What does it mean to follow one’s passion, to take the reins of one’s life and create a truly amazing existence? How can a person find the key point where their interests and talents align with the world’s greatest needs? Which skills are most essential to cultivate as one travels along the road toward a fulfilled destiny? Speeth’s work takes the reader on a journey to find these answers, to meticulously cut through the noise and carve out a unique, beautiful path of one’s own.

The author’s own journey began with inspiration from former President Jimmy Carter, whom she met during a time of upheaval in her life. At that first meeting, the two held an in-depth, personal conversation in which Carter explained “how to look at and understand and interface with the world in a way that clearly brought him energy and joy.” During the discussion, he honed in on seven key points: clarifying one’s vision, pursuing special skills, striving to be non-duplicative, committing to partnership, sharing the credit, collecting feedback, and nurturing staying power. These became seven pillars for the author’s life, causing an explosion of productivity, wisdom sharing, and personal fulfillment.

Throughout this guidebook, Speeth takes the reader through each of these seven aspects in a meticulous and progressive exploration. Each point builds on the next, creating a blueprint for constructing an inspired life. She demonstrates how taking the first step by clarifying one’s vision provides a direction that allows all other steps to fall into place. After carefully establishing one’s vocation, which comes at the union of the world’s needs and one’s skills and affinities, one can examine the talents and interests that are required for creating a non-duplicative role within one’s vocation. Once this has been outlined and the process set in motion, one can focus on developing deep and fulfilling partnerships, acknowledging the work of others, and receiving feedback for a dynamic and ever-improving life’s journey. Finally, she emphasizes the importance of staying power as one continues to fulfill one’s calling.

In a market bursting with self-help and motivational works, this book stands out in its laser focus, clear organization, and inspiring vitality. Although the original vision came from Speeth’s conversation with Jimmy Carter as well as her ongoing association with the Carter Center, she also draws on her personal experiences, including her work with The Elfenworks Foundation, input from her students, and reflections on the lives of others. Peppered with quotes, song references, scientific and sociological studies, and inspiring stories from public figures such as St. Ignatius to lesser-known individuals, this work details Speeth’s lifelong dedication to sharing the wisdom she has gained.

Although similar in spirit to her earlier work, Intelligence and Compassion in Action: The 7 Pillars for Social Entrepreneurs, this book applies the same principles to one’s personal life and vision. Each of the seven elements is laid out in painstaking detail. The teaching is well-organized and easy to follow. Every chapter ends with advice from her students, a capstone example, and reflection questions. Although her points are laid out with scientific precision, she also uses incredible compassion and demonstrates an understanding that there will be roadblocks and unique difficulties along each reader’s path. For example, in her “Clarifying Vision” chapter, she acknowledges that it may be difficult for the reader to admit where they are in their lives currently and how far they may be from their ideal life. She later reminds readers that “we neither own nor can we solve every single problem in this world. Our time is priceless… so we need to spend it wisely.” Her deep compassion, buoyant encouragement, and strong belief in the reader’s ability to create an amazing life are truly compelling and will stay with the reader long after they have finished the last chapter.

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