GNT #097: Seeking the Snap

read time: 5 minutes
 

There is nothing quite like that moment when it all snaps into place.

Each week, when I sit down to write this newsletter, I 'try on' topics from my idea library. Sketch out a rough outline, see how the hook/intro takes shape and how helpful the topic truly is for you - my audience of ambitious and purpose-driven leaders, business owners, and entrepreneurs. 

Sometimes the first idea clicks. Sometimes I end up scrapping it and trying another topic. I have my 3 content pillars guiding me: profitable business growth, aligned with purpose, and intentionally designing a life one loves. But bringing these pillars to life is where I get to explore and create each week.

It's a little like molding clay. Sometimes I need to get in there and work it for a bit before the end product direction is realized.

But there's that moment, like a snap, where you can finally see clearly where it's headed and how the pieces will fit together. It's like a lightning strike and everything moves faster after that.

I'm working on a different and much larger personal project right now that I've been stuck in clay mode for far too long. This week I'm changing that.

In today's newsletter, I'm opening up about my project and 5 ways I'm going to achieve that snap moment - and hopefully help you achieve more snaps too.

Let's dive in.

The Quick Backstory

In 2020, I worked with a business to conceptualize and launch “CIOs Against Cancer,” a community that unites CIOs, tech providers, businesses, and a nonprofit to fund cancer research. What started as a purpose-driven idea has since raised over $1M from 2020 to 2023 and is on track to raise another $1M in 2024. The initiative not only provides valuable new connections and relationships for providers but also offers meaningful volunteer opportunities for industry professionals, enabling executives to leverage their influence in the fight against cancer.

With 20 years in marketing, including the last five focused deeply on purpose-driven work, I’ve seen firsthand the power of purpose in business. When a company embraces its purpose - who they are at their best and their role in the world - it can drive incredible growth and impact.

Now, I’m working on consolidating everything I’ve learned from my first-hand work, my research, and interviews with leaders into a practical framework for small and medium businesses. My goal is to help them grow profitably while fulfilling a noble role in the world. While I’m passionate about this project, I’m also struggling to solidify the framework and curriculum. I have so many ideas, and it’s challenging to distill them into a clear, cohesive picture.

But this week, I’m committing to breakthrough moments and forward momentum.
 

#1 Set a Deadline

I’ll admit, I avoided setting a deadline for this project because I didn’t want to rush. I wanted time to let ideas percolate and gather insights. But now, I’m giving myself a real deadline to focus my energy and take action. Deadlines are powerful. They turn ideas into action and help you prioritize what’s most important.

Action: Identify a project you’ve been putting off. Set a deadline, even if it’s just a small milestone, to move closer to your goal.

#2 View it as an Experiment

My leadership coach, Lindsay Read, recently proposed the idea to approach this as an experiment rather than a rigid plan. Treating it as an experiment removes the pressure and lets me focus on learning and adapting. It’s less about perfection and more about progress. She also recommended the book Loving What Is by Byron Katie, which explores how accepting reality as it is—without judgment or resistance—can open up unexpected solutions and opportunities. By approaching my project with curiosity instead of strict expectations, I’m more free to discover what truly works.

Action: Think of a current challenge as an experiment. What small adjustments can you make to test your ideas without fearing failure? Release the need for a perfect outcome and see what you can learn from simply moving forward.

#3 Break it into Bite-sized Milestones

Right now, I’m focusing on creating a high-level outline and a visual representation of the system. Once I have that, I plan to share it with a few people in my network who could genuinely benefit from it to gather their feedback and refine the framework further. This approach keeps me from getting overwhelmed by the bigger picture and helps me focus on one achievable step at a time.

Action: Is there a big project that's stressing you out this week? Break it down into smaller, manageable steps and focus on just the next milestone.

#4 Embrace the Identity - Professional vs. Amateur

A big part of snapping into action is taking ownership and showing up consistently, regardless of inspiration. In Stephen King's book, On Writing, he captures this perfectly: “Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.” Professionals show up, even on hard days, with a commitment to the process. I’m reminding myself to approach my project with this mindset, focusing on progress rather than perfection.

Action: Where can you apply a “professional” mindset to something you’re working on? Commit to showing up for it every day this week.

#5 Revisit Why You Started

I’m a little obsessed with purpose - helping others grow in their personal and professional purpose has become my life’s work. My purpose is to advance joy, meaning, and courageous choices that lead to fulfilling lives for individuals and communities. But even with this deep commitment, I sometimes lose sight of my own purpose in the rush to make things perfect or complete.

For this project, I'm reminding myself that it's not just a framework. It’s about helping to align business purpose, individual purpose, and ultimately, the purpose of the customers we serve. This creates a powerful “purpose path” that enables real impact.

This alignment isn’t just good for the soul, it also delivers measurable ROI. Purpose-driven companies often see stronger customer loyalty, higher employee engagement, and more sustainable growth. Purpose becomes the differentiator, the reason customers choose you, and the reason employees are excited to contribute every day.

Action: Take a moment to revisit the purpose behind what you're working on. Why did you start it? What impact do you hope it will have? Reconnecting with your “why” can fuel you forward when things feel challenging.

Takeaway

I hope sharing what I'm working on has sparked some fresh ideas for you this week. Purpose and progress are a powerful duo.

I'm a big believer that small steps taken with intention can lead to big breakthroughs.

Got any more tips to help me reach that snap moment in my project? Let me know!

See you next week. 

If you enjoyed this newsletter, I hope you forward it to someone today. 

p.s. 3 days after writing this newsletter, I FOUND THE SNAP!

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