You're Still Here

You're still here.  You get another chance this day to do better to be better—another chance to become more of who you were created and what you were created to fulfill.
OPRAH WINFREY

You can watch the motivational video I drew our opening quote from at the end.  It's really worth watching. 

Last week in a workshop, a senior leader paused mid-exercise, looked up at me, and said:

“Alan… I don’t think I’ve ever stopped long enough to ask who I really am or why I’m here.”

That moment hung in the air.  Everyone felt it.

It reminded me how easy it is for leaders, even the most capable, experienced ones, to drift.  Not because they’re careless.  But because the world keeps turning, the inbox keeps filling, and expectations never stop growing.

And yet… here you are.
Still showing up.
Still striving.
Still leading.

Even when you’re tired.
Even when the path isn’t clear.
Even when the demands feel bigger than your capacity.

You are still here.

But presence and purpose are not the same thing.
Many leaders “arrive” each day, but far fewer do so aware, centered, and aligned with who they are and why they do this work.

And that’s the real invitation of leadership—the inside-out work.

Why These Questions Matter
We grew up being asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

But almost no one ever asked:
  Who do you want to be?
  What kind of impact do you want your life to have?
  Why were you put on this earth?

These questions may feel uncomfortable or even indulgent, but they are not.  They are deeply practical leadership questions.

Because when you know your Who and your Why:

• Decision-making becomes clearer
• Priorities align
• Courage grows
• Confidence rockets
• Communication sharpens
• Relationships deepen
• And your leadership resonates with authenticity instead of effort

In a noisy world, clarity is a competitive advantage.  In a turbulent world, purpose is stability.  In a demanding world, alignment is energy.

When You Lose Your Why, You Lose Your Way
Picture a pilot drifting a degree off course.  At first, nothing looks wrong.  But over hundreds of miles, the miss becomes massive.

The same is true for leaders.

Every time you say “yes” too quickly…
Every time you silence your instincts…
Every time you prioritize being busy over being intentional…
The drift grows.

Not because you’re weak, but because you’re human.

The good news?
You can always recenter.
Purpose is renewable.

Start With This
If you pause—truly pause—and ask yourself:

Who am I?
Why am I here?

…what rises to the surface?

Here are three prompts to help you start:

1. When am I most alive, energized, or at my best?
   
2. What impact do I hope others would say I made with my life?
3. What values or beliefs feel non-negotiable for me as a leader?

Even five honest minutes with these questions can shift something in you.

No one’s going to force you to ask those tough questions of yourself and answering them takes time and can be uncomfortable.  So, many people choose not to.  To become an exemplary or great leader, however, it is an imperative.  As Drew Dudley wrote in This is Day One:

Developing an answer is crucial.  If you don’t have a personal leadership philosophy, you don’t have a plan for leading every day. 
You’re hoping to lead, you’re not planning to lead.
DREW DUDLEY

If You Want Help Doing This Work 
This is the heart of purpose-driven leadership.  It’s why I’ve dedicated my career to this work.

If you’re ready to explore your Who and your Why, or if you feel like you’ve drifted off your intended path, I’d love to support you.  I'm passionate about guiding leaders on that journey, like the senior leader mentioned above.  Sometimes all you need is a guide and a conversation.  

• The Purpose-Driven Leadership Program
  
• One-on-One Coaching
  
• The Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI360)
  
• No-cost Discovery Conversation
  

Whether you’re crystal clear or feeling lost, remember this:
The world needs what only you can bring.
And you’re still here—which means your purpose is too.

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Have an amazing journey today!

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Alan Mikolaj is an author, seasoned coach, and leadership development consultant with over 20 years of experience.  He is passionate about helping leaders transform their leadership, their teams, and their organizations.  He has an impactful, professional approach driven by a passion for meaning and purpose, a growth mindset, and a commitment to excellence and service in order to drive change and results.

Alan holds his Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology and Associate Certified Coach credential with the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and maintains their ethics and standards of behavior, including the standards regarding confidentiality.  You can learn more about them on the ICF website.

Transformational change starts with a conversation!
Schedule your free, one-hour session by clicking here: Discovery Conversation with Alan
Or call or email: Contact Page

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