Assembled culminated at the Perelman Building, which acted as a centralized location for conversation about changes in Philadelphia. Given how much Ray and Ruth helped to change Philadelphia through their generosity, this was a moment to honor the Perelmans once again and to reflect upon a legacy of support in securing the future for the city and the museum. We will remember that legacy with every exhibition, program, and event held in the Perelman Building.

H. F. “Gerry” Lenfest, 1930–2018

The Museum mourns the passing of H. F. “Gerry” Lenfest, 88, who served as Chair of the Museum’s Board of Trustees from 2001 to 2010, and thereafter as a Trustee Emeritus. Few individuals have given so graciously of their time and so freely of their resources, and fewer still have had such an enormous impact on the Museum’s history. Gerry’s leadership contributed greatly to the Museum’s effort to strengthen its endowment and to renew and expand its facilities, including the landmark main building. Born in Jacksonville, Florida, and raised in Scarsdale, New York, and on his family’s farm in New Jersey, Gerry ultimately adopted Philadelphia as his home, and it is here that he made the greatest impact as a civic leader and philanthropist. Educated at Washington and Lee University and Columbia Law School, he began his legal career at the New York law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell, and subsequently became corporate counsel to the late Walter Annenberg’s Triangle Publications. He long credited Annenberg for giving him his start in business. In 1973, along with two other investors, Lenfest purchased the Suburban Cable and Lebanon Valley Cable television operations from Annenberg. The company was sold to Comcast in 2000, after which he and his wife Marguerite committed to give most of their wealth away to charitable causes. As a philanthropist, Lenfest was drawn early to the Philadelphia Museum of Art because of his passion for art and by the recognition that the Museum serves as an economic driver in the city. He was also impressed by its rich history, during which it has been supported by generations of generous donors whose gifts enhanced the Museum’s collection and strengthened its programs and educational activities. Among those whose service spoke most compellingly to him were the civic leader Eli Kirk Price, who as Chairman of the Museum’s Board of Trustees, championed the construction of its new home on Fairmount in the early decades of the twentieth century; the dynamic and long-serving Director of this institution Fiske Kimball, who completed our main building, finished its interiors, and expanded our world-renowned collection; and philanthropists Leonore and Walter Annenberg. In 2006, the Lenfests gave crucial support to the city-wide initiative to keep Thomas Eakins’s Portrait of Dr. Samuel D. Gross (The Gross Clinic) (1875) in Philadelphia and described saving the work as a matter of civic pride. This reflected their deep appreciation for American art, which included a strong interest in the work of African American artists, notably William H. Johnson. Gerry led the Board in adopting strategic plans and, in addition to the development of the comprehensive Facilities Master Plan, was instrumental in launching new digital technology initiatives and collaborative marketing efforts to attract new and more diverse audiences. The Lenfests also launched a challenge grant for donors to match their gift one-to-one, in order to endow twenty-nine staff positions that span curatorial, conservation, library, archives, education, publishing, and other functions. This transformational gift, known as The Lenfest Challenge, encouraged twenty-seven donors to name positions that are vital to the Museum’s mission and the excellence of its programs. In March 2010, during an interview in his Conshohocken office, Gerry reflected on his philanthropy and work with the Museum over the course of a decade. “I never had much wealth until 2000, after the sale of Suburban Cable,” he said. “At that time, sitting in my kitchen in Huntingdon Valley, I read a book by a person who studied philanthropy—Waldemar Nielson. It was called Inside American Philanthropy: The Dramas of Donorship. “He had two tenets that stuck with me: Don’t create a family foundation, and don’t create a foundation in perpetuity, but rather have the satisfaction in your lifetime during which you can see the impact. So, we’ve given most of our wealth away in the last ten years and I’ve seen the impact. It gives you a good feeling to know that the wealth you’ve accumulated can be used for good purposes…because the ultimate achievement in life is to feel good about yourself, and wealth carries responsibility.” Asked what had given him the most satisfaction in his work with the Museum, he mentioned its evolution over the period of nine years when he served as chair, its economic impact, and its importance in the life of the City of Philadelphia. The endowment, he said, effectively doubled from 2001 through 2010. He remarked upon several other milestones, including the acquisition of the offsite art storage facility for the Museum’s collection; the renovation of the main building’s exterior envelope; and the creation of the new parking garage and the Anne d’Harnoncourt Sculpture Garden. He also noted his work with the Annenberg Foundation to place the Museum on a sound financial basis. He drew energy, he added, from the challenge of addressing three key objectives, including the renovation and expansion of the Museum’s facilities under the Master Plan; expanding the Museum’s reach across diverse communities; and taking the Museum forward into the digital age. Lenfest had originally intended to step down as Board Chair prior to 2010, but with the unexpected death of then Director Anne d’Harnoncourt in 2008, he not only extended his term and put interim leaders Gail Harrity and Alice Beamesderfer in place, but he continued to chart the Museum’s course forward for a smooth transition. Two years later when he passed the Board leadership to Constance M. Williams, he expressed great pleasure, noting the appointment of a new director, Timothy Rub, and what he would describe as “this new team that will continue the evolving of excellence.” As the interview concluded, he was asked one final question: “Is it true that you still mow your own lawn in Huntingdon Valley?” Lenfest smiled and replied, “True, but we don’t have much of a lawn, because we live under a lot of trees—we’ve lived in the same house for forty-four years.” He then paused and added, “And we also fly coach.” Gerry Lenfest will be long remembered and deeply missed by the Museum’s Board of Trustees, leadership, and members of the Museum staff. He was an exemplary Board Chair, a model citizen, and an inspiration for his home city of Philadelphia.

Source: http://www.philamuseum.org/information/43-323.html?page=3

[businessboostertoday]

Challenge Your Mind to Make the Shift and Realize Your True Potential!

Short Biography : Nizam Chowdhury

I am helping people to analyze and see things differently – in life, work and business!

I am an Entrepreneur, Elderly Independence Specialist, Home Care Industry Expert, Global Public Speaker, and Business and Life Turning Around Strategist.

With decades of experience in developing services for the elderly, people with long-term illnesses, and people with disabilities, together with a clear understanding about the care legislations in the health and social care industry in UK, as well as having a huge network of professional associates allows me to steer my clients in the right direction.

They themselves are able to make the right choices and informed decisions when it matters the most because I am effectively and precisely able to communicate across generations. I am also assisting families about how to improve communication through which they are enjoying a healthier and happier relationship.

As a home care industry expert, I strategically assist organisations with creativity, design, effective management, operations, with workforce training, coaching and personal development.

I am passionate about people and the transformation that I am able to help them with. My ability to listen carefully to understand one’s issues, challenges, situations or circumstances, allows me to contribute meaningfully, and delivering consistent and exceptional results to individuals and businesses.

The above gives me the net result in which I am respected and appreciated by my peers, customers and prospects.

Personal Info & Preferences:

Name:  Nizam Chowdhury Country: Surrey, UK Title: Elderly Independence Specialist, Global Public Speaker, Business and Life Turnaround Strategist

Interview

 1. Nizam, tell us about your background:

I have studied at the University of Chittagong and achieved a BA (Honor’s) followed by an MA, both in History. I have also studied at South Bank University, London and other leading institutions. Qualifications in management, leadership, charity management and business administration are just a few of my academic accolades. My extensive career in leadership, strategic planning, corporate organization and funding has benefited many health and social care organizations as well as several others outside these fields. My input to longer-term assignments with outcomes regularly exceed the original brief that much is obvious. For more than three decades, I have worked with: Princess Royal Trust; Age UK; Care Quality Commission; Care UK; Financial Services Authority (FSA); UK Police Service; London Boroughs Authorities; National Health Service (NHS); Royal London Hospital/Barts Health NHS Trust, Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust, and St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust. As an international speaker, coach and a mentor, I have spoken at global events sharing the stage with Hugh Hilton, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, current USA President Donald Trump’s most trusted ex-advisor George Ross, Hollywood Actors John Travolta, Charlie Sheen, Mel Gibson, Mark Wahlberg, Rock Stars Gene Simmons and Vanilla Ice at Los Angeles, USA. From corporate executives to workers ‘on the shop floor’, I effortlessly direct my skills to streamline processes and to unify an organization’s purpose. I accomplish all of this with judicious workforce empathy balanced with a driving force to unite and carry people with me. A powerful force for good, my mission is to show by example that everyone can create a legacy, not just at work but by carrying these principles into peoples’ homes and families.

2. What are the key factors that got you to where you are today?

Integrity; Positive Mindset; Sheer Focus; Desire; Confidence; Power of Communication; Patience; Adeptness; Compassion; Adaptability; Quick Learning; Relentless Hard Work; Will-to-Win Attitude; Reliability and Loyalty, Investing Time, Energy and Money for Self-Development.

3. What is the key thing you want people to know about you?

I am a results-based Doer. I have also been called “Mr. Dependable” by my clients and peers due to my commitment, efficiency, reliability, and my hardworking nature.

4. What made you seek entrepreneurial endeavors rather than traditional one?

In my last job I was devastated to learn that I would be made redundant. My despair was not at the inevitable loss of income and dramatic change in lifestyle that I would have to overcome, rather a genuine disappointment at losing the job that I loved doing for years. However, I had no time to feel sorry for myself or procrastinate over what to do next. I was faced with two very different realities: either re-enter an already oversaturated and highly competitive job market; or, embark on the daunting journey of entrepreneurship. I quickly decided that I wanted to pursue the challenges of the latter. Even though it was something completely foreign to me I was prepared to embrace the learning process and looked forward to the self-discovery this path had to offer. Indeed, I found out that in the world of business and self-employment you must also learn to live by your decisions, be it good or bad. It is through all of these of successes and failures, together with the wealth of over 25 years’ experience in UK based health and social care, I am more determined than ever to ensure that my true potential is realised.

5. What have been some of your greatest successes/achievements?

Have reached the Peak of Ben Nevis, standing at 1,345 meters above sea level (Highest Mountain in the British Isles), in aid of a Charity for People with Learning Disabilities

Trekked for 43 kilometers to reach the heights of Machu Picchu, Peru, standing at 2430 meters in aid of a Children Hospital

Completed the British 10K run for five consecutive years to help raise valuable funds for various charities, which in return improved the quality of lives of many people around the world

Appeared in Mega Success, at LA

Spoken at Global Success for All Event in London

Spoken at International Women’s Day Event

Spoken at International Debating Society Event

AWARDS: Nationwide National Charity Award; Age Concern Charter Mark; Investor in People; Investor in Volunteers; National Lottery Funding.

Transformation of a Businesswoman (Personal and Business) in the early hours of a freezing morning in London

In just 2 and half minutes, I have transformed the life of a Businessman (Personal and Business) in Bangladesh, who is now my business partner and I am his Life and Business Coach.

6. Name key business principles that are of core value to you?

1. Respect 2. Trust 3. Understanding 4. Consistency

7. What has been the hardest part of being an entrepreneur?

Not doing the due diligence; Making some poor choices and wrong decisions.

8. What are the 3 things about entrepreneurship that you experienced that no one told you about?

-You do not always need Capital to start a business; – Effective Communication is the Key – Building a Solid Relationship based on Transparency, Compassion, Understanding, Support and Sacrifices

9. What 3 core advice /principles will you give entrepreneurs that are wanting to start their own business?

“Stay focused, stay strong and fight for your WHY!”

“Don’t hold onto your limiting beliefs; take care of your health and well-being, and create the mindset to ‘Who You’ll Become’!”

“Never ever think about quitting on your dreams! There are people out there to guide and support you, if you are focused, a good listener, honest and a reliable person.

10. How do you stay motivated and what keeps you going?

I have My Reasons, my “WHY” which keeps me focused and motivated. And they are:

My 4 beautiful children and their happiness.

I am driven by results. Therefore I like to visualise my goals, share that and the plans and strategies with the team, taking responsibilities, and leading by example.

In making sure that my Customers are getting the WOW Experience – be it for Coaching and Mentoring or Business.

I work with and support people of Old Age, so they can enjoy an Independent, Dignified, Comfortable, Happier and Healthier, Fulfilling life.

Opportunity in sharing my knowledge, skills and experiences with individuals and groups to unleash their True Potential through proper coaching and mentoring.

Facing up with and then overcoming life challenges whilst coming up with innovative ideas to improve lives.

I want to play my part, contribute and influence positively in making this World a safe, comfortable and a happier place for all of us.

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[alexrascanu]

How to Reach Your Potential: An Interview with Rebecca Laramée

Rebecca Laramée (human resources leader, chair of the board of Future Sinai at Sinai Health System and performance manager at TEDxToronto) is taking part in the "How to Reach Your Potential" initiative, a series of 100 interviews with leaders who inspire Alex Rascanu and whose insights can help you reach your potential.

About Rebecca:

Rebecca Laramée’s passion for people and business has led her to help companies achieve their highest potential and profitable results through an approach that keeps “human” at the core of their business practices. Her breadth of experience has everything to do with people, including but not limited to: talent management, workforce planning, employee experience and retention, career management, accommodation, learning and development, coaching, HRM systems and analytics, policy development and compliance, corporate culture, and internal communications. Rebecca has held progressive leadership posts at government offices and a world-renowned teaching hospital and research centre.

Passionate about community building, Rebecca encourages others to live a life that is fully engaged and rewarding, and philanthropy plays a large role in that. As a young philanthropist, Rebecca has met some of the world’s most notable change makers and has worked alongside some of the most generous activists. After spending years supporting not-for-profits and starting her own, she decided to focus on building a culture of philanthropy among Millennials. Rebecca serves as Chair of Future Sinai within Sinai Health Foundation, which engages millennial professionals. In just over a year she has helped raise close to $500,000 and doubled the membership base.

Apart from her work across the Human Resources and talent ecosystems, Rebecca serves as Manager of Performance at TEDx Toronto and Manager of Partnerships at The Ultimate Health Podcast. In her free time, you can often find her in the far corners of the internet reading about human behaviour, researching new scientific discoveries, or brainstorming with startups on building game-changing talent and culture strategies.

Learn more about Rebecca by visiting www.rebeccalaramee.com. Connect with her on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Alex: What is your life’s purpose?

Rebecca: To inspire others to live a life that is fully engaged, energizing, and rewarding more than ever by encouraging them to dream bigger, to be present, and to give their time, talents and treasures to the world around them.

To help others get to where they want to be by providing them with the tools and resources to do this that can be passed down for generations to come.

In return, I ask that they do the same for others.

Alex: What are the three things you’re most passionate about?

Rebecca: Philanthropy, building community, quality education, healthy living, and living a faith-filled life chasing after God-sized dreams (oops, that’s five…)

Alex: How do you stay healthy? What’s your main health-related goal?

Rebecca: I started thinking of my health in terms of health span versus lifespan, which is crucial and a game changer. Your lifespan could be anything up to 100 years, but living a life that is healthy is more important than living a life that is simply long. Your health also determines the health of your emotional and mental wellbeing.

With that in mind, staying healthy for me includes taking care of my physical, mental and emotional health. Besides eating healthy, practicing gratitude, and exercise, I make sure my morning and night routines are in line with my health goals. I get in at least 8 hours of sleep which means lights out at 9:30pm, so I can get an early start at 5:33am. The first thing I do is hydrate (drink a glass of water), pray, exercise and then go over my goals for the day. I really have to protect my mornings -- just recently I started keeping my phone on airplane mode until I leave the house. My nighttime routine is just as important, which includes stretches, reading and journaling, goal setting for the next day, and prayer.

Alex: How do you build wealth? What’s your main financial goal?

Rebecca: I've been fortunate enough to have only worked for companies that have the best-defined benefit (DB) pension plans and buy back plans in Canada. Its money I don't think about or see but I know is there. It allows your investment growth to be tax-free and transferable should I decide to withdraw it earlier.

Millennials tend to not think this far out, but I believe it's crucial for building long-term wealth and stability. Diversification by investing in different vehicles and categories and using forced savings. 10% of my weekly income automatically gets deposited into my tax-free savings account. I also invest money in myself and experiences that money can't buy. I want to build wealth that will allow me to give back much more to those around me.

Alex: How do you balance work and family life?

Rebecca: Blocking out time in my calendar. By doing this, I make sure that every interaction is intentional and meaningful, so that I can remain present.

Coming from a European background, family time around a meal is very important, so Sunday lunches are typically dedicated to family time.

Alex: How do you enjoy spending time with family and friends?

Rebecca: Being outdoors and doing something active, serving the community/others, learning something new or sharing new experiences together… or simply conversing over a cup of coffee.

Alex: What has been the most fulfilling role you’ve ever had, or the most fulfilling project you’ve been involved with so far?

Rebecca: The role that comes to mind is serving as Chair of Future Sinai because of my first-hand experience seeing how the funds raised had an impact on women and infants’ health, the long-term impact it has had on providing the best patient care and experience for those who need it most, and improving how they serve the life-long needs of people living with and rehabilitating from multiple, complex health conditions.

Project-wise, it would be the non-profit I started several years back, Cotton Words, because of the feedback I received from those attending the workshops and events. By creating spaces for others to thrive in, it created a space for them to feel safe and vulnerable. It left a personal impact on them by empowering them to share their stories. Something I didn't expect. Two of the guests ended up pursuing writing as a career, which was pretty neat that I got to play a small role in their journey.

You’re the Key Campaign I initiated for Guatemala also comes to mind as a fulfilling project; seeing the warmth and smiles on the children and teachers faces was priceless.

And TEDx for being a part of helping others tell their story and share their idea on an international platform. Personally, it has been one of the most challenging, inspiring, engaging, and fulfilling experiences, having learned so much from the amazing team and speakers who went on the journey with us.

Alex: What’s one career planning lesson that has made a significant difference in your life?

Rebecca: Two-fold.

1) Networking is your net worth. It's important to surround yourself with a network of people who are inspiring, creative, strategic, and innovative who are willing to answer your endless stream of questions along the way. The invaluable insight you will receive by asking questions and being surrounded by role models and mentors will be the greatest education and inspiration for yourself. I've learned the power of nurturing these relationships, keeping them warm, and always asking how you can help them - never expecting anything in return. I'm always in that mind frame of helping others with no strings attached. People can see that. Humbly said, I have never had to search for a job… It just shows the power of your connections.

2) Putting a dollar value on your time. What is the value of your time worth? When you think in these terms, you will realize that it's best to be a master of a few areas rather than a jack of all trades. Focus on what you are really good at, what makes you stand out amongst the rest -- and give the things you aren't good at to those who are.

Alex: What would you like your legacy to be?

Rebecca: To be a quiet one that people rarely talk about. Secretly leaving a deep impact in the lives of the poorest citizens, helping the impoverished to become self-sufficient, and to bring quality education to girls without access to it. That my legacy will be the dreams that I inspire in others, along with my bold prayers that will come to pass in the generations after me.

Alex: Thank you, Rebecca, for taking part in this interview! Thank you for being so open and for sharing your insights!

Did you find one or more of Rebecca's thoughts helpful? Are there any ideas or resources that came to mind as you read the interview?

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Also, consider checking out the How to Reach Your Potential interviews with Trina Boos, Hamza Khan, James Tjan, Vlad Rascanu, Drew Dudley, Alexandru Holicov, Andrew Mizzoni, Christa Dickenson, Louise Adongo, Sarah Chaudhery, Jake Nicolle, Andy McIlwain and Busola Akin-Olawore. Thank you.